I hated other pre-meds in undergrad. Why? All the competition drove me insane!
At The University of Michigan exists a pre-med sub-culture filled with one-ups, let downs, weeding out, gunnering, competition to the extreme. Many colleges with a large number of pre-med students (Berkley, Northwestern, UTexas, The Ivy Leagues) are blessed with this sadomasochistic sub-culture, some worse than Michigan’s, sadly.
Hence, I avoided the chaos with English, Sociology, and Psychology majors. Instead of discussing how to cheat the med school admissions process, we spoke of social justice, race, literature, music, etc. It kept me sane for five years.
I even chose my current medical school because our tour guides affirmed the “chillness" of the atmosphere here. People worked together, shared notes, loved each other, didn’t care much about who gets honors, etc. (I realize these musings are naive, but work with me here.)
Now, I’m noticing competition in the air. Everyone studies by themselves or in hermetically tight clicks. People talk of getting better quiz grades than others. Classmates hold back in lecture or small group because they don’t want to sound stupid. Though these are normal behaviors or any class in the first month, it can easily go in the wrong, competitive direction, which make me nervous. So, to subside it, I’ve decided to share my lecture notes.
Small move, I know, but I hope it encourages others to share information with each other and work together without the fear of being wrong or sounding stupid. I sent my plasma membrane notes a few days ago, and soon a typed, organized outline on lipids will reside in everyone’s mailbox.
I hope it works. Let’s see. Now on to the wonders of protein folding.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
"Spring Fever"
I’ve never typed on a plane before...
I’m en route to New York City, after visiting my significant other back in Ann Arbor, Michigan, my former residence. I also visited a few friends, canoed, and copied a few opera CD’s.
My return evoked thoughts and settled uncertainties. In April, when I needed to decide between multiple medical school acceptances, I had the option to stay in Ann Arbor for medical school (and stay with my friends and family), yet I made a difficult decision to leave everything I knew for my current medical school for one overarching reason: New York City. To elucidate this desire, I will share what my friend showed me, a passage from Tom Sawyer Detective that describes “spring fever:”
“It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want--oh, you don't quite know what it is you DO want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! It seems to you that mainly what you want is to get away; get away from the same old tedious things you're so used to seeing and so tired of, and set something new. That is the idea; you want to go and be a wanderer; you want to go wandering far away to strange countries where everything is mysterious and wonderful and romantic.”
When I first read this, I recognized the symptoms of this “fever” immediately and realized that my move to New York alleviated such ailments. I needed this. Soon, I stopped regretting my move and started to embrace the uncertainty of change.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
"vissi d'arte et di medicina"
In 12 hours, I will have survived my first week of medical school!
Most medical schools are infamous for throwing textbooks, journal articles, and exams at first years until they forget about the existence of daylight. Our school, however, deliberately gives us first years an easier first semester in order to allow us to adjust to and enjoy New York City.
Hence, this week, I've taken full advantage of the Metropolitan Opera's Summer in HD festival at the Lincoln Center. They broadcast (in HD) previously recorded productions of world-class quality operas for free at Lincoln Center! I've gone four days in a row and seen Eugene Onegin (by Tchaikovsky), Macbeth (by Verdi), Il Barbiere di Siviglia (by Rossini), and Peter Grimes (by Britton). I've never seen a full opera before this week, and now I've seen four operas in a row. After the first opera I saw on Monday, I went to youtube and watched more opera scenes. I've been smitten. I've found another art form to appreciate and enjoy!
However, the time spent watching operas equals time spent not studying. I thought about tonight when a classmate texted me on my way to see Peter Grimes, "did you do the problem set...," which happened to be due tomorrow. I hadn't, so I'm working on it at 2:30 in the morning. Yes, I sacrificed sleep, but how often does one get to see the opera in high definition for free in New York? For that matter, who gets anything for free in New York?
Biochemistry can wait for culture, especially if it doesn't require money.
Now I must return to the aforementioned problem set, while listening to Leontyne Price's performance of "Vissi d'Arte" from Tosca.
Most medical schools are infamous for throwing textbooks, journal articles, and exams at first years until they forget about the existence of daylight. Our school, however, deliberately gives us first years an easier first semester in order to allow us to adjust to and enjoy New York City.
Hence, this week, I've taken full advantage of the Metropolitan Opera's Summer in HD festival at the Lincoln Center. They broadcast (in HD) previously recorded productions of world-class quality operas for free at Lincoln Center! I've gone four days in a row and seen Eugene Onegin (by Tchaikovsky), Macbeth (by Verdi), Il Barbiere di Siviglia (by Rossini), and Peter Grimes (by Britton). I've never seen a full opera before this week, and now I've seen four operas in a row. After the first opera I saw on Monday, I went to youtube and watched more opera scenes. I've been smitten. I've found another art form to appreciate and enjoy!
However, the time spent watching operas equals time spent not studying. I thought about tonight when a classmate texted me on my way to see Peter Grimes, "did you do the problem set...," which happened to be due tomorrow. I hadn't, so I'm working on it at 2:30 in the morning. Yes, I sacrificed sleep, but how often does one get to see the opera in high definition for free in New York? For that matter, who gets anything for free in New York?
Biochemistry can wait for culture, especially if it doesn't require money.
Now I must return to the aforementioned problem set, while listening to Leontyne Price's performance of "Vissi d'Arte" from Tosca.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
I finally found time for this.
A Michigan wolverine has moved eastward to leave jagged teethmarks in the Big Apple. Watch out New York.
That rabid animal is me, WolverineDoc, a brand new first-year medical student who has lived the Manhattan life for a total of 10 days. I moved here from Ann Arbor to embark on a rugged journey filled with self-discovery, learning, maturity, and challenge.
I created this blog to chronicle my experiences and give myself some cathartic personal space. Hopefully, it'll bestow meaningful advice to future colleagues who are in medical school or on their way to medical school.
The name WolverineDoc has many meanings, the first being an effigy to the mascot of my alma mater, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. I, however, also value wolverines for their brute, exponential strength. They are about the size of a medium dog -- measuring 17-25 inches in length and weighing anywhere between 22 and 55 pounds; however, they've been known to hunt large moose and successfully fight off bears to defend their food. The wolverine has been described as "the fiercest creature on earth" and "a dangerous, fearless fighter."
Health care workers of today must also be fighters, especially in the United States. Daily, we're mauled by the jaws of insurance companies, new diseases, long lines, increasing costs, public policy issues, malpractice suits, etc. Future health professionals, like myself, must prepare to inherit this and continue to fight disease within a broken health care system that shows little promise of improvement.
I also consider myself a fighter. Everyone's journey to medical school involves challenges (coursework, MCAT, applications, interviews, etc.). My path to medical school, however, has been paved with hardships that venture beyond the scope of our organic chemistry lecture hall. As I post, I will spend more time to share those personal experiences. For the future, however, that fighter spirit must continue to ensure my success.
Hence, I must channel the wolverine's spirit and sinew to survive.
I've typed enough for now. Thanks for reading!
That rabid animal is me, WolverineDoc, a brand new first-year medical student who has lived the Manhattan life for a total of 10 days. I moved here from Ann Arbor to embark on a rugged journey filled with self-discovery, learning, maturity, and challenge.
I created this blog to chronicle my experiences and give myself some cathartic personal space. Hopefully, it'll bestow meaningful advice to future colleagues who are in medical school or on their way to medical school.
The name WolverineDoc has many meanings, the first being an effigy to the mascot of my alma mater, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. I, however, also value wolverines for their brute, exponential strength. They are about the size of a medium dog -- measuring 17-25 inches in length and weighing anywhere between 22 and 55 pounds; however, they've been known to hunt large moose and successfully fight off bears to defend their food. The wolverine has been described as "the fiercest creature on earth" and "a dangerous, fearless fighter."
Health care workers of today must also be fighters, especially in the United States. Daily, we're mauled by the jaws of insurance companies, new diseases, long lines, increasing costs, public policy issues, malpractice suits, etc. Future health professionals, like myself, must prepare to inherit this and continue to fight disease within a broken health care system that shows little promise of improvement.
I also consider myself a fighter. Everyone's journey to medical school involves challenges (coursework, MCAT, applications, interviews, etc.). My path to medical school, however, has been paved with hardships that venture beyond the scope of our organic chemistry lecture hall. As I post, I will spend more time to share those personal experiences. For the future, however, that fighter spirit must continue to ensure my success.
Hence, I must channel the wolverine's spirit and sinew to survive.
I've typed enough for now. Thanks for reading!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Books I read to get into medical school (both the good and the bad)
For substance. In order of importance (top being most important)
Med School Confidential (2006) -- If I could recommend only one book for pre-meds, this would be it. Written by Robert Miller, author of Law School Confidential, and Daniel Bissell, MD, the book has something for pre-med or med students at any phase of their career. It first discusses the thought process involved with choosing a medical career and finishes by discussing how to apply for and survive for medical residencies. I already used this book to help me select and apply to med schools and I intend to use it to help me study for the USMLE and apply to residencies in the future. you get more bang for your buck, for sure. There's even a chapter for spouses of medical students. Buy this book!
Kaplan's Get Into Medical School (2006) -- Though this may appear to be a selling gimmic for Kaplan, I enjoyed this book. Unlike Med School Confidential, this book focuses on the application process. It takes you step by step though the process and gives you good advice along the way. My favorite sections included the financial aid information (which is better than Med School Confidential's in my opinion) and especially the chapters focusing on special student populations: nontraditional students, underrepresented minorities, students with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students. That impressed me immensely.
Complications by Atul Gwande (2002) -- Realistic stories from a surgical resident who went to Harvard Medical School. I enjoy his writing style. I first encountered him in an essay writing class one summer, and I fell in love with the book ever since. I learned a lot about the subjective and philosophical sides of medicine.
U.S. News and World Report's Ulimate Guide to Medical Schools (2004) -- I considered this book helpful, but not because of the schools' profiles. I enjoyed the articles at the beginning of the book, which described how to pick a school that is right for me and my personality. I love how the articles encourage students to stay away from the idea of rankings or prestige and lean toward more personal factors (like location, curriculum, or environment).
Medical School Essays that made a difference (2006) -- This book freaked me out about medical school (and not in a good way). Not only does this book consist of sample personal statements, it included the students' GPA and MCAT scores and the list of schools they applied to. Seeing others' scores immediately make me nervous. In the back it shows where they were admitted (or waitlisted or rejected). Though every student was admitted somewhere, I considered the results to be very depressing. I enjoyed having the opportunity to read others' personal statements; however, I was able to find good (sometimes better) personal statements online for free.
Med School Confidential (2006) -- If I could recommend only one book for pre-meds, this would be it. Written by Robert Miller, author of Law School Confidential, and Daniel Bissell, MD, the book has something for pre-med or med students at any phase of their career. It first discusses the thought process involved with choosing a medical career and finishes by discussing how to apply for and survive for medical residencies. I already used this book to help me select and apply to med schools and I intend to use it to help me study for the USMLE and apply to residencies in the future. you get more bang for your buck, for sure. There's even a chapter for spouses of medical students. Buy this book!
Kaplan's Get Into Medical School (2006) -- Though this may appear to be a selling gimmic for Kaplan, I enjoyed this book. Unlike Med School Confidential, this book focuses on the application process. It takes you step by step though the process and gives you good advice along the way. My favorite sections included the financial aid information (which is better than Med School Confidential's in my opinion) and especially the chapters focusing on special student populations: nontraditional students, underrepresented minorities, students with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students. That impressed me immensely.
Complications by Atul Gwande (2002) -- Realistic stories from a surgical resident who went to Harvard Medical School. I enjoy his writing style. I first encountered him in an essay writing class one summer, and I fell in love with the book ever since. I learned a lot about the subjective and philosophical sides of medicine.
U.S. News and World Report's Ulimate Guide to Medical Schools (2004) -- I considered this book helpful, but not because of the schools' profiles. I enjoyed the articles at the beginning of the book, which described how to pick a school that is right for me and my personality. I love how the articles encourage students to stay away from the idea of rankings or prestige and lean toward more personal factors (like location, curriculum, or environment).
Medical School Essays that made a difference (2006) -- This book freaked me out about medical school (and not in a good way). Not only does this book consist of sample personal statements, it included the students' GPA and MCAT scores and the list of schools they applied to. Seeing others' scores immediately make me nervous. In the back it shows where they were admitted (or waitlisted or rejected). Though every student was admitted somewhere, I considered the results to be very depressing. I enjoyed having the opportunity to read others' personal statements; however, I was able to find good (sometimes better) personal statements online for free.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)