Pre-Med Reflection

Even as a sophomore, I understood that helping others succeed is essential. In my later years, I have perceived firsthand how vital such teamwork is. When a patient is admitted to the hospital for an operation, the pathologists, the nurses, the physician assistants, anesthesiologists, surgeons, and pharmacists all play a vital role in the concerted delivery of health care. In spite of this, many professors at Duke encourage incessant competition between pre-med students. Many of our courses are curved, and that means that it is in each student’s best interest for his or her peers to do poorly. This is not representative of the cooperative nature of the health care professions, nor is the increased competition conducive to learning.