I always say that the MCAT was the most important test of my life. You have no certainty as a pre-med hoping to get into medical school. Your hopes and wishes to be a doctor are just that - hopes and wishes. The decision to accept you into medical school is beyond your control and the numbers are not in your favor.

So as I embark on my next application process for residency, the stakes are much lower. I am in a position where getting my second or third residency option is understandably disappointing. As opposed to my pre-med days when I said I'd go anywhere that accepts me.

I am very excited to start the interview trail. I applied to 20 programs and have no idea where I'll end up. It'll be in California, at least, but where in California will make a huge difference.

Do I want to stay in Sacramento, 1 hour away from my in-laws? Do I want to move to Bay Area, where it's more expensive to live but there's great food? Am I ready to move back to the congestion of LA/OC where my family is? San Diego sounds like fun. Inland Empire is lower on the list. And I did not apply to any central coast or central valley programs.

This feels much better than applying to medical school for the reasons I listed. All I have to be concerned about is choosing a location that will best allow me to have children while simultaneously training me to the best doctor.