A Small Epiphany

[sugarcrash56]

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Today, I was looking for a new study spot with some friends. I, by chance, ran into my old friend, who is completing a Ph.D at my university and works in a biomedical physiology lab. He kindly offered to show me around the lab, and afterwards asked me if I was interested in research. I said yes, and he told me the Head of the department needed an undergrad volunteer to help him out. I met the Head of the department dude, and I'm going to volunteer with him starting next month.

Too long, didn't read: Chance plays a huge part in both your life and even in medical school admissions. Obviously this is nothing new, but I feel like knowing the right people and having some luck will get you much farther in life than just being "smart". Have you guys had any really lucky encounters lately?

 

[Pons Asinorum]

Inb4coolstarrybra

 

[dbeast]

I thought this was gonna be about Asians in the library 🙁

 

[Torr]

I thought this was gonna be about Asians in the library 🙁

I would have preferred this as well.

 

[raab32]

Inb4coolstarrybra

brool story co

 

[slammer922]

life is 75% who you know, not what you know

 

[Galileo Galilei]

Agreed. Luck makes successful people successful (redundant) most of the time. I would argue that medicine is less luck and more intellect and perseverance than some other occupations. Acting comes to mind...

 

[mTOR]

life is 75% who you know, not what you know

Pretty much.


In general, I think people tend to underestimate the importance of social capital in this process. Social networks -- through the direct opportunities they afford (as the OP has benefited from) and the indirect influence they exert (e.g., through a supply of role models and information exchange) -- is huge.

lol once OP begins asking questions like how these social networks aggregate and whether things you have no control over (like what economic class you are born into) has any effect on their pattern of distribution and your access to them I anticipate he'll have several more epiphanies

 

[Ignatius M.D.]

Pretty much.


In general, I think people tend to underestimate the importance of social capital in this process. Social networks -- through the direct opportunities they afford (as the OP has benefited from) and the indirect influence they exert (e.g., through a supply of role models and information exchange) -- is huge.

This is why I'm sexing my way into medical school

 

[Torr]

This is why I'm sexing my way into medical school

Lol. I'm beginning to believe you ARE your avatar!

 

[Wolfman89]

life is 75% who you know, not what you know

Sad but true. At the same time it would not prevent me from taking care of an advantage if I saw it.

Lol. I'm beginning to believe you ARE your avatar!

Maybe we are all our avatars?

 

[sugarcrash56]

Pretty much.


In general, I think people tend to underestimate the importance of social capital in this process. Social networks -- through the direct opportunities they afford (as the OP has benefited from) and the indirect influence they exert (e.g., through a supply of role models and information exchange) -- is huge.

lol once OP begins asking questions like how these social networks aggregate and whether things you have no control over (like what economic class you are born into) has any effect on their pattern of distribution and your access to them I anticipate he'll have several more epiphanies

haha i hope to have many more epiphanies throughout my life