Have you ever noticed how similar Harry Potter's journey is to that of pre-medical students? Well, if you haven't, let me take you on a journey - Harry Potter and the Pre-med Journey.
1. The Wands
A wand is used in the Wizarding World to cast spells and bend the world to one's will. A doctor may not be able to bend reality to his or her will - but a stethoscope or surgical can be utilized to cause magic of its own right - the magic to save lives.
2. Defense against the Dark Arts
Defense against the dark arts is a class taken by the students of Hogwarts to protect themselves from alternative forms of magic existing in their world. In the world of medicine, this could be likened to the differences between the two types of medicinal practices - allopathic & osteopathic medicine.
3. Potients
Potients is yet another class that all students at Hogwarts must take during their years of school. Potients commonly refers to edible ingredients that can be used for medicinal and magical powers. In the world of medicine, the pharmacist can be helpful. Although he may not be able to hand out love potions at will, he sure can ease the anxious heart.
4. Hogwarts
Oh the schooling...... The pre-medical track of undergraduate is just the beginning of a long journey ahead. After pre-med, students typically go to medical school after which they complete their residency. Although Hogwarts might not be so much of a commitment, their typical education is much more prolonged than the average Muggle.
5. Marauder's Map
When I had an interview at a hospital, the surgeon I was meeting drew out a map of the hospital with the exact directions I needed to take to locate their office. A hospital much like Hogwarts, to a new comer, is quite confusing. There are always patients asking for directions after forgetting the number of right and left turns they had to take to arrive at the dining hall.
6. The robes
First year Hogwarts students are required to purchase robes in accordance to their respective house. Much like the Hogwarts tradition of wearing robes every day, physicians have what is called a "White Coat Ceremony" during their first year of medical school when they too receive the honorary robes symbolic of their future as a doctor of medicine.
7. Sorting Ceremony
With the end of medical school comes Match Day. Or in Harry Potter terms, the sorting ceremony, the day each individual find out what career path they get matched to.
Harry Potter and the Pre-med Journey is a sure-fire novel worthy of reading for any interested medical student.
