Taropanda contains articles about a wide variety of topics,including health and beauty, food, entertainment, medical issues, schools, relationships, and current events. There are actually a lot of things to expect from this site. Many of them are really very interesting. The blog seems to be about everything, but if you explore it, you will know that the blogger is really passionate particularly about food and topics related to medicine. The theme and the tone of the blog suggest that it is intended for teen audience.
What’s to like about the site
One thing I like about the blog is its theme. The design is simple, but at the same time attractive. The color combinations are appealing to the eyes as well. The theme is a great choice for it complements the content of the blog. Like the design, the entries are light in tone and as interesting as the colors in the design.
One of the interesting entries is the Random + Weird Medical Stuff. The post contains different medicine-related ideas that are surprising and insightful. Aside from the entries, I also like the layout of the site. It is very easy to navigate. In the category “Blogs that I Like,” for instance, you can have a view of the list of blogs in the subcategory just by hovering the cursor on it.
What’s not to like about the site
I think it would be more fun if the blogger includes videos and several interesting photos in the homepage. This will make the site more interactive, refreshing, and appealing to readers. But, this is only a minor concern. Overall, I like the site because of its well-written articles and diverse topics to offer. It seems like the blogger really is passionate about life.
NursingNet is a site dedicated to nursing students and those who are aspiring to enter nursing schools. The site provides news on issues related to nursing. Aside from this, the site also provides tips and advice that could help many nursing students. Some entries throw frequently asked questions. For example, there is a question about an NCLEX-RN review book. This post is really useful to many nursing students.
What’s to like about the blog
One thing I like about the blog is the question section. I think this is a very important part of a blog dedicated to helping students. This section is very useful to a lot of nursing students. Another thing I like about the site is that the approach is really appealing to students. Unlike other blogs with similar topics, this one has a friendlier and less formal approach when it comes to the tone. The blog does not only inform students, but also encourages students to raise questions. This blog also discusses things that are really relevant to nursing students. The tips and advice are really practical and very useful. The layout is also good. I find the blog easy to navigate.
What’s not to like about the blog
There are a few things I don’t find appealing about this blog. One is the design. The design should have complemented the approach of the entries. It seems to me that the design is too formal. Except for the logo, the overall design is stiff and very formal. I also find the color less appealing. I think there is a better choice of color for this site. Overall, the site is good. It just needs a little improvement with the design. An attractive color and design can make a significant difference to this site.
Yale School of Medicine
Aspiring medical students are always on the clamor to get into this almost 200-year-old institution that has been producing top-notch medical professionals throughout its illustrious history. However, medical students of the Yale School of Medicine are far from leading a charmed life as the education and training that they undergo is pretty hectic and intensive. Thanks to this training though, breakthroughs such as penicillin, chemotherapy, and more recently, the detection of genes that may lead to autism, hypertension and dyslexia among others. Students lucky enough to get into Yale will then be trained using the “Yale system,” which treats medical students as graduate students who can extensively research, prepare, defend, and present their own unique theses before graduation. Check out the school site’s admissions page for admissions details.
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston has no problems, as was quoted in a Newsweek headline, referring to the Baylor College of Medicine in Texas. This academic institution is recognized as the only private medical school in the Southwest. It has been producing top-ranking medical personnel for decades. Techniques in surgery considered revolutionary back in the day were perpetuated by Dr. Michael DeBakey. These gained worldwide prominence and set the college to a path of prominence thereby bringing medical fame to the Southwest. Students enrolled in Baylor are blessed to have access to research facilities, thanks to funding from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.
UI Carver College of Medicine
Uniting excellent instruction from top-notch academic institutions with the hands-on training and execution in the best medical facilities in Iowa, the UI Carver College of Medicine is a force to be reckoned with in the Hawkeye State. Students who get accepted to Carver can have the opportunity of studying under the 700-strong faculty who are each distinguished professionals in the field of medicine and health sciences. Carver is a nationally ranked med school that continues to produce esteemed individuals who go on to become professionals in the field of medicine, allied health services, and medical education. Carver is also one academic institution that gives back to the community by providing opportunities for others to gain medical knowledge through its mini Medical School programs conducted throughout the nation. Check out the school site for admissions information.
American and foreign students are given equal opportunity in US medical school admissions. It is because the admissions committees of medical schools consider academic excellence and medical school potential as criteria in looking future medical students. However, admission requirements for American and foreign students are not always the same. If you are a foreigner who wishes to apply to a US medical school, consider the following tips.
Practice speaking and writing in English.
English is the primary medium of communication in American schools. To get by with the lessons, you should be able to speak and understand English fluently. Try getting English lessons before you apply to a medical school. Read American books and articles. You must also train yourself to write in the language. Research papers, medical reports, books, and journals that you will use are all written in English.
Being able to speak in English fluently will not only boost your academic performance. It can also improve your self-confidence. You will have an easy time interacting with your professors and classmates if you speak English clearly.
Write a standout medical school admission essay.
If you want to increase your chances of admissions, write a good personal statement. Doing so will give you the chance to attract the attention of the admission panel. Don’t forget to contextualize the information in your essay to your situation. Also, utilize this admission requirement to cite why you want to enroll at an American medical school. Justify that you you have the ability to adapt yourself to a place with a different culture. Share your reasons for wanting an educational perspective different from what you currently have. If it is possible, write a short comparison between the education system of your home country to that of the US.
Although you have to write an exemplary personal statement, it is best to still maintain honesty. Take the time to proofread and edit your work too as simple errors in spelling and grammar can put off admissions committee members.
Medical schools in the US are tough for both American and foreign students. So do not be discouraged. Your origins and complexion will not matter in your application. Just remember, only you will call the shots for yourself.
Photo Credit : rstrawser
Personal statements are one of the components of an application package that can make or break the applicant’s chances of being accepted into medical school. For this reason, it is essential to exert extra effort in creating a personal statement that is well-made, properly edited, and interesting or attention grabbing. Depending on the amount of care and commitment that one puts into writing his or her personal statement, the process and result can be both fulfilling and rewarding. Here is a guide on how to get the most out of personal statements.
Preparation and gathering of information
The first step to writing an effective and interesting personal statement is to properly prepare for the task at hand. To prepare, it is important to gather information on what the personal statement is, what admissions committees look for in personal statements, and how to go about writing them. One simple way of doing this is to go online and check the sites of different medical schools. Many of these schools have a section dedicated to the personal statement. Another way of gathering information is to seek out sample medical school personal statements to get an idea of what is expected from these essays.
Choosing topics and themes
Perhaps the most difficult part in writing personal statements is deciding which topics and themes to write about. Sample medical school personal statements are a good source of information to help in the brainstorming process. The idea is to creatively and intellectually discuss one’s creative and intellectual achievements. In doing so, the personal statement should reflect not only the writer’s achievements, but also his or her personality, motivations, aspirations, and personal qualities. Some of the questions that should be answered include why the writer is deciding to go into medical school, how he or she is qualified for it and what the writer is planning to achieve with their education.
It is important to come up with a topic that will not be redundant. The personal statement should present one of your outstanding qualities and attributes that are not evident in your other requirements such as your college records and resumes. Choose a topic that will let the members of the admissions committee to get an insight of you as a productive and capable individual.
Writing, rewriting, and rewriting again
The next step in writing personal statements is to begin the writing process. To come up with an excellent personal statement, it is important to take one’s time. Coming up with an outline may be time consuming, but it certainly helps you see how your ideas should be developed in the personal statement. One thing that puts off many members of the admissions committee is to read an essay that just talks in circles with no clear direction and purpose. Remember, these people would be reading hundreds, if not thousands, of essays; so come up with an essay that presents your ideas in a clear and logical manner.
The first draft should never be the final draft. After proofreading and editing one’s own essay, it would be advisable to have others read and edit it as well. Making numerous revisions will ensure that the personal statement is of high quality. Be sure to check sample medical school personal statements to get an idea of the quality that is expected by admissions committees.
Photo Credit : Etwood
Many people believe that being a foreign student would greatly reduce their chances of gaining admission into a US medical school. In truth, like many US colleges, medical schools are looking to accept students coming from diverse cultural backgrounds, such as foreign students. The application process for foreign students is quite similar to that of American students. The main difference is that foreign students have a number of extra requirements to submit. Here is a guide on the application process for foreign students looking to enter into US medical schools.
1. Institution of choice
The first step to applying to a US medical school is to choose which schools to apply to. For foreign students, careful deliberation is a must, because they will likely be separated from their family. It would be a good idea to apply to schools that are near where relatives or friends live. Another consideration to keep in mind is financial aid. Because foreign students are not covered by financial aid given by the US government, it is important to apply to schools that have financial aid programs for foreign students.
2. Common requirements
Many of the requirements for application to US medical schools are the same for both American students and foreign students. These requirements include the following:
* Resume and transcripts
* Recommendation letters
* Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) scores
* Personal statement
Medical school applicants will be required to have a bachelor’s. With regard to the personal statement, it is important to mention why the decision has been made to study in the US. In order to get a better idea of what is required from the personal statement, it is essential to look at sample medical school personal statements. These sample medical school personal statements can help to decide on the themes and topics that are commonly written about in these application essays.
3. Requirements for foreign students
Aside from completing the requirements that are common to both foreign and American students, there are some special requirements needed from foreign students. Some schools will require the submission of the applicant’s scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). English proficiency is a must, regardless of whether or not the TOEFL scores are required. In most cases, US medical schools will require that foreign students have taken up at least one year of education in the US or Canada. It would be a good idea to take some of the required courses in the US before applying to a US medical school.
Another requirement that is unique to foreign students is a statement or proof of how the student will cope with financial issues while studying in the US. Many US medical schools would charge a different rate for foreign students, which is usually higher compared with those paid by American students. Finally, foreign students will need complete documentation with the US immigration services.
Photo Credit : Digital Sextant
Applying for medical school may seem to be a daunting task with all the different requirements and deadlines it involves. Many medical schools will have a set of requirements that is unique to their institution, and for each requirement there may be a separate deadline. In truth, though, there are a number of steps for applying to medical school that are common to most schools.
Step 1: Selecting and preparing
The first step to applying to medical school is to decide which schools to apply to. One helpful tip for choosing schools is to use the Internet to visit the homepages of the institutions of interest. Take down some notes and read reviews on the schools to determine which ones to select. Keep in mind that application fees normally reach between 35 and 100 dollars. Prepare for the application procedure by gathering information on the requirements and deadlines of each school.
Step 2: Completing the requirements
The next step to accomplish for application is to complete the requirements. Here is a list of some of the most common requirements needed for application to medical school:
* Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores
* Official college transcripts
* Recommendation letters
* Resume and other documents
* Personal statements
Regarding personal statements, it is advisable to go over sample medical school personal statements to get an idea of what is expected from applicants. Sample medical school personal statements can help applicants think of themes and topics for their own essays.
Step 3: Submitting requirements and application forms
There are various ways to submit an application to medical school. Perhaps the easiest and most convenient way is to make use of the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), which is a service offered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). This service provides access to approximately 90% of the medical schools in the US. Applications submitted to AMCAS are sent to the schools listed during application. Interested schools will contact applicants for the supplemental application. These secondary applications will involve requirements specific to the institution itself.
Step 4: Wrapping up, waiting, and making follow ups
The final step regarding your application to medical school is to wrap up the application by sending all of the requirements, including the letters of recommendation. Then, wait for the replies from the institutions applied to. Normally, schools that are interested in an applicant will ask them to come in for an interview. Schedule the interview at a convenient time and, while waiting, it would be a good idea to seek advise from professionals and advisers on how to do well on the interview. Once the interview is done, be sure to follow up through e-mail or by telephone. Applicants who are on the waiting list of medical school should also continue to follow up on their status.
Photo Credit : Koneuron
Medical school can be intimidating to anyone who is looking to become a doctor. One way of dealing with this intimidation is to be adequately prepared to face the challenges of medical school. As the saying goes, “fail to prepare and you are preparing to fail.” Here are some tips on how to prepare for medical school:
1. Having self-motivation and self-discipline
The most important part of preparing for medical school is to motivate and inspire oneself and practice self-discipline. Those who are preparing for medical school should take the initiative to find information on their own. One good place to begin is by talking to family doctors, friends in medical school and anyone else who has experience in medicine.
2. Planning the path
Planning is an essential factor for medical school preparation. Entering into medical school will require students to take exams, such as the MCAT. It is a good idea to get a head-start by planning one’s classes and extra-curricular activities accordingly. Taking courses, majors, and extra-curricular activities related to the sciences and to medicine in general will help increase one’s chances of doing well on the MCAT and in medical school itself. Some of the subjects that should be of particular interest include physics, chemistry, and biology. With regard to extra-curricular activities, joining clubs or organizations that focus on socio-civic issues and activities will help develop people skills, an interest in human beings, and leadership qualities.
3. Taking the MCAT
Taking the MCAT is one of the first required steps for entering into medical school. With the exam fees reaching figures of approximately $500, it would be a waste of money, time, and effort to take the test when unprepared. A good time to begin studying and preparing for the MCAT would be during one’s junior year. Tapping sources such as local bookstores, the Internet, or review courses is a good way of gathering information on the MCAT and preparing for it.
4. Filing the application and preparing for the interview
The application procedure for medical school will involve a number of requirements, including the submission of transcripts, filling of documents, gathering of recommendations and the creation of a personal statement. While the transcripts, documents and recommendations are rather straight-forward, preparing for the personal statement is a good way to get a head start. Try to gather information and ideas by looking at sample medical school personal statements. Sample medical school personal statements can help you come up with topics or themes for your own essay. As for the interview, try to prepare by getting information on the institution that you are applying to. Speaking with other physicians and professionals in medicine is a good way to begin your preparation for this step. When visiting medical schools for interviews, consolidating trips to other institutions is ideal, in order to save money and time.
Photo Credit : hoyasmeg
Entering into medical school and becoming a doctor can be one of the most fulfilling experiences in one’s life. The path to becoming a doctor is long and oftentimes arduous. Upon becoming a doctor, the tension and work only intensifies. Because of this, it is important to identify and understand the reasons for wanting to become a doctor. Here are five of the worst reasons for wanting to become a doctor.
In it for the money
Perhaps the worst reason for wanting to become a doctor is for the large amount of money that the career can lead to. It is often true that doctors earn a lot of money in their profession, but this should not be one’s driving force for becoming a doctor. There is much more to being a doctor than working long hours and making large sums of money.
Doing it for others
Another common reason for becoming a doctor mentioned in sample medical school personal statements is because of the influence and pressure from others to enter into medicine. Many parents and guardians would love for their children to become doctors, and many students seek to enter into the profession because of this reason. Becoming a doctor should be one’s own aspiration rather than someone else’s.
The promise of admiration and respect from people
Doctors often receive much respect and admiration from others, because of the career path that they choose. Some people want to become doctors for this reason. While gaining the respect and admiration of others is a good thing, it should not be the main inspiration for becoming a doctor.
Loving the subject
Many sample medical school personal statements mention that the writer’s reason for wanting to become a doctor is they enjoy the academic discipline of medicine. The knowledge and intellect that one can gain from medicine is abundant and perhaps even inexhaustible. Still, there is a side of being a doctor that is far detached from the lessons and knowledge that you can gain from the subject. Being a doctor requires interpersonal skills and a sensitivity toward the human being that far exceed those required in other careers.
Anything aside from a vocation
Most people who are happy with and truly love being a doctor cannot explain their reason for wanting to become a doctor. This is because it is often a vocation of theirs, a calling that comes from a longing to better one’s self in order to aid others in need. Perhaps the best reasons to want to become a doctor have something to do with being selfless and centered on an interest toward the human being.
Photo Credit : JOE M500
