Plastics or Cardiology

[FutureconfusedM]

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Hi to all. I'm beginning 4th year soon. I have a big dilemma. I'd love to do plastics but my USMLE score is 228 and I know how competitive these programs are. On the other hand I have a relative who is an interventional cardiologists and I'd be set to inherit his pratice (very busy) if I become a cardiologist. Seeing how my USMLE might not be enough for a plastics residency and I got in to med school wanting to be a cardiologist I'm sure I'd be happy as well in cardiology. I love plastics and the work they do and the ability to do some international volunteering and I see it has many perks such as the ability to have to deal less with insurance, medicare etc ( I'll admit that insurance payments to physicians scares the crap out of me but it is just an added perk to plastics). So I'm really looking for advice.

 

[Pioneer Village]

I think people really need to abandon the whole thought process behind calling plastics an "out of pocket" field with no insurance issues. Sure, that's what it is right now. But how long do you think it will be before it's decided that a person's "self-esteem" is just as much a part of their health as their ASTs, ALTs, and Hct? Beauty and plastic-driven self-improvement will be "essential human rights" soon, and it'll be up to those of us who work hard for a living to provide it for everybody...

or else the government will toss us into jail for not paying our "taxes." F**%$# free country my @$#

 

[Strength&Speed]

I think people really need to abandon the whole thought process behind calling plastics an "out of pocket" field with no insurance issues. Sure, that's what it is right now. But how long do you think it will be before it's decided that a person's "self-esteem" is just as much a part of their health as their ASTs, ALTs, and Hct? Beauty and plastic-driven self-improvement will be "essential human rights" soon, and it'll be up to those of us who work hard for a living to provide it for everybody...

or else the government will toss us into jail for not paying our "taxes." F**%$# free country my @$#

cosmetic surgery being paid for by insurance? forget it. never. i think this is the last thing you need to worry about going into plastics.

with your 228 you may be in a slightly difficult position getting into Plastics. Unless you have great everything else. Cards is still very available but i'd recommend going to a top academic program if possible.

 

[njbmd]

Hi to all. I'm beginning 4th year soon. I have a big dilemma. I'd love to do plastics but my USMLE score is 228 and I know how competitive these programs are. On the other hand I have a relative who is an interventional cardiologists and I'd be set to inherit his pratice (very busy) if I become a cardiologist. Seeing how my USMLE might not be enough for a plastics residency and I got in to med school wanting to be a cardiologist I'm sure I'd be happy as well in cardiology. I love plastics and the work they do and the ability to do some international volunteering and I see it has many perks such as the ability to have to deal less with insurance, medicare etc ( I'll admit that insurance payments to physicians scares the crap out of me but it is just an added perk to plastics). So I'm really looking for advice.

Don't bet that you are a "shoo-in" for cardiology. It's one of the most competitive fellowships after internal medicine residency. This means getting a categorical IM slot at a research-oriented academic residency (might not be easy with that 228) coupled with a very strong performance (strong scores on in-service exams/good evals) in that residency. A community-based IM residency or a poor performance at a university-based IM residency isn't going to cut it for cards.