Class of 2027 osteopathic medical students sharpen interviewing and networking skills ahead of residency application season
For fourth-year students at the Marian University Tom and Julie Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine (MU-WCOM), another important milestone is now within reach.
Nearly 140 members of the Class of 2027 recently took part in an annual networking and professional development event designed to prepare them for the residency application and interview process, a critical step on the path from medical student to physician.
As part of MU-WCOM's Graduate Medical Education Week, students connected with Marian University faculty and staff through mock interviews and networking exercises designed to strengthen communication skills and build confidence ahead of residency interviews later this year.
The event gave students the opportunity to practice introducing themselves, discuss their career interests, and receive feedback from professionals outside the healthcare setting, an experience that mirrors many of the conversations they will soon have with residency program leaders nationwide.
For Bill Spaniol, OMS-4, the event represents another checkpoint in a journey filled with milestones.
"You kind of get used to checkpoints," Spaniol said. "It will be more surreal when I start prescribing medication to people and acting as a physician."
Marian faculty and staff members volunteered their time to support the event, offering guidance and encouragement as students prepare for the next phase of their medical education.
The program concluded with a blessing led by Marian's Office of Mission Integration, recognizing both students' accomplishments and the responsibility that accompanies a career dedicated to healing others.
Although residency interviews are still ahead, the event served as a reminder that the transition from student to physician is drawing near. Through personalized support, hands-on preparation, and a commitment to whole-person formation, MU-WCOM continues to equip future physicians to serve patients with clinical excellence and compassion.
Click here to watch the video from the event