Medical School

[reediddy]

Am I alone on this treacherous road??

[MsMarvel73]

I'm certainly not on that road. I will however wish you all the best of lucks in the world.

[Bltravens]

PE education baby!

Have 2 semester left!

[FerrariFan87]

Law school for me, but I won't be doing medical malpractice (that I know of)

[MsMarvel73]

I'm a long-term unemployed historian. Wheee /sarcasm.

[MagicianCamille]

I'm in a band. *flips hair back, doofus grin*.

[Purple Nurple]

I took the high road. Selling stuff on tv, lol.

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='reediddy' timestamp='1327780639' post='977919']
Am I alone on this treacherous road??
[/quote]

I'm starting in August. Are you in yet or just planning?

[Purple Nurple]

[quote name='PARavensgirl' timestamp='1327790547' post='978120']
I'm a long-term unemployed historian. Wheee /sarcasm.
[/quote]

You should have known from the long history of jobless historians that you were doomed to repeat it. Study more.

[Moderator 2]

I took pre-med and then nursing school. I don't have a God complex lol

[reediddy]

[quote name='Ravenslifer' timestamp='1327856864' post='978588']

I'm starting in August. Are you in yet or just planning?
[/quote]

I just recently graduated with my BS Bio so yeah still in the planning aspect. Right now my top bets seem to be UCSD, South Carolina and Temple. Where did you get into?

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='reediddy' timestamp='1327863108' post='978667']

I just recently graduated with my BS Bio so yeah still in the planning aspect. Right now my top bets seem to be UCSD, South Carolina and Temple. Where did you get into?
[/quote]

PCOM. Delaware has no medical schools so I don't get state preference, but PCOM holds seats for Delaware residents. I have a sister who goes to Jefferson, and a cousin who went to Jeff and is a first year resident.

If you are just planning, I would make a suggestion - if you haven't taken any kind of anatomy course, I'd look into it or at least sit down with a good anatomy book and read it. Med School classes are intense, and I don't know how it is at other schools, but at PCOM the minimum passing grade for the anatomy class was 65 percent and the class average (this is like 180 students) was a 68 last year. Besides, medical school is a completely different animal - the anatomy professor at PCOM tells me that he advises first year students to study a minimum of 5 hours a day (this is after 8 hours of class - so imagine you have class from 8-4 and then study from 5-10), and people still barely pass anatomy. Not trying to dissuade you, just to let you know a little bit of what you're in for.

You really have to experience it, but like I said, if you haven't taken anatomy, histo, etc. you might want to see if you can or at least read up to see if you would enjoy learning the material - because wanting to learn it is the only way anyone can force themselves to study the attachments, innervations, and blood supply for every muscle in the human body. But good luck - it's the hardest thing I've ever had to do, but it's totally worth it.

[gabefergy]

Congrats dude. I knew early on Med School wasnt for me. 5th year of grad school now in Molecular Bio and I'm not so sure grad school was for me either haha.

[MsMarvel73]

[quote name='Purple Nurple' timestamp='1327857032' post='978590']

You should have known from the long history of jobless historians that you were doomed to repeat it. Study more.
[/quote]

Went into and out of the wrong field, since I have zero interest in being a teacher on any level.

[Purple Nurple]

[quote name='PARavensgirl' timestamp='1327956630' post='979919']


Went into and out of the wrong field, since I have zero interest in being a teacher on any level.
[/quote]
They get less then zero respect nowadays. In public education anyway. I'd hate that job.

[reediddy]

[quote name='Ravenslifer' timestamp='1327878393' post='978886']

PCOM. Delaware has no medical schools so I don't get state preference, but PCOM holds seats for Delaware residents. I have a sister who goes to Jefferson, and a cousin who went to Jeff and is a first year resident. If you are just planning, I would make a suggestion - if you haven't taken any kind of anatomy course, I'd look into it or at least sit down with a good anatomy book and read it. Med School classes are intense, and I don't know how it is at other schools, but at PCOM the minimum passing grade for the anatomy class was 65 percent and the class average (this is like 180 students) was a 68 last year. Besides, medical school is a completely different animal - the anatomy professor at PCOM tells me that he advises first year students to study a minimum of 5 hours a day (this is after 8 hours of class - so imagine you have class from 8-4 and then study from 5-10), and people still barely pass anatomy. Not trying to dissuade you, just to let you know a little bit of what you're in for. You really have to experience it, but like I said, if you haven't taken anatomy, histo, etc. you might want to see if you can or at least read up to see if you would enjoy learning the material - because wanting to learn it is the only way anyone can force themselves to study the attachments, innervations, and blood supply for every muscle in the human body. But good luck - it's the hardest thing I've ever had to do, but it's totally worth it.
[/quote]

PCOM is an osteopathic school, now please don't misconstrue my comments as demeaning in any sense, but did you consciously choose a D.O. title as opposed to M.D.? Just curious because when I'm researching I find that D.O. principles make more sense to me, but when I talk to my pops (a trauma surgeon) he says M.D.'s are viewed better, it's an unspoken agreement. But I want to hear your take.

In terms of anatomy yeah it's a beast, I took a lot of anatomy courses in my undergrad studies so I feel like I'll be comfortable, plus I have a good study regimen and everything. I also think that if I continue to study the way I am for this MCAT (Apr. 28) I should be ok. I've talked to a couple friends in med school and they say the same thing, the work you put into the MCAT is the minimum of what you're going to be putting into the courses once you're in. How'd you do on the MCAT, by the way?

I agree with your last sentence though, this process itself is grueling so I can only imagine how tough it'll be once I'm in. But I know in my heart of hearts it'll be worth it.

[reediddy]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1327908153' post='979234']
Congrats dude. I knew early on Med School wasnt for me. 5th year of grad school now in Molecular Bio and I'm not so sure grad school was for me either haha.
[/quote]

Once you're out of there with the Ph.D or M.S. there's still a lot of opportunities. But it's true, once you're in and have invested so much, it's wiser to stick with it, though your heart might yearn for something else

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='reediddy' timestamp='1327958028' post='979954']

PCOM is an osteopathic school, now please don't misconstrue my comments as demeaning in any sense, but did you consciously choose a D.O. title as opposed to M.D.? Just curious because when I'm researching I find that D.O. principles make more sense to me, but when I talk to my pops (a trauma surgeon) he says M.D.'s are viewed better, it's an unspoken agreement. But I want to hear your take.

In terms of anatomy yeah it's a beast, I took a lot of anatomy courses in my undergrad studies so I feel like I'll be comfortable, plus I have a good study regimen and everything. I also think that if I continue to study the way I am for this MCAT (Apr. 28) I should be ok. I've talked to a couple friends in med school and they say the same thing, the work you put into the MCAT is the minimum of what you're going to be putting into the courses once you're in. How'd you do on the MCAT, by the way?

I agree with your last sentence though, this process itself is grueling so I can only imagine how tough it'll be once I'm in. But I know in my heart of hearts it'll be worth it.
[/quote]

Didn't get into any MD schools. My GPA was 3.6, MCATs 29, but no interviews. Apparently you need a minimum 30 on the MCAT to get in - of course I just took a 5 week Kaplan course and then took the exam, most of my friends spent 6+ months studying for the MCAT and didn't score much higher than me - 2 guys got 33 and 34, but most of my friends scored between a 28-31.

But as far as the view, it may be true that some residencies won't look at you, but the goal is to be a doctor. As far as how other doctors view you, one of my dad's closest friends is a D.O. and a general surgeon, and everyone loves her. I know DOs who are anesthesiologists, pathologists, radiologists, oncologists, plastic surgeons, whatever. In some ways it's a benefit because DOs can apply to both MD and DO residencies, but MDs only get MD residencies. And I do know of a DO that my father's friend told me about who is doing her residency at Harvard, so you can match anywhere as long as your grades are solid.

I frankly don't care - MD or DO, you get paid the same depending on your specialty. Now if you want to be some sort of researcher and right journal articles or want the prestige, yeah you need to be an MD. But let me put it this way - my cousin is a DO and an ER doc. My sister is an MD and a family doc - my cousin makes more because she's an ER doc. Money is the same, respect is about working with your peers i.e. the DO surgeon in my dad's hospital is my dad's favorite surgeon to work with because she is respectful and kind to patients, unlike some of the other surgeons he works with and dislikes. Could I have been an MD, probably if I'd gone to grad school, but why? It's all the same medicine, you get paid the same, can work anywhere, whatever.

[H8R]

[quote name='Ravenslifer' timestamp='1327878393' post='978886']

PCOM. Delaware has no medical schools so I don't get state preference, but PCOM holds seats for Delaware residents. I have a sister who goes to Jefferson, and a cousin who went to Jeff and is a first year resident. If you are just planning, I would make a suggestion - if you haven't taken any kind of anatomy course, I'd look into it or at least sit down with a good anatomy book and read it. Med School classes are intense, and I don't know how it is at other schools, but at PCOM the minimum passing grade for the anatomy class was 65 percent and the class average (this is like 180 students) was a 68 last year. Besides, medical school is a completely different animal - the anatomy professor at PCOM tells me that he advises first year students to study a minimum of 5 hours a day (this is after 8 hours of class - so imagine you have class from 8-4 and then study from 5-10), and people still barely pass anatomy. Not trying to dissuade you, just to let you know a little bit of what you're in for. You really have to experience it, but like I said, if you haven't taken anatomy, histo, etc. you might want to see if you can or at least read up to see if you would enjoy learning the material - because wanting to learn it is the only way anyone can force themselves to study the attachments, innervations, and blood supply for every muscle in the human body. But good luck - it's the hardest thing I've ever had to do, but it's totally worth it.
[/quote]


Paragraphs, focus on those first. : P

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1327958758' post='979971']


Paragraphs, focus on those first. : P
[/quote]

Better?

[H8R]

[quote name='Ravenslifer' timestamp='1327959579' post='979995']

Better?
[/quote]


Yes, thank you. hahahaha

[GrimCoconut]

I plan on going once I get my BSN. I love anatomy, so it sounds like it will be a good fit for me. I'm almost finished school, so once I get my degree I will be looking at going further.

I agree with the consensus that you need to grasp & enjoy the A&P. I think once you understand the A&P, the rest of it is easier. All the S/S are based off of the normal or abnormal reactions to those body tissues. I know a lot of people who hated A&P & dropped out of the nursing program because of it. I also know those who cheated through A&P & just bombed the rest of the way. I'd like to go to Hopkins, but that place is so expensive I'll have to donate my right arm, both kidneys & half of my liver just to even afford a semester.

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1328037468' post='980722']
I plan on going once I get my BSN. I love anatomy, so it sounds like it will be a good fit for me. I'm almost finished school, so once I get my degree I will be looking at going further.

I agree with the consensus that you need to grasp & enjoy the A&P. I think once you understand the A&P, the rest of it is easier. All the S/S are based off of the normal or abnormal reactions to those body tissues. I know a lot of people who hated A&P & dropped out of the nursing program because of it. I also know those who cheated through A&P & just bombed the rest of the way. I'd like to go to Hopkins, but that place is so expensive I'll have to donate my right arm, both kidneys & half of my liver just to even afford a semester.
[/quote]

Don't know what you take in nursing school, but anatomy is a huge help, so that's good. I'd also suggest histology (especially the practical stuff) and biochem if you haven't already taken them. They really make a huge difference in getting through a lot of the early foundation material.

[Moderator 2]

Are you in you in your clinicals yet? A & P is good but you need a strong background in Pathophysiology and Bioorganic chemistry, my favorite. I love science.

Once you get your BSN have you considered a NP or CRNA?

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='Moderator 2' timestamp='1328064841' post='981281']
Are you in you in your clinicals yet? A & P is good but you need a strong background in Pathophysiology and Bioorganic chemistry, my favorite. I love science.

Once you get your BSN have you considered a NP or CRNA?
[/quote]
I considered it briefly, but my plan is to become a plastic surgeon. I got my BSN so I would have a solid grasp of the nursing aspect of biology so that way when I went into med school I would already have a familiarity with diseases & treatment modalities.

And yes, I have done clinicals. Not finished but on my way. I really enjoy the sciences as well.

[IMissMattStover]

I could never do medical work in any form. It doesnt help that I am a germaphobe and a hemophobe, but I almost passed out from watching a dog get spayed. Just the fact that the round blade on a scalpel could so easily slice open skin made me queasy. I also hate the way hospitals smell.

[Moderator 2]

I am a serious germaphobe ask my family who gets Bath and Body works hand sanitizer for Christmas lol I'm the one at tailgate putting away food at tailgate and handing people sani-wipes, santizing the tables.

[IMissMattStover]

Its a big club from what I have learned over the past few years. It started with the AICE/AP Bio classes in High School, and particularly the bloodbourne diseases unit. Furthermore, my mom is an RN, and there was a time when she had a patient with Hep C who was getting a shot, and he shifted and the contaminated needle went straight into her hand. It is only by the grace of God that she didnt get Hep from him. Things like that make me even more germaphobic. Also the fact that needles terrify me doesnt help. I cant watch a person get a shot on tv, let alone give someone one.

[Moderator 2]

I became an RN in 1985 just when HIV-AIDS was in its infancy so it was beat in my head and the case of Samonella I got from a salad in Hanover made me nuts over food safety. I offended half the people we tailgate with because they thought I was hoarding lol

[IMissMattStover]

Hahaha! Thats a really funny mental picture. Getting accused of hoarding over food safety. I am the same way with food, if its got anything even remotely unusul about it I am not going near it. At a camp once we made coolade, and a kid who had been wrestling a few minutes earlier used his arm to stir the drink. Needless to say, I ate very little for the rest of the trip, and all of it was under close watch from me.