Family Medicine and Sports Medicine Doctor - How I Got Here || mcat, gpa, board scores

5 years ago today, I graduated from medical school, so I figured there's no better occasion to do this video! I have had multiple requests from who I am assuming are aspiring doctors to make a video detailing my journey through medical training to get where I am today. I know that this video won't be applicable/interesting for most of you who are already subscribed to my channel, so I hope you'll bear with me for this week :)
I know this video is long, but it's been a long road! Please leave any questions you have in the comments below and I'll try to answer them all!

[@karmamelk9]

Thank you, Dr. Crystal, for sharing this - very helpful information for pre-med students!

[@julianurrego9864]

Anxiety levels decreased by 80%, thank you so much !

[@sportdoge1]

Listening to your story inspires me so much to be a sports medicine doc

[@jamespineda7989]

I am about to start my journey in Pre med, to become a sports med physician. So hearing your story was inspiring!!!

[@Jack-lb7pn]

You are so awesome! Your family must be so proud! 👏

[@Nikita4257]

Love your story! I’m about to start my FM residency and my goal is to do a SM fellowship too.

[@g-s6459]

Very informative. Thanks for sharing!

[@seriouslag]

Thank you so much for this video! I feel so much clearer in my path on the way to sports medicine now!

[@darrenkieffer]

My anxiety about has lessened insurmountably after watching this video. Thank you so much!

[@izzybitsyspider03]

Yes me too!

[@stevenpowers546]

Fascinating, I learned something today. Good stuff.

[@sharansankar5222]

Thank you for sharing. Love this! Hope to follow in your footsteps.

[@morekim2631]

thank you so much for breaking down your sport medicine journey!

[@ashlynnfelker4083]

Dr. Crystal, thank you for sharing this video! I am about to start my 2nd year of medical school and your journey is strikingly similar to mine! I also thought I wanted to be a surgeon, but now I am really interested in some form of primary care sports medicine. I am still stuck between EM, IM, and FM but my end goal will be to be a sports medicine physician. Thank you again!

[@DoctorCrystalMD]

Ashlynn Felker awesome!!! It’s a great specialty 😊 I may be biased tho haha

[@nonsoemmanuel6008]

Awesome video, thanks for sharing! I found it pretty insightful, especially because you followed pretty much the exact path I'm interested in. I'm in undergrad right now, and I would like to specialize in sports medicine with athletic team coverage, and the other work you do with college students sounds great too. Thanks for sharing your story, you gained a subscriber 👍🏾

[@DoctorCrystalMD]

Good luck with your journey!! It’s a long one, but way worth it! Glad to have you here 🤗

[@ellaholson8987]

You are so chill and help relieve my stress! Thanks for video

[@ccheetah48]

Thank you for sharing! Super helpful for pre-meds, also I am interested in family med!

[@lonceyelie4299]

omg the nature with your background is soo pretty!!!

[@breedaddah9504]

Thank you soo much I know you posted this a while ago but I have been doing some deep searches into exactly what I wanted to do when I graduated high school and this really helped me know what to expect.

[@enchantedxcalibur3449]

My stress lessened because of this video, thank you!

[@hunterhunch0]

Your living my dream, this is what I aim for

[@emilyalmond1295]

I’m really interested in learning specifically on what you do for sports medicine and how you got into it. Also athletic team coverage

[@popjake0177]

Nice video! Thank you for deciding to go into the medical field ❤️ We need as many people as we can get there. In high school, I went into sudden cardiac arrest and long story short, I had to get a pacemaker implanted. Anyways, thank you for deciding to help people is what I’m trying to say.

[@DoctorCrystalMD]

Oh wow, that is crazy!! You’re very lucky to go into arrest and still be here! Thanks for the nice comment 🤗

[@justinfournette343]

Awesome Dr. Crystal!!! Thank you for sharing! That was honestly so insightful as someone who’s a Premed applying right now thinking about either surgery or sports medicine 😂! Thanks for sharing the process and making a super comprehensive video, also your backyard is soo nice lol

[@TheGrapplingNinja]

“I haven’t had any free time in I can’t remember how many years” so rough

[@sportsmedicineacademy]

Just submitted my rank order list for the sports med match. Hard to believe how much time has gone by and how many things I've been through to get to this point.

[@DoctorCrystalMD]

Awesome! Good luck!! 😊

[@Mr.JaysBigAdventure]

You’re so inspiring! Thank you for sharing.

[@ankitswindow4732]

I am graduating med school next yr in 2021 and I didn't have any idea what's next....I was also like u..confused among specialities to choose from....yes I have found a great love for sports which was not from childhood but it arose when I started working out in university....and one day I thought I should be doing what I enjoy a lot..so thanks doc for this valuable info... appreciate

[@mackenziethomas8744]

Omg thank you so much for this video it was super helpful to me!! I noticed a bunch of time you mentioned like how some of your studying practices in college and how they weren't really working. Would you be able to do a video on how to correctly study

[@chirantanmahanti2627]

im a med student in India and the P=MD is sooo true. Honestly just to pass in these exams the amount of hours u have to put in is insaaane. Sooo for non-med people, dont worry u r in adequately capable hands XD

[@Amanda.Cooper]

I loved watching your story! So inspirstional.

[@DoctorCrystalMD]

Thank you for watching!!

[@annibridgett9334]

Love your energy.. hugs to you both from Australia

[@khanhluong5100]

so awesome! I'm at UNC SOM right now :D

[@hunterslade771]

I’m also from Michigan and going down a similar path but with Athletic Training at Northern Michigan University.

[@DoctorCrystalMD]

Awesome!! Good luck with your journey! 🤗

[@haydenbrewis2509]

Hi I love you finale destination videos and I love all of your videos

[@DoctorCrystalMD]

Hi! Thank you 🤗

[@ephraimevans7088]

My son wants to do sports med thank you for being so informative. How did you financially survive during these times?

[@Judith7948]

Indiana! My old home, I thought it was out west or Canada from the beautiful trees. This is a good video enjoyed it! I miss my dream job in the graphics arts but our dept. got eliminated, now I am even busier doing my own thing. A friend's granddau wanted to go into sports medicine but got burned out on tennis in college and now does computer programming, software set up and training w/co's., lot travel which she not crazy about. I locked myself out of the car and only had one key.

[@DoctorCrystalMD]

Oh no, I hope you have gotten in by now!

[@tierasmalls3421]

What did you do to get experience before you knew what you wanted to do ? ..

[@kelvinlee8919]

Beautiful outdoors!

[@goriogustviceral349]

This was very informative and really enjoyable thank you

[@shawnlindaman4555]

I feel so much better watching this video

[@Josh4066]

Could you lay out the time line of your journey from beginning to end? I am considering trying to become a sports medicine physician instead of physical therapy. One of the factors for me that is important is the amount of time it will take me to become a sports medicine physician. Assuming I am even able to get into medical school.

[@pershingii2424]

I'm late today!😠 Besides that, interesting journey. I'm curious if you ever thought of working at the VA. We do need good doctors there. It is quite an experience.😵. Now my journey, I was born, driven straight to the recruiters office and that's how I got started.😜😝😄 I know your wondering😳. But I'm glad you achieved your goals. Until next week.👍

[@DoctorCrystalMD]

I’ve done rotations at the VA and really enjoyed it, but I’ll stick with the college kids for now 😝

[@blade4824]

Thank you, this really helped me since I am still deciding to go the med school or not but I still have one more question, what is your average income?

[@9erfaithful933]

Hello I found your videos very informative I am 29 years old and currently working as an RT but always dreamed of going back to school to become an sports physcian, do you think it’s too late for me to start? Have you ever thought about starting an FM/sports clinic of your own?

[@loganblackfire7238]

If you think the final destination deaths are bad you should check out the deaths in saw 1-8

[@yastyme6274]

Hi Dr.Crystal nice meeting you I loved your videos from the jump! Quick 2 questions, what is your job title? And what did you do for money ,rent and expenses wise while you were in college and med school?

[@dhl5928]

I enjoy every video of you :)

[@toxicpredator6611]

Hi! Dr Crystal, I’m in 8th grade and I really want to go into Sports medicine after high school but the only thing is that I Heard that physicians in sports medicine make way less than other physicians. Is that true?

[@itsazukii]

Ooh hey, I’m here before everyone else haha

[@greg-ml7fp]

Enjoyed the video.

[@BlackGove]

Lol I like that , I would do it again 😂 I’m happy u get in

[@hd6692UTD]

Currently studying medicine in the U.K. with an interest in practicing sports medicine in the US. Any advice on the switch?

[@vietclick]

I was wondering how are the job opportunities for sports med docs?Also lifestyle? I hope you make a video about this maybe like a day in a life type of thing.

[@DoctorCrystalMD]

There are a lot of different things you can do as a sports medicine doc and I will definitely do a vid on it in the future! The field is getting a little more saturated these days just bc a lot more people are going into it, but as of now there are still jobs. Lifestyle is usually pretty good as well :) you won’t make the most money, but good work/life balance

[@gary1703]

Great video very informative. I am on the same path as yourself, however I’m on the west coast 4th year of medical school deciding between two residency tracks. Does a residency in PM&R give you the same amount of sports medicine exposure as opposed to your track of FM and then Sports Medicine fellowship?

[@ChrissyDash11]

During internship is it free or you get paid?

[@arhamsaeed6943]

so to recap, you did 4 years of college/university, 4 years of med school, 2 years residency, and 2 additional years of a fellowship?

[@TheGrapplingNinja]

It’s just so hard coming from undergrad knowing I want to do sports med to go to med school for 4 years with it not having much to do with sport medicine

[@tstoke7877]

You could always go the athletic training route if the medicine aspect of medical school doesn’t appeal to you.

[@TheGrapplingNinja]

@@tstoke7877 athletic training as in personal training? or more along the lines of physio or chiro?

[@tstoke7877]

TheGrapplingNinja It’s definitely not chiropractic medicine, though it does involve lots of hands on evaluation and modalities but it’s different from physical therapy as well. Athletic trainers work with athletes to help prevent injuries. When injuries do occur, they may be involved with diagnosing the injury and developing a treatment plan. Athletic trainers try to prevent injuries as part of their duties, but physical therapists typically see patients only after they've had a medical issue and focus on helping those patients recover and then teach them how to try to prevent further injuries. Athletic trainers work under the supervision of the team physician (since you’d likely be working for a high school, collegiate, or professional team) whereas physical therapist are a little more independent with their practice. Both comprise positions held in a sports medicine team, along with chiropractors for that matter, but each have their own distinct roles and responsibilities. BUT my point is that you can work as an athletic trainer with just a bachelor’s in athletic training. Many go on to get a masters in athletic training but it’s not 100% necessary. Physical therapists require a masters or even a DPt degree so there’s more education involved. Personal trainers just help people work out. You should definitely look into it though if you’re primarily interested in sports medicine!

[@TheGrapplingNinja]

@@tstoke7877 I appreciate this so much Im def not afraid of further education its just hard to justify to myself so many years of medschool that doesnt have much to do with sport med but thanks so much

[@Masoomehgull]

I want to become Sport medecin ❤❤❤

[@sarthaksubudhi778]

Does the state were you do residency determine what state you work as a doctor?

[@sabrina.natalie]

Hmmm... that’s a good question. I’m curious about that too.

[@jasonravalo9209]

How do you find research opportunities? I would love to have it on my resume!

[@sholaspostcards]

Can you help me apply to some medical schools?

[@BlackGove]

I’m from the virgin island and I would like to try become a doc , what resources you use to get ready for the MCAT

[@allexiismariie]

I want to be a sports medicine orthopedic surgeon and I'm a sophomore in high school do you have any tips/classes I should take?

[@TheEpicVideos17]

Alexis you could take anatomy. Honestly as a person who graduating college this year, my personal advice would be to take it one thing at a time. Since that’s your end goal in life but you need to break it up into bigger goals. Focus first on building good study habits and doing good in school. Study hard for your sat/act. Get into a college first lmao. It’s good to think far in advance but also there’s so many smaller steps you have to take to even reach the end goal. Take it one at a time

[@Masoomehgull]

❤❤❤

[@jaredhinton8]

Great video! As someone who is thinking about a career in sports medicine, I was wondering what the hours are like. What kind of hours do you typically work? Also, what were the hours like during residency? Thanks!

[@DoctorCrystalMD]

The hours can vary tremendously depending on the job. My job in particular is about 9 hours a day in addition to games some days after work and being on call for my teams. In residency, shifts ranged from 9 hours to 48ish hours on our OB rotation. Good luck on your journey!

[@evalima9883]

so did you make 3 years of medicine of family and after 2 years of fellow of sports medicine?

[@milanoga6497]

I hate being in the hospital but all the nurses on the floor know me and I know all of them

[@DoctorCrystalMD]

I can’t imagine that being admitted is ever much fun for anyone. Hope they’re treating you well tho!!

[@billybailey5424]

DUDE!!! Great sweatshirt! How ‘bout them ‘eers?

[@DoctorCrystalMD]

My fiancé went there and played soccer so I had no choice but to become a fan 😝

[@billybailey5424]

I knew I liked Heather for some reason! ;)

[@stevansmith9582]

I like studying anatomy and sports medicine with sports injuries and I want to go back to school but I have no idea what questions to ask but if you could give me some insight I would really appreciate! Pretty scared about it. I'm turning 35 this year feeling like I'm to old and I have learning disabilities but I'm trying not to make excuses about it

[@stevansmith9582]

Kind of want to be a nurse as I'm a male and I think that's more high in demand do to more females then males in that field but I could be wrong??

[@osemudiamenedogun4721]

Hey thanks a lot for the video. quick question >> is family med and sport med together or are they different. if they are different which one exactly are you doing? thanks

[@DoctorCrystalMD]

Sports medicine is a fellowship you can do after a handful of different specialities. So essentially you have your “primary” specialty, which mine is FM, then added certification in sports med. In my job I use both bc I work in a student health clinic, but you don’t have to do both

[@osemudiamenedogun4721]

@@DoctorCrystalMD thanks. i've been following your videos lately. More grace

[@JimboStripe]

Live in Michigan to. Which part of Michigan are you from?

[@DoctorCrystalMD]

Southeast! Pretty much half way between Detroit and the Ohio border

[@lonelyken4215]

Wow doctor crystal you are so beautiful for real and thanks for the information 😀

[@yonixia8712]

Can anyone kinda guide me in the path for Family Medicine. It is my first year in college "online" which really suck, since it takes the whole college experience away from it, but it is what it is. I joined college in a psychology field, but eventually found an ambition in becoming a doctor, finding Family Medicine really intriguing. If anyone can share their experience through college, med-school, residency and so on it will be much appreciated.

[@user-cv9sw2sq1f]

Salary after all uni fees and Medical school fees for the first year

[@tylortabit7371]

Go Mountaineers!

[@vashagovender9186]

I'm in grade 11 south Africa and I really want to get into med school...but the competition is really tough...on 5% percent of Indians get it and I'm litterally competing with 90% students

[@anthonyvazquez884]

Hi Dr.Crystal, I just watched your video and I am going into college this fall and I’m really interested in this sports medicine field but I had a few questions do you think I can reach you out at a email to ask you these. If you have the chance of course, hope all is well. Thank you

[@Steffpe]

Hi! Whats your best advice for board prep? Sports med. Thank you.

[@sarthaksubudhi778]

Doesn't a sports medicine doctor study in orthopedic surgery?

[@sarthaksubudhi778]

I thought you have to be certified in orthopedics to do Sports Medicine Fellowship

[@DoctorCrystalMD]

There is surgical sports medicine which is a sub specialty of orthopedic surgery and primary care sports medicine which is non op orthopedics

[@sarthaksubudhi778]

So I don’t have to do Ortopedics in order to do Sport Medicine Right?

[@sarthaksubudhi778]

@@DoctorCrystalMD So I don’t have to do Orthopedics in order to do Sports Medicine Right?

[@YT_ZeevTv]

Wow buestiful place :)

[@daniel30595]

I'd like to take you to the movies but they don't allow snacks

[@DoctorCrystalMD]

😂

[@daniel30595]

@@DoctorCrystalMD 😂😂...had to say it

[@bangaripinkoutsold6547]

Snacc***

[@kadirabdul9508]

98 in Organic 1 and 96 in organic 2. Got to Medical school with 3.98. Taking Step 1 June 15, 2021.

[@Matias-jd5fx]

why did I get a notification for this. . . I have no idea who you are. . .

[@DoctorCrystalMD]

🙋🏻‍♀️ not sure, I’m Crystal!

[@marcosoto7973]

You should check out her Final Destination videos.