Hello, it’s me.. Most call me Macy, others call me Mace Face, macerdonia, and other ridiculous nicknames that make me smile.

I am a year 3 medical student at St. George’s University in Grenada! It didn’t take me long in my undergrad career to decide I wanted to practice medicine one day. However, I was less than prepared for the the application process and the MCAT. I took the MCAT, while I was in college with no preparation, and did below average. It hurt my ego and my bank account. However, I did really well in undergrad, and had a strong resume with both volunteer and leadership. After graduating, I took on two jobs at a nursing home and a hospital at the same time. I told myself I would study for the MCAT on days off/evenings. I did some, but I did not do nearly enough preparation that was necessary to be considered “competitive” by medical school standards.

Feeling discouraged, I was convinced that no school would ever accept me. Medicine is a very competitive field with nothing quite like it. From 2014-2016 I started the application process for medical school and never finished it. Lucky for me, I met someone on Tinder who was convinced that I was supposed to be a physician. I don’t know that I would have ever followed through with my application were it not for him. I also met some really great physicians and medical students working in the CVICU at St. John’s Medical Center who were attending SGU or who graduated from SGU. Feeling inspired after a Thunder game, I submitted my personal statement and application to St. George’s University.

February 23, 2017 I had my first medical school interview. The following day, February 24, 2017, I was accepted into the class of 2021 St. George’s School of Medicine.  That day and getting my white coat were two of the greatest days of my life. St. George’s University offers a unique experience to its students. We live in a third world with limited resources, but we are also surrounded with so much natural beauty, while sweating like crazy. It’s so hot and humid here, but the best part of living here is going to the beach after every single exam. I feel weightless in the ocean and my cares drift away. Also, the rum is pretty good here and I recently got scuba diving certified and learned how to free dive.

Genuinely, I believe that this is where I am suppose to be. Everyday, my fellow classmates and I study hard. I miss my friends and family, but I know that I am making a sacrifice for my dreams. If I were in Tulsa, I would have a hard time feeling socially obligated to loved ones and friends, and here, I am focused. This is a selfish time in our lives. We are constantly having to evaluate what is best for us, in terms of studying, sleeping, eating, etc. After all our hard work, we get to beach.

Thank you to everyone who has encouraged and supported me, or taken the time to read my blog. I enjoy sharing the experience and I am happy to answer any questions.

These views are mine alone, and are in no way reflective of St. George’s University.