Medical Admissions

Oh I needed this. And this also goes out to ALL my fellow med...

Sun, 19 May 2013 07:30:20 -0400

Oh I needed this. And this also goes out to ALL my fellow med students preparing for STEP 1!

Do you still respect lyla-md as a person? I mean, she's on probation. that's kinda sad..

Sun, 19 May 2013 00:39:00 -0400

Hi Anon!

See my previous post; I believe you will find your answer there :)

Best,
md-a

PS. TO ALL FOLKS: THIS IS THE LAST QUESTION I SHALL BE ANSWERING REGARDING PROBATION AND ANY OTHER WIBBLY WOBBLY QUESTIONS ASKED REGARDING SUSPENSION OR WHATNOT IN THE MEDICAL SETTING. I am absolutely the worst person to ask about such things. Because I know nothing about it. The way I know nothing about playing the clarinet or scuba diving or how apply alluring makeup. I have no knowledge in this area whatsoever.

If you knew someone who was put on probation in medical school/residency, will you regard the person differently?

Sun, 19 May 2013 00:29:08 -0400

Hi Anon!

I feel that these lines from the Avengers state my position best:

Steve Rogers: Word is you can find the cube.
Bruce Banner: Is that the only word on me?
Steve Rogers: Only word I care about.

Like Captain America, the only word I care about is that of an individual’s professionalism, work ethic, and heart. If I don’t know the whole story about someone, my regard has no right to and will not change.

Thanks for the question!
md-a

PS. Black Widow and Iron Man tie first place in my heart for movie-verse Avengers favorites. And Coulson, of course.

Hey I was just thinking about this randomly today, but do you still draw the cute little comics? :3

Sat, 18 May 2013 23:57:53 -0400

Lambie! :D

I have a couple stashed away but since I began studying for the boards no inspiration has come to mind! However, now that you mention it, I should probably find and scan them in once I take my test.

If you are put on probation in residency, does that mean you are a bad doctor?

Sat, 18 May 2013 23:03:36 -0400

Hi Anon!

Not necessarily.

What it means is that you did something. A something that requires evaluation and review by your program.

Being a doctor means playing many roles and doing many things: coach, caregiver, healer, adversary, partner, leader, team player. Even good doctors are not good at being all those things all the time to all people.

A ‘bad doctor’ is a very general term, like a ‘good doctor’. It’s highly relative and specific to the thing or skill or role that the doctor excels in or fails in.

Therefore, probation doesn’t mean anything. What really has meaning is what it’s for, why it happened, what caused it, can it be corrected, how to prevent it from happening again, and what can we do to help the individual or institution in question. It’s all the questions that dwell behind the word that truly matter.

Thank you for your question!
md-a

populationpensive replied to your post: Admission #137: Med School Mafia :-) I’m glad she has so...

Sat, 18 May 2013 10:50:40 -0400

populationpensive replied to your post: Admission #137: Med School Mafia

:-) I’m glad she has so much support. I would die if I lost my notes and I’m sure she was very upset.

Just the thought of so many important things getting stolen a month before most of us take STEP 1 made us upset with her!

She’s an absolutely wonderful girl and while my class can often be the crazy/gunner/socially incompetent like any old med school class; we are incredibly supportive when it counts :)

Admission #137: Med School Mafia

Sat, 18 May 2013 07:30:24 -0400

One of my classmates had her backpack, filled with her laptop and STEP 1 notes, stolen last night. The response from my class was overwhelming and focused on only two things:

Offering all and any notes and study resources she needed
Offering to kill the person who stole the backpack.

Moral of the story: don’t mess with my med school class

What happens if you are on probation/suspension while in medical school/residency? Do you have the chance to be reinstated after serving for some time so you can practice medicine again? Or does that depend on your faculty?

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:17:59 -0400

Hi Anon!

I actually have no clue about the details. At my school it depends on the reason for suspension and the faculty/leadership. But I’m sure it will change from place to place.

Thanks for the question!

md-a

Aspiring Doctors: AspDocs + ERmedicine present: Calm Your Tits, Pre-Meds. Part 1- GRADES/GPA

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:16:35 -0400

Aspiring Doctors: AspDocs + ERmedicine present: Calm Your Tits, Pre-Meds. Part 1- GRADES/GPA:

aspiringdoctors:

So I’ve noticed on my blog and most of the other medblrs I follow that there have been a metric crapton (units= kg/crapⁿ, n=number of craps) of asks from concerned pre-meds about their grades. It’s the end of the year. You’re getting your grades. Activate freakout mode.

I…

Who doesn’t worry about scores from time to time? THIS is your go-to-source for zen wisdom about those scores. Pre-med friends, read it and breathe easy again!

Admission #136: Teaching Means Owning Your Knowledge.

Fri, 17 May 2013 07:30:36 -0400

J: What are you doing?

Me: I’m talking at your cat. About obstructive versus restrictive lung disease.

J: He’s asleep.

*cat rolls over and snores*

Me: He’s a tough one, isn’t he?

Photo

Thu, 16 May 2013 07:30:17 -0400

theblackballedlife replied to your post: Hello! I was just wondering your opinion on… I’m...

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:56:19 -0400

theblackballedlife replied to your post: Hello! I was just wondering your opinion on…

I’m interested to learn what your recommendation would be in this scenario as well. will you post more info?

If the anon who asked the question feels comfortable letting me share after I get for information, I would definitely do so! Because everyone’s situation is so different, I will check with the anon. :)

cranquis: plannedparenthood: It’s National Women’s Health...

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:12:50 -0400

cranquis:

plannedparenthood:

It’s National Women’s Health Week. Make your health a priority and schedule a well-woman checkup today.

Do it!

I have a question about the appropriate time to take the MCAT. Is it required to take it a year before applying for admission? Or would it still work to take it the summer before applying?

Wed, 15 May 2013 10:50:08 -0400

Hi Anon!

The ‘traditional’ route is when no year is taken off and folks take the MCAT in the summer of their junior year and complete the application process throughout senior year. Taking the MCAT the summer before applying can be done; however, also know that you will be receiving your score closer to the fall, depending on how early or late in the summer you take it. This leads to many parts of your application, particularly the first part, being delayed for submission or review by the med school admissions panels. Plan accordingly and do what’s best for you! :)

Thanks for the question!
md-a

Hello! I was just wondering your opinion on something. I recently graduated college with a 2.9 GPA, 29 on the MCAT and have been working in EMS for 7 years. Do I have a good chance of getting into med school or should I seek a post baccalaureate program?

Wed, 15 May 2013 09:58:05 -0400

Hi anon!

The chance will depend on the type of med school you’d like to get into (Ivy League, in-state, out of the country, etc.), how you feel about seeking a post-bacc, and what your time and resources allow. If you’d like to continue this conversation off-anon via private message, I would be more than happy! :)

Thank you for the question!
md-a

Do you think it is okay or rather, appropriate at this time for me to ask questions about anything related to the situation? I want to talk to Doc X since I know he is managing her blog at the moment, but do you think it is ok for me to ask him more questions about himself. Say like what he does and all?

Wed, 15 May 2013 09:53:42 -0400

Hey anon!

I understand that you are curious, and it is well-intentioned. In situations when I am unsure what to say or do, I first ask myself, “If I were in that position, would I want someone to ask/say/do that to me?”

As I do not know who you are and I do not know lyla-md well, I will assume that you are a smart, thoughtful, and empathetic individual and will proceed in a smart, thoughtful, and empathetic way :)

Thanks for the question!
md-a

How come a lot of the medblr blogs on here don't ever reveal their first name? I mean I get that they don't want to reveal their last name in case they're searched up.. But why not their first?

Wed, 15 May 2013 09:48:30 -0400

I don’t know about others, but for me there’s two reasons. First it’s to protect the patients and school to adhere with HIPAA. Because I put up stories and conversations I have with patients, classmates, professors, etc. I still want to share my experience in med school. But when you become a med student or just someone in the healthcare profession, what you say about others, especially patients in your care, must be carefully shared. After all, they are trusting you!

I don’t reveal my first because I think it’s a slippery slope to decreased anonymity. Maybe someday I’ll change my mind about that, but for now, it’s what works for me :)

Thanks for the question!
md-a

lambiemd-ish replied to your quote: Please note:...

Wed, 15 May 2013 09:44:03 -0400

lambiemd-ish replied to your quote: Please note: If money, goods, or services are…

Ooh which rotation are you starting with?

My first official rotation is family med, but I have four weeks open for an elective before that, so I’m trying to work with the school to help me find something cool to do :)

"Please note: If money, goods, or services are offered as incentive for a trade (yes, it has happened..."

Wed, 15 May 2013 07:30:19 -0400

“Please note: If money, goods, or services are offered as incentive for a trade (yes, it has happened before) the student making the offer will be placed on professionalism probation”

- email regarding the swapping policy on year 3 schedules.

Wayfaring MD: I don't usually do promos, but...

Tue, 14 May 2013 21:43:00 -0400

Wayfaring MD: I don't usually do promos, but...:

wayfaringmd:

I recently learned about a pretty cool service that I think my pre-med followers could use.

Roheet, who runs thebiopsy has started a new service where he will read and give feedback on your personal statement for your med school application. You can find the description here.

I know you’re thinking, “who is this Roheet guy and why should I trust him to read my junk?”

To that I reply 1) Roheet is awesome 2) he writes extremely thoughtful posts (and you should probably follow him) and I’m sure that style overflowed into his own personal statement 3) he was just accepted to several medical schools, and 4) because I said so.

You’re also probably thinking “what’s the catch?”

Ok, yeah, there’s a catch. There’s a DEADLINE of MAY 20, 2013 to get your essay in to him. I mean hey, the guy can only be so nice, right? I’m sure he has a life and stuff and thangs to do.

Also you’re thinking “is it really free.99?”

Yes. Or no, if you’re also an awesome person and actually throw some dollas Roheet’s way. He does have a thingy set up for donations, so be generous.

And hey, maybe I’ll be a total copy cat and offer a similar service in the fall for residency apps…

Man if I had this when I was doing my essays I think I’d be a MUCH happier girl!