4 answers
Aivee
Student
Footville, Wisconsin
1
Question
Updated
544 views
What is medical school like?
Hey! I'm Aivee, and I'm in 9th grade. I've always wanted to be a doctor, but medical school seems so scary and intimidating in the movies and such and I just wanted to know what its really like.
4 answers
Audrey Eakman
MS-2, Biochemistry BS
37
Answers
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Updated
Audrey’s Answer
Hi Aivee,
Medical school is difficult. I'm not going to lie about that. But if it's something you're passionate about, I don't think you'll have a problem adapting to what medical school is like.
First, medical school is a graduate degree, so you typically already go to college and get an undergraduate degree, like a bachelor's, before applying to medical school. A lot of people in med school don't immediately go from undergrad to graduate, either. Many of my peers have work experience as teachers, technicians, EMTs, or nurses before deciding to become a doctor. If you don't feel ready now, or ready after finishing college, or ready in ten years, that doesn't mean you're never going to be able to handle medical school. Everyone goes through life at their own pace. I was one of the youngest people in my medical school class because I transitioned immediately from undergrad to medical school; some people take a little longer, and most were older than me.
Not all medical schools are the same, but in the United States, they're generally formatted around the Step tests. These are the important licensing exams given by the National Board of Medical Examiners or NBME. The first test, Step 1, happens two years into your medical school training. It tests you on clinical science. Therefore, the first two years of medical school, aka Phase 1, are mostly focused on teaching you that science. You have a pretty traditional school format with classes and tests, sometimes even homework. You don't only learn science in those first two years. My school has classes that teach us communication skills, clinical skills, and seminars on clinical reasoning.
After you pass Step 1 (it's pass/fail), you are licensed to the point that you can practice medicine on patients with supervision. That begins Phase 2, where you actually start working in the hospitals and clinics. You spend about 6-8 weeks assigned to a given clinical site, and you work on the staff of a fully trained doctor, learning clinical and communication skills and expanding your understanding of clinical science. The entire time you're studying for your next test, Step 2, which you take a year after Step 1. This test is important because they use the grade from that as a metric for admissions to residency programs. It's a combination of clinical science, clinical skills, and communication skills in one test. Once you pass that, you can start applying for residencies as you move onto Phase Three, which is usually your last year of medical school. During this phase, you do clinical rotations, but now you get to choose what places and specialties you get to work in. You usually interview for residencies this year as well.
Residency is important because after becoming a doctor, you still need a few years of training for whatever specialty you decide to go into. Residency training is like a post-doctorate in other fields. You're still learning, but you also have a job and get paid. After completing your residency training, you do your final licensing exam, Step 3, which gives you the ability to practice medicine by yourself without a more-senior doctor supervising you.
The reason why medical school is hard is this: it's a lot of information you have to learn very quickly. And unlike high school and, to some degree, college, they expect you to be an adult who is fully capable of learning independently. That isn't to say that you have no support. Academic advisors, tutoring services, and study groups absolutely exist to help you. My school even has neuroscientists on staff just to teach students how to study using cognitive science. It's a lot of work, and you have to be the one to realize when you're struggling and need help but that help does exist if you need it. To put it in context, in about two weeks of Phase 1, we learn the equivalent amount of information that you learn in a semester of college. And we have to remember all that information and perform well on the Step tests. Clinical and communication skills are difficult in their own ways, but I find that aspect of medical school easier than clinical science education. I'm sure some people would disagree and found the reverse to be true. It involves learning how to use medical equipment, interpret findings, communicate with patients, write notes, and use critical thinking and problem-solving in high-stress situations.
If you feel like you wouldn't be good at it, I want to let you know the secret that none of my peers think they're good at it. Most of us don't expect to be accepted to medical school first try (or even second or third). If you look up "Imposter Syndrome," - we all have it. None of us feel prepared or wholly confident to be in medical school. Not having that confidence is absolutely never a reason not to consider medicine. If medicine is something that you're interested in or passionate about, that's what matters. That passion and fascination with medicine will carry you through all the times you feel stressed, overwhelmed, and like a failure. Having a reason why medicine matters to you as a career is the most important thing. So make sure you love it! Since you're in high school, I recommend finding opportunities to shadow doctors in your area to see what the different types of medicine are like, and see if any of them really inspire you.
Good luck!
Medical school is difficult. I'm not going to lie about that. But if it's something you're passionate about, I don't think you'll have a problem adapting to what medical school is like.
First, medical school is a graduate degree, so you typically already go to college and get an undergraduate degree, like a bachelor's, before applying to medical school. A lot of people in med school don't immediately go from undergrad to graduate, either. Many of my peers have work experience as teachers, technicians, EMTs, or nurses before deciding to become a doctor. If you don't feel ready now, or ready after finishing college, or ready in ten years, that doesn't mean you're never going to be able to handle medical school. Everyone goes through life at their own pace. I was one of the youngest people in my medical school class because I transitioned immediately from undergrad to medical school; some people take a little longer, and most were older than me.
Not all medical schools are the same, but in the United States, they're generally formatted around the Step tests. These are the important licensing exams given by the National Board of Medical Examiners or NBME. The first test, Step 1, happens two years into your medical school training. It tests you on clinical science. Therefore, the first two years of medical school, aka Phase 1, are mostly focused on teaching you that science. You have a pretty traditional school format with classes and tests, sometimes even homework. You don't only learn science in those first two years. My school has classes that teach us communication skills, clinical skills, and seminars on clinical reasoning.
After you pass Step 1 (it's pass/fail), you are licensed to the point that you can practice medicine on patients with supervision. That begins Phase 2, where you actually start working in the hospitals and clinics. You spend about 6-8 weeks assigned to a given clinical site, and you work on the staff of a fully trained doctor, learning clinical and communication skills and expanding your understanding of clinical science. The entire time you're studying for your next test, Step 2, which you take a year after Step 1. This test is important because they use the grade from that as a metric for admissions to residency programs. It's a combination of clinical science, clinical skills, and communication skills in one test. Once you pass that, you can start applying for residencies as you move onto Phase Three, which is usually your last year of medical school. During this phase, you do clinical rotations, but now you get to choose what places and specialties you get to work in. You usually interview for residencies this year as well.
Residency is important because after becoming a doctor, you still need a few years of training for whatever specialty you decide to go into. Residency training is like a post-doctorate in other fields. You're still learning, but you also have a job and get paid. After completing your residency training, you do your final licensing exam, Step 3, which gives you the ability to practice medicine by yourself without a more-senior doctor supervising you.
The reason why medical school is hard is this: it's a lot of information you have to learn very quickly. And unlike high school and, to some degree, college, they expect you to be an adult who is fully capable of learning independently. That isn't to say that you have no support. Academic advisors, tutoring services, and study groups absolutely exist to help you. My school even has neuroscientists on staff just to teach students how to study using cognitive science. It's a lot of work, and you have to be the one to realize when you're struggling and need help but that help does exist if you need it. To put it in context, in about two weeks of Phase 1, we learn the equivalent amount of information that you learn in a semester of college. And we have to remember all that information and perform well on the Step tests. Clinical and communication skills are difficult in their own ways, but I find that aspect of medical school easier than clinical science education. I'm sure some people would disagree and found the reverse to be true. It involves learning how to use medical equipment, interpret findings, communicate with patients, write notes, and use critical thinking and problem-solving in high-stress situations.
If you feel like you wouldn't be good at it, I want to let you know the secret that none of my peers think they're good at it. Most of us don't expect to be accepted to medical school first try (or even second or third). If you look up "Imposter Syndrome," - we all have it. None of us feel prepared or wholly confident to be in medical school. Not having that confidence is absolutely never a reason not to consider medicine. If medicine is something that you're interested in or passionate about, that's what matters. That passion and fascination with medicine will carry you through all the times you feel stressed, overwhelmed, and like a failure. Having a reason why medicine matters to you as a career is the most important thing. So make sure you love it! Since you're in high school, I recommend finding opportunities to shadow doctors in your area to see what the different types of medicine are like, and see if any of them really inspire you.
Good luck!
Thank you! This makes me a lot less nervous. :)
Aivee
Claudia Salazar
foreign medical graduate
4
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Claudia’s Answer
Hey there,
I was in your place once, and in highschool I decided to volunteer at the emergency department of my local hospital to see what it was like. You have plently of time to make this decision, and the best way to do it is to enter the industry , see it, feel the atmosphere and decide if you wanna go down this career path. Let me tell you that nothing is imposible, and the obstacles that come in life only make you wiser and more confident.
I was in your place once, and in highschool I decided to volunteer at the emergency department of my local hospital to see what it was like. You have plently of time to make this decision, and the best way to do it is to enter the industry , see it, feel the atmosphere and decide if you wanna go down this career path. Let me tell you that nothing is imposible, and the obstacles that come in life only make you wiser and more confident.
Thanks for the help.
Aivee
Praveen Prabhakar
Program Manager
54
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Praveen’s Answer
Medical school is a comprehensive and robust educational program designed to equip individuals for a successful career in medicine. Here's a snapshot of what medical school typically entails, with an emphasis on its encouraging aspects:
Duration: Medical school programs differ by country, but they generally span four to six years. This time frame encompasses both classroom-based learning and hands-on clinical training.
Preclinical Years: The initial stage of medical school, often called the preclinical years, concentrates on establishing a solid foundation of medical knowledge. Students attend engaging lectures, partake in small-group discussions, and conduct laboratory work. Topics covered during this period may include anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, pathology, and medical ethics.
Clinical Rotations: Following the preclinical years, students progress to the clinical years. In this phase, they experience various clinical specialties by rotating through different medical settings. Common rotations encompass internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, and more. Students work directly with patients under the guidance of seasoned physicians, learning to diagnose, treat, and manage diverse medical conditions.
Lectures and Study: Throughout medical school, students attend informative lectures to grasp essential medical concepts, theories, and principles. They study extensively, reviewing textbooks, medical journals, and research articles. Medical education involves a considerable amount of self-directed learning, empowering students to master vast amounts of information.
Examinations and Assessments: Medical schools conduct regular assessments to gauge students' progress. These may consist of written exams, practical exams, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), and standardized tests like the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE).
Electives and Specialization: In some medical school programs, students can choose elective rotations or delve into specialized areas of interest. These electives enable students to investigate specific medical fields more thoroughly and gain exposure to subspecialties they may be contemplating for their future careers.
Professional Development: Alongside academic pursuits, medical schools emphasize the growth of professional skills. This encompasses learning effective communication with patients and colleagues, practicing ethical decision-making, comprehending healthcare systems, and honing teamwork and collaboration abilities.
Student Life and Support: Medical school can be demanding, both academically and emotionally. Many medical schools offer support services, counseling, and resources to help students manage stress, maintain well-being, and cultivate a healthy work-life balance. Students frequently form study groups and support networks to tackle challenges together.
It's crucial to recognize that the specific curriculum and structure of medical school may vary across different countries and institutions. Medical education is a transformative journey that calls for commitment, diligence, and a sincere passion for patient care and the medical field.
Duration: Medical school programs differ by country, but they generally span four to six years. This time frame encompasses both classroom-based learning and hands-on clinical training.
Preclinical Years: The initial stage of medical school, often called the preclinical years, concentrates on establishing a solid foundation of medical knowledge. Students attend engaging lectures, partake in small-group discussions, and conduct laboratory work. Topics covered during this period may include anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, pathology, and medical ethics.
Clinical Rotations: Following the preclinical years, students progress to the clinical years. In this phase, they experience various clinical specialties by rotating through different medical settings. Common rotations encompass internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, and more. Students work directly with patients under the guidance of seasoned physicians, learning to diagnose, treat, and manage diverse medical conditions.
Lectures and Study: Throughout medical school, students attend informative lectures to grasp essential medical concepts, theories, and principles. They study extensively, reviewing textbooks, medical journals, and research articles. Medical education involves a considerable amount of self-directed learning, empowering students to master vast amounts of information.
Examinations and Assessments: Medical schools conduct regular assessments to gauge students' progress. These may consist of written exams, practical exams, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), and standardized tests like the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE).
Electives and Specialization: In some medical school programs, students can choose elective rotations or delve into specialized areas of interest. These electives enable students to investigate specific medical fields more thoroughly and gain exposure to subspecialties they may be contemplating for their future careers.
Professional Development: Alongside academic pursuits, medical schools emphasize the growth of professional skills. This encompasses learning effective communication with patients and colleagues, practicing ethical decision-making, comprehending healthcare systems, and honing teamwork and collaboration abilities.
Student Life and Support: Medical school can be demanding, both academically and emotionally. Many medical schools offer support services, counseling, and resources to help students manage stress, maintain well-being, and cultivate a healthy work-life balance. Students frequently form study groups and support networks to tackle challenges together.
It's crucial to recognize that the specific curriculum and structure of medical school may vary across different countries and institutions. Medical education is a transformative journey that calls for commitment, diligence, and a sincere passion for patient care and the medical field.
Thanks for the advice.
Aivee
Midwest Heart Surgeon
Cardiac surgeon
57
Answers
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Updated
Midwest’s Answer
Although medical school may seem scary and intimidating now, it will not be by the time you attend it, if you choose to follow that path. Medical school is broadly split into two periods which are vastly different: preclinical and clinical years.
The preclinical period is similar to college classes, except more intensive in content and limited to topics essential for becoming a physician. The other big difference between college and medical school during these years is that you are exclusively with other students studying to become physicians - this also makes it enjoyable!
The second part of medical school is the clinical years which are even more exciting and are essentially "learning on the job." It is the first instance of being directly in a healthcare setting and working on a team with direct patient care and out of a classroom. This structure of working within a medical team and continuing your education in a clinical job setting will continue for the rest of your career, beginning as a medical student, then resident, then maybe fellow, and junior and senior faculty. This period feels a bit less like school and more just like a job.
While medical school is designed to ultimately prepare you for your career in medicine, students spend this period also preparing for the STEP exams, of which Step 1 and Step 2 are taken during the medical school years.
Although this is all very exciting and should not be intimidating, you still have a number of years ahead of you and can spend these next few years determining what really interests you and if medical school is something you may want to pursue! The best way to do that is by having more conversations like these and partaking in as much shadowing and hands-on volunteering as you can. Another point for self-reflection is examining why you want to be a doctor and then through these experiences investigate whether being a doctor meets your impressions of what being a doctor means and whether it is something you want to pursue or not.
Shadow/volunteer to gain hands-on experience
Contemplate why you want to be a doctor & whether it aligns with what you see
The preclinical period is similar to college classes, except more intensive in content and limited to topics essential for becoming a physician. The other big difference between college and medical school during these years is that you are exclusively with other students studying to become physicians - this also makes it enjoyable!
The second part of medical school is the clinical years which are even more exciting and are essentially "learning on the job." It is the first instance of being directly in a healthcare setting and working on a team with direct patient care and out of a classroom. This structure of working within a medical team and continuing your education in a clinical job setting will continue for the rest of your career, beginning as a medical student, then resident, then maybe fellow, and junior and senior faculty. This period feels a bit less like school and more just like a job.
While medical school is designed to ultimately prepare you for your career in medicine, students spend this period also preparing for the STEP exams, of which Step 1 and Step 2 are taken during the medical school years.
Although this is all very exciting and should not be intimidating, you still have a number of years ahead of you and can spend these next few years determining what really interests you and if medical school is something you may want to pursue! The best way to do that is by having more conversations like these and partaking in as much shadowing and hands-on volunteering as you can. Another point for self-reflection is examining why you want to be a doctor and then through these experiences investigate whether being a doctor meets your impressions of what being a doctor means and whether it is something you want to pursue or not.
Midwest recommends the following next steps:
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