To All Starting Optometry School:

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BeesKnees22

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I hope that you sincerely love optometry and that it is your passion because optometry school is unnecessarily difficult, the tuition is extremely high, the job outlook is not very good, and the pay is nothing to brag about. I just want to be honest and make sure that all of you realize this. I wish that more people had told me. I did shadow with a few young doctors who said that they regretted their decision, but I didn't listen, and now I'm pretty much stuck. I'm not one of the usual people on here who bash the profession, but rather I am fresh voice and a young student. I wish that I had not chosen optometry.
 
I hope that you sincerely love optometry and that it is your passion because optometry school is unnecessarily difficult, the tuition is extremely high, the job outlook is not very good, and the pay is nothing to brag about. I just want to be honest and make sure that all of you realize this. I wish that more people had told me. I did shadow with a few young doctors who said that they regretted their decision, but I didn't listen, and now I'm pretty much stuck. I'm not one of the usual people on here who bash the profession, but rather I am fresh voice and a young student. I wish that I had not chosen optometry.
Bees,

where do you go to school @?
 
I would honestly rather not say, but I will tell you that it is an accredited school that has been around for a while. I'm afraid that people in real life might figure out who I am and make trouble for me.
 
I hope that you sincerely love optometry and that it is your passion because optometry school is unnecessarily difficult, the tuition is extremely high, the job outlook is not very good, and the pay is nothing to brag about. I just want to be honest and make sure that all of you realize this. I wish that more people had told me. I did shadow with a few young doctors who said that they regretted their decision, but I didn't listen, and now I'm pretty much stuck. I'm not one of the usual people on here who bash the profession, but rather I am fresh voice and a young student. I wish that I had not chosen optometry.

oh no 🙁 i'm sorry you feel that way. I thought it would be worth it in the end. What year are you in school? maybe your outlook on it will change once you finish, and start practicing.?
what makes it unnecessarily difficult?
 
oh no 🙁 i'm sorry you feel that way. I thought it would be worth it in the end. What year are you in school? maybe your outlook on it will change once you finish, and start practicing.?
what makes it unnecessarily difficult?

It's just constant stress and unnecessarily detailed work. We memorize the most mundane of details that will never be useful in real life or even for the boards. They constantly threaten to kick you out or fail you for minor mistakes, and it is a like a living nightmare. I have very good grades too. I'm honestly about to cut my financial losses and get out of here. I'd rather do nearly anything at this point. Any passion I had for this profession is long gone.
 
It's just constant stress and unnecessarily detailed work. We memorize the most mundane of details that will never be useful in real life or even for the boards. They constantly threaten to kick you out or fail you for minor mistakes, and it is a like a living nightmare. I have very good grades too. I'm honestly about to cut my financial losses and get out of here. I'd rather do nearly anything at this point. Any passion I had for this profession is long gone.

We have become Jason K 😱
 
We have become Jason K 😱

I think that's the kind of thing that scares me the most. I am just not myself here. I'm usually very hopeful, optimistic, and happy to exist, but now I'm just like, "Why didn't I listen?"

To be fair though, I love my classmates and the community feel, and I don't even mind the written work. In fact, I would really enjoy optometry school if I didn't get the constant feeling that they're looking for any excuse to fail you or hold you back. I feel like at any minute all of my hard work and money could go to waste for some seemingly insignificant mistake.

And I guess I was overly dramatic and tired out when I said that my passion is gone...because it's not. I enjoy what we do, and I wouldn't even mind the lower salary, but when you think of all of the work and then added risk, it just stops making sense.
 
I think that's the kind of thing that scares me the most. I am just not myself here. I'm usually very hopeful, optimistic, and happy to exist, but now I'm just like, "Why didn't I listen?"

To be fair though, I love my classmates and the community feel, and I don't even mind the written work. In fact, I would really enjoy optometry school if I didn't get the constant feeling that they're looking for any excuse to fail you or hold you back. I feel like at any minute all of my hard work and money could go to waste for some seemingly insignificant mistake.

And I guess I was overly dramatic and tired out when I said that my passion is gone...because it's not. I enjoy what we do, and I wouldn't even mind the lower salary, but when you think of all of the work and then added risk, it just stops making sense.



There's still time to reconsider if you're a pre-opt or if you're in your first year. Otherwise , i think you should quit going on here and read all these negative posts bc you might feel discouraged and lose your focus. I think that you have no choice now but to finish what you started, which is a much better option than dropping out and end up with so much debt and no degree..
 
I would really enjoy optometry school if I didn't get the constant feeling that they're looking for any excuse to fail you or hold you back.

Sounds to me like your problem is the school you attend, not so much the profession.
 
I think that's the kind of thing that scares me the most. I am just not myself here. I'm usually very hopeful, optimistic, and happy to exist, but now I'm just like, "Why didn't I listen?"

To be fair though, I love my classmates and the community feel, and I don't even mind the written work. In fact, I would really enjoy optometry school if I didn't get the constant feeling that they're looking for any excuse to fail you or hold you back. I feel like at any minute all of my hard work and money could go to waste for some seemingly insignificant mistake.

And I guess I was overly dramatic and tired out when I said that my passion is gone...because it's not. I enjoy what we do, and I wouldn't even mind the lower salary, but when you think of all of the work and then added risk, it just stops making sense.

I agree with the poster before me who said that your school sounds like the problem- which is unfortunate. However, any situation is what you make of it. You have the ability to make optometry school a positive thing or you can choose to focus on the negatives and have a miserable experience.
 
Sure, I do have problems with my specific school, but this profession as a whole has serious issues. I was the ever-optimistic pre-opt on here at one time too. And I didn't want to listen to negativity, then as I shadowed more, I started to encounter young doctors in real life who said that they were unhappy with their decision. Then I started paying attention; it was no longer just some moaning on the Internet. I'm not saying that you can't be happy in this profession or that it won't work out, I am just saying that you need to really, really like what you do and have realistic expectations. Because the bottom line is that you will not instantly become rich. In fact, paying back loans might actually be difficult. The schooling itself is miserable. It consumes your life if you take it seriously. The day-to-day work is rather mundane. Chances are that you will be sitting in the front of Wal-Mart or in the mall's Lenscrafters making a mediocre salary for a ton of really hard schooling. Just be realistic. People told me this, and I didn't listen. I wish that I had.
 
I agree with the poster before me who said that your school sounds like the problem- which is unfortunate. However, any situation is what you make of it. You have the ability to make optometry school a positive thing or you can choose to focus on the negatives and have a miserable experience.

You see, I said this kind of stuff too. But these types of platitudes do not hold true at this level. I am an excellent student and very positive person. You can't change certain things about a school/profession. You are the not the Dean, not the professor, and not an administrator. You can't print money, make more time in the day, or hire yourself at your chosen location. But I know where you're coming from because I posted like you at one time. Positive thinking can't change reality. Like I said, I just want people to be way more realistic than I was.
 
Just be realistic. People told me this, and I didn't listen. I wish that I had.

One semester is not the end of your life. Lots of people don't end up where they started out for. You'll be happy again! Maybe you should seriously consider leaving optometry school before you become more in debt and depressed. Go pursue your acting or art.

My friend has her MFA. It took a lot of hard work and late nights to obtain, but overall she loves art. She doesn't have full time employment but instead works free lance. She floats around the country being creative. It is perfect for her, and I can't see her doing anything else. Maybe this is for you too.
 
Please please come back and post next year, when you are actually in this situation. I can't wait to hear from y'all!
 
If there is ABSOLUTELY nothing else in the world that would make you happy, go to optometry school.

If I handed you $200k...what would you do with it?

If your first response isn't, "Go to optometry school!" You really need to take a step back and think about it.
 
For everyone who isn't happy in this profession, I don't understand why you're still doing it if it makes you so miserable? Life is too short to not do exactly what you want and live it the way you want to. Find something that makes your heart happy 🙂
 
I completely agree, csandova. Many of my friends are teachers barely making $20,000/yr and are happy teaching because it's something they love doing. If you're going into a career for the paycheck it's almost guaranteed to backfire.
 
For everyone who isn't happy in this profession, I don't understand why you're still doing it if it makes you so miserable? Life is too short to not do exactly what you want and live it the way you want to. Find something that makes your heart happy 🙂

I completely agree, csandova. Many of my friends are teachers barely making $20,000/yr and are happy teaching because it's something they love doing. If you're going into a career for the paycheck it's almost guaranteed to backfire.

I admire the optimism. I sincerely do. Crappy part about the path of healthcare is that hopes and dreams run out of gas about as fast as a model rocket.

You need to be aware of what you are walking into. There is a financial freight-train that is going to run you into the ground once you graduate, it is called your student loan payments.

Unless your friends teach pre-school and only have a HS degree I can guarantee they make far more than $20k/year. However, if they do, you can brag that you pay more than their yearly salary in student loans each year when you are in repayment.

You obviously aren't going into optometry for the money b/c it is a financial nightmare at this point in time. You are most likely going to have a horrid time paying off your loans. If you can accept that fact...then keep on chugging.
 
its true don't do it, you will regret it for rest of your life. HAAHAHAAHAHAHA
 
I hope that you sincerely love optometry and that it is your passion because optometry school is unnecessarily difficult, the tuition is extremely high, the job outlook is not very good, and the pay is nothing to brag about. I just want to be honest and make sure that all of you realize this. I wish that more people had told me. I did shadow with a few young doctors who said that they regretted their decision, but I didn't listen, and now I'm pretty much stuck. I'm not one of the usual people on here who bash the profession, but rather I am fresh voice and a young student. I wish that I had not chosen optometry.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and assume that when you refer to the "usual people on here who bash the profession," you're including me. I have never once bashed optometry. I've bashed its stability. I've pointed out its failed leadership. I've talked about how barren the profession will be for those entering it now, but I've never once bashed optometry.

There's nothing wrong with optometrists. The problem is the profession and how it's being driven into the ground. It's a sum of all effects that makes optometry a bad bet. All health care fields are going to be squeezed in the coming years, but optometry is one of the least prepared to weather the storm, and instead of boarding up the windows and gathering supplies, it's rollerblading on the boardwalk.

It's your situation that I'm trying to prevent. You guys don't get it. I have a life. I have kids, a wife, friends, a business to run, so why I am I on here? Do I get some sort of bizarre satisfaction from posting the realities of optometry on SDN? No - I got screwed over by the many people who stood to profit by my entry into the profession. On a regular basis, they lie, distort, and cover up the abysmal outlook that optometry has for its newcomers, and its nauseating.

Welcome to the club of people who see optometry for what it really is, instead of what it's portrayed to be.
 
It's just constant stress and unnecessarily detailed work. We memorize the most mundane of details that will never be useful in real life or even for the boards. They constantly threaten to kick you out or fail you for minor mistakes, and it is a like a living nightmare. I have very good grades too. I'm honestly about to cut my financial losses and get out of here. I'd rather do nearly anything at this point. Any passion I had for this profession is long gone.

wow. are all schools like that or is it just your particular program? I don't want to choose the wrong place for me. what's the name of your school? I know you don't want to disclose that info but gahh that program sounds awful, you make it seem like they are waiting for you to fail D: sounds like a school I don't want to go to
 
What you are not understanding is that all schools are like that, the programs are like that...I am pretty sure I go to a different school than Bees and it is the same stuff. And a lot of it!
 
Sounds to me like your problem is the school you attend, not so much the profession.


So typical coming from a naive pre-opt....We'll see how you will feel later as you go through your journey...
 
So typical coming from a naive pre-opt....We'll see how you will feel later as you go through your journey...

I'm not trying to sound "typical" or like a "naive pre-opt", I'm just stating what I got from her post, that is all.
 
I'm going to go out on a limb here and assume that when you refer to the "usual people on here who bash the profession," you're including me. I have never once bashed optometry. I've bashed its stability. I've pointed out its failed leadership. I've talked about how barren the profession will be for those entering it now, but I've never once bashed optometry.

There's nothing wrong with optometrists. The problem is the profession and how it's being driven into the ground. It's a sum of all effects that makes optometry a bad bet. All health care fields are going to be squeezed in the coming years, but optometry is one of the least prepared to weather the storm, and instead of boarding up the windows and gathering supplies, it's rollerblading on the boardwalk.

It's your situation that I'm trying to prevent. You guys don't get it. I have a life. I have kids, a wife, friends, a business to run, so why I am I on here? Do I get some sort of bizarre satisfaction from posting the realities of optometry on SDN? No - I got screwed over by the many people who stood to profit by my entry into the profession. On a regular basis, they lie, distort, and cover up the abysmal outlook that optometry has for its newcomers, and its nauseating.

Welcome to the club of people who see optometry for what it really is, instead of what it's portrayed to be.
Fair enough, I didn't mean to imply that you think there is a problem with optometrists. I honestly didn't consider my wording to that level of detail. Thanks for your input.
 
Sadly, the problems are persistent even after going through all that schooling and debt.
We're now coming closer to a point where long-time doctors have to piece together part-time jobs at corporate practices. And it's not just in cities, but pretty much everywhere in the country...
 
What you are not understanding is that all schools are like that, the programs are like that...I am pretty sure I go to a different school than Bees and it is the same stuff. And a lot of it!

Unfortunately this is the case at almost every school for at left first semester classes. There is no way to study anatomy other than memorization. Same for Microbio and biochem for the most part. The programs are usually trying to see whether you can handle it. I thought we would be done with cramming useless info down our throats to forget it, but I'm sure at least SOME biochem will be helpful in pharmacology and some micro will be helpful in ocular disease. It's just annoying studying the anatomy of the genitals, since clearly that's not relevant. I did way better on the head section, hahahaha.
 
Unfortunately this is the case at almost every school for at left first semester classes. There is no way to study anatomy other than memorization. Same for Microbio and biochem for the most part. The programs are usually trying to see whether you can handle it. I thought we would be done with cramming useless info down our throats to forget it, but I'm sure at least SOME biochem will be helpful in pharmacology and some micro will be helpful in ocular disease. It's just annoying studying the anatomy of the genitals, since clearly that's not relevant. I did way better on the head section, hahahaha.

I have to disagree-- Biochem and microbio are about understanding concepts and being able to apply them to new situations, but that's not how it is taught in optometry schools and medical schools in my experience. Think about what you're writing-- ifyou really think science is about memorization, you didn't take enough upper level science classes in college.

In response to the comment about professors trying to fail you, I have not had that experience at my school. I'm sorry you're having such a difficult time, but unless you are a semester from graduation, it isn't too late to jump ship.
 
I have to disagree-- Biochem and microbio are about understanding concepts and being able to apply them to new situations, but that's not how it is taught in optometry schools and medical schools in my experience. Think about what you're writing-- ifyou really think science is about memorization, you didn't take enough upper level science classes in college.

What are you talking about? :laugh:

The only concept in micro is that bacteria, fungi, and parasites will jack you up and kill you. Everything else is memorization.
 
What are you talking about? :laugh:

The only concept in micro is that bacteria, fungi, and parasites will jack you up and kill you. Everything else is memorization.

So true I have no clue what she is talking out. Its biology not quantum physics.
 
I have to disagree-- Biochem and microbio are about understanding concepts and being able to apply them to new situations, but that's not how it is taught in optometry schools and medical schools in my experience. Think about what you're writing-- ifyou really think science is about memorization, you didn't take enough upper level science classes in college.

In response to the comment about professors trying to fail you, I have not had that experience at my school. I'm sorry you're having such a difficult time, but unless you are a semester from graduation, it isn't too late to jump ship.

I double majored in neurobiology and physiology in undergrad, and none of the classes were taught in a manner where we have to straight up memorize pathway after pathway and enzyme after enzyme. I understand how grad/Opto school is supposed to challenge you and make you think. But I can't imagine a situation in my career where ill need to know the substrate of the pentose phosphate pathway or what the taxonomy of black fungi is. I understand teaching is clinically relevant biochem and microbio, but my classes have been nit picky and irrelevant. I still got As because I have pretty close to a photographic memory. I don't think that professors try to fail you, I just think that you can tell the ones who are clearly researchers and only teach to keep their tenure. They expect every 1st year student to be able to comprehend things like someone who has had a PhD in that subject for years.
 
I double majored in neurobiology and physiology in undergrad, and none of the classes were taught in a manner where we have to straight up memorize pathway after pathway and enzyme after enzyme. I understand how grad/Opto school is supposed to challenge you and make you think. But I can't imagine a situation in my career where ill need to know the substrate of the pentose phosphate pathway or what the taxonomy of black fungi is. I understand teaching is clinically relevant biochem and microbio, but my classes have been nit picky and irrelevant. I still got As because I have pretty close to a photographic memory. I don't think that professors try to fail you, I just think that you can tell the ones who are clearly researchers and only teach to keep their tenure. They expect every 1st year student to be able to comprehend things like someone who has had a PhD in that subject for years.

I am the similar boat, just so frustrated with how poorly future doctors are presented all the material. There needs to be a massive overhaul of how these curriculum are set up.
 
I am the similar boat, just so frustrated with how poorly future doctors are presented all the material. There needs to be a massive overhaul of how these curriculum are set up.

I think you hit the nail on the head. There needs to be a massive overhaul of the current system. Way too much time is spent on extraneous information and the memorization of irrelevant details. It's miserable and time consuming, and then you couple that with the insane educational prices and the declining job outlook, and you realize (or at least hope) that people will start to see through it and change the system.
 
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I think you hit the nail on the head. There needs to be a massive overhaul of the current system. Way too much time is spent on extraneous information and the memorization of irrelevant details. It's miserable and time consuming, and then you couple that with the insane educational prices and the declining job outlook, and you realize (or at least hope) that people will start to see through it and change the system.

Personally, I wouldn't trust my eyes to anyone who wasn't challenged. While the information that you learn first year might seem nit picky and irrelevant, perhaps it also serves as a way to weed out those who can't handle it? Just a thought though, I'll be starting in the fall so I haven't faced these challenges myself.
 
Personally, I wouldn't trust my eyes to anyone who wasn't challenged. While the information that you learn first year might seem nit picky and irrelevant, perhaps it also serves as a way to weed out those who can't handle it? Just a thought though, I'll be starting in the fall so I haven't faced these challenges myself.

That's absurd — one doesn't design a curriculum to "weed out" people; one designs it to educate them.
 
Personally, I wouldn't trust my eyes to anyone who wasn't challenged. While the information that you learn first year might seem nit picky and irrelevant, perhaps it also serves as a way to weed out those who can't handle it? Just a thought though, I'll be starting in the fall so I haven't faced these challenges myself.

This is one of the silliest comments I have ever read on SDN.
 
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Haven't been on here in forever, but distracting myself from studying for my first semesters finals. I love optometry school. I love that we have to learn systems that seem irrelevant and my physio and anatomy professors teach med school students as well. The more knowledge I have, the better I can practice some day. Though my life outside of school doesn't really exist, this is what I expected and this is what you should expect. It's not easy, but it's completely manageable. The only thing I agree with here is don't do it unless you have passion and love it. That goes with any graduate school. I wouldn't take out the loans to be miserable the rest of your life.
:
Oh, and you shouldn't come on here at all actually. People lie about there OATs. "I got a 380 and I'm scared I won't get in" Really? People lie about almost everything. It will just make you not excited when this should be one of the most exciting yet challenging times of your life.

Good luck in what choice you make!
 
I agree with melhope11. Im applying to optometry school this year and I'm looking around this SDN for valuable advices. I actually got a little bit discouraged when I saw this post. But it is true that we are pouring lot of money in pursuing this career and for an optometrist, to find a job is to look around Walmart, Bjs or opening your own clinic which requires a lot of work(business side). But I guess I just need to take one step at a time.
Good luck with your finals!!
 
Personally, I wouldn't trust my eyes to anyone who wasn't challenged. While the information that you learn first year might seem nit picky and irrelevant, perhaps it also serves as a way to weed out those who can't handle it? Just a thought though, I'll be starting in the fall so I haven't faced these challenges myself.

This is really stupid. If my school were trying to "weed" me out I would have been out a long time ago. They have done their best to try to help me succeed.
 
It would be a horrible school if the school accepts you then try to weed you out in the end. Lol i guess there are a lot of competitive peopl out there.
 
Some schools may have policies that inadvertently weed people out- such as grade requirements, a one-and-done policy (only allowed to take a class once and if you fail/withdraw/don't get a suitable grade then you are kicked out), or what I call a barrier class (meaning you fail/don't get a high enough grade in this class and regardless of how you did in the rest of your classes you have to re-take the entire semester- which some students may not be able to afford). These policies aren't put in place to intentionally weed out students, but they do end up adversely affecting some students.

Although, to be fair, this was my undergraduate experience. It may not be this way in optometry school. Also, just for the record, I have nothing against grade requirements (I think it's important to have a standard of excellence in all things we do)- I was just using it as an example (before I get attacked and asked if I want the doctor who gots Ds in <insert class here> treating me).
 
I hope that you sincerely love optometry and that it is your passion because optometry school is unnecessarily difficult, the tuition is extremely high, the job outlook is not very good, and the pay is nothing to brag about. I just want to be honest and make sure that all of you realize this. I wish that more people had told me. I did shadow with a few young doctors who said that they regretted their decision, but I didn't listen, and now I'm pretty much stuck. I'm not one of the usual people on here who bash the profession, but rather I am fresh voice and a young student. I wish that I had not chosen optometry.

so whats stopping you from choosing another path? your definitely not stuck..you can withdraw, cut your losses and move on

If your not happy why bother staying in the program with the issues you brought up above?
 
I have to agree with Bees and q1we3. I'm in my second year of school and have been displeased with a lot of things since I started. I tried telling myself to stick it out and that it would get better but it hasn't. The classes are so much more poorly taught then even my undergraduate classes were I feel as though I'm funneling away a huge chunk of tuition money each semester to learn absolutely worthless information. My school as well looks for any possible reason to hold people back. Over 10% of my class has not passed a class and at my school if you don't pass one class you are held back an entire year. I feel like pre-optometry students cannot grasp the concept of not passing a class because in undergrad if you at leas tried and put in the work the lowest you would end up with was probably a C. That is not the case in optometry school and actually at my school even if you do get a C that constitutes a failing grade for the class, and thus means you are now staying in school for an additional year and more importantly paying an additional year's worth of tuition.

I feel like my game plan now is to finish school so at least I can hopefully get a part time job somewhere (because that's all that's really available anyways) and then try to do something else, which is awful because I've already been in school for so many years.

Just trying to help others not make the same mistake I did. I'd be gone in a heartbeat if my school offered to give me back even half the tuition I've already spent. You are smart. Don't waste that intelligence on optometry. It's just a depressing community to be a part of.
 
What school do you go to? I wonder if the school makes a bit of difference? I realize the outcome may very well be the same, but maybe the outlook of each school is slightly different? I would love to hear opinions of those who go to different schools...new vs more established?
 
now I'm pretty much stuck.

OP - You aren't stuck. If you truly dislike the field, cut your losses and leave now. Otherwise your student loan debt is going to pile up and it will crush you when you finally graduate. If you're still interested in medicine but don't want to try for med school, there's always PA school. Most PA schools require a ton of healthcare experience though.

As for memorization, I think it's par for the course for most medical careers. I just finished my first semester of PT school and had to memorize some pretty (IMO) inane stuff. But that's the price we pay for being able to sit for the board exam later.
 
Hey there, everyone. Wow, I didn't expect this many replies. I'm currently looking at my possible exit strategies from the field. I do want to reiterate that I'm not trying to say that everyone will be unhappy with optometry. I just want the undergrads to be aware of the problems that plague the field. I figure that it's the least I can do. I wish that more people had told me of these issues. But when I think back, I did have several young grads tell me to run the other way. I just didn't want to hear it.

My personal bottom line with optometry school is that the work and risks do seem like they are worth the reward. Extremely hard schooling with the constant threats of being kicked out or having to repeat for minor mistakes all for the reward of monotonous part time work. It just stops making sense at some point. Sure, I could be one of the lucky ones who gets the good job...or I could run a successful private practice. I think that you can make really good money in this field with private practice, but then you're pretty much signing away most of your free time and binding yourself in paper work.
 
I think this thread shows the importance of researching your schools. When I attended school (SUNY) they went to the ends of the earth to help you to make sure you did NOT have to be held back. We had ONE person in my class held back. The notion of 10% of a professional school class being held back is completely absurd. That shows either a malignant school philosophy or horrible admissions standards or both.
 
I think this thread shows the importance of researching your schools. When I attended school (SUNY) they went to the ends of the earth to help you to make sure you did NOT have to be held back. We had ONE person in my class held back. The notion of 10% of a professional school class being held back is completely absurd. That shows either a malignant school philosophy or horrible admissions standards or both.

This x 1,000,000.
 
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