I'm now in 2nd year and I knew at least 2 from 1st who dropped out to do something else (1 which was awarded a scholarship to US).
The first year has usually the highest drop out rate because of reasons such as other uni offers and not enjoying med.
It is also estimated that about 1-2 will drop out to the next year because they failed their exams and supps.
Another 1-2 will drop to the next year because they 'want a break'
A further 1-2 will drop out completely because they can't handle med/can't pass exams.

So, you usually get about 2-3 drop outs each year. (with some people joining the next year)

It seems also that a lot of people drop out during the pre-clinical neuroscience semester.

As cyh3772 said, about 10 for the pre-clinicals.

For physiology, Rhode's and Phlanzer is great to start off with. If you want something more advanced you can go for Guyton.
West's respiratory physiology gives a great understanding of the resp system.

Biochem: Stryer/Lehninger is good

There, you have said it yourself.

This should have deterred you from doing med.

We don't care how passionate you are, how much you want to be a doctor or how much you want to sacrifice.. (insert some nonsense crap here)

Bad results=No go

If you can't do it in high school, you can't do it in uni. Its as simple as that.

No bullshit about how you will study hard, work hard, ask lecturers, read a lot etc. because it won't happen. I repeat, IT WON'T HAPPEN.

I'm not trying to be rude or mean. I'm just telling you the facts. Medicine is a complicated. You don't stop studying in uni, you study throughout your life.
Take the swine flu for example. Never before has the world seen a mutation of both swine and human flu.

Another example...asthma. What causes asthma?

As a lay person, you might think its just a simple disease. But in truth, WE DO NOT KNOW. We do not know what mechanisms take place. There are so many hypothesis (eg. TH2), but no one can guarantee you a 100% that asthma is caused by that. There are so many factors involved, research is going on. You might be taught something one day....and that turns out to be wrong the next day.

Another one which you might be more familiar with... Panadol. How does it cause an analgesic effect? No one is sure. There are many hypothesis, but no one definitely knows. Google it up if you don't believe me. (Look at renown websites or pharmacology books, not websites like wikipedia)

Are you willing to commit for your entire life? If you can't handle something like SPM etc, you can't handle this.

I wouldn't jump straight to a diagnosis first.

I want to know the history of the patient.
(cardinal features? other problems? recent infections? recent bites? recent injuries? past medical history? family history? etc)

That looks like some sort of necrosis, towards the posteriomedial part of his leg.

I can see some fibrosis, so it has to be there for some time. It looks infected and seems to be spreading anteriorly.

But I don't think it is a complication of diabetes, seeing as he doesn't look overweight and also its not the distal ends doesn't look affected.

He stopped posting ever since someone claimed he spent too much time on this topic. Suffice to say, he won't be posting very often here now.

The priority list GENERALLY is:

1. Australian citizens/PR from the same state
2. Australian citizens/PR from interstate/NZ
3. International students from the same state
4. International students from interstate/NZ
5. Australian citizens/PR from overseas
6. International from overseas

Some states seperate interstate unis and NZ. All states have different priorities and selection criteria.

They are already tightening their internship allocation.

Eg.
International Students from overseas unis are NOT eligible for internship in Victoria, that includes NZ unis.
International Students from interstate unis are NOT eligible for internship in SA if they graduate after 2009.

This post has been edited by zltan: Jun 9 2009, 06:24 PM

But they will need to get an internship place. If you aren't an Australian/Aussie PR and you graduated from an overseas uni, your chances of getting an internship spot is virtually 0.

Each state has their own priority ranking. Some deem NZ as another 'state', whereas some rank NZ lower in their priority list.

But whichever way the priority goes, remember that hospitals also rank their interns using a combination of marks, referees and of course, university.

This post has been edited by zltan: Jun 13 2009, 12:05 PM

Looks like alcoholic hepatitis, but its just a guess. I would hate to be a pathologist looking under microscopes the whole day.

Go read up basic:

1. Abdo exam
2. Respiratory exam
3. Cardio Exam

To be honest,ost of it wouldn't make much sense in 1st semester.

But, that should be sufficient to telly you about clubbing, leukonychia, nicotine stains etc etc etc.