hey all. planning to apply to smu next year. was just wondering what all you current students have as goals regarding residency specialties you will likely pursue? perhaps many of you don't know yet, but i was just wondering.

What's up miasma,

I know that I want to practice pediatrics, always have. I know several others who want to do the same. However, I do know that many other fields are of interest to students. I'd immagine you could find an interest in almost any specialty here at St. Matt's. Take care.

skidoc42

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Chem: Univ. of Pittsburgh
St. Matthew's Univ. School of Medicine:
RH Council Ret.
Future Pediatrician
IM [X]
Surgery [X]
Family [Next Up ]
Psych [X]
OB []
Peds []

"When I'm done here and my time has past, I wish they bury me face down...so my critics can kiss my a**" ~The Legendary Coach Bobby Knight

"Sometimes, when you're blind, and times seem darkest. You can often see more clearly." ~David Sloan - Kickboxer 2

Hey, great post-

Though it is to early for me to decide, I do have some preferances. I would love to go the Anesthesia route as I like procedures. However, Family practices aslo sounds appealing. Don't really care about the income, I just want to practice medicine and help the underserve.

I will know for sure when I start rotating.

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I can do all things through Christ who strenghten me"

I've volunteered in the ER for the past four years and LOVE IT! I'm hoping to pursue Emergency Med or something along those lines. I'd love to do surgery, but I've heard a lot of negative things about the residency and the "boys club." Maybe though. Otherwise, I also like the idea of OB/GYN.

Good question... it'll be interesting to hear what others have to say.

Christen

I am going to say that it would be premature for me to say which speciality I am considering, as the USMLE will dictate that decision. If I score well enough, I am going to consider some specialty areas, but if I do not, I am going to give a run @ EM. Nice post...

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SMU SOM: 3rd year
Cores: IM, Peds, Psych, OB/GYN, Surgery (now), FM (Jul?)
Electives: EM (Oct)

good luck deciding guys.. clinicals are a great experience.. completely different from basic sciences... its when reality sinks in that u are going to be a doctor soon.. and that there is indeed light at the end of the tunnel (esp after getting done with step 1)... one day.. half way through clinicals.. ull be in the hospital... and it will hit u.. and ull say to urself.. "hey.. i actually know what im doing".. and you will begin to feel more like a doc than a student.. it kinda creeps up on u...

and then ull start residency.. with med students following u around...and ull be almost in denial..ull remind urself frequently in the beginning that "hey im a resident.. im not a med student anymore".. i been doin that all week.. its nice.. its worth all the hurdles and twists and turns... the petty problems at school while in basic sciences become a very distant past.. u actually forget about most em...

for many .. deciding what speciality will be a difficult decision.. its hard to commit to one thing for the rest of ur life..
some of u will end up loving every rotation u do.. and so ur mind will change every 6-12 wks.. others will fall in love with that one speciality...

enjoy the ride.. go into every rotation with an open mind... u never know where u will end up finding your calling.. u might be pleasantly surprised..

Great thoughts from the Mod! Thanks for sharing!

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SMU SOM: 3rd year
Cores: IM, Peds, Psych, OB/GYN, Surgery (now), FM (Jul?)
Electives: EM (Oct)

Here's a suggestion: see what your favorite class is when you come to med school and go from there...

My favorite class was Physio w/ Dr. M last semester, especially the Cardio part, so I am looking into Cardio

Best of luck to you

I agree with everyone else and most of all the Mod. I have wanted to do surgery for quite some time now however, I know that I may be influenced by various classes that I encounter in Med school. I also know that step 1 will have a lot to do with what my choosen profession is however, knowing this I plan on rocking that test like it's the last thing on the face of the earth.

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St. Matthews University
School of Medicine

might also want to think about anesthesia.. cant get much more physiology than anesthesia