4 answers
Anika
Student
Orlando, Florida
1
Question
Asked
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What is it like going to med school?
More specifically, I want to know how big classes are in general, and what other people pursuing the same career path are like. Is there tension? Competition? What are the professors like? What happens after you get your bachelor degree and get accepted into med school? Is it like regular college? Is it different?
#medicine #medical-school #college
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4 answers
James Garza
Owner, Self-employed at Garza Medical Association
82
Answers
Round Rock, Texas
Updated
James’s Answer
hi anika. i graduated medical school in 1993 and have been a family physician for over 20 years.
first, not all med schools are alike. at my school there were roughly 200 students per class. however, other schools have much different class sizes.
the initial two years are advanced science classes such as Anatomy, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Microbiology, Immunology, Radiology, Pharmacology, Physiology, Ethics, and others. think of it as similar to attending graduate school. you dress the same as you did in college, have a rigid course schedule, take copious notes, read textbooks, and have regular exams.
generally, all 200 classmates take the same courses at the same time. so, yes, there is definitely some competition for top grades. but there's also amazing cooperation within study groups.
there's no one generic medical student type. for instance, we had about 20 students who were older and married with children. they tended to sit together in class and study together. another dozen or so were MD/PhD candidates who tended to spend a lot of time in their research labs.
we had numerous jocks including an olympic weight lifter, professional rugby player, and several college-level athletes. lots of people had advanced degrees such as law degrees, MBAs, dental degrees, pharmacology degrees, masters degrees, and others. many, like me, were straight out of college.
some of the professors are academicians, others are clinicians. some are engaging instructors, others not so much. some are friendly, others arrogant. just like in college, many students will choose to skip lectures by certain instructors.
the second two years are mostly spent in the hospital in clinical rotations such as Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, Surgery, Obstetrics, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Neurology, and others. this is when you get dress up and wear a white coat and badge every day.
at this point you get separated from your classmates and learning becomes more independent. most of your training is directed by interns and residents and much of what you learn is from journals or hands-on experience. probably the most tensions occur during your 3rd year and can be blamed on lack of sleep and the sheer terror of being responsible for live human beings for the first time with limited supervision.
although your question doesn't mention it, residency should also be mentioned. at some point you'll make a decision on what to specialize in and apply to various residency programs around the country. you'll officially be a "doctor" at that point with an institutional license and a minimal salary. but now you'll be learning the intricacies of your chosen specialty. even greater responsibility and possibly even less sleep.
at several points in all of this you'll take various stages of state licensing and national board-certifying examinations. you'll also take courses in legal & business aspects of medicine, advanced life support, advanced trauma, pediatric life support, and neonatal resuscitation.
and more.
hope that helps. good luck!
first, not all med schools are alike. at my school there were roughly 200 students per class. however, other schools have much different class sizes.
the initial two years are advanced science classes such as Anatomy, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Microbiology, Immunology, Radiology, Pharmacology, Physiology, Ethics, and others. think of it as similar to attending graduate school. you dress the same as you did in college, have a rigid course schedule, take copious notes, read textbooks, and have regular exams.
generally, all 200 classmates take the same courses at the same time. so, yes, there is definitely some competition for top grades. but there's also amazing cooperation within study groups.
there's no one generic medical student type. for instance, we had about 20 students who were older and married with children. they tended to sit together in class and study together. another dozen or so were MD/PhD candidates who tended to spend a lot of time in their research labs.
we had numerous jocks including an olympic weight lifter, professional rugby player, and several college-level athletes. lots of people had advanced degrees such as law degrees, MBAs, dental degrees, pharmacology degrees, masters degrees, and others. many, like me, were straight out of college.
some of the professors are academicians, others are clinicians. some are engaging instructors, others not so much. some are friendly, others arrogant. just like in college, many students will choose to skip lectures by certain instructors.
the second two years are mostly spent in the hospital in clinical rotations such as Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, Surgery, Obstetrics, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Neurology, and others. this is when you get dress up and wear a white coat and badge every day.
at this point you get separated from your classmates and learning becomes more independent. most of your training is directed by interns and residents and much of what you learn is from journals or hands-on experience. probably the most tensions occur during your 3rd year and can be blamed on lack of sleep and the sheer terror of being responsible for live human beings for the first time with limited supervision.
although your question doesn't mention it, residency should also be mentioned. at some point you'll make a decision on what to specialize in and apply to various residency programs around the country. you'll officially be a "doctor" at that point with an institutional license and a minimal salary. but now you'll be learning the intricacies of your chosen specialty. even greater responsibility and possibly even less sleep.
at several points in all of this you'll take various stages of state licensing and national board-certifying examinations. you'll also take courses in legal & business aspects of medicine, advanced life support, advanced trauma, pediatric life support, and neonatal resuscitation.
and more.
hope that helps. good luck!
Rachel Weinheimer
Surgeon
1121
Answers
Amarillo, Texas
Updated
Rachel’s Answer
I spent about 8-10 hours per day in class or studying. Wake up at 7, work out, be ready to start studying by 8 or 9. Eat lunch in the library while reading notes or listening to lectures online. I would study until dinner and then sometimes study that night if I hadn't finished preparing for the next day's classes.
Madison Buchman
doctor
112
Answers
West Hartford
Updated
Madison’s Answer
All medical schools are different and everyone has different experiences. Yes there is lots of internal competition, however, I think you have to remind yourself constantly that overall, your personal classmates really are not likely to be your actual competition for spots in the residency match and they are not your enemy. Making friends with your classmates will be very important to your overall success and well being! Professors at least at my school were excellent, communicative, personable and genuinely always readily available to ask questions, mentor, get involved with research or get advice from. It is different than undergrad in the sense the course work is significantly faster paced/more information all at once. Be ready for that, have a study plan, and ASK for help when you need it!
Richard A.
physician
2150
Answers
Updated
Richard’s Answer
Between lecture, lab and studying, the first 2 years will be grueling., but otherwise similar to college.
3rd year you start clinical rotations and get to see and evaluate patients. All your findings are reported to attendings or residents, so no decisions are made without a "real" doctor's input
4th year you will do more rotations in various specialties and can do rotations at hospitals to which you may apply for residency.
3rd year you start clinical rotations and get to see and evaluate patients. All your findings are reported to attendings or residents, so no decisions are made without a "real" doctor's input
4th year you will do more rotations in various specialties and can do rotations at hospitals to which you may apply for residency.