Thread: The most important points to know in deciding whether or not to go to medical school

Of course the most important point is, ARE YOU READY TO GO TO MEDICAL SCHOOL?

what does ready mean?

i means are you prepared for medical school?

To be prepared you MUST MEET ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:

1) financial - does it make financial sense for you to forgo approximately 10 years of work to attend medical school? If you have to take out loans, it's a BIG risk for you. If you have cash to pay for school, then attending makes more sense. This is even a question schools ask...why? because its so important in the decision making process.

2) are you smart enough for medical school? I know a lot of people hate this question, but it is the second most important prerequisite. What does smart mean? I mean not only a public record of scholastic accomplishment, but also aptitude. Do you have the innate ability to succeed? Think of your talents: are you good at memorizing? Memorizing is the most important apptitude for med school. Are you good at applying information? This will be important during clinical years. Are you good at listening comprehension or reading comprehension? You must be able to sit in front of a book and absorb an inordinate amount of material for extended hours on end. You must have a thirst for reading, and love to read. If you don't like to read, stay away from medical school.

3) what is the quality of your educational background? Did you graduate from a rinky dinky college or a first-tier university? Were you able to get into a top-rated school in previous years? This is because of the way top tier schools test---and most test on a bell curve, which means you are graded in relation to other very intelligent students. If you graduated from a top-tier university with a GPA of over 3.5, you are more likely to succeed in a rigorous program. However, this does not discredit all students from a rinky dinky college. Medical school admissions are well aware of students who choose colleges for practical reasons, such as convenience of being close to home or cost---and this is becoming more and more common. So, graduating from a top school is beneficial.

4) How much education do you have? Students with post-baccalaureate studies are much better prepared for post-graduate studies than students with only 90 college credits, especially if they did well. Moreover, is your post-baccalaureate in the hard sciences or is it in administration? Both are an advantage, however, most medical schools look at the overall caliber of the student and their science background.

5) Why do you want to be a doctor? This is a question they really want to know. The purpose of any medical school admissions interview is to arrive at one crucial step in the process: the truth. They want to know are you telling them the truth. Most people claim there is no right or wrong answer, ant that is true in terms of one particular question; however, all of your questions are taken together to indicate if you've been truthful. I can say with experience, I never landed any job, school, or promotion by lying. I have lied in my life, but I am not at all a chronic liar. I almost always tell the truth---and the times I would lie is if its to protect someone. I don't have to worry about protecting myself if I'm truthful about myself. Everybody has faults, skeletons, regrets, and disappointments in life. Remember, the person sitting across from you is just like you are in many ways. They don't expect you to be perfect. You have failed so miserably at times, and they want to know that you have failed really bad---more importantly, they want to know what you did about it, how you responded to it, because that tells them what kind of person you are---dedication to a purpose is what they are after. If becoming a doctor for you is more about self interest, say so. If becoming a doctor is more about being compassionate, say so; just remember, they will know if you are lying because they have formulated these questions in their entirety to know if you are being truthful. How many times has someone said to you, "I don't care who done it, I just want to know if it happened?" Don't cover anything up, because REMEMBER, chances are that person sitting across from you is a lot like you! And they are tired of being lied to! You expect them to be honest: give them the same. It's a professional setting, and that doesn't mean putting on a suit and talking intelligently---it's about viewing the person across from you valuable enough that you are going to be just as human. Above all else, be honest with yourself...that might sound cliché, but really, are you ready to be a doctor? Does it make financial sense? Do you have a good work ethic, good study habits, good intent? And if you are asked what your greatest strengths are, tell them. And tell them your weaknesses...tell them what they really are...be up front, because even if they deny you, they are doing the right thing for you....it will save you so much anguish later, and you will be thankful they didn't accept you. In fact, I would be more thankful not being accepted if im honest with them, than if I lied and got accepted, because sooner than later, you'll see why that is...the piper has to be paid, and medical school will deal the cards quite harshly if you aren't meant for it. So, TELL THE TRUTH! for your own sake!

there are many more...but i'll stop here...I really have to get going this morning. lol