What do I do with my Diploma?

[GoPistons]

Just graduated yesterday... what do I do with my diploma? ... am I supposed to go to Kinko's (or somewhere else?) and make copies... full size or normal size... how many copies will I need in the future for credentials/licensure... am I supposed to mat it?... what are others doing?

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[kas23]

Congrats, doc.

Go to Kinkos, get five 8.5X11 copies and then go get them certified at your school. Then frame it. That's what I did.

 

[GoPistons]

thanks.

what do you mean by "certified"... a stamp of some sort... a seal?? Did your school charge you...

 

[kas23]

Yeah, that "stamp" thing that makes the indentation on the paper. No, they didn't charge me.

 

[jamie]

thanks.

what do you mean by "certified"... a stamp of some sort... a seal?? Did your school charge you...

Notarized by a notary public.

 

[Amxcvbcv]

Yeah, that "stamp" thing that makes the indentation on the paper. No, they didn't charge me.

As much as you've already paid them, I'd hope they don't charge for it. 😛

 

[edmadison]

Notarized by a notary public.

Notarized? A notary's job is to validate a signature by checking ID. That's it. The do not attest to the validity of the document itself. Unless you bring the dean of your medical school with you, no notary should do this. I'm sure, however, that many of them would. On more than one occasion, I have been asked for a notarized copy of my diploma. I cannot understand why a certified transcript say "MD awarded 9 May 2004" is not sufficient.

Ed

 

[jamie]

Notarized? A notary's job is to validate a signature by checking ID. That's it. The do not attest to the validity of the document itself. Unless you bring the dean of your medical school with you, no notary should do this. I'm sure, however, that many of them would. On more than one occasion, I have been asked for a notarized copy of my diploma. I cannot understand why a certified transcript say "MD awarded 9 May 2004" is not sufficient.

Ed

I stand corrected. At my school, someone who is a notary looks at the original, then writes on the copies that she has seen the original and can attest that the copies are of the original. Then she signs and notarizes it. We'll see if this works. I agree that this seems silly compared to a transcript (which sufficed for medical school).

 

[Smurfette]

Is this really necessary (to get copies notarized, etc.?). I won't get my diploma in the mail until long after I start my residency...

Who wants to see copies of my diploma? PDs? GME? do most places ask for this instead of transcripts? Just curious since it's never come up for me before.

 

[doc05]

most gme offices will want to inspect a copy of the original. make sure to get a letter from your dean's office if you won't have the diploma available.

 

[electra]

My understanding is that you will need copies anytime you want to get privileges at a hospital. Make some copies and make sure that your school gets one also.

 

[redstorm]

cut into strips and use it to wipe your ass after you take a dump

 

[Harrie]

Notarized? A notary's job is to validate a signature by checking ID. That's it. The do not attest to the validity of the document itself. Unless you bring the dean of your medical school with you, no notary should do this. I'm sure, however, that many of them would. On more than one occasion, I have been asked for a notarized copy of my diploma. I cannot understand why a certified transcript say "MD awarded 9 May 2004" is not sufficient.

Ed

Our school specifically told us to make several copies and to have them NOTARIZED. Doesn't really make sense to me either, but I'll just do as I'm told.

 

[f_w]

Get a couple of certified copies, either by having a school official attest the copy or by having a notary public do it. Many people in hospital and school administrations are notary publics, they will do it for free or maybe for $2 or so. Later on, this gets a lot more of a hassle, you might end up paying some notary $10 or more to get the copies certified.

You don't need it for residency, or not even for licensing (they get the transscript mailed directly). But later on (5-10years down the line), you might need it for:
- hospital credentialing
- insurance credentialing
- malpractice insurance credentialing
-......

They are sometimes a bit funny that way.

 

[southerndoc]

My hospital did not ask for notarized copies when I started residency. A regular copy will suffice for most hospitals since hospitals usually request official transcripts from your medical school.

 

[PainDr]

Whether or not you need it for residency may depend on the program. My residency DID require a copy, as did my fellowship. However, neither cared whether it was "certified" or not. If I remember correctly, the state licensing board wanted a copy for their file and it was required by my specialty board as part of the application process to sit for board exams.

 

[julestx]

Use it for orygami (sp?) or fold it up into a paper hat.

 

[vietcongs]

set it on FIRE!!!!

 

[fuzzyerin]

put it in the corner of your new apartment and let it collect dust.