natural ability vs. hard work

[colt]

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In regards to making sufficient grades and succeeding in dental/med/pharm school; would you say it's more natural ability or hard work?

Many times, when you say doctor, people think--oh you must be highly gifted. IMO it's more dedication/work ethic combined with average natural ability, for most people. Opinions?

 

[Newhere]

hard work hands down. you can't get through life not working hard, plain and simple, no matter how much of a natural you are.

 

[tinman831]

yup. i agree. it takes hard work no matter how smart a person is. BUT, being naturally gifted does make things a little easier. 😀

 

[The Oracle]

"Some people dream of success while others wake up and work hard at it."

 

[JavadiCavity]

The secret to success in any occupation is hard work.

 

[Sprgrover]

The secret to success in any occupation is hard work.

...that and patience and a willingness to stick to the path.

 

[Tarver330]

All those people that say they studied 3 hours for their organic chemistry test or a weekend for the DAT and got an A or a 22 are lying. Likewise, those that say they are reading the physics book once while listening to an IPOD and getting an A in the class are also lying. They say this to make themselves seem smarter and to psych other students out.

What's my point: The majority of people in decent schools are of above-average intelligence and have the capability of succeeding in whatever they want if they are willing to put in the work. Most aren't willing to put in the work (reading the orgo book 4 times, studying 300 hours for the DAT, etc.)

99% of dentists, doctors, investment bankers, CEOs, etc. aren't super-geniuses. Instead, they work harder than 99% of people are willing to do.

 

[jay228]

natural ability, hands down.

You only have to work hard if you have no natural ability.

 

[Chris125]

In all humility I scored exceptionally well on the DAT (not bragging). It didn't come easy. After only scoring an 18 on my Kaplan Diagnostic I knew I had my work cut out for me. I spent 2 months of studying 10-12 hours a day, 6 days a week and it paid off. If the DAT score is any indication of aptitude in dental school and in a dental profession, then hard work is hands down the key to being successful. Raw, natural intelligence helps, but if you don't have it, you can make up for it with hard work.

 

[Comet208]

Hard wrok is way more productive than just natural IQ

 

[PegaNinguem]

I never saw a thread where so many people were wrong. 🙂

Hard work with no natural ability gets you nowhere.
Natural ability with no hard work gets you nowhere.

Very few people have both... Most people have neither.

If you have decent natural ability, follow "due dilligence" in your work, and are simple in your desires, you're one of the lucky ones. If you have great work ethic, and have a little talent, you appreciate it all.

😎

 

[Typo]

"Genius is an infinite capacity for taking pains." -Thomas Carlyle

"If people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery, it wouldn't seem so wonderful at all." -Michelangelo

I don't know if these are actual quotes, but they've held true in my life.

 

[dexadental]

Einstein had natural ability...I admit I don't. I have to study alot to get my A's, so its back to studying for me...

 

[ItsGavinC]

They say this to make themselves seem smarter and to psych other students out.

You'll run into lots of these types in dental school.

99% of dentists, doctors, investment bankers, CEOs, etc. aren't super-geniuses. Instead, they work harder than 99% of people are willing to do.

Good point. And of course, the best possible scenario is a combination of working hard and being smart: working smart. Working smart says that you can study for 2 hours and learn more information than somebody who studies for 6. We all know this concept as quality of study, not quantity.

 

[toofache32]

Hard work. Seriously. I'm as dumb as a brick but I worked my a$$ off and matched into OMFS with over 90 on boards and top 10 percent of my class.

 

[toofache32]

99% of dentists, doctors, investment bankers, CEOs, etc. aren't super-geniuses. Instead, they work harder than 99% of people are willing to do.

Exactly! The smartest guy in my class was a lazy SOB who refused to study on weekends. As a result, he didn't get into his specialty because his class rank was so low. Anyone in our class would have admitted he had more natural brilliance than everyone else. He was just too damn lazy.