Med School Confidential: A Complete Guide to the Medical School Experience: By Students, for Students (Paperback)

by Robert H. Miller (Author), Dan Bissell M.D. (Author), Harold M. Friedman M.D. (Foreword)
Key Phrases: anatomy lab, premed advisor, premed classes, United States, The Scramble, Step Exams (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Miller, author of Law School Confidential and Business School Confidential has teamed with Bissel, a doctor of emergency medicine, for the latest entry. A guide for readers thinking about attending medical school, or in the early stages of beginning an M.D., Miller and Bissell begin upbeat: "It's hard to argue with a career choice that allows you to save lives, or at least improve them every day." The arduous and complicated seven-to-ten year path they lay out, however, is another story. Reading the book straight through may do more to discourage readers than to help them on their way, but Miller and Bissell are clear and thorough, from undergraduate pre-med work to med school applications to grueling med school coursework to the various standardized tests, clinical duties and internships until, finally, the all-important career choice: where to spend your residency. Comments from several young practicing doctors ("Med School Confidential Mentors") don't illuminate much, and the authors can resort to banal generalizations that are little help: "The key is not knowing what you want to do, but what kind of person you want to become.". This book reveals very little of the personal, emotional journey of becoming a doctor, but as an overview of the academic rigors of the med student life, this guide is top-notch.
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Product Description

Med School Confidential uses the same chronological format and mentor-based system that have made Law School Confidential and Business School Confidential such treasured and popular guides. It takes the reader step-by-step through the entire med school process--from thinking about, applying to, and choosing a medical school and program, through the four-year curriculum, internships, residencies, and fellowships, to choosing a speciality and finding the perfect job.
With a foreword by Chair of the Admissions Committee at Dartmouth Medical School Harold M. Friedman, M.D., Med School Confidential provides what no other book currently does: a comprehensive, chronological account of the full medical school experience.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; 1st edition (July 25, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312330081
• ISBN-13: 978-0312330088
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #21,492 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A road map through medical school, July 25, 2006

By	Globe trekker "Hope" (Portland, ME, USA) - See all my reviews

Awesome Book! This book is part instruction manual and part personal account of the journey through the premed/med-school/residency world. It is everything you need to know and everything you were afraid to ask about what you are about to get into, or are into already. It is step by step from premedical programs to applications,and from "matching" to life after residency. The authors speak to real world issues of finances and family as well as the academics involved. I have just purchased a copy for my best friend on her way to her first year of medical school. No one contemplating, or even mildly interested in what it takes to prepare for and become a doctor should be without this book.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read for someone interested in med school, January 9, 2007

By	D. Vrecko (Vancouver, BC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this book with the hopes that it could be of some insight as to whether or not med school would be for me. After reading it, I can say that it was that and much more. Not only did I get what seems to be an acurate portrayal of what it takes to get into med school and the road to being a doctor, but also extremely practical ideas and tools to help be successful on every major step along the way. The writing was clear and concise and seemed to be geared towards an extreme usefulness for a serious med student or potential med student. I will be applying for med school and reading this book along the way to help me excel through it. I definitely recommend this book to anyone seriously considering med school or who is in med school and would like some useful pointers on how to choose your clinical rotations, pre-pare well for the USMLEs, apply for residencies, etc.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Much better books available, December 1, 2008

By	Linda Murry "LindsM" (Boston) - See all my reviews

This book tries to do too much.. You're better off getting a great basic science gem like "How to study in medical school" to help you conquer the basic sciences, and teaming that up with "Iserson's guide to getting into residency" to help with your 3rd/4th year of med school.

And plus it really makes you wonder when the lead author is the same author as "Law school confidential" and "Business school confidential". Most of the information presented is vague and not always applicable. Stick with books written by MD's, such as "How to study in Medical School" or "How to excel in Medical School".