Comments on: Why Study Medicine? Pre-meds not in it for the money, survey says http://studentdoctor.net/2008/04/why-study-medicine-pre-meds-not-in-it-for-the-money-survey-says/ A nonprofit educational organization Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:12:52 -0500 hourly 1 By: John http://studentdoctor.net/2008/04/why-study-medicine-pre-meds-not-in-it-for-the-money-survey-says/#comment-9123 John Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:06:06 +0000 http://studentdoctor.net/blog/2008/04/24/why-study-medicine-pre-meds-not-in-it-for-the-money-survey-says/#comment-9123 My experience is that pre-meds stab each other in the back for an A, and most of the extracurricular activities are superficial garbage they do for the soul purpose of impressing the admissions committee. There are exceptions, and I’ve met them, but most meet the above description. I was an engineer before going into medicine and I can tell you that you can’t compare the difficulty of the two. Medical School is more work, no doubt. Engineering is more difficult to comprehend. Almost everyone in my engineering classes had the aptitude to become a physician. Very few students in medical school could have been engineers; most didn’t have the quantitative or analytical ability. My experience is that pre-meds stab each other in the back for an A, and most of the extracurricular activities are superficial garbage they do for the soul purpose of impressing the admissions committee. There are exceptions, and I’ve met them, but most meet the above description. I was an engineer before going into medicine and I can tell you that you can’t compare the difficulty of the two. Medical School is more work, no doubt. Engineering is more difficult to comprehend. Almost everyone in my engineering classes had the aptitude to become a physician. Very few students in medical school could have been engineers; most didn’t have the quantitative or analytical ability.

]]> By: anon http://studentdoctor.net/2008/04/why-study-medicine-pre-meds-not-in-it-for-the-money-survey-says/#comment-8316 anon Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:25:55 +0000 http://studentdoctor.net/blog/2008/04/24/why-study-medicine-pre-meds-not-in-it-for-the-money-survey-says/#comment-8316 Although you have a point here and the arguement in the article is flawed I think the vast majority of the XX% who did say they were in it for the money would not get into University as you have to be so passionate about medicine to get in and to continue through with it, not becoming wealthy until very late in your career. Although you have a point here and the arguement in the article is flawed I think the vast majority of the XX% who did say they were in it for the money would not get into University as you have to be so passionate about medicine to get in and to continue through with it, not becoming wealthy until very late in your career.

]]> By: anon http://studentdoctor.net/2008/04/why-study-medicine-pre-meds-not-in-it-for-the-money-survey-says/#comment-8313 anon Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:23:30 +0000 http://studentdoctor.net/blog/2008/04/24/why-study-medicine-pre-meds-not-in-it-for-the-money-survey-says/#comment-8313 I am currently applying to medicine. I think anyone applying to study medicine simply in order to get lots of money is very foolish and I find it hard to believe there are many applicants (successful ones at least) that are applying for the money. Most people who can get into medical school could make just as much money and probably much more through another proffesion. People apply to medicine because they have a passion for science and they want to apply it in an amazing way which is making a massive difference to real people. Furthermore anyone that does go in with the wrong attitude is very unlikely to get into medicine through the stringent application process/ I am currently applying to medicine. I think anyone applying to study medicine simply in order to get lots of money is very foolish and I find it hard to believe there are many applicants (successful ones at least) that are applying for the money. Most people who can get into medical school could make just as much money and probably much more through another proffesion. People apply to medicine because they have a passion for science and they want to apply it in an amazing way which is making a massive difference to real people. Furthermore anyone that does go in with the wrong attitude is very unlikely to get into medicine through the stringent application process/

]]> By: maria http://studentdoctor.net/2008/04/why-study-medicine-pre-meds-not-in-it-for-the-money-survey-says/#comment-7221 maria Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:55:34 +0000 http://studentdoctor.net/blog/2008/04/24/why-study-medicine-pre-meds-not-in-it-for-the-money-survey-says/#comment-7221 I think doctors are incredible and it's an unbelievable talent they have. I see a lot of doctors and my positive experience with one of them in particular led me to be so impresses that i came to desire a career in medicine for myself . In highschool however, I was always awarded and praised for my abilities in the liberal arts, particularly my academic writing and my penchant for politics and modern history. This and the fact that mathematics was a subject i never put enough effort into led me to sub-consciously rule out medicine as a career and focus more on the arts ( where i believed my talents lay.) Having said that, i should also note that I always loved -and did very well in- biology and chemistry. But like i said, never planned my highschool studies around the goal of a career in medicine. I am 23 now and I have a B. ARTS in international relations and history and I am a graduate journalism student . I love my studies in the arts; they are super interesting and have allowed me to gain some world class skills, however i cant seem to shake this strong desire to do medicine. It bothers me that a) i never planned for medical sooner e.g tried harder in math and b) I constantly doubt I have that talent and ability that doctors are seemingly born with . I think medicine is such a beautiful and noble profession and I doubt anyone would enter the highly demanding field unless they had a serious interest in people and helping them. kudos to all those medical students out there, you are living my dream! haha I think doctors are incredible and it’s an unbelievable talent they have. I see a lot of doctors and my positive experience with one of them in particular led me to be so impresses that i came to desire a career in medicine for myself . In highschool however, I was always awarded and praised for my abilities in the liberal arts, particularly my academic writing and my penchant for politics and modern history. This and the fact that mathematics was a subject i never put enough effort into led me to sub-consciously rule out medicine as a career and focus more on the arts
( where i believed my talents lay.) Having said that, i should also note that I always loved -and did very well in- biology and chemistry. But like i said, never planned my highschool studies around the goal of a career in medicine. I am 23 now and I have a B. ARTS in international relations and history and I am a graduate journalism student . I love my studies in the arts; they are super interesting and have allowed me to gain some world class skills, however i cant seem to shake this strong desire to do medicine. It bothers me that a) i never planned for medical sooner e.g tried harder in math and b) I constantly doubt I have that talent and ability that doctors are seemingly born with . I think medicine is such a beautiful and noble profession and I doubt anyone would enter the highly demanding field unless they had a serious interest in people and helping them. kudos to all those medical students out there, you are living my dream! haha

]]> By: Georgia http://studentdoctor.net/2008/04/why-study-medicine-pre-meds-not-in-it-for-the-money-survey-says/#comment-5860 Georgia Tue, 04 Oct 2011 07:43:04 +0000 http://studentdoctor.net/blog/2008/04/24/why-study-medicine-pre-meds-not-in-it-for-the-money-survey-says/#comment-5860 JT - I totally agree... What's with the spelling here guys? But "Pissed" - it's unfortunate that you've had so many bad experiences, I can't begin to imagine how difficult and painful your life is... but I think it's totally unfair to blanket group all doctors into this category. My father is a GP and works tirelessly (and has done so for the past 35 years) to take care of his patients, with mostly chronic, complex illness. I'm often up at 5am only to see him at the computer reading the latest articles on medical research to keep himself up-to-date. He spends his weekends at seminars, bends over backwards to help his patients (often outside of hours and for FREE). He foregoes his own health to ensure that his patients are receiving the best possible advice and treatment. He is one of the most brilliant people you'll ever meet in your life. But guess what mate? He drives a $26,000 car, we live in a modest house in the outer suburbs and we've never taken an overseas holiday in our lives. We aren't living the high life; he isn't remunerated as such in the slightest. I know tradies who studied for 6 weeks who make more than he (after 8 years of study and 35 years of practice). Working with him as his PA has inspired me to go back to university and become a doctor - if I could be half the person he is, and have half the positive impact he has on his patients, I would be ecstatic. He works his ass off to do the RIGHT THING by his patients. So how dare you suggest that all doctors are greedy, careless "assholes". There are so many doctors out there who do such much good in the world, why lump them into the same group as those inevitable bad doctors. Every profession has them. JT – I totally agree… What’s with the spelling here guys?

But “Pissed” – it’s unfortunate that you’ve had so many bad experiences, I can’t begin to imagine how difficult and painful your life is… but I think it’s totally unfair to blanket group all doctors into this category.

My father is a GP and works tirelessly (and has done so for the past 35 years) to take care of his patients, with mostly chronic, complex illness. I’m often up at 5am only to see him at the computer reading the latest articles on medical research to keep himself up-to-date. He spends his weekends at seminars, bends over backwards to help his patients (often outside of hours and for FREE). He foregoes his own health to ensure that his patients are receiving the best possible advice and treatment.

He is one of the most brilliant people you’ll ever meet in your life. But guess what mate? He drives a $26,000 car, we live in a modest house in the outer suburbs and we’ve never taken an overseas holiday in our lives. We aren’t living the high life; he isn’t remunerated as such in the slightest. I know tradies who studied for 6 weeks who make more than he (after 8 years of study and 35 years of practice). Working with him as his PA has inspired me to go back to university and become a doctor – if I could be half the person he is, and have half the positive impact he has on his patients, I would be ecstatic.

He works his ass off to do the RIGHT THING by his patients.

So how dare you suggest that all doctors are greedy, careless “assholes”.

There are so many doctors out there who do such much good in the world, why lump them into the same group as those inevitable bad doctors. Every profession has them.

]]> By: Tamer abuasad http://studentdoctor.net/2008/04/why-study-medicine-pre-meds-not-in-it-for-the-money-survey-says/#comment-5859 Tamer abuasad Sun, 18 Sep 2011 18:27:50 +0000 http://studentdoctor.net/blog/2008/04/24/why-study-medicine-pre-meds-not-in-it-for-the-money-survey-says/#comment-5859 because * sorry have to correct it . because * sorry have to correct it .

]]> By: Tamer abuasad http://studentdoctor.net/2008/04/why-study-medicine-pre-meds-not-in-it-for-the-money-survey-says/#comment-5858 Tamer abuasad Sun, 18 Sep 2011 18:25:36 +0000 http://studentdoctor.net/blog/2008/04/24/why-study-medicine-pre-meds-not-in-it-for-the-money-survey-says/#comment-5858 simply becuase I want to help people , I've been in a situation where I had watch someone close to me dying for months , no years , without doing anything , I just don't want anyone to go through that again , you wanted five reasons , it's not the number that counts it's that we really want to make a differnce . simply becuase I want to help people , I’ve been in a situation where I had watch someone close to me dying for months , no years , without doing anything , I just don’t want anyone to go through that again , you wanted five reasons , it’s not the number that counts it’s that we really want to make a differnce .

]]> By: jelly http://studentdoctor.net/2008/04/why-study-medicine-pre-meds-not-in-it-for-the-money-survey-says/#comment-5857 jelly Fri, 16 Sep 2011 17:33:19 +0000 http://studentdoctor.net/blog/2008/04/24/why-study-medicine-pre-meds-not-in-it-for-the-money-survey-says/#comment-5857 Well, some of them are studying medicine to wear a white coat, carry a stethoscope, and to be called doctor ------. Well, some of them are studying medicine to wear a white coat, carry a stethoscope, and to be called doctor ——.

]]> By: JT http://studentdoctor.net/2008/04/why-study-medicine-pre-meds-not-in-it-for-the-money-survey-says/#comment-5856 JT Sun, 11 Sep 2011 13:22:58 +0000 http://studentdoctor.net/blog/2008/04/24/why-study-medicine-pre-meds-not-in-it-for-the-money-survey-says/#comment-5856 It's interesting that you all have some sort of connection with the study or practice of medicine, when it appears that none of you can actually spell or construct a proper sentence. Good luck to your patients! It’s interesting that you all have some sort of connection with the study or practice of medicine, when it appears that none of you can actually spell or construct a proper sentence. Good luck to your patients!

]]> By: Pissed http://studentdoctor.net/2008/04/why-study-medicine-pre-meds-not-in-it-for-the-money-survey-says/#comment-5855 Pissed Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:02:31 +0000 http://studentdoctor.net/blog/2008/04/24/why-study-medicine-pre-meds-not-in-it-for-the-money-survey-says/#comment-5855 You all have your reasons for pursuing medicine and I'm not taking anything from u but, i just wonder, how you'll feel after say 10 years of practicing. I am a patient. I have multiple issues (arthritic knnes and fibroids and dental issues. I've been to multiple drs. regarding each of my issues with treatments issued only to have these issues worsen. The only success,i've had dealing with drs. is to successsfully file for bankruptcy. I had a myomectomy for fibroids...only to gain weight due to steroid injections prior to my surgery ...oh, and the fibroids returned. I've had multiple tooth exrtactions and a partialmade on insistence from my dentist...now the partial hurts like hell and it's making my breath reek ( i did'nt have this problem b4). It took me 6mths and 3 different hospitals for someone to figure out that my knee needed to be given a mri...only to discover, i had a partial tear in my cartilage...the other hosp. thought i was lying. Well, not lying enough to repeatedly bill my insurance. Now, i'm undergoing therapy at 200/mth for the knee. I went to the knee doc today...he wanted to see how the therapy was goin. I told him i was still in pain. I guess, i gave the wrong answer because he bore his hand so hard into my kneecap to produce tears from my eyes! What an assshole! I wanted to kick him in the crotch and ask him...how does it feel? So as far as drs, are concerned...i hate them. They turn paitients in and out of the hospital like meat on a spic! The only thing u can be sure of is payin for their "service"! I'm mulling my options right now, go back and deal with more torture or take my problems with me to the grave! You all have your reasons for pursuing medicine and I’m not taking anything from u but, i just wonder, how you’ll feel after say 10 years of practicing. I am a patient. I have multiple issues (arthritic knnes and fibroids and dental issues. I’ve been to multiple drs. regarding each of my issues with treatments issued only to have these issues worsen. The only success,i’ve had dealing with drs. is to successsfully file for bankruptcy. I had a myomectomy for fibroids…only to gain weight due to steroid injections prior to my surgery …oh, and the fibroids returned. I’ve had multiple tooth exrtactions and a partialmade on insistence from my dentist…now the partial hurts like hell and it’s making my breath reek ( i did’nt have this problem b4). It took me 6mths and 3 different hospitals for someone to figure out that my knee needed to be given a mri…only to discover, i had a partial tear in my cartilage…the other hosp. thought i was lying. Well, not lying enough to repeatedly bill my insurance. Now, i’m undergoing therapy at 200/mth for the knee. I went to the knee doc today…he wanted to see how the therapy was goin. I told him i was still in pain. I guess, i gave the wrong answer because he bore his hand so hard into my kneecap to produce tears from my eyes! What an assshole! I wanted to kick him in the crotch and ask him…how does it feel? So as far as drs, are concerned…i hate them. They turn paitients in and out of the hospital like meat on a spic! The only thing u can be sure of is payin for their “service”! I’m mulling my options right now, go back and deal with more torture or take my problems with me to the grave!

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