How to Pick a Medical School Graduation Gift

When choosing a gift for a medical school graduation, you may feel intimidated by the choices. This is especially true if you don't know the receiver very well or if you are at a loss for what to pick besides the obvious general presents that everybody gives at graduation time. While it may not seem so at first view, there are a lot of options for medical school graduates.

Instructions

1. Choose a present that relates directly to the profession. Anything featuring medical symbols ("Caduceus"), wording or decorations can make for a great gift. Alternatively, choose something the medical graduate will directly use in his work, such as a clipboard, portfolio bag or stethoscope.

2. Steer clear of items intended for office display. Medical school graduates go into residencies, which means they will not have their own offices until much later in their careers. If you have your heart set on something of this nature, invest in a professional personalized pen or business card holder, which are items for which any professional will find use.

3. Give the graduate a framed copy of the Hippocratic Oath. The Personalization Mall's website sells different versions of the oath engraved in plaques of metal or in print that are suitable for framing (see Resources below). The plaques can be hung on the wall or placed on a bookcase or desk and are a great gift for a medical school graduate.

4. Pick an item that can be personalized. From license plates featuring the word "Doctor" to pens, portfolios and even clipboards. Even the simplest item can be made special by personalizing it with the name of the recipient or the graduation date.

5. Think out of the box when choosing a present for a medical school graduation. A woman may appreciate a delicate pendant or charm featuring the Caduceus or the letters MD on them. A man may like a money clip featuring the same design.

Tips & Warnings

• For a medical school graduate who is also a big reader, you can pick a series of books and put together a short collection as a gift. Examples include rare medical books related to the specialty of the graduate, anything published by The Journal of the American Medical Association or even memoirs or funny books written by doctors or medical students.

• Stay away from specific medical instruments unless you are asked directly for them. Not only are they expensive, but the last thing you want is to buy something that is of no use to the recipient.

Resources

• Personalization Mall's website for several different Hippocratic Oath plaques and prints