All Access: Med School Admissions
Episode 77: Transferable Skills That Matter: Insights from SOF to SOM Leaders
18 Feb 2025
In this compelling episode of All Access: Med School Admissions, host Christian Essman sits down with medical students, Ricky Ditzel and Brentyn Jones, two remarkable individuals transitioning from the elite world of Special Operations Forces to the demanding field of medicine. Discover how skills from military training, such as resilience, leadership, and confident communication, are invaluable in medical school and careers. Ricky and Brenton share their journeys, emphasizing the importance of life experiences, vulnerability in applications, and continuous growth. They offer crucial advice for veteran applicants and all applicants, highlighting that success in medicine is about more than just academic readiness. Tune in for an inspiring discussion that bridges the gap between military and medical professions, providing actionable insights for all prospective medical students. Don't miss this episode packed with wisdom and motivation! If you find this podcast to be a helpful resource, RATE, REVIEW, FOLLOW, & SUBSCRIBE please! It helps others find it! Also, please share this with your friends! Send me your recommendations for future medical schools that you'd like to hear featured! Send it to: [email protected] Visit our website for more information on this episode and others. https://linktr.ee/allaccessmedschool This podcast is hosted, edited, and produced by: Christian Essman RESOURCES: Special Operations Forces To School of Medicine (SOFtoSOM) TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Medical School Insights and Partnership 06:01 From Army Medic to Med Student 09:23 SOF Medicine School Initiative 10:48 Military Med School Support Group 15:31 Medical School Preparation Support Program 19:00 Medical Cohort Success and Growth 21:16 Resilient Medic Problem Solvers 26:33 "Earning Your Trident Daily" 28:43 Academic Challenges and Overcoming Failure 31:54 Confidence: Key Differentiator in Med School 37:43 Rise in Non-Traditional Applicants 39:16 Leveraging Skills in Non-Traditional Applications 43:48 Empathy Over Skills in Med Applications 47:21 Academic Success Beyond Initial GPA 49:04 Embrace Unique Skills for Admissions 52:49 Embrace Vulnerability in Storytelling 57:11 Simplify Military Award Statements
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