What It’s Really Like Pursuing Medicine: Advice From Dr. Vicky Wang, a Second-Year Psychiatry Resident

Introduction

Many students dream about pursuing a career in the medical field and saving lives on the daily. As middle and high schoolers, most students focus on preparing through grades and college applications; but what does this long journey look like beyond that? Members of the Incisionary executive team sat down with a current second-year psychiatry resident to discuss the ups and downs of her academic journey, the reality of medical school, and advice for students dedicated to this extensive pathway. 

Originally from Taiwan, Dr. Vicky Wang moved to Canada for high school and then came to the U.S. for college and further medical training. Now, as she strives through psychiatry residency, she shares her personal experiences and insights for students who are ready for a headstart.

Choosing a Specialization

Medicine is a broad field, encompassing numerous branches of specialties and areas of study. It’s important to let yourself explore and discover where your true interests lie. While Dr. Wang majored in molecular biology in college, her interest in psychology had deep roots; from taking the IB Psychology program in high school to making psychology her unofficial “second passion” throughout undergrad, she always felt a strong pull towards the study of the mind.

“I never saw it as a profession until I started rotations. I found myself drawn to conversations and getting to know patients in a deep way.” For Dr. Wang, psychiatry stood out because of its complexity and focus on treating real human disorders that people combat daily. “There’s no blood test or scan that can tell you what’s going on in someone’s mind,” she explained. “It’s the only specialty where you can’t just hook something up to get an answer.”

Standing Out in the Med School & Residency Process

The process for applying to med school and matching into a specialty can substantially differ depending on the field. Dr. Wang underscores that in psychiatry, personal interest and alignment with the field is typically more valued than just technical achievements. 

Different areas of study care prioritize different experiences. “For example, Ortho cares about research and away rotations. Psych cares more about who you are and what you’ve done to explore that interest.” Some things that she personally did to highlight her commitment to psychiatry included oral presentations at conferences, case reports, and leading study groups for fellow psychiatry students. For international students like herself, matching in the U.S. also requires careful planning, like applying only to programs that sponsor visas.

The Reality of Residency

“Medical school prepared me well, but residency is another level,” she says. In her experiences as a psych resident, days often begin at 7:30 a.m. and are filled with rounding, admitting and discharging patients, and long hours of documentation. Second-year psych residents are typically assigned to inpatient psychiatric units, which can be very intense.

Dr. Wang emphasizes that while many students believe that getting into medical school is the hardest part, residency should not be taken lightly either. She highlights the importance of documentation and taking notes, particularly to stay on track of long and overwhelming shifts. “Psych notes are super long, and being on call means covering the whole hospital when other support staff aren’t around.” Despite the stress, she also emphasized the importance of reflection and community. In fields like psychiatry, it is important to process patient problems in a healthy manner. “Debriefing is so important. We have monthly process groups where interns can just rant and reflect. Journaling helps too.”

What Students Must Know Beforehand

“Med school is like drinking from a fire hose. Don’t burn yourself out trying to get there. It’s just the beginning.” She stressed that medicine is a long road. It begins with 4 years of undergraduate schooling, followed by 4 years of medical school, at least 4 years of residency (especially for a psychiatrist career), and additional optional fellowship–often with gap years in between. It is super important to maintain support systems while dealing with the emotional, mental, and financial toll of the lengthy journey.

Before committing to this, you must be confident that you’re completely dedicated to becoming a doctor. “You have to really want this. A lot of people drop out after burning out. Take care of your mental health, relationships, and physical well-being.” In medicine, it is essential to take care of yourself before you can effectively care for others. Dr. Wang underscores the importance of maintaining a healthy school-life balance and strong self-care habits. “You need to be in a good headspace to take care of others.” Empathy, balance, and true curiosity about people are key traits of a medical professional.

Conclusion

Medicine is a demanding but meaningful path and it requires a lot of work, time, and dedication beyond academics. Whether you’re considering psychiatry, surgery, or any specialty in between, talk to real professionals, explore your interests, prioritize your well-being, and understand what the path requires before you make a committed decision.