To both Dave and VM, congrats on your acceptance!! (I wish I knew how to make them little yellow happy faces).
Now, for a little friendly advice to all who have been accepted..osteopathic and allopathic medical school.
1) Study hard...not to get the grade (if you are going to a school that uses grades instead of pass/fail) but because you want to learn the material. Medical school doesn't teach you everything you need to know but lays a foundation to build upon. So learn as much as possible so that you have a bood foundation to build upon.
2) Take time for yourself!!!!! I got "C's" in big unit courses because I spent time with my family or was working to earn a little extra for my family. Did it matter when it came to residency, NO! In fact, I had a faculty attending at a UC Davis program tell me my grades were good (my GPA for the first two years was only 2.85)..I started laughing! I said my grades were like average. He said, "did you work?" I said yes. He said, "did you spend time with your wife and child?" I said yes. he said your grades are really good. Oh well. If that is what he wanted to think, who was I to argue. As it turns out, I got into a UCSF program and I am very happy with it.
3) Don't worry about grades and board scores too much. Unless, you are going into a VERY competitive or a very prestiges institution, it won't matter. My recommendation is try and do rotations where you might want to go and work your butt off. Basically, get there 15 mins early and be the last one to leave. When an intern or resident asks if you want to do an admission, say YES with enthusiasm!
4) Don't expect to KNOW everything or LEARN everything. If you hear something that you have forgotten or just can't remember, go look it up. Ever wonder why EVERY physician office has reference books like Harrison's laying around???
5) Try and enjoy yourself at all costs. You will get tired and stressed at times but remember why you are becoming a physician. Many physicians forget this. We all know HMO's suck but some sort or managed care will always be here. Just remember that you are here for the patient. As for the reimbursements, I am sure physicians will always make a decent living.
6) Last but not least. Don't worry about the "alphabet" at the end of your name. Just be a good physician and you will earn all the respect and cerdibility you'll need.
Just my opinion. Again, congrats to all the recently accepted students. It is a great honor and certainly a great feeling (I will always remember my reaction to my acceptance letter)
Brandon A, MS4
Western University/COMP
