I told Jill I was going to write about the MCAT's content after we've taken it. I think this information should be available to MCAT takers who know how to search for it. I really did not like studying for a test not knowing what it's about.
The MCAT has two parts. I'll start with part 2 since it is easier to describe. It's basically a psych exam that supposedly measures your value system and emotional quotient.
The first part has five tests which has subtests in each of them. I just want to say that it's hard - much harder than the NMAT. A big factor which caused the difficulty is that I didn't know what would be asked. They just say that it's like the NMAT.
I beg to differ. The five tests are English, Behavioral Sciences, Life Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Numerical Ability.
I'm not going to be overly detailed because maybe it's a secret... hahaha, but I doubt that.
The English part was moderately difficult because of the vocabulary part which for me had multiple meanings. Weirdly, it was mostly about computers. I wondered why. The time limit was short which adds to the stress. Numerical ability is obviously Mathematics. That was the hardest part for me because I didn't get to study the topics in that exam.
Natural Sciences included Chemistry, Physics, Geology (weird, right!?). I'm not sure if I missed anything. Life Sciences was about Botany and Zoology. It also asked about Anatomy. Behavioral Sciences is all about Psychology.
That's about it. It's really a lot harder than the NMAT but it could be easier if one can prepare. The best way to prepare is to know what the content is, in my opinion. It's too bad no one could answer us prior to the MCAT. Hahaha.
Still, I hope my friends and I will be accepted by PLM-CM.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
DABDA
Wow. This day brought major bad news. I'll stay on the positive side, though. The bad news I'm talking about is that Jill and I didn't make it to the shortlist for interview at UPCM. I felt bad for a few hours because I really was boggled why we didn't make it. I have theories that are highly likely but I still am just saddened that a high NMAT score couldn't cut it. Plus, I don't think my GWA is bad. On a positive note, I believe God has a plan and a reason for everything. That's why I'll accept this failure gracefully and use it as a motivation to do well in whichever medschool I will study in.
A short story on the finding out that we weren't on the list:
Jill logged on to pinoymd.com and checked the thread about UPCM. A member posted that the list for interview was out and she'll be posting pictures. I got anxious, nervous, and prayed. I texted a friend who also applied if he has a friend who's in UP at that moment to check. Since he didn't reply ASAP, I called my sister hoping it was still lunch break for her and that she'll pick up. On the second try, she answered and was really cooperative. I was surprised. Hahaha. After a while, my sister texted that we weren't on the list.
First stage of Grief: Denial. "Baka nagkamali lang siya" (which is really not probable since she's not stupid nor is she blind, with her glasses on at least) "Baka nagjojoke lang siya" (I don't think she would do something like that)
Second stage: Anger. Why?! Why?! It's so unfair. Blahs. Our effort was wasted. (but hopefully, we'll be accepted into the other schools we've applied to)
Third Stage: Bargaining. "Lord, sana mali lang si Janelle. Sana may chance pa."
Fourth Stage:Depression. I talked to Jordy and Sarah on the phone. They were using comforting words which triggered the tears. Thankfully, I didn't gush out because The end result will be headache and colds for me. (Jordy and Sarah really don't know how to comfort people, just like me and Jill!)
Fifth Stage: Acceptance. I understand that God has His ways. I fully entrust this medschool thing to Him. Maybe I won't be able to keep up there or I'd take some time adjusting to the teaching method. Whatever happens, I will do my best to be a good doctor.
This happened in a few hours, the longest was denial and acceptance and the other three were really short. I'm glad I was rational that time. I saw that our friend from UPCN got it. Congrats to you, Eian! I really hope and pray you'll get in! Oh, and there's also a Manresan there. Ang galing!
Again, back to ranting, it's not just Jill and me that I wonder about but also other girls I know about. They also have high NMAT scores, probably has a high grade, good people skills, and they're UP graduates. Hmmmm. It's hard to be a girl. I'm not just talking about UP. It's true for most medschools. I really have moments when I wish I were a boy. Argh, but not really.
So, for people who will get to read this... please pray for Jill and I (and our friends too!) to be accepted in PLM and UERM. I'm really hoping for PLM because of the affordable tuition. I know there's a scholarship for UE, but I'm not sure we'll get it and more importantly, if I can maintain it. Lord, help us.
I'll be posting about the MCAT yesterday at PLM. I won't post it yet since there's a second batch of MCAT takers and I don't want to provide leakage. :P
A short story on the finding out that we weren't on the list:
Jill logged on to pinoymd.com and checked the thread about UPCM. A member posted that the list for interview was out and she'll be posting pictures. I got anxious, nervous, and prayed. I texted a friend who also applied if he has a friend who's in UP at that moment to check. Since he didn't reply ASAP, I called my sister hoping it was still lunch break for her and that she'll pick up. On the second try, she answered and was really cooperative. I was surprised. Hahaha. After a while, my sister texted that we weren't on the list.
First stage of Grief: Denial. "Baka nagkamali lang siya" (which is really not probable since she's not stupid nor is she blind, with her glasses on at least) "Baka nagjojoke lang siya" (I don't think she would do something like that)
Second stage: Anger. Why?! Why?! It's so unfair. Blahs. Our effort was wasted. (but hopefully, we'll be accepted into the other schools we've applied to)
Third Stage: Bargaining. "Lord, sana mali lang si Janelle. Sana may chance pa."
Fourth Stage:Depression. I talked to Jordy and Sarah on the phone. They were using comforting words which triggered the tears. Thankfully, I didn't gush out because The end result will be headache and colds for me. (Jordy and Sarah really don't know how to comfort people, just like me and Jill!)
Fifth Stage: Acceptance. I understand that God has His ways. I fully entrust this medschool thing to Him. Maybe I won't be able to keep up there or I'd take some time adjusting to the teaching method. Whatever happens, I will do my best to be a good doctor.
This happened in a few hours, the longest was denial and acceptance and the other three were really short. I'm glad I was rational that time. I saw that our friend from UPCN got it. Congrats to you, Eian! I really hope and pray you'll get in! Oh, and there's also a Manresan there. Ang galing!
Again, back to ranting, it's not just Jill and me that I wonder about but also other girls I know about. They also have high NMAT scores, probably has a high grade, good people skills, and they're UP graduates. Hmmmm. It's hard to be a girl. I'm not just talking about UP. It's true for most medschools. I really have moments when I wish I were a boy. Argh, but not really.
So, for people who will get to read this... please pray for Jill and I (and our friends too!) to be accepted in PLM and UERM. I'm really hoping for PLM because of the affordable tuition. I know there's a scholarship for UE, but I'm not sure we'll get it and more importantly, if I can maintain it. Lord, help us.
I'll be posting about the MCAT yesterday at PLM. I won't post it yet since there's a second batch of MCAT takers and I don't want to provide leakage. :P
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Yearbook
Our college yearbooks were released at the end of last week but I've only picked up my copy yesterday. Well, putting it succinctly, it was disappointing.
I don't know where to start ranting about our yearbook. It's the last one for most of us so we all hoped it would be something worthwhile. (I hope our medschool yearbook would be well made, but I'm getting waaay ahead of myself :P)
Back to the yearbook, it's just too plain. The cover was plain (although I think that's our school's style, I'm not sure though) and it was all in black and white (except for the teachers' pictures.) I don't really remember how much we've paid for the yearbook but I'm positive that we didn't get our money's worth. It's not just about the blandness. It's about the numerous errors - blank pictures, misspellings, typographical errors, formatting errors, and just simple f***-ups.
Four of our batchmates from BSN had no pictures (and there are lots more from the other courses too). I feel so bad for them because one of these four girls is a cum laude, the two are class secretaries who most probably helped in compiling yearbook stuff from their sections, and the other, well, it's just not right to not have a picture when you had yours taken. How I hate the ineptitude of our school.
The misspellings and typographical errors can be forgivable if kept to a minimum (and by minimum, I mean 5 at most). It seems that our yearbook was not edited. Maybe no one proofread the final copy, I don't know why since there's an editor-in-chief supposedly. Oh, lest I forget, there are so many grammatical errors! It hurts my eyes and my mind comprehending what really is meant by the sentences. I know that I'm not perfect in grammar. Heck, I'm not even good at it but S-V agreement, that' so elementary.
Formatting errors may be a minor problem for some but this just irks me so much. If it's supposed to be bold, it should be bold. If it's italicized and has a bigger font size, it should be that way for everyone. That way, it would be clean. Now to the F-ups... Misspelling a name in a yearbook: I think that's a big no-no, don't you? A picture with a wrong name in a caption: just embarrassing. Copy-pasted write ups, achievements being placed under one person instead of the right student, additional false information, these are some of those that I've observed.
Another thing is that there was no differentiation of the academic award. Why the heck did they ask us to write our achievements if they weren't going to put it there. I just wish that if they didn't want to place the academic awards (such as Dean's lister) from first year to fourth year they would've said so in the first place. I'm sorry if this may seem off, but why did they not write if you graduated cum laude or had an honorable mention. It's not that hard. The school has a list. At first I thought that in the entirety of the yearbook there would be no listing of the graduation awards, fortunately there's a list on one of the back pages BUT it's not complete, there are wrong spellings, etc. Why weren't the awards of the nursing (and other courses) graduates not included. I have friends who have been a student leaders since sophomore year and also had other awards for performing but it wasn't listed (but a few were listed). Ugh. I really dislike incompetence. You could've just asked for help. Hopefully in the next years, there will be representatives from each course to oversee the yearbook.
There's probably nothing we could do to change this. Thinking optimistically though, even if these things are out of (or in) the yearbook, what matters is what we have in our memories and how we will remember each other and college.
I don't know where to start ranting about our yearbook. It's the last one for most of us so we all hoped it would be something worthwhile. (I hope our medschool yearbook would be well made, but I'm getting waaay ahead of myself :P)
Back to the yearbook, it's just too plain. The cover was plain (although I think that's our school's style, I'm not sure though) and it was all in black and white (except for the teachers' pictures.) I don't really remember how much we've paid for the yearbook but I'm positive that we didn't get our money's worth. It's not just about the blandness. It's about the numerous errors - blank pictures, misspellings, typographical errors, formatting errors, and just simple f***-ups.
Four of our batchmates from BSN had no pictures (and there are lots more from the other courses too). I feel so bad for them because one of these four girls is a cum laude, the two are class secretaries who most probably helped in compiling yearbook stuff from their sections, and the other, well, it's just not right to not have a picture when you had yours taken. How I hate the ineptitude of our school.
The misspellings and typographical errors can be forgivable if kept to a minimum (and by minimum, I mean 5 at most). It seems that our yearbook was not edited. Maybe no one proofread the final copy, I don't know why since there's an editor-in-chief supposedly. Oh, lest I forget, there are so many grammatical errors! It hurts my eyes and my mind comprehending what really is meant by the sentences. I know that I'm not perfect in grammar. Heck, I'm not even good at it but S-V agreement, that' so elementary.
Formatting errors may be a minor problem for some but this just irks me so much. If it's supposed to be bold, it should be bold. If it's italicized and has a bigger font size, it should be that way for everyone. That way, it would be clean. Now to the F-ups... Misspelling a name in a yearbook: I think that's a big no-no, don't you? A picture with a wrong name in a caption: just embarrassing. Copy-pasted write ups, achievements being placed under one person instead of the right student, additional false information, these are some of those that I've observed.
Another thing is that there was no differentiation of the academic award. Why the heck did they ask us to write our achievements if they weren't going to put it there. I just wish that if they didn't want to place the academic awards (such as Dean's lister) from first year to fourth year they would've said so in the first place. I'm sorry if this may seem off, but why did they not write if you graduated cum laude or had an honorable mention. It's not that hard. The school has a list. At first I thought that in the entirety of the yearbook there would be no listing of the graduation awards, fortunately there's a list on one of the back pages BUT it's not complete, there are wrong spellings, etc. Why weren't the awards of the nursing (and other courses) graduates not included. I have friends who have been a student leaders since sophomore year and also had other awards for performing but it wasn't listed (but a few were listed). Ugh. I really dislike incompetence. You could've just asked for help. Hopefully in the next years, there will be representatives from each course to oversee the yearbook.
There's probably nothing we could do to change this. Thinking optimistically though, even if these things are out of (or in) the yearbook, what matters is what we have in our memories and how we will remember each other and college.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Reminiscences of the NMAT result
I woke got up this morning even if I still wanted to sleep some more because I had three brief but very anxiety-causing nightmares. I guess my subconscious was really hung up on the nmat result because all three had me nervous when I realized I was just dreaming.
Dream 1: Jill got 97 percentile, I got 42.
Dream 2: Jill got 93, I got 11.
Dream 3: I don't remember Jill's score just that mine was 0. Well, obviously the pattern was that we checked Jill's first and then mine. I woke up after that last one and turned the laptop on. I checked online for the results but still nada.
This whole day I kept checking my mail and the CEM website to see if they've put the results up. Anyways, in the evening when I checked CEM, it was faulty. The page didn't load for 20 minutes then went back again then gone again. Obviously, my immediate thought was "they're uploading it now!" which got me even more anxious.
A couple of hours after, I went to the sala to watch TV and after some time, Jill shouted out to call me to the room. I wondered if it's about the NMAT or she's just bugging me. Needless to say, it's the NMAT. Oh what stress that was. She had seen hers already and the page was loading slowly so mine hasn't loaded yet. She got 99 percentile which reminded me of my awful dream. I told her to check mine (all this with jittery fingers and voice) so she'll see it first and prepare me while I fidgeted on my phone thinking of who to call to allay my anxiety. Well, Jordy wasn't picking it up and I thought Kate, Angge or Jared since we all took the test. In the end I chose Jared because I wanted to choose Vicky. (weird reasoning.. hahaha). It's two birds in one stone I guess. Tell him that the result is there and talk to Vicky's other half and kinda alter ego.
Back to Jill, she got out the room and had this face which is slightly impassive but calm. I asked if she has opened my result yet and she said yes. I , being panicky, asked if it was okay and she just smiled and after some prodding finally said that it was.
It is such a great blessing that we have the same score. I am truly thankful to God for granting us this (maybe as our birthday and Christmas gifts). I am also very glad that the hard work has paid off but surely none of this without the grace of God and the intercessions of Mary and the saints through those days.
I really believe that anything is possible through Him. This makes me very happy.
I'd also like to share the prayer to Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
O most beautiful Flower of Mt. Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendour of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother. O holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart, to succour me in this necessity;
there are none that can withstand your power. O show me herein You are my Mother.
O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee. (3x)
Sweet Mother, I place this cause in Your hands. (3x)
Dream 1: Jill got 97 percentile, I got 42.
Dream 2: Jill got 93, I got 11.
Dream 3: I don't remember Jill's score just that mine was 0. Well, obviously the pattern was that we checked Jill's first and then mine. I woke up after that last one and turned the laptop on. I checked online for the results but still nada.
This whole day I kept checking my mail and the CEM website to see if they've put the results up. Anyways, in the evening when I checked CEM, it was faulty. The page didn't load for 20 minutes then went back again then gone again. Obviously, my immediate thought was "they're uploading it now!" which got me even more anxious.
A couple of hours after, I went to the sala to watch TV and after some time, Jill shouted out to call me to the room. I wondered if it's about the NMAT or she's just bugging me. Needless to say, it's the NMAT. Oh what stress that was. She had seen hers already and the page was loading slowly so mine hasn't loaded yet. She got 99 percentile which reminded me of my awful dream. I told her to check mine (all this with jittery fingers and voice) so she'll see it first and prepare me while I fidgeted on my phone thinking of who to call to allay my anxiety. Well, Jordy wasn't picking it up and I thought Kate, Angge or Jared since we all took the test. In the end I chose Jared because I wanted to choose Vicky. (weird reasoning.. hahaha). It's two birds in one stone I guess. Tell him that the result is there and talk to Vicky's other half and kinda alter ego.
Back to Jill, she got out the room and had this face which is slightly impassive but calm. I asked if she has opened my result yet and she said yes. I , being panicky, asked if it was okay and she just smiled and after some prodding finally said that it was.
It is such a great blessing that we have the same score. I am truly thankful to God for granting us this (maybe as our birthday and Christmas gifts). I am also very glad that the hard work has paid off but surely none of this without the grace of God and the intercessions of Mary and the saints through those days.
I really believe that anything is possible through Him. This makes me very happy.
I'd also like to share the prayer to Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
O most beautiful Flower of Mt. Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendour of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother. O holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart, to succour me in this necessity;
there are none that can withstand your power. O show me herein You are my Mother.
O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee. (3x)
Sweet Mother, I place this cause in Your hands. (3x)
Friday, December 25, 2009
Books
I'm thinking I should go back to reading. I used to read a lot when I was younger and I'm not really sure why that stopped. I still read every once in a while but there are so many books and stories I'd like to peruse. I've wanted to buy Count of Monte Cristo for the longest time and now that there's a copy at Powerbooks, I don't want to spend my money on it. Gaaah. Luckily, I found a site where there are copies of the books. I think most are classics although I am not sure. I guess while I'm in the thrifty mood (because I need to save at least 600 a month), I'll just bear reading online even if I prefer reading a real book instead of an E-book. The site is http://manybooks.net/
*Cough*my birthday's coming up!*cough* Hahahaha.
Hopefully, before starting medschool (and I want to start on June 2010!) I can read five fiction books. :)
I'll just enumerate the books I plan to read for my reference.
1. Sidney Sheldon book/s - borrow from Vicky
2. Lord of the Rings - borrow from Kate
3. How to Kill a Mockingbird - borrow from Mon
4. Count of Monte Cristo
[edit] Sherlock Holmes - DONE. I love love love Sherlock Holmes.
Merry Christmas!
*Cough*my birthday's coming up!*cough* Hahahaha.
Hopefully, before starting medschool (and I want to start on June 2010!) I can read five fiction books. :)
I'll just enumerate the books I plan to read for my reference.
1. Sidney Sheldon book/s - borrow from Vicky
2. Lord of the Rings - borrow from Kate
3. How to Kill a Mockingbird - borrow from Mon
4. Count of Monte Cristo
[edit] Sherlock Holmes - DONE. I love love love Sherlock Holmes.
Merry Christmas!
Friday, October 23, 2009
Day Out with BFamily
This day, we were supposed to get our license from PRC but because of Bagyong Ondoy last September, the schedule was pushed one week further. I called a few days ago to check if the schedule was moved and annoyingly, the answer the girl told me was wrong. What a waste of time we went through this morning since we met up at 930 (even if we said it should be 830) at school then proceeded to PRC. We passed the slips and waited for our names to be called. After more than an hour, someone called us and informed us that the schedule was moved. Man, did I ever want to complain because of the misinformation I was given over the phone but I didn't get the name of the girl who told me that. Haaaaay. It's alright since the day turned out great. :D
We went to Rob to eat lunch minus the monthsary celebrator (you missed a lot!). I didn't have much money on me so I told my friends that my budget for lunch is up to 200 only (since we've already decided on KKK). Lo and behold, our bill was P1000. Exactly 200 for the five of us, super sulit. :D We ate really good food and all our stomachs were very satisfied. Our working friend had to go to her job in the afternoon so we accompanied her there and returned to Rob to play Rockband. hahahahaha. First time to play for the three girls. :) It was like we were little kids being brought by Daddy Bebot to play games. Anyways, it was super fun even if we sucked big time at first. :D We sucked less during the end and I'd really like to try that again.
The three of us girls went to Tides after being dropped of by "daddy" in school. Wow, I've really missed their chicken skin. After some time of eating and drinking, another friend of ours joined us and we talked some more. My sister and I left our two friends since we already had to go home.
For a day that I thought would be brought down by the license mishap, this was really, really fun. A super fun day equals zero money in my wallet, but it's worth it.
We went to Rob to eat lunch minus the monthsary celebrator (you missed a lot!). I didn't have much money on me so I told my friends that my budget for lunch is up to 200 only (since we've already decided on KKK). Lo and behold, our bill was P1000. Exactly 200 for the five of us, super sulit. :D We ate really good food and all our stomachs were very satisfied. Our working friend had to go to her job in the afternoon so we accompanied her there and returned to Rob to play Rockband. hahahahaha. First time to play for the three girls. :) It was like we were little kids being brought by Daddy Bebot to play games. Anyways, it was super fun even if we sucked big time at first. :D We sucked less during the end and I'd really like to try that again.
The three of us girls went to Tides after being dropped of by "daddy" in school. Wow, I've really missed their chicken skin. After some time of eating and drinking, another friend of ours joined us and we talked some more. My sister and I left our two friends since we already had to go home.
For a day that I thought would be brought down by the license mishap, this was really, really fun. A super fun day equals zero money in my wallet, but it's worth it.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Reviewing Again
Review, review, review. It feels that's all I've been doing. (or rather supposed to be doing). It's alright though since I like to study because I love to learn. =) hahaha. Why can't I just self-study? Answer: I'm lazy. That's why my parents and a lot of other people pay high prices to these review centers. I wish I were diligent. Let's go back to why I blogged.
Prior to starting senior year in highschool, I reviewed for the college admission tests. After graduating with a BS Nursing degree, I also reviewed for the NLE.
Right now, I've been attending an NMAT review in the hopes of getting a good score in that exam. I really need to study hard since my course in college didn't really prepare me for a number of subjects included in the exam. Of all the exams, I've taken (as far as I can remember, at least) the simulation we had on our first day at Brains was the hardest. Mostly because I was clueless about all those Physics, Chemistry, and Biology questions asked in part 2. I knew that I learned some of these things back in high school but I've forgotten them for lack of use.
I breezed through part 2. I was done in maybe an hour or so. I just guessed at a lot of numbers. I forgot that there was computation in Chemistry. hahaha. I felt so dumb, but it was good. I'm challenged to do better in the real exam and even in the post-review simulation. The results of the simulation were given to us last Friday. I was surprised that I got a "not so bad" score/percentile. Ang galing ko talaga manghula. hahaha. I got 80 percentile overall (part 1 and 2). This made me feel that it's still possible to get a good score for me and Jill. I hope and pray that God will provide. :D
Prior to starting senior year in highschool, I reviewed for the college admission tests. After graduating with a BS Nursing degree, I also reviewed for the NLE.
Right now, I've been attending an NMAT review in the hopes of getting a good score in that exam. I really need to study hard since my course in college didn't really prepare me for a number of subjects included in the exam. Of all the exams, I've taken (as far as I can remember, at least) the simulation we had on our first day at Brains was the hardest. Mostly because I was clueless about all those Physics, Chemistry, and Biology questions asked in part 2. I knew that I learned some of these things back in high school but I've forgotten them for lack of use.
I breezed through part 2. I was done in maybe an hour or so. I just guessed at a lot of numbers. I forgot that there was computation in Chemistry. hahaha. I felt so dumb, but it was good. I'm challenged to do better in the real exam and even in the post-review simulation. The results of the simulation were given to us last Friday. I was surprised that I got a "not so bad" score/percentile. Ang galing ko talaga manghula. hahaha. I got 80 percentile overall (part 1 and 2). This made me feel that it's still possible to get a good score for me and Jill. I hope and pray that God will provide. :D
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)