Irving B.
Studied at Harvard Medical School
Works at Broad Institute
Available Saturday at 1:00 PM UTC
Questions? Start chatting with this coach before you get started.
About Irving
When I began my medical school journey, I didn't fit the traditional mold. I was an international student from a small liberal arts college most admissions committees had never heard of, taking three years between graduation and medical school applications. Rather than viewing these as obstacles, I learned to present them as assets that set me apart from thousands of other applicants. At the end, I received acceptances to eight top-tier medical schools, including Harvard Medical School where I now study, along with full or substantial merit scholarships from Harvard (REACH Scholar), Johns Hopkins (full ride), and University of Pennsylvania (21st Century Scholar). I also received offers from UCSF, Mount Sinai, Yale, Northwestern Feinberg, and Weill Cornell. The key wasn't having a flawless background, it was crafting a narrative that made sense of my journey. During my gap years, I immersed myself in cutting-edge research at the Broad Institute while simultaneously serving as a Spanish medical interpreter for underserved populations. Each experience reinforced my commitment to medicine and highlighted different facets of who I am as a future physician. What I learned through this process is that successful medical school applications aren't about checking boxes, but rather strategic storytelling. Every essay, every activity description, and every interview response should work together to paint a clear picture of your motivations, values, and future goals in medicine. As someone who has navigated this process successfully and now pursues my passion at the school of my dreams, I understand the nuances of what makes applications compelling. I'm passionate about helping fellow applicants, especially those who don't follow the conventional pre-med path, and help them discover how to present their authentic selves in the most powerful way possible. Your unique background isn't a limitation, it's your competitive advantage. Let me help you unlock it.
Why do I coach?
When I was navigating medical school application, I felt overwhelmed by the large amount of contradictory advice. Pre-med advisors, online forums, and well-meaning upperclassmen all seemed to have different opinions about what made a "strong" application. Some said research was everything, others obsessed over the amount of shadowing and clinical hours. The mixed messages left me more confused than confident. What I really wanted was to connect with students who had successfully gained admission to the schools I dreamed of attending and understand how they thought about presenting themselves through their applications and interviews. I wanted to see behind the curtain of successful applications and learn from real examples, not generic advice. I was incredibly fortunate to find mentors along the way who generously shared their time and feedback. They showed me how to think strategically about my application, helped me identify my unique strengths, and guided me through the nuances that no admissions guide could capture. Their mentorship was transformative. Not only did it help me craft a compelling application, but it also saved me countless hours of trial and error, unnecessary stress, and potential missteps that could have derailed my dreams. Now that I'm on the other side, I feel a deep responsibility to share what I learned. I know firsthand how challenging and time-consuming it can be to gather the right resources and insights during an already demanding process. My goal is to give you the clarity, strategy, and confidence I wish I had from day one, helping you achieve your medical school goals more efficiently and with less of the confusion I experienced. You shouldn't have to figure this out alone. Let me be the mentor I needed when I was in your shoes.
Work Experience
Project Associate II
Broad Institute
January 2022 - Present
Worked on the development of spatial transcriptomics technologies: Slide-seq and Slidelock-seq Collaborated with multiple groups on the characterization of phenotypes through spatial transcriptomics including: Spatial gene expression of tumor microenvironment The immune response to COVID-19 in human lung Spatial gene expression in the gastrointestinal tract Neurological disorders and the elucidation of the brain’s structure
Spanish Medical Interpreter
Healthcare for the Homeless - Houston 'HHH'
September 2021 - Present
As the first in-person medical interpreter at the Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program, I have worked on establishing a culture that improves the quality of care for patients with limited English proficiency. I have designed training programs for staff and healthcare providers, recorded patient interactions with their care providers and case managers, and implemented initiatives to improve the navigability of the clinic. Most importantly, I interpret for patients and providers from English to Spanish, acting as a cultural broker. I have interpreted in behavioral health scenarios, helped patients understand health documents through sight-translation, and organized three-way calls with Mass Health Insurance authorities.
Research Technician I
Broad Institute
August 2020 - March 2022
Undergraduate Researcher
City College
August 2019 - July 2020
Conference presentation: Barrera, I. (2020, April). Structural characterization and phylogeny of the Osiris gene family. Abstract accepted for the 32nd annual Butler University Undergraduate Research Conference. Indianapolis, IN. Cancelled due to public health concerns related to COVID-19.
Teaching Assistant
City College
January 2020 - May 2020
Bioinformatics Spring 2020 Cells, Genes and Inheritance Spring 2020 Biochemistry Fall 2019 Cellular Physiology Fall 2018
Committee Member
City College
August 2017 - May 2020
• Represented the student body interests during the redrafting of the Student Constitution. • Advised the Vice-president of Finance in the reduction of the budget deficit of the College. • As a member of the Student Faculty Affairs Committee I evaluated faculty members applying for tenure and renewal of their contract.
Co-founder
University Co-op
September 2018 - April 2020
• Co-designed an integrated waste management company in Ethiopia. • Conducted a literature study on the health effects and the public health impact of waste mismanagement in Ethiopia. • Secured $22,500 USD of seed capital by earning 1st place at the Earlham Prize for Creative capitalism. • Won 2nd place at the Boston regionals of the Hult Prize.
Research Assistant
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
January 2019 - July 2019
• Validated structural variants identified by WGS that pose a risk for Alzheimer’s Disease. • Assessed putative enhancer for MAPT gene using CRISPR-Cas9 technologies. • Benchmarked SV-caller algorithms for future whole-exome-sequence analysis.
Education
Harvard Medical School
MD Candidate, Medicine, Medicine
2023 - 2027
MD Candidate Pathways program. Class of 2027. REACH Scholar Soros Fellowship Finalist 2025 President PSIG 2023
Earlham College
Bachelor's degree, Biochemistry
2016 - 2020
Grade: Collegiate and Departmental Honors. GPA; 3.98/4.0 Activities and societies: Elected Student Senator, Student Faculty Affairs Committee, Recovery Working Group, Substance Awareness Committee, Resident Assistant, Earlham College HOSA Chapter, Earlham Budget's Committee, NetImpact