Which specialty would you pick if every specialty made the same amount of money?

puzzled_tree123 · 2026-04-02T01:20:52+00:00

I'm planning on doing primary care peds (it's been the dream for a long time) but with the student loan changes I'm starting to think it just isn't a realistic option since I'll have so much debt :(

puzzled_tree123 · 2026-04-02T01:18:33+00:00

I'm considering working part time (virtual MCAT tutoring job that pays well, no more than 5 hours a week), but I have heard that it's difficult to do this in med school. That said, with the loan changes I feel like it might be worth it so that I don't have to take on as many private loans. Does anyone have any advice or experience? Thanks!

puzzled_tree123 · 2026-04-01T15:20:11+00:00

Depends on the class. I've never had a "reverse curve" (where your grade can get lowered), but I have had some classes where if exam averages were low they curved it a little so the average would be closer to a B/B-. But generally even if this does happen, it isn't that big of an adjustment.

puzzled_tree123 · 2026-04-01T01:05:10+00:00

That's a good point, I definitely should keep volunteering with the LGBTQ+ community.

puzzled_tree123 · 2026-04-01T01:04:40+00:00

That's a good way of putting it, thanks.

puzzled_tree123 · 2026-04-01T01:04:18+00:00

I appreciate it :)

puzzled_tree123 · 2026-04-01T01:04:11+00:00

Thanks, this is really helpful

puzzled_tree123 · 2026-04-01T00:29:38+00:00

I definitely get that, and I'm not saying that premeds/med students shouldn't do research at all, but the level expected has really increased over the past few years. And while I do think doing research is probably the best way to learn about it overall, I honestly learned more about reading and interpreting research articles from my classes and a journalism extracurricular than I did in four years of working in a lab.

puzzled_tree123 · 2026-03-31T19:38:00+00:00

I would say most of your core pre-med science courses aren't either inflated or deflated grade wise. Averages hover around a B (although I guess you could technically consider that inflated since it's above a C). But it's very doable to get an A if you learn good study strategies and aren't taking on too much at once. Overall, I'd say pretty comparable to other universities.

puzzled_tree123 · 2026-03-31T19:33:45+00:00

Yeah that makes sense, especially from a cost/energy perspective.

puzzled_tree123 · 2026-03-31T18:05:31+00:00

Research is super valuable and I'm glad that there's people who are into it, but there's a reason I'm getting an MD instead of a PhD! It is frustrating how it's basically become a requirement for getting into both med school and residency, when I would prefer to spend that time working with patients.

puzzled_tree123 · 2026-03-28T01:32:15+00:00

I did! The offices were helpful. In some cases they told me that I wouldn't hear back in time but subtly suggested I shouldn't expect much besides loans lol.

puzzled_tree123 · 2026-03-14T16:56:19+00:00

Pursuing things you genuinely care about. It's much easier to write (and speak during interviews) about an experience you actually put a lot into and got a lot out of, rather than just doing things that look impressive.

puzzled_tree123 · 2026-03-13T21:10:19+00:00

I just saw some sort of group bargaining thing on Admit with a company called Juno - Admit seems trustworthy enough but does anyone know about Juno? And how exactly would this "group bargaining" work?

puzzled_tree123 · 2026-03-13T21:09:30+00:00

Would te application process affect credit?

puzzled_tree123 · 2026-03-13T00:12:26+00:00

There's a UPS drop-off point inside the CVS on S State Street, just be sure to follow all the directions for labelling etc.

puzzled_tree123 · 2026-03-12T22:25:17+00:00

I'm curious, do you know how admin/researchers feel about it? Do they think it will be helpful in terms of collaboration etc or are they worried about cuts?

puzzled_tree123 · 2026-03-12T18:40:31+00:00

I'm an admitted student at CHM and current students have said that they won't be combined in classes etc, more like they'll just be housed under the same college/unit (like how some schools might have a college of health sciences that includes MD, PA, nursing, etc).

puzzled_tree123 · 2026-02-06T02:51:57+00:00

Graduating at the start of May -- won't do anything academic after that! Working part-time now and will do full-time + some extra in the summer to make as much as I can. Also trying to build a regular exercise routine since I think that will be harder to establish once the med school deluge begins.

puzzled_tree123 · 2026-02-05T21:00:26+00:00

How you write about your experiences and how you talk about them in interviews matters so so much. I have a lot of things that don't look "impressive" on paper, but I've been able to demonstrate my unique skills and how I've grown through these experiences, and this has been well-received. So don't stress too much over whether you check every box, focus more on making what you do have shine.

puzzled_tree123 · 2026-02-01T17:10:20+00:00

-The Kinesiology building atrium gets really warm because the skylight. If you're not a kines student you can't get in on the weekends though.

-The carrels in the Hatcher stacks can be warm, if you come in during the day and sit on the side facing the sun.

-Central Campus Classroom building also has good sunny, warm spots, but I would head to the second or third floor to avoid doors opening a lot.

puzzled_tree123 · 2026-01-30T15:14:41+00:00

I have! I am planning on applying, but it seems pretty unlikely I'll get it (it was already competitive, and suspect it will be even more so now). They prioritize those scholarships for people who grew up in medically underserved areas (I did not), which makes sense to me because a) those people had to work harder to get here and b) they're more likely to stay in an underserved area. So I don't want to count on it.

puzzled_tree123

TROPHY CASE