Schulich Medicine & Dentistry’s Renaissance Man

A filmmaker, singer and trained teacher, Brad Rostas, Schulich Medicine Class of 2016 can best be described as a renaissance man. Recently he took his artistic abilities and talent and applied it to a whole new landscape - the production of Schulich Medicine's annual admissions video.

Appropriately named - The Applicant, the outstanding short film captures the fears, dreams and hopes of a prospective medical student. The video is developed for and shown during the School's interview weekends.

So how does a budding filmmaker find a home at Schulich Medicine? Rostas' journey to has been somewhat unorthodox to say the least.

Growing up he had an interest in the arts and attended arts focussed elementary and secondary schools. At Western University he studied political science and science and then went on to achieve a Bachelor of Education. He then fulfilled a life-long dream and was accepted into film school in California. Meanwhile during the summers, he toured Europe with his a cappella singing group Six Vocal Ensemble. When he wasn't busy he managed to cut two albums and audition for the "Sing Off" an NBC television program featuring a competition between a cappella singing groups.

It was then that Rostas began considering medicine as an option for a career. Inspired by his older brother who is an anesthesiologist, he began the long hours of studying and preparation for his MCAT.

Now in his first year, he will admit that it took a few months to adjust to the schedule and find a new balance in his life.

For Rostas, finding that balance includes serving as his class' President, playing on the School's hockey team, taking part in intramurals, helping out with Tachycardia and soaking up all that Schulich Medicine has to offer. He believes the School's culture, as well as the camaraderie that exists between his classmates helped to make his transition and settling in much easier.

"You have to be self motivated to keep your head above water," says Rostas, "there is a lot of work, but its work that you don't mind doing. And you need to stand back and really take in the magnitude of what they are learning and the impact it can have."

Joining the team to create the admission weekend video was just another great way for Rostas to get involved with the School. A collective decision to do something different and not "bash" other schools helped to create a cohesive vision for the video amongst all the team members. Together more than 100 actors, 20 crew members and some very supportive faculty took part in the video. In all, it took approximately 150 hours to create, and not surprisingly went viral the minute it hit YouTube.

Rostas is proud of the video and what the whole team has accomplished. Now he is looking forward to the summer when he hopes to be completing an elective in either emergency medicine or anesthesia.

Click here to watch The Applicant.