Will the MCAT follow the path of USMLE Step 1 and become a pass/fail exam?

[DNAJB6]

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And my answer would be that the engineer made that choice and now has to live it it. And no matter what the major, one still has to take the pre-reqs.

Fair enough, but if you are looking for the smartest, best class of medical school students you can assemble the light science major from Podunk U might not be the best choice.

P.S. No bias here - I'm not an engineering student or MIT grad; it is just something that has always bothered me.

 

[DNAJB6]

I think In the future med school admission could be different. MCAT could become pass/fail. But now to get admitted to medical school, they would require a postbac or masters where the applicants take (histology, medical biochemistry, pathology, gross or medical anatomy, medical genetics, embryology....) They would screen students that pass those classes with an C or better A. That could actually help them have students that are medical school ready due to being exposed to the material already.

Fixed that for you...

 

[Goro]

Fair enough, but if you are looking for the smartest, best class of medical school students you can assemble the light science major from Podunk U might not be the best choice.

These exist only in the imaginations of pre-meds.

 

[DNAJB6]

This basically describes all of higher education, including medical training, and highlights the importance of doing due diligence. This is why I recommend talking with third and fourth years about their and their peers' experiences. The opinions of first years, while well-meaning, is only marginally better than the blind leading the blind. Just my thoughts

But among upperclassmen, how do you distinguish between those speaking candidly (even if they have positive comments) versus the gunner brown noser that is sucking up with hopes that word will get round and he or she will end up with a stronger letter for residency programs?

 

[Goro]

But among upperclassmen, how do you distinguish between those speaking candidly (even if they have positive comments) versus the gunner brown noser that is sucking up with hopes that word will get round and he or she will end up with a stronger letter for residency programs?

Why would they be gunning to you or other non-students?

 

[Moko]

But among upperclassmen, how do you distinguish between those speaking candidly (even if they have positive comments) versus the gunner brown noser that is sucking up with hopes that word will get round and he or she will end up with a stronger letter for residency programs?

Every school (and residency program) has its own problems. If a current trainee is only telling you positive things from both their and their peers' experience, then it's usually either because (in no particular order) they're being less than transparent, haven't been in the system long enough to know, or are completely oblivious. From my experience, students are happy to give their honest and well intentioned opinions, though often times they simply have not been in the system long enough to know. Just my thoughts

 

[DNAJB6]

Why would they be gunning to you or other non-students?

My initial thought was that there could potentially be a fear that negative comments made about the school would get back to the school/attendings and undermine their chances at favorable letters of recommendation for residency. I remember when prospective undergraduates to my university asked about the strength of the university while visiting campus, I tried to dodge the question for fear that it would hurt my chance at recommendation letters for medical school. The stakes for competitive residencies seem even higher.

 

[Goro]

My initial thought was that there could potentially be a fear that negative comments made about the school would get back to the school/attendings and undermine their chances at favorable letters of recommendation for residency. I remember when prospective undergraduates to my university asked about the strength of the university while visiting campus, I tried to dodge the question for fear that it would hurt my chance at recommendation letters for medical school. The stakes for competitive residencies seem even higher.

You thought wrong

 

[Moko]

Unless you're completely trashing the school in an unprofessional manner, this stuff is unlikely to have any real consequences. Of course, applicants also need to read in between the lines when talking with interviewers, current students, residents, and attendings (when looking at new jobs).