Pediatric Playroom

There is more to being a pre-med student than stress and horrid chem classes. I recently spent a few hours volunteering at the pediatric playroom at the UNC children's hospital. These opportuntities are rare since volunteer positions fill up fast. The kids that I met at the playroom were incredibly strong and resilient. It must be hard for them to have to spend so much of their life in the hospital, connected to an IV pump. I know that the one time in my life that I was admitted I was terrified to move because of the IV in my arm but these kids didn't even seem to notice it was there. Their strength and good attitude is something that we can all learn from. I loved spending time with these children and they are what motivate me to become a doctor.

What If?

As if trying to survive pre-med classes isn't bad enough the average GPA of science courses is 3.5-3.7 at the medical schools in NC. Yes, Med schools separate your major classes from electives and gen ed requirements to make sure that you cannot boost your GPA with easy classes. Of course your overall GPA needs to be outstanding as well but they really care about the sciences. And forget trying to take organic at another school because they know your trying to find an easy way out. I think I need to take a valium before going to pre-med meetings because they never fail to scare me. What do I do with a bio degree if I don't get into med school? What if I have to go to med school on some carribean island? What if I do get into med school and don't get matched with a residency program? What happens if I put all of this time and effort into extremely hard classes and fail? These questions run through my mind every other week as I sit in the meeting and I panic. I am jealous of the people that do not plan on going to graduate school who just worry about passing their classes and finishing their major. I am even more jealous of the people who really don't need a degree but go to college for the experience. It must be nice.

Deans Panel

The Carolina Pre-Med Association hosted a deans panel last week. It was supposed to be an opportunity for UNC pre-med students to ask the deans of Wake, Duke, ECU, and UNC med schools questions about their programs. The only dean that showed up was the one from ECU who had the longest drive. I was extremely dissapointed that our own dean did not come and I think it was an emarassment to our school. Wake, Duke, and UNC all sent admissions people. I didn't really learn anything new but I was once again reminded of the incredibly small chance of getting into medical school.