Mentioning you're a MS at a top school without seeming like a showoff?

[NearnstPotentia]

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Mentioning you're a MS at a top school without seeming like a showoff. How to do it?

People seriously get threatened. it's annoying particularly when they're the ones bringing it up or asking. Lately I've just been lying and saying that I'm a grad student studying human pathophysiology

 

[Baron Samedi]

Mentioning you're a MS at a top school without seeming like a showoff. How to do it?

People seriously get threatened. it's annoying particularly when they're the ones bringing it up or asking. Lately I've just been lying and saying that I'm a grad student studying human pathophysiology

You shouldn't have to mention it, they should just be able to tell by your swag.

 

[Siverhideo1985]

People judge. Always will, no matter what. I never offer that I'm a med student unless probed (and I'm not even at a top institution). I'm always just a 'student'...that seems to make everyone more comfortable.

 

[NearnstPotentia]

People judge. Always will, no matter what. I never offer that I'm a med student unless probed (and I'm not even at a top institution). I'm always just a 'student'...that seems to make everyone more comfortable.

What do you say when they ask you what you're studying?

 

[Siverhideo1985]

What do you say when they ask you what you're studying?

medicine. for some reason that does not elicit the same reaction as saying "medical student" right off the bat. weird, rt? but I've seen a noticeable difference.

 

[MilkmanAl]

I tell people I'm a med student if they ask what I do. Most people then ask where I'm in school, and I'll tell them. If they want to know what specialty I'm going into, I tell them. if you blurt all that out at once, it just sounds weird. You wouldn't tell people you were a student at State U getting a degree in business so you could be an investment banker if they asked what you did, right? Same deal here.

 

[turkeyjerky]

Are you trying to ask how to tell people that you go to a "top school" without acting like you're showing off? I don't think that's possible. You should just say what school you go to, and if the person is worth knowing they'll it's a top school. And if they don't, well, f-ck them--you're better than they are anyway. Hang in there chief.

 

[swamprat]

I tell people I'm a med student if they ask what I do. Most people then ask where I'm in school, and I'll tell them. If they want to know what specialty I'm going into, I tell them. if you blurt all that out at once, it just sounds weird. You wouldn't tell people you were a student at State U getting a degree in business so you could be an investment banker if they asked what you did, right? Same deal here.

you wouldnt? If someone asked what you do and u said oh im a med student at so and so and i wanna be a cardiologist.. whats so weird about that? Thats what your doing...

 

[pkwraith]

"What do you do?"
"I'm a Med Student at XXX"
(inevitable) "Oh, what kind of doctor are you going to be?"
"<answer>"

That's it


Wrong way:

"May I take your order?"
"I'm a Med Student at XXX"
"Okay..."
"It's a top 23 med school"

 

[adaptation1]

is your real question: how do i show-off without coming off as a show-off?

 

[NearnstPotentia]

My question:

When asked what school I attend and what I am studying, how do I answer this without inadvertently causing the insecure people to feel threatened. I don't think you can.

As an example, everyone who attends my school who went to undergrad at Harvard says "I went to undergrad back east" when they're asked. This is code for Ivy League.

 

[adaptation1]

you really think people feel insecure or threatened if you go to a good school?

My question:

When asked what school I attend and what I am studying, how do I answer this without inadvertently causing the insecure people to feel threatened. I don't think you can.

As an example, everyone who attends my school who went to undergrad at Harvard says "I went to undergrad back east" when they're asked. This is code for Ivy League.

 

[officedepot]

Just tell them "medical student" and if they want to know what school (which they probably will) why not tell them? it's not bragging. Most people will probably be impressed. Just don't act like a douche when you say it...

this is also assuming that people think a medical student means you will become a physician and not a medical assistant - I have seen this multiple times and it kinda bugs me.

 

[NearnstPotentia]

you really think people feel insecure or threatened if you go to a good school?

Some people do. I've experienced this first hand. The worse thing is when they resort to oneupping me by telling me about their daughter who decided medicine sucked so she's going into dentistry. Or telling me "good luck having a nice life in that career." Or the most recent one was "well doctors don't make that much money any more anyways." My reaction? I never said they did what does that have to do with anything?

 

[adaptation1]

and they say that because you're at good school....and not because of you're a medical student?

Some people do. I've experienced this first hand. The worse thing is when they resort to oneupping me by telling me about their daughter who decided medicine sucked so she's going into dentistry. Or telling me "good luck having a nice life in that career." Or the most recent one was "well doctors don't make that much money any more anyways." My reaction? I never said they did what does that have to do with anything?

 

[CaptainSSO]

Some people do. I've experienced this first hand. The worse thing is when they resort to oneupping me by telling me about their daughter who decided medicine sucked so she's going into dentistry. Or telling me "good luck having a nice life in that career." Or the most recent one was "well doctors don't make that much money any more anyways." My reaction? I never said they did what does that have to do with anything?

Count me as one of the people who's bugged by it. Sucks when I know I'm smarter than someone yet they got into a higher ranked school.

Specifically I mean when someone brags about it. If you are just simply stating what school you got into, that's not an issue--that's not bragging. But obviously bringing it up when it's not necessary is. There were a few people from my undergrad who got into good schools and you could tell they were pretty smug. Just don't have a condescending smile on your face when you mention it and you should be good to go!

 

[Dr Love]

Other Person: What do you do?
A: I'm studying medicine.
Other Person: Oh really, where?
A: Harvard/Hopkins (if you are not at harvard/hopkins, then you don't go to a top school. Sorry U Penn)
Other Person: Oh great.

You're deluding yourself if you think people are seriously impressed or care, most people just ask to make conversation.

 

[OneTyme]

When people hear where I'm at school they usually say something like, "Ohhhh, isn't that like a really high ranked school?"

I answer, "Yeah, but more importantly we have the cutest mascot."

 

[Isoprop]

Once you grow up, you'll realize that you don't give a **** about what other people think.

 

[HumbleMD]

Other Person: What do you do?
A: I'm studying medicine.
Other Person: Oh really, where?
A: Harvard/Hopkins (if you are not at harvard/hopkins, then you don't go to a top school. Sorry U Penn)
Other Person: Oh great.

Douche. We've done fine with NIH funding and USNews without your sad little apology. I'm assuming you are not exactly at a "top school." Regardless of your naivate, going to a "top" school that many aren't aware of is actually a good thing. The majority of people assume we're Penn State and it's usually not an issue, so it keeps ya humble 😉.

OP, trying to be modest or faux-modest about it will only be make it worse (many loathe the "I go to school in Boston" line). Think about using the same clinical face you use to ask patients about sex or drugs. So, when someone asks "what do you do" you look them in the eye, and answer "I'm a medical student at X." Don't smile, and don't give any excuses or qualifiers. The only awkwardness you're feeling is probably your own. If anyone makes a comment like "wow" come up with a stock joke to use.

 

[D elegans]

I think it's condescending to try to mask where you go to school. "Oh I'm a medical student, but I go to such a great school, I wouldn't want to mention it because it might make you seem inadequate." F*ck that.

 

[medstud87]

"So what do you do?"
"I'm currently pursuing my doctorate/masters degree."
"Oh, that's nice. In what?" (She's thinking engineering, maybe some BS philosophy crap...)
"I'm studying medicine at Harvard/Hopkins/etc. Medical School" (BOOM)
"I want to be on you."

The key is to practice the "punch-line" and to be able to say it without smiling or seeming like a total dbag. Takes practice.

 

[Aislinn]

is your real question: how do i show-off without coming off as a show-off?

LOLOL, best post of the thread! I've found that people who think others are threatened by them are usually compensating because no one is threatened.

 

[Aislinn]

Some people do. I've experienced this first hand.

Something else I've found -- when people think others are envious, it's either because they want them to be envious OR they've been a complete jackass in bragging about where they go to school that they turn people off. In natural conversation, no one is going to be "insecure" because of the school you go to.

The worse thing is when they resort to oneupping me by telling me about their daughter who decided medicine sucked so she's going into dentistry. Or telling me "good luck having a nice life in that career." Or the most recent one was "well doctors don't make that much money any more anyways."

Sounds like you're the one who has a problem with others not being as impressed with you as you are with yourself.

 

[Laryngophed]

If people ask what I do, I say I'm "in school." If they probe further and ask what I'm studying, I reply with "medicine." And then the inevitable "what specialty are you studying?"

At this point, I've learned that explaining that you don't go to medical school to train to be specifically an internist, or ob, or whatever is a lost cause. I just say that I don't have to make that decision yet and make some joke about it being a tough choice.

I don't bring it up and I try not to announce it to the world. If someone happens to recognize a book, I'll gladly chat with them about it but I wouldn't go out of my way. If I'm wearing a PD2B's School of Medicine shirt, I almost always throw a jacket on over top of it.

 

[BeastInfection]

Funny, people at my school who went to an ivy UG tend to be very vague, as well. When I first met some of them, I already knew what school they went to from perusing the fb group, and I really had to pry the specific school out of them when talking in person.

I think that the only people who care about what school you go to are those who have a connection to medicine somehow--either they're in medical school, applying, planning on applying or have and didn't get in, have a relative who's applying, etc. Anyone else who is asking you is likely just making conversation and it's the natural next question.

"What do you do?"
"I'm a European History doctoral student"
"Oh, cool, where?"
"Berkeley."

While I recognize Berkeley is likely a top program, I couldn't give less of a **** about where someone is working on their European history degree.

I would just tell someone where you go if they ask and not worry about it. You don't need to volunteer that info.

 

[hqt331]

Douche. We've done fine with NIH funding and USNews without your sad little apology. I'm assuming you are not exactly at a "top school." Regardless of your naivate, going to a "top" school that many aren't aware of is actually a good thing. The majority of people assume we're Penn State and it's usually not an issue, so it keeps ya humble 😉.

OP, trying to be modest or faux-modest about it will only be make it worse (many loathe the "I go to school in Boston" line). Think about using the same clinical face you use to ask patients about sex or drugs. So, when someone asks "what do you do" you look them in the eye, and answer "I'm a medical student at X." Don't smile, and don't give any excuses or qualifiers. The only awkwardness you're feeling is probably your own. If anyone makes a comment like "wow" come up with a stock joke to use.

+1. Worst way to deal with that question ever. If someone asks you where you went to school, you tell them. It's only the Harvard people who use this line. A BU student will say, "I went to BU." Question answered, end of story.

 

[Elbowstoopointy]

Mentioning you're a MS at a top school without seeming like a showoff. How to do it?

People seriously get threatened. it's annoying particularly when they're the ones bringing it up or asking. Lately I've just been lying and saying that I'm a grad student studying human pathophysiology

Not sure how or why you would have to mention this. No need to say "top school". Say you're in med school if they ask you. When people I don't know casually ask me what I do, I just say I'm in school. If they want to know more they ask.

As for people being threatened, Give me a break. Most people do not care whatsoever that you are in med school- they have their own life to worry about. It's not like med students/doctors are the upper echelon of intelligence or anything- we just work hard.

 

[MilkmanAl]

you wouldnt? If someone asked what you do and u said oh im a med student at so and so and i wanna be a cardiologist.. whats so weird about that? Thats what your doing...

It's a bunch of unsolicited info. That isn't how "normal" conversation works. You don't just unload a bunch of details on people unless you want them to think you're weird.

 

[VoiceofReason]

oh my god send this thread to the gas chamber along with the one about boyfriends

 

[45408]

how often is this really an issue?

 

[AlexMorph]

oh my god send this thread to the gas chamber along with the one about boyfriends

+ over 9000

 

[ScubaStarved]

Mentioning you're a MS at a top school without seeming like a showoff. How to do it?

I can see why this might be a problem for you:

Exam averages at my school are definitely not in the 90's and I am at a top school.

At my highly ranked medical school the difference between the maximum exam score and the lower limit of the top quartile is usually only 1-3 questions...

This is easily the most annoying part about medical school. There really are too many smart people
- from a top 15 school

Believe it or not, the rest of us rarely have issues with this sort of thing. I can't even begin to wonder why. . .

 

[mrwesticles]

Let them "accidentally" see your school logo chest tattoo.

 

[HondoCrouch]

Mentioning you're a MS at a top school without seeming like a showoff. How to do it?

People seriously get threatened. it's annoying particularly when they're the ones bringing it up or asking. Lately I've just been lying and saying that I'm a grad student studying human pathophysiology

Time for some self-reflection on your degree of douchebaggery.

10 to 1 you come across as a douche and it turns people off.

Pro-tip: When everyone around you seems to have a problem chances are it's you with the problem.

 

[MediCynical]

how often is this really an issue?

The apparent frequency is inversely correlated with the extent of a person's legitimate social interaction

 

[HumbleMD]

I can see why this might be a problem for you:



Believe it or not, the rest of us rarely have issues with this sort of thing. I can't even begin to wonder why. . .

👍

 

[2012mdc]

I can see why this might be a problem for you:



Believe it or not, the rest of us rarely have issues with this sort of thing. I can't even begin to wonder why. . .

lmao

"blah blah top school blah blah top school"

 

[Janet6]

Get a letter jacket made. I realize that med schools don't give out letters but I'm sure you can get one custom made. Then on the back where it usually says things like '-Football, -Sex' have it say '-Med student, -top 15 school'. That way you don't even have to say it, they already know.

 

[komikos]

You shouldn't have to mention it, they should just be able to tell by your swag.

 

[D elegans]

I can see why this might be a problem for you:



Believe it or not, the rest of us rarely have issues with this sort of thing. I can't even begin to wonder why. . .

 

[Dr Love]

Douche. We've done fine with NIH funding and USNews without your sad little apology. I'm assuming you are not exactly at a "top school." Regardless of your naivate, going to a "top" school that many aren't aware of is actually a good thing. The majority of people assume we're Penn State and it's usually not an issue, so it keeps ya humble 😉.

Ouch, sorry dude. I thought being at U Penn was bad, but being confused with Penn state? I can't imagine the emotional pain and suffering you live with on a daily basis. Good luck to you, lol.

 

[sylvanthus]

Since there are only approximately 25 osteopathic medical schools in the country, can I run around and say I go to a "top 25" school?

 

[2012mdc]

Ouch, sorry dude. I thought being at U Penn was bad, but being confused with Penn state? I can't imagine the emotional pain and suffering you live with on a daily basis. Good luck to you, lol.

Hahaha.

To a lot of lay people Harvard and Hopkins are the only schools/hospitals that really impress them (Stanford and UCSF for west coasters) and elicit a strong reaction. I don't even go to UCSF but people have been impressed just by me doing an away there.

 

[JackShephard MD]

I can see why this might be a problem for you:



Believe it or not, the rest of us rarely have issues with this sort of thing. I can't even begin to wonder why. . .

Incredibly funny.

 

[HumbleMD]

Ouch, sorry dude. I thought being at U Penn was bad, but being confused with Penn state? I can't imagine the emotional pain and suffering you live with on a daily basis. Good luck to you, lol.

No pain or suffering. It's just interesting that the non-medical lay public, much like you, doesn't know the difference between medical programs, institutions, or cities for that matter. I'm so jealous of people like you who don't feel the need to be informed, and can cruise through life in the dark.

 

[High Roller]

I can see why this might be a problem for you:



Believe it or not, the rest of us rarely have issues with this sort of thing. I can't even begin to wonder why. . .

Now THATS funny!!!

 

[adaptation1]

you sound offended.

No pain or suffering. It's just interesting that the non-medical lay public, much like you, doesn't know the difference between medical programs, institutions, or cities for that matter. I'm so jealous of people like you who don't feel the need to be informed, and can cruise through life in the dark.

 

[Aislinn]

Hahaha.

To a lot of lay people Harvard and Hopkins are the only schools/hospitals that really impress them (Stanford and UCSF for west coasters) and elicit a strong reaction. I don't even go to UCSF but people have been impressed just by me doing an away there.

I'd think that lay people would be more impressed by Yale than Hopkins.

 

[2012mdc]

I'd think that lay people would be more impressed by Yale than Hopkins.

Idk, even people with very limited knowledge about residencies and medicine recognize the Hopkins name. Who knows how much the show influenced that.

There's a reason the shows were Boston Med and Hopkins. I would consider Harvard and Hopkins the most recognizable (and no I'm not affiliated with either).

Yale would get a lot too bc of the Ivy name but I think Hopkins beats it. Who knows. The original point about U Penn not being on that level to lay people stands lol