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Waiting
I had just cleared the security checkpoint at the airport after a hectic three days. I paused for a moment. A few hours prior I left my seventh and final interview for medical school. This needed to be celebrated!
Sitting down to a delicious beer and Philly cheesesteak I reflected on where I had been. Seven schools. Five DO, two MD. Seven different states. Four trips that involved flying. A bunch of money (I’ll break it down for you all soon, applying is expensive).
I realized I was done with all the hard work of the application process. No more essays, no more prepping for interviews, no more smiling all day long. Now I get to sit back, relax, and wait. The relaxing part is the hardest.
I have heard from every school except one which is a state MD school. I’ve narrowed my choices down to that MD school and a DO school. And I’m waiting. Waiting to hear from the state school. Waiting to hear if a scholarship is possible at the DO school.
Waiting.
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Is Medical School a Big Goal?
I saw this article today called “Eight Simple Tactics for Achieving Your Big Goal” at The Simple Dollar (a great personal finance blog by the way). I couldn’t help but think how applicable it is to getting into medical school.
“Take Small Bites Every Day”
“Find a Mentor”
Just a few of the nuggets in the article. Enjoy!
Related articles:
- Focus on Spending More Time, Not Money, on Things You Enjoy [Saving Money] (lifehacker.com)
- 15 Things More Important than Money [Money] (consumerist.com)
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Words I Want to Avoid as a Physician: Focal
Medical jargon drives me crazy sometimes. It makes sense to use with other health professionals who will know what you’re talking about. It facilitates communication in certain situations. With patients though, it seems to just get you in trouble, or make you look like a fool.
A focal neurologic deficit as I understand it is a deficit that is affecting a specific part or side of the body. Right sided weakness, a facial droop on the left side, or right arm numbness would be examples of a focal neuro deficit. Focal designates that the symptom is in a specific area.
Most people don’t know that, heck, it took me many months to figure it out working as a scribe.
So, naturally, it was surprising and frustrating when a physician I was working with asked a drunk guy coming in complaining of weakness-
“Do you have something focal going on? Anything focal?”
Wow. I think the blank stare would have been the response of 99.5% of the population in a similar situation.
Note to self: never ask someone if they have something focal happening to them, unless my patient is a neurologist.
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Mountains Beyond Mountains: What Paul Farmer Teaches Us About Passion
“I’m going to build my own f—ing hospital. And there will be none of that there, thank you.” 
Dr Paul Farmer can get testy at times. He helped raise money to get blood bank equipment at a rural hospital in Haiti. He was pissed when he found out the hospital was going to charge patients in advance to access it, so he takes matters into his own hands. He states earlier in the book, “I”m an action kind of guy.”
And yes, he does build his own f—ing hospital. And he does not charge patients for it’s services. The story is told in Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder.
The book illuminates the many journeys of Dr Farmer and his work to serve the poorest in the world. We see him go from Alabama, to Harvard Medical School, to rural Haiti, south to Peru and across the Atlantic to Russia to name just a few destinations. But the book, like it’s primary subject, is anchored in Haiti, the western hemisphere’s poorest country.
Dr Farmer’s quest is an inspiring story for anyone, but it has special resonance for those interested in medicine. Reading the book for a second time recently has re-oriented my reasons for going into medicine. I remembered why I wanted to be a physician and travel.
Everyone goes into medicine for different reasons. I am in no place to judge whether certain motivations are superior to others. I only know what makes sense to me. And to me using my knowledge and influence as a physician to serve the poor, well it fits with who I am.
I want to serve those in need. I want to increase access to vaccines, antibiotics and prevention programs. I want to study global public health and make a contribution. I am under no illusion that I want to do this because I am some selfless human being. I want to do it because I think it will be fulfilling and it fits with my faith background.
While Paul Farmer is an inspiration to me, I do not wish to model my life after him. His life really serves best as an example of someone who cares deeply about people and translates that intense passion into meaningful work. And that is something I will always support.
Read more about the organization Farmer helped to start, Partners In Health. They are doing great work in Haiti.
Has anyone else read Mountains Beyond Mountains? What did you think?
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My First Deposit to Medical School
I just put down my first deposit for medical school. $1000 to hold my place at my top choice so far.
One thing I didn’t realize about osteopathic medical schools is that they have early and expensive deposits. They want deposits 2-3 weeks after you are accepted.
This was tough to do, but I didn’t really have a choice. I have three more upcoming interviews but the deposit was due today. If I didn’t pay it I would lose my spot in the class.
It is essentially a $1000 insurance policy in case I do not get in anywhere else (assuming I would want to go to another school). While a grand is tough to swallow if I end up going somewhere else, in the big scheme of things it’s not a huge deal. And if I end up going to the school it goes towards tuition anyway.
Man, this process is long and financially costly. Hopefully I’ll know where I’m going within the next month though. I’m not complaining though, I’m going to be a doctor!
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Summer Medical And Dental Education Program: Awesome Opportunity
Apply for the Summer Medical And Dental Education Program, a great opportunity for pre med and pre dental students. For all the details check out the site here.
Here is a brief overview:
-The program is a free (tuition, room and board included) 6 week educational experience for those interested in medicine or dentistry. This includes some clinical exposure as well as information on financial aid and career development.
-There are 12 program sites at these schools:
Case Western Reserve University
Columbia University
Duke University
Howard University
University of California-Los Angeles
UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical and New Jersey Dental
University of Louisville
University of Nebraska
University of Virginia
University of Washington
University of Texas-Houston
Yale University
-Application closes March 1st, 2010.
Has anyone participated in this program? Care to share experiences?
In Brief
Welcome to Pre Med Journey
News, advice and links to help you get into medical school.
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