The MedMentor Podcast

One Step at a Time: Navigating the Medical School Application Journey

Episode 7 of The MedMentor Podcast dives into one of the most overwhelming parts of the pre-med journey—the medical school application process. From crafting a compelling personal statement to preparing for interviews, this episode breaks down the key steps that can help aspiring physicians stand out.
Our guest, Manuel, shares how working as an EMT technician provided invaluable clinical experience, strengthened their understanding of patient care, and helped shape their story as an applicant. They also discuss the emotional reality many pre-med students face—the stress, uncertainty, and pressure that comes with applying to medical school.
The biggest takeaway? Success comes from taking the journey one step at a time. By focusing on growth, gaining meaningful experiences, and staying authentic in your story, the path to medical school becomes far more manageable.
This episode is packed with practical advice, mindset shifts, and real insights to help pre-med students navigate applications with confidence and clarity.

Mindset Over Metrics — From Setbacks to Success in Medical School

In this powerful episode of The MedMentor Podcast, Dr. Lawyer sits down with Rav, first-year medical student, who shares her unfiltered journeys from self-doubt to self-belief. From disappointing MCAT scores and lower GPAs to the pressure of comparison and imposter syndrome, they open up about what it really takes to persist — and ultimately thrive — in medical school.
We dive into the transformative power of positive self-talk, how to build a resilient and growth-oriented mindset, and why your metrics do not define your future in medicine. They discuss the importance of strategic networking, seeking mentorship, and surrounding yourself with people who speak belief into your vision when your confidence feels fragile.
This episode is a reminder that:✨ Your story is still being written.✨ Setbacks are setups for growth.✨ Persistence beats perfection.
If you've ever questioned whether you're “good enough” for medical school, this conversation will remind you that resilience, discipline, and mindset often matter more than numbers.
Whether you're pre-med, in a gap year, or early in your medical training — this episode will challenge you to reframe your narrative and lean into the power of becoming.

Built, Not Scripted: Crafting Your Own Medical School Story

In this episode of The MedMentor Podcast, Dr. Lawyer sits down with Colin, a first-year medical student, for an honest and insightful conversation designed specifically for pre-medical students navigating the road to medical school.
Colin shares thoughtful, practical advice about choosing meaningful jobs before medical school — not just to “check a box,” but to truly grow. From clinical roles to unexpected work experiences, he explains how each opportunity helped him develop maturity, resilience, and most importantly, autonomy.
They dive deep into:
How to choose pre-med jobs that actually shape you
What medical school interviewers are really looking for
How to craft a compelling personal statement without sounding rehearsed
Why authenticity matters more than perfection
The power of self-awareness and self-reflection in your journey to medicine
The key takeaway?Be true to yourself. Your story doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s. The experiences that build independence and autonomy — even outside the traditional “pre-med” path — are often the ones that shape the strongest future physicians.
If you're a pre-med wondering whether you're “doing enough,” this episode will remind you that growth, ownership of your path, and genuine self-reflection matter far more than a perfectly curated résumé.

Mindset, Momentum & Med School — Pre-Med Advice from a Collegiate Athlete Turned First-Year Medical Student

In this inspiring conversation, we sit down with Riley, a former NCAA soccer athlete who transitioned from the competitive world of collegiate sports into the rigors of medical school. Riley shares the grit, resilience, and strategy that helped her not just get in — but thrive — while juggling elite athletics, academics, and ambition.
From mastering time management to navigating MCAT prep and application season, Riley brings real-world pre-med advice rooted in discipline, growth mindset, and self-belief. Listeners will gain:
🔹 How athletic training built transferable skills for the pre-med journey🔹 The daily habits that keep performance high, stress low, and goals in focus🔹 Practical tips for balancing leadership, volunteering, research, and self-care🔹 What admissions committees really look for — beyond the GPA🔹 How to turn setbacks into momentum and confidence into action
Whether you’re a pre-med student, athlete-student, or aspiring future physician looking for inspiration and strategy, this episode is your playbook for approaching medicine with strength, strategy, and heart.
Tune in and rise into your pre-med power.

From Classroom to Clinic: Lessons from a 3rd-Year Med Student

In this episode of The MedMentor Podcast, we sit down with a third-year medical student, Chris, to talk candidly about the transition from the classroom to the hospital wards. Third year is one of the biggest turning points in medical training, and this conversation pulls back the curtain on what life is really like on rotations.
Our guest shares premier tips and practical pearls on how to prepare for third year, what they wish they had known before stepping onto the wards, and how to navigate the steep learning curve of clinical medicine. We dive into expectations versus reality, adapting to different rotations, working with residents and attendings, and building confidence in patient care.
Whether you’re a pre-med, MS1, or MS2—or approaching clinical rotations yourself—this episode is packed with real-world advice to help you walk into third year more prepared, confident, and grounded.
A must-listen for anyone gearing up for the clinical years.

Pre-Med Pearls from a First-year Medical Student

In this episode of The MedMentor Podcast, first-year medical student Mallory shares practical pre-med pearls she wishes she knew before starting medical school. From mindset and preparation to avoiding common pitfalls, this conversation offers real, honest guidance for aspiring physicians navigating the pre-med journey.

Confessions of a Medical Student

In this episode of The MedMentor Podcast, Dr. Lawyer sits down with Cameron, a second-year DO medical student, for a real, honest conversation about life inside medical school.
Cameron shares what inspired him to pursue a career in medicine, the journey that led him to osteopathic medical school, and why he chose the program he’s currently attending. Together, they pull back the curtain on the realities of being a second-year medical student—what a true “day in the life” looks like, how he balances studying with life outside the classroom, and the lessons he’s learning along the way.
Throughout the episode, Dr. Lawyer and Cameron drop invaluable “nuggets” of wisdom for aspiring physicians, pre-med students, and anyone considering the path to medicine. From mindset shifts to practical advice, this conversation offers insight, encouragement, and mentorship you won’t find in a textbook.
Whether you’re dreaming of medical school, navigating the pre-med journey, or already in training, this episode is packed with perspective, honesty, and guidance to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
✨ If you’ve ever wondered what medical school is really like—and how students get there—this episode is for you.

Welcome to the The MedMentor podcast

Welcome to the MedMentor podcast. My name is Tracye Lawyer. I am an orthopedic surgeon. This podcast is different from any other medical podcast. My purpose to do this podcast is to talk to and interview current medical students to hear their thoughts, ideas, desires, struggles, ambition, fears and excitement as they go through medical student. I want to provide a safe and educational forum for pre-medical and medical students to hear other students experiences as they go through medical school. You will be surprised how much we are all alike. And remember, at one point I was a medical student going through similar triumphs and tribulations. So enjoy and I hope this brings up great discussions among your peers but also to know that you are not alone and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.