Getting Into Med School

#26
#26
MphsBlues said:
Exactly what he wants to be - a Pediatrician. Second choice, Oncology and working at St. Jude. Although, I suppose the two are worlds apart.. Frankly, I don't know, that's just a uninformed guess.
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Not really. Most go Peds then do a fellowship in Onc. You spend time in Onc rotations during residency.
 
#27
#27
kiddiedoc said:
Yeah, if you need a year off after college, then med school and residency probably isn't the right course :)
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Too late, now, unfortunately. He has yet to apply for med school, or take the MCAT. My cardiologist likes the idea of taking a year off, as does one of his residents, so we'll see. Either way, I do appreciate your advice.
 
#28
#28
kiddiedoc said:
St. Jude is precisely where I felt called to practice Peds. Oncology is tough... Have to be able to separate your emotions from your work. I thought about it but after losing a couple of patients I had become close to, I knew I couldn't do it.
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This is what worries me. I know my son, and he has a kind heart. I'm not sure he could take much of that.
 
#31
#31
MphsBlues said:
Too late, now, unfortunately. He has yet to apply for med school, or take the MCAT. My cardiologist likes the idea of taking a year off, as does one of his residents, so we'll see. Either way, I do appreciate your advice.
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I wouldn't see it as a deal-breaker. He should make it a productive year, though, preferably exploring some aspect of the medical field. It sounds like he is doing just that.
 
#32
#32
kiddiedoc said:
I wouldn't see it as a deal-breaker. He should make it a productive year, though, preferably exploring some aspect of the medical field. It sounds like he is doing just that.
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I believe he is going to pursue a shadowing opportunity while he spends the year studying for the MCAT. I told him I'm fine w/ it as long as he did what he said he was gonna do. I think he will, so we'll see.
 
#33
#33
One more question for those in the know: Are you a fan of the Kaplan study guide for the MCAT? Helpful?
 
#34
#34
MphsBlues said:
One more question for those in the know: Are you a fan of the Kaplan study guide for the MCAT? Helpful?
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Not a fan of expensive cram courses, but I learn best by myself and am fairly good at scheduling time to study. There are many good MCAT review books and websites, but I don't remember off-hand which I used. I think the Kaplan course is close to $2k... Unnecessary unless you just don't know how to test or study.
 
#35
#35
kiddiedoc said:
Not a fan of expensive cram courses, but I learn best by myself and am fairly good at scheduling time to study. There are many good MCAT review books and websites, but I don't remember off-hand which I used. I think the Kaplan course is close to $2k... Unnecessary unless you just don't know how to test or study.
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Thanks, KD. I didn't know when you went through, but they have a five book study guide with practice MCATs for you to try, now for about a hundred bucks. Reviewers on Amazon saying that the tests, in some parts, are more difficult than the actual MCAT. Seems like a worthy investment.
 
#36
#36
Although the top reviewer said that the O-chem book was lacking. I would think that O-chem would be quite significant on that exam.
 
#37
#37
MphsBlues said:
Although the top reviewer said that the O-chem book was lacking. I would think that O-chem would be quite significant on that exam.
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Berkeley review books are top notch. I always thought Kaplan was extremely overrated. Believe it or not there is not a ton of O-chem on the MCAT. It is mixed in with biology to make up the biological sciences section. There is more biology IMO.
 
#38
#38
MphsBlues said:
Thanks, KD. I didn't know when you went through, but they have a five book study guide with practice MCATs for you to try, now for about a hundred bucks. Reviewers on Amazon saying that the tests, in some parts, are more difficult than the actual MCAT. Seems like a worthy investment.
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For that price, it seems like a decent choice. I just don't favor the intense classroom type review classes. I started med school in '97, so the online options are much more available now. IIRC, I had a big review book that guided my study of notes from the important classes.
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#39
#39
BigOrangeTrain said:
Berkeley review books are top notch. I always thought Kaplan was extremely overrated. Believe it or not there is not a ton of O-chem on the MCAT. It is mixed in with biology to make up the biological sciences section. There is more biology IMO.
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I seem to remember being underwhelmed by the OC on the exam
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#40
#40
BigOrangeTrain said:
Berkeley review books are top notch. I always thought Kaplan was extremely overrated. Believe it or not there is not a ton of O-chem on the MCAT. It is mixed in with biology to make up the biological sciences section. There is more biology IMO.
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Thanks. I'll look up the Berkeley ones. Cheers :hi:
 
#41
#41
kiddiedoc said:
For that price, it seems like a decent choice. I just don't favor the intense classroom type review classes. I started med school in '97, so the online options are much more available now. IIRC, I had a big review book that guided my study of notes from the important classes.
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Yeah, there are some advertised at his school (Christian Brothers University) that are not only intense, but extremely expensive. I think he will learn better reviewing at his own pace and brushing up on the things that he might not have picked up on completely during his undergrad schooling.
 
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