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Med School Uncensored: The Insider's Guide to Surviving Admissions, Exams, Residency, and Sleepless Nights in the Call Room
An entertaining insider's guide to the good, the bad, and the ugly of med school--with everything pre-med and med students need to know, from day one, to maximize opportunities and avoid mistakes.
Cardiothoracic anesthesiologist and recent med school grad Dr. Richard Beddingfield serves as an unofficial older brother for pre-med and incoming med students--dishing on all the stuff he would've wanted to know from the beginning in order to make the most of med school's opportunities, while staying sane through the gauntlets of applying to and succeeding at med school, residency, fellowship, and starting work as a new physician. With advice from additional recent Ivy League med school grads and top-tier hospital residents, this all-in-one guide is a must-have for everyone who dreams of becoming a doctor.
Cardiothoracic anesthesiologist and recent med school grad Dr. Richard Beddingfield serves as an unofficial older brother for pre-med and incoming med students--dishing on all the stuff he would've wanted to know from the beginning in order to make the most of med school's opportunities, while staying sane through the gauntlets of applying to and succeeding at med school, residency, fellowship, and starting work as a new physician. With advice from additional recent Ivy League med school grads and top-tier hospital residents, this all-in-one guide is a must-have for everyone who dreams of becoming a doctor.
288 pages, Paperback
Published July 25, 2017
29 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 4, 2017
I received an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
***5 STARS***
This was fantastic! I really think this book should be a requirement for anyone who is pre-med or even thinking about pursuing a career in medicine. It takes you step through step of everything you're going to tackle before, during, and after medical school. I'm very humbled to have received an advanced copy - because I learned so much just from reading this - though I've also gotten a lot more paranoid/exited about the path that awaits me once I start medical school...which is fine! I should know what I'm getting myself into.
Now, I've always looked up to doctors since I can remember. It initially started when my brother and I got into a bad car accident (around the ages of 6) and he was rushed to the hospital for surgery. I joined along as the painfully shy six-year-old I was, and watched with fascination as the people called "doctor" in white coats rushed around with authority and purpose - I watched how serious and determined they were to make sure my brother made it...and that's pretty much were everything sparked. After that experience I was the child my family always laughed at during Holidays, because instead of watching some children's show I would watch real surgeries they used to play on TV, years ago. I honestly thought doctors were like superheroes and would always argue that in elementary school, getting the "you're weird" from my classmates - it's safe to say i respect doctors quite a lot - and this book has only increased my appreciation for them.
Now, if all the extra knowledge you can attain from reading this book isn't enough to tempt you to pick it up - I can say as an avid reader that this book was written so fluidly that you'll completely immerse yourself in Dr. Beddingfield's writing. This truly is not a boring read - and I often kept thinking that if Dr. Beddingfield hadn't became a doctor he would have made a fantastic author! Though, now he's doing both, so he's just that much more awesome.
Thank you to Ten Speed Press, for giving me the opportunity to review this!
***5 STARS***
This was fantastic! I really think this book should be a requirement for anyone who is pre-med or even thinking about pursuing a career in medicine. It takes you step through step of everything you're going to tackle before, during, and after medical school. I'm very humbled to have received an advanced copy - because I learned so much just from reading this - though I've also gotten a lot more paranoid/exited about the path that awaits me once I start medical school...which is fine! I should know what I'm getting myself into.
Now, I've always looked up to doctors since I can remember. It initially started when my brother and I got into a bad car accident (around the ages of 6) and he was rushed to the hospital for surgery. I joined along as the painfully shy six-year-old I was, and watched with fascination as the people called "doctor" in white coats rushed around with authority and purpose - I watched how serious and determined they were to make sure my brother made it...and that's pretty much were everything sparked. After that experience I was the child my family always laughed at during Holidays, because instead of watching some children's show I would watch real surgeries they used to play on TV, years ago. I honestly thought doctors were like superheroes and would always argue that in elementary school, getting the "you're weird" from my classmates - it's safe to say i respect doctors quite a lot - and this book has only increased my appreciation for them.
Now, if all the extra knowledge you can attain from reading this book isn't enough to tempt you to pick it up - I can say as an avid reader that this book was written so fluidly that you'll completely immerse yourself in Dr. Beddingfield's writing. This truly is not a boring read - and I often kept thinking that if Dr. Beddingfield hadn't became a doctor he would have made a fantastic author! Though, now he's doing both, so he's just that much more awesome.
Thank you to Ten Speed Press, for giving me the opportunity to review this!
June 24, 2017
This is fantastic. As a mother who has a child who wants to become a physician, this is invaluable. It will be a valuable tool to anyone who wants to go into, or has anyone desiring to go into the medical field. It will make a fantastic gift, a treasured reference to refer back to over and over again. It is also a good measure about the timing for academics and applications as well as, financial aid and the timing for those fees.
Absolutely a winner!
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Absolutely a winner!
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 9, 2024
Gives a good, informative overview. Helpful and realistic, but sometimes too much maybe? Not sure though because I have never been to medical school. Fairly enjoyable read. Good voice, funny occasionally but gets repetitive.
March 25, 2025
This book would have been amazing if it was updated to present day criteria’s
October 12, 2017
I’ve had the good fortune to work in ORs for 40 years. In that time I have seen hundreds of medical students and residents participate in a multitude of surgical procedures. The majority of these upcoming medical professionals are commited and determined to become the phsycians that they hope to become. There are those that become quite obvious probably should have had better guidance. The book Medical School Uncensored: An Insiders Guide to Becoming a Doctor, certainly gives the guidance that those that who are contemplating medical school can use. Dr Beddingfield has touched on every aspect of the, how to, what to do, what to expect when contemplating medical school, then medical school, choosing a residency, what to truly expect in becoming a phsycian. His book takes in everything from preparing for MCATs, entering school, personalities, relationships, financial respondsibilities and many more aspects one must think about in when making the decision to become a doctor. This book will truly help those make the decision “Is medical school really what I want to embark upon”
Rod Galstad CRNA
Rod Galstad CRNA
September 13, 2017
This was not quite what I was expecting. Despite the fact that it says 'Guide' in the title, I didn't think this was literal and figured there would be a series of super interesting anecdotes in the book. There are some interesting stories from life as a med student, but the book predominantly focuses on getting into medical school in the United States. Without question, it's a fascinating topic to write a book about and even though I have no intention of ever attempting to become a medical anything, I didn't find it a chore to read. The series of exams, tests, expenses and leaps required to become a practicing doctor is onerous to say the least, and in some places appears to be predominantly a way to make private companies a lot of money.
Very, very interesting read.
Very, very interesting read.
January 10, 2019
This book answered questions I didn’t even know I had! The style of writing is very approachable and makes for enjoyable reading. I would recommend this book to all pre-med students and current medical students. I will likely return to this book and reread certain chapters when I get closer to those stages of the process.
February 24, 2019
Very honest book an advice. I thought I had an idea of what J was getting into when applying, but after reading this book I have a perfectly clear image from beginning to end.
HIGHLY RECCOMEND FOR PRE MED AND MED STUDENTS! VERY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT'S OUT THERE FOR STUDENTS.
HIGHLY RECCOMEND FOR PRE MED AND MED STUDENTS! VERY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT'S OUT THERE FOR STUDENTS.
December 23, 2017
Truly eye-opening, and also sort of depressing
December 31, 2017
A good, informative read. I wish it spent more time on the pre-med stage, where I'm at at the moment.
May 26, 2020
This was SUCH a helpful book for me as I begin, in earnest, my pre med/ med school application process. I will be looking to this book as a continuous guide!
January 14, 2024
Served its role as what it says it’s about
October 18, 2017
This review originally appeared on my blog at www.gimmethatbook.com.
Many thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Richard Beddingfield is a kind and thoughtful man. Why do I say that? Because he spent a lot of time on creating a book to help pre-med students decide if that was the right career path for them. I can imagine graduates learning about this and saying “Why didn’t I have this to guide me??”.
MED SCHOOL UNCENSORED takes you from start to finish, explaining the tests, interviews, reasoning, and opportunities you will experience on the path to become a licensed doctor. He plays devil’s advocate; which I found refreshing – if your grades here are lower than peer X, then you need to do better on this; if your grades still don’t improve by this date, consider another career; no, there is no way to do this if you don’t do that; etc.
Each chapter represents a different step on the journey, with examples, personal stories, and the “why” behind it all. There is even some history thrown in comparing how things were done in the past and how they have changed. This is the kind of book that every type of career needs, to help someone make a decision on what learning path they want to take. The author notes everything important with great detail, using easy to understand examples. Nothing is sugar coated here – there is honest discussion of the ups and downs, pitfalls and joys of becoming a doctor. Bedingfield’s writing is clean and smooth, easy to digest, and generally benign.
There is not much of a plot to comment on in this review; but I will say I enjoyed the progression of the chapters. Things went from simple to complicated in the order that they needed to; and it will be easy for the reader to grasp what comes next on the journey.
Anyone that is considering going to med school should pick this up before they finish high school, so as to obtain the proper education and extracurriculars needed to create an outstanding CV. This is exactly the book that should be in a parent’s or guidance counselor’s arsenal.
Many thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Richard Beddingfield is a kind and thoughtful man. Why do I say that? Because he spent a lot of time on creating a book to help pre-med students decide if that was the right career path for them. I can imagine graduates learning about this and saying “Why didn’t I have this to guide me??”.
MED SCHOOL UNCENSORED takes you from start to finish, explaining the tests, interviews, reasoning, and opportunities you will experience on the path to become a licensed doctor. He plays devil’s advocate; which I found refreshing – if your grades here are lower than peer X, then you need to do better on this; if your grades still don’t improve by this date, consider another career; no, there is no way to do this if you don’t do that; etc.
Each chapter represents a different step on the journey, with examples, personal stories, and the “why” behind it all. There is even some history thrown in comparing how things were done in the past and how they have changed. This is the kind of book that every type of career needs, to help someone make a decision on what learning path they want to take. The author notes everything important with great detail, using easy to understand examples. Nothing is sugar coated here – there is honest discussion of the ups and downs, pitfalls and joys of becoming a doctor. Bedingfield’s writing is clean and smooth, easy to digest, and generally benign.
There is not much of a plot to comment on in this review; but I will say I enjoyed the progression of the chapters. Things went from simple to complicated in the order that they needed to; and it will be easy for the reader to grasp what comes next on the journey.
Anyone that is considering going to med school should pick this up before they finish high school, so as to obtain the proper education and extracurriculars needed to create an outstanding CV. This is exactly the book that should be in a parent’s or guidance counselor’s arsenal.
April 23, 2017
I receipt his book from Net Gallery in exchange for an honest review.
As someone who is in no way in the medical profession I still have had a fascination with the process of how medical students become doctors (I blame it on my love of medical drama shows).
This books has pretty much answered all my questions in an easy to read, well written manner. In addition to the "medical school" blueprint I loved the personal stories from practicing physicians sprinkle ld throughout he book.
tThe author does a great job of explaining the path medical students have to take to not only become medical doctors but what happens after they receive their degree. I now have a better understanding and respect for o
the lengths that these students go through to get their degree.
As someone who is in no way in the medical profession I still have had a fascination with the process of how medical students become doctors (I blame it on my love of medical drama shows).
This books has pretty much answered all my questions in an easy to read, well written manner. In addition to the "medical school" blueprint I loved the personal stories from practicing physicians sprinkle ld throughout he book.
tThe author does a great job of explaining the path medical students have to take to not only become medical doctors but what happens after they receive their degree. I now have a better understanding and respect for o
the lengths that these students go through to get their degree.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews