Success at Each Step: Your MD Journey at Trinity

When people think about success in medical school, it's easy to picture the finish line—graduation, white coat swaying, diploma in hand, camera shutters clicking. But the truth is, success in medicine isn’t just about the destination. It’s about the milestones along the way—the quiet wins, the hard-earned breakthroughs, the moments where you find strength you didn’t know you had.

Here’s a look at what success can look like at different stages of your med school journey at Trinity.

1. The Triumph of Getting In

For many, the first big success happens before classes even begin: getting accepted. This isn’t just about grades or test scores—it’s about grit, passion, and persistence. After months (or years) of preparing for the MCAT, writing personal statements, gathering letters of recommendation, and sitting through nerve-wracking interviews, that acceptance email feels like a golden ticket.

It’s a moment to celebrate. You've earned your seat.

“My whole career turned around the moment I decided to go to Trinity. It’s going to be quite easily the biggest and best decision I’ve ever made.” - Tyler Collard, a Trinity medical student

2. Conquering the Preclinical Years

The first two years of med school can be an academic whirlwind. You're absorbing a mountain of knowledge—anatomy, physiology, biochem, pathology—and being tested constantly. Success here can look like passing your exams, sure. But it also looks like:

• Gaining confidence in the anatomy lab as you build foundational clinical knowledge.
• Adding several early clinical experiences under your belt.
• Finally grasping a concept that stumped you for weeks.
• Getting involved in student organizations or research while maintaining good grades.
• Passing Step 1 or your equivalent licensing exam.

For many, this is where impostor syndrome creeps in. But pushing through, asking for help, and learning how to learn—those are wins, too.

“All of us were celebrating outside, and it felt so good. It is so heartwarming to see your friends who, like me, came from other schools and were previously never able to experience passing the CBSE exam…I cried for myself and others because with Trinity, we were finally stepping over what seemed like an impossible hurdle.” - Yamile Cruz-Sousa, a Trinity medical student

3. Shining in Clinical Rotations

Then comes the moment you’ve likely been waiting for: patient care in the US. Clinical rotations are where medicine becomes very real. You can finally experience what a typical day might be like for you during residency.

Success during this phase might mean:

• Earning honors in a tough rotation.
• Getting positive feedback from your attending.
• Having a patient thank you for listening.
• Determining your ideal specialty.
• Obtaining your desired elective clerkships.
• Passing Step 2 or your equivalent licensing exam.

These are the moments that remind you why you started this journey in the first place.

“I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to go to California for rotations…I got to do plastic surgery, I got to do emergency medicine…They have all six core rotations that you can do in California, and yeah, I think that's an amazing opportunity.” - Dr. Haley Pollock, Trinity Graduate and Emergency Medicine Resident

4. Exploring Research

For those with an interest in academia or innovation, getting involved in research is another form of success. Whether you're diving into lab work, clinical trials, or public health projects, research adds depth to your education.

Big wins might look like this:

• Publishing your first paper.
• Presenting at a conference or fair.
• Winning a small grant to fund your project.

But sometimes, just navigating the ups and downs of a long-term project while juggling clinical work is a win in itself.

“Faculty at Trinity aided me in my research. And they're always prompting you to submit your research to conferences and present…I submitted to the ASA annual meeting of 2024, and it was accepted.” - Dr. Kade Yaschuk, Trinity Graduate and Anesthesiology Resident

5. Leading and Giving Back

Leadership and service are powerful forms of success that often go unnoticed. Running a student organization, mentoring others, or volunteering in free clinics—all of these show growth beyond academics.

They reflect the kind of doctor you're becoming—someone who leads with compassion, initiative, and a sense of responsibility.

“Once a term, I go to the ANE in Kingstown in Milton Cato Hospital, and we get to volunteer and record patient history and do a little minor first aid and all the vitals clinics.” - Spencer Potter, a Trinity medical student  

6. Matching Into Residency

Match Day is one of the most emotional milestones of medical school. All the years of effort and uncertainty finally crystallize in one envelope (or email). Whether you matched into your dream specialty, found a great fit in a supportive program, or simply secured a spot that allows you to grow, this is a huge success.

Because no matter where you end up, you’re one step closer to becoming the physician you’ve worked so hard to become.

“I’m about to start my dream career at my number one program in my favorite place in the world—California. Trinity was 100% the best decision I made.” - Dr. Haley Pollock, Trinity Graduate and Emergency Medicine Resident

7. Growing as a Person

And finally, perhaps the most underrated marker of success: personal growth.

• Building resilience during hard times.
• Learning to handle stress in healthy ways.
• Networking with other healthcare professionals.
• Reconnecting with your “why” when things get tough.
• Developing meaningful friendships and support networks. 
• Forming strong mentorship relationships with attendings or residents.

These victories may not come with awards or Instagram posts—but they matter just as much, if not more.

“You have the opportunity to grow and really learn as you go through medical school. You have opportunities to meet people different from you. You have incredible experiences both on the island and in the main clinicals.” - Dr. Kendall McDill, Trinity Graduate and Chief Family Medicine Resident

Final Thoughts

Success in medical school is not one-size-fits-all. It’s not about being perfect, and it’s definitely not about comparing your path to anyone else’s. It’s about the journey—the growth, the persistence, the quiet courage to keep showing up, even when it’s hard.

So, wherever you are in your medical journey, celebrate your wins—big or small. Because every step forward is a success in its own right.