Ainsley Hutchison, Current MD Candidate
BU Major & Graduation Date:
Human Physiology, minor in Public Health, May 2024
Current School and Year:
University of Colorado School of Medicine, first year (C/O 2028)
Preferred Pronouns:
She/her
Hometown:
Boulder, CO
What school are you attending and what you are studying?
This summer I started medical school at the University of Colorado Anschutz campus. I chose this school for its unique curriculum and to be close to my family! The curriculum at CU is different from most other medical schools, we only spend one year in didactics before we start our clinical year, then we return to the classroom for our advanced science courses at the beginning of third year.
Is there a specialization and/or specific population you are interested in?
I don’t really know what I want to specialize in! That’s why I was so excited for the early clinical exposure that CU offers. I feel like I need to see everything to find out what I want to do. Right now, I’m interested in OB/GYN, Cardiology, Critical Care, and Pediatrics, which is a huge range!
What are one or two of your favorite experiences/activities and why?
During undergrad, my most meaningful experience was definitely medical scribing. I scribed in the MGH Emergency Department and had a great time. I met so many incredible healthcare workers and learned so much. It has also really paid off so far, since many of my instructors assume we already know medical terminology!
Did you take a gap year?
I did not take a gap year, which is unusual these days. I’m happy to answer questions about that since it was definitely tough to navigate and I wasn’t able to talk to anyone else who did it that way.
What was your favorite BU course and why?
I loved pretty much every advanced physiology course in Sargent, but my favorite was Cardiovascular Pathophysiology (I believe the course code is HS375?). Dr. Moreira does a great job teaching some really complex topics and I found that I really enjoyed both the normal physiology and the pathophysiology. I also HIGHLY recommend Gross Anatomy—anatomy lab in medical school moves fast and having that background knowledge makes a big difference.
Were you involved in any clubs/groups at BU?
I wasn’t really involved in clubs, but I did participate in BU’s UROP and had a great time! UROP provides students with research funding either over the summer or during a semester of the school year. I did it the summer after my freshman year and had a great time. Through UROP you also get the opportunity to participate in a poster session which is great experience if you want to be involved in research throughout undergrad and medical school!
Have you always known you wanted to be a doctor? What/who has been your biggest inspiration?
I have wanted to go to medical school since I was a freshman in high school, after watching a family member undergo cancer treatment. One of my biggest inspirations was my family member’s oncologist. She carried my whole family through that really difficult time and demonstrated an incredible dedication to patient care. She also practices here at CU so it really feels like I’ve come full circle!
What resources at BU did you find most helpful or want to spotlight that others might not know about?
I think the most helpful resource at BU is your student and alumni network, so lean on them! I would absolutely not be where I am without the help of my fellow students and the connections I made to alumni for interview prep, essay help, etc. The Pre-Health office can help connect you to the right people who really want to help you!
What are your hobbies/What do you like to do for fun outside of the classroom?
I don’t have a ton of free time, but when I do I like to spend time reading, doing yoga, and hanging out with my cat, Kevin. I really recommend having a cat in medical school, they’re great emotional support buddies!
Are there any tips/advice you would like to share with current pre-health students?
My biggest tip application wise is to prioritize clinical experience, not only because it helps you better understand the medical field and what you’re getting yourself into but also because it gives you more to talk about in essays and interviews! In terms of life tips, something I think helped me a lot was having a strong support network, especially during my application year. This process can feel really isolating and it’s easy to lose your confidence, but having great friends around you can make all the difference!