I want to be the top student in my med class.

[ZagDoc]

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I've got a warning for starting this thread, but apparently, this is one of the more popular ones here, with 2000+ views in such a short time.

People love a good public flogging.

 

[Re3iRtH]

Ditto. Although I've heard it similarly...

Top third = academics/attendings/researches
Middle third = best clinicians
bottom third = make the most money

the idea is that those who gun for the top positions get the most prestigious (yet, often worst paying) academic positions as they are the best at studying/memorization/everything else it takes to be at the top of one's field (intellectually).

The middle third, while less inclined intellectually, often meet the balance of "focus on academics" with being good at "life." They identify with their patients better than those at the top, but are often more clinically inclined than their peers at the bottom. They also will go into academic practice, but not as often as those at the top of the class.

The lower third, while lacking in academic skills, make proficient clinicians (due to the rigors of training), but often have a more rounded skill set (i.e. they're better at running a business, sales, patient interactions) than their peers. They're also the least "academic" of the group, which means they're the least likely to go into academics, which again usually suffer in pay.

...but that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

This argument is ridiculous. Tell that to the neurosurgeons and radiologists who were in the top 25% (probably top 10%) of the class. I guess the >$500k they make is nothing compared to the prev. med and psychiatrists n the bottom third of thier classes.

 

[DickyV]

The real secret to getting ahead is to hover around whenever a teacher is talking to a group of students. I don't just mean being part of the group, but really push the boundaries of personal space. Get in there! Ask some questions to show your knowledge! Your classmates will respect you and will be more inclined to help you once they know how committed you are to your education. They might respect you so much that you don't have to worry about those nasty social obligations, giving you more time to study and establish your intellectual ascendancy. Best of luck, and may the best man win!

And then when grades come out, you failed everything because brownnosing means nothing to the Scantron form.

 

[geogil]

Sarcasm doesn't translate well on the internet. My post was facetious. 🙄