Many of our colleagues pass MBBS and appear for MD entrance examination. It is a very crucial period when the stress and anxiety are at the peak and we sometimes do blunder in choosing the subject we don’t like. I am writing this blog considering the points that we need to consider in future after completing MD for a better future.

• Choose the subject you love: The subject we are choosing for our MD will be associated with us till the end of our life. We will get recognized by that. If you feel you don’t like the subject after completing your PG it will be too late. I have seen many people take a subject but are frustrated till the end of their life. It’s always better to choose your subject in the first instance rather than writing exam again. Don’t go by the glamour and don’t fall in the herd mentality. See what you picture yourself to be 10 years down the line and then decide.
• Institute matters: The institute always matters in future. It is our training that will see us through in the practice. If we have inadequate training then we will be in problem in future. Hence always choose the best institute. I would prefer to compromise subject for a better institute. The better institute means national institutes, Mumbai etc.
• Don’t choose your subject based on starting salary: Many people ask what will be the salary immediately after completing; I would like to clarify everyone that money is never a factor in medical field. If you are good you are going to earn in any subject including para-clinical subjects.
• Place of Stay: Please decide your subject based on the place you want to stay. You have to decide if you want to stay in a city or a semi-urban place or a rural area. Accordingly every subject has its importance. If you want to stay in a city and you are doing a subject like medicine or surgery or gyn it will be difficult for you to start your practice. In cities already so many physicians and surgeons already placed comfortably and in order to come and start we have to do something better like DM or Mch or good training in specialized practices like laparoscopy.
• Terminal subject: It is preferable to choose a terminal subject if you are not prepared to again prepare for a DM examination. But yes if you love your subject then it is not difficult to get DM or MCH in future.
• Family first: I have seen many people decide subject above the family but it is always disastrous. We should decide our subject based on our family especially spouse. If the spouse is also a doctor better to decide together where you want to stay in future and based on the consensus should decide the subject.
• Choose the best subject at your rank: It is a very relative term because best varies from person to person. We should consider all our options before stamping the final subject.
• First counseling last counseling: I would suggest you should have at least 3 choices for your rank and always try to choose the best one in first counseling rather than thinking I will choose in 2^nd counseling.
• MCI recognition: Be clear on the MCI accreditation of the degree. It is very important especially now with NABH and JCI accreditation of hospitals they may create problems for being a consultant. Always prefer MCI recognition seats.
• Alumni opinion:  I feel the best and honest opinion about a college or a subject is to consult the past students preferably who have passed in recent times.

If I have missed any point please suggest as it would definitely be helpful to many aspirants in future. All the best.

Regards Suman