Is the med school graduation ceremony overrated?

[discoharrison]

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I've already moved to the town of my residency and am contemplating whether the cost of flying me and my wife back ($800) for my medical school graduation ceremony is worth the benefit. Anybody have an opinion or experience either way on this?

 

[Smurfette]

Moving to Allopathic....

 

[Guillemot]

Mostly a personal decision here I'd say.

Also maybe you have relatives that want to go?

 

[McGillGrad]

I remember thinking about skipping my university graduation. I was convinced to go by friends and family who wanted to attend. I obliged and I am glad that I did. Good memories for me and for them.

If you can afford it, then help create memories for you and your wife. Unless she absolutely doesn't give a flip, I think she'd like to see all those hours rewarded with a little recognition.

 

[SirGecko]

This is obviously going to vary from person to person. If it were me I'd say it it'll be worth it. In my book getting a degree that allows people to call you doctor is a pretty big deal and graduation is a real solid representation of that. You only get this opportunity once.

That said maybe you just aren't that into ceremonies. Or you don't have any other family that would come to it. (really graduation ceremonies are as much for your friends and family as they are for you) If your wife doesn't really care, you don't really care and you don't have any other family that cares maybe you save the 800 dollars.

 

[Mr hawkings]

This is obviously going to vary from person to person. If it were me I'd say it it'll be worth it. In my book getting a degree that allows people to call you doctor is a pretty big deal and graduation is a real solid representation of that. You only get this opportunity once.

That said maybe you just aren't that into ceremonies. Or you don't have any other family that would come to it. (really graduation ceremonies are as much for your friends and family as they are for you) If your wife doesn't really care, you don't really care and you don't have any other family that cares maybe you save the 800 dollars.

You may want to check on your school's policy on this. Some schools have it as a mandatory requirement that you have to get special permision to skip.

 

[chidoman]

.

 

[shadowfox87]

I can tell you one thing - the white coat ceremony is definitely overrated. I mean here are these people who haven't even tasted 1st year of med school and they are already feeling like they are a doctor just because of the white coat. It makes more sense for it to be at the end than at the beginning.

 

[SirGecko]

I can tell you one thing - the white coat ceremony is definitely overrated. I mean here are these people who haven't even tasted 1st year of med school and they are already feeling like they are a doctor just because of the white coat. It makes more sense for it to be at the end than at the beginning.

At the end of first year or at the end of medical school? I know my school does the white coat ceremony at the end of the first year and I think it makes a lot more sense than as a part of orientation.

As for the comment about need permission to skip, good point. Definitely check regulations on this before making a decision. (again my personal advice would be to go as you will never graduate medical school again)

 

[shadowfox87]

At the end of first year or at the end of medical school?

At the end of med school. Though if they want to give me a white coat, they can send it to me in the mail or I can pick it up.

 

[searun]

I am not sure whether attendance is required at my school. I vaguely remember reading that attendance is mandatory. But no matter, since I am planning to attend anyway. My graduation in in mid May of this year.

It is a huge deal to my family who are all from Oregon and California. I attend med school in a big East Coast City. My parents, brother, aunts, and cousins, 12 people in total are flying out for a week of celebration and seeing the sights. It will be alot of fun for all concerned and I am really glad that they will be attending my graduation ceremony.

If your family does not care, or does not plan to attend, then, I can understand why someone would have a different perspective. But I plan to celebrate and have some great meals and wine on my parents' tab.

 

[Lokhtar]

I can tell you one thing - the white coat ceremony is definitely overrated. I mean here are these people who haven't even tasted 1st year of med school and they are already feeling like they are a doctor just because of the white coat. It makes more sense for it to be at the end than at the beginning.

I think at many medical schools, you start interacting with patients after the first couple months (only taking histories, etc), so it's more of 'take this responsibility seriously' type of deal, not necessarily a reflection of any knowledge or ability.

 

[shadowfox87]

I think at many medical schools, you start interacting with patients after the first couple months (only taking histories, etc), so it's more of 'take this responsibility seriously' type of deal, not necessarily a reflection of any knowledge or ability.

Except, they don't, they party & drink right after.

 

[link2swim06]

Except, they don't, they party & drink right after.

As opposed to what?

Pretty sure party during the night has nothing to do with anything involved in being a med student/ doctor if it doesn't spill over into when you work......

 

[shadowfox87]

As opposed to what?

Pretty sure party during the night has nothing to do with anything involved in being a med student/ doctor if it doesn't spill over into when you work......

That's not what I'm getting at. It sets the wrong expectation for med students. Most med students when they enter med school, they're in serious mode. Doing this only loses the momentum and then it takes a while before catch up to normal. I don't want to feel a sense of accomplishment until after I actually accomplished something.

 

[RySerr21]

That's not what I'm getting at. It sets the wrong expectation for med students. Most med students when they enter med school, they're in serious mode. Doing this only loses the momentum and then it takes a while before catch up to normal. I don't want to feel a sense of accomplishment until after I actually accomplished something.

think of it as celebrating the accomplishment of getting in to medical school and beginnig your career as a physician....maybe?

 

[TexasPhysician]

I've already moved to the town of my residency and am contemplating whether the cost of flying me and my wife back ($800) for my medical school graduation ceremony is worth the benefit. Anybody have an opinion or experience either way on this?

Not worth it.

 

[boobelle]

That's not what I'm getting at. It sets the wrong expectation for med students. Most med students when they enter med school, they're in serious mode. Doing this only loses the momentum and then it takes a while before catch up to normal. I don't want to feel a sense of accomplishment until after I actually accomplished something.

Maybe it has something to do with the way your school handles it...ours is mid-way through the fall (during Parents weekend) and is more like a convocation ceremony...a welcome to medical school and the profession, as well as a charge for what comes ahead. At least at my school it's not at all about lauding some feigned accomplishment...if anything it's a reminder of the real responsibilities and principles of the profession, and the way it's done and the timing if anything boosts energy and "momentum" at a time (a few months in) when all that is beginning to flag.

 

[sunset823]

I can tell you one thing - the white coat ceremony is definitely overrated. I mean here are these people who haven't even tasted 1st year of med school and they are already feeling like they are a doctor just because of the white coat. It makes more sense for it to be at the end than at the beginning.

I completely agree with this. We actually did our white coat ceremony at the start of second year, which I think is a way better idea than at the start of first year, and also nobody in my family came, because they had come the week before to help me move in, which was a time I needed them more. I personally hate my white coat and never plan on using it after med school, but that's another thread.

As for graduation, I would go. I like graduations, maybe because it is the finale of all the hard work you put in, and this is bar none the hardest I've ever worked. I have a feeling at least my parents would come (they are in driving distance), maybe my bro would fly in from the west coast too. And at least at my school, our class sizes are so small your absence would be noticed, and probably not in a good way.

 

[adaptation1]

I'd say almost anything-- especially these ceremonies, though--are only as important as you make them to be.

How hard was the ride to graduation? If you busted your ass off the past four years, and you want to celebrate, it should be your day -- if you'd like it to be, of course. If it doesn't mean anything to you, and you're ready for the next piece of your life, then screw it.

Same with the white coat ceremony. Many people worked hard as premeds, and the white coat ceremony should be theirs to celebrate, with family and friends in company. For most, it might simply be a stupid activity. In any case, it won't kill you to participate in it for 1 or 2 hours, even if your not really into it, so your peers can revel in the fruits of their hard-work.

And don't worry, anatomy will sure to break any beaming and disgustingly optimistic spirits before you know it!

 

[Gheorgia]

Except, they don't, they party & drink right after.

I definitely disagree with this part - some of the docs do this more than some of the med students that I know.

 

[Gheorgia]

You may want to check on your school's policy on this. Some schools have it as a mandatory requirement that you have to get special permision to skip.

And what would they do if you don't show up?

"Well you've honored all your clinicals and already moved into the town of your residency program. But because you missed out on your graduation ceremony, we're yanking your diploma"

Sort of reminds me of the high school that wouldn't give you a diploma even if you've already started college and moved on.

 

[shadowfox87]

I definitely disagree with this part - some of the docs do this more than some of the med students that I know.

So what if some docs do this?

 

[link2swim06]

So what if some docs do this?

I just don't think we understand your remarks. Apart from exam weeks, I still party at least once a week. If anything it keeps my momentum up and prevents burnout.

 

[shadowfox87]

I just don't think we understand your remarks. Apart from exam weeks, I still party at least once a week. If anything it keeps my momentum up and prevents burnout.

It's not partying in general, but partying when first entering med school before you even know what the word, "burnout" means. Anyways, this is waaaay off subject. The point is I like to celebrate stuff after hard work has been done. That's why I like to have ceremonies at the end and not the beginning. You can party as much as you want, I don't care about that.

 

[spicedmanna]

And what would they do if you don't show up?

"Well you've honored all your clinicals and already moved into the town of your residency program. But because you missed out on your graduation ceremony, we're yanking your diploma"

Sort of reminds me of the high school that wouldn't give you a diploma even if you've already started college and moved on.

It's true. There are some schools, mine included, that have attending graduation as a requirement for graduation. If you don't attend, you won't meet all the requirements for graduation, and therefore, won't get your diploma and a final transcript that indicates your graduation. The state medical licensing board requires a copy of your medical school diploma in order to process your TEP and your residency program will require a copy of your diploma and/or a copy of your final transcript. I'm sure there are exceptions with extenuating circumstances, but this close to graduation and starting residency, you really don't want to test the waters unless it's absolutely necessary.

 

[Dr McSexy]

I can tell you one thing - the white coat ceremony is definitely overrated. I mean here are these people who haven't even tasted 1st year of med school and they are already feeling like they are a doctor just because of the white coat. It makes more sense for it to be at the end than at the beginning.

We do ours at the beginning of 2nd year.

I was talking to one of our deans about this (mainly because we do a week-preceptorship between semesters in the first year. They want us to wear a white-coat, but no one wants to spend the money to buy one knowing they'll get one next year). Anyway, he was saying that if he had his way, he'd move it to the end of 2nd year/beginning of 3rd year. He wanted it to be more a symbolic ceremony representing the moving from the basic science years to the clinical years.

 

[shadowfox87]

We do ours at the beginning of 2nd year.

I was talking to one of our deans about this (mainly because we do a week-preceptorship between semesters in the first year. They want us to wear a white-coat, but no one wants to spend the money to buy one knowing they'll get one next year). Anyway, he was saying that if he had his way, he'd move it to the end of 2nd year/beginning of 3rd year. He wanted it to be more a symbolic ceremony representing the moving from the basic science years to the clinical years.

Yes, that makes sense. Mine is at the beginning of 1st year, so I really don't feel it. I did enjoy talking to people though and the free food.