Blogs / Live to work
Physician
| 10/21/09
I have a theory that deep down, everyone wishes they could be a doctor. Even if you can't stand the sight of blood and would never want to go through that much school, there's still a part of you that would love to be a doctor. Or maybe it's just me. Either way, there are plenty of students each year who apply to the U of M's Faculty of Medicine in the hopes of one day becoming a physician.
Even before going through through the stresses of medical school, internships and residencies, students must work like mad just to get into the faculty. Last year 851 students applied for entrance into the University of Manitoba's medical school and only 141 were accepted. In addition to having high MCAT scores and good interviewing skills, most successful applicants have a 4.0 GPA or higher. Not exactly an easy feat in classes like physics and biochemistry.
Once you're in medical school it doesn't get any easier. Most grading is pass/fail, and students are expected to learn what they need to to pass their final exams. The first two years of medical school consist mostly of lectures while the last two years are largely hands-on, working in hospitals. During this period students must often deal with unusual work hours, an overload of information, and little respect.
Despite the work and lack of respect, most doctors will tell you its worth it. Job satisfaction among doctors is one of the highest.
Davie Wong, a 3rd year medical student, suggests that there are several important things students can do to help them decide if medicine is right for them:
"Gain exposure in a clinic or hospital either by shadowing a doctor or volunteering there. Learn about medical ethics, develop opinions on current issues, study smart (not hard), evaluate the reasons why you want to pursue medicine and not another health care profession, know your limitations, be prepared to be humiliated, criticized, ignored, etc. by the senior staff and don't give up your dream too easily."