I want to be a plastic and reconstructive surgeon

[Jess702]

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I've always had an interest in medical stuff. Even as a little kid I loved to watch surgery on TV. My mother thinks being a surgeon is gross. She had a couple bad nose jobs. She also had a deformed ear "fixed" but it looks exactly the same. When I was 15 she tried to make me get a breast reduction, I'm a F cup. She drug me to a bunch of surgeons. I never got it and I hated that she was trying to force me to have it. But during all this a part of me still found it fascinating. I don't care about making 6 figures. I would be perfectly happy just making 30k a year. I've always just found stuff like transumbilical breast augmentations and chiseling away at someone's nose cool. I would also get to do more rewarding stuff like fixing a child's cleft lip and what not.

Now I'm 22 and graduated high school in 08. I didn't take school seriously. I dropped out for about 6 months and went back. After returning I barely showed up, but managed to graduate. I have no idea what my GPA was, but it was a private school and you got kicked out if it was too low. I got a 1330 on the SATs, I think I spent more time playing Mario on my calculator than actually taking the test.

I've have been a student at community college taking different classes trying to figure out what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I know community colleges are considered bad, but I've always heard people say it was a good school. I am a much better student now. I'm in Phi Theta Kappa honor society. My GPA is a 3.6. I could easily bring that back up to a 3.8. They have a major called Science for Health Professions. "This program is designed for students who plan to transfer and continue their education in an allied health or pre-medical field at another institution." I haven't spoken with and advisor yet, I've only heard bad things about them, but I'm assuming this would be good major to switch to then transfer to a university. I have no idea where to transfer to. I'm in the Philly area.

Any suggestions? Comments? Criticism?



TL;DR
I didn't watch an episode of Nip/Tuck and decide I want to be a plastic surgeon. Make millions and drive a lambo.

I barely graduated highschool. l got a 1330 on The SATs. Is that going to hurt my chances of getting into med school?

I am currently in the Philly area. I'm a good student now. I will probably graduate from a community college with a 3.8. What's a good university to transfer to for pre med?

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

Undergrad doesn't matter. What matters is the med school you get in to (partly) and how well you do in your Step scores.

 

[UTsksk]

As others will say, don't fixate on a specialty already (especially a very specialized one) just yet. I started undergrad thinking cardio, then EM, and now ENT and I'm barely applying this upcoming May. I have no familiarity with philly colleges, but I'm sure there are plenty to choose from. Good luck. The only advice I have is keep an open mind and try to transfer to whatever university you want to get a bachelors

 

[slatermd]

I’m trying to come up with a game plan. I know I want to be a plastic and reconstructive surgeon. I’ve always had an interest in medical stuff. Even as a little kid I loved to watch surgery on TV. My mother thinks being a surgeon is gross. She had a couple bad nose jobs. She also had a deformed ear “fixed” but it looks exactly the same. When I was 15 she tried to make me get a breast reduction, I’m a F cup. She drug me to a bunch of surgeons. I never got it and I hated that she was trying to force me to have it. But during all this a part of me still found it fascinating. I don’t care about making 6 figures. I would be perfectly happy just making 30k a year. I’ve always just found stuff like transumbilical breast augmentations and chiseling away at someone’s nose cool. I would also get to do more rewarding stuff like fixing a child’s cleft lip and what not.

Now I’m 22 and graduated high school in 08. I didn’t take school seriously. I dropped out for about 6 months and went back. After returning I barely showed up, but managed to graduate. I have no idea what my GPA was, but it was a private school and you got kicked out if it was too low. I got a 1330 on the SATs, I think I spent more time playing Mario on my calculator than actually taking the test.

I’ve have been a student at community college taking different classes trying to figure out what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I know community colleges are considered bad, but I’ve always heard people say it was a good school. I am a much better student now. I’m in Phi Theta Kappa honor society. My GPA is a 3.6. I could easily bring that back up to a 3.8. They have a major called Science for Health Professions. “This program is designed for students who plan to transfer and continue their education in an allied health or pre-medical field at another institution.” I haven’t spoken with and advisor yet, I’ve only heard bad things about them, but I’m assuming this would be good major to switch to then transfer to a university. I have no idea where to transfer to. I’m in the Philly area.

Any suggestions? Comments? Criticism?

Well, with the F cup comment, you're going to get a "pics or it didn't happen."

You will also be accused of trolling.

If anyone reads your entire post and manages to take it seriously, you will be told that you need a bachelor's degree (i.e. 4 year degree not from a community college) to apply to medical school.

Other people will respond with one sentence (or fragment) telling you that it is a bad idea to take prereqs at a community college.

Still others will latch onto your "happy making $30K" comment and tell you that you don't need to go to medical school.

All in all, this is a confusing and bizarre post. There is not a single question mark in it. People here like to answer questions.

What are you asking? What advice do you want? If you are just making a statement ("I want to be a plastic and reconstructive surgeon"), then coolstorybro.jpg. Only I hope you're a "sis" and not a bro with an F cup. You know, for your sake.

You say you're in the Philly area and don't know where to transfer. Transfer for what?

Call Drexel, Temple, Penn, Penn State, and Pitt and ask them what in-state institutions they like to see on their applications.

Also, if you only want to be in the OR while the nose is being chiseled or the ta-tas are being reduced, and don't actually need to be the one swinging the hammer or scalpel, just do a 2 year program to become a scrub tech. You'll get to see tons of gruesome cases in the OR, as seen on TV, sans nearly impossible hassle of becoming a plastic surgeon.

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

I just did a tl;dr and answered by the thread name. 😀

 

[UTsksk]

To be honest, I don't find a rhino or septoplasty much fun. I've seen a few (in person) and not very exciting. Probably alot more fun being the doctor rather than being the premed hunching over to try to see anything without "contaminating" the area.

 

[gettheleadout]

As medzealot alluded to at the end of his post, becoming a plastic surgeon is many, many times more difficult than becoming a doctor in general. Be aware that pursuing medicine with the sole motivation/desire of becoming a plastic surgeon is a horrible idea perfectly designed to lead to disappointment and wasted time/effort/money/everything.

 

[slatermd]

As medzealot alluded to at the end of his post, becoming a plastic surgeon is many, many times more difficult than becoming a doctor in general. Be aware that pursuing medicine with the sole motivation/desire of becoming a plastic surgeon is a horrible idea perfectly designed to lead to disappointment and wasted time/effort/money/everything.

tbh, my gut reaction when I read the thread title was "get into med school first."

Then I got distracted by the boobies.

 

[orthomyxo]

TL;DR
I didn't watch an episode of Nip/Tuck and decide I want to be a plastic surgeon. Make millions and drive a lambo.

I barely graduated highschool. l got a 1330 on The SATs. Is that going to hurt my chances of getting into med school?

I am currently in the Philly area. I'm a good student now. I will probably graduate from a community college with a 3.8. What's a good university to transfer to for pre med?

Fixating on one specialty before you even get into medical school is pointless. Even moreso if that specialty is plastics, because it's ridiculously difficult to get into. So if you can only picture yourself doing plastics and nothing else, you might not want to commit tons of time and money to such a high risk gamble.

Nobody cares about your SAT scores anymore. As far as medical schools are concerned (aside from those under the TMDSAS I think) they don't exist.

The general concensus on undergraduate university is that it doesn't matter so much for admissions purposes, other than the fact that there are usually more opportunities at larger, more well-known schools with the best funding. Nobody gets interviews and acceptances by virtue of being from an ivy league school.

I strongly suggest that you read the "Answers to your stupid questions" thread in my sig. OR ELSE.

 

[gettheleadout]

Nobody cares about your SAT scores anymore. As far as medical schools are concerned (aside from those under the TMDSAS I think) they don't exist.

I think WashU's secondary asks for them.

 

[dr zaius]

I'd hit it.

 

[slatermd]

I'd hit it.

 

[Jess702]

Well, with the F cup comment, you're going to get a "pics or it didn't happen."

You will also be accused of trolling.

If anyone reads your entire post and manages to take it seriously, you will be told that you need a bachelor's degree (i.e. 4 year degree not from a community college) to apply to medical school.

Other people will respond with one sentence (or fragment) telling you that it is a bad idea to take prereqs at a community college.

Still others will latch onto your "happy making $30K" comment and tell you that you don't need to go to medical school.

All in all, this is a confusing and bizarre post. There is not a single question mark in it. People here like to answer questions.

What are you asking? What advice do you want? If you are just making a statement ("I want to be a plastic and reconstructive surgeon"), then coolstorybro.jpg. Only I hope you're a "sis" and not a bro with an F cup. You know, for your sake.

You say you're in the Philly area and don't know where to transfer. Transfer for what?

Call Drexel, Temple, Penn, Penn State, and Pitt and ask them what in-state institutions they like to see on their applications.

Also, if you only want to be in the OR while the nose is being chiseled or the ta-tas are being reduced, and don't actually need to be the one swinging the hammer or scalpel, just do a 2 year program to become a scrub tech. You'll get to see tons of gruesome cases in the OR, as seen on TV, sans nearly impossible hassle of becoming a plastic surgeon.

No pics sorry. I'm under the impression that DDD is an F cup. Not that amazing, just a pain in the neck. Maybe if i become a reg here i will post a clothed one.

I know I need to get a bachelor's degree.

Money isn't what makes me happy. Being a doctor would make me happy. Especially if I'm a plastic surgeon. So I do need to go to med school.

I added a TL;DR. If you're still confused what I'm asking, let me know.

Yes I'm a "sis."

I don't know where to transfer to get my bachelor's degree.

I don't want to just be in the OR, i want to be the surgeon. I know it's considered very competitive, but is it really nearly impossible?

 

[Soccer171983]

Derm, neuro surge and plastics are a few fields that are darn near impossible. You would have to be in the very top of your class in med school, have published papers and done research, destroyed the boards, have a multitude of connections.

 

[Jess702]

Derm, neuro surge and plastics are a few fields that are darn near impossible. You would have to be in the very top of your class in med school, have published papers and done research, destroyed the boards, have a multitude of connections.

Well crap. There seems to be so many plastic surgeons. I knew it would be hard and competitive, but I didn't think it was near impossible.

If it's so hard why does it seem like there are there so many bad plastic surgeons? I don't get why someone would make it then not put pride in their work.

I think I could be at top of my class. I've gotten over 100%s in classes without trying. I got an A in a classes where the second highest grade was a C. I used to help my mom with her college homework when i was in elementary school. I've never felt challenged. My biggest problem with school was that it was boring and everyone was born again fundamentalist Christians.

This is something I really want. Even if i don't become a plastic surgeon, worst case scenario, i end up another type of doctor. Right?

 

[Soccer171983]

It's not impossible it's just near impossible. You can look at the statistics for matching. There are few positions in such residencies and less residencies in these areas than other residencies ( internal medicine, family medicine). Besides this point, very few people come out of med school
Wanting to do exactly such a specific field. After rotating with such specialists in your thrd and fourth year of med school is a better time o make that call. At least you are basing decisions after having experienced the rotation.

 

[IMSingular]

Well crap. There seems to be so many plastic surgeons. I knew it would be hard and competitive, but I didn't think it was near impossible.

If it's so hard why does it seem like there are there so many bad plastic surgeons? I don't get why someone would make it then not put pride in their work.

I think I could be at top of my class. I've gotten over 100%s in classes without trying. I got an A in a classes where the second highest grade was a C. I used to help my mom with her college homework when i was in elementary school. I've never felt challenged. My biggest problem with school was that it was boring and everyone was born again fundamentalist Christians.

This is something I really want. Even if i don't become a plastic surgeon, worst case scenario, i end up another type of doctor. Right?

:troll:

 

[slatermd]

Well crap. There seems to be so many plastic surgeons. I knew it would be hard and competitive, but I didn't think it was near impossible.

If it's so hard why does it seem like there are there so many bad plastic surgeons? I don't get why someone would make it then not put pride in their work.

I think I could be at top of my class. I've gotten over 100%s in classes without trying. I got an A in a classes where the second highest grade was a C. I used to help my mom with her college homework when i was in elementary school. I've never felt challenged. My biggest problem with school was that it was boring and everyone was born again fundamentalist Christians.

This is something I really want. Even if i don't become a plastic surgeon, worst case scenario, i end up another type of doctor. Right?

A lot of these routes may soon dry up, but it used to be that you could complete a 3 year plastics fellowship after any surgical residency (including Ortho) and become a board-eligible plastic surgeon. As of a few years ago there still were ways to get to plastics through ENT.

Still, none of this is non-competitive. Focus on getting into medical school. When you get your first acceptance letter, then start gunning for residency spots.

Your high school grades and SAT scores don't matter anymore. Your overall college GPA, science GPA, and your MCAT are what matter now.

As far as where to transfer, do what I recommended and call the med school admissions offices at Drexel, Temple, Pitt, Penn, and Penn State. Ask them "from what in-state undergraduate institutions do you accept the most students for medical school?" Transfer to one of those schools.

 

[seafood92]

TROLLOLOL. If not then show us pics and go read some stickied threads.

 

[235788]

Well crap. There seems to be so many plastic surgeons. I knew it would be hard and competitive, but I didn't think it was near impossible.

If it's so hard why does it seem like there are there so many bad plastic surgeons? I don't get why someone would make it then not put pride in their work.

I think I could be at top of my class. I've gotten over 100%s in classes without trying. I got an A in a classes where the second highest grade was a C. I used to help my mom with her college homework when i was in elementary school. I've never felt challenged. My biggest problem with school was that it was boring and everyone was born again fundamentalist Christians.

This is something I really want. Even if i don't become a plastic surgeon, worst case scenario, i end up another type of doctor. Right?

CC's don't have the brightest students

 

[Jess702]

Sorry I'm not a troll. I posted this after a beer pong tournament.

Thanks to those who actually answered my questions.

I'm reading through the "Answers to your stupid questions" thread.

 

[chronicidal]

I posted this after a beer pong tournament.

 

[Moebius]

You are too young to know what you want. Medical school, residency will change you.