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I am so happy I found this channel. You are one of the most honest and genuine person on TH-cam and your experience is so important to people like me. I am going through a similar experience. I just wanted to thank you because of those videos you made. I am moved, because my choices of life were very similar to yours. I was scared to try MS, but your story gives me hope. Maybe I can try too, maybe I can be brave like you. Thanks again . ❤

Ty for the talk. Your amazing . I do not know how to start a research paper but my goal as a veteran is to answer the question of age JROTC and suicidal tendencies. As we know military brats move around a lot, does age and being on military bases play a role in suicidal tendencies? Furthermore if the military brats go from middle school straight into JROTC and attention the mandatory class all 4 years I have seen the death and dying in combat yet I would never take my own life. I was a military brat and went to JROTC all throughout high school so what makes a soldier end their life. and could an JROTC class in H.S change the kids perception of war putting to bed the notion of riots and protests and make they realize evil individuals who want the death of every American man woman child.

Thanks for your candidness. Truly appreciate your vulnerability and the light you shine for some of us who have had movie-worthy adversity to overcome on our non-traditional routes.

Your journey is wow. Great👏🏼👏🏼

Very helpfull learning advice. Thank you❤Dr

I am also an English major student. Currently doing my master and studing for medical entrance exam. Your video gave me hope. Thank you. May God bless you😊

Hey Joy! Already you have transofrmed my studying! I kept doing sets of 59 or 53 to simulate the blocks on the actual exam since my stamina is so poor (ADHD), and all it did was make me feel like a failure as a struggled to trudge through these mountainous study blocks. Doing it the way you have advised has already given me so many small wins and helped me build momentum in the past few days from your other video where you said to do 10 question blocks, and to feel comfortable sometimes doing blocks you feel better at to build momentum. HUG! Thank you so much!

Yes to everything! May I also add my experiences to your points. I am applying to PA schools as a first gen immigrant, so many schools I applied to require me to take additional test like Tofle to prove my English skills because my first language was not English, despite having a bachelors degree with honors in an accredited US public university. That’s another $200 test on top of whatever entrance exams and enormous fees to just apply. When I eventually had an interview, one interviewer asked me why I went to the undergrad university that I went to. I was baffled, what kind of question was that? My financial situation and having to live with my family literally leave me no choice of where to attend. I needed to stay close to help my family and the tuition was just about right. I wasn’t looking at universities to find which schools have the most up to date technology or the most fun for students. I was poor. I could only afford local schools! I asked my friends about these experiences but no one seems to understand the additional frictions unless they also live through it.

Joy Alvarado, MD Joy Alvarado holds a Bachelors of Arts in English from the University of Texas at Austin, a Masters of Health Science from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and a medical degree from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine. She is a Captain in the US Army and a family medicine resident at the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center. She enjoys writing and oil painting.

Too bad that you’re no longer posting videos… it’d have been great to hear how you’re doing today

I read about a police officer that was able to go into medical school on his first time applying. Super crazy how the route plays out for many non-traditional doctors.

Every once in awhile you have to click videos with little views to experience this. Great content and conversation. Keep going doctor!

I loved watching this video ❤. Thank you so much for all the information! God bless you! ❤

I am literally so inspired by your journey. Please make more videos and continue to do so.

YOU ARE SO WISE!

MORE POWER TO YOU! Couldn’t relate more to this. EVERY BIT OF IT❤️

We should compile a list of schools that are inviting towards nontrads

Please upload again soon

This is a great video concept. I just started making similar videos on my channel.

Big hug of gratitude for sharing this with us. Feel so much less alone as a non-trad student. 💓🌸

Big hug of gratitude for sharing this with us. Feel so much less alone as a non-trad student. 💓🌸

Can you make a video of how to make a good schedule because you definitely have that skill mastered

For sure you’re a really special one 😅 keep up Doc!

Anyone watching this. If it isn’t obvious. If you get accepted to a US DO/MD medical school, you go. Opting to do the masters program was a very poor choice objectively. It did work out for her , but look how many more years it took her. She should have said, NEVER do what I did and reject a medical school acceptance (which is the end goal)

Ok I’m convinced, I’m just going to jump straight into uworld and do practice problems and learn from that instead of passively doing content review for my mcat! Pray for me!

Great commentary!

Generally math and physics majors have the highest acceptance rates into medical school. If i was a patient I would prefer a math or physics major as my doctor because they are sharper in critical thinking.

Omgsh I have your brain too… failed Step I back then. Great videos!

Girl we must compare notes! I left clerkships to support my family… could only join clin research pharma sector… thankfully acknowledging my medical school completion. Now returning to complete residency 14 years plus a MBA.

Did you write out formulas, AA’s, and Pathways everyday ?

I took ten years to get my associates, starting at 22. Never went to HS. Sometimes life kicks you down. I'm 34 now and getting ready for MCAT and applications. I have a 4.0 GPA and all pre reqs.

So… I’ve been doing this kinda right? I feel way better now, thanks! 😅 I’ve always really enjoyed doing questions as a way to learn the material

Thank you very much, Dr. Alvarado; this has greatly enhanced my studying! When I first started my MCAT journey, I was all over the place but your technique has given me a sense of direction and plan to attack this exam! :D (Cant thank you enough!)

Hi! Will you make an updated video anytime soon?

You’re innovative and curious approach is one that resonates with me! Thank you for sharing!

I am also a non-traditional student. I'm an immigrant, and my entire degree was in my country. And now I'm having to go through this whole professionalization path again. I'm currently in the pre-PA course, and I confess that I'm pretty scared by the many barriers I must overcome to get there. Your video encouraged me a lot. ❤

I’m 27 and have been nursing this dream. Have a masters in HR of all things lol and a comfortable career. But I’m kinda wishing I could pursue this dream

how old were you when accepted?

this gives me hope. thank you!

Amazing

Thank you for the video series! You mentioned not taking notes. I usually write down and go over the material where I get questions wrong. I also like to write out topics that I don’t understand from lecture. Okay I do take a lot of notes like to organize, to put on my own words, etc. So what you are saying means that research says that stopping note taking is more high yield? Or you mean that instead of writing “passive notes” to write all type of notes as a question which would be active? 😅

What a relief to hear about someone else who has shared the same experiences I have in so many ways. Thank you for the courage for putting yourself out there. Hope to hear more updates from you. Did you work during medical school? If so what did you do?

You make really great videos, I am a computer science major and I really really benefited from your videos especially the how to study efficiently videos I really appreciate that, I really hope that you continue making amazing videos.

Thank you Dr. Alvarado, I really wish I would have came across this series when I first began in preparing for the MCAT. Your words were very empowering.

This should have 10 million views and likes. Thank you soo much

I'm a 1st generation college student, my parents didn't even graduate high school. I am a single mom of 3, I work two jobs, and am finishing up my pre med studies so I can get into medical school. My parents think college is a waste of time and money. I grew up poor, still am poor but I will be able to relate with the majority of my patients when I become a Dr. Being a woman from the south that was raised to believe God created women to serve their husband with their mouths shut and shouldn't work outside the home, I am definitely the blacksheep of my family and ridiculed because of my choices. However, I agree with everything you have said. Once women from different backgrounds can get into the positions to illicit change, change will come. We work hard to succeed now so the future students of medicine don't have to struggle as we have. Thanks for your video!

Thank you doctor for this great video👌, It is really helpful 🌺.

i love your story! i am also a non trad latina working towards applying next year and i am so inspired by you 💓

Oh I love your content! Thanks for sharing

Hi I just came across your channel I would love to see more about your lifestyle as of now as a military doctor!