Rachel Leo, Current MD Candidate
BU Major & Graduation Date:
Music, May 2022
Current School and Year:
MS1 at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine (CCLCM) of Case Western Reserve University
Preferred Pronouns:
she/her
Hometown:
Seattle, WA
What school are you attending and what you are studying?
I attend the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine (CCLCM), which is a unique 5-year full-tuition scholarship MD program within Case Western Reserve University that emphasizes research. The curriculum contains a built-in research year and has no grades or required exams, so students can truly focus on finding their love for learning and on studying for important national exams. There are 32 students in each year, so students receive close mentorship, become close friends with one another, and still have broader Case Western activities and clubs to participate in. Many CCLCM students pursue a Master’s degree and conduct clinical or translational research, which I enjoyed in undergrad and in my gap years.
Is there a specialization and/or specific population you are interested in?
I am interested in ENT and surgical oncology. I participated in research during undergrad, and I worked in surgical oncology research during my gap years. I was able to attend conferences, resident workshops, and weekly oncology meetings like Tumor Board and Morbidity & Mortality where complicated patient cases were discussed and analyzed. I found that I liked the multidisciplinary approach to cancer care, and seeing treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique background and cancer characteristics. I liked the hands-on approach of surgical oncology as surgery is the only curative treatment for cancer. For ENT in particular, I like the clinical diversity, being able to see patients of all ages and to treat in both the clinic and operating room.
What are one or two of your favorite experiences/activities and why?
In medical school, I am in the band for Doc Opera, which is an annual musical/variety show at Case Western Med, which includes dances and medical parodies of songs. It’s a huge tradition at Case Western that has been around for decades and helps fundraise money for the student-run health clinic.
In undergrad, one of my favorite experiences was volunteering at a hospice center for patients with Alzheimer’s disease. I loved hearing patients’ stories, from their times with family to their experiences traveling the world. The experience showed me that I want the positive connections and moments I share with others to be my legacy.
Did you take gap years?
Yes — I took 2 gap years, and despite initially being hesitant about it, this was a great decision. I personally wanted to spend the time to mature and to experience working a full-time job. Not only did I reaffirm medicine as the path for me, but I got to deepen lifelong friendships, pick up new hobbies, and travel internationally.
What was your favorite BU course and why?
I have several!
MH 436 – Music Cultures of the World with Dr. Marié Abe. I got to play with a renowned Balinese gamelan and study music ensembles from around the world!
History of American Popular Music with Dr. Jason McCool. This class blew my mind and showed me how American music and culture, from Bob Dylan to Ariana Grande, takes root in Black communities.
BI 594 – DNA and Chromosome Dynamics with Dr. Michaelyn Hartmann. We learned about cancer, aneuploidy, and looked at recent research studying unique chromosomal diseases.
Were you involved in any clubs/groups at BU?
My school involvement centered around music activities, as I grew up playing the cello. I played in the BU Orchestra my freshman year, mentored elementary school kids on the cello, and then transitioned to playing in smaller chamber ensembles during the following years, which was a lot of fun!
Have you always known you wanted to be a doctor? What/who has been your biggest inspiration?
It was in the back of my mind from a young age because my mother is an OB/GYN. However, every career has its pros/cons and seeing my mother’s unpredictable work schedule among other things encouraged me to deeply reflect on whether the challenges of medicine were worth sticking through. During my gap years, I met many physicians, including a female surgeon with 4 kids who was simultaneously pursing a master’s degree — she helped me recognize that it’s possible to pursue this path while raising a family. My research PI, a surgical oncologist who I worked closely with and shadowed weekly, was a huge inspiration to me. He taught students with humor, is a respected leader, surgeon and researcher in his field, and always talks with his patients like he’s catching up with old friends. I knew that was the kind of doctor and friend I wanted to be. And of course, my parents are both huge inspirations, as both immigrated to the US at young ages and persevered in providing me with strong educational opportunities.
What resources at BU did you find most helpful or want to spotlight that others might not know about?
BU Pre-Health Advising hosts virtual school visits where an admissions member will come talk about their school and answer questions. You can attend these before your application year and even as an alum. The Interview Panel with past BU students that takes place each Fall provides invaluable information from past applicants. All of these sessions are recorded and uploaded to the Pre-Health website so you can view previous years’ panels.
What are your hobbies/What do you like to do for fun outside of the classroom?
I like listening to music of all genres and I like to (attempt to) sing. I started reading more historical fiction, sci-fi, and classics during my gap years. I also enjoy going to spin classes and spending time with dogs.
Are there any tips/advice you would like to share with current pre-health students?
It’s totally okay to have strong passions outside of healthcare. I went into BU as a Neuroscience major and came out as a Music major, and it was a point of interest in every interview. When possible, try to focus on activities you truly enjoy. Everything is a learning and life experience, whether it’s medical or non-medical.
In terms of applying, schools are most likely to interview applicants with ties to the school/state or someone who is a good fit for their program and mission. Do school research and be sure to show your specific fit for a school by mentioning programs you want to engage in via your secondaries, interviews, and very importantly, in update letters or letters of interest/intent.
Despite inevitable setbacks and challenges, trust that everything will ultimately work out for you. You got this!