<p>I'm currently a Junior in High School and I think being a doctor is something I'm interested in. But looking at these forums, it looks as if I'm considerably behind on planning. For someone who doesn't know the first thing about how to be a doctor, where should I start? What are some good places?</p>
<p>(I'm strongly considering majoring in a Social Studies field)</p>
<p>You are not behind. Go to college, sign up for Chemistry, and worry about it during your freshman year. See you in three years.</p>
<p>
[quote]
You are not behind. Go to college, sign up for Chemistry, and worry about it during your freshman year. See you in three years.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>But are there any websites, where I can learn the basics of being on the Med School track?</p>
<p>This is a good website.</p>
<p>From BRM's post in <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/pre-med-topics/527781-too-late.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/pre-med-topics/527781-too-late.html</a> :</p>
<p>
[quote]
Go to college, take pre-med courses, volunteer, shadow physicians, be involved on campus, take part in research, take the MCAT and apply.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Thanks shades. And for others who're interested in this topic, Wikipedia was a good read that explained the procedure (internship, residency etc) quite well.</p>
<p>Also, can someone guide me to "Med School" rankings (not Pre-Med but actual Med Schools :) )</p>
<p>No such rankings exist for "Medical School." Some rankings exist for Research Schools, and some exist for Primary Care Schools. The former is useful only if you want to do... well, you know, research. The latter is not useful in any situation because it's constructed very poorly.</p>
<p>Okay. I was wondering because I came across a post that debated the relative merits of UPenn and Stanford and one of the posters charged that UPenn's Medical School was considered better, and I was wondering what metric people use. So is it generally research?</p>
<p>Edit: Does the "Quote message in reply" function work for any of you?</p>
<p>I've been wondering though, how would you ask a doctor if you can shadow him/her? I mean, wouldn't it be weird if you decided to walk up to a doctor and be like "Can I shadow you? I really like medicine."</p>
<p>They're probably used to it woami.</p>
<p>Penn is ranked slightly higher in the research rankings. The difference is so small as to be basically undetectable. This is not relevant unless you intend on a career in full-time research, in which case you will almost certainly find that Stanford's thesis requirement outweights the miniscule bonus from going to the #4 school instead of #7 (or whatever Stanford is).</p>
<p>Thanks again Mike</p>
<p>IT IS NEVER TOO LATE :D
Have you considered a BS/MD Program?</p>
<p>
[quote]
IT IS NEVER TOO LATE
Have you considered a BS/MD Program?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Er...not really. I also want a way out if something goes wrong :D</p>
<p>I'm considering majoring in Econ/Business/Poli Sci and then applying to Med School :)</p>
<p>I have one last question (hopefully).</p>
<p>What happens to all those kids who go to Med School and don't make it into residency (was watching Scrubs and apparently they have only 3 attending spots for 10 residents :D)</p>
<p>Practically everyone who makes it into medical schools goes to residency. Those who don't decided that they don't want to be practicing physicians. Those who didn't get into the residencies they applied for end up scrambling for a week or so to find spots - and they do find spots. I haven't heard of any MS4 who wanted residency and wasn't able to eventually get it.</p>
<p>No I meant, what happens to those who don't make it in the Residency.</p>
<p>Because the episode suggests even after they're all residents, the hospital only has 3 (permanent?) jobs for them. I was wondering what happened to the other 7. I guess I shouldn't worry, since there's talk of a physician shortage.</p>
<p>So how does getting into a residency work? I read you get matched (?) or is it just like getting a job (resume/interview etc)</p>
<p>What you're referring to in the episode is the end of residency. Once your residency (and any fellowship) is over, you are an attending ("full-fledged") physician. After that, you look for a job at a hospital or a private practice, or go into private practice on your own.</p>
<p>The 7 from Scrubs who didn't get attending spots at Sacred Heart Hospital simply need to find open attending jobs at other hospitals or practices. Maybe some of them didn't want to stay at Sacred Heart after finishing residency in the first place.</p>
<p>So once the residency is done, is it easy to find an attending spot?</p>
<p>Or does competition exist there too?</p>
<p>First off, it's probably relatively easy to find AN attending job.</p>
<p>Second, however, the vast majority of residency graduates do not want and do not take jobs as attending physicians in academic institutions (in Scrubs, Sacred Heart). They instead enter private practice -- for example, Elliot Reed in the show is not considered an attending physician.</p>