(no subject)
sharing the sentiments of sweetgravity
I recently heard a brilliant theory on the MCAT and the process of becoming a doctor that infuriated me. literally...i was pretty much fuming. the idea goes something like: if you have to study to take the test that gets you into medical school (the MCAT)...you shouldn't/aren't meant to be a doctor. wow. i never would have thought that people could dream up something like that. i think any one who believes this has no idea what the format of the MCAT is, what all it includes, what it REALLY takes to become a doctor, and these people should probably keep their ill informed mouths closed on a subject they don't fully understand. these are the various points on which i take huge offense to that statement...
A) the MCAT is a test of analytical ability...NOT of facts. going over the subject material gives you a basic foundation which one uses to approach the questions on the test...but rare are the questions that simply require regurgitating previously memorized facts. the MCAT takes it for granted that you know everything about physics, organic chemistry, general chemistry, biology, genetics and human physiology...and REQUIRES that you put many different concepts together for each and every question come test day.
B) the MCAT covers subjects which most people took a few YEARS before taking the test...which means they have probably forgotten formulas and the like, which will not necessarily be given on the MCAT, so it is pertinent to refresh yourself on those subjects. just because i knew the material years ago doesn't mean i will still be as sharp come test day...so it would be pretty stupid not to look over as much as possible to review things i learned a while ago in my college career.
C) if you want to try and waltz your way into medical school...be my guest, and if you think that the best doctors didn't study for their MCAT's...you are probably wrong 90% of the time. not only does pretty much everyone make some effort at studying for their MCAT, but if you aren't willing to put in some work to attain a high goal, THAT is when you don't deserve to be a doctor in my book. being a doctor will always require hard work since it's pretty important that doctors keep up with the newest advances in science and technology, and that means reading up on these subjects in their spare time. i would not want to meet a doctor that thinks their natural scientific abilities will make them them all knowing and completly capable of practicing science because it takes more than that. i actually talked to one of my doctors recently about taking the MCAT, and that doctor wished me luck and even shared a few 'horror' stories from their experience with the test.
D) any goal in life should take some work to achieve...else, what is the point. even if i don't make it into medical school, i will always look back on my life and know that i tried. i personally feel like i would be an idiot to go into this test (which by the way, pretty much determines my career path) casually, with the attitude of "well if i am meant to be a doctor...this should come naturally".
E) if we all are meant to do what is easiest for us, and most natural, then i guess one could say we shouldn't be held accountable for anything we do. all the ideals of Christianity wouldn't make much sense, considering it's natural for humans to sin. and i guess future lawyers shouldn't stress over the LSAT or the bar exam...no one should make an effort to study for their GRE...and basically we should all settle for what comes easiest and with the least amount of effort, because that is what we are destined and best suited to do. well i think that's the biggest load of crap i've heard in a long time. i really find it offensive to anyone trying to do something with their life, and by 'do' i mean make an effort to direct their life towards a specific goal.
if you don't agree with me, that is certainly your right, but please don't tell me about it. this is my online journal, and so, i feel like i have every right to vent my own opinions as much as i like. and speaking for a few pre med students also stressed about the MCAT right now, i know i'm not the only one who feels this way. this isn't really an all inclusive list, this is just what i felt like writing...i'm sure i could write more, but this is enough to make me feel as though i have spoken my mind...typed it at least. i believe that the best things in life don't come easily...they take hard work, and determination...and the people/persons this is aimed at reaching, i hope you read this and understand the point i am trying to get across. i try to be supportive in the endeavours of those around me, and it's sad that it can't be mutual.
I recently heard a brilliant theory on the MCAT and the process of becoming a doctor that infuriated me. literally...i was pretty much fuming. the idea goes something like: if you have to study to take the test that gets you into medical school (the MCAT)...you shouldn't/aren't meant to be a doctor. wow. i never would have thought that people could dream up something like that. i think any one who believes this has no idea what the format of the MCAT is, what all it includes, what it REALLY takes to become a doctor, and these people should probably keep their ill informed mouths closed on a subject they don't fully understand. these are the various points on which i take huge offense to that statement...
A) the MCAT is a test of analytical ability...NOT of facts. going over the subject material gives you a basic foundation which one uses to approach the questions on the test...but rare are the questions that simply require regurgitating previously memorized facts. the MCAT takes it for granted that you know everything about physics, organic chemistry, general chemistry, biology, genetics and human physiology...and REQUIRES that you put many different concepts together for each and every question come test day.
B) the MCAT covers subjects which most people took a few YEARS before taking the test...which means they have probably forgotten formulas and the like, which will not necessarily be given on the MCAT, so it is pertinent to refresh yourself on those subjects. just because i knew the material years ago doesn't mean i will still be as sharp come test day...so it would be pretty stupid not to look over as much as possible to review things i learned a while ago in my college career.
C) if you want to try and waltz your way into medical school...be my guest, and if you think that the best doctors didn't study for their MCAT's...you are probably wrong 90% of the time. not only does pretty much everyone make some effort at studying for their MCAT, but if you aren't willing to put in some work to attain a high goal, THAT is when you don't deserve to be a doctor in my book. being a doctor will always require hard work since it's pretty important that doctors keep up with the newest advances in science and technology, and that means reading up on these subjects in their spare time. i would not want to meet a doctor that thinks their natural scientific abilities will make them them all knowing and completly capable of practicing science because it takes more than that. i actually talked to one of my doctors recently about taking the MCAT, and that doctor wished me luck and even shared a few 'horror' stories from their experience with the test.
D) any goal in life should take some work to achieve...else, what is the point. even if i don't make it into medical school, i will always look back on my life and know that i tried. i personally feel like i would be an idiot to go into this test (which by the way, pretty much determines my career path) casually, with the attitude of "well if i am meant to be a doctor...this should come naturally".
E) if we all are meant to do what is easiest for us, and most natural, then i guess one could say we shouldn't be held accountable for anything we do. all the ideals of Christianity wouldn't make much sense, considering it's natural for humans to sin. and i guess future lawyers shouldn't stress over the LSAT or the bar exam...no one should make an effort to study for their GRE...and basically we should all settle for what comes easiest and with the least amount of effort, because that is what we are destined and best suited to do. well i think that's the biggest load of crap i've heard in a long time. i really find it offensive to anyone trying to do something with their life, and by 'do' i mean make an effort to direct their life towards a specific goal.
if you don't agree with me, that is certainly your right, but please don't tell me about it. this is my online journal, and so, i feel like i have every right to vent my own opinions as much as i like. and speaking for a few pre med students also stressed about the MCAT right now, i know i'm not the only one who feels this way. this isn't really an all inclusive list, this is just what i felt like writing...i'm sure i could write more, but this is enough to make me feel as though i have spoken my mind...typed it at least. i believe that the best things in life don't come easily...they take hard work, and determination...and the people/persons this is aimed at reaching, i hope you read this and understand the point i am trying to get across. i try to be supportive in the endeavours of those around me, and it's sad that it can't be mutual.