Comments on: Getting Into Medical School: Help For Parents

By: Karisa

Karisa — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 03:57:53 +0000

I definitely agree. My son is still very young, but he has told me he wants to be a pediatrician since he was two. I am here hoping that I will be able to help and further encourage him now and always, but if he tells me in ten years (or at any time) that he wants to be something else, I will not force anything upon him. I am sorry you felt pressured by your parents. Just remember, it is never too late to do what you truly love…and if your parents have a problem with that, they are the ones that have to live with losing their child. But speaking as a parent, I know that our love is unconditional…and I have a feeling your parents agree.

By: Karisa

Karisa — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 03:51:12 +0000

I am doing some incredibly early research for my child that has wanted to be a pediatrician for several years now. I know I will keep the information from this article in mind for future reference, as I believe you can never have too much knowledge…especially when hoping to help your son/daughter achieve something they really want. Thank you for the help. It is greatly appreciated!

By: R.K.

R.K. — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 14:22:19 +0000

Seriously, more parents need to read this article. I majored in Biology (when my true passion was Psychology) because I was “advised” by my parents to do so and I seriously regret that decision. I mainly majored in Biology out of fear of being disowned by them but I wonder now if I would have been better off (and happier) distancing myself from them and just doing things that I like to do and not doing things just to please them. Parents out there, please don’t force something onto your children. They will either resent you or possibly do harm to themselves.

By: David

David — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 06:06:14 +0000

Now that I am through this “process” with my son who was ultimately successful in his aspiration to get into medical school, I think the answer lies in the “middle” path. Being a “helicopter” parent will not allow your child/adult to find their own life’s path. On the other hand “keeping your distance” and not using your parental life experience to help a floundering child/adult to get through a needlessly challenging and emotionally draining process is also not in their best interest. Part of the problem with the “process” is that you are not supposed to make any “mistakes”, but your child can learn from those “mistakes” which help build character and fortitude. Most patients want an intelligent, caring and compassionate individual for a personal physician. They do not want a robotic resume. Nonetheless, in an unfair medical school application system where many qualified individuals are routinely discarded, a concerned parent can be a child’s best advocate. By the way, I can tell you from personal experience that getting into medical school is only the beginning of an arduous process. Residency selection, board certification and job hunting all take their toll and parents have a supportive role to play in those processes as well.

By: timothy b. smithers

timothy b. smithers — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 22:10:00 +0000

I found this entire article irritating. Parents should have LITTLE to NO ROLE as to whether their son or daughter has an interest in medical school (..other than maybe educating them on the rigors/sacrifices involved, if the parent “should happen” to be a doc). Removing all parental influence could only help them make the right choice. Cause really now, who’s got to put in all the hrs??..and place the patient first, regardless of how one feels getting a call at 4am?? Who has to tolerate all the beurocratic/political BS associated with most residency programs?!? My point–>>the sacrifice never ends…..not in today’s climate. So you best damn like what it is you do.

By: sandy

sandy — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:37:51 +0000

Parents must realize that medical schools want to market themselves on the US News and World Report.

Therefore, they want a 3.9 GPA. They don’t care from where if there is a high MCAT score to go with it.

It is all a marketing campaign to get good numbers published in MSAR.

Therefore, it is better to go to a small no-name school, get high grades, study your heart out for the MCAT and get in.

By: Keith Sutyak

Keith Sutyak — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:30:49 +0000

What many of you seem to forget is “experience”. Our kids need the benefit of our experience in helping them plan their careers, and yes, even to get into medical school. The application process is largely a bureaucratic mash of gobbledygook. I’d much rather have a kid that uses his brain to resolve scientific inquiry, than be a drone capable of submitting umpteen forms in triplicate. Intitiative!? Initiative is demonstrated through the ungrad course load, constituency and GPA. Initiative is inherent in just the aspiration to become a doctor.

By: Parent

Parent — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:43:44 +0000

As a parent and a high school teacher, I’m shocked that parents would have anything to do with their child’s major in college or “assembly a team” for them in college. Let the child figure these things out. I don’t want my doctor calling mommy when he/she is about to cut me open for surgery!

By: Pharmacy School Applicants

Pharmacy School Applicants — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:43:08 +0000

well written article. you cover all the important aspects that many parents may overlook.

I think that “Help your child choose best major and courses for them” is the best advice. I see parents force biology and other sciences on student (and backfiring). With other majors, students are more able to balance out their courseload of difficult classes and become more involved in other areas.

By: T

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:30:19 +0000

Coming from a current medical student, the best advice for parents is to STAY OUT OF THE WAY! Don’t keep trying to give advice and suggestions, let us students handle these things on our own. Don’t try to influence what college we should go to “because you know best” or try and choose our major for us. This is our time to do things for ourselves for once, and please do not interfere. We know how to handle things in our own lives.