I've waited for this for so long! Years ago, I lived across the street from the Boston University Medical School, and I could see their White Coat ceremony from my window. For those unfamiliar, the White Coat ceremony is a formal ceremony where each incoming medical student is presented with his or her first white physician's coat. It's the short waist-length coat to designate that the person is a student. You can wear the hip-length coat after you graduate from medical school. I have dreamed of my own ceremony for so long. And it's almost here!
Of course my parents are coming... but my boyfriend has to work. Damn residency. Hopefully he can talk his way into being able to come. And we're going out for lunch after the ceremony to the most fabulous restaurant in the city. You know how some high-profile restaurants are simply incredibly expensive but a big let-down once you get there? Well, this one is incredibly expensive, but totally worth it. The food is basically sex on a plate. I can't wait.
So my current dilemma (albeit so important) is finding something to wear to my White Coat ceremony. I swear it is apparently the style now to wear only miniskirts... as that is basically all there is in the stores. And since I'm really tall, I can't even "sorta" get away with it. I am on a mission to find a dress in five days.... and I've been to every store in the city. Might have to move on to another city. Crap.
Dr. Ella, I guess here will be as good of a place as any to post, being that it is one of your more recent postings and that it is about becoming a med student.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your achievement and I am sure that you will make it through just fine.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with others like me. I too am a nontraditional premed wannabe and find your perspective valuable and entertaining.
I do have a question for you though, and would appreciate your ideas or perhaps how you are crossing this hurdle yourself...what do you intend to live on while in med school? Maybe you have been frugal and planned well while working.
In my case, I am fairly confident that I can complete the work and get in eventually although I am already 42. I just don't know what we will live on. I have a disabled husband and a teenager. Is there any way to borrow for living expenses as well as school?
There are absolutely funds available to live on since it is nearly impossible to work during medical school. These funds are almost always in the form of loans, and the amount varies depending on where you live. Essentially your school will calculate how much they think you can survive on based on the information you provide them. My monthly allowance while "in school" is around $1900 per month. It's tight but can be done. And if you have additional circumstances, specifically medical bills or dependents, schools will often increase the amount of money you are eligible to borrow. There are many options out there. Another idea if you just cant survive on so little would be to join the military health scholarship program. They pay for medical school and provide a comfortable stipend in exchange for a service commitment as a physician when you graduate. It's a lot to figure out but it CAN BE DONE!
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