To each their own, but honestly would you do 80 hours of volunteer in 2 years if it wasn't mandatory? Maybe yes, maybe no. Either way, it's not as if you're giving up every weekend to do community service. For those who would have done it regardless of it being mandatory, super. For those who are complaining about it being mandatory, I don't get it. I'm doing an event that's coming up and I will be getting more than 25% of the total service hours, just one event... It's not hard. If you're lazy, then I can see how mandatory service is a drag... but then again it's your fault for making it a drag. Get active in something that interests or moves you in some way. What else are you planning on doing to add to your residency application if not at least 80 hours volunteering?
As for rural rotations, it is what it is. I'm going to play it smart and plan accordingly.
Mandatory medical Spanish? You've got to be kidding me. IMO, this is part of the reason why this country is viewed as arrogant and ignorant in some foreign countries. We expect everyone to speak English. Plus, it would be a huge disservice to your patients and your career if you're unable to communicate basic medical terms to Spanish-speaking patients. If you're thinking "oh, I'll just get an interpreter or have one of my bilingual nurses help me," then you've just doubled the appointment time and now you're making everyone after this patient wait. We all know how on-time every physician's office is, amirite?? Plus, if you're able to communicate one-on-one with this patient, the better rapport you will build. Who knows, they may even be a little more forthcoming about something that could narrow down your differential. You'd be surprised just how many diagnoses can be made by simply taking a good history!
The issue about the basic science curriculum not being geared towards the boards: I mostly agree. It would be nice to have more board-style questions to get used to the format. Anatomy is dry and requires a lot of memorization, but I can assure you my professor went above and beyond the notes to include board-related and residency-related topics and make appropriate connections. Biochemistry is not the best organized, but if you spend any time looking at other resources concurrently (like BRS) then you'll be able to fill in the blanks. And we did have plenty of case-based questions in anatomy and biochemistry, it just wasn't fully "board style" by any means. OPP exams are board-style. On the other hand, the days of 100% spoon-feeding are over. We are supposed to be self-directed learners. The smart medical student does not simply rely on materials provided by the school. The smart medical student looks at different resources to make connections and foundations to build upon as they progress.
No school is perfect, but people will always find something to complain about.
