Pursuit of Practice: Real Talk for Surviving Premed, MCAT Prep, Medical School, and Beyond

The ultimate podcast for future doctors with expert guidance, real stories, and zero fluff.

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You’re juggling classes, a mountain of MCAT or USMLE/COMLEX prep, clinicals, a social life, and the struggles that plague healthcare providers at all stages. You’re probably thinking no one gets it—but we get it.

Pursuit of Practice is your honest, supportive, and occasionally unhinged older sibling who is always willing to offer advice and dish out reality checks as needed. 

Tune In For:

  • Real Humans, Real Stories: Breakthroughs, setbacks, gap years, and pivots—everything social media highlight reels don’t often show. Hear the good, the bad, and the inspirational parts of the journey to medical school and the path to becoming a doctor.
  • Strategies You Can Try Today: Prepping for the MCAT? Get expert insights from real MCAT tutors. Grinding through medical school? Discover how to balance it all while getting ready for residency—all from people who have been there and succeeded!
  • No-Judgement Zone: There’s no such thing as a dumb question. If you’re thinking about it, someone else is too—and we’re going to talk about it.
  • Trusted Voices: Learn from Blueprint MCAT tutors and instructors, Blueprint Med School tutors, practicing physicians, admissions advisors, and more—i.e. people who mentor future doctors every day, not just pass along internet lore.
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Pooja S

Meet Our Host

Pooja is a fourth-year medical student at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons applying to internal medicine residency. She’s been an MCAT instructor with Blueprint since 2020 and has tutored in the sciences since 2018. A Boston University graduate in Human Physiology, she also spent a year as a fellow on the CDC’s COVID-19 response. Pooja is passionate about equity in medical education and hosts this podcast to share mentorship-style advice with future physicians. She loves helping students discover how they learn best — and using that to help them reach their full potential. Outside of medicine, she enjoys musical theater, running, fitness, and cooking with friends.

Episode Library

Blueprint MCAT Medical School Podcast Pursuit of Practice Med Admissions Part 1

How to Get Into Medical School (Part 1)

Thinking about applying to medical school? Our guest medical school admissions consultant spills insider tips, smart strategies, and what really makes applicants stand out.

Blueprint MCAT Medical School Podcast Pursuit of Practice Applying to Residency

How to Survive Applying to Medical Residency

Get the inside scoop on ERAS, medical residency, and Match Day from a PGY-1 Anesthesiology Resident who’s been there, done that, and matched.

Blueprint MCAT Medical School Podcast Pursuit of Practice MCAT Prep Lies

MCAT Prep Lies The Internet Told Me

The MCAT is not just another test—it’s the test. Here’s how to tackle MCAT prep, think like the AAMC, and why strategy can make or break your MCAT score.

Pursuit of Practice Episode 4 How to Get Into Medical School Part 2 Secondaries

How to Get Into Medical School (Part 2)

Med school secondaries: the plot twist no one warns you about. Learn how to manage all of them while staying genuine.
Pursuit of Practice Episode 5 Gap Years Medical School
Pursuit of Practice Episode 6 Reaplying to Medical School
Pursuit of Practice Episode 7 Burnout in Medical School and Time Management

A Med Student’s Guide to Making the Most of Your Gap Year

Thinking about a gap year before med school? One Blueprint tutor took several before and during medical school—and is thriving because of it.

Reapplying to Medical School: What I Wish I Knew Before My First Attempt

Listen to how one Blueprint MCAT instructor strengthened his application to secure an acceptance after reapplying to medical school.

Burnout in Medical School: Less Hustle, Better Time Management

If medical school feels overwhelming, no matter how many hours you put in, you’re not alone. 
Pursuit of Practice Episode 8 How to Get Into Medical School Part 3 Medical School Interviews
Pursuit of Practice Podast Episode 9 I Almost Gave Up Then I Got a 520 MCAT Score
Blueprint Prep Pursuit of Practice Episode 10 Making Mistakes in Medical School Lessons From a Resident

How to Get Into Medical School (Part 3)

We wrap up our How to Get Into Medical School series by diving into one of the most nerve-wracking parts of the admissions process: medical school interviews.

I Almost Gave Up. Then I Got a 520 MCAT Score

Hitting the same MCAT score over and over? This episode is your rescue mission off your MCAT score plateau.

Making Mistakes in Medical School: Lessons From a Resident

In this episode, a resident gets honest about shame, self-doubt, and why growth often hides inside the moments we wish we could undo.
Pursuit of Practice Podcast Episode 11 How Does Residency Match Work_What Programs Actually Look For

How Does Residency Match Work: What Programs Actually Look For

In this episode, we pull back the curtain on what really happens during the residency Match.

Follow us for more tips on transitioning to med school and how to thrive while you're there!

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*Contest open from 10/28/25-10/31/25. 18+ residents of the U.S., D.C., and Puerto Rico only. Giveaway is in no way endorsed or sponsored by Spotify, Apple, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or Youtube. Must not have been a former or current Blueprint student to be eligible for the free Blueprint prep materials. Two winners will receive Blueprint MCAT 515+ Course and two winners will receive Blueprint Med School Qbank and Tutoring bundle. Winners will be chosen at random and contacted via email to claim their prize. Good luck!