Hey all.

I am new to this forum. A friend of mine had told me about this site, and here I am! :-)

In any case, I had a quick question and I am hoping that someone can help. I am currently in LAW SCHOOL, but have completed my first 2 years of medical school and have passed USMLE Step 1. I will be finishing law school by end of July, and start my med rotations in August.

I DEFINITELY WANT TO GO INTO IM, and have already contacted a few institutions about their programs.

My question to you is this:

Aside from the medical degree, will having a law degree HURT my chances at a program when I am applying?

I realize that my question sounds strange. At a cursory glance, it IS a strange question. However, the reason why I ask is because I have heard from a few physicians that my law background and degree will be an impediment since I will have to follow legal principles as a practicing physician. My response was: "And NOT having a JD precludes me from following legal principles as a practicing physician!?!" I guess their point was that being a lawyer as well as a physician will compel me to "police" my colleagues and "report" them to some higher authority if something goes wrong. I have taken Porfessional Responsibility and Legal Ethics, and there is a duty to report CRIMINAL activities (and certain civil activities too), but don't have to REPORT negligence (an unintentional act), per se.

I had initially thought that having a JD will bolster my application. I am not so sure anymore!

What do you think?

I'm just guessing, but my guess is that your JD will have no bearing on your acceptance into a program. It'll be one of those things they look at and say, Hmmm interesting... but I doubt someone will accept/reject you solely because you went to law school, or play chess, or run 10 miles a day. My guess is that it will be more about Board scores, grades, personal statement, recs, and interviews (fit, ethic), just like everyone else.

As far as what a few physicians are speculating, don't listen to them. Remember, physicians spend so much time in the hospital that they become retarded when asked to have a normal, rational conversation outside of interpreting lab values. Worrying about being policed? Please. Doctors fear what they don't understand: 1) The Law and 2) The Market Economy... so take their word as just barber shop talk.