Should you fix a bad grade, or concentrate on making your strengths even stronger? Photo by Thad Zajdowicz Activia (not her actual name, though it probably should be. Feel free to take that name, anonymous caller) emailed us at theshorcoats@gmail.com to ask whether she should retake her physics classes (which she took while coping with other unfortunate life-related stuff) or concentrate on getting great grades in other courses. In addition, she wanted to know if admissions committees REALLY take into account extenuating circumstances? Well, you’re in luck, Activia! We’ve got answers from non-traditional first-year students Kyle Kinder, Nick Lind, and Emma Barr; and our friendly admissions staff Dan and Amy chime in, too. We also play a game of Psych! while Dave tries to use their performance to make judgements about their personalities. Can he do it? No he can’t, though he notes with concern Kyle’s suspicious ideas about male anatomical structures and function. Too late, Admissions, you said yes! This Week in Medical News Facebook has become known as a place where you can find any number of suspicious ideas, but it seems ready to judge so-called alternative health pages as unworthy of its platform. And we discuss an article that argues the MCAT should no longer be used because of a legal concept called “disparate impact.” We Want to Hear From You Have you just started medical school? What’s been the best and worst parts of your new life? Call us at 347-SHORTCT anytime, visit our Facebook group, or email theshortcoats@gmail.com. We need validation. Leave a review: iTunes The opinions expressed in this feed and podcast are not those of the University of Iowa or the Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine; nor do they reflect the views of anyone other than the people who expressed them. If you have feedback on anything you hear on the show, positive or not, let us know.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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