Not smart enough for med school?

[Fakesmile]

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.....

 

[Elpenor]

What do you want? A pat on the back???

Suck it up, wuss.



P.S. Any dumby can become a doctor if you dedicate yourself.

 

[CoolWhipp]

I know what you are talking about with the fast, intelligent mind you are referring too. I meet some bright people everyday who just get things quick and it's a bit daunting if you were just to compare yourself in that aspect alone.

But, I've become a confident person because I came to realize myself as a whole person. I'm a great communicator, I'm calm under stressful situations, I can go with the flow or lead the way. But above all that, I love biological sciences. People may understand a specific aspect of biology more quickly than I, but it's hard to keep up with someone that has a true passion for the subject. I'm auditing classes for fun, readings papers for fun, attending seminars unrelated to my research because I find them interesting.

The only way to keep up with smart people is to love what your doing, or put in the "work" to be on top of whatever you do (which would suck).

 

[Chevy Chase Fan]

I know what you mean OP. Its especially bad for me in lab classes, where we're essentially expected to think on the spot and get things right after looking at a technical handout for 5 minutes.

Have you done well in your classes? If you have, why should anything you just wrote matter?

 

[Geekchick921]

I've been recently having doubts about my ability, intellect and capability to become a doctor. Looking at people who got into med school or who are almost certain to get in somewhere, I'm feeling that I'm just different from those people, mainly with respect to intellect or brain but also personality. I don't have the fast, intelligent mind they have, nor do I have a cool personality. My thinking is really slow, taking a lot of time to process info or understand new things compared to those kinds of premeds I see around at my school and SDN. I have a feeling that I am just not smart enough. Or I may be as intelligent as they are but my mind is much slower. Being a doctor may not be my thing, after all. But I'm really not sure.
I don't know why I started this thread, I guess I am just depressed.

I bet only about half of these people come to it naturally, the other half through shadily obtained adderall. JMHO.

 

[Fakesmile]

I'm a great communicator, I'm calm under stressful situations, I can go with the flow or lead the way. But above all that, I love biological sciences. People may understand a specific aspect of biology more quickly than I, but it's hard to keep up with someone that has a true passion for the subject. I'm auditing classes for fun, readings papers for fun, attending seminars unrelated to my research because I find them interesting.

The only way to keep up with smart people is to love what your doing, or put in the "work" to be on top of whatever you do (which would suck).

I like your points. But I'm none of what you mentioned. I have no passion for my major (biochem), I hate reading papers, I am an awkward/horrible communicator (not in writing but orally), I prefer to be a follower than a leader, I find nothing particularly interesting.

 

[rjy]

I like your points. But I'm none of what you mentioned. I have no passion for my major (biochem), I hate reading papers, I am an awkward/horrible communicator (not in writing but orally), I prefer to be a follower than a leader, I find nothing particularly interesting.

For what its worth, I find your candor really refreshing. Seriously.👍

 

[rhesuspieces]

I like your points. But I'm none of what you mentioned. I have no passion for my major (biochem), I hate reading papers, I am an awkward/horrible communicator (not in writing but orally), I prefer to be a follower than a leader, I find nothing particularly interesting.

Then why do you want to be a doctor? You must have some reason. If you can't come up with anything...well, there's nothing wrong with giving up on the doctor thing. Why force yourself to pursue a career you have no interest in?

I swear, some people think that deciding to be a doctor implies some sort of unbreakable commitment to the medical profession on fear of death.

 

[muhali3]

I've been recently having doubts about my ability, intellect and capability to become a doctor. Looking at people who got into med school or who are almost certain to get in somewhere, I'm feeling that I'm just different from those people, mainly with respect to intellect or brain but also personality. I don't have the fast, intelligent mind they have, nor do I have a cool personality. My thinking is really slow, taking a lot of time to process info or understand new things compared to those kinds of premeds I see around at my school and SDN. I have a feeling that I am just not smart enough. Or I may be as intelligent as they are but my mind is much slower. Being a doctor may not be my thing, after all. But I'm really not sure.
I don't know why I started this thread, I guess I am just depressed.

I kind of feel the same way sometimes about how slow my thinking is. But it hasn't always been this way. I don't think it is intrinsic slowness but rather something about my lifestyle (bad sleep, not eating well, not having a lot of time for leisure activities) that is causing it. Or it could even be the belief itself that you are slow that is actually making you slow. So I think you should consider all the external factors in your life that might be causing the slowness before thinking that it is just your genes. Are you chronically stressed? How often do you hang out with friends? Are you in sync with your circadian rhythm? How is your diet?...etc

 

[IvyHopeful20]

Nah. You'll be fine. Just need to work hard and that's important. It's not like being a academic in certain subjects, where you have to rely on natural flashes of intuition or genius to make a breakthrough.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

doesn't take a genius to be a doc

 

[UpQuark]

Nobody's perfect man. My communication abilities are not as great as I would like them to be, but that doesn't put me down and undermine me as a person. Don't get depressed, be confident, and keep your head held high

 

[gravitywave]

doesn't take a genius to be a doc

no, it most certainly does not. most anyone who can complete a science degree is intellectually capable, the big difference is the workload. of course, being a genius would certainly help....

OP, you need to stop comparing yourself to others. focus on what you need to do to get accepted. once you are, that should be all the validation you need - since nearly everyone at an LCME school does graduate.

the comparing yourself to others thing is also a good idea to kick now, because if you're still doing it once you get here, it will literally drive you crazy.

 

[Ragman]

School is about pacing yourself and running the entire marathon. Meanwhile you are acting like you want to sprint an entire marathon at the fastest speed possible. This isn't the hundred yard dash.

Pace yourself and take a deep breath. Work hard.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

i understand what you mean actually. when i first tried for medical school i honestly thought that only the incredibly smart people that never had to study were the only ones that made it. so i spent a year at a university getting Cs in my prereqs because i didn't know how to study for them and i didn't think i should. after that year i tried for something else. then i took a science class and did very well because i focused and realized it is all about hard work. some more than others, but it is still required.

 

[Teneo]

I swear, some people think that deciding to be a doctor implies some sort of unbreakable commitment to the medical profession on fear of death.

What, no blood-oaths at the white coat ceremonies? I don't know, all those brave alternative medicine hawkers, err, healers that have realized the massive physician conspiracy keeping natural cures away from the public can't be possibly be wrong...

Anyways, OP, Rhesus is right, you need to have good reasons if you're going to bother being pre-med. What will you put on your essays when they ask you why you want to be a doctor? That you're going on a whim?

 

[rhesuspieces]

Rhesus is right

Rhesus is always right. Just ask my boyfriend. 😀

 

[NYYk9005]

It has more to do with self-discipline than intelligence.

 

[orthomyxo]

This thread is definitely about organic.

 

[sideways]

It has more to do with self-discipline than intelligence.

Truer words haven't been spoken.

 

[Showtime14]

I know what you are talking about with the fast, intelligent mind you are referring too. I meet some bright people everyday who just get things quick and it's a bit daunting if you were just to compare yourself in that aspect alone.

But, I've become a confident person because I came to realize myself as a whole person. I'm a great communicator, I'm calm under stressful situations, I can go with the flow or lead the way. But above all that, I love biological sciences. People may understand a specific aspect of biology more quickly than I, but it's hard to keep up with someone that has a true passion for the subject. I'm auditing classes for fun, readings papers for fun, attending seminars unrelated to my research because I find them interesting.

The only way to keep up with smart people is to love what your doing, or put in the "work" to be on top of whatever you do (which would suck).

EXCELLENT points. Passion is the key to success and so called "genius"- people aren't born with knowledge, they have to learn it at some point in time. Smartness is not innate, it is a developed trait, and EVERYONE can develop it, regardless of what you might think. Brilliant brains might understand a concept faster due to being exposed to parts of it beforehand in some way or another, but that doesn't mean that you can't "catch up" with them- maybe your "slower" understanding of the subject will be much richer-and perhaps more insightful than that of the so called "genius".

 

[littlealex]

There are a few people in every class that are just brilliant. There are even fewer who are both brilliant and hardworking. The rest of us are above average intellect and get by with hardwork. If you feel that you're not above average intellect, than just work harder.
Medical school is definitely NOT difficult. It's tough work but it's doable work. People like to say pointless things about how much harder med school is compared to college. It's not.

If this is truly what you want to do, then work hard in college and try to get in somewhere. If MD isn't possible, consider DO. Remember, in the end sometimes experience matters more than intellect. Study hard, work hard, and always do your best.

Rarely there will be students that just aren't bright enough to be in medical school, but I truly believe those are a small minority who ultimately drop out not because they're stupid but because they lacked focus.

 

[Overmjnd]

crosslinked from different thread:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6378985927858479238#docid=4913196365903075662

 

[Krak]

It has more to do with self-discipline than intelligence.

This is undoubtedly the most understated thing about medical school. It's not about "being a genius" but it's more about work ethic. You can be ridiculously smart but if you don't keep up with the material than you're generally going to be really screwed come test time. Don't get me wrong, being naturally smart and having a good memory helps in remembering stuff but you got to put in the work. No way you can cram 150 or so lectures from 2 months of classes within a 2 week block of exams. Unless you have photographic memory and can remember things by reading it just once through you're ****ed. Personally, med school is 80% work ethic and 20% intelligence and being able to reason through things.

 

[coup de chance]

doesn't take a genius to be a doc

Totally does not.

Geniuses can live a bomb life without going to med school

While I've met some med school geniuses, they all do it because they love medicine.

 

[coup de chance]

This is undoubtedly the most understated thing about medical school. It's not about "being a genius" but it's more about work ethic. You can be ridiculously smart but if you don't keep up with the material than you're generally going to be really screwed come test time. Don't get me wrong, being naturally smart and having a good memory helps in remembering stuff but you got to put in the work. No way you can cram 150 or so lectures from 2 months of classes within a 2 week block of exams. Unless you have photographic memory and can remember things by reading it just once through you're ****ed. Personally, med school is 80% work ethic and 20% intelligence and being able to reason through things.

Yep. No way can your neural networks remodel in less time 😀

 

[CatholicThinker]

no, it most certainly does not. most anyone who can complete a science degree is intellectually capable, the big difference is the workload. of course, being a genius would certainly help....

But a problem is that I am sure many people feel that they cannot do that much, considering that the coursework for a Baccalaureate of Science typically involves subjects that are difficult for a lot of people(e.g. mathematics).

 

[Playa]

doesn't take a genius to be a doc

Chin up buddy, ^ if he can do it anyone can.

 

[gravitywave]

But a problem is that I am sure many people feel that they cannot do that much, considering that the coursework for a Baccalaureate of Science typically involves subjects that are difficult for a lot of people(e.g. mathematics).

i had to puzzle over this before i understood it, but what i think you are saying is that some people are concerned that they aren't cut out for med school because they aren't cut out for a science B.S.

most anyone who can complete a science B.S. has the neuronal horsepower to complete a medical degree. that does not imply that people need to be capable of a science B.S. in order to complete a medical degree, nor did i imply such.

 

[HotGhettoMess]

Inspiring thread.

I feel exactly the same way, and it certainly doesn't help that I grew up with two older siblings who always teased me about being slow, which I'm sure is partially responsible for the self-defeatist attitude I had for awhile. Yeah, I take awhile to catch on to things... but I refuse to allow that to hold me back because I know I'm perfectly capable of achieving great things just as much as anyone else.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

Chin up buddy, ^ if he can do it anyone can.

don't you have some whining about top schools to do

 

[DrMaximus]

This thread is definitely about organic.

👍


Oh so very true...

 

[Meerkatology]

if you can get into a med school, espeically an MD school, that means the adcoms believe you can make it as a doctor based on what they see of your grades+personality.

and statistics show they are usually right.

so let your grades/mcat decide.

 

[Playa]

don't you have some whining about top schools to do

Nah man im taking a break from that for now. Seriously OP, If this guy can get an interview at Pritzker, either they have no standards, or he slipped them some $$. Either way don't worry about it, you can definitely do it.

 

[333926]

...

 

[Geekchick921]

Bleargh, I think someone's got a crush on you.

Adderall wont help anyone think faster or increase their intelligence. It will just give the person more focus to get stuff done. It doesn't have to be shady, though, if the person actually needs it.

Obviously it's not shady if the person actually needs it. Regardless, that was largely a joke based on the discussions on Adderall that pop up on SDN every once in awhile. Forget it.

 

[Krak]

Nah man im taking a break from that for now. Seriously OP, If this guy can get an interview at Pritzker, either they have no standards, or he slipped them some $$. Either way don't worry about it, you can definitely do it.

Pritzker and UofChicago in general are intellectual ****** who don't really take into consideration personality. I'm betting that as long as the dude said yes I will devote my life to research and not take care of patients I'm sure the school autoinvited and accepted him.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

Nah man im taking a break from that for now. Seriously OP, If this guy can get an interview at Pritzker, either they have no standards, or he slipped them some $$. Either way don't worry about it, you can definitely do it.

don't forget duke and bu as well

Bleargh, I think someone's got a crush on you.

for serious, right?

 

[Playa]

Pritzker and UofChicago in general are intellectual ****** who don't really take into consideration personality. I'm betting that as long as the dude said yes I will devote my life to research and not take care of patients I'm sure the school autoinvited and accepted him.

That's pretty much every top med school. So Pritzker isn't any different, and now it makes sense how he got an interview. Well since I have a personality, id rather retain that then go to Duke.

 

[Geekchick921]

 

[RogueUnicorn]

That's pretty much every top med school. So Pritzker isn't any different, and now it makes sense how he got an interview. Well since I have a personality, id rather retain that then go to Duke.

and not a good one at that

 

[RogueUnicorn]

the funny part is that this bundle of insecurity hasn't even applied yet

 

[rafflecopter]

Is there a reason he's like this bleargh? Or is he just nondiscriminantly hating on people with interviews at good schools. Because if he is, he must hate me too. I have one at a top 15.

 

[Playa]

and not a good one at that

Haha well at least I have one pal, better than nothing.

 

[Playa]

Is there a reason he's like this bleargh? Or is he just nondiscriminantly hating on people with interviews at good schools. Because if he does, he must hate me too. I have one at a top 15.

No I have nothing against you or anyone else, I just like bleargh so much that this is my way of showing it to the world.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

Is there a reason he's like this bleargh? Or is he just nondiscriminantly hating on people with interviews at good schools. Because if he is, he must hate me too. I have one at a top 15.

kid's just bitter because he shot himself in the foot, and has convinced himself that he has no shot at these top schools he so desperately wants to get into. thus his insecurity (as evidenced by his self aggrandizement) is projected onto the schools themselves and any person associated with them.. it's sad and hilarious at the same time

 

[rafflecopter]

kid's just bitter because he shot himself in the foot, and has convinced himself that he has no shot at these top schools he so desperately wants to get into. thus his insecurity (as evidenced by his self aggrandizement) is projected onto the schools themselves and any person associated with them.. it's sad and hilarious at the same time

^ (points at bleargh's avatar)!

 

[Playa]

kid's just bitter because he shot himself in the foot, and has convinced himself that he has no shot at these top schools he so desperately wants to get into. thus his insecurity (as evidenced by his self aggrandizement) is projected onto the schools themselves and any person associated with them.. it's sad and hilarious at the same time

That's a really good psycho analysis but there are a few problems. Desperate? Nah man, I would like to have a shot, but im content with any decent med school, doesn't have to be JHU.

Schools themselves? Yea maybe I am bitter towards them, any person? Nah man, just you pal 🙂.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

That's a really good psycho analysis but there are a few problems. Desperate? Nah man, I would like to have a shot, but im content with any decent med school, doesn't have to be JHU.

Schools themselves? Yea maybe I am bitter towards them, any person? Nah man, just you pal 🙂.

you're a tragicomic and at times poignant portrait of a flawed person failing.

 

[Playa]

you're a tragicomic and at times poignant portrait of a flawed person failing.

Hmm, I would actually argue that these points are much better personified by your existence.