Affective presence is the lasting and stable impressions your interaction partners get from you.
Your scores and grades only get you in the door.
It's your personality that makes you a medical student, and later, a doctor.  So make sure you're giving off the right vibes!
Listener Kalmen reminds us of a paths for some students who don't match.

You deserve to be happy and healthy. If you're struggling with racism, harassment, hate, your mental health, or some other crisis, visit http://theshortcoat.com/help, and send additions to the list to theshortcoats@gmail.com. We love you.