To meds: Gray's Anatomy (1 Viewer)

[Lexicographer]

Originally posted by Weisy
Do they still have them at basement books? I want one!

I haven't checked in a few days, but they weren't flying out the door so you should still find some there. They are seeling two copies, a small (extremely fat) paperback facsimile of the 15th? edition for $30, and a large, hardcover facsimile of the 1st edition for $40. I got the hardback because I'm a pedantic bibliophile and rarely get paperbacks if a hardback is available.

Originally posted by Takuya
I will unleash my whole vocabulary on the people who set that 2U Mathematics paper.

You need a bigger vocabulary.

Besides, it's much more satisfying if you can insult someone to their face without them realising. Be clever and witty in your barbs!

 

[Weisy]

Originally posted by Lexicographer
a large, hardcover facsimile of the 1st edition for $40. I got the hardback because I'm a pedantic bibliophile and rarely get paperbacks if a hardback is available.

brill.

although...the 15th edition would be soooo much more useful.

damn.

 

[Lexicographer]

Put simply, I intend to buy the fat little paperback one as well, as soon as possible. But in typical Robert style, I saw the hardback and just went GIMME!!! So yeah...

Anyway, it's good.

 

[Lexicographer]

Hmm... it seems to be available in a few places. I saw two copies of the same volume at Kinokuniya, also $40. I guess that's the normal price for this edition, which is surprising.

 

[aby]

hey lexicographer, u are way too enthusiastic.. i remember being like that this time last yr, all i can say is take a well-deserved break now and enjoy it before med infiltrates your life and consumes u..

 

[spice girl]

why bother buying it?

http://education.yahoo.com/reference/gray/index.html

but some of the stuff there isn't exactly the newest...there are weird names there that i think are out of date

is it useful? yes, sometimes, it really depends on how much your uni actually emphasises anatomy. i hear the PBL phenomenon isn't emphasising anatomy very well, in which case 'instant anatomy' might as well be good enough.

apparently some 3rd yrs in PBL don't know the difference between the radius and ulna.

Weisy, the purple book was HORRIBLE. i must admit at times i had to resort to using Gray's this sess. Moore's was too vague and too brief at times, and purple book was just all the details that we didn't really need.

just remember, it's "R" for radius because it's on the "right" side....

 

[Lexicographer]

Originally posted by aby
hey lexicographer, u are way too enthusiastic.. i remember being like that this time last yr, all i can say is take a well-deserved break now and enjoy it before med infiltrates your life and consumes u..

That's if I get in, which is not happening. The only beings to have faith in my chances are Magic 8 balls. Everyone else laughs when I say I applied to 6 different med schools, especially those that know my UAI prediction. I just cry.

 

[j-belle]

Originally posted by spice girl
is it useful? yes, sometimes, it really depends on how much your uni actually emphasises anatomy. i hear the PBL phenomenon isn't emphasising anatomy very well, in which case 'instant anatomy' might as well be good enough.

apparently some 3rd yrs in PBL don't know the difference between the radius and ulna.

yeh, in PBL it's meant to be skimmed over a fair bit quicker, because the 'problems' are what matters, instead of the (previously) unequalled emphasis on the actual theory. What do you guys think of the concept of PBL? (for you non-meds out there it stands for 'problem-based learning').

Originally posted by Lexicographer
That's if I get in, which is not happening. The only beings to have faith in my chances are Magic 8 balls. Everyone else laughs when I say I applied to 6 different med schools, especially those that know my UAI prediction. I just cry.

I wouldn't laugh. It just shows that you're willing to go to great lengths to get into med. Why didn't you apply to more?
And perhaps you should have 'discussed' your UAI prediction with your principal before he/she determined it

 

[Lexicographer]

My principal seriously dislikes me (the mature way to say "hates"). I adamantly refused to purchase gray pants, and took part in staff-funded diatribes regarding the misappropriation of school funding (ie $810^6 administration and performing arts buildings, but NO new science labs) thus destroying what little favour I had with her. I also recorded all conversations for future reference and potential action, because I'm the kind of person that wants people I dislike to know when I have them on file.

Anyway, being Fort Street we were very crafty with our predictions. Because all medicine candidates must earn at least 95.00 to qualify for a place (effectively 98.00) our school crams the true predictions (preserving rank order) into that 5-percentile range. Since I had the lowest rank of all med candidates, my projection was 95.00 and did not pass Mary Stringer's scrutiny.

Since I'm certainly NOT getting 98.00 I am very angered to realise that a place at UNSW is simply not coming my way, despite my potential for an absolutely smashing interview result. Confident, yes, but truthful nonetheless. I guess it's GradMed for me...

 

[j-belle]

Originally posted by Lexicographer
My principal seriously dislikes me (the mature way to say "hates"). I adamantly refused to purchase gray pants, and took part in staff-funded diatribes regarding the misappropriation of school funding (ie $810^6 administration and performing arts buildings, but NO new science labs) thus destroying what little favour I had with her. I also recorded all conversations for future reference and potential action, because I'm the kind of person that wants people I dislike to know when I have them on file.

Wow. You stand up for what you believe is right! Do you plan on doing that tape stuff at uni too? It'd cause quite a stir amongst the academics hehe

Originally posted by Lexicographer
Anyway, being Fort Street we were very crafty with our predictions. Because all medicine candidates must earn at least 95.00 to qualify for a place (effectively 98.00) our school crams the true predictions (preserving rank order) into that 5-percentile range. Since I had the lowest rank of all med candidates, my projection was 95.00 and did not pass Mary Stringer's scrutiny.

Since I'm certainly NOT getting 98.00 I am very angered to realise that a place at UNSW is simply not coming my way, despite my potential for an absolutely smashing interview result. Confident, yes, but truthful nonetheless. I guess it's GradMed for me...

So were you also confident of a smashing UMAT result? I know some people in the exact same situation as you (who got poor UAI predictions - some who I believe will get around 5/6 more than the principal 'predicted'). Although the new system is better than the old (needing a 99.75 UAI!), it still has flaws, and a bit of that involves a massive trust in the accuracy of the knowledge that the principal has of you and your potential.
Sure gradmed's there, but then what about transferring in after 1st year? But I guess it would take an even longer time than it already would, just for the undergrad part of med..

So then, what undergrad degrees are you considering?

 

[Lexicographer]

Originally posted by j-belle
Wow. You stand up for what you believe is right! Do you plan on doing that tape stuff at uni too? It'd cause quite a stir amongst the academics hehe

Thing is university academics have a lot more power and a lot less to answer for when dealing blows to a student's record. I'm abrassive, but not stupidly so.

Originally posted by j-belle
So were you also confident of a smashing UMAT result? I know some people in the exact same situation as you (who got poor UAI predictions - some who I believe will get around 5/6 more than the principal 'predicted')
...
Sure gradmed's there, but then what about transferring in after 1st year? But I guess it would take an even longer time than it already would, just for the undergrad part of med..

To be honest I was expecting a smashing result, and I almost got it too. I didn't think mine were so good (first page of the UMAT thread in school somewhere, I've forgotten them now) but everyone else said they were plenty good. I think they went 89/96/68 or something. That aside, failing immediate entry I am without doubt taking the UMAT again next year. I've met too many people who said it's much easier the second time to ride on this year's results.

Originally posted by j-belle
So then, what undergrad degrees are you considering?

Well, UNSW International Studies (Languages) is looking very sweet at the moment, since it'll allow me to continue Japanese and pick up German (basically my scholastic and dream for six years) as well as putting me in a good position to attempt transfer into MBBS/BA. Of course, this is another competitive course, so I'm quite happy to go for a straight BSci within Sydney (which I will not fail to achieve ) and go on to GradMed. GradMed is pretty good anyway, and it seems to be a superior course to the old UNSW one (haven't quite read up on the new one yet so can't compare).

I must remember to thank my parents for taking me overseas this month, I know the waiting is killing all you other Ex-HSCers!

J-Belle, have you thought of your intended specialisation? I myself am have had an eye on Psychiatry for a few years now...

 

[j-belle]

Originally posted by Lexicographer
GradMed is pretty good anyway, and it seems to be a superior course to the old UNSW one (haven't quite read up on the new one yet so can't compare).

Perhaps, but that's the old one Look up the PBL-based UNSW course (now running), and see what you think. There's a fair bit of info on it on http://newmedprogram.med.unsw.edu.au/.

Originally posted by Lexicographer
J-Belle, have you thought of your intended specialisation? I myself am have had an eye on Psychiatry for a few years now...

Well I'm only really looking at psychiatry and clinical psychology (because the mind/brain is so much more interesting to me than the rest of the body). My decision has to be whether to complete the med course + psychiatry (surprisingly hardly anyone in med wants to do psychiatry!), or to finish the B.Psych degree and go on for a Doctor of Clinical Psychology at USyd.

At the moment I'm slightly leaning towards becoming a clinical psychologist because it seems to be advancing a lot more than the psychiatry profession, and clinical psychologists have a lot more demand in Australia and Japan than psychiatrists (10-11% of Japanese Psychiatrists still practice Freudian therapies ). Also, because psychiatry mainly revolves around solving problems with medication + light/no therapy (ie sometimes 15 minute sessions), whereas psychology takes a therapy focus + medication provided by a psychiatrist if necessary.

If those med reforms take place, and psychologists can prescribe psychotropics, then i'll definitely take the clinical psychology option.

There's no way I'm going to become a GP and do counselling via that path, I think it's pathetic letting GPs do counselling. They should refer to a psychologist/psychiatrist (depending on the problem), rather than take short courses on counselling and using them to try and solve complex mind/brain problems.

 

[goodmornin]

Originally posted by Lexicographer
To be honest I was expecting a smashing result, and I almost got it too. I didn't think mine were so good (first page of the UMAT thread in school somewhere, I've forgotten them now) but everyone else said they were plenty good. I think they went 89/96/68 or something. That aside, failing immediate entry I am without doubt taking the UMAT again next year. I've met too many people who said it's much easier the second time to ride on this year's results.

lexicographer have you thought about UNSW second round interviews because your marks look pretty ok~? this year and last year although basically all ppl who got interviews got UAI prediction above 99, most people from my school i think got in through the second round interviews because our school does that whole 5 mark interval thing as well... ie... 90-95, and 95-100 and our school is also based on old HSC system which is pretty inaccurate....

YOu should have a chance because last year i think the lowest person that got in the normal way without access or rural entry was 95.5 or something like that?

2nd round interviews going to be at UNSW 5-6th Jan 2004.. you still going to be in Australia?

I'm thinking of waiting... but it coincides with all my overseas travel plans too >.<

 

[Lexicographer]

I've actually been overseas since 29 November (see signature) and won't be free onshore until 8 January (7 January is my Monash interview). BUT when I asked at UNSW they said that because I was overseas for compassionate reasons (my grandparents are in poor health) in the event of an interview being granted chances are they'll extend my offer to accomodate my return to country. Let's pray that the UNSW guy was right.

Oh, and that guy got in on 95.2, but I suspect his prediction was much higher, allowing a first round interview (since second rounders are apparently all 98+ kiddos).

 

[Lexicographer]

Originally posted by j-belle
Perhaps, but that's the old one Look up the PBL-based UNSW course (now running), and see what you think. There's a fair bit of info on it on http://newmedprogram.med.unsw.edu.au/.

Oh are they going PBL now? Because that SBL from before was rather lame. I think I printed that whole thing out when I was doing my initial CV, I'll have to look at it sometime (not on holiday ).

Originally posted by j-belle
Well I'm only really looking at psychiatry and clinical psychology (because the mind/brain is so much more interesting to me than the rest of the body). My decision has to be whether to complete the med course + psychiatry (surprisingly hardly anyone in med wants to do psychiatry!), or to finish the B.Psych degree and go on for a Doctor of Clinical Psychology at USyd.

You know, if you were to have asked me the same question I would probably have copy-pasted what you wrote and went "precisely that". You have covered almost exactly everything I am to deal with, even the interest in the mind (and hence brain) over the body et cetera. Also, you would be one of that rare breed - the polyglotal specialist. Japanese and English will be a killer combination both here and in Japan, though I intend to throw German into the mix as well. Oh such stratospheric dreams! You can't blame those Japanese psychs for sticking to Freud, it's well known that psychiatrists are most difficult to convince of new methods and theories. Mix in the Japanese love of the established (sorry for taking liberties with your nationality) and you've got a stubborn school of physicians who will take a generation to dislodge, if not more.

Originally posted by j-belle
At the moment I'm slightly leaning towards becoming a clinical psychologist because it seems to be advancing a lot more than the psychiatry profession, and clinical psychologists have a lot more demand in Australia and Japan than psychiatrists (10-11% of Japanese Psychiatrists still practice Freudian therapies ). Also, because psychiatry mainly revolves around solving problems with medication + light/no therapy (ie sometimes 15 minute sessions), whereas psychology takes a therapy focus + medication provided by a psychiatrist if necessary.

If those med reforms take place, and psychologists can prescribe psychotropics, then i'll definitely take the clinical psychology option.

There's no way I'm going to become a GP and do counselling via that path, I think it's pathetic letting GPs do counselling. They should refer to a psychologist/psychiatrist (depending on the problem), rather than take short courses on counselling and using them to try and solve complex mind/brain problems.

Though the clinical psychologist option seems more appealing career- and practice-wise (therapy is more fulfilling than prescription of drugs, and more succesful too) I still remain unsure as to whether I would prefer it over Psychiatry. You raise a good point in the 15 minute session practice, but I think this is the choice of the Psychiatrist (albeit due to a shortage of practicioners). You may be pressed for time, but you can still, as an individual specialist, take more time with ech patient to determine the true root of the problems. It's better for them in the long run too. Anyway, I have yet to receive even a single lousy offer, so all this talk is just going to keep me awake for the next month. [cry]

 

[Lexicographer]

Just so J-Belle sees this, my dreams of undergraduate medicine have failed to materialise. I've cancelled all applications and changed my preferences. Thank God for UTS I say.