MD Feeling Inferior Because of my School

[Entadus]

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The first part of your advice is sound, but P=MD and Step 1 = everything are NOT the best framework with which to approach medical school.

Your goal is to do well of course but also to learn medicine. The information you gather now will potentially be used for your entire career. To skimp on it in the name of skirting by or "just trying to pass" is doing a disservice to yourself (your hard work, money) and your future patients. Aim higher than just P, but don't beat yourself up over where you land. Try your best.

While step 1 is tremendously important, it's not the whole story. Doing well on preclinical coursework almost guarantees an excellent USMLE score, as a solid knowledge base for third year and beyond. You have no clue as an m1 what is "important" for boards and what is not. Go in with the mindset that EVERYTHING is important and strive for mastery. Additionally, preclinical grades are often a mainstay in AOA consideration, which itself can be a huge boost.

With a solid work ethic, awareness of your schools curriculum, and a general intellectual curiosity, you'll do well. Forget all the tier garbage and put your nose in the books; you'll get to where you want to be.

I thought somebody might object to those simplistic mottos. To be honest my grades are mostly Honors (because I gun for honors), and while I was aiming for a 265 I fell way short of that. Please don't take that part of my post so literally; obviously there are arguments to be made against both phrases.

I can just as easily say, School prestige (and the Step1) don't matter at all as soon as you save your first life... or as soon as you help little Billy feel better... or some other corny thing. Look at what I posted in the context of what OP was posting. Any other reading of my post is missing the point I was trying to make to the OP.

 

[username456789]

Patients don't ask you where you went to med school. The only person you should e comparing yourself to is yourself.

You're going to be a doctor! So you didn't get into Harvard or Yale? Boo ****ing hoo.

Patients ask me all the time. Mostly just a point of conversation. Many say "I saw you went to ________ medical school on the website!"

 

[Goro]

Patients ask me all the time. Mostly just a point of conversation. Many say "I saw you went to ________ medical school on the website!"

Point taken, but the OP still has issues with the grass is always greener" thing.

 

[MrChance2]

90% of the people in your class will most likely be at least similar in intelligence to you.

 

[Light at end of tunnel]

90% of the people in your class will most likely be at least similar in intelligence to you.

I think you meant: "At most"

 

[W19]

I thought somebody might object to those simplistic mottos. To be honest my grades are mostly Honors (because I gun for honors), and while I was aiming for a 265 I fell way short of that. Please don't take that part of my post so literally; obviously there are arguments to be made against both phrases.

I can just as easily say, School prestige (and the Step1) don't matter at all as soon as you save your first life... or as soon as you help little Billy feel better... or some other corny thing. Look at what I posted in the context of what OP was posting. Any other reading of my post is missing the point I was trying to make to the OP.

Most people got the point you are making... It's SDN! Someone has to find a way to start a silly argument.

 

[Stagg737]

And while we're on that topic, it seems like there's a pretty significant correlation between prestige of medical school and prestige of residency in terms of research institutions in the area I've looked at which is IM when you look at the match lists. You can't say whether that's due to those at Harvard converting a 37 mcat average to a 250 USMLE average or whether it's due to name recognition scoring brownie points for students. From what I've heard, lack of name recognition can hurt, but it's not close to low board scores/average clinical grades for a top tier IM program.

I think that also depends on what field you're going into as well as what you want to do with your career. If you want to go into academics, prestige matters. If you want to get huge research grants, going to an institution that is well know for the research matters (those schools also tend to be the elite ones). If you want to go into an elite IM program or an elite program in a competitive field, it'll probably matter. If you want to get into a strong FM program or some other 'less desirable' specialty, it won't matter as much. Is it going to matter as much as your board scores or LOR's? Of course not. But in most cases going to an elite school isn't going to carry a ton of weight unless the residency program likes to take people from that school (which can be said about most schools with connections to certain residency programs).

 

[seeinghowitgoes]

My opinion, you got into a mid-tier school. People performed better than you in undergrad (in the broadest sense - maybe it was research maybe it was academic performance) and were rewarded. Some people care about that and some say "it's undergrad whatever." Some people say ehh whatever I'm fine as long as I'm a doc and others say I want to be the best triple threat physician possible and train at top institutions. If you're the former this really doesn't matter (see other advice on the thread) and if it's the latter you can either feel inferior, blame how you just hastily applied, say it's just not fair, or you can decide to be better in Med school and turn into a top residency applicant.

Sometimes people outperform you. That just happens (happens to everybody, nobody is the best at everything all the time). Time to decide if you're ok with that (P does equal MD, you can do incredible work as a doc from any institution with the right knowledge and communication skills and if you decide that is your goal then a lot of the other advice on this thread holds, and there is nothing wrong with that) or if you really feel the desire to rise and become one of the most attractive residency applicants via fantastic performance on step, in research, and in the clinic.

But yea, I don't think it's silly you feel inferior. Throwing away the whole "admissions is somewhat a crapshoot" (which it is in my opinion), some people most likely actually did do better than you. Would just be aware you still did better than the majority of people and if you want to compete with the best you've got to keep working and see what happens the next time you go for something.

 

[IlDestriero]

You're only as good as the last thing you did. Kill it in school, gun hard on the down low, make connections in your desired field as soon as you think you might want a specific field, and you'll get into a superior residency program. Then the world is your oyster again for fellowship or desirable PP or academic jobs.
If your school is at a major academic center, they should be essentially full service and give you access to any field you want. The schools to worry about are those that are not at major academic centers who won't have full service access. Don't believe the hype about "affiliated systems" nearby, etc. If it's not your home program and in the same city you're not going to easily make good contacts with leaders in your field there, be able to go to grand rounds with them, research opportunities, etc.
Not everyone will be a superstar, not everyone will be gunning for the kind of jobs or fellowships that those connections can help facilitate, but since you don't know what you really want to do 4, 8,or 20 years from now, it's in your best interest to go somewhere that can give you those options.


--
Il Destriero

 

[Anicetus]

Man I sure hope OP is doing ok. Must be rough.

 

[emergentmd]

No.

You are ridiculously underselling the intangible opportunities Harvard has to offer. Same goes for other institutions of such caliber. Obviously cost is a factor but it's not as clear cut as you're making it.

I am confident to say that for 90% of med students going to Harvard vs an avg state school DOES NOT Matter in specialty preference.

If it costs 350K for harvard vs 120K for an avg state school, why would anyone chose Harvard? Or put it this way. If someone paid you 210K to go to the state school or free ride to Harvard, would you really pick a Free ride to harvard vs 210K in cold cash?

This goes for colleges too. Harvard at 70K/yr all in is ridiculous. That would be 280K+350K= over 600K of debt when you leave med school. Talk about being forced out of any primary care field.

 

[FellowPaisan]

I will take the other opinion and actually agree with you. I am entering my final yr at a US MD school that is only recently fully accredited. I was in the same situation as you and hastily put together an application when I am sure based off my scores I could have gone to a better school had I applied early. I do agree you will find many smart people in any US MD school, some with multiple acceptances to pretty top schools. Part of me is happy to be here, but when I hear about some faculty talk about their time or their son/daughter at some ivy league or top med school it does get annoying especially when I believe I am probably a similar quality student. Step 1 is the redeeming exam. In any us allopathic you will see the top kids go to their field of choice. Of course, top med schools are far more forgiving in terms of scores and give you more location preference. Yes the name helps but ultimately you'll be a physician and if you work hard you will be able to be your kind of a physician you want to be.

 

[FellowPaisan]

I am confident to say that for 90% of med students going to Harvard vs an avg state school DOES NOT Matter in specialty preference.

If it costs 350K for harvard vs 120K for an avg state school, why would anyone chose Harvard? Or put it this way. If someone paid you 210K to go to the state school or free ride to Harvard, would you really pick a Free ride to harvard vs 210K in cold cash?

This goes for colleges too. Harvard at 70K/yr all in is ridiculous. That would be 280K+350K= over 600K of debt when you leave med school. Talk about being forced out of any primary care field.

This is a poor understanding of cost benefit analysis. The opportunities that graduating from a place like harvard brings is enormous. Doors open up. You can do probably any field regardless of your step score. It is a lot of money but harvard's endowment for their med school alone is over 1b that is crazy so I am sure they have solid financial aid.

 

[IslandStyle808]

I am confident to say that for 90% of med students going to Harvard vs an avg state school DOES NOT Matter in specialty preference.

If it costs 350K for harvard vs 120K for an avg state school, why would anyone chose Harvard? Or put it this way. If someone paid you 210K to go to the state school or free ride to Harvard, would you really pick a Free ride to harvard vs 210K in cold cash?

This goes for colleges too. Harvard at 70K/yr all in is ridiculous. That would be 280K+350K= over 600K of debt when you leave med school. Talk about being forced out of any primary care field.

The reason why you are able to say this is because you are now on the other side of the fence. When starting on the journey, you will look for any advantage you can get to get the field you want. The uncertainty can be maddening. If this were a primary care field or non-competitive field, you have a point. However, may be you do want dermatology or a competitive IM fellowship like gastroenterology. For a fields this hyper competitive, you will want any advantage you can get. If it means going to Harvard, you will take that 200k extra hit. You may latter realize when you match that it didn't matter that much, but in comparison to the one that didn't match you will still feel a whole lot better that that person.

It is just like studying for the USMLE or any big exam. You are willing to spare no expense because succeeding with too many tools to study is far better than failing with too little tools. When you get that awesome score, of course you are going to regret spending all that money on excessive sources. However, again it is easy to say this when you are on the other side of the fence.

 

[emergentmd]

I will take the other opinion and actually agree with you. I am entering my final yr at a US MD school that is only recently fully accredited. I was in the same situation as you and hastily put together an application when I am sure based off my scores I could have gone to a better school had I applied early. I do agree you will find many smart people in any US MD school, some with multiple acceptances to pretty top schools. Part of me is happy to be here, but when I hear about some faculty talk about their time or their son/daughter at some ivy league or top med school it does get annoying especially when I believe I am probably a similar quality student. Step 1 is the redeeming exam. In any us allopathic you will see the top kids go to their field of choice. Of course, top med schools are far more forgiving in terms of scores and give you more location preference. Yes the name helps but ultimately you'll be a physician and if you work hard you will be able to be your kind of a physician you want to be.

You made the right decision. By going to school right away, you guaranteed a spot. You have no way to know if you would or where you would go next yr. You can only make a decision what you know now, not what CAN BE in the future. People make too many mistakes feeling that they left something on the Table in the future.

You got into med school and essentially paid yourself 300K by getting out a yr earlier. Again, if someone paid you 300K to start med school earlier, who would not take it? Opportunity cost is real.

 

[emergentmd]

The reason why you are able to say this is because you are now on the other side of the fence. When starting on the journey, you will look for any advantage you can get to get the field you want. The uncertainty can be maddening. If this were a primary care field or non-competitive field, you have a point. However, may be you do want dermatology or a competitive IM fellowship like gastroenterology. For a fields this hyper competitive, you will want any advantage you can get. If it means going to Harvard, you will take that 200k extra hit. You may latter realize when you match that it didn't matter that much, but in comparison to the one that didn't match you will still feel a whole lot better that that person.

It is just like studying for the USMLE or any big exam. You are willing to spare no expense because succeeding with too many tools to study is far better than failing with too little tools. When you get that awesome score, of course you are going to regret spending all that money on excessive sources. However, again it is easy to say this when you are on the other side of the fence.

Of course I can say this b/c I have gone through it. That is why experience and wisdom is useful for giving advice. All I am telling everyone is play the numbers and don't make a decision with your heart.

90+% of med school students go into the field they wanted. Going to Harvard does not change these numbers much. So if you are willing to spend another 250K just for the small advantage with going into Harvard that likely will not change your specialty, then that is your choice. I think its a mistake, and you will too if you decide to go to harvard.

Its not like everyone from Harvard is guaranteed ENT. I went to an avg state school and EVERYONE in my class matched into their field of choice. Sure, if I went to Harvard, they may have ended up with their higher choice.

But once you are done with residency, NO ONE outside of academics will care where you went to college or med school. They barely will care where you did residency.

Take the 250K payday, you will not regret it.

 

[emergentmd]

This is a poor understanding of cost benefit analysis. The opportunities that graduating from a place like harvard brings is enormous. Doors open up. You can do probably any field regardless of your step score. It is a lot of money but harvard's endowment for their med school alone is over 1b that is crazy so I am sure they have solid financial aid.

I am quite sure I have a much better understanding of opportunity cost and benefit analysis that you. I am not considering financial aid, because its a no brainer if financial aid makes costs similar.

For 90+% of students, they don't need Harvard to open any doors for them. They will just be strapped with another 250K in debt compounded will be much more after residency (think 350K)

Its laughable and ignorant that you believe you can do any field regardless of your step scores.

I like to play the numbers game and the numbers will tell me to take the 250K as you will still end up in any specialty you like.

 

[FellowPaisan]

I am quite sure I have a much better understanding of opportunity cost and benefit analysis that you. I am not considering financial aid, because its a no brainer if financial aid makes costs similar.

For 90+% of students, they don't need Harvard to open any doors for them. They will just be strapped with another 250K in debt compounded will be much more after residency (think 350K)

Its laughable and ignorant that you believe you can do any field regardless of your step scores.

I like to play the numbers game and the numbers will tell me to take the 250K as you will still end up in any specialty you like.

The Harvard name helps in countless ways. You can go to the subsaharan desert and people have heard of Harvard. It opens up doors for jobs in a long career. You want to be head of a dept one day, how about getting your dream job? Maybe your interested in hospital management or being on the board of directors of a company like Pfizer - well it all just got easier.

And yes I know specific examples of students at top med schools that were not competitive for one reason or another for certain fields or programs but they have faculty that are so well connected that a phone call is made. Its not a coincidence that these schools have a huge number of people matching into competitive fields.

The part that you say NO one cares is simply not true. I know many people including friends and family that despite what I have told them have gone to docs who have had name brands on their CV. It makes life easier whether you want to believe it or not.

 

[jw3600]

Of course I can say this b/c I have gone through it. That is why experience and wisdom is useful for giving advice. All I am telling everyone is play the numbers and don't make a decision with your heart.

90+% of med school students go into the field they wanted. Going to Harvard does not change these numbers much. So if you are willing to spend another 250K just for the small advantage with going into Harvard that likely will not change your specialty, then that is your choice. I think its a mistake, and you will too if you decide to go to harvard.

Its not like everyone from Harvard is guaranteed ENT. I went to an avg state school and EVERYONE in my class matched into their field of choice. Sure, if I went to Harvard, they may have ended up with their higher choice.

But once you are done with residency, NO ONE outside of academics will care where you went to college or med school. They barely will care where you did residency.

Take the 250K payday, you will not regret it.

Dude. We are all in school still. We see this kind of rainbows and sunshine **** everywhere. Not everyone at a mid tier school matches the field they want. That's complete nonsense. Many match the field they can after they have realized they can't match the field they want.

 

[FellowPaisan]

Dude. We are all in school still. We see this kind of rainbows and sunshine **** everywhere. Not everyone at a mid tier school matches the field they want. That's complete nonsense. Many match the field they can after they have realized they can't match the field they want.

This is great. Honestly, if I was at a better name place I would be switching my field and trying for the competitive field right now.

 

[Naruhodo]

And beware for the sneaky cousin of this feeling known as "imposter syndrome." Even though you're having these feelings of inferiority about your school now, and especially since you have decided in your mind that it's not the best possible school, chances are pretty good that at some point you're going to struggle and wonder if maybe someone screwed up by letting you in at all.

Just waiting for the call when they realize they meant to admit the other applicant who shares my exact name but is obviously more qualified. OP, I always found this analogy annoying, but I am going to use it anyway. When I was younger and apparently showing signs of a lack of ambition due to wanting to attend my local state college, my parents talked to me about whether I wanted to be "a big fish in a small pond" or a "small fish in a big pond". I went for the later and to be honest it wasn't all that it was cracked up to be. The classmates I actually liked who didn't have gigantic egos also often felt inadequate *despite* attending a prestigious college. I agree with what everyone else has said about how you shouldn't worry about the name of your school so long as you will get a solid education there. Maybe this is your chance to be the big fish 😉

 

[VeitVat]

Patients DO ask where you went to med school all the time.

Dates ask too. Your dates' parents will ask as well.

Many patients will check your credentials online, either through your institution or medical board site.

 

[libertyyne]

Patients DO ask where you went to med school all the time.

Dates ask too. Your dates' parents will ask as well.

Many patients will check your credentials online, either through your institution or medical board site.

Yes, but do they care ? Do mds from Ross not have full patient panels ? Do people ask for an MD from a top 20 when they need surgery?

 

[FellowPaisan]

Yes, but do they care ? Do mds from Ross not have full patient panels ? Do people ask for an MD from a top 20 when they need surgery?

uhh yeah they do - much of the population understands at this point that caribbean grad means I bought a degree or I couldn't get in the other way. My school is a pretty new allopathic school and I am constantly asked if it is a DO school - so yeah it matters.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Patients DO ask where you went to med school all the time.

Dates ask too. Your dates' parents will ask as well.

Many patients will check your credentials online, either through your institution or medical board site.

uhh yeah they do - much of the population understands at this point that caribbean grad means I bought a degree or I couldn't get in the other way. My school is a pretty new allopathic school and I am constantly asked if it is a DO school - so yeah it matters.

Uh no.... most patients don't know whether who they see is a midlevel or an actual physician. The vast majority of patients don't know and don't care. Heck most nurses and other healthcare staff have no idea where most doctors went to medical school.

 

[libertyyne]

uhh yeah they do - much of the population understands at this point that caribbean grad means I bought a degree or I couldn't get in the other way. My school is a pretty new allopathic school and I am constantly asked if it is a DO school - so yeah it matters.

You must have a high ses population. Most of the patients in the hospitals I have worked at, 4+ at this point, usually have a reading level of 4th grade, can't tell the difference between a nephrologist and a neurologist and have never refused care from a DO or a Ross graduate. Most of the physicans don't care either as long as you are board certified. And most HR departments don't care as long as you are productive. I would love to hear from any attendings on this question .

 

[FellowPaisan]

You must have a high ses population. Most of the patients in the hospitals I have worked at, 4+ at this point, usually have a reading level of 4th grade, can't tell the difference between a nephrologist and a neurologist and have never refused care from a DO or a Ross graduate. Most of the physicans don't care either as long as you are board certified. And most HR departments don't care as long as you are productive. I would love to hear from any attendings on this question .

when I say population I mean everyday people. Also when you say a caribbean school other docs know what it means.

 

[IslandStyle808]

uhh yeah they do - much of the population understands at this point that caribbean grad means I bought a degree or I couldn't get in the other way. My school is a pretty new allopathic school and I am constantly asked if it is a DO school - so yeah it matters.

These people have zero clue about what they are talking about. I have several family friends who do the same thing, when all that matters is how good the doctor is (plus its more important to look at the residency than medical school, but the lay public have zero clue about this also). One of the best primary care doctors I had before I left for medical school was in fact from the Caribbean. One of the worst I had had graduated from my home state's medical school. All I care about is how good they are.

 

[hungrybox]

Personally, I didn't even know anything about MD's or DO's before becoming premed. Now that I do though, I have a couple of rules for selecting my physician:

1. Must be an MD from any American medical school that is not an HBCU
2. Must be an ORM, preferably Asian (higher admission standards)

 

[seeinghowitgoes]

Personally, I didn't even know anything about MD's or DO's before becoming premed. Now that I do though, I have a couple of rules for selecting my physician:

1. Must be an MD from any American medical school that is not an HBCU
2. Must be an ORM, preferably Asian (higher admission standards)

Wait really - as a premed that's what you've learned? Sorry, I just can't tell if you're kidding...If not you would have been better served to say you only want female physicians because at least there is some evidence they have better impatient outcomes.

Med schools are a reflection of undergrad performance, not how good a doctor you'll be. Being able to get A's in ochem is nothing like being a doctor that is able to explain to a low health literacy patient what their diabetes is in a way that keeps them on their meds. Like somebody said above, it's about "what have you done for me lately" - perform well at any med school and you can be great doc.

 

[kb1900]

Personally, I didn't even know anything about MD's or DO's before becoming premed. Now that I do though, I have a couple of rules for selecting my physician:

1. Must be an MD from any American medical school that is not an HBCU
2. Must be an ORM, preferably Asian (higher admission standards)

:troll::troll:

 

[hellobigcat]

I was debating whether to post this but I am an incoming M1 who is feeling very insecure about the school I am going to. I applied hastily this cycle and made some mistakes that I feel limited me from a lot of the higher tier schools that I believe I could have gotten into.

As a result, I am going to a mid-tier school that most people outside of medicine have never heard of. I don't think it's a bad school, but seeing my classmates go to all these great schools makes me feel like crap and inferior. I know I should be grateful that I got in at all (and I am), but part of me wishes I hadn't gotten in anywhere so I could reapply next cycle.

I was wondering if any of you guys felt this way before you started and if that feeling eventually goes away.

I'm kind of in your position. Due to some circumstances, my application was complete at most schools in November/December of last cycle. I was lucky to get one interview and get an acceptance. Meanwhile, most of my friends, who all consider ourselves of the same "intelligence level", got into top-10 universities. In fact, they were all pretty surprised when I told them where I was going! While I count myself fortunate for getting an MD acceptance given my late application, there is a part of me that feels "inferior" for not having an early application and getting into a top school. So I know how you feel. However, think about it this way: you're still going to be a doctor!

 

[FellowPaisan]

I'm kind of in your position. Due to some circumstances, my application was complete at most schools in November/December of last cycle. I was lucky to get one interview and get an acceptance. Meanwhile, most of my friends, who all consider ourselves of the same "intelligence level", got into top-10 universities. In fact, they were all pretty surprised when I told them where I was going! While I count myself fortunate for getting an MD acceptance given my late application, there is a part of me that feels "inferior" for not having an early application and getting into a top school. So I know how you feel. However, think about it this way: you're still going to be a doctor!

yup same happened to me. This whole applying early stuff is BS and it sucks that my CV is based off of what should have been not a big deal.

 

[Mad Jack]

I am confident to say that for 90% of med students going to Harvard vs an avg state school DOES NOT Matter in specialty preference.

If it costs 350K for harvard vs 120K for an avg state school, why would anyone chose Harvard? Or put it this way. If someone paid you 210K to go to the state school or free ride to Harvard, would you really pick a Free ride to harvard vs 210K in cold cash?

This goes for colleges too. Harvard at 70K/yr all in is ridiculous. That would be 280K+350K= over 600K of debt when you leave med school. Talk about being forced out of any primary care field.

Dude, it matters a lot. Harvard opens doors you can't even imagine in academia, residency, and beyond. You can come out of Harvard with a 210 and match into specialties that a person would need a 245+ to get into out of a state school. Most of the time, name doesn't matter. Harvard is not one of those times.

 

[libertyyne]

Dude, it matters a lot. Harvard opens doors you can't even imagine in academia, residency, and beyond. You can come out of Harvard with a 210 and match into specialties that a person would need a 245+ to get into out of a state school. Most of the time, name doesn't matter. Harvard is not one of those times.

There is no evidence to support that your step score doesn't matter when matching from Harvard.

 

[ortnakas]

Dude, it matters a lot. Harvard opens doors you can't even imagine in academia, residency, and beyond. You can come out of Harvard with a 210 and match into specialties that a person would need a 245+ to get into out of a state school. Most of the time, name doesn't matter. Harvard is not one of those times.

Agreed-- but only for Harvard and a select few other schools (the big ones by ranking and "that your grandma has heard of" effect-- Johns Hopkins, Mayo, etc).

The Harvard name is probably worth the debt over a "no-name" school, but I doubt it matters much otherwise.

 

[Mad Jack]

There is no evidence to support that your step score doesn't matter when matching from Harvard.

PDs I have personally spoken with in several fields would beg to differ.

 

[libertyyne]

PDs I have personally spoken with in several fields would beg to differ.

Considering that harvad MCATs are close to the 95th percentile median , it wouldn't be surprising if they score well on the step. Plus they are still matching in things like path , IM, rads , and ob.

 

[IslandStyle808]

Looks like I opened a can of worms...

 

[IslandStyle808]

Considering that harvad MCATs are close to the 95th percentile median , it wouldn't be surprising if they score well on the step. Plus they are still matching in things like path , IM, rads , and ob.

All of which are at top tier institutions, where the mere mortal medical students would need a 250 to match. Yet their match list shows more than 50% of them are matching at these places with a class USMLE average of 240. There is no way their USMLE scores alone (meaning it isn't that large of a factor) are what making them match that well.

 

[Mad Jack]

Considering that harvad MCATs are close to the 95th percentile median , it wouldn't be surprising if they score well on the step. Plus they are still matching in things like path , IM, rads , and ob.

MCAT does not equal step score- I had a 96th percentile MCAT, 44th percentile Step 1. Their class average is 240, and plenty of people fall shy of 230 every year. But a guy with a 220 coming out of Harvard could land plastics, while a guy from a state school would be lucky to land GS.

 

[mwsapphire]

Patients DO ask where you went to med school all the time.

Dates ask too. Your dates' parents will ask as well.

Many patients will check your credentials online, either through your institution or medical board site.

Yeah, just for the sake of starting conversation/making sure you didn't get a "bought degree" at a Carib diploma mill. They don't actually care if you went to a mid tier school. Sure , it may be a conversation starter and there's probably some " ooo ahhh" factor to a top school, but ultimately they'll likely just be impressed you're a doctor.
Patients ask for credentials, as in, proof of a medical degree, not where you got it.

uhh yeah they do - much of the population understands at this point that caribbean grad means I bought a degree or I couldn't get in the other way. My school is a pretty new allopathic school and I am constantly asked if it is a DO school - so yeah it matters.

See above

 

[Mad Jack]

Yeah, just for the sake of starting conversation/making sure you didn't get a "bought degree" at a Carib diploma mill. They don't actually care if you went to a mid tier school. Sure , it may be a conversation starter and there's probably some " ooo ahhh" factor to a top school, but ultimately they'll likely just be impressed you're a doctor.
Patients ask for credentials, as in, proof of a medical degree, not where you got it.



See above

It can matter with certain clientele, particularly if you want to do boutique/concierge practice. It's easier to get rich off of your degree if you've got a fancy name to back it up, but for the average doctor it won't matter.

 

[ronnicus]

Personally, I didn't even know anything about MD's or DO's before becoming premed. Now that I do though, I have a couple of rules for selecting my physician:

1. Must be an MD from any American medical school that is not an HBCU
2. Must be an ORM, preferably Asian (higher admission standards)

I'm similar to you in that I did not know much about MD vs DO. I didn't even know what an NP was and was treated by several who I thought were doctors. Now that I am more informed however, I would definitely pick someone who went to a better med school if I had the choice. Since it costs me the same, why not?

 

[Frogger27]

I'm similar to you in that I did not know much about MD vs DO. I didn't even know what an NP was and was treated by several who I thought were doctors. Now that I am more informed however, I would definitely pick someone who went to a better med school if I had the choice. Since it costs me the same, why not?

Because better med school =/= better training

 

[ronnicus]

Better med school =/= better training

Right I was just about to qualify my statement by saying that this is without having met the doctor, when you are doing a provider search online or something. As far as training goes, I've often found that doctors who go to good med schools often go to good residencies. For me though, it's harder to tell which residencies are better than others so I base it off the med school. Not saying what I do is right, but I think a lot of middle class people who have a choice do something similar.

 

[Frogger27]

Right I was just about to qualify my statement by saying that this is without having met the doctor, when you are doing a provider search online or something. As far as training goes, I've often found that doctors who go to good med schools often go to good residencies. For me though, it's harder to tell which residencies are better than others so I base it off the med school. Not saying what I do is right, but I think a lot of middle class people who have a choice do something similar.

Better med schools definitely open more doors as far as where you will have the opportunity to train after graduating(as talked about extensively here), but residency is where you become a competent physician. If you were really picking doctors based on education/training, you'd pick it based on where they did residency. Of course, the general public and even many med students have no idea what top residency programs in each field are. Give me the orthopod from Rush or HSS over those lowly community orthopods any day of the week 😉 (lol)

 

[jcorpsmanMD]

Personally, I didn't even know anything about MD's or DO's before becoming premed. Now that I do though, I have a couple of rules for selecting my physician:

1. Must be an MD from any American medical school that is not an HBCU
2. Must be an ORM, preferably Asian (higher admission standards)

This must be a joke lol, this is 2017 bro.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Give me the orthopod from Rush or HSS over those lowly community orthopods any day of the week

Depends on the case, if it's some big rare whack then yeah the academic guy wins. If I've just fractured my tibia I definitely would prefer the community guy that probably did a couple hundred ORIFs in residency by themselves.

 

[IslandStyle808]

Personally, I didn't even know anything about MD's or DO's before becoming premed. Now that I do though, I have a couple of rules for selecting my physician:

1. Must be an MD from any American medical school that is not an HBCU
2. Must be an ORM, preferably Asian (higher admission standards)

You still don't know anything