What should i do?

[SleekCLS]

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Hello everyone, i am a student in hope to become a doctor. I completed my GED in june of 2006. Ever since then ive been really thinking into what kind of doctor i should become. Theres Orthopedic Surgeon MY FIRST choice, cardiac surgeon, although i cant hand the fact that i have to operate while its beating. There is also Anesthesiology, in which case my life will revolve around Chemistry, DEFF. that LASt thing i want. Lastly theres General surgery which deff. isnt a bad field.

Anyways, i was looking for a way to go to med school without ending up with a huge debt. But before i go on let me tell you some stuff about me. First off, My facination with orthopedic surgery is because a few years back i had an ACL reconstruction, i gained alot of knowledge, thus my interest in Orthopedic surgery.anyways, I also wanted you to know that I am Muslim, from the religion of Islam, in which case i have a beard, about the size my fist, anyways i am relaying this to you because i really did think of the Army program, i wanted to join the air force.

I know that they dont allow beards, not to mention (no disrespect intended, i WAS BORN AND RAISED in the states) that they make fun of Muslims, meaning the individuals in the force. Anyways, anyone know any other way or if i can get interest free loans, or any other scholarship way?
Thanks
ALL help is greatly appreciated.

 

[AustinFinklea]

Hello everyone, i am a student in hope to become a doctor. I completed my GED in june of 2006. Ever since then ive been really thinking into what kind of doctor i should become. Theres Orthopedic Surgeon MY FIRST choice, cardiac surgeon, although i cant hand the fact that i have to operate while its beating. There is also Anesthesiology, in which case my life will revolve around Chemistry, DEFF. that LASt thing i want. Lastly theres General surgery which deff. isnt a bad field.

Anyways, i was looking for a way to go to med school without ending up with a huge debt. But before i go on let me tell you some stuff about me. First off, My facination with orthopedic surgery is because a few years back i had an ACL reconstruction, i gained alot of knowledge, thus my interest in Orthopedic surgery.anyways, I also wanted you to know that I am Muslim, from the religion of Islam, in which case i have a beard, about the size my fist, anyways i am relaying this to you because i really did think of the Army program, i wanted to join the air force.

I know that they dont allow beards, not to mention (no disrespect intended, i WAS BORN AND RAISED in the states) that they make fun of Muslims, meaning the individuals in the force. Anyways, anyone know any other way or if i can get interest free loans, or any other scholarship way?
Thanks
ALL help is greatly appreciated.

Hey,

A few things first: Are you in college? Just completing you GED, does that mean you havent enrolled in college yet? If you are in school, working on pre-med requirements, I would suggest that if you wanted a career in medicine, with little or no debt, that you definately join the military. It is a great option. I have a close friend who is an allergist, and he joined the army. He was able to live in Germany, Italy, etc. Consider though, that you have to pay back a year to the military for each year they pay for your schooling, and that is after a military residency.

Secondly, I wouldnt worry too much about the kind of doctor you want to be, yet atleast. If that type of specialty fancies you, keep it alive on the back burner until you are ready to apply to internships/residencies. Everyone here will tell you that you will need to score well on the board exams to match into good surgical residencies, which is true.

Lastly, screw anybody who seems to have it out for you because of your religion. The last thing any of us need to waste time and energy on is delving into people's personal business. Trust me, people that poke fun at religion are just awaiting a drop kick to the chin.

Good luck to you. Hopefully I was able to elucidate a few points here......

 

[SleekCLS]

Hey,

A few things first: Are you in college? Just completing you GED, does that mean you havent enrolled in college yet? If you are in school, working on pre-med requirements, I would suggest that if you wanted a career in medicine, with little or no debt, that you definately join the military. It is a great option. I have a close friend who is an allergist, and he joined the army. He was able to live in Germany, Italy, etc. Consider though, that you have to pay back a year to the military for each year they pay for your schooling, and that is after a military residency.

Secondly, I wouldnt worry too much about the kind of doctor you want to be, yet atleast. If that type of specialty fancies you, keep it alive on the back burner until you are ready to apply to internships/residencies. Everyone here will tell you that you will need to score well on the board exams to match into good surgical residencies, which is true.

Lastly, screw anybody who seems to have it out for you because of your religion. The last thing any of us need to waste time and energy on is delving into people's personal business. Trust me, people that poke fun at religion are just awaiting a drop kick to the chin.

Good luck to you. Hopefully I was able to elucidate a few points here......

Yes Im sorry i forgot to mention my GED was completed in june 06, i am now in harper college in the pre med program. 🙂 appreciate your help, believe me any advice makes the difference because i am first generation college student, meaning, my parents didnt go to college, i will be the first.
So basically dont care about what your going to be and just concentrate on being a doctor? what should i do if i want to use pharmacy as a backfall?

 

[AustinFinklea]

You know, if you are dead set on becoming a doctor, you wont need to fall back on something else. All that would accomplish is making the lesser (less difficult) option seem more appealing as pre-med is tough. Many people I know that have done that have gone the easier route, which isnt bad at all, but if you want to be a physician, dedicate yourself to one goal and bust your tail to achieve it. Know what I mean??

You are fine. At this point, do well in your classes and plan very well. Dont wait until the summer you plan to apply to find out about the ins and outs of med school. Know what it is you want and how to go about getting it. Do not, and I repeat, DO NOT listen to others about what you should do. You are who you are and you know what you want. Now, not by any stretch of the imagination is the idea of getting to med school easy. Make sure you have tons of health care experience, especially non-paid and make sure you can kick butt in a biology or chem class to do some research, lots of it if you can.

Anyways, good luck with it all dude.

👍 👍

 

[SleekCLS]

oh man, i already have 2 jobs and 7 credit hours how can i volunteer at a hospital? and plus, my last question is what should i do in my premed, in my classes, is there any technique to study or something? any special classes you think i should take? im taking math and spanish right now.

 

[AustinFinklea]

Go talk to a pre-med advisor. Just study you ass off. Thats the only advice I can give you with that.

 

[It'sElectric]

Yes Im sorry i forgot to mention my GED was completed in june 06, i am now in harper college in the pre med program. 🙂 appreciate your help, believe me any advice makes the difference because i am first generation college student, meaning, my parents didnt go to college, i will be the first.
So basically dont care about what your going to be and just concentrate on being a doctor? what should i do if i want to use pharmacy as a backfall?

Talk to a pre-med counselor at your school and find out exactly what you need to be doing NOW in order to first get into medical LATER. They'll tell you the pre-requisite classes to take, where to volunteer, and everything else they feel is pertinent. Just focus on doing well in your classes - that should be your main worry right now.....not what kind of physician you want to be.

 

[jkhamlin]

Hello everyone, i am a student in hope to become a doctor. I completed my GED in june of 2006. Ever since then ive been really thinking into what kind of doctor i should become. Theres Orthopedic Surgeon MY FIRST choice, cardiac surgeon, although i cant hand the fact that i have to operate while its beating. There is also Anesthesiology, in which case my life will revolve around Chemistry, DEFF. that LASt thing i want. Lastly theres General surgery which deff. isnt a bad field.

Anyways, i was looking for a way to go to med school without ending up with a huge debt. But before i go on let me tell you some stuff about me. First off, My facination with orthopedic surgery is because a few years back i had an ACL reconstruction, i gained alot of knowledge, thus my interest in Orthopedic surgery.anyways, I also wanted you to know that I am Muslim, from the religion of Islam, in which case i have a beard, about the size my fist, anyways i am relaying this to you because i really did think of the Army program, i wanted to join the air force.

I know that they dont allow beards, not to mention (no disrespect intended, i WAS BORN AND RAISED in the states) that they make fun of Muslims, meaning the individuals in the force. Anyways, anyone know any other way or if i can get interest free loans, or any other scholarship way?
Thanks
ALL help is greatly appreciated.

Let me correct a few misconceptions for you:

1. In any case, if you are going into medicine, much of your life will revolve around chemistry. Really, it's not so bad. Pretty much all premeds have a minor in it.
2. Unless you are independently wealthy, going into medicine will put you in huge debt; what kind of debt is your choice: loans or service.
3. People in the armed forces don't make fun of Muslims, they make fun of fanatical, ultra extreme Islamic fundamentalist terrorists. If you are a normal, decent, hardworking, honest Muslim, (obviously you are if you are planning to go into medicine) then they don't make fun of you. If you join, you won't be the first or only Muslim in the armed forces. In fact, I, and many other Americans appreciate every Muslim who takes a stand against the people who are holding your religion hostage (pun intended 😀 ); joining the service would do this in a big way.

Let me point out a few things you might not have thought of:
1. Going into premed with a GED is a rough road, and you will be descriminated against. I know, I did it, too. Just so you know, I was accepted this year to one med school, have a pending decision, and I am actually declining an interview. So, it can be done. BTW, the current Surgeon General has a GED. 👍
2. Hopefully, you are not required to keep your beard. Not only will you not be able to keep it in the services, beards and surgery don't go together well, especially ortho.
3. Your interests in medicine might change. I was sure I wanted to be a surgeon when I started undergrad. Now I am just as sure I want to do internal medicine.
4. I'm not sure how the armed forces will view your ACL reconstruction, but this might be a problem.

 

[AustinFinklea]

Let me correct a few misconceptions for you:

1. In any case, if you are going into medicine, much of your life will revolve around chemistry. Really, it's not so bad. Pretty much all premeds have a minor in it.
2. Unless you are independently wealthy, going into medicine will put you in huge debt; what kind of debt is your choice: loans or service.
3. People in the armed forces don't make fun of Muslims, they make fun of fanatical, ultra extreme Islamic fundamentalist terrorists. If you are a normal, decent, hardworking, honest Muslim, (obviously you are if you are planning to go into medicine) then they don't make fun of you. If you join, you won't be the first or only Muslim in the armed forces. In fact, I, and many other Americans appreciate every Muslim who takes a stand against the people who are holding your religion hostage (pun intended 😀 ); joining the service would do this in a big way.

Let me point out a few things you might not have thought of:
1. Going into premed with a GED is a rough road, and you will be descriminated against. I know, I did it, too. Just so you know, I was accepted this year to one med school, have a pending decision, and I am actually declining an interview. So, it can be done. BTW, the current Surgeon General has a GED. 👍
2. Hopefully, you are not required to keep your beard. Not only will you not be able to keep it in the services, beards and surgery don't go together well, especially ortho.
3. Your interests in medicine might change. I was sure I wanted to be a surgeon when I started undergrad. Now I am just as sure I want to do internal medicine.
4. I'm not sure how the armed forces will view your ACL reconstruction, but this might be a problem.

I have had a shoulder total joint replacement, the military wont freakin care, as I have highly researched it out myself and have personally talked to many recruiters.....Oh, and having a beard has absolutely nothing to do with medicine. Just dont have one at any interviews......

 

[DropkickMurphy]

I recommend against going into the military as a doc as the military doesn't treat it's docs very well at all, but can assure you that intolerance towards Muslims is NOT tolerated. As someone said before we have a problem with Jihadis and psychopathic fundamentalists, not Muslims in general.

 

[jkhamlin]

I have had a shoulder total joint replacement, the military wont freakin care, as I have highly researched it out myself and have personally talked to many recruiters.....Oh, and having a beard has absolutely nothing to do with medicine. Just dont have one at any interviews......

Having a beard (especially a long one) tends to cause a lot of difficulty maintaining aseptic technique in surgery. Ortho is one of the types that must absolutely have strict aseptic technique because of the difficulty of treating bone infections. Many infections have been traced back to doctors with long beards.

 

[SleekCLS]

I have seen that alot of people have made Muslims look bad, so horrid. but hopefully people will see that there are hardworking good Muslims as well. Nevertheless, i cant lose my beard, its like life or death to me, its my representation of who i am, if the armed services asks me to trim it, then maybe i might, but there is NO WAY i will shave it. same as the interview, but i know one guy hes a surgeon (cardio) he has a HUGE beard, way bigger then mine. Yes i know i put myself on a rough road from GED but i didnt have a choice at the time. But im so happy all the you guys are supporting me, and helping me, because there is no one that was really there to help me. I really appreciate all the answers. and i really look forward to dealing with the armed services, AS LONG as i dont have to pay interest im cool, because interest bearing transactions are forbidden in Islam, thus i want to see anyway to get out of it. Also, i as a Muslim follow justice, meaning you cant justify killing innocent people. In so which, i will join the airforce. Now what if im in iraq? where will i be? in the tent or underground?

 

[SleekCLS]

what are the chances il die?

 

[DropkickMurphy]

what are the chances il die?

Not good.....but why risk it?

 

[DoctorMom78]

I also have a GED and I have done really well with applying to schools. I have two acceptances and one I am waiting to hear back from. As long as you have decent grades, decent MCAT, and some ECs you should be fine. Don't worry about the GED.🙂 Try looking at the National Health Service Corp. You can get a scholarship that pays your full tuition plus a stipend and then you "pay" it back by practicing in an underserved area for a number of years. Only catch with this is you have to go into primary care medicine and you could end up somewhere like Alaska. Otherwise, it is a great program. I want to specialize in rural family medicine and if it weren't for the Alaska part I would do it. I have four children and I wouldn't have enough control over where I lived if I got the scholarship. I know you are thinking orthopedics at this point, but primary care medicine has a lot of programs to help with tuition. I guess you could always do internal medicine for a few years and go back and do a residency in orthopedics if you wanted to. I don't know how and if that would actually work though. Who knows, maybe you would like primary care medicine anyway. Do try to get some good ECs including volunteer work and clinical work if you can. They are almost as important as the GPA and MCAT, especially if you are planning on being a DO. Good luck with everything!!! 😀

http://nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov/

 

[jkhamlin]

I have seen that alot of people have made Muslims look bad, so horrid. but hopefully people will see that there are hardworking good Muslims as well. Nevertheless, i cant lose my beard, its like life or death to me, its my representation of who i am, if the armed services asks me to trim it, then maybe i might, but there is NO WAY i will shave it. same as the interview, but i know one guy hes a surgeon (cardio) he has a HUGE beard, way bigger then mine. Yes i know i put myself on a rough road from GED but i didnt have a choice at the time. But im so happy all the you guys are supporting me, and helping me, because there is no one that was really there to help me. I really appreciate all the answers. and i really look forward to dealing with the armed services, AS LONG as i dont have to pay interest im cool, because interest bearing transactions are forbidden in Islam, thus i want to see anyway to get out of it. Also, i as a Muslim follow justice, meaning you cant justify killing innocent people. In so which, i will join the airforce. Now what if im in iraq? where will i be? in the tent or underground?

You bring up some religious issues that only you can really answer for yourself. I know that there are Muslims who don't have beards, and also Muslims who take out loans. For me, I am American Indian and Christian. It is a religious thing for me to have long hair (cutting it means one is in mourning), but I had to cut it short for medical school. I also know that Christians largely deny evolution, but I don't see where the Bible opposes this, it is the authoritarian interpretation of some preachers and their followers that decreed this.

My point is that you must decide which tenets of your religion are, for lack of a better term, fundamental, and which ones were sort of made up by followers later on, but not necessarily required for you to follow in the modern world.

 

[AustinFinklea]

I have seen that alot of people have made Muslims look bad, so horrid. but hopefully people will see that there are hardworking good Muslims as well. Nevertheless, i cant lose my beard, its like life or death to me, its my representation of who i am, if the armed services asks me to trim it, then maybe i might, but there is NO WAY i will shave it. same as the interview, but i know one guy hes a surgeon (cardio) he has a HUGE beard, way bigger then mine. Yes i know i put myself on a rough road from GED but i didnt have a choice at the time. But im so happy all the you guys are supporting me, and helping me, because there is no one that was really there to help me. I really appreciate all the answers. and i really look forward to dealing with the armed services, AS LONG as i dont have to pay interest im cool, because interest bearing transactions are forbidden in Islam, thus i want to see anyway to get out of it. Also, i as a Muslim follow justice, meaning you cant justify killing innocent people. In so which, i will join the airforce. Now what if im in iraq? where will i be? in the tent or underground?

I think that you may be getting ahead of yourself: a bit too worried about things that are not to be worried about at this point in time. I imagine you are old enough to know what you want in life and how to go about getting it, in general. Asking us questions about the processes and ins and outs of medical school is the right thing to do, cause there are many on here who have tons of exp. with it all. You should not, however, ask questions about what you should do with your life. Nobody here can help you with that. I would suggest that you take a breather for a minute or two: gulp in a big breath of air, and take things as they come. Plan for the semester in front of you. Dont worry about classes you havent taken yet, or about being a doctor when you dont HAVE to worry about it yet. Those things will come in due time. You will really loose drive and motivation for it all if you cant find some middle ground. It sounds like you really want to be a doc: congrats!!! That is why each of us are here. Be most concerned with what you are doing right now. Good luck.....

 

[SleekCLS]

Hey guys, thanks alot for all your help, i appreciate it alot. hopefully i will find a way to do this, WITHOUT going into the military. just isnt something id want to do.
Thanks!😀

 

[SleekCLS]

Ok i KNOW that the only way someone will pay off my tuition is through the army, or the hrsa, is there any OTHER thing that will pay my tuition off? in which i can be what i want to be and not just an internal medicine doctor or family practice?
thanks
ANY PROGRAM

 

[jafri91]

Salaam,

Try for student loans ... not the Army

I come from a family of drs my dad and 4 of his brothers are all drs, etc and they are all Muslim like me, and they all have beards, and they don't have any problem at all. If its crazy huge and out of control then it is understandable if someone asks you to trim it, just keep it neat, it can be on the bigger side, but trimmed and neat at the same time.

goodluck with everything bro, PM me or something if you need any advice