Ya know those crazy medical terms they throw around on "Grey's Anatomy" each week? Wouldn't it be great if you actually understood them? Nicole Montero does. That's because she's working toward her  

advanced degree

  in medicine and can certainly identify with the characters.

Motivation for Medicine
The 22-year-old student at New York University's School of Medicine (New York, NY) went straight from college to Graduate School in order to get started on her career and be on her way to earning an Advanced Degree. She describes the medical field as her "personality" - "challenging, intense, and a whole lot of fun to be involved with," says Nicole. The field itself is always changing, and in her opinion, she'll never get bored. The fast pace seems to attract many to this advanced degree.

"You just don't get more intense than a packed emergency room or an operating room with a rare procedure," she says with enthusiasm. "It's the biggest rush I could ever imagine."

When Nicole realized she wanted a career in medicine, she immediately began to plan her whole undergraduate career around that idea. She took classes and found experiences that would work to her advantage, such as internships and volunteer work. Her goal was to work toward furthering her understanding and establishing the foundational background she needed in order to get into graduate school. Then there was, of course, the graduate school tests (GRE, LSAT, etc. - for Nicole, it was the MCAT).

Applying to Graduate School
After you've taken the test you need, it's important to focus on getting into a graduate school that will help you achieve the goal of an advanced degree. For Nicole, that meant going through several rounds of the application process; getting admitted into medical school is definitely more involved than applying to undergrad school, she says. Nicole describes her experience as having a lot of periods of waiting.

First, there is the decision of graduate schools to which to apply. Once you do that, you must wait and see if the school likes what they see. If so, a second application comes, must be sent back, and you wait for an interview callback. The interview requires even more preparation, but it is the last most important step.

The Hard Work Will Pay Off
The workload toward her advanced degree is extremely heavy. "It's unbearable at times," she says. But it's something that Nicole is very intent on completing no matter what. Her motivation and drive to succeed keeps her going. "I have a paralyzing fear of failure," she says. And so the workload, no matter how hard, could never get her down.

The most challenging part of the whole process of earning her advanced degree, is not specifically studying, she says. "You're still that kid who stays home and studies," she says. "You're still that kid who has no time for a job, so you're broke." But the good part is that you are surrounded by those who are just like you. They are "in the exact same boat."

Reach for the Stars
Nicole says that if you are even thinking about getting an advanced degree, you should do it. "You'll be so proud of yourself." But she cautions that it should be a well-thought out decision. "It's expensive, emotionally trying, and it forces you to start your life a little later than most of your peers," she says. Ask for help when you need it and talk to current students.

In the future, Nicole aspires to be a surgeon - maybe she'll be the next great Ellis Grey like on "Grey's Anatomy", or the chief of surgery. Though she was a bit skeptical at first, Nicole is confident that she made the best decision for her advanced degree. "I can't imagine being happier anywhere else."

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Gina LaGuardia is the Editor-in-Chief of The CollegeBound Network. Learn more about finding a school that's right for you.

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