From Doubt to Confidence: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in Health Applications
Imposter syndrome is something I know all too well. Despite being a student at one of the highest achieving universities in the world, UC Berkeley, I often felt like one of the “dumbest” people there. One of my most poignant memories was sitting at the Sproul Fountain after a meeting with an advisor who suggested maybe I should just work as a phlebotomist and draw blood for a living.
That was in 2010, and I remember ugly crying, feeling utterly lost and defeated. Fast forward 15 years, and I’m now a successful urgent care doctor. If I could go back in time and comfort that girl at the fountain, I would tell her that everything would be okay. But I also recognize how difficult it was to shake off the feeling that I wasn’t the smartest fish in the pond anymore — a feeling many pre-med students and medical professionals face. It’s a struggle, but I promise, overcoming it is possible.
How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome in Medical School and Health Applications
1. Acknowledge Your Feelings and Normalize Them
When I was in school, I felt like I was the only one who struggled — the only one who failed a test or couldn’t understand Organic Chemistry. I thought everyone around me had it all together, and I was just “falling behind.” It wasn’t until a close friend of mine — who had near-perfect grades and all the ideal extracurriculars — told me that he, too, always felt like he was just trying to keep up that I realized I wasn’t alone.
That was a huge turning point for me. I came to understand that imposter syndrome wasn’t something unique to me — it was a feeling many people, even those who seemed perfect on the outside, experienced. It’s easy to think you’re the only one struggling, but the truth is, almost everyone feels this way at some point.
What helped me overcome it was simply acknowledging it. It’s just a fleeting emotion, much like anxiety — and it doesn’t define who you are. It’s okay to feel it, but don’t let it define your journey. Acknowledge it, compartmentalize it, and let it go
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2. Recognize Your Achievements and Strengths
It’s easy to forget how far you've come when you're focused on what you haven’t done yet. I’ve seen this with countless students. They often tell me, “I haven’t really done much besides study,” and then wonder why their personal statements don’t stand out. One student even wrote about his 1-hour commute, another about eating Cheetos, and yet another about baking bread. These essays stick out — but for all the wrong reasons.
But after sitting down and digging into their stories, it always becomes clear that there was so much more to their journey than they realized. They forgot that they spent their Saturdays helping their family’s swap meet booth from the age of 10 to 18, rain or shine. They forgot that they immigrated from a foreign country and learned English quickly to become their community’s translator. They didn’t realize that their passion for fly-fishing, solving Rubik’s cubes, and doing charity work would make them stand out in their supplemental essays. In our pursuit of being "competitive" with lab work, research, medical extracurriculars, and studying, we often lose sight of the unique, special, and human parts of our stories.
Your journey is uniquely yours, and that’s exactly what makes you stand out. It just takes a little self-reflection to truly recognize what makes you special.
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3. Seek Support from Mentors and Peers
I’ll never forget my time as a pre-med student advisor at UC Berkeley. It was the first time I realized how valuable mentorship really is. I was extremely open about my own struggles — the tough classes, the low test scores, the doubts about whether I was “cut out” for this. When I did that, something amazing happened: students started reaching out to me. They felt they could relate to me because I wasn’t pretending to have it all figured out.
Being transparent about my imposter syndrome helped me create an environment where others didn’t feel so isolated. I’d tell them, “Hey, I’ve been there, and here’s how I dealt with it.” And they would open up, sharing their own struggles. It was this support system — a network of mentors, peers, and advisors — that really helped me through my journey.
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4. Shift Your Focus to Growth, Not Perfection
It’s hard not to focus on perfection, especially when you’re applying to medical school. But over the years, I’ve learned that growth is the true measure of success — not perfection.
I remember when I first started medical school, I struggled with a lot of self-doubt. I wasn’t the smartest person in the class, and it felt like everyone else was light years ahead of me. But I eventually realized that everyone makes mistakes — and that’s part of the process. In fact, it’s the mistakes that help you grow.
I love the analogy of learning to ride a bike. You don’t get it perfect the first time, and you fall a few times. But each fall teaches you something, and the more you get back up, the better you get. It’s about perseverance, not perfection. So, focus on growth. Celebrate the small improvements, the lessons learned from setbacks, and the progress you’re making every day.
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5. Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
I used to do this a lot. I had friends who seemed to be perfect — 4.0 GPA, countless volunteer hours, and every accolade imaginable. I thought, “How could I ever compete with that?” I couldn’t help but feel like I was falling behind. But as time passed, I realized something crucial: everyone has a different path.
There’s no one-size-fits-all route to medical school or life success. While your friend may have a perfect GPA, you don’t know the struggles they might be facing. They could be dealing with personal challenges that you’re unaware of. And vice versa, the path you’re on is unique to you, with its own set of challenges and victories.
The sooner you stop comparing yourself to others, the sooner you’ll find peace in your own journey. Keep your blinders on, focus on your growth, and trust that your unique path will take you exactly where you need to go.
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These five steps, grounded in personal experiences, helped me get past my own imposter syndrome — and I hope they can do the same for you. Just remember: you’re not alone in this journey, and you are more capable than you think. If you’re struggling with imposter syndrome or navigating your medical school application, reach out. Empath Med Advising is here to support you every step of the way. You’ve got this!
