Any Future Med Students Here? [Archive]

Over Achiever

Aug 18, 2002, 04:06 PM

Alright, I've taken my test, and I thought it went well. Its nice to know that there are some here that are med students, and not teenage cross-dressers:eek:!

I could reply to all of you in separate posts to boost my post count, but instead, I'll double the thread length by quoting all of you. Hahehahehahehahehahe...darn, too many quotes...ah well...

I'm going to be a future med student. I'm planning on taking MCAT next year. I want to finish my psycology BSc first. I'm starting second year sept. 9. Hope your test went well!
galstaph,

Thanks, it did go well. And say, would you like to buy some "slightly" used MCAT review books?;) One week is too short to read an entire book...

Seeing how I took the MCAT 21 years ago, I doubt you care about my opinion.
MidnightRambler,
It was 21 years ago, but I hoped it went well for you. I'm guessing its a tad harder now, and a bit more competitive now :D So did you go to medical school, how was it, are you filthy rich;)...i mean 'enlightened' by your experience?:cool:

I used to play "Doctors & Nurses" - does that count?
kiwi_the_iwik,
Sure...Why not :p

My wife is a first year intern/resident in internal medicine at Baylor. MCAT was stressful, but nothing compared to the STEP 1. She studied from November through June for that beast, and kicked its *ss. (Thank god).
mcrain,
Baylor...thats in Houston right? That's one of the places my application is going...think your wife could put in a kind word for a complete stranger?;)
I hope I never have to take the STEP 1...i have no idea what it is.

I have a friend who's training to be a med person, and he's 16 and he has 10 more years of school, gosh that has to suck and then when you done you still have to be around sick people! LOL I admire all you for setting your goals high, me, I'm going to become some kinda techie haven't decided yet.
W-_-W,
I have a feeling your friend may change paths in college;)...i've seen many do so. Dude, the years just go by, and the clawing for As gets a bit annoying...make that VERY annoying...it just becomes a lifestyle I guess. Or maybe it's no life at all :D I like your path more...at least you're being realistic:).

Wes

Aug 18, 2002, 04:13 PM

Originally posted by Over Achiever

I have a feeling your friend may change paths in college;)...i've seen many do so. Dude, the years just go by, and the clawing for As gets a bit annoying...make that VERY annoying...it just becomes a lifestyle I guess. Or maybe it's no life at all :D I like your path more...at least you're being realistic:).

I don't think his father will let him, he made one of his sons become a business man and is in college 2 year as we speak. He is set on having a doctor as a son.

MidnightRambler

Aug 19, 2002, 04:04 AM

Harder now? LMAO
I doubt that very much. If anything I'd guess it's easier. Back in 1980 there were far more prospective students (4x as many applicants as today) competing for less med school slots as there are today.

Universities, grad schools and professional schools were FAR more competitive then than they are now.

I ended up at Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia. Played oncologist for a few years, then got depressed watching folks die. Started a software company designing medical applications, got bored and then started writing/directing/producing film and video. I do alright. ;) ....ok, maybe a bit better than 'alright'. :D

But, one of the things I could NEVER stand were the guys like you, whose primary motivation for going into medicine is money. You want to get rich, go start a business. Want of wealth is the wrong reason to become a physician.

Over Achiever

Aug 19, 2002, 11:52 AM

Originally posted by W-_-W

I don't think his father will let him, he made one of his sons become a business man and is in college 2 year as we speak. He is set on having a doctor as a son.

Lemme just say...ouch.

Being something your parents want you to...ouch.

I'm tellin' ya...he'll switch!!!:D

Over Achiever

Aug 19, 2002, 11:58 AM

Originally posted by MidnightRambler
Harder now? LMAO
I doubt that very much. If anything I'd guess it's easier. Back in 1980 there were far more prospective students (4x as many applicants as today) competing for less med school slots as there are today.

Universities, grad schools and professional schools were FAR more competitive then than they are now.

I ended up at Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia. Played oncologist for a few years, then got depressed watching folks die. Started a software company designing medical applications, got bored and then started writing/directing/producing film and video. I do alright. ;) ....ok, maybe a bit better than 'alright'. :D

But, one of the things I could NEVER stand were the guys like you, whose primary motivation for going into medicine is money. You want to get rich, go start a business. Want of wealth is the wrong reason to become a physician.

Well, it was more competitive back then...ouch. I thought we had it tough now...I never knew.:)

And just to let you know, money is NOT my primary motivation. I really want to help others...my plan is to work for a few years in a HMO, save some money, then go to Vietnam (where my parents are from)...give free services for a couple of years. Then I'd repeat the process...I just think money is a perk for helping people, thats all. I also value the satisfaction of making a difference as well ;)

One of my crazy goals is to have enough money to have the time to give door-to-door service mostly to help the elderly and poor...i think that'll freak people out though.:) Just imagine...your doctor comes to you:eek:!

mcrain

Aug 19, 2002, 03:12 PM

Originally posted by Over Achiever
Well, it was more competitive back then...ouch. I thought we had it tough now...I never knew.:)

And just to let you know, money is NOT my primary motivation. I really want to help others...my plan is to work for a few years in a HMO, save some money, then go to Vietnam (where my parents are from)...give free services for a couple of years. Then I'd repeat the process...I just think money is a perk for helping people, thats all. I also value the satisfaction of making a difference as well ;)

One of my crazy goals is to have enough money to have the time to give door-to-door service mostly to help the elderly and poor...i think that'll freak people out though.:) Just imagine...your doctor comes to you:eek:!

First, it wasn't just more competitive back then. It was so much worse than now. He had to walk barefoot in two foot deep snow to school every day, uphill, both ways! In addition, he had to live in a 100 square foot room with no lights, no heat, no air conditioning, and he and his 4 roomates all had to share books, and they ate leather shoe soup, but only once a day, because they had to let the shoes dry out so at least one of the roommates could have a pair of shoes to wear the next day. :D

As for your future goals, let me give you some free law/tax advice. Don't do what you said. Instead, work full time and then, schedule a 3-4 week vacation where you fly to Vietnam, provide medical services, but don't collect payment for those services. Then you fly back to the states and deduct the value of the services you gave away for free. That will allow you to go over more often, have more money to help people, and not bankrupt yourself doing it. (plus you get a great deduction).

Oh, and the Step 1 test is a mandatory test for all medical students between second and third year. If you fail, you may be required to redo those years. Step 2 is usually taken sometime during your fourth year. Step 3 is taken during or after residency (I'm not sure when).

But, if you get into med school, you will HAVE to take the Step 1, and you will HAVE to study hard for it. First, it is very hard, and second, it determines to a large extent what specialties you can apply for residency to.

FYI, because my wife did especially well, she was able to apply to any specialty without feeling like her scores were insufficient.

As for a recommendation, she could tell them how wonderful you were till her face was blue (like her scrubs) and it wouldn't matter a bit. Grades, MCAT, letters of recommendation from your professors, extracurricular activities (both med and non-med related) and research are what will get you into med school.

topicolo

Aug 20, 2002, 02:55 PM

Originally posted by MidnightRambler

I ended up at Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia. Played oncologist for a few years, then got depressed watching folks die. Started a software company designing medical applications, got bored and then started writing/directing/producing film and video. I do alright. ;) ....ok, maybe a bit better than 'alright'. :D

You were an onlcologist? wow, I'm working as a summer student at a cancer center right now. I'm hoping to go into oncology eventually but for now, I just plan on writing my MCATs either next year or the year after. I attending university here in Canada, but I'll probably apply for a couple of US schools, but I'm not sure yet. Do you have any suggestions or tips? Please? :)

Over Achiever

Aug 20, 2002, 07:11 PM

Study for the MCAT when you'll take it...and take it in April, don't procrastinate like me and take it in August.;)

Some classes that will help for the MCAT are zoology and animal physiology for the biology...i'm a physics major so i can't help you there...and pay attention in your chemistry classes!

Kaplan is great for study materials, and I hear the Princeton Review is nice as well. Avoid REA...i bought a book that had 6 practice tests but they are nothing like the real deal.:mad:

If you have the money, after all your reviewing, buy the 10$ AAMC online test (www.e-mcat.com) and print it, take it as the real deal. If you need more work, focus on it, then if you want to take more tests upgrade to the full online version. I found taking practice tests particularly helpful.

I'm not sure if what I did will help my score since I only studied for a week, but those materials got me comfortable with the test. If you have money to spend, you can take the prep classes...i thought they were too expensive.

Oncology is a great field i hear...good luck.

Ifeelbloated

Aug 20, 2002, 07:22 PM

This has nothing to do with advice in a medical career but if any of you med types want a good laugh, rent the movie "Dr. Giggles". It's one of those hilariously bad horror movies.

topicolo

Aug 21, 2002, 08:53 AM

Thanks for the tips, Over-Achiever. I'll be getting ready for the MCAT soon. I heard that some people study as much as 1000 hours for this thing.
That's pretty wild. Still, I'm going to take all of your recommendations into consideration when I start studying for it. Thx a lot

w00t! 501st post!

uhlawboi80

Oct 2, 2002, 09:20 PM

Mcrain....i see you are here in Houston! haha, i know a second year resident in internal medicine at baylor.

My undergrad degrees were a BS in microbiology and a BS in biophysics and i even took the MCAT...then i took the LSAT and ended up in law school...go figure. But i am doing health law:p

i thought the MCAT was a bitch but i didnt study a whole lot...my research and my job job kept my busy, but a 31 would have gotten me in somewhere i think...

wilburpan

Oct 17, 2002, 09:57 PM

I see that I am coming late to this thread, but for the record, I'm a pediatric hematologist/oncologist.

The MCAT was the last standardized test I did really well on. On the other hand, I don't have to take any more such tests. :D

Over Achiever

Oct 18, 2002, 09:46 AM

Hi all,

I finally got my scores back. It think they're ok...are they?
VR-11, PS-14, WS-R, BS-10. The scales are 1-15 and J-T I think. My VR and WS scores are in the 85-95% range:), PS is in the 99.1-99.9% range:D, and the BS is in the 65-85% range :(. I know my applications depend on other stuff too, but these scores give me a good shot, right?

They're not clear on what is a good score, but I'm pretty sure these are bad, right?

Angelus

Oct 19, 2002, 06:11 PM

Hey i'm an irish med student and i'm just wondering what the MCAT is?Is it an entrance exam type thing? do you guys have to get degrees before you can study med?cos here in ireland we just go straight to college after secondary school(high school for you).

Over Achiever

Oct 19, 2002, 06:19 PM

Its sorta like an entrance exam. The MCAT is supposed to tell the schools "how well you'd do in your first year of med school" or something.

Yup, you need a bachelor's degree (usually) to enter med school...sorta like grad school and such.

Angelus

Oct 19, 2002, 06:34 PM

Interesting,
i think they are introducing that policy here in ireland soon so you will have to get a science degree before you can enter med.
I prefer just starting med school straight away cos you are qualified earlier.My degree course is 5 years plus an intern year and if i want to be a G.P or surgeon or specialise in other words i'll have to add at least 2-7 onto that.Luckily they removed pre-med from my course so my 1st year is the same as last years 2nd year.Pre-med was a joke!

wilburpan

Oct 22, 2002, 09:48 AM

In the U.S., the typical training goes:

4 years college
4 years med school (2 years classwork, 2 years clinical rotations)
3-5 years internship/residency, depending on the field you are interested in
1-3 years fellowship, if you want to subspecialize

It's a lot of training, but I think that one of the things that this forces you into is that when you are done, there is an additional level of maturity that you can' get any other way. Some universities have an accelerated combined undergraduate/med school program, so that you finish college and med school in 6 years. Those students clearly have more issues in maturity by the time they hit the clinical rotations.

Worse in my opinion, these programs accept the best and brightest of high school applicants. There is no evidence that students in accelerated programs perform better as physicians once they finish med school. This means that they don't suffer from the shorter educational path, but it also means that we've taken the best students from high school and turned them into average doctors.

Over Achiever

Oct 23, 2002, 02:24 PM

Originally posted by wilburpan
It's a lot of training, but I think that one of the things that this forces you into is that when you are done, there is an additional level of maturity that you can' get any other way. Some universities have an accelerated combined undergraduate/med school program, so that you finish college and med school in 6 years. Those students clearly have more issues in maturity by the time they hit the clinical rotations.

Worse in my opinion, these programs accept the best and brightest of high school applicants. There is no evidence that students in accelerated programs perform better as physicians once they finish med school. This means that they don't suffer from the shorter educational path, but it also means that we've taken the best students from high school and turned them into average doctors.

I'm wondering...what issues in maturity are you talking about? Sure they may not have that much experience, but the fact that they are bright enough to even be able to start med school early already proves that they are mature enough to get the job done, and to preform under pressure, IMO.

wilburpan

Oct 23, 2002, 10:05 PM

Originally posted by Over Achiever

I'm wondering...what issues in maturity are you talking about? Sure they may not have that much experience, but the fact that they are bright enough to even be able to start med school early already proves that they are mature enough to get the job done, and to preform under pressure, IMO.

There are two aspects to being a doc. The first is straight book knowledge. This is what the MCAT and boards exams measure, and this is where bright students do well at.

The second is communication and people skills. This is something that I think only time will give you. I have seen plenty of med students on my rounds who are exceedingly smart about the pathophysiology of a disease, and have no clue as to how to go about discussing the ramifications of that disease to a patient.

When I hear people complain about doctors, no one ever says "I can't believe how stupid my doctor is." Almost everyone will complain that their doctor doesn't explain things to them. And when people compliment doctors, it's almost always in terms of how well they listen and how well they explain what they are doing.

So as far as the high school students who enter an integrated 6 or 7 year combined program for med school go, yes, they are bright enough to start med school early. Whether or not they are mature enough is a completely separate matter.

TheMightyG

Nov 6, 2002, 12:21 PM

Originally posted by topicolo
Thanks for the tips, Over-Achiever. I'll be getting ready for the MCAT soon. I heard that some people study as much as 1000 hours for this thing.
That's pretty wild. Still, I'm going to take all of your recommendations into consideration when I start studying for it. Thx a lot

w00t! 501st post!

Hello fellow Canadian:

As a recent grad of both the Canadian and US training systems, may I offer some thoughts.:

MCAT scores do not matter as much in Canada and in my experience have absolutely no correlation whatsoever with the competance of a physician. Having said that they are a necessary evil that needs to be completed. However, don't kill yourself studying for them. Well-rounded med students are always preferred over pasty faced nerds who spent 2 years studying for the MCATS.

If you are planning to return to Canada after med school, be forewarned that you have to be pass certain exams that US training may not prepare you for: namely the Medical Council of Canada exam and the Royal College Fellowship exams. They are highy clinically oriented (Gross generalization: US training tends to be more tech-focussed) and in the case of the Royal College, highly focussed on the importance of the bedside clinical exam and decision making (esp true for the medical specialties) If you thought the MCAT was hateful.....

A I 'm sure you're aware, there is a wide variety in terms of quality amongst medical schools in the US (true for most professional schools). Just be aware of this when you apply. Antoher thing to consider: good US schools top up at $30,000 a year for tuition. Canadian med schools max out at ~10K Cdn. Big difference over 4 years. If you want to train in Canada and do your "finishing work" at a top flight US school, McGill and U of T are the best known in the States. My recommendation is that if you want to stay in Canada, do your core training in the Great White North to give you the best chance to pass your Canadian exams and do your sub-specialty training in a good US school. Canadian trained physicians are generally well regarded in the US and our training prepares us well for all of the US boards.

I agree that marks alone do not make the doctor. I completely concur with earlier posters that high premed marks are often not predictive of clinical savvy. Yes, high makrs are used as a surrogate for raw intellectual capability to memorize facts, but the ability to apply those facts involves a dimension that cannot be tested on multiple choice exams. We had lots of >90% average biochem premeds in my class who could not generate a reasonable differential diagnosis, counsel a grieving family, or run a code with any degree of competance. Study hard but remain well-rounded and a compassionate human being above all things.

I wish you and all pre-meds the best of luck. Competition may not be as horrific now as in earlier years (that was news to me!), but it cannot make the application process any less stressful.

Please feel free to email me if you want to speak further on this matter.

Sorry for the longwinded rant.

Regards

G

TheMightyG

Nov 6, 2002, 12:25 PM

Originally posted by Over Achiever
I'm taking my MCAT tomorrow...joy.

Anyone get accepted? Any advice for my applications?;)

Just be yourself.

G

Over Achiever

Nov 6, 2002, 02:14 PM

Originally posted by TheMightyG
Well-rounded med students are always preferred over pasty faced nerds who spent 2 years studying for the MCATS

How about pasty faced nerds that studyed for one week for the MCATS? :eek: :D ;)

Thanks for the advice...I was myself. I was the only one smiling and not shaking in my boots in that testing room;)

TheMightyG

Nov 6, 2002, 02:17 PM

Originally posted by Over Achiever

How about pasty faced nerds that studyed for one week for the MCATS? :eek: :D ;)

Thanks for the advice...I was myself. I was the only one smiling and not shaking in my boots in that testing room;)

Actually...that advice was meant for your interview and personal statement. But I'm glad that you weren't gripped with fear in the test room:D

wilburpan

Nov 6, 2002, 08:10 PM

Originally posted by TheMightyG

Actually...that advice [just be yourself] was meant for your interview and personal statement. But I'm glad that you weren't gripped with fear in the test room:D
I absolutely agree. Being yourself is exceedingly important when interviewing. Having interviewed potential med students/residents/fellows, I can smell an attempt to fake it within 30 seconds of talking to someone.

Also, to my chagrin, I found that when I give lectures, I can tell right away which students are sleeping/not paying attention no matter where they sit in the room...even in the back row.

It was to my chagrin because when I was a med student, I always sat in the back row sleeping/not paying attention. :) It's my karmic destiny, I guess.

topicolo

Nov 6, 2002, 10:18 PM

This is amazingly (and kind of surreal too)! I never would've thought that I'd be getting med school admissions advice from a Macintosh rumors site:).

I'll be writing the MCATs next April and so far I'm just a little nervous. I've been dreaming about "getting in" for the last eight years and I find it hard to accept that the exam is almost here. Nevertheless, I'm convinced that I'm destined for medicine and with any luck, I'll be making posts here about how cool medical school is in two years.

Thanks for sharing your vast wisdom everybody.;)

Over Achiever

Nov 6, 2002, 10:38 PM

Originally posted by topicolo
I'll be writing the MCATs next April and so far I'm just a little nervous. I've been dreaming about "getting in" for the last eight years and I find it hard to accept that the exam is almost here. Nevertheless, I'm convinced that I'm destined for medicine and with any luck, I'll be making posts here about how cool medical school is in two years.

Writing, eh?:p I guess you mean taking...

Don't put too much emphasis I think on your MCATS. Like the others have said...you just need to do ok on the MCATS...that is don't get a bad score!;) (sorta a circular argument...) The important part is who you are, which they'll see in your activities, personal statement, your recommendation letters, and your interview. I'm starting my first interview in a couple of weeks...even though I had fairly good MCAT scores, I think this will be the critical point in my application process.

Just be yourself...

TheMightyG

Nov 6, 2002, 11:30 PM

Originally posted by wilburpan

It was to my chagrin because when I was a med student, I always sat in the back row sleeping/not paying attention. :) It's my karmic destiny, I guess.

Ha! Well then "Hallo and well met" from a fellow Back Row Veteran!!! Did your crew do the Top 10 Lists and play "Keener Bingo" during Histology/Gross Anatomy lectures too?:p

Where are you working now wilburpan?

G

wilburpan

Nov 7, 2002, 10:32 PM

Originally posted by TheMightyG
Ha! Well then "Hallo and well met" from a fellow Back Row Veteran!!! Did your crew do the Top 10 Lists and play "Keener Bingo" during Histology/Gross Anatomy lectures too?:p

Where are you working now wilburpan?

If "Gunner Bingo" means the same thing as "Keener Bingo", and I think it does, yes, we did play that. :p Reading the paper was a popular activity, too, and I remember one time near Christmas my sole purpose in going to class was to find people to go downtown to do Xmas shopping.

Currently I'm doing pediatric heme/onc at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey, which is part of Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. My interest is in pediatric brain tumors.

How about you, G?

TheMightyG

Nov 8, 2002, 09:03 AM

Originally posted by wilburpan

If "Gunner Bingo" means the same thing as "Keener Bingo", and I think it does, yes, we did play that. :p Reading the paper was a popular activity, too, and I remember one time near Christmas my sole purpose in going to class was to find people to go downtown to do Xmas shopping.

Ah...birds of a feather.....The Back Row Gang used class as a meeting place to go for lunch across the street (bottomless french fries.....)

I'm in adult cardiology, research interest in novel reperfusion therapy for acute MI. Halfway through an MPH at Harvard and a Clinical Research Fellowship at Brigham and Women's. Start work next year as CCU Director in my old stomping grounds at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver Canada.

insidedanshead

Jan 13, 2003, 11:15 PM

I have a brother who faired rather well on the MCAT but still couldn't get into med school, instead he ended up becoming a drug rep for Forest Pharmacueticals and makes more money than any physician in the area. so if nothing comes of this you already have the school and training down to get a great job..

vniow

Jan 13, 2003, 11:40 PM

Originally posted by Over Achiever
Its nice to know that there are some here that are med students, and not teenage cross-dressers:eek:!

Hey! I resent that statement!http://img.ranchoweb.com/images/veronica/imad.gifhttp://img.ranchoweb.com/images/veronica/ppphhht.gifhttp://img.ranchoweb.com/images/veronica/grinning.gif

Edit: w00t, I'm vniow now!! Thanx arn!! *SMOOCH*http://img.ranchoweb.com/images/veronica/grinning.gif

Doctor Q

Jan 13, 2003, 11:50 PM

Originally posted by arn
I'm an Internal Medicine Resident.I've never seen you post any information about yourself before. How in the world do you have time to run MacRumors????????????

P.S. ????????????

wdlove

Jan 14, 2003, 11:26 AM

It takes human multitasking to be a resident, way to go arn! :)

wilburpan

Jan 16, 2003, 07:06 AM

Originally posted by insidedanshead
I have a brother who [is] ... a drug rep for Forest Pharmacueticals and makes more money than any physician in the area.
Not that I'm poverty level or anything, but because of school loans, my real take home pay is significantly lower than most people would guess.

It's like having a mortgage to pay off, without actually getting a house to live in.

I always tell people who want to go to medical school that anyone who wants to become a doctor because of the money is going to get what they deserve. :D

Having said that, I love what I do, and would not trade it for anything. Except maybe retirement, one day. :)

Over Achiever

Jan 16, 2003, 06:20 PM

Originally posted by wilburpan
Not that I'm poverty level or anything, but because of school loans, my real take home pay is significantly lower than most people would guess.

Yeah...my med school info session at the U of M (right after my interview with them) said that the national average debt that a med student is in after 4 years of med school is around $101,000.

Remember that is just an average...that means some can have up to $150,000 in loans they have to pay off getting out of med school! Strangely, I was not surprised...

Well, getting this 17" powerbook isn't going to help matters...but whats $3000 compared to $100,000.;)

TheMightyG

Jan 24, 2003, 10:58 AM

Out of curiousity...how did you do on your MCATs?

One suggestion and a plug for my alma mater if you're concerned with big debt: you can get an Ivy League calibre med school education at McGill University in Montreal Canada for less than what you pay at a middling state school in the US: ~$10000/year.

McGill is recognized internationally and you will have no problems getting a top flight US residency afterwards. McGill mandates that its academic and clinical faculty train for at least 2 years away before coming back on staff, so there are contacts a plenty in every field should you want a residency in a good center.

The university is committed to maintaining its international reputation and saves 10% of its seats for US students and an equal % for international students.

Most importantly Montreal is a fantastic city and dirt cheap to live in. Finally, if you're a single guy you will think that you've died and gone to eye candy heaven :)

Check it out:
http://www.med.mcgill.ca/
http://www.go-montreal.com/nightlife.htm

Good luck

G

Over Achiever

Jan 24, 2003, 07:15 PM

Originally posted by TheMightyG
Out of curiousity...how did you do on your MCATs?
I posted this earlier, but it was easy to miss reading it when scanning the thread.

Originally posted by Over Achiever
I finally got my scores back. It think they're ok...are they?
VR-11, PS-14, WS-R, BS-10. The scales are 1-15 and J-T I think. My VR and WS scores are in the 85-95% range, PS is in the 99.1-99.9% range, and the BS is in the 65-85% range . I know my applications depend on other stuff too, but these scores give me a good shot, right?

They're not clear on what is a good score, but I'm pretty sure these are bad, right?

I thought that my scores weren't bad, but I'm guessing that they were only slightly better than average.

---

Thanks for the suggestion...I unfortunately didn't look at Canadien schools, something that I'm regretting now. However, it has to be too late to apply for the 2003-04 school year, but i'll keep it in mind if i don't make it this year and i have to reapply next year.

Thanks a lot. :)

TheMightyG

Jan 24, 2003, 09:38 PM

Hell, you did way better than me.

Heart Break Kid

Mar 19, 2003, 08:23 PM

this is insane. I thought I was the only pre-med here LOL.

We'll it is definatley comforting to know their are those out there who are gonna be doctors or who want to be :). damn you. thats just more competition for me. (jokes)

I still have a while (1.5 years) before I have to write the MCATS.

How did you guys prepare for medical school? I know comeptition is insane, and I began preparing for a damn long time.

I mean, I've dont research at the CDC and the Emory Vaccine Center, volunteered at the Emory Childrens Hospital and extracurriculars, including piano and sax lessons (albeit Im not nearly as good as I would like to be), and ofcourse, switching over to a mac.

Is there anything else that I could do or have done? My GPA so far is a 4.0, but I have a feeling after this accounting class its going to definatly drop :(

About the going into medical school for the money, I'm sure we've all been accused of this. But seriously, I know that the people who I'm aquainted and myself want to go to med-school because we have no other choice. It's like there is this monster big-rig truck behind us pushing forward, not letting us relax, making us wish we were already in med-school. Anyone else feel like that? haha. it may sound wierd, its a feeling that is definatly hard to explain.

Ahh well. Im a sophomore so I still have time.

I have a question about the international students. Alot of my friends, who did not score exceptionally well on the MCAT have opted to go to the carribean to study their. Can someone give me the pro's and cons to doing this? I figure, if push comes to shove, this could be a contingancy plan for if the worst case scenerio happens to pass.

Heart Break Kid

Mar 19, 2003, 08:33 PM

followup:

Quickly to any fellow Canadians. I was born and raised in Toronto, and chose to do my undergrad here in Atlanta (for scholorship and oppurtunity reasons). I know that I have to get certification when I go back to the great white north, but thats not the problem I have. What I really want to do, is practice far north, as in the NW territories, Nunuvut (sp?). Its something I have to do before I get old and gray. I dont like knowing that the first nations reserves have access to medecine that borders between limited and none. I was wondering if anyone has ever traveled up that far north, or has attempted to practice in similar areas, i.e very poor locals. I figure, if we're gonna be doctors, might as well be the most idealistic bunch of docs around. hey, i mean, if we dont save the world, who will?

topicolo

Mar 19, 2003, 09:03 PM

If you said that to a Canadian Med school admissions officer, they'd practically drag you by your hair into their school. :D

Over Achiever

Mar 19, 2003, 10:33 PM

Whoa, I return to the community forum and this thread pops up!

I don't know if I'm in the best position to give advice as I currently only have one school left that is still considering my application, the rest have sent letters of regret.

But I'll give the advice a shot:
Don't stress out about your GPA too much ... it's only a part of your application. Same with the MCATs, although highers numbers are always nice. They are interested in you as a person and your passions, and why you want to become a doctor. Somehow I feel that the personality, well roundedness, and dedication parts are one of the most important aspects of the application ... apparently I'm lacking in one of these areas. :(

Of course this is for the schools I applied to, so maybe other schools (i.e. canadian et al) may look at it differently.

If you're planning on taking the MCATs, I have a Kaplan book and an REA book that you may be interesting in buying. Take the practice tests released by the AAMC, it'll give you a handle on what the test will be like.

You're only a sophmore so you have plenty of time. Start prepping slowly for the MCAT this summer and towards the end of the year, you should definately take the test next April. I think one of my disadvantages was taking the test in August, only take a test in August if you feel your April exam wasn't up to snuff.

I don't really think you have to do any additional things, you seem set for me.

Well this became a long post...I guess I'll end my babbling now.

-O.A.

P.S. Heart Break Kid, lemme know how you enjoy your 17" pb. ;)

runningman

Mar 20, 2003, 01:13 PM

No matter how you put it med schools look at the well rounded person but overall scores play a huge portion of your admission. Med Schools set a basic standard to even be considered in both GPA and MCAT scores if you don't meet those they will automatically reject you. This is not the proper way to do it as some of the best physicians have average scores but for the med schools they advertise this as a badge of honor stating their average GPA and MCAT score. Be yourself, be involved and don't be passive about your admission. If you sit back and wait for them to call you it won't happen. Call them be a nuisance so that when your name comes up they have something to put with it. Just make sure not to be overbearing. Another option would be to donate a building or two.
Hey Arn you thought step 1 was bad wait till you take your IM boards. That's two days of hell.

Heart Break Kid

Mar 21, 2003, 09:02 PM

just out of curiosity - are there any MCAT prep aps for the mac? im talking about stuff similar to the princeton review or kaplan...or previous MCAT tests. I want to write it in april 2004 and if it doesnt go well, again in august. Just thinking about preparing for them is all. Any advice would be great!

topicolo

Mar 21, 2003, 10:10 PM

Originally posted by Over Achiever
Whoa, I return to the community forum and this thread pops up!

I don't know if I'm in the best position to give advice as I currently only have one school left that is still considering my application, the rest have sent letters of regret.

But I'll give the advice a shot:
Don't stress out about your GPA too much ... it's only a part of your application. Same with the MCATs, although highers numbers are always nice. They are interested in you as a person and your passions, and why you want to become a doctor. Somehow I feel that the personality, well roundedness, and dedication parts are one of the most important aspects of the application ... apparently I'm lacking in one of these areas. :(

Of course this is for the schools I applied to, so maybe other schools (i.e. canadian et al) may look at it differently.

If you're planning on taking the MCATs, I have a Kaplan book and an REA book that you may be interesting in buying. Take the practice tests released by the AAMC, it'll give you a handle on what the test will be like.

.

-O.A.

Hey OA, I might be interested in buying the MCAT books if HB kid isn't. Do you have any AAMC MCATS for sale too? I'm looking into buying the kaplan set and the AAMCs. What are the REAs?

Over Achiever

Mar 22, 2003, 11:54 AM

Originally posted by topicolo
Hey OA, I might be interested in buying the MCAT books if HB kid isn't. Do you have any AAMC MCATS for sale too? I'm looking into buying the kaplan set and the AAMCs. What are the REAs?
I have to look up the books to see exactly what they are and are in them.

I have copies of the AAMC MCATs...but they're not for sale. I downloaded them from the website (i'm not supposed to). I'll see if it's legal to send them to you.

The REA has 4 practice exams in them I think...sorta like the real MCATs. But beware! They are different...definately different.

The Kaplan is mainly a review book, it does have an MCAT or two in it. I even think there's a half length one...and good starting point. It even has a CD...the program will work in classic mode I think, HBK if you're wondering.

-O.A.

I remembered something! The test changed for the April test...there must be new versions of the books now! If you use my stuff...beware!
In case the tests didn't change, then I'll see what we can work out;)

wilburpan

Mar 22, 2003, 02:58 PM

Originally posted by runningman
Hey Arn you thought step 1 was bad wait till you take your IM boards. That's two days of hell.
IM boards? Hah! Try pediatric boards. By far the hardest test I've ever taken in my life.

That's why it takes a real man to become a pediatrician. :)

runningman

Mar 24, 2003, 11:04 AM

Originally posted by wilburpan
IM boards? Hah! Try pediatric boards. By far the hardest test I've ever taken in my life.

That's why it takes a real man to become a pediatrician. :)
Did that one also, so that would make me a real real man. IM still more difficult. Wish Arn luck nothing liked getting hit with a couple of zebras.:D

TheMightyG

Mar 25, 2003, 08:21 AM

IM boards were tough.

Cardiology boards were from the devil himself.

And I have to repeat both of 'em every ten years....yeesh. I envy those of you who are grandfathered from this.

runningman

Mar 25, 2003, 08:35 AM

Originally posted by TheMightyG
IM boards were tough.

Cardiology boards were from the devil himself.

And I have to repeat both of 'em every ten years....yeesh. I envy those of you who are grandfathered from this.
TheMightyG let me ask you what you think of this grandfathering bussiness. Do you think it gives the ability to older physicians who have grandfathered or grandmothered(don't want to be sexist) in not to really keep up in their respective fields. If you also think about it one step further the people that voted this in are all grandfathered. So basically what happens is they think there needs to be some kind of system to make sure people keep up to date and keep current just not them.

TheMightyG

Mar 26, 2003, 01:35 PM

Originally posted by runningman
TheMightyG let me ask you what you think of this grandfathering bussiness. Do you think it gives the ability to older physicians who have grandfathered or grandmothered(don't want to be sexist) in not to really keep up in their respective fields. If you also think about it one step further the people that voted this in are all grandfathered. So basically what happens is they think there needs to be some kind of system to make sure people keep up to date and keep current just not them.

Runningman:
Hate to say it, but I believe that the majority of people in the world, physicians included, are inherently lazy.
So while I despise the idea of recertifying, I think they're a necessary evil. Self policing will only take you so far. If you're away from an academic center and getting your CME from a drug rep who brings you lunch, that's not a good thing.

As for the receritification being mandated mainly by physicians who are themselves grandfathered---case in point re laziness. And we do sort of eat our young, don't we?

What's your take on it?

runningman

Mar 26, 2003, 01:43 PM

Totally agree. I don't think laziness has to do anything as much as new restrictions, documentation, decrease reimbursement already eating into a time schedule that has very little room to maneuver. As far as a recert program, I agree that we need some sort of guideline set in place to make sure physicians are up to date in their field and not exposing their patients to undo risk. This is not going to happen over the lunch hour with chinese food and the latest and greatest drug. I do think there should be no grandfather clause it stinks of a class system, no different than physicians that could grandfather into different specialties because they finished there training earlier. A board certified geritrician who did a fellowship is definitly different than a physician who grandfathered in to the certification process. Just my small opinion.

TheMightyG

Mar 26, 2003, 01:49 PM

Originally posted by runningman
Totally agree. I don't think laziness has to do anything as much as new restrictions, documentation, decrease reimbursement already eating into a time schedule that has very little room to maneuver. As far as a recert program, I agree that we need some sort of guideline set in place to make sure physicians are up to date in their field and not exposing their patients to undo risk. This is not going to happen over the lunch hour with chinese food and the latest and greatest drug. I do think there should be no grandfather clause it stinks of a class system, no different than physicians that could grandfather into different specialties because they finished there training earlier. A board certified geritrician who did a fellowship is definitly different than a physician who grandfathered in to the certification process. Just my small opinion.

good points. I agree with you that grandafathering reeks of classism. But that sort of things never surprises me anymore. Its just another twist of the old "those with the guns make the rules" sort of thing.
I may not recert IM...only 4 years out of IM and I'm already a crappy general internist ;)

Heart Break Kid

May 13, 2003, 12:27 AM

i had an unusual experience today. I found that an aquaintance of mine was spending way to much time complaining about how he hates his job to one of my close friends. When i confronted that friend and said that instead of complaining that individual should shape up and try to make a difference, they basically accused me of not being compassionate and questioned my desire to go into the medical profession. I know commpassion is important, so any comments would be well recieved and very much appreciated.

fred_lj

May 13, 2003, 08:28 AM

I think they're pointing out a need to talk out things more than just declare a "diagnosis" as what you did might have seemed to them. If my first-year req'd philosophy/western lit. course has taught me anything (besides not to worry about your GPA dropping below a 4.0), it's that despite all the differences among us as human beings, that is the one indivisible aspect -- our humanity. In other words, realize other people are just people and that their amibitions and ideals of happiness are never identical. It's what it takes to be a physician, in that you're just going to be dealing with the unknown for 90% of your job, making extremely educated guesses to bring a patient back into balance.

TheMightyG

May 13, 2003, 08:50 AM

Originally posted by Heart Break Kid
i had an unusual experience today. I found that an aquaintance of mine was spending way to much time complaining about how he hates his job to one of my close friends. When i confronted that friend and said that instead of complaining that individual should shape up and try to make a difference, they basically accused me of not being compassionate and questioned my desire to go into the medical profession. I know commpassion is important, so any comments would be well recieved and very much appreciated.

Well I guess it depends on how you said it, but it sounds like your acquaitance is a bit of a whiner. You can and should be compassionate yet not have to put up with excessive whining and bitching. Especially in medicine.