Competitive Med School Classmates

[twofish]

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For me personally, I think what really made my med school experience miserable (besides load of work ) are the competitive classmates (some are very phony, insincere). When you talk to them, you feel there is always a facade (a sense of constant comparing i.e. Scores for the last test, comparing who went to a cooler places for vacation..." It's like where are the Normal/Genuine/Fun People?? It's always about winning the game, about I'AM better than you". It's just getting so old and irritating. I can't wait for this 4 years to be OVER.

I am not trying to make myself seem better than everyone else, but it's just my honest feeling. Anyone feel the same here?

 

[footcloud]

Yes I get that in my class too sometimes. We have P/F so it's not really that bad, and people do share notes, study aids, etc. The issue I find more is how people have to pretend they don't study (or maybe they really don't and are naturally smart, I don't know) and everyone just wants to appear like they can produce good marks and great knowledge/intelligence without having to work hard at it.

And there is this mentality that if you work hard, i.e. study a few weeks before the exam and other people see you, then people will talk about you behind your back about how 'studious' and 'hardcore' you are.

But you know what? I think all this b.s. has really just taught me to not care. Of course I still do to an extent, but honestly, after people pull immature b.s. like this, I just could care less. I study how much and little I want to study. Sure, I want to know the class average so I'm not falling too far behind etc. but competition is stupid. In life, there's going to be a lot of moments where we will feel pressured by people around us, and that's part of people's insecurities. This is essentially what it all comes down to --insecurity. People like to feel that they have 'control' over something, that other people are not one-upping them in anything--school, life, ANYTHING. Yet they want to present a chill attitude about it, but in all honesty, msot people in med school are NOT that chilled about stuff like marks. No one likes doing badly, but I do hope that one day, some people will learn to let go. I know physicians who still act like this, and I find it sad. In the end, it's about what you want to do, and everyone else is really in the background. (not to say you don't work with people for a common goal, but focus on yourself first, and don't let people mess with your mind).

 

[WellWornLad]

In my experience, the people who complain the most about competitiveness are those people who are knee-deep in it, spreading gossip and unsolicited opinions with the best of them. No one is forcing you to interact with people you find to be uber-competitive - if you're truly sick of that mentality, rise above it. "Not caring" about the b.s. isn't a revelation, it's what the normal people in your class are doing right now.

Sorry if that came off harsh, I'm just channeling a few conversations I've had in the past.

 

[footcloud]

Great if you're a person who has the "who cares" attitude from day 1, which is supposedly defined as "normal". Everyone is different, and it takes more time for some people to adjust to things they dislike in an environment. I don't think people need to feel bad about not being satisfied with something. Not everyone's emotions are like a switch where they can suddenly go "Annoying behaviour, tune out, ignore---gone." If it is, then that is awesome, but not for everyone, and I think it's sometimes good to realize that. Yes, it's not unhealthy to dwell on it, but telling someone to ignore things that annoy them isn't always what works.

In fact, we ARE forced to interact with these people because we are in the same small-sized class with small groups, lab groups, projects, etc. If the OP was talking about some 2000 person lecture hall where one person was annoying, the yea, they could always sit on the other side of the room and not even SEE the person. But that's not really the case for med school. Yes we could limit our social and outside-of-academics interactions with certain people, but it doesn't change the fact that you spend the GOOD part of your day with certain people.

Of course, it's very easy to go "Oh just suck it up and deal with it", and that's awesome if it works for everyone. But unfortunately it doesn't. I guess that's not defined as 'normal'.

P.S. I'm not offended or anything in case I sound like it. I'm just kind of tired of people making judgements about people they don't even know in real life.

 

[nectarine]

Great if you're a person who has the "who cares" attitude from day 1, which is supposedly defined as "normal". Everyone is different, and it takes more time for some people to adjust to things they dislike in an environment. I don't think people need to feel bad about not being satisfied with something. Not everyone's emotions are like a switch where they can suddenly go "Annoying behaviour, tune out, ignore---gone." If it is, then that is awesome, but not for everyone, and I think it's sometimes good to realize that. Yes, it's not unhealthy to dwell on it, but telling someone to ignore things that annoy them isn't always what works.

In fact, we ARE forced to interact with these people because we are in the same small-sized class with small groups, lab groups, projects, etc. If the OP was talking about some 2000 person lecture hall where one person was annoying, the yea, they could always sit on the other side of the room and not even SEE the person. But that's not really the case for med school. Yes we could limit our social and outside-of-academics interactions with certain people, but it doesn't change the fact that you spend the GOOD part of your day with certain people.
Of course, it's very easy to go "Oh just suck it up and deal with it", and that's awesome if it works for everyone. But unfortunately it doesn't. I guess that's not defined as 'normal'.

P.S. I'm not offended or anything in case I sound like it. I'm just kind of tired of people making judgements about people they don't even know in real life.

you seem WAY too worked up over what other people in your class are doing/how they are acting. a lot of stuff in the "fitting in" thread is starting to make sense.

also, welcome to the rest of life. do you really think that there's no drama/cliques/etc in the hospital or other workplaces? this is not unique to medicine, either.

 

[VoiceofReason]

you could always find people to hang with on craigslist

 

[coldweatherblue]

hang out with non-med school people as much as possible. I know it's hard to make those first contacts cause you don't meet a lot of people outside class. once you start chilling at someone's house who's not a med student, start meeting his/her friends, do random stuff (whatever you like, BBQ, mtn bike, surf, snowboard, tennis, golf, roadtrip etc), party, get phone numbers, etc. Once you meet 10+ people outside med school you like hanging out with, you can find something to do pretty much any night of the week. I like the people in our class but I know the competitive attitude you're talking about.. mainly I find that I have a lot more in common with people outside med school. Just cause I don't like talking about school when I'm not studying; if all you have in common with someone is school, that leads to a mixed friend/professional relationship.

 

[WellWornLad]

I'm just kind of tired of people making judgements about people they don't even know in real life.

We're on an anonymous internet forum. Everything here is a judgement about people we don't know in real life.

 

[footcloud]

I dunno, I usually don't try to judge people and assume I know exactly what is happening in their life and exactly why things are the way they are. There is such a thing called "getting the whole story".

That means if someone is talking about a concern they have, I'm not going to start by saying, "It's probably because you ______" and make some assumption about their life.

There's a difference between sharing experiences and assuming that we know who we are talking to.

If I don't empathize or understand someone's situation, I wouldn't go around passing a bunch of judgements. Maybe this is why I don't fit in, and if that is the case, then I guess it's just too unfortunate I don't feel that way. Except, not everyone in my class is like that. Only some people, but of course, who are you going to remember the most? Obviously the ones who are the most annoying and the ones you get along with super well. The pleasant, nice, toned down people are just people you like having around as classmates, but not people you would discuss even anonymously.

Another good example is a thread I read yesterday. Someone failed out of med school asking for advice, and you had a bunch of know-it-alls telling them they didn't belong there, they didn't want the person treating their family, etc. without getting a good gist of the entire story. That's great empathy right there.

 

[WellWornLad]

That means if someone is talking about a concern they have, I'm not going to start by saying, "It's probably because you ______" and make some assumption about their life.

There's a difference between sharing experiences and assuming that we know who we are talking to.

I did not say "It's probably because" or "This is who you are" - I said (and I quote) "In my experience..." It's shorthand for "if this applies to you." I guess I should add for the sensitive souls here that if it doesn't apply to you, I have no idea what you should do. Maybe I'd put that in my sig, if Logan's Run didn't already have so much to teach us.

 

[footcloud]

I was just commenting on how I normally view things in a forum because you said everything is a judgement. I didn't say that was exactly what you were doing so you don't have to take it personally.

Good example of judgement commonly seen on SDN: "Omg, you have a typo, how dare you try to be a doctor! Your verbal score must be 4!"

I'm not saying I'm the most empathetic person ever, but just from personal experience and dealing with family, etc. ~ I know how it feels when people just write off your concerns and tell you to suck it up. Everyone deals with things differently, and personally if I didn't have anything constructive to say in a situation like that, I would just give them time or not try to make things worse by trying to demean them. But obviously, not everyone feels the same way.


And WellWornLad, this has nothing to do with your post, but I've been on many forums, and one thing that always puzzled me is why people feel the need to comment on how they get this relevation that that people don't need to have a concern. I never understood it. I mean, is there not an option of simply not replying to something and ignoring it? Someone feels bad about something, and you have to tell them that they're hallucinating and their problem really does not exist? Because you know them better than themselves?

 

[neil100]

We're on an anonymous internet forum. Everything here is a judgement about people we don't know in real life.

THank you for saying this. For countless number of times, I have said this in my post when people make judgments about other people or me. It's simply ridiculous. People could be saying it just to tick off everyone else.

You are the first person to explicitly state this because I didn't know if people knew this fact. Thank you again.

Apparently there are some crazy abnormal people in the UNC secondary thread that cannot get this simple point no matter what. Crazy folks i tell you.

 

[physics junkie]

As the comparison guy I'll give you my POV.

When I ask you how you did I'm using you as a pacer. If you're dumber than me and scoring the same then I'm going to go home and start studying a bit harder. I am inspired by your work ethic. If you're smarter than me then I'm using you to gauge whether or not I'm working hard enough to close the gap. Yes, I am slightly envious of your commitment when you tell me that you scored 100% on the last two anatomy midterms and still had time to visit the gym 6 times last week. You're my reminder that its possible.

I'm not particularly interested in comparing intelligence either--just performance. Performance is measured relative to your peers. The material is pretty much infinite and you have to settle on how much detail you are willing to absorb...using your classmates as a reference point is the most reasonable approach. If my classmates seem more prepared then I know I'm not taking a subject seriously enough. I honestly couldn't care less where you end up...you have different goals and different values and I'm sure you're balancing them to your heart's desire.

 

[sprinkibrio]

Whenever I post a question on SDN... however benign I think it may be, I always get people who decide to insult me. That's just how SDN is... so, yeah. It's best to ignore them. That said, it's also best to ignore the classmates.

My second year, the class as a whole got a lot more humble.

 

[Hoju]

you could always find people to hang with on craigslist

HA!

 

[Cp22kjer]

you could always find people to hang with on craigslist

lol!

 

[footcloud]

Whenever I post a question on SDN... however benign I think it may be, I always get people who decide to insult me. That's just how SDN is... so, yeah. It's best to ignore them. That said, it's also best to ignore the classmates.

My second year, the class as a whole got a lot more humble.

Good idea. It does seem to happen quite a lot, but in between mocking, sarcastic, insulting posts, there are also people who are really nice/supportive, genuine in trying to help you, and even people who are quite straight-forward but not in a rude/judgemental way. Similar to life I guess haha, you weed out the jerks and try to find people you can relate to.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

Crazy folks i tell you.

There are also some very crazy and bitter folks who just wont let it go. Crazy I tell you!

 

[twofish]

In my experience, the people who complain the most about competitiveness are those people who are knee-deep in it, spreading gossip and unsolicited opinions with the best of them. No one is forcing you to interact with people you find to be uber-competitive - if you're truly sick of that mentality, rise above it. "Not caring" about the b.s. isn't a revelation, it's what the normal people in your class are doing right now.

Sorry if that came off harsh, I'm just channeling a few conversations I've had in the past.

Like I said in the original post, I am not here to judge people and I don't "spread gossips". IN fact, in this post is the first time I talked about this. I wish I am one of those "NORMAL PEOPLE" that "Don't Care". After spending the past two years day in day out in such a small group with these people, trust me, it's hard not to "care". The truth is everyone wants to do well in life and better if the performance lies in the right end of the bell curve. But Seriously, Is this what life all about?

 

[twofish]

hang out with non-med school people as much as possible. I know it's hard to make those first contacts cause you don't meet a lot of people outside class. once you start chilling at someone's house who's not a med student, start meeting his/her friends, do random stuff (whatever you like, BBQ, mtn bike, surf, snowboard, tennis, golf, roadtrip etc), party, get phone numbers, etc. Once you meet 10+ people outside med school you like hanging out with, you can find something to do pretty much any night of the week. I like the people in our class but I know the competitive attitude you're talking about.. mainly I find that I have a lot more in common with people outside med school. Just cause I don't like talking about school when I'm not studying; if all you have in common with someone is school, that leads to a mixed friend/professional relationship.

Thanks for this advice. I do find hanging out with a few friends outside med school is nice. The problem is the limited time outside school to make new friends and have a social life.

 

[nogolfinsnow]

Try and find a good group of friends who all support each other and don't compare scores. I've never once asked my 4 or 5 closest friends here what they got on a test. If they want to offer their score to me, fine, but I'm not offering mine to them. If they crush me on a test, more power to them because they are truly my friends and I want them to succeed. Stay away from the people who make you uncomfortable or if you must talk to them just act like a politician and evade all their questions and give vague, boring answers.

 

[WellWornLad]

Like I said in the original post, I am not here to judge people and I don't "spread gossips". IN fact, in this post is the first time I talked about this. I wish I am one of those "NORMAL PEOPLE" that "Don't Care". After spending the past two years day in day out in such a small group with these people, trust me, it's hard not to "care". The truth is everyone wants to do well in life and better if the performance lies in the right end of the bell curve. But Seriously, Is this what life all about?

This post is just a mass of contradictions. You complain about people who are competitive in your OP, and ask where the "Normal" people are - your words. Now you're the apologist saying that everyone wants to be in the "right end of the bell curve," and wondering if that's all there is to life.

Fine, pretend like there's no escape. Years down the road you'll look back on all this drama and realize it's about as serious as a high school prom. If you can't make that leap now, more's the pity.

 

[jmax444]

Great if you're a person who has the "who cares" attitude from day 1, which is supposedly defined as "normal". Everyone is different, and it takes more time for some people to adjust to things they dislike in an environment. I don't think people need to feel bad about not being satisfied with something. Not everyone's emotions are like a switch where they can suddenly go "Annoying behaviour, tune out, ignore---gone." If it is, then that is awesome, but not for everyone, and I think it's sometimes good to realize that. Yes, it's not unhealthy to dwell on it, but telling someone to ignore things that annoy them isn't always what works.

In fact, we ARE forced to interact with these people because we are in the same small-sized class with small groups, lab groups, projects, etc. If the OP was talking about some 2000 person lecture hall where one person was annoying, the yea, they could always sit on the other side of the room and not even SEE the person. But that's not really the case for med school. Yes we could limit our social and outside-of-academics interactions with certain people, but it doesn't change the fact that you spend the GOOD part of your day with certain people.

Of course, it's very easy to go "Oh just suck it up and deal with it", and that's awesome if it works for everyone. But unfortunately it doesn't. I guess that's not defined as 'normal'.

P.S. I'm not offended or anything in case I sound like it. I'm just kind of tired of people making judgements about people they don't even know in real life.

Footcloud, you're incompetent and annoying and thats why you have no friends. I can't stand you on this forum and I've never even met you...nor would I ever want to. Grow up, Get a life, and then just maybe if no one knows you in a few years things might turn around.

 

[MsKrispyKreme]

Footcloud, you're incompetent and annoying and thats why you have no friends. I can't stand you on this forum and I've never even met you...nor would I ever want to. Grow up, Get a life, and then just maybe if no one knows you in a few years things might turn around.

 

[twofish]

This post is just a mass of contradictions. You complain about people who are competitive in your OP, and ask where the "Normal" people are - your words. Now you're the apologist saying that everyone wants to be in the "right end of the bell curve," and wondering if that's all there is to life.

Fine, pretend like there's no escape. Years down the road you'll look back on all this drama and realize it's about as serious as a high school prom. If you can't make that leap now, more's the pity.

I hesitated about replying to this msg because I think you totally did not understand my point and is negative/aggresive. I started this thread to share a bit of my experience in Med school and I think a lot of people read this post share similar feelings. This is not about "high school prom", or "pretend like there is no escape". Take a minute try to understand what other people said in the thread and stop quick to attack/judge .

 

[Mr hawkings]

Footcloud, you're incompetent and annoying and thats why you have no friends. I can't stand you on this forum and I've never even met you...nor would I ever want to. Grow up, Get a life, and then just maybe if no one knows you in a few years things might turn around.

wow

 

[neil100]

There are also some very crazy and bitter folks who just wont let it go. Crazy I tell you!

Why let it go when pitiable cowards can't handle the truth? Anytime, someone slaps another down with reality then oh all hell starts to break loose. Most people these days are insincere, liars, and cowards who want to hear what they think is right and not care about the REALITY. Political correctness, selfish egos, personal gain are derivatives of our unregulated capitalistic society where money rules us all. Everything is about money money and money. We are worst than most animals.

So, if someone goes against the conventional practices of medicines then slap them down with all of those emotions that bring out the evil in us. and you can apply it to other situations too.

There are some people though who are very sincere, genuine, and care about others just as much as they care about themselves. I respect these people when I see them because you can get a sense of their simplicity and decency from the first time you meet them.
---------------------
And about competitiveness business....Look, why in the heck are you more worried about someone else's results when you can concentrate on your weaknesses and very likely make a score that will satisfy your thirst for academic success. There are bound to be people who will be smarter than you. But, you have to make sure that you do everything in your power to not let that get in the way of your goals. If your goal is to get a residency at Mass general then you can achieve it with ease and efficiency if you stop worrying about other people's performance. Dividing your concentration between your studies and other people's performance on exams is only going to result in a lower score for yourself. Instead focus all of the concentration on your studies and you will be fine. Just be normal and not a jack a**. Appreciate those who score really really well and congratulate yourself on your accomplishments too.

 

[Rzarecta]

Footcloud, you're incompetent and annoying and thats why you have no friends. I can't stand you on this forum and I've never even met you...nor would I ever want to. Grow up, Get a life, and then just maybe if no one knows you in a few years things might turn around.

Dude, it's your option to read his/her posts on this forum. Chill man and enjoy the summer before school.

 

[midn]

Although I'm not miserable, I definitely agree that the competitiveness is annoying. Here, if there is a large social gathering (most of them being at bars/clubs) and you're not there, there is some quiet assumption that you're studying and trying to one-up the rest of the class. It's stupid.

Also, for some reason, people in my class will lie about how much they study. I still haven't completely figured this one out, but these are also typically the same people that, when they don't see a person at a social event, sneer and say "They're probably studying". The insecurity is astounding.

I have quite a few other rants about medical students here, but I don't think it's worthwhile. I have a few friends here which is enough to keep me sane.

 

[bodonid]

Chief Complaint:

Footcloud, you're incompetent and annoying and thats why you have no friends. I can't stand you on this forum and I've never even met you...nor would I ever want to. Grow up, Get a life, and then just maybe if no one knows you in a few years things might turn around.

HPI:
THE Student Doctor Network, thread entitled "Competitive Med School Classmates", four or five posts.
Medications:
'roids, maybe?
Allergies:
possibly allergic to B.S.
Family Hx:
Unknown
Surgical Hx:
Frontal Lobotomy?
Medical Hx:
Axis II
Assesment:
1. Click the SN of the offender.
2. Click "Add to Ignore list".
3. ???
4. Profit.
Rx:
"freaking" chill pill. 250mg 1x daily as needed.

 

[Blesbok]

There are competitive people in med school? Who would have thunk it?

 

[footcloud]

There are rude people in real life, and there are rude people on SDN. Big surprise. Now if I actually knew these people, then yes it's worthy of my time to give them a piece of my mind. But for potential trolls? Ha.

I agree that it's hard to ignore in-your-face behaviour, but really this thread fully proves that's what you must do. Because seriously, if you're supposed to get mad by comments like above, then we will really turn insane by the end of med school.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

Why let it go when pitiable cowards can't handle the truth?
.

Ummm..why dont you quit bitching to a bunch of people that arent nearly as qualified as you but still managed to get into UNC, and take it up with the UNC admissions office......especially when its anonymous people on an internet forum.

Maybe you will be able to change something if you actually go and talk to the people in charge, instead of whining to a bunch of people, that frankly dont want to hear the crap?

 

[Mr hawkings]

Ummm..why dont you quit bitching to a bunch of people that arent nearly as qualified as you but still managed to get into UNC, and take it up with the UNC admissions office......especially when its anonymous people on an internet forum.

I dont get the reference

 

[ChubbyChaser]

Ummm..why dont you quit bitching to a bunch of people that arent nearly as qualified as you but still managed to get into UNC, and take it up with the UNC admissions office......especially when its anonymous people on an internet forum.

I dont get the reference

??? What dont you get...Neil puts off this air that he is better then everyone that got into UNC this year, but since he didnt there must be something wrong with their admissions office...and he lashes out against the people that defend the school and calls them crazy.

 

[travelingdoc]

I dont get the reference

our superstar (high MCAT, high GPA, big ego, trying to grow out of his teenage years) Neil100 didn't get into UNC. Now he's bitter. Read 08-09 unc secondary thread for the full story.

Chubbs is right, if Neil really does have a problem with the admissions policy, then by all means write to the dean. No use crying about it on SDN anymore.

As far as competitiveness is concerned, just let it be. That competitiveness is everywhere, in the workforce, other fine institutions in the US and abroad, even amongst siblings. We can't, nor should we try to, change the nature of other people. Might as well ignore the classmates that seem to think medicine is about the numbers and make friends with the people that show you that each day is about living life, regardless of being in med school, working, etc. etc. Those folks are the ones that will enrich all of your experiences in life, including medical education.

 

[ChichiMD]

Footcloud, you're incompetent and annoying and thats why you have no friends. I can't stand you on this forum and I've never even met you...nor would I ever want to. Grow up, Get a life, and then just maybe if no one knows you in a few years things might turn around.

Ok I laughed until I cried. Some people just have a way with words. Insulting words I guess

 

[neil100]

Ummm..why dont you quit bitching to a bunch of people that arent nearly as qualified as you but still managed to get into UNC, and take it up with the UNC admissions office......especially when its anonymous people on an internet forum.


??? What dont you get...Neil puts off this air that he is better then everyone that got into UNC this year, but since he didnt there must be something wrong with their admissions office...and he lashes out against the people that defend the school and calls them crazy.

First off, there needs to be some truth about this whole story.
I may "put off this air" when people like you look at it but I never said I was better than everyone that got into UNC every year. People who blindly defend the medical school's admission policy are mad because I said they should accept more students with good stats than just looking for extraordinary outside activities all the time. Basically, my point was that why do people who major in sciences and have really good stats need to prove themselves much much more that they are genuinely interested in medicine versus people who are non-trad/non-science majors, etc. THAT WAS THE ARGUMENT WHICH THE SAME PEOPLE CONTINUE TO TAKE OUT OF CONTEXT.

Also, I really like UNC as a university AS WELL AS their medical school and the hospital system. All I said was that I do not like the UNC MED SCHOOL's ADMISSIONS POLICY. Stop taking this out of context and generalizing it to the entire university or the entire med school. But, even with this clarification (~5-6th time) you will continue to take it out of context. These people have yet to grow up so they basically take out their restlessness and teenage angst out on me. Btw, there are people out their with higher MCAT scores compared to mine. So, please just seal your hole. Thanks.

NOW PLEASE GET BACK TO THE TOPIC OF THIS THREAD. I never should have considered slapping down people with reality because all you will get back is people's uncivilized, animal-like (worst in many cases), unseasoned behavior. That's 21st century for you.

 

[Mr hawkings]

.


??? What dont you get...Neil puts off this air that he is better then everyone that got into UNC this year, but since he didnt there must be something wrong with their admissions office...and he lashes out against the people that defend the school and calls them crazy.

Sorry for not knowing about your argument from some pointless thread in the premed forums.

 

[ThinkTooMuch]

you are CHOOSING to let others make you feel miserable. 😉

 

[ChubbyChaser]

Sorry for not knowing about your argument from some pointless thread in the premed forums.

I thought it was pretty obvious from what he said, but I guess not. Sorry Mr Hawkings....doing any better btw?

 

[ChubbyChaser]

First off, there needs to be some truth about this whole story.
I may "put off this air" when people like you look at it but I never said I was better than everyone that got into UNC every year. People who blindly defend the medical school's admission policy are mad because I said they should accept more students with good stats than just looking for extraordinary outside activities all the time. Basically, my point was that why do people who major in sciences and have really good stats need to prove themselves much much more that they are genuinely interested in medicine versus people who are non-trad/non-science majors, etc. THAT WAS THE ARGUMENT WHICH THE SAME PEOPLE CONTINUE TO TAKE OUT OF CONTEXT.

Also, I really like UNC as a university AS WELL AS their medical school and the hospital system. All I said was that I do not like the UNC MED SCHOOL's ADMISSIONS POLICY. Stop taking this out of context and generalizing it to the entire university or the entire med school. But, even with this clarification (~5-6th time) you will continue to take it out of context. These people have yet to grow up so they basically take out their restlessness and teenage angst out on me. Btw, there are people out their with higher MCAT scores compared to mine. So, please just seal your hole. Thanks.

NOW PLEASE GET BACK TO THE TOPIC OF THIS THREAD. I never should have considered slapping down people with reality because all you will get back is people's uncivilized, animal-like (worst in many cases), unseasoned behavior. That's 21st century for you.

Try this.

Dear Dr. Bashford,


I had some qualms about your admissions process and was hoping you may be able to schedule a few minutes out of your time to talk to me about it.

Sincerely disgruntled applicant,

Neil1000

 

[unsung]

Footcloud, you're incompetent and annoying and thats why you have no friends. I can't stand you on this forum and I've never even met you...nor would I ever want to. Grow up, Get a life, and then just maybe if no one knows you in a few years things might turn around.

Did it give you a rush to type that and anonymously bash someone? You haven't even started med school yet and you're already posing as a student. Humble, aren't we.

 

[crystalgreen]

This post is just a mass of contradictions. You complain about people who are competitive in your OP, and ask where the "Normal" people are - your words. Now you're the apologist saying that everyone wants to be in the "right end of the bell curve," and wondering if that's all there is to life.

Fine, pretend like there's no escape. Years down the road you'll look back on all this drama and realize it's about as serious as a high school prom. If you can't make that leap now, more's the pity.

i think that this is so true. when i look back to my highschool years, i wonder why i cared so much...altho i had a good experience, stupid things still bothered me back then. but it's not worth it. i think that the key is to shift your perspective to think about the future and the big pic instead of wasting time on the little things that dont matter right in front of you. i have trouble pulling myself out of the drama sometimes too, but in 1 year you wont see most of these ppl anymore so who cares? your life is not attached to any of these ppl.

 

[WellWornLad]

I hesitated about replying to this msg because I think you totally did not understand my point and is negative/aggresive.

I think the problem is that you didn't have a point. I do apologize for inferring one.

For the record, calling your classmates phony, insincere, and the opposite of "Normal/Genuine/Fun" is not exactly a model of positivity. Your OP is awash in either end-of-the-line desperation or over-the-top melodrama. I didn't know which one until you fleshed it out for me, thanks.

Take a minute try to understand what other people said in the thread and stop quick to attack/judge .

I will certainly stop quick to attack/judge in the future, if you just promise to write your prescriptions very slowly when you're a doctor.

 

[quiz]

is there room for a happy go lucky, liberal, granola girl in all of this?

what's wrong with studying a few hours a day and admitting it? that's exactly what i'm going to do so i can go play on the weekends regardless of how much people gossip. i will come to class covered in paint/clay and you can't do anything about it. 😛

let's reverse the trend. next time someone asks, admit that you studied for 6 hours and be proud that you had enough concentration to do it. are you there to be better than the other students or a better doctor?

leave those competitive students to themselves as they will generate enough misery for each other. yes, you have to work with them on group projects, but be glad to have them cause that competitive drive is gonna get them to work. way easier than being paired with the slacker. less work for you!

 

[Mortal_Lessons]

Although I'm not miserable, I definitely agree that the competitiveness is annoying. Here, if there is a large social gathering (most of them being at bars/clubs) and you're not there, there is some quiet assumption that you're studying and trying to one-up the rest of the class. It's stupid.

Also, for some reason, people in my class will lie about how much they study. I still haven't completely figured this one out, but these are also typically the same people that, when they don't see a person at a social event, sneer and say "They're probably studying". The insecurity is astounding.

I've had a very similar experience here as well.

 

[neil100]

Try this.

Dear Dr. Bashford,


I had some qualms about your admissions process and was hoping you may be able to schedule a few minutes out of your time to talk to me about it.

Sincerely disgruntled applicant,

Neil1000

Do you really think Bashford gives a hoot about what an inexperienced student has to say about how he handles his admission process? They won't see the other side. But, if 10-20 people write him about it then something might happen. Even that is debatable.
Man, do you not know how hard it is to challenge the highest level of management in this country? You need so much luck in addition to being right. Only do it if you are the government. Hail to Obama, I say! Wohoo!

 

[twofish]

I think the problem is that you didn't have a point. I do apologize for inferring one.

For the record, calling your classmates phony, insincere, and the opposite of "Normal/Genuine/Fun" is not exactly a model of positivity. Your OP is awash in either end-of-the-line desperation or over-the-top melodrama. I didn't know which one until you fleshed it out for me, thanks.

I will certainly stop quick to attack/judge in the future, if you just promise to write your prescriptions very slowly when you're a doctor.

Look, even though I don't see the point of keeping entertaining this. I just want to say that I started this thread to share my experience because yes I was frustrated. I wrote about my experience and feelings. THAT's ALL. Will I move ON? Yes.. Will I let these people Keep me down, NO. Because This four years WILL be OVER and I do have a life to Live. So what exactly is your POINT?? What are you trying to PROVE?? What are you trying to SAY exactly in this Thread? I mean , Do you know me??

 

[footcloud]

Contrary to popular opinion, not every thread needs a 'thesis' particularly one that is 'mainstream' (how to work hard, get your act together, ace boards, ace this, ace that). People can discuss certain feelings they have about med school, including NEGATIVE ones. Just because someone expresses a 'negative' thought doesn't have to mean that they do not possess a single positive thought in their mind and they are completely and utterly screwing themselves over. It just means they wanted to share a personal experience and feeling about something.

Everyone has the option of reading/not reading and replying/not replying. I don't really know what non-constructive criticism/advice helps people achieve, particularly personal attacks besides an ego boost and some 'compensation' for wasting the 30 seconds it took to read through something they didn't want to. Of course, then there are also trolls who just want to push buttons where they think there are vulnerabilities, piss people off, watch drama with popcorn. Hopefully that's not the goal for most people so I don't get what personal attacks really achieves.