Starting a new journey

[Rae1889]

So i have decided to dig my foot in and start planning for my future career goal as a neurologist, and maybe an epileptologist.

I have looked into schooling and the debt i'll be in nearly took my breath away! $144,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

but i'm gonna do it anyway. starting with applying to volunter at a hospital. but deciding which one is so hard! I have 3 I'd like to apply at, and cant figure out how to apply at the epilepsy clinic. they dont even have a website...

[neilB]

Can I be your first patient? Seriously, good luck and it might be nice to see things from both sides!

[Nakamova]

You go girl! I'm rooting for you bigtime.

Contact the hospitals' H.R. departments, explain your interest and ask when you can come in to apply. Even if they don't have an opening, ask if there's someone you can come in and talk with to get a sense of what they might be looking for in the future and what sort of work would be involved. (Informational interviewing is the way to go -- you get a foot in the door, and names/contacts for future opportunities or networking).

[epileric]

I"m wishing the best for ya.

Maybe these links will help you find what you need. The society for neuroscience looked promising.

http://www.wrha.mb.ca/prog/surgery/n...y/overview.php

http://www.sfn-manitoba.ca/

[Endless]

Hi, Rae,

I'm so happy for you. It's a long journey, but I know you can do it! How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time....

My neices are financing their med school through loans. At specialist salaries, it shouldn't take long to pay back. If they become primary care phsycians, it'll take awhile.

I don't know how things work in Canada, but here in the U.S. the tough thing is getting in to med school. Needed are almost perfect grades in college, MCAT scores in the top 3%, references from top well-known docs, a full resume of medical related volunteer and paid work, very good performance on the interviews,.... you get the idea. It's cutthroat out there. One of my neices had 3 published research papers before she applied, one as a primary author. That helped immensely. Even so, she had to apply to over 20 medical schools and interview at 6 to be accepted at 3. (Most students feel very lucky to get one acceptance)

What shocked her was how much money it costs to even apply to school. $100/ea just to apply, then about $1000/ea for expenses to go interview. Her take-away is that had she known, she would have started saving for it for years ahead of time. Including new suit, etc., her application costs were almost $10,000 U.S. dollars.

Don't let any of that stop you. Make a plan, and then work the plan.

[daisy.girl]

Rae,
What is your current degree in? Will a lot of credits transfer for you? Will you be able to work while attending school?
Wishing you the best!!!

[Rae1889]

@ daisy girl: I dont have a degree yet, I'm only 20. but in highschoo, my highest grades were biology, law and power mechanics (essentially fixing cars). and if i take a student loan, i cant work and go to school. only way to do that is to pay for school myself.

@ endless: its not too hard to get into med school. anyone can get in. they dont turn many people away. its just that you gotta pass the course thats the hard part. Anyone can get into Univesrity 1, (which is just basic courses to start you off.) sorta like harder highschool. Grade 13 if you will, just to help you adjust to Uni life.

its $65 to apply to the schools (only 2 where I live) and then roughly $4k for the course, $2k for books and supplies and then student loans for living. roughly $12,000 per year. Interviews are free and nearby, so just the $2 for a bus. Then you just take the courses as you pass them.

I really like that approach, this way anyone can be a doctor or a specialist, and not only people from rich families can do it. anyone at all can be a doctor if they truly want to be.

@ epileric: Thanks for the links. I'm reading them now.

@ everyone else: Thanks!

[Rae1889]

Also, the 3 hospitals I'm looking to get into are the

Victoria General Hospital: http://www.vgh.mb.ca/VolGuild/index.html

The St. Boniface Hospital (this is the same hospital affiliated with my neurologists clinic) : http://www.sbgh.mb.ca/campus_sbgh/Ge...o_VolSvcs.html

and the Children's Hospital (which is part of the Health Science Centre): http://www.hsc.mb.ca/volunteers/

also, I'd like the epilepsy foundation if I could just find something on it, but my epilepsy foundation is useless. they have yet to answer any email I have sent them, and from others that have emailed them, they havent gotten a response either. I feel like yelling at them to step up and use their resources! I just donated to them!

[Endless]

Rae,

WOW. If americans students knew about the canadian medical school system, they'd all be up there!

How does canada manage to have enough spots in Medical School for everyone that wants to go? Or do only a few people want to be doctors? In the U.S. about 1000 times more people want to go to med school than there are places for them. (actual numbers)

Down here anyone can also go to university that wants to. There are plenty of spots, though people may not get into the school they want to go to. They may end up at a community college, or a lesser university.

Your highest grades were biology and power mechanics? You would make a fabulous orthopedic surgeon, too! Bodies and cars have a lot in common.

[Rae1889]

lol thats what my mum told me, but I cant stand the thought of drilling into someone.

Yeah, not many people wanna be doctors or nurses here. there is a huge shortage. not to mention the lack of specialists in general. They say its because the union sucks and the hours suck so our nurses strike alot here. Which makes no sense to me. They knew what they were getting into. and its also that not many people pass. most drop out and/or fail.
there is only like a 10% graduation rate for things like ER docs, specialists and surgeons. Family doctors have a higher rate of passing.

[douglas]

best of luck. you are able to achieve anything you set your mind to.

[skillefer]

That is fantastic!

[CQ:)]

That's great Rae

Good Luck with it all

[Meetz1064]

Don't forget us all, here at CWE! I'll be traveling to Canada to see you, I think!

[huskymom]

That is awesome!! I am sure as a person who lives with it, you will be great!!

[lindinig]

That's great! I'm so happy for you! You will truly know what your patients are going through and that's priceless.

Good luck!

[neilB]

Wow, the Canadian Medical School system sounds great! One of my daughters is a sophomore in college with the goal of attending Med School. Her current tuition for a Bachelor's degree is $37,000+ USD per year! (That's not even Med School - I'm gonna need more jobs!). Now, if I can only convince her to move to Canada!
Again, Good Luck and like I said I'll be looking for a good neurologist even if I have to go to Canada!

[gigi]

Rae - I knew the first time I read one of your posts that you were a bright one. Overcoming the obstacles of epilepsy-plus your intellect will give you the drive to reach your goals.

The best of luck to you in your quest to help those who you can empathize with!

[Chris515]

You're going to be a great Neurologist Rae! We're all really proud of the path you are taking.

We definitely need more doctors in Winnipeg with your caring attitude and dedication!

We're all here to support you all the way.

[BuckeyeFan]

Just like our fight against E, one step at a time and one day at a time. Set your goals and GO FOR IT!!!

You will be great!