In this Med School Deep Dive, I sat down with Doc Arenz to talk about what it’s actually like studying at Mindanao State University College of Medicine. Instead of just listing “pros and cons,” we focused on the day-to-day reality: how the curriculum feels as a student, what the workload looks like, and what parts of training hit the hardest when you’re trying to stay consistent. If you’re considering MSU-COM (or any med school, honestly), this is the kind of conversation I wish more applicants could hear before they commit. We also talked about a challenge that a lot of students don’t plan for: preparing for a major board exam during a pandemic. Doc Arenz shared how the situation affected studying, structure, and momentum—and why having a system matters more when everything around you is unstable. My main takeaway is simple: school choice isn’t just about the name; it’s about fit, support, and whether the environment helps you build repeatable study habits that survive real-life disruptions.