Joseph D.

Joseph Distefano Mendoza

5.0

(3)

First Gen College Grad + Med Student | Craft Meaningful College Apps

UMass Chan Medical School Logo

Admissions Committee at UMass Chan Medical School

The Valedictorian Project Logo

Works at The Valedictorian Project

Successful clients at

Available tomorrow at 4:30 PM UTC

Questions? Start chatting with this coach before you get started.

Joseph's Coaching Offerings

Custom hourly · $35/hr

Get help with Recommendations, Essays, and .

Joseph also coaches for Medical School and USMLE. View all.

Joseph’s College Qualifications

Welcome to my profile! As a first-gen college grad, I know what it is like to feel overwhelmed by college admissions, especially when you feel like don't have a support system. I taught myself how to navigate the process and was successfully admitted to 18 colleges! Some of them include Duke, Johns Hopkins, Boston College and Boston University! Additionally, as a current medical student at UMass Chan Medical School and a former member of the admissions committee, I have a deep understanding of what top schools are looking for in applicants. My academic journey includes a Bachelor of Science in Health Science and Master of Public Health from Boston University, where I honed my skills in research and public health advocacy. I have a number of years of mentoring experience, helping high school students decide where to spend their future academic careers. I have helped them craft compelling applications that highlight their strengths and experiences. Whether you're aiming for a top-tier college or want to get a handle on the complexities of the admissions process, I'm here to guide you every step of the way. I hope to help you create an application that allows your unique story to show through. Let's work together to make your college dreams a reality!

Joseph can help with:

Recommendations

Essays

Application Strategy

Financial Aid & Scholarships

General Exploration

Resume

Interviews

Editing

Waitlist Strategy

Supplementary Materials

School Selection

Joseph also coaches for Medical School and USMLE. View all.

About Joseph

Originally from Guatemala, but grew up on the North Shore of Massachusetts. I'm currently living in Boston with my wife. I'm planning on applying to Family Medicine residency.

Why do I coach?

I coach because I recognize the value in having someone to call a mentor during the higher education application process. It can be a process that brings out the most challenging imposter syndrome; having a mentor allows you to not only recognize your strengths and talents, but also know how to best highlight them in your application. It was this support that I hope to give to others that I didn't have myself.

Work Experience

The Valedictorian Project Logo

Peer Mentor

The Valedictorian Project

May 2023 - Present

As a junior mentor, I help high school students from underserved school districts in Massachusetts navigate the transition to college. We meet regularly to discuss academics, social challenges, and professional skill building.

Massachusetts General Hospital Logo

Research Assistant

Massachusetts General Hospital

October 2020 - Present

As a member of the Perinatal Substance Use Research and Advocacy, or PRISM, team, I primarily conduct clinical chart review on projects both related to perinatal toxicology testing equity and outcomes for substance-exposed dyads at MGH and MGH HOPE Clinic. I will be conducting a summer research project completing a quantitative analysis of data on substance-exposed dyads.

Brigham and Women's Hospital Logo

Practice Assistant

Brigham and Women's Hospital

October 2021 - June 2022

As a Practice Assistant in the Day Surgery Unit/Post-Anesthesia Care Unit, I efficiently check-in patients for surgery, as well as track their progress and recovery for families members.

Boston Food Allergy Center Logo

Intern

Boston Food Allergy Center

January 2021 - April 2021

Interned at Boston Food Allergy Center, a private allergy and immunology practice in Boston, as a part of my undergraduate practicum. Worked in a front-desk role, where I was responsible for checking-in patients, verifying their insurance and referral information, then rooming them and taking their vitals. I also responded to patient calls, messages, and emails.

BUNITED Logo

Events and Communications Manager

BUNITED

May 2019 - May 2020

As Secretary/Events and Programming Chair, responsible for scheduling events leading up to the BUNITED Conference, as well as scheduling speakers and workshop leaders for the Conference

Boston University School of Medicine Logo

Research Assistant

Boston University School of Medicine

July 2019 - January 2020

Research assistant in The Pulmonary Center under Dr. Yang Jin.

BUNITED Logo

Committee Member

BUNITED

May 2018 - April 2019

Education

UMass Chan Medical School Logo

UMass Chan Medical School

Doctor of Medicine - MD

2022 - 2027

Admissions Committee Experience

Boston University Logo

Boston University

Master of Public Health - MPH, Epidemiology/Biostatistics

2020 - 2022

Boston University Logo

Boston University

Bachelor of Science, Health Science

2017 - 2021

3 Reviews

Overall Rating

5.0


Joseph has helped Leland clients get into Suffolk University


Joseph has helped Leland clients get into Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Loading reviews...
Joseph D.

Joseph D.

5.0

Sign in
Free events
Bootcamps