AUC Blog

Spend just a few moments with Dr. Sophia Stone and it is easy to see why women and families trust her with their pregnancies. Intelligent, courteous, soft-spoken while still self-assured, she has the kind of presence that women often look for in an obstetrician or gynecologist. They are also qualities that make her a valuable mentor for AUC medical students.

According to the American Association of Medical Colleges, there are more than 120 specialties and sub-specialties in medicine today. For medical students in their clinical years, deciding on a medical specialty can feel overwhelming, especially as the residency application period looms. AUC’s Office of Student Professional Development works with students to develop a roadmap for the future and collaborates with each individual to understand career goals and values, and position students for the Match.

Unlike many of my classmates, I entered medical school without a clue as to what type of physician I wanted to be. It wasn’t until my third year that my experiences began to have an enormous influence on my decision. My first clerkship was Internal Medicine. I loved the long-term patient relationships but craved something more fast-paced. My next core clerkship was General Surgery. I enjoyed the drama and satisfaction of immediate results but missed my patients once their post-op care was complete. Pediatrics and Psychiatry were interesting but didn’t inspire me.

Student Aaron Brown shares his pointers on how clinical students can make a great impression and succeed in their rotations.