<p><a href="http://www.medschool-advisor.blogspot.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.medschool-advisor.blogspot.com/</a></p>
<p>Great site! Lots of good advice. I have three quibbles:</p>
<p>1.)
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Lesson #4: Getting into Medical School is 70% GPA, 20% MCATs, and 10% Other.
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</p>
<p>I disagree with this. His claim is based on personal experience: he had a low GPA and quite high MCAT scores, and wasn't admitted until after he'd raised the GPA a little bit. So what that tells you is that both are necessary, not that the MCAT is less important. And it certainly doesn't tell you that they combine to 90%, which I think is clearly too high unless you're presenting really amazing or truly awful numbers.</p>
<p>2.) He argues that you should pick an interesting, easy major, when all the statistics tell you that your major doesn't matter.</p>
<p>3.) He argues in favor of connections, and it seems clear to me that he overestimates their usefulness. Specifically, he gives very wrong advice when it comes to letters of recommendation: prestige/connections make good tiebreakers in that instance, but it's much more important that the person write a good letter for you than anything else.</p>
<p>This blog is typical of the unreviewed, self-published information on the web -- some true, some false, none referenced.</p>
<p>Several items in the CV are atypical: majored in "Physiological Sciences;" took MCAT's twice, once without finishing; working part time fresh out of residency; studying for MBA without real medical practice experience;</p>
<p>Lesson #1: Do not become a doctor because of your parents! Agree, in case you don't already know this.</p>
<p>Lesson #2: Becoming a doctor these days makes no sense! Agree.</p>
<p>Lesson #3: States prefer their own, Californians beware! Agree, but so what.</p>
<p>Lesson #4: Getting into Medical School is 70% GPA, 20% MCATs, and 10% Other. Doubtful. Extrapolated from n = 1.</p>
<p>Lesson #5: Your major really doesn't matter, it's all about that GPA! Speculation. A sad way to manage your college studies.</p>
<p>Lesson #6: The MCAT's all about the verbal. Untrue. Extraolated from n = 1.</p>
<p>Lesson #7: Be Different! Perhaps better phrased as "Be Excellent at what you do"</p>
<p>Lesson #8: Make important connections and use them! Unsupported speculation (and sour grapes); extrapolated from n = 1. </p>
<p>Lesson #9: Persistence pays off. Perhaps true, but some people are not meant to be doctors (or movie stars).</p>
<p>Lesson #10: By far the toughest obstacle to becoming a doctor is getting into medical school. Absolutely true.</p>
<p>I am wary of anonymous bloggers.
(Here is the 2006 UCLA IM grad roster: <a href="http://www.imresidency.med.ucla.edu/ResidencyLife%20Class%20of%202006.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.imresidency.med.ucla.edu/ResidencyLife%20Class%20of%202006.htm</a> )</p>