As a medical student who was initially rejected from medical school, the support of my family, peers, and mentors has been invaluable. After many deep conversations with my loved ones and many lessons learned throughout the past 6 years, in retrospect, I would tell my younger self: “1) Be patient. 2) Cherish your time with your loved ones. 3) Appreciate each win along the way.” I discovered my interest in medicine for the first time in college. As a research assistant for studies exploring addiction, COVID-19, and depression, I became fascinated with how body systems are connected, and I found myself wanting to work more closely with patients who were dealing with co-occurring conditions. After volunteering at a primary care clinic in Baltimore for the first time, I knew that I wanted to become a physician so that I could build long-term relationships with patients and take a leadership role in their clinical care. I decided to apply to medical school as a senior in college and planned to start medical school at 23 years old. When I was invited for an interview with Howard University College of Medicine, I was thrilled! After being waitlisted, I learned in July that I would not be admitted into the Class of 2027. For me, this is where Lesson #1 started: I learned that a delay in achieving your dreams does not mean that they will never come true; you may just achieve them later than you expected. After I was not admitted to medical school in 2023, I initially felt down and had doubts about pursuing a career in medicine. Throughout that year, I thought deeply about my career path, and my loved ones helped me expand my mindset about what was right for me. With 2 more years to explore life outside of school, I was able to enjoy a new lifestyle, live in a new area, and continue my personal and professional growth. Moving further away from my loved ones tested our bonds but ultimately brought us closer together. While shadowing, I became more open-minded about the possibility of entering specialties like primary care and neurology. As I spent more time volunteering at my local hospital and started attending scientific conferences in California and Texas, I learned that I thrive in fast-paced environments. While connecting with my friends who were in medical school, I learned more about what it is like to be a medical student. These experiences reminded to enjoy my time with my loved ones and to explore my interests before committing to my future (Lesson #2). Looking back on my initial rejection from medical school with the insight that I have now, I would have quickly seen that disappointment is an opportunity to approach your goals in a new way (Lesson #3). Although my initial plan didn’t go how I expected, I had life-changing experiences during the past 6 years that made it all worth it. I developed a deep appreciation for each new experience and accomplishment that came along this journey – each patient interaction, each research discovery, and each life lesson. Now that I’ve started my 1st year of medical school, I look forward to maintaining a resilient attitude to excel as a physician, while giving back to my loved ones and my community along the way.