Students Tell It Like It Is

Blogs document their U-M Medical School experiences

“Dose of Reality” is a U-M Medical School Web site where students publish journals called blogs to let prospective medical students, and anyone else who’s interested, know what it’s really like to attend the Medical School.

“It’s the little things that make the difference in deciding where you choose to go to medical school,” says Ben Bryner, who is in his third year at the U-M. “I jot down ideas all the time for topics that I hope will be useful to people considering our school.”

While there are many independent blogs where people post messages about schools, including medical schools, the “Dose of Reality” blogs are the only ones sponsored by an American medical school.

“It’s a way to showcase the talent and creativity of our students,” says Dan Remick, M.D., former assistant dean for admissions, who directed the blog project. “We hope the blogs will help convince applicants that a Michigan education is right for them.”

Topics discussed on the “Dose of Reality” site include the annual Galens Smoker, what it’s like when your family asks you for medical advice, completing the first year of medical school, seeing patients for the first time, proms and parties, and updates from students in training overseas.

—Mary Beth Reilly

For an expanded version of the story:
www.med.umich.edu/opm/newspage/2006/blog.htm

“Dose of Reality” Web site:
www2.med.umich.edu/medschool/reality