I Matched in Anesthesiology After Failing the First Time: Here's the Plan I Followed – Part 2 w/ Dr. Nkiruka Lauretta Nwangene

🧵 Episode Highlights

• 🎯 Lauretta reflects on her unmatched cycle and lays out her strategy for a successful second try.
• 📬 Reached out to programs after matching into a TY year to request rotations and stay top of mind.
• 🏛️ Walked into the hospital surgical suite to self-advocate and was introduced directly to anesthesia leadership.
• 🤝 Attended the NMA conference and networked her way into new opportunities and rotations.
• 💼 Balanced TY rotations with strategic observerships and research to build a compelling application.
• 🧠 Credits The Sevo Sistas Podcast with giving her insight, motivation, and structure for her game plan.
• ✍🏽 Started working on her personal statement early and sought feedback from multiple mentors.
• 📱 Leveraged Twitter, LinkedIn, and cold emails to network and gain visibility.
• 🩺 Applied to 87 anesthesia programs → received 5 interview invites → matched at Medical College of Wisconsin.
• 🧳 Made sacrifices and traveled nonstop to attend conferences and rotations.
• 🔄 Demonstrated persistence, initiative, and faith throughout the process.

💡 Top Takeaways

• Don’t just apply — advocate. Put yourself in rooms where decisions happen.
• Build relationships before interviews — let programs meet you beyond your paper.
• Faith, boldness, and consistency are critical to turning rejection into opportunity.
• Networking works. Especially when it’s purposeful, strategic, and rooted in authenticity.

🔗 Mentions & Resources

• 🎧 Missed Part 1? Listen to Lauretta’s unmatched journey and what she learned the first time.
• 📌 NMA (National Medical Association) Conference
• 📬 Reach out to Lauretta: 
  • Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nkiruka-lauretta-nwangene-md-3237b162/
  • X: @L_Nwangene

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