2 questions about pre-med and med

[georgelee100]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I am an undergraduate. I have a VERY strong will of attending medical school.

The first question is about picking major. {Version 01} Major: Biochemistry Minor: Health profession {Version 02} Major: Health profession Minor: Biochemistry Which version is better?

The second question annoyed me for a long time. I heard of a statement: Which medical school you attend is not important. If you can pass a board(a test?), you can become a doctor. No one gonna see which medical school you attend. It that true?

 

[NickNaylor]

Major in whatever you want. You'll likely do better if you're studying something that genuinely interests you.

As far as the medical school question, that's a more controversial topic. The curricula at schools, while different in some ways, are largely similar. In other words, you will receive a quality education at any school. The real significant difference is prestige (which some argue is significant, some that it's insignificant) and the opportunities available (e.g., research, abroad opportunities, etc.) at the top tier school. The general consensus is that top tier schools are actually important only if you're interested in academic medicine or a very competitive specialty.

 

[georgelee100]

Major in whatever you want. You'll likely do better if you're studying something that genuinely interests you.

As far as the medical school question, that's a more controversial topic. The curricula at schools, while different in some ways, are largely similar. In other words, you will receive a quality education at any school. The real significant difference is prestige (which some argue is significant, some that it's insignificant) and the opportunities available (e.g., research, abroad opportunities, etc.) at the top tier school. The general consensus is that top tier schools are actually important only if you're interested in academic medicine or a very competitive specialty.

Thank you for your help！
I understand it. If one can pass the board, no matter which medical school he attended, he could have equal opportunity to find a job and be a doctor? Is that right？

 

[Geekchick921]

Rules for choosing a major.

1. You will enjoy the subject matter.

2. You will be able to maintain a high GPA.

3. You will have time to take your prerequisites (assuming they are not part of your major's requirements already) and get some ECs under your belt.

 

[Geekchick921]

Thank you for your help！
I understand it. If one can pass the board, no matter which medical school he attended, he could have equal opportunity to find a job and be a doctor? Is that right？

Pretty much, yeah. Like Cole said, it really only matters, MAYBE, if you are interested in academic medicine or a competitive specialty, where the prestige associated with your school's name may carry some weight.

 

[tremulousNeedle]

I agree with ColeOnTheRole for the most part.

Specific degree focus doesn’t matter 99% of the time.

The quality of a medical school that a student gets accepted to depends on many factors, including the quality of their undergraduate institution; however, an awesome application (i.e. MCAT of 42) can boost you to the next level.
The quality of a residency that a student matches into depends on many factors, including the quality of their medical school; however, an awesome application (i.e. USMLE of 250) can boost you to the next level.
The quality of an attending position that a resident gets hired for depends on many factors, including the quality of their residency; however, an awesome application (i.e. fellowship training, a specific research focus) can boost you to the next level.

I hope you see the pattern. Advancement is multi-factorial and many things outside of your previous training or previous academic institution can direct you to your next destination.

 

[georgelee100]

Pretty much, yeah. Like Cole said, it really only matters, MAYBE, if you are interested in academic medicine or a competitive specialty, where the prestige associated with your school's name may carry some weight.

Thank you for your reply!🙂

 

[georgelee100]

I agree with ColeOnTheRole for the most part.

Specific degree focus doesn’t matter 99% of the time.

The quality of a medical school that a student gets accepted to depends on many factors, including the quality of their undergraduate institution; however, an awesome application (i.e. MCAT of 42) can boost you to the next level.
The quality of a residency that a student matches into depends on many factors, including the quality of their medical school; however, an awesome application (i.e. USMLE of 250) can boost you to the next level.
The quality of an attending position that a resident gets hired for depends on many factors, including the quality of their residency; however, an awesome application (i.e. fellowship training, a specific research focus) can boost you to the next level.

I hope you see the pattern. Advancement is multi-factorial and many things outside of your previous training or previous academic institution can direct you to your next destination.

Thank you! It's pretty clear now! I will work hard!!!🙂

 

[georgelee100]

Thank you! It's pretty clear now! I will work hard!!!🙂
But...Do you mean that good medical school influences the residency or the chance to enroll in the hospital?

 

[Cleavername]

Major in whatever you want. You'll likely do better if you're studying something that genuinely interests you.

As far as the medical school question, that's a more controversial topic. The curricula at schools, while different in some ways, are largely similar. In other words, you will receive a quality education at any school. The real significant difference is prestige (which some argue is significant, some that it's insignificant) and the opportunities available (e.g., research, abroad opportunities, etc.) at the top tier school. The general consensus is that top tier schools are actually important only if you're interested in academic medicine or a very competitive specialty.

Pretty much, yeah. Like Cole said, it really only matters, MAYBE, if you are interested in academic medicine or a competitive specialty, where the prestige associated with your school's name may carry some weight.

can you guys give me some examples of those specialties?

 

[Geekchick921]

Very competitive specialties? Radiology, Derm, Neurosurg, Plastics, etc.

I would also hazard a guess that prestige may play a role when hoping for a residency for a typically less competitive specialty, but at a renowned hospital FOR that specialty (like a peds residency at CHOP), but honestly, I have no idea.

 

[DarknightX]

As long as you went to a US medical school, it doesn't matter too much where you went. The main two factors determining where you match for residency are your step 1 scores and your 3rd year grades. Where you graduated from doesn't really play a factor (as long as you graduate from a US medical school).

 

[tremulousNeedle]

Thank you! It's pretty clear now! I will work hard!!!🙂
But...Do you mean that good medical school influences the residency or the chance to enroll in the hospital?

I am not sure what you mean by "chance to enroll in the hospital".


And as DarknightX said, USMLE results and clinical grades (especially in your chosen specialty) are usually much more important than the name of your med school. However, in certain instances, in certain specialties, the name of the med school does matter (fortunately this is really only a factor in super competitive specialties and super competitive programs).

And other specialties to add to the competitive list are orthopedic surgery and radiation oncology.

 

[Ischemic]

1. your major doesn't matter

2. Medical school doesn't matter in the sense of academics because everyone teaches you the same basic things, although the method by which they teach you can differ. USMLE scores are an individual effort because your school doesn't really play a role in it ... it's all up to you. The only way that your med school can matter is if there's a big hotshot doctor in a specific field that routinely writes amazing recs and has influence with some residency directors. And hotshot docs tend to be found more in top schools but there are some everywhere.