Stethoscope Ceremony

LEAPMed, being an accelerated medical program, has provided me with a unique experience and opportunity. Despite being “fast-tracked”, it still embodied the excellence and quality education the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery provided. With LEAPMed, I was immersed in a rigorous yet well-structured curriculum that emphasizes the foundational knowledge needed for medicine proper. Not only did the program prepare me academically, but also mentally and emotionally. I am grateful because this program allowed me to develop the discipline, resilience, and mindset needed for medical school.

LEAPMed was also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet outstanding professors and mentors. It was an opportunity to build lifelong relationships with peers who share the same passion. These individuals fostered an environment of growth, enrichment, and motivation, bringing a sense of community amidst the program’s demands.

Thanks to LEAPMed, I am currently in my clinical clerkship, which is my last leg in medical school. Although I have much to learn and experience, I can say that I am prepared and well-equipped as I join the ranks of the medical team in patient care because this program is the base of my medical education. Without a doubt, LEAPMed was a significant aspect that shaped my medical education.

LEAPMed has been the most academically fulfilling experience I've ever had. It sets you up with a strong foundation for medical school, and an academically strong social circle with the amount of stellar students in one room. The professors handling the program are some of the best and brightest in their respective fields, and they strongly train your "highschool brain" into becoming a med-ready one. LEAPMed carries the advantage of a strong bond that will be your base of support throughout your medical education.

Everything sounds so foreign! This was what I felt during my 2nd day of classes in LEAPMed. From cranial nerve numbers up to the signal transduction pathway and arteries that our professors were trying to teach us, they were all new to me. Being in LEAPMed opened another door for me, a door full of learning opportunities and self-growth. It made me realize that I needed to improve myself and my study style in order to retain information by heart. To be honest, it was quite challenging, but it made my LEAPMed life pretty substantial. This accelerated medical program exposed me to the beauty, art, and obscurity of medicine. 

As a current medical student, I can say that the LEAPMed program has equipped me with more than sufficient must-know concepts in medicine. Technically, the two years of LEAPMed were just the toned-down version of the first two years in medicine proper. This enabled me to perform well in class and exams, beating my expectations. Likewise, it also allowed me to analyze questions comprehensively and formulate strong and evidence-based rationalizations to explain clinical cases and correlate them with what I learned. 

Aside from the academic advantage that it offers, you will also meet tons of amazing and intelligent colleagues of the future. You can study with your friends around the campus and form stronger bonds together, which is worth treasuring. Having good company will surely not make you feel alone and make difficult workloads feel lighter as you traverse your medical journey.

Despite the hardships that come along with choosing a medical career, being challenged every day and constant self-doubt, I had the best college experience I could ever imagine. Even if I were to encounter the dilemma of selecting LEAPMed over other choices, I would still have chosen LEAPMed over anything else because this is where I grew up and became who I am now.

The "leap" in LEAPMed signifies a deeper meaning beyond just its accelerated curriculum. To me, it encapsulates how every student bravely faced uncertain days, conquered battles when they doubted themselves, and climbed their way back up every time they felt down. I’m sure every LEAPMed student has, at some point, thought about not showing up when they felt unprepared for a presentation or an exam—yet they still chose to, despite the anxiety and fear.

However, no matter how taxing the journey was—filled with novel and unfamiliar topics, fast-paced lectures, and hard-to-grasp concepts—LEAPMed has forged us into individuals who are always tougher than the tough days we had to face. Like diamonds formed under pressure, the challenges each LEAPMed student has faced have molded them into stronger individuals… into people they never imagined they could become. Even now, I never thought I would make it this far, that I would be able to stretch my knowledge and speaking skills to the lengths they are today.

However, more than just the competence that LEAPMed instilled in me, I am even more grateful for the opportunity to spend two years of my collegiate journey with bright and talented individuals who shine not only in academics but in various fields. It was inspiring to be surrounded by people who work hard and love to learn, even though they already know so much. While there may be a stereotype that the “Top 90” admitted into this selective program are highly competitive and all-knowing, you’d be surprised at how humble these learners are. They know how to admit mistakes. They know when to ask for help. LEAPMed students, directly and indirectly, lift one another up, inspiring each other to work hard and study. Likewise, as aspiring physicians, we look up to our professors—who remind us that, no matter how difficult the process is, their success and dedication to their vocation encourage us to believe that we, too, can achieve the same.

From an outsider’s perspective, LEAPMed may seem daunting—but in reality, it is the perfect stepping stone for those who dream of becoming doctors. It is an intense program that pushes you to grow, yet a rewarding one that brings an immense sense of fulfillment.

Being accepted into a prestigious program that prepares aspiring medical students with foundational knowledge in the human sciences is an incredible opportunity to begin one’s journey towards becoming a doctor—one that I would never pass up if I had the chance to redo my college experience. In fact, the very idea of being part of LEAPMed is an achievement in itself! Among thousands of talented individuals, this select group of students is handpicked by esteemed professors who are in a league of their own. It’s a testament to the fact that we have what it takes to become not just doctors but Thomasian Physicians, and I am honored to be one of them.

Even now, as an official medical student, I remain in awe of the curriculum that the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery has prepared for us. From testing our theoretical knowledge of medical fundamentals to applying them in real-world clinical scenarios, everything is seamlessly interconnected. The journey was certainly challenging; grappling with unfamiliar concepts and mastering them in such a short span before facing countless exams was overwhelming at times. Nevertheless, we were fortunate to have passionate and dedicated professors who made even the most difficult topics easier to understand. 

Beyond the demands of the academe, what truly made this experience special was the people. I was (and still am) surrounded by incredibly gifted and driven batchmates who uplifted and supported one another through every obstacle. Even seniors and alumni, who once stood in our shoes, are there to offer guidance to neophyte students. The sense of camaraderie within LEAPMed was unlike anything I had ever experienced. It wasn’t just some “degree” that we had to pass—it was more of a heartwarming community. Here, even the smallest victories inspire us to strive for more, pushing each other to grow and improve. 

Looking back, I can confidently say that LEAPMed did not just prepare me for medical school; it instilled invaluable lessons and realizations that I will carry with me throughout my journey to becoming a full-fledged doctor. Perhaps one such lesson I can share with you, a reminder that has been emphasized to us from the very beginning, is to always strive to become better individuals and never let the success of others breed bitterness.

Ever since I was little, I’ve wanted to become a doctor. But I never really knew what kind of doctor I wanted to be. I went back and forth over the years contemplating many specialties from pediatrics, to surgery, to internal medicine. At the same time, I was trying to figure out which typical pre-medical degree would suit me the best. 

This is when I found out about LEAPMed, and going through this degree program is one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Although being able to skip the typical 8-year schooling and get a medical degree just after six is already a huge plus; being able to spend the first 2 years of your medicine journey truly focusing on studying all about the human body makes it even better.

This is priceless preparation in and of itself, but combining this with skilled and passionate instructors, opportunities for the practical application of medical knowledge, and a tight-knit and supportive community is what helps LEAPMed stand out as one of the premiere accelerated medicine programs in the country.

I am truly grateful for being able to take the leap with the best preparation possible to join the ranks of the biggest, brightest, and best medical professionals in the country.

I have always dreamed of being accepted into LEAPMed. The program, its curriculum, and of course, it being a huge step toward achieving my dreams — these are the things that pushed me to pursue being a BS Basic Human Studies student. However, as I finally wore the iconic black and yellow scrubs and entered the classroom with my head held high and my heart beaming with joy, I realized that this is more than just a program, and that the things I was extremely excited for do not compare to what I am experiencing.

It is a home — A home to the most dedicated people with a burning passion for medicine and the willingness to help the community by becoming a doctor soon. Looking left and right, the environment was nothing short of supportive. Kind friends who would laugh with you when you get a score far from what you were aiming for, committed professors who instill not just academic lessons but also life ones, encouraging classmates who make you feel that you are not alone when you are on the verge of giving up, and just the overall vibe that soon, our dreams wouldn’t just be “dreams.” 

I will forever be grateful for being part of this program.

The human heart is fragile. Without LEAPMed, I wouldn’t have seen that for myself.

That very thought dawned on me during one of our Anatomy laboratory sessions as I held a human heart in my hands, traced its vessels where life once flowed, and realized the weight of our life force. It was so disorienting yet life-changing to think — that something so vital could be held in the palms of our hands.

But LEAPMed taught me more than anatomy. Because of the program, I didn’t just get to understand how my heart beats, but what and who it should beat for. In LEAPMed, it’s not just about the studies — it’s about the community, the purpose, and the little moments we live for. Behind the intimidating “cream of the crop” conception about LEAPMed students are the Kahoot sessions after lectures, the last minute review sessions at the back of the classroom, the role plays during case discussions, and the giggles when our professors make witty jokes during their lectures.

This program taught me the value of both hard work and heart work. Amidst all the all-nighters, notes, and grades – it’s love in what we do that makes the work all worth it. Although I faced my own share of mind blocks during practicals and careless mistakes, it is because of this program that I learned how to get back up stronger – better, not bitter. 

The human heart truly is resilient and powerful. Without LEAPMed, I wouldn’t have believed that for myself.