Saturday, February 7, 2015
The strugle is real
I am here at the library, partially mid job.
My Sunday boss's mother is in town and in lieu of my normal shift she asked if I could take her mom to get her hair done. The pay is not my normal but its better than nothing. Plus I was going to the library anyway, and I found one about 10 mins from the salon so all in all its not the worst.
Anywhoo... the point of the above comment is I am here at the library with the intent of MCAT study. Lets say that mission has been aborted and no progress has been made. I got a letter last night from University of Medicine and Health Science (UMHS) which is a Caribbean school in St. Kitts.
I have spoken of my apprehension in regards to international medical education in the past, but stressing over this freaking test I just decided to Google some info on the school.
They actually have an amazing facility with some great technology and anatomy facility.Their 2014 Residency placement had mostly family medicine but there were a couple of others.
I have a lot of thoughts I want to get out, but I don't want to write a book, lol.
so I am just going to put random statements....
- its kind of disheartening how hard it is to get a medical degree in the US.
- A person can work hard and be pretty competent and still fail.
- wish they had a system in place to where if you got good grades in pre-reqs you could get some type of pre-acceptance or conditional acceptance into a program, and you had to maintain a certain level of performance in the first and/or second semester, then you be granted full access into the program.
- yes I know its hard, yes I know they want capable people, etc... but the amount of competent and willing people that are turned away from the profession yearly just seems...
- And this whole thing with a YEAR application process is the Freakin Worst...
- And then for those that circumvent the sharty process and go to international schools that are willing to give them an opportunity. They work hard to make grades above the average US educated just for a shot at a limited number opportunities is just tragic...
- yes I now there are some schools that are just taking money, or not sufficiently educating, and some people are missing skill set ... etc... but if a person has maintained good grades, passed the same examinations, and can prove themselves in clinical setting then you assume they can provide the same level of care...
- I sometimes think maybe the American system is designed that way on purpose... But I tell you every time I read an article about "Doctor shortages" etc... I am like I cant tell...
- I guess I am just tired and a bit frustrated with my situation right now.
- on a semi-related note. My AP grades are going good so far,
HW 1 - 100
HW 2 - 95 ( not sure what i missed yet, but pretty upset I let something slip)
Test 1 - 98
this is kind of one of those things that drive me crazy about that dang test. I know I am not stupid, I made mostly A's in my pre-reqs. But for some reason I continue to let that thing weigh me down...
Argh!!!!
(side note: hormones, $$, and Sam Smith Pandora station may be falsely elevating the "devastation factor" on this post.. ) LOL.
It will work out... Something will work out... Just not sure what yet...
Interesting AAMC video on residency spots.... http://vimeo.com/77727683
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Hey my sister. HANG IN THERE GIRL...HOLD ON. YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES AND MORE. This journey is really tough mostly because of the political rhetoric and intentional roadblocks that are strategically put there. You just provided insight into a very deliberate and methodically designed system of psychological games. The "powers that be" know better than we do how much they want to control this so-called elite profession. It is very apparent that the application process should not be as difficult and exhasting as It is and with the new mcat even worse. Let's be honest how are other countries producing physicians right out of high school? The answer is simple. THE U.S. SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO CONTROL THE PROCESS TO KEEP A CERTAIN DEMOGRAPHIC DISCOURAGED AND INELIGIBLE TO APPLY. Race is not the main factor here it is class and demographic. So sad because those of us that are chasing this dream and want to just practice medicine, know that it is a CALLING NOT A CAREER. I share your pain and frustration as a mom and wife. Its sometimes impossible to really get quality time in to study for exams and the mcat. What helps me to not concentrate on time and age is meeting one milestone at a time. Rushing or speeding up the process is not possible for your situation. Excel at each milestone. Celebrate it and move to the next. I see your dedication my sister. A friend of mines that is now a 4th year surgical resident oncecsaid to me, "THIS IS A MARATHON NOT A RACE" Just maintain your pace and celebrate each milestone. I wish you all the best. .GO KILL' EM WITH PERSEVERANCE. ..BLESS YOU. .
ReplyDeleteThank you njdr2b. I appreciate your encouraging words. Best of look to you, I have started to follow your story. I look forward to hearing of her completed milestones. :)
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