Medical field

**Csargo** · 05-19-2007, 07:30

Once I graduate from High School I'm going to college and considering going into the field of medicine to become a doctor. I was wondering if anyone else is or is going to into the same field. If so I was wondering if you had any advice for me. I've been looking at internal medicine as something I'de be interested in. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

**Samurai Waki** · 05-19-2007, 09:25

I Believe BKS is...

**Big King Sanctaphrax** · 05-19-2007, 12:34

I'm just finishing my first year of medical school at the moment, Ichigo, and so far I've had an absolutely cracking time. Unfortunately, as I'm years away from actually being a doctor, the only advice I could give you would be about applications, and I'm not sure how relevant that would be to the US, as you use a completely different system. A better person to ask about the realities of medicine would be Rory_20_UK, as he's actually qualified.

Good luck anyway. If there's any applications related stuff you think I could help you with, please say so.

**Csargo** · 05-19-2007, 20:37

Thanks BKS if I have any questions later on I'll ask you.

**Avicenna** · 05-19-2007, 20:57

BKS.. any tips for a successful Cambridge medicine app? I'm doing GCSEs right now so I'm in no rush.

**Ice** · 05-20-2007, 06:33

Originally Posted by Ichigo

Once I graduate from High School I'm going to college and considering going into the field of medicine to become a doctor. I was wondering if anyone else is or is going to into the same field. If so I was wondering if you had any advice for me. I've been looking at internal medicine as something I'de be interested in. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I know plenty of doctors and my friend's sister is in medical school. You better be smart and willing to work very hard. I mean VERY HARD. You have to be very good in English, Physics, and Chemistry. It isn't easy at all. You have to go to a good undergraduate university and hold at least a 3.6 to have any chance at all in getting into med school.

Don't let me scare you though. If you have the work ethic, you'll do fine. Prepare to be in school for a minimum of 8 years though. Definitely more if you specialize.

**barocca** · 05-20-2007, 08:48

maybe all you med students can answer the ultimate blonde question...

when do doctors stop "practicing" and do it (doctoring) for real???

**Csargo** · 05-20-2007, 09:08

Originally Posted by Ice

I know plenty of doctors and my friend's sister is in medical school. You better be smart and willing to work very hard. I mean VERY HARD. You have to be very good in English, Physics, and Chemistry. It isn't easy at all. You have to go to a good undergraduate university and hold at least a 3.6 to have any chance at all in getting into med school.

Don't let me scare you though. If you have the work ethic, you'll do fine. Prepare to be in school for a minimum of 8 years though. Definitely more if you specialize.

I realize it'll be difficult, but it's something I really want to do so I'm willing to do what it takes to make it work.

**Hosakawa Tito** · 05-20-2007, 13:25

We can always use another doctor in da house. Good luck Ichigo. Don't let the phrase, "I can't because..." , be an obstacle to your goal.

**Csargo** · 05-20-2007, 22:01

So BKS how hard has it been on you grade wise?

**Big King Sanctaphrax** · 05-20-2007, 22:10

I'm not sure what you mean. Do you mean what grades did I need to get in?

**Csargo** · 05-20-2007, 22:15

Originally Posted by Big King Sanctaphrax

I'm not sure what you mean. Do you mean what grades did I need to get in?

Yeah and how tough it was to get those grades.

**Big King Sanctaphrax** · 05-20-2007, 22:23

Well, the University I'm at wanted AAB at A-level, in Bio, Chem and one other, with a further B at AS level. I got AAAA at A level, in Bio, Chem, Eng. Lit. and History, and another A at AS in Physics, as well as two extension awards in Lit. and History, so I met the requirements pretty easily. To be honest, I did very little work for most of my A-levels. (16-18 in the UK). I'm not sure how much this means to you, really, and I'm doubly unsure how to translate it into US grades, as from what I understand a lot of importance is given to your grades over the year? Whereas in the UK all that's really important is your performance on standardised national tests.

Something else to bear in mind is that the medical education system is totally different in the UK. It's an undergrad, not postgrad degree-although we do have quite a few graduates who are changing careers in my year-five years long, or six years if you do an intercalated BSc in the third year, like I am. So I applied for it straight out of what you would call high school.

What's much more difficult than getting the grades, as almost all candidates have these, is getting an interview and being selected after that interview. This requires you to have good references, a decent chunk of relevant work experience, a good personal statement, and to interview well.

**Csargo** · 05-21-2007, 05:49

Yeah I don't understand most of the grades you wrote. If I may ask an interview for what? I don't mean to be an annoyance BKS, but I want to find out what I'll have to do so it won't be a surprise later on.