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Since we're all balls deep in this grueling cycle, if you had to make the system better, more efficient, or improved in general, what would you do?
I would have to come up with an alternative to the MCAT. It has little correlation with your performance as a physician. Why not copy a style more similar to the boards, where there are different tests of knowledge outside books? Why not reduce the number of science questions from 52 to, say 35 or 40, reducing the weight of each section? Take out verbal (since doctors usually don't read much shakespear or philosophy). Then, add some form of communication section, involving encounters, and social interactions. Instead of being multiple choice, maybe let people type some 1-2 sentence responses to a few challenging questions on topics that come up in interviews. Your score isn't based on being right or wrong, but on how you explained it. What about actual encounters with actors? My main point is that there is A LOT more to being a doctor than just science, and that another section or two should be developed to test their ability to talk to people, and function in physician-esque situations.
Second, I would change how applicants are viewed, decided as being good, or bad. I say split up the app into e sections: grades, experiences and personal statement. Attach no names to these, and make them independent from each other. So one person may look at personal statements with only an amcas ID, and another would look at personal statements. Then establish a universal ranking system so everyone can just get a rank. Let a few people see everything, put all the pieces together, then start sending interview invites.
So if you could redesign this system, what would you do??
I would have to come up with an alternative to the MCAT. It has little correlation with your performance as a physician. Why not copy a style more similar to the boards, where there are different tests of knowledge outside books? Why not reduce the number of science questions from 52 to, say 35 or 40, reducing the weight of each section? Take out verbal (since doctors usually don't read much shakespear or philosophy). Then, add some form of communication section, involving encounters, and social interactions. Instead of being multiple choice, maybe let people type some 1-2 sentence responses to a few challenging questions on topics that come up in interviews. Your score isn't based on being right or wrong, but on how you explained it. What about actual encounters with actors? My main point is that there is A LOT more to being a doctor than just science, and that another section or two should be developed to test their ability to talk to people, and function in physician-esque situations.
Second, I would change how applicants are viewed, decided as being good, or bad. I say split up the app into e sections: grades, experiences and personal statement. Attach no names to these, and make them independent from each other. So one person may look at personal statements with only an amcas ID, and another would look at personal statements. Then establish a universal ranking system so everyone can just get a rank. Let a few people see everything, put all the pieces together, then start sending interview invites.
So if you could redesign this system, what would you do??