People who went through difficult events while preparing for Step /Medschool

[cooldown]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Anyone went through difficult personal events while doing step prep/med school?
What happened (briefly) and how did you cope? How did you focus when you felt like doing was re-wind, re-play, doubt yourself and open the flood gates of emotion? 😀

 

[Goro]

My students who have gone through this have two outcomes:
Those who seek counseling and/or take an LOA come back and do fine.

Those who try to bulldoze their way through end up failing Boards and/or getting dismissed for poor academics.
1) You're not alone
2) Seeking help is not a sign of weakness or loss of face

 

[cooldown]

What if it's not as dire of an issue as to seek counseling? i tried counseling with 2 different counselors but didn't work as well. I am relying on some family/friends

 

[atomi]

Yes. Without getting into personal details an event happened where I didn’t get out of bed for days, didn’t eat for a week, lost 20 lbs, and obviously missed a lot of class. I plowed through and got back on track eventually but only with therapy. My grades suffered for sure and never really caught back up to where they otherwise could have been. Seeking out therapy saved me. Not only saved med school but maybe my life. Anybody who is feeling irredeemable, hopelessness... unless you have murdered a bunch of people in cold blood, for virtually anything else no matter how bad there is always hope and redemption and things will get better if you seek help.

I would encourage the OP to continue therapy. The benefits are often not immediately realizable and can take many months to materialize, but they can be dramatic in retrospect.

 

[YoungDoc25]

I have had a parent diagnosed with cancer and the other lose their job of 15+ years in the last 12 months. It has not been easy, but I have a SO that makes life 1000x better. I also have a dog that I take on walks to get away and distract me. Basically I found a distraction/hobby (my dog) and kept a line of communication open with a person who will listen when I need to vent (basically informal therapy since my SO is in healthcare). Biggest advice would be to not try to tackle this on your own.

 

[Goro]

Yes. Without getting into personal details an event happened where I didn’t get out of bed for days, didn’t eat for a week, lost 20 lbs, and obviously missed a lot of class. I plowed through and got back on track eventually but only with therapy. My grades suffered for sure and never really caught back up to where they otherwise could have been. Seeking out therapy saved me. Not only saved med school but maybe my life. Anybody who is feeling irredeemable, hopelessness... unless you have murdered a bunch of people in cold blood, for virtually anything else no matter how bad there is always hope and redemption and things will get better if you seek help.

I would encourage the OP to continue therapy. The benefits are often not immediately realizable and can take many months to materialize, but they can be dramatic in retrospect.

Welcome back, atomi!

 

[atomi]

Welcome back, atomi!

Thanks. Got put in the dog house for a comment of “stop posting nonsense” to a member of < 1 month who apparently complained.

The recent safe-space moderation trend here is concerning to say the least but I’ll try to be on my best behavior and not hurt anyone’s feelings from here on out. I thought I’d been doing pretty good with a 6 month clean streak.

During my timeout I watched another adcom on this site call another member an “idiot” and nothing happened. Interesting considering I got a slap on the wrist for “bozo.”

 

[puahate]

Thanks. Got put in the dog house for a comment of “stop posting nonsense” to a member of < 1 month who apparently complained.

The recent safe-space moderation trend here is concerning to say the least but I’ll try to be on my best behavior and not hurt anyone’s feelings from here on out. I thought I’d been doing pretty good with a 6 month clean streak.

During my timeout I watched another adcom on this site call another member an “idiot” and nothing happened. Interesting considering I got a slap on the wrist for “bozo.”

I recieved warnings for little offenses as well. I am used to fourms that werent so sensitive. This place really is getting worse. Hopefully there's an alternative in the future for people to be more frank but professional.

 

[Disciple of Sattar]

Thanks. Got put in the dog house for a comment of “stop posting nonsense” to a member of < 1 month who apparently complained.

The recent safe-space moderation trend here is concerning to say the least but I’ll try to be on my best behavior and not hurt anyone’s feelings from here on out. I thought I’d been doing pretty good with a 6 month clean streak.

During my timeout I watched another adcom on this site call another member an “idiot” and nothing happened. Interesting considering I got a slap on the wrist for “bozo.”

1. Ban your experienced and active members for hurting someone's feelings
2. Lose the participation of your experienced members as SDN becomes more and more of a ghost town
3. ??????
4. Become collegeconfidential.com

 

[mixinitup1124]

During the end of my 2nd year, while gearing up to study for Step 1, i got into a bad argument with my father. He ended up disowning me. haven't spoken to him since. At the time I was worried that I somehow would start thinking about him during the exam. Thankfully I didnt. My mindset during my study period was of having a chip on my shoulder. " @#$@ this guy, I thought; I don't need his help to succeed". Ended up working out ok.

P.S. Oh yea, i did speak to a psychiatrist immediately after our argument and I found that helpful, in so far as she gave me a more objective assessment of my dad and my disagreement.

 

[spartan25]

I broke up with my fiancé about a week before starting dedicated. Looking back it was a toxic relationship so it was for the best. But I didn’t really process it fully until step was over. I think I just used studying as a way to escape the reality of what happened. It probably wasn’t the healthiest way of coping, but I ended up getting above my goal score on step so

 

[getdown]

1. Ban your experienced and active members for hurting someone's feelings
2. Lose the participation of your experienced members as SDN becomes more and more of a ghost town
3. ??????
4. Become collegeconfidential.com

It's a crying shame really and it isn't just happening on here but also in real life. Residents these days are becoming soft, complaining little ****s who don't want to work hard, get out early, do easy cases and have everything handed to them. It's so goddamn pathetic. And I'm not saying this as an old man, I finished residency about 2 years ago. It's a sad state of affairs when everyone's more worried about hurt feelings and not about learning how to do the job right. It's residency people, it's supposed to be hard. Learning's hard, medicine is hard. Grow some thick skin or you're about to find out the real world is gonna be even harder.

 

[Goro]

It's a crying shame really and it isn't just happening on here but also in real life. Residents these days are becoming soft, complaining little ****s who don't want to work hard, get out early, do easy cases and have everything handed to them. It's so goddamn pathetic. And I'm not saying this as an old man, I finished residency about 2 years ago. It's a sad state of affairs when everyone's more worried about hurt feelings and not about learning how to do the job right. It's residency people, it's supposed to be hard. Learning's hard, medicine is hard. Grow some thick skin or you're about to find out the real world is gonna be even harder.

To be fair to the mods, when one is told to not do something, don't do it again.

What my learned colleague is mentioning has been mentioned by other attendings, residents and PDs her eon SDN. This is why I believe that a year of employment should be a requirement for med school. For too many med school graduates, residency is their first job ever.

 

[IMG69]

I moved to a new country and med school with gf of a year only to break up for no reason and no explanation.

You have to realize everyone has issues or something going on, life's meant to be hard; especially the path we all chose, we have to carry on anyway regardless of what underlying demons we have.

One thing I've learned is things could always be worse; somebody has it worse.

 

[atomi]

I moved to a new country and med school with gf of a year only to break up for no reason and no explanation.

You have to realize everyone has issues or something going on, life's meant to be hard; especially the path we all chose, we have to carry on anyway regardless of what underlying demons we have.

One thing I've learned is things could always be worse; somebody has it worse.

Sorry bro but there was a reason - she wanted some other dude’s .... and had it lined up.

That is the way these things always go. Been there done that. You have a good attitude. Better to drop the dead weight early than to find out she sucks and is a fairweather friend 20 years later.

 

[atomi]

To be fair to the mods, when one is told to not do something, don't do it again.

What my learned colleague is mentioning has been mentioned by other attendings, residents and PDs her eon SDN. This is why I believe that a year of employment should be a requirement for med school. For too many med school graduates, residency is their first job ever.

I agree with you, but to getdown’s credit in the past 5 years things have gotten completely out of hand. People started entering adulthood at 18 years old around 2010-2012 when these radical changes starting happening on campuses and as a result we have created a new generation that feels entitled to a life that is completely handed to them and hardships or even minor inconveniences are completely bulldozed out of the way for them. Having to start at the bottom is completely foreign concept they view as dehumanizing and they show up to internship barking demands at chiefs. It’s ridiculous. If they did that 30 years ago they’d be fired on the spot. 50 years ago, I can’t even? Is this really progress?

Here’s the good news. The next generation coming to invade our lives in about 10 years — the one that was given iPads at 6 years old — is an order of magnitude worse.

 

[puahate]

I agree with you, but to getdown’s credit in the past 5 years things have gotten completely out of hand. People started entering adulthood at 18 years old around 2010-2012 when these radical changes starting happening on campuses and as a result we have created a new generation that feels entitled to a life that is completely handed to them and hardships or even minor inconveniences are completely bulldozed out of the way for them. Having to start at the bottom is completely foreign concept they view as dehumanizing and they show up to internship barking demands at chiefs. It’s ridiculous. If they did that 30 years ago they’d be fired on the spot. 50 years ago, I can’t even? Is this really progress?

Here’s the good news. The next generation coming to invade our lives in about 10 years — the one that was given iPads at 6 years old — is an order of magnitude worse.

 

[WinslowPringle]

To be fair to the mods, when one is told to not do something, don't do it again.

What my learned colleague is mentioning has been mentioned by other attendings, residents and PDs her eon SDN. This is why I believe that a year of employment should be a requirement for med school. For too many med school graduates, residency is their first job ever.

Do you have any data that at least a dedicated year of (non-medical?) employment is a protective factor in terms of resilience, learning, less attrition, etc.? I haven't been able to find any high quality research about it (but I haven't looked too hard). In my experience, the three worst medical students I've encountered were all nontraditional: over 30, with several years of employment under their belts. They were expecting 40 hour work weeks with hour lunches...

My concerns with a mandated year of employment would be numerous: what would the quality be? How beneficial is a mandated year actually going to be beyond checking the box? It could have detrimental effects - extending training time and debt. It also could potentiate non-symmetric demands upon female applicants in terms of increasing fertility concerns. Furthermore, work experience can certainly be enfolded throughout the learning experience.

I'm probably biased, though - worked part time since being a teen, went straight through, and only regret that I didn't knock off a year or two of undergrad instead of adding on some majors. 16 years of post-high school education is long enough before getting an attending position...

OP: Standard answer is counseling; if not, there are resources out there to work on CBT and there are probably support groups around you. I know even my local libraries have some CBT groups. I surrounded myself with family and fortunately found that immersing myself in the clinical aspects of M3/M4 improved things for me. Good luck!

 

[puahate]

u wot

Are not aware of the boomer meme lol

 

[IMG69]

Sorry bro but there was a reason - she wanted some other dude’s .... and had it lined up.

That is the way these things always go. Been there done that. You have a good attitude. Better to drop the dead weight early than to find out she sucks and is a fairweather friend 20 years later.

I don't know how you can line anything up when we lived together in china for a year and moved to a completely new country where neither of us had ever been before. She had extreme mental health issues which caused the break up.

Now dating a 'derm gunner'

Thanks anyway for your concern 🙂

 

[atomi]

I don't know how you can line anything up when we lived together in china for a year and moved to completely a new country where neither of us had ever been before. She had extreme mental health issues which caused the break up.

Now dating a 'derm gunner'

Thanks anyway for your concern 🙂

Sorry to hear that. I suppose there’s always exceptions.

 

[Goro]

Do you have any data that at least a dedicated year of (non-medical?) employment is a protective factor in terms of resilience, learning, less attrition, etc.? I haven't been able to find any high quality research about it (but I haven't looked too hard). In my experience, the three worst medical students I've encountered were all nontraditional: over 30, with several years of employment under their belts. They were expecting 40 hour work weeks with hour lunches...

My concerns with a mandated year of employment would be numerous: what would the quality be? How beneficial is a mandated year actually going to be beyond checking the box? It could have detrimental effects - extending training time and debt. It also could potentiate non-symmetric demands upon female applicants in terms of increasing fertility concerns. Furthermore, work experience can certainly be enfolded throughout the learning experience.

I'm probably biased, though - worked part time since being a teen, went straight through, and only regret that I didn't knock off a year or two of undergrad instead of adding on some majors. 16 years of post-high school education is long enough before getting an attending position...

Oh, I have no data on that, it's just my notion. And you're right, it's another box to check, but something that the students will gain a lot from, IMHO.

Keep in mind that students today all have strong work ethics...they wouldn't have gotten into med school without out. But they seem to think that Medicine has banker's hours. Dangerous attitude for a new resident.

I'll have to trade your anecdote with my own...our oldest students tend to be some of our best ever!

 

[NITRAS]

Most people gain maturity and experience as they get older. You don’t need randomized controlled studies for everything.

I was a traditional student, who honestly struggled in medschool but did really well in residency and college. I guess I’d probably do it better now if I’d do it again, but I also became an attending at 29 yo. I think the things that matured me the most was marriage, kids, and really residency.

 

[VA Hopeful Dr]

Most people gain maturity and experience as they get older. You don’t need randomized controlled studies for everything.

I was a traditional student, who honestly struggled in medschool but did really well in residency and college. I guess I’d probably do it better now if I’d do it again, but I also became an attending at 29 yo. I think the things that matured me the most was marriage, kids, and really residency.

Same here.

 

[deleted967981]

The year I went back to college (after a 15 year hiatus), I had a family member pass away at 29 from cancer. Later that same year my grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, fell and broke her hip, and had to have major surgery and rehabilitation, then later had to have brain surgery.

The year I took the MCAT for the first time, I had a huge issue come up in my personal life that caused a massive family split that we still haven’t recovered from.

The year I took the MCAT for the second time, applied to med school and attended interviews, committee interviews, started grad school, etc, I attended 8 funerals in 14 months. Mostly family, some friends. Two of these were suicides.

My personal faith is a huge source of strength for me, but ultimately you have to decide to find strength from above/within, and put one foot in front of the other every day until things look brighter. Everybody is going through something difficult.

 

[EleanorAbernathyMD]

Anyone went through difficult personal events while doing step prep/med school?
What happened (briefly) and how did you cope? How did you focus when you felt like doing was re-wind, re-play, doubt yourself and open the flood gates of emotion? 😀

Well I literally just took step 1 and 4 days prior to that I was served with a million dollar lawsuit due to a clerical error in a state I had previously lived. The stress cost me a solid last couple days of studying, so I'll let you know how it worked for me out in a few weeks. I am a worst-case-scenario doomsday thinker even though my dad tried to talk me down off the ledge. Find someone you can talk to, cry with, vent to - someone who will also have more insight into your current ability to continue with the task at hand. I decided not to push it back.

As another rough blow, my family home was lost in the wildfires during didactics and my only saving grace was the absolute kindness and support from my classmates, professors, counselor, and admin staff at my program. I can't stress enough how important it is to pick a school that feels right (to any pre-meds lurking). My gut feeling led me here and it's saved me time and time again.

Good luck to you! I hope things work out for the best and you find the support you need!

 

[afib123]

Do you have any data that at least a dedicated year of (non-medical?) employment is a protective factor in terms of resilience, learning, less attrition, etc.? I haven't been able to find any high quality research about it (but I haven't looked too hard). In my experience, the three worst medical students I've encountered were all nontraditional: over 30, with several years of employment under their belts. They were expecting 40 hour work weeks with hour lunches...

My concerns with a mandated year of employment would be numerous: what would the quality be? How beneficial is a mandated year actually going to be beyond checking the box? It could have detrimental effects - extending training time and debt. It also could potentiate non-symmetric demands upon female applicants in terms of increasing fertility concerns. Furthermore, work experience can certainly be enfolded throughout the learning experience.

I'm probably biased, though - worked part time since being a teen, went straight through, and only regret that I didn't knock off a year or two of undergrad instead of adding on some majors. 16 years of post-high school education is long enough before getting an attending position...

OP: Standard answer is counseling; if not, there are resources out there to work on CBT and there are probably support groups around you. I know even my local libraries have some CBT groups. I surrounded myself with family and fortunately found that immersing myself in the clinical aspects of M3/M4 improved things for me. Good luck!

Agreed. I went straight through, only had on campus jobs and I work harder than most people in my class and rarely complain on wards at least. Maybe I do on sdn.

I want to emphasize that I don't think there's any harm in work experience, it can definitely teach those skills to people lacking them but it should not be mandated.

I completely agree, I wish there was an option for motivated students to cut undergrad 2-2.5 years rather than to load summers up. 4 years is way too long for undergrad in my opinion for highly motivated students.

 

[VA Hopeful Dr]

Agreed. I went straight through, only had on campus jobs and I work harder than most people in my class and rarely complain on wards at least. Maybe I do on sdn.

I want to emphasize that I don't think there's any harm in work experience, it can definitely teach those skills to people lacking them but it should not be mandated.

I completely agree, I wish there was an option for motivated students to cut undergrad 2-2.5 years rather than to load summers up. 4 years is way too long for undergrad in my opinion for highly motivated students.

If only there were schools that agreed with you. Schools that could set up a system where undergrad was shorter.

Oh wait: https://students-residents.aamc.org...l-schools-offering-combined-undergraduatemd-/

 

[afib123]

If only there were schools that agreed with you. Schools that could set up a system where undergrad was shorter.

Oh wait: https://students-residents.aamc.org...l-schools-offering-combined-undergraduatemd-/

That is a good point. There are indeed schools that combine undergrad and med school. And I certainly can and should have joined one of those schools, but I am considered an international student although I lived in the US for a long time because I am not yet a permanent citizen limiting my opportunities at those schools. But putting that aside, I think there are quite a few flaws with those schools:

They cram 4 years of undergraduate into 2 years of undergraduate making summer break another semester and loading each semester with 18 credits if I am not wrong. I could certainly do it and I would have no problem doing it, but I think the system in large needs to change not just a select group of schools that work by cramming 4 years into 2.
There is no reason for me to be taking meaningless classes (in my perspective) to get bachelor's degree when I am certain I will go into medicine. For most of these undergrad classes especially the history, writing classes, I never even showed up to class other than to take the tests and I recall most students did the same. It was a waste of money.

Also, lot of these schools, if I recall correctly charge the same amount of money as going to a 8 year program. For UMKC 6 year combined program, if you were out of state, it was as expensive if not more than going to a 8 year program.

Instead I think a major overhaul needs to be done by having an option to get admitted into medical school after finishing 2nd year of undergrad and if you are admitted to have an option to skip the rest of the undergrad and start medical school. You save 2 years of time and money. Granted, you won't have a bachelor's degree and will move directly onto medical school but if you fail medical school, you can always go back and finish your bachelor's degree.

Some might say even the 2 year undergrad degree is a waste and it is the case in quite a few countries where you start medical school right after high school, but I think that probably would be an extremely drastic change from the status quo.

I don't know exactly how the logistics work for this and will definitely have to put a lot of time to think about this for it come to reality, but I think my overall point is undergrad can be cut shorter.

 

[WinslowPringle]

Oh, I have no data on that, it's just my notion. And you're right, it's another box to check, but something that the students will gain a lot from, IMHO.

Keep in mind that students today all have strong work ethics...they wouldn't have gotten into med school without out. But they seem to think that Medicine has banker's hours. Dangerous attitude for a new resident.

I'll have to trade your anecdote with my own...our oldest students tend to be some of our best ever!

Hmm, good then - sounds like an interesting research idea I'll stash away....

Agreed - banker's hours aren't realistic expectations for residents!

 

[VA Hopeful Dr]

That is a good point. There are indeed schools that combine undergrad and med school. And I certainly can and should have joined one of those schools, but I am considered an international student although I lived in the US for a long time because I am not yet a permanent citizen limiting my opportunities at those schools. But putting that aside, I think there are quite a few flaws with those schools:

They cram 4 years of undergraduate into 2 years of undergraduate making summer break another semester and loading each semester with 18 credits if I am not wrong. I could certainly do it and I would have no problem doing it, but I think the system in large needs to change not just a select group of schools that work by cramming 4 years into 2.
There is no reason for me to be taking meaningless classes (in my perspective) to get bachelor's degree when I am certain I will go into medicine. For most of these undergrad classes especially the history, writing classes, I never even showed up to class other than to take the tests and I recall most students did the same. It was a waste of money.

Also, lot of these schools, if I recall correctly charge the same amount of money as going to a 8 year program. For UMKC 6 year combined program, if you were out of state, it was as expensive if not more than going to a 8 year program.

Instead I think a major overhaul needs to be done by having an option to get admitted into medical school after finishing 2nd year of undergrad and if you are admitted to have an option to skip the rest of the undergrad and start medical school. You save 2 years of time and money. Granted, you won't have a bachelor's degree and will move directly onto medical school but if you fail medical school, you can always go back and finish your bachelor's degree.

Some might say even the 2 year undergrad degree is a waste and it is the case in quite a few countries where you start medical school right after high school, but I think that probably would be an extremely drastic change from the status quo.

I don't know exactly how the logistics work for this and will definitely have to put a lot of time to think about this for it come to reality, but I think my overall point is undergrad can be cut shorter.

Well it has been a few months so I guess its time for this topic to rear its head again.

Bottom line is this: our system works well for our country. If you want to make drastic changes, you have to prove they could work.

To my thinking cost is the largest issue. I personally found value in my 4 year undergraduate degree, and that's despite having a med school acceptance in April of my sophomore year (early acceptance program my alma mater has). But I also realize that schools is much more expensive now than it was 15 years ago. That seems like an easier problem to fix than an overhaul of medical education.

In fact, it is. This is an article about a school in my home town: Converse College attracts more students, national attention after cutting tuition

 

[afib123]

Well it has been a few months so I guess its time for this topic to rear its head again.

Bottom line is this: our system works well for our country. If you want to make drastic changes, you have to prove they could work.

To my thinking cost is the largest issue. I personally found value in my 4 year undergraduate degree, and that's despite having a med school acceptance in April of my sophomore year (early acceptance program my alma mater has). But I also realize that schools is much more expensive now than it was 15 years ago. That seems like an easier problem to fix than an overhaul of medical education.

In fact, it is. This is an article about a school in my home town: Converse College attracts more students, national attention after cutting tuition

I would be the happiest person to see the costs cut down. But I don't see that happening, hence my solution is to cut down and have people work hard and have an option to do in fewer years or skip the "fun" undergrad years to cut costs.

In fact, not just cutting down the cost, med schools are increasing costs astronomically each year. For me to believe that cutting cost is something med schools will be willing to do, I would at least want to see med schools keeping the costs the same.

Both solutions will probably not happen in a mainstream fashion, but I think something needs to be done. I think decreasing undergrad years is a more feasible solution but I could be wrong and cost cutting could be more feasible practically and that's not my expertise.

 

[cooldown]

FranklY I went to see a counselor today. it felt like a waste of time and caused me even more stress trying to re-hash all my stuff. I didn't find it useful and found that it is better to talk to a trusted someone instead of random counselor stuff.

 

[Goro]

FranklY I went to see a counselor today. it felt like a waste of time and caused me even more stress trying to re-hash all my stuff. I didn't find it useful and found that it is better to talk to a trusted someone instead of random counselor stuff.

Strongly suggest that you find a better counselor

 

[cooldown]

A lot of work to find a counselor. She told me her goal (in response to my question) was for me to see my impact on others. But this is NOT the goal ./ motive that I indicated as the reason for therapy. Lol. I will try her once more and confront her about it. and see how it goes.

Another counselor I had before told me that I didn't seem interested in med school (lol NOT GOOD place to realize that) and other things that weren't helpful. Questioned my desire to move to location x which was my dream place after medschool.

 

[neoevolution]

They cram 4 years of undergraduate into 2 years of undergraduate making summer break another semester and loading each semester with 18 credits if I am not wrong. I could certainly do it and I would have no problem doing it, but I think the system in large needs to change not just a select group of schools that work by cramming 4 years into 2.

Also, lot of these schools, if I recall correctly charge the same amount of money as going to a 8 year program. For UMKC 6 year combined program, if you were out of state, it was as expensive if not more than going to a 8 year program.

Some might say even the 2 year undergrad degree is a waste and it is the case in quite a few countries where you start medical school right after high school, but I think that probably would be an extremely drastic change from the status quo.

Those other countries with direct medical school usually have longer med school training to cover the pre-reqs you need for the graduate courses, so it works out to be 6 years from what I've heard. Also, the US 6 and 7 year programs don't just cram 4 years of credits into a shorter time frame, they count the first year or two of med school as part of the undergraduate degree so you aren't required to take as many undergrad credits as a normal degree. There also can be cost savings, because some schools don't charge more for extra credits taken during a semester, so I was able to overload and complete credits that way while paying for 6 semesters of undergrad.

I thought the workload in my combined program was very manageable and we had the benefit of a lower GPA cutoff and the freedom to not need to worry about doing ECs for the sake of CV building. I think it's important to have high selection standards for combined programs to avoid having large numbers of students fail out of them, which does seem to be the case at some less selective programs. My programs SAT, high school GPA, and acceptance rates are similar to those for a top 20 undergrad, and many of us had acceptances to those as well, and I think that's a large part of why our combined program is so successful. Nearly everyone met GPA and MCAT requirements in undergrad and goes on to do fine in med school.

 

[afib123]

Those other countries with direct medical school usually have longer med school training to cover the pre-reqs you need for the graduate courses, so it works out to be 6 years from what I've heard. Also, the US 6 and 7 year programs don't just cram 4 years of credits into a shorter time frame, they count the first year or two of med school as part of the undergraduate degree so you aren't required to take as many undergrad credits as a normal degree. There also can be cost savings, because some schools don't charge more for extra credits taken during a semester, so I was able to overload and complete credits that way while paying for 6 semesters of undergrad.

I thought the workload in my combined program was very manageable and we had the benefit of a lower GPA cutoff and the freedom to not need to worry about doing ECs for the sake of CV building. I think it's important to have high selection standards for combined programs to avoid having large numbers of students fail out of them, which does seem to be the case at some less selective programs. My programs SAT, high school GPA, and acceptance rates are similar to those for a top 20 undergrad, and many of us had acceptances to those as well, and I think that's a large part of why our combined program is so successful. Nearly everyone met GPA and MCAT requirements in undergrad and goes on to do fine in med school.

Nice.

 

[Gunner128]

I am a non-US IMG. Med school in my country is 5 years.
I was in my 3rd year when I developed severe depression, did something bad( you can guess) and had to take a gap for 2 years. I took extensive therapy during these years, learned to play the guitar, read a lot of books, got better eventually, healed emotionally and mentally.
Now I am back at med school to complete my 4th year. I am studying hard for step 1 simultaneously while studying for my 4th year.

I feel like I won’t get accepted even in a less competitive residency. But I am still working hard, trying to get the best scores as possible, hoping for the best.

What do you lovely people think? Do I stand a chance securing a residency in something like psychiatry if I get good step scores, a research and good LORs from US clinical experience?

 

[cooldown]

Im giving up on the counselor idea. In the middel of step prep, already seen 3 counselors and didn't work for me. Feels like a waste of one hour that I can spend in the sauna, spa or something else. I'm planning to instead go back to my hometown and work/study/prep there in 6 weeks. YAHOOOO!!! i'll schedule 1/2 day off every 3rd or 4th day and hang out with a couple of peopLE/friends who support me.

 

[sloop]

Probably a somewhat different situation since I’m a resident and the Step in my circumstance is Step 3. In any case, I’m taking the exam in a few days and my mom was just discharged from the hospital yesterday after being there for several months, much of that time in the ICU, at times intubated and on pressors, etc.

People deal with this stuff differently. Because of how my mom is, she didn’t actually want me to come see her or take time off and the thought of me doing that made her more upset and anxious. I couldn’t justify taking off work for an indeterminate time and making my coworkers cover my call when my physical presence didn’t seem like it was going to be helpful. So, in the meantime, I’ve been working 65-75 hrs per week, on call at least once a week and trying to study when I can.

My family knows I’m available to talk in emergencies and I’ve tried to check in regularly. I try to be of whatever help I can (I’ve talked to the intensivist and the internist while she was in the hospital and tried to clarify stuff for my dad, who is non-medical), but that’s about as helpful as I can be. I was reassured that the care she was getting was reasonable and my concern would not change the outcome.

I just tried to keep doing as best I could with the hand I was dealt. This might not be the best approach for everyone or for every situation, but I’ve been getting through it.