Med School: The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Expected Graduation Year: 2026, MD/PhD
College & Major: Brandeis University, Biochemistry and Chemistry, 2013
Learn more about:
- Shane's background
- His experiences
- His application
- Why his med school chose him
- Premed Competencies
- Shane's Tips
Background
- Shane became interested in medicine and scientific research after taking his first college-level chemistry course at Brandeis University.
- His experiences caring for an elderly patient with Alzheimer’s and participating in research at the NIH deepened his desire to both care for patients and research new treatments for disease.
- When he attended the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRMS), the experience of the supportive community of diverse scientists ignited Shane’s confidence and sense of belonging.
- His work at the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) from 2013-2015 resulted in co-authoring a publication and further honing his research skills.
- As a first-year MSTP Student at Ohio State University College of Medicine, Shane’s commitment to diversity in medical education led to tangible improvements, including acquiring diverse simulation manikins and his election as the MSTP student president.
Experiences
From a young age, Shane was inspired by his grandmother’s “vision” of him becoming a physician. Even though “such foretelling is considered sacred and true in Jamaica,” according to Shane, he initially dismissed the idea because “my stubbornness would not allow me to accept this dream as a possibility for myself.” But as an undergraduate student at Brandeis University, after taking just one chemistry course he became “enamored with science” and changed his major from Italian Studies to Biochemistry and Chemistry. Shane’s fascination with science grew deeper, setting the stage for his future endeavors. Then, in the summer before his senior year, Shane was jolted by the realization that he was unprepared to apply to medical school directly after graduation and needed to adjust his plans.
When Shane began to start working on his application, he “was told by my academic advisor during 2012 start of my senior year that it was impossible because students wishing to attend medical school had already taken the MCAT and were writing secondaries. I was in shock and didn’t realize about the MCAT exam, let alone secondaries. I had spent three years in college, and none of my colleagues or the academic advisor I had shared my vision with discussed with me if I was on the right path or if I had the tools,” Shane explained.
This wake-up call led him to seek guidance from the prehealth advising office and seize opportunities that would define his path. Shane booked an immediate appointment with an advisor, sharing, “In that meeting, I was told I was not competitive. I was not ready to apply yet. I needed to take a gap year, do research, and go to conferences before applying.”
A pivotal moment came when Shane reached out to his biology professor, Dr. Melissa Kosinski-Collins, asking to attend the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRMS) in the fall of 2012. (ABRMS is a conference for underrepresented community college, undergraduate, and postbaccalaureate students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics designed to support undergraduate students’ professional development as future scientists.) Because Shane needed funding he reached out to leaders in several academic departments. “This is how I met Dr. Eve Marder, who said she would reimburse me if I went to the conference and got an award. It was my first conference. But it was also the first time I saw droves of black and brown scientists, something I’d not yet been exposed to. Seeing this empowered me, I suddenly felt I could do anything.”
Shane’s hard work paid off with an award for his “Synthesis of Multivalent Ligands Designed to Disrupt HIV-1 Tat-peptide/TAR-RNA Interactions” biochemistry poster presentation. Dr. Marder’s support opened doors, including a key connection with Dr. Susan Amara at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). “I had the opportunity to shadow and work with general and neurosurgeons at NIH,” Shane added. For the next two years, Shane’s time working at NIMH’s neurobiology lab was marked by further achievements, including co-authoring a publication and furthering his research skills.
During the 2014-2015 application cycle, Shane applied only to MD/PhD and Medical Scientist Training Programs (MSTP). He admits that he “applied late, receiving only one interview with Ohio State University’s College of Medicine (OSU),” and was waitlisted and ultimately not offered an acceptance.” The following year, Shane applied, again primarily to MSTP programs, but also included one MD-only program. Unfortunately, he again was unsuccessful.
"It is easy to compare yourself to other students who are moving faster than you, but this is a recipe for constant self-doubt and self-deprecating thoughts. We are all guilty of it. However, when we practice competing with ourselves, we are more likely to cheer and talk ourselves into living out our dreams of attending and excelling in medical school," said Shane.
Frustrated, yet determined, Shane connected with several medical schools to see if they’d share some insight and advice on how to strengthen his application. He shared, “I learned that while my first MCAT score was good, my retake raised red flags because my verbal reasoning score reduced.” One admissions representative advised that getting good grades in a post-graduate program would further demonstrate that he could withstand the rigors of medical school. “I was also encouraged to increase my shadowing experiences and retake the MCAT. I took the advice and applied for Boston University’s Master’s in Medical Science program. I received acceptance in the fall of 2016.”
During his third application cycle, he leveraged his experience and newfound confidence, ultimately earning acceptance into several prestigious programs, including OSU College of Medicine.
Shane’s journey is a testament to the power of self-advocacy. Shanes’ path from a high school student with a dream to a dedicated MD-PhD candidate, highlights how perseverance, hard work, and the support of mentors can transform challenges into opportunities. As he looks forward to a career as a surgeon-scientist, Shane remains committed to returning to Jamaica to enhance healthcare services, continuing a legacy of service inspired by his grandmother's vision.
How Shane Addressed Deficits or Concerns in His Application
For a while, Shane found himself at a crossroads. He grappled with self-doubt and uncertainty but was determined to turn things around. After revisiting his application, he sought guidance from his pre-health advisor, Dr. Kate Stutz, director of pre-health advising at Brandeis University.
With her guidance, he devised a strategic plan for his third application attempt: he would take the MCAT exam after completing a prep course, apply early in the application cycle, and target a balanced mix of MD and MD/PhD programs.
Shane explains that for many low-income and underserved students, investing in a preparatory course can feel like a revolutionary act due to the costs of some resources. (Note: the AAMC provides free and low-cost MCAT resources.) For some, it means prioritizing or sacrificing necessities to afford it. He said, “In my first two attempts at the MCAT, I struggled without these resources. The exam requires not just knowledge but also effective test-taking strategies.”
During this time, Shane met regularly with Dr. Stutz. She recalled, “he experienced personal and academic struggles as an undergraduate at Brandeis, which impacted his overall success. He graduated with a lower GPA, and other professionals tried to dissuade him from pursuing medical school. Rather than give up, Shane kept pushing to find a way to reach his goal.”
During their meetings they undertook a thorough review of Shane’s experiences, focusing on every detail that could enhance his application. “We discussed MCAT timing and preparation, letters of recommendation, and which schools to apply to,” Dr. Stutz elaborated. “I reviewed Shane’s work and activities section and provided feedback on his personal statement as well.”
Shane also shared that his time at NIH helped in his growth as a research trainee. He published original work, attended several conferences, and participated in research seminars. Through the experience, he was able to sharpen his critical thinking and analytical skills. “The publications and ability to demonstrate my productivity during my gap years made me more competitive for acceptance to MD/MSTP programs.”
Dr. Stutz emphasized how important mentorship was for Shane’s success, saying, “Shane always sought out people who supported his goals and dreams. I believe this is, in addition to his resilience, is one of the reasons he has been so successful. In turn, he has been a wonderful mentor to students at Brandeis and has participated in several programs through our office. He is already making an impact on the next generation of physicians and physician-scientists!”
The Ohio State University College of Medicine on Why They Chose Shane
Shane’s path to acceptance into OSUCOM was anything but straightforward; he applied three times before finally accepting a spot in the MSTP (MD/PhD) program.
According to Ashley Bertran, administrative director of the MSTP program at OSUCOM, Shane’s application was rich with competencies that resonated with the review committee. “His dedication to promoting diversity, his curiosity for research, and his desire to serve were all evident in his essays.” While Shane’s written application was strong, Ms. Bertran noted, it was really his interviews that ultimately convinced the review committee of his strengths as an applicant. Many of the interviewers commented that Shane’s passion for this dual degree career was palpable. The interviewers left the interview having a very strong sense of what guided Shane in his endeavors.”
The committee appreciated Shane’s advocacy for diversity, which stood out. In fact, once he matriculated, Shane’s commitment led to real accomplishments, such as acquiring diverse simulation manikins and his election as the MSTP student president of his medical school class. This alignment with his values and aspirations was a key reason OSUCOM was drawn to him.
Ultimately, the decision to invite Shane to join OSUCOM was an easy one. His application showed great promise and his enthusiasm for the MSTP was described as infectious, giving the committee confidence in his ability to contribute positively to their program.
Ms. Bertran emphasized, “Shane embodied the attributes we look for in successful applicants and ultimately successful students. We saw so much promise in Shane, and we were willing to offer a highly sought-after position to him based not only on his strong application but also on the things we gleaned during his interviews with our program.”
Shane's Strongest Competencies
Learn more about the Premed Competencies for Entering Medical Students.
Professional Competencies
- Commitment to Learning and Growth
- Seeking opportunities for growth through post-baccalaureate education, research experiences, and professional development through the Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRMS).
- Cultural Awareness
- Building community among underrepresented scientists by participating in conferences like ABRMS.
- Oral Communication
- Presenting innovative research at conferences, earning recognition for excellence, and expanding his professional network
- Resilience and Adaptability
- Demonstrating persistence by navigating multiple application cycles and addressing weaknesses in his candidacy with strategic improvements like taking an MCAT prep course and applying to a mix of MD/MDPHD programs.
Science Competencies
- Living Systems
- Contributing to publications in neurobiology during time at NIH.
Thinking & Reasoning Competencies
- Scientific Inquiry
- Developing advanced research skills through work at the NIH.
Shane's Tips
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Find mentors, and sponsors that believe and support your dreams. In fact, stick to the ones who if you tell them you want to go to a conference, they will support you and ask you to go a step further to bring home an award.
- Be critical of all your actions, every one of them can impact your personal and professional goals.
- It is easy to compare yourself to other students who are moving faster than you, but this is a recipe for constant self-doubt and self-deprecating thoughts. We are all guilty of it. However, when we practice competing with ourselves, we are more likely to cheer and talk ourselves into living out our dreams of attending and excelling in medical school.
