Medical School

[AOEforme]

I am SO SICK of Systems. I just want to study for Step 1 and get it done with.

In exciting news, I just accepted a Teaching Assistant Position! The bad news is that I will graduate a year later.

It's a really awesome position. I get to do research, clinic hours, teach a few lectures, and more. I also have tuition paid + a stipend for the rest of my time in school.

I agonized over the decision for a while because it's really hard to accept I am not going to graduate with my class. But, I think it's the best decision overall for what I want to do with my career.

[Kappamd]

Congratulations!

[thewasher418]

This thread has been quiet for a bit, just wanted to bump it to give any med students out there a bit of encouragement! I'm not going to lie and say residency is easier, but you do get to actively DO something to help people, in a specialty you (hopefully) love!

[Kappamd]

Second the bump. I graduate in 362 days (but who's counting)! Just finished scheduling my fourth year electives, and am so excited about them! Good luck with the end of the year everyone!

[NinjaPoodle]

Originally Posted by Kappamd

Second the bump. I graduate in 362 days (but who's counting)! Just finished scheduling my fourth year electives, and am so excited about them! Good luck with the end of the year everyone!

Good luck to you in your fourth and final year!

[Titchou]

Oh come on. My ex (PhD in biological chem) taught at a med school. They give you a transcript of all lectures on day of. They don't even take roll. There is no way to flunk out of med school. It may be a lot of material but you aren't having to sit in class and takes notes...they spoon feed you.

[Kappamd]

Originally Posted by Titchou

Oh come on. My ex (PhD in biological chem) taught at a med school. They give you a transcript of all lectures on day of. They don't even take roll. There is no way to flunk out of med school. It may be a lot of material but you aren't having to sit in class and takes notes...they spoon feed you.

HA. Your ex (who CLEARLY must be an expert in the curriculum of medical schools across the country having never actually been a medical student) clearly did not teach at my medical school.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Titchou

You know, it tough when you have to parse your own writing to others because they don't read exactly what you said. I said the professors were told to not take roll. It was assumed since they all got the transcripts that they were "present." As for flunking out, that means not being able to come back. Every example all of you gave were of people who were allowed to come back or repeat. That is not "flunking out" to me

I understand exactly what you said, no parsing necessary. I just think it's laughable that someone with zero personal knowledge of or experience with medical school -- just hearsay from an ex-husband and other faculty at two of the 100+ medical schools in the country -- would tell people who have been to medical school:

Originally Posted by Titchou

Oh come on. . . . There is no way to flunk out of med school. . . . they spoon feed you.

Why do you care anyway?

[Kappamd]

What happened to the nice, supportive medical school thread?

[AOEforme]

Originally Posted by Kappamd

What happened to the nice, supportive medical school thread?

I'm going back to that thread:

1. How did you guys manage to not concentrate on your Step 1 Results for 6 weeks? I literally keep dreaming about the questions I got wrong and it's driving me insane.....

2. Any tips for prepping for third year? I'm really excited to get out in actual clinical education but I know it requires a LOT more independent study.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by AOEforme

I'm going back to that thread:

1. How did you guys manage to not concentrate on your Step 1 Results for 6 weeks? I literally keep dreaming about the questions I got wrong and it's driving me insane.....

2. Any tips for prepping for third year? I'm really excited to get out in actual clinical education but I know it requires a LOT more independent study.

I was in a wedding and went to Disney World right after taking Step I (it was the first year it was computerized so we had to wait until August for our results no matter when we took it ).

Have a good summer. That's all the prep you need for third year because when you get back you'll be at the hospital ALL THE TIME! My husband says, "You never thought 8am would be a late day." Get ready to get up EARLY. I loved it, but it was overwhelming for some. There are lots of good clinically oriented books with names I can't remember but the have "pearls" and "pocket" in them. We swore by Mosby's Practical Guide to the Care of the Medical Patient. It is a pocket book that is wire bound and very practical with how to do procedures, how to tell a patient's family they died. Samford's Guide (antibiotic coverage) and a Pharmacopia can be added to your phone nowadays. The Recall series is good. "Surgical Recall" saved my life when I was being pimped more than once...and I matched in surgery and did two years before switching to Radiology. Harriet Lane Manuel for Peds is good...I never bought one, though. I just borrowed from my intern when I needed it. Peds was lame. . The rest you can just wing it as you go. Have fun!

[thewasher418]

Originally Posted by AOEforme

I'm going back to that thread:

1. How did you guys manage to not concentrate on your Step 1 Results for 6 weeks? I literally keep dreaming about the questions I got wrong and it's driving me insane.....

2. Any tips for prepping for third year? I'm really excited to get out in actual clinical education but I know it requires a LOT more independent study.

1) By taking Step 1 on June 24, and starting third year about 2 weeks later. No time to dwell on it!!

2a) Start getting used to waking up earlier.

2b) Figure out which study methods work for you and stick with it. I preferred Case Files and review books (like Blueprints), other people swore by UWorld questions. If you're learning the material don't let others make your methods feel inadequate.

2c) Never throw a classmate under the bus. It's not a good look.

[Kappamd]

Originally Posted by AOEforme

I'm going back to that thread:

1. How did you guys manage to not concentrate on your Step 1 Results for 6 weeks? I literally keep dreaming about the questions I got wrong and it's driving me insane.....

2. Any tips for prepping for third year? I'm really excited to get out in actual clinical education but I know it requires a LOT more independent study.

OH MY! Why are results taking six weeks now? I thought they typically did a release every third Wednesday. That's a long time to wait!

I spent my three weeks volunteering at a camp, then I went to Chicago and the Outer Banks. In fact, I was lounging on the beach in Corolla, NC when my score came in and had to run back to our house because I couldn't get a good enough signal on the beach to download them.

As for prepping for third year..... seriously, enjoy the time off. You will go from having all the time in the world to working crazy long hours (depending on the clerkship). You can study beforehand if you want, but don't go crazy. My favorite books this year have been all of the Case Files, Step Up to Medicine, Blueprints for OB/Gyn, First Aid for Peds, First Aid for Psych, Surgical Recall, and NMS Surgery. Also, find some source for questions (I prefer UWorld over Pretest). DON'T fall behind in your studying! Cramming for shelf exams sucks!

[Titchou]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Why do you care anyway?

Because they call that guy/gal "Doctor" when he/she finally graduates

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Titchou

Because they call that guy/gal "Doctor" when he/she finally graduates

Yes, but they don't graduate without passing pretty rigorous exams, then they have internships and residencies, some of which last considerably longer than medical school itself, and have to pass boards. Your disdain for how you think medical schools are run -- based on second-hand information about what constitutes <2% of the medical schools in the country -- is a massive emphasis on form over substance.