First, I was not attacking you in any way, shape, or form. I can't stand the pre-allo forum myself.
Secondly, grammar police, irregardless is a word, check the dictionary; believe it or not, irregardless is a "nonstandard" synonym of regardless:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/irregardless
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irregardless
I happen to like it in an informal setting, as I feel that it emphasizes the word more. I didn't realize that by posting here I was entering an essay contest. Silly point to bring up, but please let me know if that was improper use of a semicolon in the previous sentence.
Third off, the pre-allo forum is going to be the majority of your classmates in medicine. So, like it or not you're going to have to "deal with them."
Fourth, I'm sure there are people who love medicine in these specialties. Perhaps they just realize that there is more to life than medicine, or perhaps they really enjoy the work, or perhaps it's a combination of both. Perhaps they realized the could combine their love of medicine with a high salary and/or good lifestyle?
IRREGARDLESS, who are you to question their motivations, as long as they do a good job?[/QUOTE]
Thank you for the respect you show here. Let me translate what you said but didn't mean to say there into proper English "With regard, who are you to question others' motivations insofar as they do a good job?" Ah, that's better. Seriously, though, fix the grammar. Otherwise, what you're saying isn't clearly communicated and, really, your "proof" of a word being "real" because it is listed as "nonstandard" is like saying "ain't" is okay because it's in some dictionaries (as slang). As L2D stated, the expectation of professionals, when it comes to language, is to use it properly and have a strong command of the language.
As for the other stuff, I generally agree.