Click here to go to the NEW College Discussion Forum

	Subtopic	Posts		Updated
	Archives: 2003	77		11/28 04:45pm

What American Med-schools accept foreign (Canadian) students that need financial aid if the student has an undergrad degree from a US university?

By Psedrish_Md (Psedrish_Md) on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 04:07 pm: Edit

For that info, I think you should call the school you're interested in applying to and ask their financial aid officer.

By Suggachillie (Suggachillie) on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 01:50 am: Edit

CAN ANYONE PLEASE TELL ME SITE FOR A DISCUSSION BORAD FOR THOSE PREPARING FOR THE USMLE?......this site has a great d.board for the SATs but the usmle discussion here is a big fat zilch......ANY HELP PLZ??

By Rishi718 (Rishi718) on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 02:44 am: Edit

-copied from an earlier post: i think the books r important

about accelerated BA/DO programs.. there seems to be more than i thought, i knew of two, one in california, one in pennylvania, but i heard of two different ones somewhere else in this discussion. i do think they are slightly less competitive and i believe that we would be able to gain admittance to most of these DO med schools with the traditional route of pre-med, so the main plus would not be so much a guaranteed spot in the med school, but more the saving of time. please, psedrish or hms (hms) correct me if i'm wrong.

By Psedrish_Md (Psedrish_Md) on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 10:45 am: Edit

Osteopathy schools (offering the DO degree) have the same requirements for admission as do traditional, allopathic (MD granting) schools.
The degrees themselves are pretty much interchangeable with regard to training programs and ultimately job offers. Their prestige tends to be quite regional or even local though, so there may be some perception issues for grads down the road.
Overall, a U.S. D.O. degree beats a foreign-gained M.D. degree by a mile, IMHO.

By Twinkletoes696 (Twinkletoes696) on Sunday, February 29, 2004 - 03:52 am: Edit

For years, I've always had a certain curiosity about medicine. I'm interested in anatomy, physiology, psychology, biology- how the body works fascinates me. You could call me a "people person"- I know for sure that I need to be an environment where I can meet and interact with a lot of people. (Needless to say, research would be a death sentence for me just because I feel it would be the wrong environment). I believe that I have the stamina, dedication, empathy and people skills to make it as a doctor.

However...

I really cannot do math. I am absolutely atrocious. I stopped after pre-calculus (after enduring 3 previous years of barely understood math). I actually had attempted calculus for a month, but it turned out to be an utter disaster and I ended up dropping the class. I also really could not do physics because I couldn't wrap my brain around the mathematical aspect and too had to drop the class, leaving me with a highly lopsided (in the humanities field) senior year schedule which is quite rigorous, but includes no math science classes. Chemistry was also another nightmare for me, but I did take it and complete the honors version of the course with a 95 average.

I should point out that I did take four years of high school math (algebra 1, algebra 2, geometry and pre-calc) along with 3 years of science (lab science- frosh req that combines a bunch of disciplines, biology, and chemistry) all at the honors level and got A's in all of these classes.

I do very well in the humanities, however (not sure if this is important, but I'm way more verbally than mathematically minded).

I'm undecided as to what I major in and have no clue as to what I will be doing in the next four years. I've considered law, education, social work, psychology, politics- you name it, but somehow I knocked medicine off the list because my lack of skill in mathematical and mathematically based scientific fields.

I suppose my question is, is there anyway I could become a pediatrician with my lack of skill in the aforementioned area, or would this be impossible? Is there any chance I'd be able to hack it in med school without getting completely crushed?

If you need any other information (just for knowledge purposes), let me know and I'll post interests, ECs, class rank/GPA, SATs, and all that other good stuff

Thank you!

By Psedrish_Md (Psedrish_Md) on Sunday, February 29, 2004 - 12:11 pm: Edit

GOOD NEWS! ....there's almost no math in Medicine. Whatever little there is your PalmPilot or other such device will do for you happily.

By Frustrated24 (Frustrated24) on Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 10:01 am: Edit

Hello Mr. Psedrish_MD,
Can you please tell me the basic differences between a DO and a MD? Do patients question the expertise of the DO? What kind of patients will a DO expect? Are jobs readily available for DOs'? This is not intended to offend anyone. If I have have offended anyone unconsciously, please accept my apologies.
Thank you.

By Psedrish_Md (Psedrish_Md) on Sunday, February 29, 2004 - 12:22 pm: Edit

The major difference between DOs & MDs is more one of public perception than anything else. However, some DOs are trained in Osteopathic spinal manipulation (a bit like ChiroQuackery), though most opt to avoid any mention of that historic twist in their education and fewer practice any part of it.
The above notwithstanding, DOs are educated exactly the same way MDs are and graduate ready to compete for any and all residency programs. There are DOs in every specialty and subspecialty in the U.S.
However, some DO schools tend to be a bit more homeopathic in their philosophy, so more of their grads seem (to me, anyway) to gravitate toward Family Practice. This may also be a regional factor, as the DO schools tend to be less big-city oriented.
In any case, like I said before, any DO school here beats any MD school abroad if you want to practice in North America. You may want to visit this website:


HTTP://www.aacom.org/om.html

By Spydersport824 (Spydersport824) on Sunday, February 29, 2004 - 03:37 pm: Edit

Hello Dr. Sedrish,
Could you explain how different residencies work? What are the different lengths of residencies? Do you have to complete a general surgery residency and then do a fellowship to have a subspecialty in surgery (ie cardiology, neurology, gastroenterology, etc)? What are the lengths of different fellowships? What are the salaries like for fellows? I'm sorry for so many questions, you don't have to be that specific in the answers. Thanks in advance.

By Psedrish_Md (Psedrish_Md) on Sunday, February 29, 2004 - 09:42 pm: Edit

This is a fairly complex question, but I'll try to summarize the important stuff:

After med school you are a physician, though you are not eligible to practice outside of a training institution for at least a year (there may be a state or two where this isn't so; don't get sick there).
That first year (called PGY-1) is often referred to as one's internship. Completion of that year makes the physician eligible for licensing and practice in any state, so long as they have passed all steps of the USMLE & have not committed any crimes, etc. Licenses, btw, are valid in one state only, not nationally.

Most (99.9%) of PGY-1 years are really just the first year of a longer residency in a specialty area, like general surgery or pediatrics or internal medicine or psychiatry. Each of these specialties has its own governing body that decides upon curriculum and length of training to become eligible to take their board exam, passage of which entitles the doc to be called a specialist.

Completion of 2 or 3 years of General Surgery or of 3 years of Internal Medicine allows the specialist an opportunity to go on and become a sub-specialist by completing yet another training period (this one often called a fellowship) of several more years.

In my own case, I was a rotating intern for a year (PGY-1), an internal medicine resident for 3 years (PGY-2, -3 & -4) and then a rheumatology fellow for 2 years (PGY-5 & -6).

The pathway to each end point is different in many ways. The average pay during this time is somewhere in the mid-$30,000 range now, and the lifestyle is usually quite hectic. It is, however, never boring and you'll never feel you've learned enough. Just like getting your driver's license, there's a lot of learning that takes place behind the wheel after you leave the DMV. Yikes.

This link offers a pretty complete overview of all specialties, courtesy of the AMA:
http://www.abms.org/Downloads/Which%20Med%20Spec.pdf

By Spydersport824 (Spydersport824) on Monday, March 01, 2004 - 11:43 am: Edit

Thank you for such a thorough answer! My friends and I have learned a lot from your posts. Thanks again.

By Doc1 (Doc1) on Tuesday, March 02, 2004 - 02:14 pm: Edit

Hi, I really wanted to know if all applciants for medical school are invited for an interview or some are accepted to med school WITHOUT an interview. thanx..

By Wordpad (Wordpad) on Tuesday, March 02, 2004 - 04:50 pm: Edit

good question...

By Minamora (Minamora) on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 02:59 am: Edit

Hello,

I am trying to get into Yale for medical school using a somewhat "exotic" application strategy.


The Graduate Division of Arts and Sciences (at Yale) accepted me for graduate study in physics, beginning with the 2004-2005 AY.
I want to apply for an M.D./Ph.D. slot in the Medical School early-on, during my first year in residence, and continue with both the Medical School and the Major Department. Fruitful approach?
(N.B. I am a hispanic male, if that matters....)

By Starzlite (Starzlite) on Monday, March 22, 2004 - 03:43 pm: Edit

hey!! i just wanna know that if u want to stick with the physician thing and not go into any surgery stuff...do u have any more opportunities to go go higher in the physician line..my post doesn't realy make any sense but i don't know how to put it...hopefully u will help me....Mr. Psedrish MD....i read ur hosts and learnt a lot...plz help me!!

By Psedrish_Md (Psedrish_Md) on Monday, March 22, 2004 - 06:13 pm: Edit

Please try to reframe your question.

By Starzlite (Starzlite) on Monday, March 22, 2004 - 11:49 pm: Edit

ok!! i want to be a physician...i don't want to go into surgery etc...i want to know that are there different levels..i mean ..can u go more higher in the physician jobline..in one of the earlier posts u said "After med school you are a physician, though you are not eligible to practice outside of a training institution for at least a year"....so..after we finish med school..we r a physician..right? and i still want to stay in the same line and not go into surgical stuff...ok!! i m confused here myself! i don't know how to describe it!! ok...i know that u still get a lot of opportunities after u r a physician but if i want to stay a physician....i can do that right!! i mean i don't have to chose another line..do i??

By Psedrish_Md (Psedrish_Md) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 06:47 pm: Edit

Once you graduate, you will have your M.D. degree and you will be a physician for the rest of your life. What kind of medicine you practice (or even if you never practice medicine at all) doesn't change that fact any more than what career your select would change the fact that you are a human being.
After med school, you will do an internship and once that year is up (and assuming you've successfully completed the requirements of the training institution), you can go on and do a residency in a non-surgical specialty like internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, family practice, etc., and become a specialist physician treating patients without surgery.
I hope that answers your question.
Now, forgive me for asking this, but how old are you and where are you from originally?

By Starzlite (Starzlite) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 11:45 pm: Edit

yes that does answe my question sir. My name is Reetika and i am 16 years old (a sophomore). i am indian but in California rigth now!! i am just too worried about everything...maybe i need to calm down. i have a lot of things goign on my brain at once..like preparing for my SAT's..what college i wanna go to and things like that..well thanks again Dr. Sedrish...

By Alyssachia (Alyssachia) on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 05:35 pm: Edit

hey... when you apply to a Medical school, does it matter which college you went to for undergrad studies?

For example... lets say i go to UCR for undergrad studies to get my BS... would it affect my chances of getting into a medical school?

would going to a low ranked University lower my chances of getting accepted into a medical school.. like UCLA for example

By Psedrish_Md (Psedrish_Md) on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 08:10 pm: Edit

Alyssachia, you must read the archives. This question has been massaged here more than the best Kobe beef at Benihana's.

By Jaunders1 (Jaunders1) on Tuesday, April 06, 2004 - 05:23 pm: Edit

Where should I go for Biology/Pre-med?

University of Pittsburgh
Case Western Reserve U
Boston College

Please justify your answer with facts(resources/oppurtunities, etc.).

By Psedrish_Md (Psedrish_Md) on Tuesday, April 06, 2004 - 06:37 pm: Edit

Jaunders: It matters very little. Go wherever you feel most comfortable emotionally, physically, financially, etc. (I would add climatically, but you seem to have little to select from in that regard!)
If you work hard and do well, you'll get into a good med school from any one of those fine institutions.

I offer no justifications, just experience.

Nota Bene: Please avoid posting the same question in different threads.

By Mamajan (Mamajan) on Wednesday, April 07, 2004 - 09:31 am: Edit

I was trying to fing out what the acceptance rate to Medical school was for certain schools. Is there a web site that might be helpful? My son got accepted at Northwestern and Johns Hopkins. I understand (by word of mouth, this forum etc...) that JHU has a "high" acceptance rate but I'm not sure what that means. But I also understand that the undergrad experience there may not be as pleasant. My son is leaning towards NU and I want him to go where he'll be happiest - but I just wanted to get a little background on how good the Medical school acceptance from that school is, and how it compares to JHU. ANY advice is much appreciated.

By Bianchi23 (Bianchi23) on Thursday, April 08, 2004 - 10:29 pm: Edit

I recently participated in a High School Doctor for a Day program through the local association of doctors. My "mentor" is in orthopedics and had me watch an injection faciliated by what I think was a fluoroscopy machine. The procedure took only about 5 minutes, I was wearing a protective lead gown and thyroid cover, and was standing pretty far away from the operating table. Should I worry about an overexposure to radiaion and possible negative effects?

Thanks

By Psedrish_Md (Psedrish_Md) on Friday, April 09, 2004 - 09:03 am: Edit

No.

By Rani86 (Rani86) on Friday, April 09, 2004 - 11:37 am: Edit

anyone got any advice on pre-dentistry in comparison to pre-med?

By Acennace (Acennace) on Saturday, April 10, 2004 - 05:37 am: Edit

-How hard is it for a foreign student (meaning not a US citizen and not a permanent resident, but has completed undergraduate education in US) to get into a medical school in US?
-Does anyone know the stats of international students who've been admitted into US medical schools?
Thanks

By Bullseye11 (Bullseye11) on Saturday, April 10, 2004 - 09:32 pm: Edit

Anyone here go into the US Navy through their health physicians scholarship to help pay for med school?

By Hyoseobee (Hyoseobee) on Monday, April 12, 2004 - 02:01 am: Edit

Will someone with 45 MCAT with T in his WS and 4.33/4.5 GPA be denied admissions to HMS if he is not a US Citizen?

By Wobudong (Wobudong) on Monday, April 12, 2004 - 11:31 pm: Edit

Mamajan: The med school admissions rate can be very misleading. Many of the schools that claim very high rates base their stats only on those who are left standing after a fairly brutal competition that "weeded out" a lot of very bright students who would have done very well in more nurturing programs at "second tier" schools. In calculating their lofty acceptance rates, some schools include only those whom they have recommended, which might mean only those with > a 3.6 and a 30 on the MCATS. In short, the acceptance percentages often have more to do with how the university manipulates numbers than with how well it inspires,educates and encourages 18 and 19 year olds. In a class that is filled with high achievers coming in, a better measure of the quality of instruction might be the percentage of those who are admitted to medical school from the pool who started their freshman year wanting to be doctors. Your son should go where he will be the happiest.

By Qwy (Qwy) on Monday, April 12, 2004 - 11:52 pm: Edit

Wobudong,
quick question: which school should I choose if I'm 100% positive that I want to become a doctor:

Case Western Univ. with a guarrantteed spot at its med school (7 year program, non-binding)

or

Harvard undergrad

any advice would be appreciated.

By Nyugrad (Nyugrad) on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 09:45 am: Edit

Rani86, the basic requirements for pre-dentistry is the same for pre-med.You take the same pre med courses, and have the same pre med advisor. You should gear your volunteer work to dental clinics, dentist offices and the like. It is not as competitive to get into as med school, but a great deal of dental school is hands on technical work such as making orthodontic appliances, molds of teeth,caps etc. You should be sure that is what you want. Also, you should have great eye hand coordination and fine motor skills. Some schools test for that as part of the admission process.

By Msgblackhole (Msgblackhole) on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 12:10 pm: Edit

Just how tough is pre-med at a top tier like Pomona, Upenn, Dartmouth, or stanford?

By Proudmama (Proudmama) on Monday, April 19, 2004 - 06:16 pm: Edit

Question from a friend's son. He definitely wants to be a doctor. He has been accepted at both Brown and University of Miami. Should he choose University of Miami with hopes of getting into their 7 year med. program during his freshman year, or would Brown be a better long term route to med. school. Thanks.

By Judys (Judys) on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 01:43 am: Edit

Hello,

Does anyone know how CXC (Caribbean Examination Council) results are usually evaluated for Premed programs? ...and can I be admitted admitted with a SAT score and CXC qualification into the premed program?

Thank you.

By Missmoy (Missmoy) on Thursday, April 22, 2004 - 07:45 pm: Edit

Everyone,

MIT ($0) v. USC's Bac/MD ($full ride) v. Northwestern's HPME ($0)

I'm having a very difficult time choosing among those three even though i've narrowed it down to usc and mit (due to finances). After visiting MIT, i immediately fell in love with the campus, the people, the endless opportunities, etc. I felt a connection with teh student body there that i didn't quite experience at usc (however, this can also be due to the fact that i haven't stayed at usc for an extended period of time) I know for sure i want to enter the medical field and i know i want to end up in la in the future. this seems to point the road to usc, but i've been getting responses from many people that going to mit will provide me with more opportunities to perhaps even get into better medical schools than usc's. I am really confused right now and would like some really needed advice. Thanks!

By Kahea37 (Kahea37) on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 07:15 pm: Edit

How do students get paid to conduct research at a university? I was told that a university will practically fund your education if you pursue an Md/PhD degree there. Is this true?

By Pwiddles (Pwiddles) on Thursday, May 27, 2004 - 03:57 pm: Edit

decided to go to La Salle University to study pre-med b/c that is the only school I could afford right now. But some people are telling me it is going to be impossible to getinto Columbia med school or NYU from La Salle. I always thought that if I maintain a 3.8 and get at least a 30-35 on the mcats I shoulsd have a great chance. Now I am hearing that it is going to be impossible to get int any med school (let alone NYU and Columbia). Should I transfer after a year then if this is true? Please help. Does it reallly matter where you go for undergraduate. I always thought grades and test scores are what mettered. PLEASE BE HONEST. I really appreciate your help!

By Blessed85 (Blessed85) on Sunday, May 30, 2004 - 01:45 pm: Edit

If anyone got a 45 on the MCAT, let me know how you did it? Did you use an exam review? If so, whihc one? I'd appreciate it

By Bharath2007 (Bharath2007) on Sunday, May 30, 2004 - 11:50 pm: Edit

Blessed85- That was the most pointless post ever in so many ways.

By Blessed85 (Blessed85) on Monday, May 31, 2004 - 03:32 pm: Edit

what do you mean by that? I don't think it's pointless. The highest I heard anyone ever get was a 40.

By Bharath2007 (Bharath2007) on Monday, May 31, 2004 - 05:49 pm: Edit

Its pointless because even if you found out what they did to study it doesn't guarantee you a 45 or any score close to that. People who score 45's are not hardworkers, I would bet they have natural test taking abilities and/or extreme brightness- something taking a Kaplan class would not provide. Your post was very naive, you should work hard in your pre-med classes and worry about the MCAT at an appropriate time.

By Pwiddles (Pwiddles) on Wednesday, June 02, 2004 - 04:27 pm: Edit

Can anyone help me out. I posted right above Blessed 85 ( a couple of posts up).

By Psedrish_Md (Psedrish_Md) on Wednesday, June 02, 2004 - 07:34 pm: Edit

Pwiddles: you posted that question in another thread and it was discussed. The archives are open to you here and also have covered that question many times (though not that particular school). Let's not obsess. You can get into med school from anywhere. Period.

By Wordpad (Wordpad) on Saturday, June 12, 2004 - 07:49 pm: Edit

Would like to get your input on which MCAT preparation book is(are) the best one(s) out there. Thanks.

By Varr (Varr) on Saturday, June 19, 2004 - 07:38 pm: Edit

Dr Phil Sedrish.

I just read this "He graduated from the Medical School of the University of Monterrey, México in 1984"

I'm not a prospective pre-med major, but I just wanted to ask, how did you like Monterrey??
I live in Saltillo, Coahuila in Mexico and Mty is only 30 min away !
Its nice to read that you studied in Mexico !

By Psedrish_Md (Psedrish_Md) on Saturday, June 19, 2004 - 10:21 pm: Edit

Me gusto muchisimo! Siempre tendre a mi querido Mexico en mi corazon.
A proposito, en aquellos dias siempre habia una escacez de agua potable en Monterrey. Cuando me alcanzaba el dinero, me iba los fines de smna a Saltillo a pasar unos dias tranquilos, con la frescura de las montanas y el agua que abundaba. Que linda es tu cuidad!

By Jolt21 (Jolt21) on Monday, June 21, 2004 - 09:35 am: Edit

Hello. My question has to do with med school admissions, but not any med classes themselves. I'm stuck in a predicament over what English to take at my school. I don't feel that my English skills are up to par and i would like to take English 2-3 instead of English 5, would grad schools look down on the fact that i took the weaker (and longer) English? or does it matter that i just get good grades and such?

By Varr (Varr) on Tuesday, June 22, 2004 - 10:45 am: Edit

Gracias! aunque se me hace un poco chica, he vivido aqui 4 anos. Ahora ya es tiempo de mudarnos, a Toledo OH devido a que a mi papa lo transfieren cada 3 o 4 anos !

Mucho Gusto en saludarle! y gracias por estar en esta pagina de internet, apoyando y aconsejando a los futuros medicos

By Californiausa (Californiausa) on Friday, July 02, 2004 - 06:50 pm: Edit

This message is addressed to Dr. Sedrish or anybody who may like to provide some input. My question is rather subjective: How do you approach the MCATs? I am currently taking a review course with a commmercial company and have been told by some of the instructors that there are absolutely NO secrets to "acing" this monster of a test--just diligence and application of the techniques you're taught in class. Yet, I've been "googling" and have found a website (www.mcat-secrets.com) that claims its secret-cracking materials will greatly boost your MCAT score. The information and testimonials on the site are very convincing and I would like to discover these "secrets," but I do have my qualms about this deal. Has anybody else heard of this site? And is there a specific way to approach the MCATs that is both time-efficient and effective? Thank you in advance.

By Sacrificet (Sacrificet) on Thursday, July 22, 2004 - 12:26 am: Edit

quote from Accenace
"-How hard is it for a foreign student (meaning not a US citizen and not a permanent resident, but has completed undergraduate education in US) to get into a medical school in US?
-Does anyone know the stats of international students who've been admitted into US medical schools?
Thanks "

i'm in pretty much the exact situation, does anyone have any idea?

By Cadettony (Cadettony) on Sunday, July 25, 2004 - 05:13 am: Edit

Where's the Pre-Law and Law School Board??

Malpractice suits are rising, not decreasing folks!!

By Psedrish_Md (Psedrish_Md) on Monday, July 26, 2004 - 10:52 am: Edit

Good question. Ask my boss, Dave, via email:

daveb@CollegeConfidential.com

By Reisen (Reisen) on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 - 12:11 am: Edit

Hi guys,
I have heard from people that it is extremely difficult for an international student to obtain an M.D. in the united states...but can anyone tell more about the chances of one getting into a medical school in the united states after a college education in the states? Also which are the medical schools which accept internationals? And is the pre-med programme open to all? Thanks!

Post your questions once, in one thread, and wait for a response. Please don't plaster the board.

By Bluestarling (Bluestarling) on Tuesday, August 03, 2004 - 03:23 pm: Edit

Hello all,

I will be attending UPenn this fall as a freshman, and it looks like I will be able to comfortably graduate in 3 years (due to IB credit and placement exams). I was wondering if top medical schools would rather see a student with more experience at the undergraduate level, or someone who has had more time to mature, etc. Would it be better if I just kept taking more higher level classes, or pursued a double major, or submatriculated into a one years master program to stay for the full four years?

(oh, and not to worry, my IB credit is only for classes such as history, english, second language and math, I'm not taking any credit for sciences)

thanks in advance

By Psedrish_Md (Psedrish_Md) on Wednesday, August 04, 2004 - 08:13 am: Edit

Chill. Medicine will still be there when you graduate in 4 years. Enjoy college fully. Use that senior year to study European art, the classics, economics, etc. etc. etc. You will never have such a luxury again.
And yes, med schools would generally prefer the more rounded, matured student.

By Sepia (Sepia) on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 03:50 pm: Edit

Dear Dr. Psedrish, I have a rather philosophical question for you.

I am a psych major who recently decided to go into pre-med as well; I am about halfway through my core science courses, hovering around a 3.3 gpa in a moderately competitive school.

I feel that I'm working pretty darn hard right now. Perhaps I can raise that figure to the 3.7-8 where it needs to be if I hole up in my apartment and do nothing but eat, breathe, and live school like a studious monk of some sort, but wouldn't it be a pinch unethical to "play god" with people's lives if one does not have somewhat of a natural proficiency in the areas leading to medicine?

I suppose my fear is that for all my painful efforts, I will end up hurting someone because of my incompetence. If the whole process is that much of a struggle, perhaps it is better I look elsewhere for a role with less dire consequences to mistakes.

Please tell me two things, Doctor: is this a valid concern or a naive view on the prospect (this notion that if one can struggle too hard to be a doctor)? And honestly, how much of a personal effort did you have to put forth to achieve what you did?

By Psedrish_Md (Psedrish_Md) on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 05:22 pm: Edit

That's a great question. Let me give it some thought.

By Sepia (Sepia) on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 08:08 pm: Edit

Thank you. Please do take your time, as I am in no hurry.
And sorry about botching your name.

By Psedrish_Md (Psedrish_Md) on Monday, September 06, 2004 - 11:04 am: Edit

Well, you have to be fairly bright to be a doc, but well south of genius will do. I think there other jobs that utilize similar cognitive skills that people don't associate with super high IQs, such as auto mechanic and police detective.

What you do have to have is the ability to memorize a large database and then retain enough of it to at least recall the right topic when the clues present themselves. (this is called the index of suspicion; you want your doc to be able to suspect at least the commonest 95% of the diseases that might be causing your symptoms).

Doing this requires the ability to integrate the knowledge base (called the fund of knowledge) into a usable form. This is where I think the classical "intelligence" comes into play. We all know people who are smart, i.e., who know a lot of "stuff" but who can't seem to apply it to save their lives; we say they have no "common sense".
It's like having a big engine but no transmission.

Now, as to you and me and college. I was an indifferent student because I wasn't mature enough yet to see the absolutely linear relationship between study time invested and grades. If I did see it, I didn't care; other things were happening. As a result of such sloth, I paid dearly to finally get where I had always wanted to go. And I was incredibly lucky to have ever gotten there.

You might ask yourself what you want to do every day, 8 hours or more a day, for the next half century or so. Assuming it's not looking back on what could have been, I suggest you consider that monk-like life soon. In hindsight, it's not so bad after all.

By Zoie711 (Zoie711) on Thursday, September 09, 2004 - 01:47 am: Edit

I wanted to know if anyone took the MCAT this August 14th and what you thought of it?

By Sepia (Sepia) on Thursday, September 09, 2004 - 11:05 am: Edit

Thank you Doctor. What you said gives me a bit of fear, but a lot of courage.

By Zoie711 (Zoie711) on Monday, September 13, 2004 - 10:56 pm: Edit

wow... NO MCAT taker this summer?!!! i thought it was more difficult on the biological sciences and verbal sections than what i was prepared for...

By Singhp (Singhp) on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:54 pm: Edit

Dr Phil Psedris

I am currently in Australia and i would like to finish my medical education in America. I wanted to know that after having completed a Bachelor of Science, specialising in Medicine, and done an honours degree on it, will increase my chances of being selected in a good medical school. Also, will i be able to fasttrack into a Ph.D degree, because in Australia one can do that. Thank you

By Singhp (Singhp) on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:55 pm: Edit

-