Q&A with Lydia
"I honestly wouldn't change any part of my journey to medicine. During undergrad I prioritized a balanced academic and social life, and tried not to stress about creating the "perfect application." I only participated in activities I was passionate about, which made them enjoyable and helped me find amazing friends."
Lydia
MD Class of 2026
What was your academic or life journey to applying to medical school?
Academically, my journey to medical school was fairly standard. I knew in high school that I wanted to pursue medicine, so I majored in Medical Sciences and minored in biology at Brock, and started at Western the fall after graduating.
Non-academically, my resume was slightly less typical. I had no research experience, and much more work than volunteer hours. My main extracurricular was participating on my university's track and field team, where I threw shot put. I was very involved with my team and took on leadership roles on the Student Athlete Leadership Council and as a team captain.
What organizations or extracurricular activities are you involved in through medical school?
I've been involved in intramurals, Class Council, Hippocratic Council, and the Black Medical Student Association (BMSA). In my first year, I played intramural basketball and volleyball, and was the Class Council EDI representative. This year, I serve as VP-EDID on the Hippocratic Council, and VP-Advocacy on the BMSA. I also participate as a student representative on the Schulich Policy Subcommittee.
Why did you become a Student Ambassador?
I became a Student Ambassador because I understand how stressful the admissions process can be for prospective applicants. With all the information surrounding admissions, the process can become overwhelming and confusing. As a Student Ambassador, I want to help fill in some of those blanks, and hopefully provide some clarity and reassurance to prospective applicants.
Furthermore, as a black woman, I hope that my representation might inspire other underrepresented students to continue pursuing medicine. I hope my participation gives prospective black applicants someone with a similar lived experience to connect with and reach out to for guidance and support.
Would you change anything about your journey to medical school?
I honestly wouldn't change any part of my journey to medicine. During undergrad I prioritized a balanced academic and social life, and tried not to stress about creating the "perfect application." I only participated in activities I was passionate about, which made them enjoyable and helped me find amazing friends. During applications I was slightly stressed about not having research or clinical experiences, but my extracurriculars told a clear story of my character, interests, and who I was as an applicant. Looking back I don't have any regrets, and I'm thankful to have had such a wonderful journey to medicine.
