Med students taking courses in other programs

[DOC_Ma]

Hi

 

I will be starting med school this Sept at uoft. I am just wondering if you guys know anyone taking lets say another degree at the same time as med school? I am interested in economics so I also want to get a degree in it while doing med school if not what about a minor? Do you guys find enough time to do it at med school? I didn't find any previous topic on this so my apologies if it's been addressed already.

[future_doc]

Proceed with caution. Don't bite off more than you can chew. Personally, I would take the same position as someone making the transition from h.s. to UG, i.e., no ECs, academics are the only priority - at least until the transition is over and one is able to guage how much time it takes and whether any down time, relaxation is required more than anticipated; or whether the added load of other studies will affect medical studies.

 

Life is so long, why rush it, enjoy the journey of med school and smell the flowers......another viewpoint for what it is worth...even with the combined PhD/MD Program, it is over a longer period of time.

[DOC_Ma]

Proceed with caution. Don't bite off more than you can chew. Personally, I would take the same position as someone making the transition from h.s. to UG, i.e., no ECs, academics are the only priority - at least until the transition is over and one is able to guage how much time it takes and whether any down time, relaxation is required more than anticipated; or whether the added load of other studies will affect medical studies.

 

Life is so long, why rush it, enjoy thejourney of med school and smell the flowers......another viewpoint for what it is worth...even with the combined PhD/MD Program, it is over a longer period of time.

 

Hey F_D

 

I am not rushing it, I am really interested in economics so I kinda crave for some more knowledge in this area. I just want to know if anyone has taken electives outside of medicine during med school.

[bloh]

I suppose there is nothing stopping you. You could see if the economics classes can fit your schedule and if so, sign yourself up for one. You will likely have to get consent from the professors for most courses as you are not in their department and will also have to pay for the course.

 

Are you interesting in getting a paper acknowledging that you've studied economics or are you just interested in learning it (as you say)? If the latter, just go sit in the courses for free. There is no stress in missing exams, missing lectures, doing badly on assignments and you get to learn however much you wish.

[future_doc]

Hey F_D

 

I am not rushing it, I am really interested in economics so I kinda crave for some more knowledge in this area. I just want to know if anyone has taken electives outside of medicine during med school.

 

I hear yah - auditing a course may be the shrot term answer, and you can bild upon it, evenin a formal way, depending upon your comfort level after you have some experience under your belt. I wish you success in this endeavour and we all must follow our heart and our interests. Absolutely, life does not begin and end with med school.

[DOC_Ma]

Hey DOC_ma, I actually am in a very similar boat. I need 1 credit to pick up an econ minor so I was thinking about doing it during the year. In my opinion, I would wait until you kickstart medical school. Med school is low stress and not difficult, but it is a lot of work still and you need to find your groove. I would recommend waiting until second semester before you take on those ECON courses. Who knows, maybe you will find an EC or research project hat you would rather do instead. You really never know, but you need to find your groove first because you start scooping more things on your plate.

 

Thanks for the advice. Thanks everyone else as well.

 

 

To answer another poster, I don't care if I get the piece of paper or not, but by committing to a course rather than auditting, I might be forced to study harder. Therefore retain the knowledge better. That's only my speculation so other ideas r welcome!

[rmorelan]

I am taking one course a semester outside of the program and doing ok. The problem more than anything is med schools is quite merciless in terms of dates and time availability - it was very hard to find a course that didn't directly conflict with some other med school class

[future_doc]

by committing to a course rather than auditting, I might be forced to study harder.

 

That is highly debateable and may be based upon a false premise. Given your interest, your work ethic and your history, I cannot imagine you slacking off.

 

I know a young lawyer who decided to audit a law course he never took in law school. He attend classes, decided to specialize in this area of law and now has a boutique lawfirm dealing exclusively with this. My point being, auditing will not make it easier on you really, although you are not hard pressed to obtain a high grade for the course; by being more relaxed, you are likely to learn more. Whatever you decide shall be the right decision for you. Enjoy the journey and rmorelan is a great role model.

[thebouque]

OP, If you were in a PBL curriculum, I'd say definitely go for it. But you're at UofT and apparently the schedule is very packed so taking an extra class might be hard.

[UTPEOPLE]

OP, If you were in a PBL curriculum, I'd say definitely go for it. But you're at UofT and apparently the schedule is very packed so taking an extra class might be hard.

 

its also not allowed at u of t ... nobody is allowed to be part of two programs at same time.... and u of t med program doesnt let you pick extra courses

[future_doc]

But to just sit in on classes of a course (regularly), I cannot imagine that being a probelm.

[rmorelan]

But to just sit in on classes of a course (regularly), I cannot imagine that being a probelm.

 

if that class isn't on one of the mandatory sessions - that is always my problem, you can't easily respond when you have a economics exam and required med class activity at the same time.

 

Personally I resolved that with DE courses - you can get a minor in Econ from Waterloo that way actually which is the OP original school I believe

[future_doc]

Sounds good. Mind you, DOC_Ma is not interested necessarily in obtaining the credit, just the knoweledge, so I believe an econ. exam is not a problem, per se.

[AdamP]

How would this work logistically in terms of degrees etc.

 

Say someone who has a B.Sc in science gets enough Poli Sci courses in during med school to earn a minor in poly sci. Would they graduate with an M.D. + minor in Poly sci or get a second B.A. with a minor in poly sci??

[future_doc]

No, that would be impossible I believe.

 

We are speaking here for DOC_Ma about the thirst for knowledge in an area outside of med where she is not concerned about obtaining credit. To my knowledge, med schools, or some of them, have the PhD/MD Program and the MBA/MD Program period.

[thebouque]

No, that would be impossible I believe.

 

We are speaking here for DOC_Ma about the thirst for knowledge in an area outside of med where she is not concerned about obtaining credit. To my knowledge, med schools, or some of them, have the PhD/MD Program and the MBA/MD Program period.

 

At Laval, a student can choose to do his preclerkship in 3 years instead of 2, and get an MD + minor in something or an MD + Msc. The option MD + PhD also exists.

[rmorelan]

Sounds good. Mind you, DOC_Ma is not interested necessarily in obtaining the credit, just the knoweledge, so I believe an econ. exam is not a problem, per se.

 

true but since it is hard to even sit in on classes as a med student, and the preclerkship is only 2 years doing the exams both actually verifies you have the knowledge and forces you to absolutely learn it and by passing lets you gain access to the higher level DE courses. You cannot audit a DE courses as well at most (all?) schools.

[future_doc]

At Laval, a student can choose to do his preclerkship in 3 years instead of 2, and get an MD + minor in something or an MD + Msc.

 

Fantastic, I was not aware of that.

 

since it is hard to even sit in on classes as a med student, and the preclerkship is only 2 years doing the exams both actually verifies you have the knowledge and forces you to absolutely learn it and by passing lets you gain access to the higher level DE courses.

 

DOC_Ma thinks along your lines.

 

 

You cannot audit a DE courses as well at most (all?) schools.

 

Yes

[kylamonkey]

This is a really interesting discussion. I'd love to take some indigenous studies courses while in med school, it will be interesting to see what the possibilities are!

[future_doc]

Who knows, perhaps med schools will redesign their programs to allow their students to study some courses of their choice in other facilities as Laval does. Laval can act as role model for other med schools across Canada.

[rmorelan]

 

DOC_Ma thinks along your lines.

 

 

Well you just can't audit DE courses so you can never get to the second year courses using the DE route if you don't take the courses fully. Otherwise auditing doesn't sound like a bad approach to things

[future_doc]

My idea had been to audit an econ course at U/T. DOC_Ma feels she would be more motivated taking a course for credit. Your idea of D.E. creates the flexibility of when to study, however, there will be no lectures.

 

I am sure DOC_Ma will make the right decision for her. After all, she is on course in importsant matters in her life.

[A-Stark]

I imagine it depends on the school, but I don't think this is generally permitted. At Dal, we cannot register for any courses apart from the required blocks ourselves, though I have a vague sense that some of my classmates have been able to swing something.

[DOC_Ma]

Thanks for the responses. I might just take the DE route as I am from Waterloo so I am familiar with the curriculum of the school and this gives me flexibility. Now I just gotta find out whether or not uoft allows me to do that.

[future_doc]

Thanks for the responses. I might just take the DE route as I am from Waterloo so I am familiar with the curriculum of the school and this gives me flexibility. Now I just gotta find out whether or not uoft allows me to do that.

 

Personally I resolved that with DE courses - you can get a minor in Econ from Waterloo that way actually which is the OP original school I believe

 

Once again rmorelan, you are so wise/smart in the advice you give!