So, along with the cornucopia of questions we have all received/ seen out there in the medblr universe, community college seems to be a popular subject. There’s quite the insidious rumor that has been around in the pre-med world for eons, quite possibly before the advent of the telegram. Who started it you ask? I have no clue (gives a sassy glare at student doctor network)

The rumor is that taking any type/any amount of pre-requisite coursework at a community college, will look hurt your med school app and more you appear less qualified/competitive/competent/blah blah blah…

      Let’s address summer classes at community colleges. HAVE YOU EVER TRIED TAKING A SCIENCE CLASS OVER THE SUMMER!? IT’S FREAKING HARD! You’re taking a course that was meant to be taught over an entire semester and condensing it into five weeks. That’s just a lot of crap to learn in a short amount of time. Taking these courses and doing well in them are not going to harm your application. It’s challenging (to say the least) and it takes a great deal of stamina to be able to complete these courses, especially if you’re doing a course like organic chemistry.

            Most people who take pre-reqs over the summer do so because it’s difficult to fit all the pre-reqs into their fall/spring semesters, especially if you’re a non-science major (like both AspDocs and me). That sounds like a pretty good reason to take summer classes, unless someone wants to lend me Hermione’s time-turner so I could get an extra 4-5 hours in for class/studying?

No? That’s what I thought…

Granted, you might have to give a reason for taking your pre-reqs over the summer, and you better hope it’s a better reason other than an attempt to take the easy way out (SURPRISE, it actually isn’t all that easier). You’re not going to be penalized for being unable to alter the quantum mechanics of time travel in order to get that extra class in, none of has have a Tardis at our disposal (BUT…if you do, sharing is caring)

AspiringDoctors:

Honestly, I had never heard this ‘community college credits/summer credits are teh suckzors and will ruin your life’ stuff until like… this summer. Seriously. In my world, it just appeared out of nowhere, but has apparently been around for a long time.
Since I started the pre-med track after my sophomore year was completed, taking as many pre-reqs in the summer as possible was a necessity for me. I took a full course load every summer for two straight years. Summer classes are freaking hard; but, if anything came close to giving me a taste of the med school pace, it was that wretched June when I took Ochem I, Physics I and Physics I lab at the same time (add this to my ever-growing list of less than brilliant ideas).However, this did not seem to hurt my application, even though I did not get all A’s. No one even asked me about it, but my prepared answer was that I had to do it because art classes were only offered in the spring/fall semesters and not every class was offered in the spring and fall. 

Continuing on to the questions about community college classes being frowned upon in favor of university classes…. Stop. Just stop.

Personally, I don’t think it matters if your Ochem grades are from Podunkville Community College or from Harvard. What matters is whether or not you have a full grasp of the material. Now, granted, some courses may be more or less thorough or well taught than others… but the basic principles in these introductory courses haven’t changed much in the past few years so it’s not like you are really missing out on some university-level instruction on electron orbitals. This is why standardized tests like the MCAT exist- to level the playing field (because America is, theoretically, all about leveling the playing field).

 So, regardless of where you got your instruction, you will get the same questions about biology, chemistry, physics, and verbal reasoning as everyone else. Want to prove that your diploma from Tinytown Community College isn’t glorified toilet paper? Know your stuff and kick ass on the MCAT.

In summary, no one is going to look akimbo at your summer classes, and no one is going to care about your community college credits provided you proved that you know your stuff by excelling on the MCAT.
/end rant

Before: Child sticks finger in rabbit cage

After: Child is missing part of their finger

cranquis:

ermedicine:

wayfaringmd:

 cranquis replied to your post: wordsthatididntsay replied to your post:…

There ya go — you’re a TOAD now. :)

cranquis replied to your post: wordsthatididntsay replied to your post:…

I need to go medical school STAT just so I can use that picture

Well I don’t see why this (obviously cool and super-elite) group couldn’t be called the TOADS: “Tumblr Organization of Anonymous Doctors (and also medical) Students”?  Just need a better picture for the concept. *crappy photoshop powers ACTIVATE*

If that category applies to your Tumblr, congratulations: You’re a TOAD. :) Heck, it could even apply to pre-med blogs — I’m not picky.

Now we just need to get this TAG going!

descantforhope:

Hey, it’s the pacific northwest. 
I know legal smokers and illegal tokers. I have friends with bong collections and watched a roommate waste away from cancer while taking her marinol pills. I knew a guy in high school who was arrested for transporting 42 lbs of weed in his car. I know a couple people who are planning on starting their own grow operation after they retire. I feel like I know a pretty good spectrum of the people who care about this issue.

My thoughts on medical marijuana in more than the 140 characters that ermedicine’s question allows:

• smoking anythingis bad for you. Lungs don’t like having anything beyond clean air in them. The discoloration and fibrosis caused by simply living in a city is awful, and deliberating putting smoke (of any kind) into lungs is far more harmful. However, it’s not hard to put the cannabinoids into a tincture, elixir, or vaporizer. (or brownies, which have their own health considerations- calories!)
• Many people are too lazy to make the tincture, elixir, or vaporizer mix.
• It grows on the side of the road. It’s actually a weed here.
• Legalizing marijuana would allow pharmacies to harvest a weed and turn it into profitable medication. Legalization would also allow for tighter control on substances like pesticides, and would allow for a more regulated dosing.
• Taxing the stuff could fund public schools, since the lumber money is running out due to all sorts of habitat preservation throughout the northwest.
• There are instances in which marijuana is medically useful. Anecdotally, I’ve seen plenty of people benefiting from use of the herb.  
• Medical literature is just bursting at the seems with studies showing positive uses.
• Like all medicine, it should be used appropriately to the condition being treated.
• It’s not supposed to be a lifelong medication and should be used with the intent of eventually being able to stop usage in most cases.

disclaimer: I do not use marijuana. I am not giving any medical advice, nor do I have a license to do so. Please consult your physician when making decisions regarding your health. Illegal use is still illegal, and breaking the law carries its own consequences.