Ask a medical student anything

[EnglandPrevails]

Third year in medical school. If you have any questions about how to get in or what it's like (if you are considering it for yourself or someone else) or are just curious about what happens, feel free.

[Chesssbrah]

How prevalent is addy or stimulant use? Srs question

[EnglandPrevails]

How prevalent is addy or stimulant use? Srs question

I hear about it sometimes but I've never taken anything or seen anyone take it myself, so I doubt it's too prevalent.

I do see some people who live on caffeine (coffee or caffeine pills) or energy drinks, and those are stimulants, but I haven't seen anyone take prescription medications.

In my opinion, it's unnecessary.

[xavengedx23]

Can your level of ego fill up an entire hospital?

[RainingBlood]

Transferring to a state school for a bachelors in biological sciences, then applying to med school.

Opinion on DO's?
How large did math play a part in your undergrad and med school?

[antiwhitekn1ght]

LOL'd op says he's in med school and never seen anyone take ********...confirmed fraud.

[EnglandPrevails]

Can your level of ego fill up an entire hospital?

Lol, spoken like a true pharmacist.

I kid, I kid.

I'm pretty humble. Mostly because I don't know anything. I feel like I'd stay the same forever because there's always more to learn and being arrogant / having a big ego is pretty obnoxious for everyone involved.

[girlscience]

LOL'd op says he's in med school and never seen anyone take ********...confirmed fraud.

this lol

[Smithers115]

expected flapjacks thread

[Waqiii]

east coast? what school? stats out of college?

[BroNotSerious]

How can you tell the difference between a cold sore and a pimple?

[IDefineMyself]

What you trynna do in the medical field?
Was gonna go for Radiology tech myself, tempted to go RN now....

[CelphCrowned]

Third year in medical school. If you have any questions about how to get in or what it's like (if you are considering it for yourself or someone else) or are just curious about what happens, feel free.

How to I fix my limp dinx? Took pure DMAA and after that my sex drive died, also my boner only gets to 60%.. Ive had this for 3weeks..

Reps if you cure me

[EnglandPrevails]

Transferring to a state school for a bachelors in biological sciences, then applying to med school.

Opinion on DO's?
How large did math play a part in your undergrad and med school?

Good luck man.

Occasionally people will raise their eyebrows at a DO but the truth is they're treated the same as MDs and people have fairly equal respect for them. The only "negative" thing going against them is that you need slightly less good grades / MCAT scores to get in most DO schools, but if you really want to be a doctor, it's irrelevant if you go to a DO or MD school.

Math is pretty irrelevant in medical school. I took the required Calc I and II in undergrad but I can't think of a single instance in which math was important, heh. You still have to do well in your classes as an undergrad though, just because of the high competition to get in, so don't neglect it by any means, but if you're feeling shaky on your calculus it won't hurt you later in life, heh.

[samusmustafar]

I applied last cycle and have only had one interview, but it was to my first choice school and is a top 10. My stats are above their average for acceptance, but my clinical experience and volunteering were lacking heavily. I'm anticipating not getting in anywhere this year, but I've been volunteering at the boys and girls club and the VA, and it'll be about a year of volunteer work by the time next cycle comes around. My question is should I pursue more shadowing opportunities (only had one), or just continue the volunteer work at the VA? Also, will finish an EMT program in April and get working on that.

[Godyssey]

Third year in medical school. If you have any questions about how to get in or what it's like (if you are considering it for yourself or someone else) or are just curious about what happens, feel free.

have you heard any surgical tech students going into med school? I have a buddy that's going to a Community College for Surg tech. he always talks about getting into medical school and how hes trying to be a surgeon/doctor.

doesn't seem very likely to me since surg tech is like bottom level chit in the OR. aware me brah

[comehereyoumug]

fellow UK brah

what is the chemistry like in medical school?
chirality and optical isomerism?

[oday2]

this lol

Not everyone is a dumb ******* that needs to rely on amphetamines for concentration.

[GermanBB]

how many nontraditional students with you? well late 20s/early 30s anyways?????

[girlscience]

Not everyone is a dumb ******* that needs to rely on amphetamines for concentration.

I know that but to not know anyone who takes it? cmon

Math is pretty irrelevant in medical school. I took the required Calc I and II in undergrad but I can't think of a single instance in which math was important, heh. You still have to do well in your classes as an undergrad though, just because of the high competition to get in, so don't neglect it by any means, but if you're feeling shaky on your calculus it won't hurt you later in life, heh.

you didn't take biostatistics?

I applied last cycle and have only had one interview, but it was to my first choice school and is a top 10. My stats are above their average for acceptance, but my clinical experience and volunteering were lacking heavily. I'm anticipating not getting in anywhere this year, but I've been volunteering at the boys and girls club and the VA, and it'll be about a year of volunteer work by the time next cycle comes around. My question is should I pursue more shadowing opportunities (only had one), or just continue the volunteer work at the VA? Also, will finish an EMT program in April and get working on that.

good luck!

[PtMD]

fellow UK brah

what is the chemistry like in medical school?
chirality and optical isomerism?

i didn't had organic chemistry on med school

but you'll talk a lot about biochemistry applied to pharmacology, physiology (endocrine has a lot), etc

how many nontraditional students with you? well late 20s/early 30s anyways?????

no such thing as "nontraditional student"

when i was in uni i had a 50y old guy in my class

[LKelvin123]

Do you feel intellectually inferior to maths and physics graduate students?

[EnglandPrevails]

Sorry, I have no idea how to multi-quote:

east coast? what school? stats out of college?

Stony Brook (East coast, in Long Island, NY)

BroNotSerious
How can you tell the difference between a cold sore and a pimple?

I have no idea, haven't done derm yet, lol. If pressed, I'd go based on the history and treat accordingly, but I honestly have no clue.

IDefineMyself
What you trynna do in the medical field?
Was gonna go for Radiology tech myself, tempted to go RN now....

I'm not sure what I'll end up doing. I like anesthesiology and know I won't do surgery. Should have a pretty good idea at the end of this year. I have a buddy who is a Rad tech and loves it. Most of the RNs I see in the hospital are fairly stressed. Anecdotal data to be sure, but ask a few people in either field if you can to see if it's for you. Good luck.

CelphCrowned

How to I fix my limp dinx? Took pure DMAA and after that my sex drive died, also my boner only gets to 60%.. Ive had this for 3weeks..

Reps if you cure me


I'd see a real doctor if I was you, not a student. Depending on your insurance, you might go to your primary care doc first for a referral or directly to a urologist. Don't take DMAA in the future!!


samusmustafar
I applied last cycle and have only had one interview, but it was to my first choice school and is a top 10. My stats are above their average for acceptance, but my clinical experience and volunteering were lacking heavily. I'm anticipating not getting in anywhere this year, but I've been volunteering at the boys and girls club and the VA, and it'll be about a year of volunteer work by the time next cycle comes around. My question is should I pursue more shadowing opportunities (only had one), or just continue the volunteer work at the VA? Also, will finish an EMT program in April and get working on that.

Speaking honestly, one interview means you likely won't get accepted this year (but who knows?) and whatever happens you have that interview experience under your belt, which is surprisingly helpful.

Definitely get whatever clinical experience you can. If you're already volunteering at the VA, see if you can follow a doc around for a week, and have them introduce you to someone else who you can shadow for another week. It would be two weeks out of the whole year, and pretty valuable. If you enjoy volunteering, definitely keep that up, but if you don't, do it for a little while just to have it on your application and then let it go. EMT experience is pretty great too.

I have no idea what your chances are, obviously, especially as I don't know your grades and such, but you're doing the best thing by targeting the areas you think you can improve on to make a stronger application for next year. I hope you get in this time around, and if not, don't fret and just do as you've planned. Good luck.

[Venom08]

Obamacare is making me rethink applying for medical school.

[EnglandPrevails]

have you heard any surgical tech students going into med school? I have a buddy that's going to a Community College for Surg tech. he always talks about getting into medical school and how hes trying to be a surgeon/doctor.

doesn't seem very likely to me since surg tech is like bottom level chit in the OR. aware me brah

I am not in the business of crushing dreams and if you're committed enough, anything is possible. That said, if he's in a community college the road ahead is not particularly easy. He has to graduate with a 4-year degree in something, take the required med school classes on top of his major, and get good grades in all of these. He also has to score well on the MCATs and probably do some research and volunteering. Being a surgical tech might be valuable in getting clinical experience though, so he should have that checked off.

So basically, anyone can be a doctor, and I certainly wouldn't discourage him if that's what he wants, but the road ahead will be difficult for him unless he's exceptionally committed.

comehereyoumug
fellow UK brah

what is the chemistry like in medical school?
chirality and optical isomerism?

Heh, despite by username, I've never been to the UK. I just liked that line from "V for Vendetta".

There's not much Chemistry in medical school. Chirality and optical isomerism only come up superficially as relates to a couple of drugs where one stereoisomer is active, but as a medical student or a doctor, you'll never be asked to draw the structure of a compound and highlight the chiral carbons, for instance, heh. I was a Chemistry undergraduate and the only topics that come up more than rarely are acid-base status of patients. For instance, it's easier to understand that patients who are hyperventilating (breathing very fast) are blowing off a lot of carbon dioxide, so the "equation" of CO2 + H20 --> H+ and Bicarbonate gets shifted into "making" more CO2 and "losing" bicarbonate in the blood, which therefore leads to a respiratory alkalosis.

[SwiftRick]

Sup brah.

Starting med school fall 2015. Out of state college.

Have you become a hypochondriac yet? Also if a patient comes in with some super contagious, do you get scared you may get it?

Have you noticed an increase in sloots?

[CaptChip40]

Obamacare is making me rethink applying for medical school.

Was gonna ask this. Are you second guessing your choice because of insurance related issues.

[Treme]

Sup brah.

Starting med school fall 2015. Out of state college.

Have you become a hypochondriac yet? Also if a patient comes in with some super contagious, do you get scared you may get it?

Have you noticed an increase in sloots?

Girls don't like med students. They like residents

[doughnutking]

How does it feel being the smallest Doctor on the wards?

[ralphlaurenbrah]

What are MD/PhD programs like?

What are the best type of extracurriculars to get into med school? Like if you were trying to get in guaranteed, what would you do? How much volunteering and shadowing as well as research and what type of jobs?