Ask a Med Student

We are a group of five first-year medical students who are here to help with questions about Dalhousie University Medical School and the MMI weekend. Deana, Jane, and Noah attend the Halifax campus (DMNS), Molly and Whalen attend the Cape Breton Campus (CMBC) and Andreea and Brittany attend the Saint John campus (DMNB). We encourage you to reach out at any time through our email askadalmedstudent@gmail.com or our Facebook page (Ask A Med Student - Dalhousie, Class of 2031)

HALIFAX AAMS REPS

From left to right, Jane, Noah, and Deana 

Jane

Hi everyone! My name is Jane (she/her), and I’m so excited and grateful to be one of the Halifax AAMS representatives this year! I’m looking forward to meeting you all and being part of this community. I grew up in PEI but have called Nova Scotia home for the past six years. I completed both my undergraduate degree and master’s at Dalhousie, graduating with a BSc in Medical Sciences in 2024 and an MSc in Occupational Therapy in 2026. I also had the opportunity to gain research experience in a biomedical engineering lab as an honours student and research assistant. When I’m not studying, you’ll likely find me on the soccer field, figure skating, at spin, out for a walk, or baking for friends! I believe everyone brings a unique path and perspective to their journey toward medical school, and that our individual experiences are some of our greatest strengths. As the first person in my family to pursue a career in healthcare, I know how overwhelming the medical school application process can feel. AAMS was an incredibly valuable resource throughout my own journey, providing guidance, helpful information, and a strong sense of community. I’m so grateful for the support I received and excited to pay it forward by helping future applicants feel informed, encouraged, and supported throughout their own journeys. Good luck to everyone applying, and I look forward to connecting with you all! \

- Jane

Noah

Hi! I'm Noah, one of the Halifax AAMS reps!

I grew up in Halifax, studied Pharmacology at McGill, and spent a semester abroad at the University of Queensland in Australia. Before starting med, I spent a few years working in orthopaedic research at Dal. Getting to know the residents and seeing what their day-to-day work looked like played a big part in drawing me toward medicine.

When I’m not studying, I’m usually running, surfing, backpacking, or training for a triathlon. I love getting outside and travelling whenever I get the chance.

I’m looking forward to being part of AAMS and helping applicants navigate the process. I know how useful it can be to hear from someone who’s been through it, and I’m happy to share my experience or chat about any questions people might have. Feel free to reach out!

- Noah

Deana

Hello everyone! My name is Deana Symes (She/Her), and I am thrilled to be one of the Halifax Campus Ask a Med Student Representatives for the 2026-2027 academic year. I’m looking forward to meeting many Dal Med applicants and hope to provide valuable insight and support as you navigate your journey to medicine.

A little bit about me: I was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and grew up in Lower Sackville. I completed a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Chemistry at SMU in 2024. After discovering my passion for research, I went on to complete a Master of Science in Applied Science at SMU in 2026, before applying to Dal Med. Outside of academics, I’ve played rugby for the past 10 years, including competing for five seasons as a varsity athlete. I’ve also had the opportunity to volunteer in a variety of roles within my university community including the Medical Campus Response Team, Community Food Room, the Chemistry Society, and the Research Ethics Board Committee. In my free time I enjoy walking on local trails, hiking, and traveling!

Last year, I was fortunate to connect with the previous AAMS Reps, whose advice helped me feel more prepared and confident throughout the application process, especially when it came to interview preparation. Coming from a background with no family connections to healthcare, the application process was both overwhelming and intimidating at times. Having access to current medical students who were willing to answer questions and share their experiences, made the process much more approachable. I’m incredibly grateful for that support, and I hope to pay it forward by helping future applicants feel informed, confident, and supported throughout their own journeys.

Please feel free to reach out on Facebook (Ask a Med Student- Dalhousie, Class of 2031) or by email (askadalmedstudent@gmail.com). I’d be happy to answer any questions, share my experiences, or simply have a chat. I look forward to connecting with you all.

Best of luck!

-Deana

CAPE BRETON AAMS REPS

Molly & Whalen

Molly

Hey everyone! My name is Molly Baxendale, and I am one of your Ask A Med Student Reps (AAMS) for the Cape Breton Medical Campus! I remember feeling pretty overwhelmed when it came to acceptance season, and I am so grateful to be a part of this group to help alleviate some worries on your mind! 

I grew up in the beautiful Boularderie Island of Cape Breton up until I went away for university! I attended Mount Allison University where I played USPORT AUS Hockey throughout my degree, graduating with a Major in Biology, Minor in Visual and Material Culture with a Certificate in Visual Literacy! I graduated in 2024 and spent my time in between then and acceptance working for the Blizzards Female Hockey organization and in one of the local pharmacies as a Pharmacist Assistant! In my free time I enjoy coaching hockey, playing in our Cape Breton women’s hockey league, baking, and painting when I can! 

Everyone's journey to medicine is different, and I think that is such an amazing thing! Over the past application cycle our AAMS reps were so amazing, and so so helpful through this overwhelming process of medical school. I am so grateful to have been chosen to help you all this year and share some of the helpful tools and resources that was given to me:) We're all here to support you through this whirlwind experience and don't ever hesitate to reach out!! I'm so excited to meet you!

- Molly

Whalen

Hello everybody! My name is Whalen, and I’ll be one of your Ask a Med Student (AAMS) representatives this year. The AAMS team supported me a great deal through my own application process, so I’m honoured to now contribute to that same supportive environment for you.

I grew up in Cape Breton and completed my honours in the Medical Sciences program at Dalhousie, so I know both rural and urban communities well. Now that I’m based at the Cape Breton Medical Campus (CBMC), I’m excited to share what makes studying here special, from the community to the opportunities, while also giving you a practical sense of life at the Halifax campus.

I know how stressful and uncertain applying to medicine can be. I went through a waitlist cycle that didn’t lead to an offer, then took a gap year before reapplying successfully. That experience taught me the value of reflecting and adapting throughout the process, and I hope to support applicants who may be facing similar uncertainty. Outside of school, I enjoy playing hockey. Some of my favourite time during my reapplication year was spent coaching minor hockey.

My biggest piece of advice is to focus on what works best for you and to try not to get caught up comparing yourself to others. The rest of the team and I are happy to help in any way we can, so please reach out with any questions or if you just want to talk about the application process.

Looking forward to meeting you all!

- Whalen

SAINT JOHN AAMS REPS

From left to right Brittany and Andreea

Brittany

Hi everyone!

My name is Brittany, and I’m one of the Ask A Med Student Reps for the Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick (DMNB) Campus, Class of 2030!

My journey to medicine has been anything but traditional! Before starting medical school, I spent over a decade working as a Medical Laboratory Technologist specializing in Hematology at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Along the way, I completed my Bachelor of Science at the University of New Brunswick Saint John while I was working full-time. As the first person in my family to pursue a career in healthcare, I know firsthand how overwhelming and uncertain the path to medical school can sometimes feel.

One of the things I’ve learned throughout this journey is that there is no single “right” path to medicine. Whether you’re applying straight out of undergrad, considering a career change, or still figuring out where to begin, I hope to offer encouragement, practical advice, and an honest student perspective on the application process.

Outside of medicine, I love coaching competitive cheerleading, volunteering in my community, and spending time with my husband travelling and trying new food!

I’m so excited to connect with future applicants, answer your questions, and hopefully make the journey to medical school feel a little less intimidating. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

-   Brittany

Andreea

Hi everyone! I’m Andreea Vasiliu (she/her), and I’m stoked to be one of your AAMS Reps this year. I’ve lived in a few places, and my family is from Romania, but I mostly grew up in Fredericton. I attended Université de Moncton for two years after high school, then completed my Honours BSc in Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of New Brunswick. My research looked at perinatal mental health in high-risk twin pregnancies, and I’m more than happy to chat about it more! In my free time, you’ll catch me out on the trails or curled up with a book.

The application and interview process can be so overwhelming, and there is no singular path to navigating it successfully. I was accepted on my second application cycle, and I remember feeling deflated after my first try and unsure how I could do better. I received such meaningful advice from my mock MMI tutor on presenting myself authentically in the interview, and I find that this, in conjunction with much more practice, allowed me to improve my second time around. Given that everybody applying to medical school is bright, hardworking, and highly accomplished, what will really make you stand out is the personal meaning you have extracted from your past experiences, and knowing how these have built skills that will enable you to be a compassionate, effective physician.

Applying to medical school and receiving an interview invite is an accomplishment, and I am very proud of you for making it to this point in itself! In preparation for the interview, I suggest printing out your full CV and taking the time to go over each experience you’ve had. Try to identify your main takeaways (both as a learner and as a person) from each, and list what skills you acquired or further developed through that experience. Then, reflect on how these experiences encompass the CanMEDS Roles and how they best equip you as a future physician.

I look forward to meeting you! Feel free to reach out to the general AAMS email if you have any questions or would like to chat more about the application process. Best of luck, you got this!!!

- Andreea