The Impact of Caregiving: How Sana S.’s Gap Year Shaped Her Understanding of Patient Support

Med School: University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine
Expected Graduation Year: 2027
College & Major: University of Southern California, Major in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention; 2022.

Learn more about:

•  Sana's background
• Her experiences
• Her application
• Why her med school chose her
• Premed Competencies
• Sana's Tips

Background

• After becoming a certified EMT the summer after her freshman year of college, Sana volunteered at Heartland Hospice, RotaCare San Jose, and Rock Medicine, gaining hands-on experience in patient care.
• Sana served as a Resident Advisor for the Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American (APIDA) floor at USC during her junior and senior years of college, creating a safe and supportive environment for first- and second-year students during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• During her post-college gap year, Sana worked as a barista in a craft coffee shop and as a medical assistant in a private dermatology practice.
• She also cared for her last living grandparent, who was in hospice care, deepening her understanding and appreciation of patient and family support in times of illness. She supported her parents in various household tasks— by taking charge of her grandfather’s needs when they were at work or traveling, cooking dinners for the family, and essentially ensuring that there was a third caregiver for her grandfather beyond her parents.

• As Director of Professional Development at Project RISHI (Rural India Social and Health Improvement), Sana led a social justice conference focusing on cultural competency and healthcare inequities in India, working on long-term initiatives to improve healthcare access in rural communities.

Experiences

Sana S.’s path to medicine wasn’t just a journey of academic pursuit – it was a mission shaped by deep family bonds, personal growth, and a commitment to providing care. Born and raised in the Bay Area, Sana grew up in an environment that championed the power of women. Her education at an all-girls school in San Jose, California instilled in her the belief that every person has the power to make a difference. But it wasn’t until later that she understood the message, when her own family’s experiences of loss and grief revealed the critical role that compassionate care can play in healing not just the body, but the spirit.

Sana’s inspiration to become a physician began early in her life with the story of her maternal grandfather, Dadaji. Sana’s grandmother (Nani) and two aunts were killed in a car accident when her mom was only three years old. Dadaji raised his three remaining children alone after the loss of his wife and two daughters. “As a child, I wanted so badly for Dadaji to find comfort, company, and mental stimulation, and I tried to spend time with him playing cards or other activities. He had gone through so much and experienced such profound loss at such a young age. He taught me so much about resilience in the face of hardship. Living with Dadaji while having my paternal grandparents living just 5 minutes away was a great reminder that healthcare often requires a village. Much of my family immigrated to the U.S. in the 1990’s and settled in California. Home often felt a little like a nursing home– we had all the gadgets and machines to make it easier to care for our loved ones, especially when they were bedridden. It took so much love, patience, and sacrifice from everyone to make sure our elders remained loved, mentally stimulated, and respected in the last years of their lives. The impact on my parents and my own health during this time was a reminder that as a physician, I should also seek to comfort and educate my patient’s loved ones.”

This experience inspired Sana to research volunteer opportunities to help elderly populations. She shared, “I began volunteering for a hospice organization, dedicated to working with other elderly who would benefit from the company, even if it was only for one hour a week. From there, my passion for human connection in medicine only flourished. I began to realize how critical these moments were for hospice patients– to have company, a conversation, or just a hand to hold. I made good friends who were 80, 90, or 100 years old. They have changed my life.”

During the summer before her freshman year of college, she trained and was certified as an EMT. The following year, she volunteered as a COVID-19 tester in one of the hardest-hit communities of San Francisco. From there, she was able to obtain several additional positions including volunteer at Heartland Hospice, and free clinic volunteer at RotaCare San Jose. “Getting a certification early on opened a lot of doors for me,” she shared. “I found most of these positions by searching for ‘volunteer opportunities for EMTs in X city’ and by thinking deeply about which populations I wanted to serve in my free time.”

After starting her college journey at the University of Michigan, she served as Vice President of Operations for Blueprints For Pangaea (B4P), a nonprofit dedicated to reallocating unused medical supplies from hospitals to places in need. She also participated in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP), where she gained experience in a neuroscience and urology lab. This experience furthered her understanding of how research worked and the role she could play in research as an undergraduate student. However, during her sophomore year, she transferred to the University of Southern California (USC) with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I am a strong proponent of finding a school that’s the best fit for you. For me, it was absolutely worth transferring to USC because I loved how students acknowledge the needs of the nearby communities in South Central Los Angeles and truly try to give back. I also loved USC’s mission on building ‘Renaissance men and women,’ which for me, meant people who were willing to go beyond the scope of a job or major. I saw dance majors who wanted to go into politics, and business majors applying into medical school. I found myself being challenged critically at USC to change my community outside of being just a student/EMT, and it has changed my entire outlook on life. I plan to be not only a doctor but something else– a volunteer, a teacher, an entrepreneur.”

At USC, Sana was an RA for the Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American (APIDA) Floor She shared, “I was in the unique position of ensuring that the 15 students in this residential community had a safe space in a predominantly white institution, where those in their living spaces understand their cultural and ethnic background and the niche experiences associated with growing up Asian-American. I was also responsible for 42 additional students on my floor, when many of their first experiences in college were clouded by fears of contracting COVID-19, not being able to travel back home, and increased tension from conducting online school around new roommates. Experiences like these taught me critical ‘soft’ skills that are increasingly important in medicine, like mediation and interpersonal dynamics.”

Despite additional challenges related to the pandemic, Sana thrived in her studies and continued to pursue meaningful experiences. When COVID-19 restrictions prevented her from working (in-person) in a cancer research laboratory, Sana met with the principal investigator weekly on Zoom to discuss research articles. “Her innate curiosity and enthusiasm for science made these meetings a highlight of my week,” said Dr. Reginald Hill, former professor at USC. Dr. Hill eventually became a mentor to Sana; they routinely met to discuss how she could strengthen her application to medical school based on her interests and goals. “Finding a good mentor like Dr. Hill changed my life. If you put the work in to show passion, curiosity, and genuine excitement, mentors will want to put their time and energy into you.”

Later, when restrictions were eased, Sana was finally able to join Dr. Hill’s research lab at USC’s Ellison Institute, which focused on building 3D models of pancreatic tumors. Dr. Hill shared, “Even though she was only able to work a short time, she was able to generate enough data to present two posters and an oral presentation on her findings.”  Dr. Hill added, “One of the most impressive things about Sana is her scientific communication ability. She is a natural at presenting complex topics and received an award for her presentation at a campus-wide Life Sciences undergraduate symposium, in addition to many compliments from scientists at our institute for her posters and oral talk.”

Sana also demonstrated her passion for service by founding the USC Chapter of B4P. " In the two years following the chapter’s conception to my graduation in 2022, our team received 300+ member applications, reallocated over 650 pounds of medical supplies worth over $120,000, and transferred crucial medical equipment to regions afflicted with conflict, with our impact reaching Ukraine, the Philippines, Myanmar, and Turkey.

Following graduation, I joined B4P’s Board of Directors, committed to the longevity of an organization that has taught me critical skills about global medicine, public health, nonprofit-led initiatives, and leadership. I saw how reallocation and redistribution are inherently simple concepts, but when put into action can change health outcomes for the patients served by our beneficiaries and partners.”

During the gap year following her graduation, Sana began to shape her vision for her future in medicine. In that year, as she worked as both a medical assistant in a dermatology practice and a barista at a local coffee shop, she found herself balancing her pursuit of medicine by spending time with family and caring for loved ones.

“During this gap year, I also applied to medical school during the 2022-2023 application cycle. I knew I needed time with family and the opportunity to develop clinical and personal skills. When my last living grandparent was put on hospice, I also chose to live at home to help provide familial support to him and my parents, who served as his caretaker.”

"Start thinking deeply about what you want out of a school and specifically choose to apply to schools that fit that mold. In my time interviewing medical school applicants with UCI’s Admission Committee, the ones who were most successful were the ones who convinced me that this medical school was where they wanted to be and how they envisioned succeeding here. I highly recommend using free online resources where they interview deans of many medical schools and listen to what they look for in an applicant," said Sana.

How Sana Addressed Deficits or Concerns in Her Application

Sana’s path to medical school was not without its obstacles. Proclaiming herself as “not a strong test taker,” Sana was stressed while preparing for the MCAT exam. “I would highly recommend utilizing free resources for CARS and saving the AAMC material until the end as it is the highest yield. The MCAT is a mental game, as you should be prepared to mimic your test environment in whatever way you can. I wore the same clothes, ate the same food, and took the same breaks during my practice tests as I did during the real thing. Some folks I know even went as far as to buy earbuds and get used to using them, as earbuds are given during the test. I will say that it is okay to be a person with test anxiety trying to go into medical school and take the MCAT. There may be this perspective that most premeds very easily study and take tests, but I for one absolutely struggled in that regard,” she shared.

Furthermore, since the COVID-19 pandemic occurred halfway through her undergraduate education, Sana demonstrated patience and perseverance in obtaining clinical experiences. “Her tenacity to push through normal research obstacles as well as unprecedented shutdowns was evident. This made it clear that she would be an extremely dedicated member of the medical profession,” said Dr. Hill.

Sana also found crafting her personal statement challenging, ultimately undergoing 11 revisions. She used each draft as an opportunity to refine her narrative, explaining that she “wanted to highlight three to four different experiences but had no idea how to tie them together. For this problem, I recommend writing each activity and story on its own, then shuffling paragraphs around and seeing how the flow changes.” She further advised, “Allow yourself to try a ‘brain dump.’ Give yourself 30 minutes and just write your story. No edits, and no need to make it fancy or full of fluff. See what stories naturally arise when you think about your path to medicine and go from there.”

University of California Irvine School of Medicine on Why They Chose Sana

Sana’s journey to medical school was shaped by her dedication to service, research, and community involvement, alongside her perseverance in overcoming personal and academic challenges.

Dr. Megan Boysen Osborn, Senior Associate Dean for Students at the University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, recalls her first impression of Sana’s application: “Sana was invited to submit a secondary application to our institution because of her strong academic record. In addition, her clinical exposure, research experience, and community experiences allowed her to make it to the interview screening stage of the application process.”

As the admissions committee delved deeper into Sana’s application, they found certain competencies emerged. According to Dr. Boysen Osborn, “Sana had a very clear service orientation, as demonstrated by her involvement in Blueprints for Pangaea. She wrote about her involvement with this organization in one of her secondary application essays. The hours she spent with this organization were visible in her primary AMCAS application. Sana’s preparedness in the thinking and reasoning competencies were clear through her premedical academic performance.”

During the interview, Dr Boysen Osborn shared that Sana continued to impress the committee. Her ability to articulate her experiences revealed her strengths in teamwork, cultural humility, and resilience. She spoke with sincere empathy and compassion, suggesting genuine care for others.

Reflecting on the rest of Sana’s application, Dr. Boysen Osborn shared that demonstrated evidence of strong interpersonal skills and reliability was obvious in her letters of recommendation. Recommenders specifically commented on her “natural talent for interpersonal connection.”  

Ultimately, the decision to offer Sana a place at the University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, was clear. “Sana’s service contributions and interview answers helped to determine her fit for UCI.”

Sana's Strongest Competencies

Learn more about the Premed Competencies for Entering Medical Students.

Professional Competencies

• Commitment to Learning and Growth
  • Expanding her knowledge and skills by engaging in diverse opportunities such as EMT training, undergraduate research, and mentoring.
• Cultural Awareness
  • Creating a supportive environment for students from diverse cultural backgrounds as a Resident Advisor (RA) for the Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American (APIDA) floor.
• Cultural Humility
  •  Organizing a social justice conference to explore healthcare inequities and learn from different cultural and systemic viewpoints.
• Ethical Responsibility to Self and Others
  • Promoting ethical resource distribution through efforts to reallocate medical supplies with Blueprints for Pangaea.
• Resilience and Adaptability
  •  Adapting to university transfer and pandemic restrictions while maintaining academic and extracurricular involvement.
• Oral Communication
  • Presenting research findings effectively, as demonstrated by awards for scientific communication at a campus-wide Life Sciences undergraduate symposium
• Service Orientation
  • Volunteering with hospice, free clinics, and Project RISHI to serve others and reduce healthcare inequities.

Thinking & Reasoning Competencies

• Critical Thinking
  • Making thoughtful decisions to transfer universities and pursue diverse experiences to achieve personal and professional goals.
  • Addressing healthcare access challenges in rural India and reallocating medical supplies through innovative solutions.
• Scientific Inquiry
  • Conducting neuroscience and oncology research while presenting findings at conferences. 

Sana's Tips

• A scarcity mindset is one where you jump at every opportunity because you believe that a better one doesn’t exist. This is extremely harmful to you as a premedical student as a medical school applicant. You can only put a finite number of activities into your application and pick finite number of experiences to talk about in interviews. Pick extracurriculars and opportunities with intention, and by truly grasping the weight of a project. Saying yes to everything will burn you out significantly and hurt your passion for the field. I was in multiple clubs that I never even added to my application or ever spoke about in an interview. I could have taken much better care of myself in college and been a better team member in other activities if I hadn’t tried to do a dozen things at once. This also heavily dilutes your story. If you’re stretching yourself so thin, you won’t be able to incite tangible change.

• Start thinking deeply about what you want out of a school and specifically choose to apply to schools that fit that mold. In my time interviewing medical school applicants with UCI’s Admission Committee, the ones who were most successful were the ones who convinced me that this medical school was where they wanted to be and how they envisioned succeeding here. I highly recommend using free online resources where they interview deans of many medical schools and listen to what they look for in an applicant.

• Use every opportunity to tell a story. Your essays, activities sections, and interviews are opportunities for a medical school to learn more about YOU, not more about what a medical assistant, EMT, or volunteer does in a clinic. They already know those things, I promise! Telling a story allows the admissions team to envision you in a patient setting and therefore envision you in their school. In an interview, my favorite tip after being asked a question is “Absolutely! When I was an X, I remember a patient who X.”