Premedical students often ask me what the greatest barriers are to gaining admission to medical school. Is it grades, MCAT scores, leadership or volunteer experience, or how much time they have spent shadowing a physician? All of those things are important, of course, but it is something else that is essential to being admitted to medical school and essential to success in medicine. It all starts with who you are and what you say to yourself when you answer the question, "Who am I?"

When you wake up in the morning, do you look forward to the day ahead? Do you know that every moment of every day is important? Do you realize that being a physician is first and foremost being a kind and caring human being? Do you jump into your classes wondering what you will learn today and wondering how you will meet the challenge? Do you recognize the opportunities you are given already to help others and to make a difference in the lives of those around you? So many questions and so much to know before medical school and it all starts with knowing as much as you can about yourself, what motivates you and what you love to do.

Being a physician calls for each of us to look inside and reflect on what we have to offer in the way of service. We are often told that the way to meaning and purpose is through service to others. But so often we don't realize how much we can make a difference in someone else's life just by doing the little things. To listen to someone else with empathy, to hold the hand of someone in pain, to seek out those in need and to always fully bring our attention and our caring to someone else; that is how we begin to define our place on this earth. It is not a simple task to ask the difficult questions of ourselves but before we can ask our patients the difficult questions, we first must question ourselves.

So what is the biggest obstacle to being admitted to medical school? It is ourselves. If we doubt that we can do it, if we can't find the passion for serving others in an altruistic way, if we believe those that don't think we can do it and if we sabotage our own journey...that is what keeps us from success. Does it take knowledge and good grades? Yes. Does it take exploring medicine as a career and deciding if it is right for you? Yes. Does it take courage and commitment? Yes. But more than that, it takes believing in yourself. Answer the question, "Who am I?" and if part of who you are calls you to medicine then answer that call and begin down the road that will lead to a fulfilling life and the joy of what it means to be a physician.