How did I get into medical school?

[Sartre79]

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Anyone else ever feel like they're the questionable admit? 🙁

 

[NonTradMed]

*rises hand*

 

[Terpskins99]

Use it as motivation, folks. If you feel like you're the weak link, then push yourself to be the opposite.

I'm assuming that both of you guys are 2011 students, so you're still pretty early in your training. As the year progresses, you'll find that the students that gravitate towards the top of the class are the ones with the strongest work ethic. I honestly believe thats the key to success in medical school. It becomes even more true during your clerkship years and residency.

In the meantime, make use of your resources if you feel you're not being efficient with your study methods. Talk to your upperclassmen or your professors... or even your dean (at our school, we have a "learning enrichment coordinator" whose job is essentially to help guide students that are having a difficult time adjusting to med school life).

Now, if you're struggling because you're lazy and unwilling to put in the necessary study hours... well thats another story.

 

[Sartre79]

No, I have a pretty good work ethic and I study a lot. I have a non-trad background w/out a lot of the science courses others have so I have to work more.

 

[LJDHC05]

Medical School is not a question of smarts, it's a question of pure perseverance (in the first two years) and pure ass kissing (In the second two years). Once you figure out a way to study, you'll be fine

 

[MartianOddity]

No one in my class is smart. The only ones who preserve are the ones who don't cheat all the friggin time and work as hard as they can.
Those who take time to relax a little bit and socializie but don't overdo it fare better than those who sit in their little cube everyday cramming in all information over and over again.

After first year you'll realize whether you're a questionable admit or not. Keep on fighting nontheless.

 

[Terpskins99]

Medical School is not a question of smarts, it's a question of pure perseverance (in the first two years) and pure ass kissing (In the second two years). Once you figure out a way to study, you'll be fine

Keep thinking that "pure ass kissing" is all you need to ace rotations.

 

[achybrachy]

Medical School is not a question of smarts, it's a question of pure perseverance (in the first two years) and pure ass kissing (In the second two years). Once you figure out a way to study, you'll be fine

I'm afraid I have to disagree with both your statements. Some of the basic science courses I worked the hardest in I did poorly, and some of the clinical rotations I kissed asses most in I did poorly. More often than not, there simply is no rhyme or reason to how you are evaluated. Just learn your stuff and it will be over soon enough, and yes, eventually you will enjoy it.

 

[LJDHC05]

Please disregard my earlier statements, they were pretty much just thrown up in a sleepless haze, without much thought (seeing that they barely fit the thread).

OP, you're 6-10 weeks into med school...you've barely had enough time to unpack your stuff and get settled into the rhythm of school. Give it some time before you start re-packing.

 

[Sartre79]

Thanks for the feedback so far. I appreciate the advice/opinions

 

[Orthodoc40]

Anyone else ever feel like they're the questionable admit? 🙁

I have begun referring to myself as "This Year's Questionable Admission"...
They respond by saying, "We don't make mistakes." 😆

 

[Esteban24]

I've had the same thought going through my mind the past few weeks but there's one piece of advice that I got from older brother which always puts my mind at ease (at least temp.).

It's not how you got there, it's what you do once you're there.

Think about it, some people in your class are more qualified than others in terms of grades, motivation, even IQ. However, the slate is wiped clean once you start med school, everyone is on a level playing field. It's a given that you might be having some trouble your first semester, I know I am, but as long as you don't fail (and EVEN if you do, it's definitely not the end of the world, as a good number of med students fail at some point) then you're fine.

For me personally, this first semester is one long learning curve. It would be nice to high pass but to be honest passing would be fine... as long as I learn some study skills, time management, and develop some work ethic, all things you'll really need for the next couple of years.

 

[Hayden2102]

The student in my year that is pretty consistently sitting at the top of the class received a very, very late (read: actually during the first week of medical school) offer, thus being pretty much near the bottom of the pecking order in terms of admissions.

It can be done.