How do you know if you are smart enough?

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
J

JustLookingforAnswers

Membership Revoked
Removed
7+ Year Member
Joined
May 21, 2016
Messages
95
Reaction score
32
When you were pre-med, did you ever have a feeling of, "I totally can do this," or "This is what I was meant to do"? I currently have a 3.923 GPA as a college sophomore, but I don't consider myself "smart" I consider myself a freaking hard worker. As odd as this may sound, when I was younger (talking elementary to middle school) I had a lot of learning disabilities that hindered my academic performance. You name it - I was in IEP, tutors, absolutely everything - no matter how hard I tried I was always at the bottom. Then for whatever reason 7th grade came and I started "getting it", and performing 1000% a lot better academically and somehow grew out of those disabilities. I was able to graduate High School in the top 10 of my class, and now soon to finish this semester off in several weeks with a 4.0 semester GPA. But the thing is, I don't know why I was able to suddenly do better. So when people say that I am "smart", I don't always resonate with that. When I see others give it there all and fail, I always think of what it was like for me when I was younger.
I guess I am trying to figure out: how did you know you were intellectually able to succeed in Med School?

Thanks.
Members don't see this ad.
 
Getting into med school is a pretty good indicator.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 25 users
I'm not smart either. Graduated with highest honors because I worked my tail off. Got an 80% MCAT score because I worked my tail off. Got into my two top choice MD schools, and over 10 II to MD schools.

You only need a certain baseline level of intelligence to become an MD. The rest is hard work. Just my opinion but I think that sounds about right. You probably won't get into JHU Harvard standford etc. but I got multiple mid tier acceptances that I'm happy with. All comes down to MCAT and I think to do well on that, like very high percentile, you need to have somewhat of a gift + work ethic
 
  • Like
Reactions: 5 users
Members don't see this ad :)
If you get into a US MD school, you will be ok with the workload
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
JustLookingforAnswers said:
When you were pre-med, did you ever have a feeling of, "I totally can do this," or "This is what I was meant to do"? I currently have a 3.923 GPA as a college sophomore, but I don't consider myself "smart" I consider myself a freaking hard worker. As odd as this may sound, when I was younger (talking elementary to middle school) I had a lot of learning disabilities that hindered my academic performance. You name it - I was in IEP, tutors, absolutely everything - no matter how hard I tried I was always at the bottom. Then for whatever reason 7th grade came and I started "getting it", and performing 1000% a lot better academically and somehow grew out of those disabilities. I was able to graduate High School in the top 10 of my class, and now soon to finish this semester off in several weeks with a 4.0 semester GPA. But the thing is, I don't know why I was able to suddenly do better. So when people say that I am "smart", I don't always resonate with that. When I see others give it there all and fail, I always think of what it was like for me when I was younger.
I guess I am trying to figure out: how did you know you were intellectually able to succeed in Med School?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

I have a similar experience as you. When I was growing up, I wasn't taught traditionally... My parents homeschooled me so instead of studying for exams, I was taught life skills. In some ways it hindered my academic success because it took a long time to catch up. Doctors also labeled me to have learning disabilities. I'm now graduating this summer from a Top 20 public university (#14, University of Florida) and I feel like I can do anything... Why? Because I am a hard freakin' worker too... I went into the 10th grade public school system with a 5th grade reading level. For years, I worked my ass off getting caught up to speed. I know that I will succeed in medical school and as a doctor because I look at everything I've overcome.

To answer your question, " how did you know you were intellectually able to succeed in Med School?"
I ignored everyone who said that I am not smart enough. My high school said I was too stupid to get into college and laughed at me when I said I applied to UF... Med schools will see your passion.
 
I think only a few people can be "smart" in the true sense of the term. That is, somebody who can go to lecture, instantly grasp everything, and not have to spend much time at all studying is smart. This is the person who can sit in on a graduate course as an undergrad and understand everything because it just makes sense. Everybody else just works hard. They might appear "smart" to you, but all that separates you from them is a few extra books or courses.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 4 users
doctor_deebee said:
I have a similar experience as you. When I was growing up, I wasn't taught traditionally... My parents homeschooled me so instead of studying for exams, I was taught life skills. In some ways it hindered my academic success because it took a long time to catch up. Doctors also labeled me to have learning disabilities. I'm now graduating this summer from a Top 20 public university (#14, University of Florida) and I feel like I can do anything... Why? Because I am a hard freakin' worker too... I went into the 10th grade public school system with a 5th grade reading level. For years, I worked my ass off getting caught up to speed. I know that I will succeed in medical school and as a doctor because I look at everything I've overcome.

To answer your question, " how did you know you were intellectually able to succeed in Med School?"
I ignored everyone who said that I am not smart enough. My high school said I was too stupid to get into college and laughed at me when I said I applied to UF... Med schools will see your passion.
Click to expand...

I am sort of glad that I heard of someone with a similar experience.

In H.S., I remember a teacher told me I would not make it in life and that I wasn't smart enough. Even though I am currently excelling in my studies, I do think of those experiences every now and then and it gets me down: how someone can think so lowly of me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
JPSmyth said:
I'm not smart either. Graduated with highest honors because I worked my tail off. Got an 80% MCAT score because I worked my tail off. Got into my two top choice MD schools, and over 10 II to MD schools.

You only need a certain baseline level of intelligence to become an MD. The rest is hard work. Just my opinion but I think that sounds about right. You probably won't get into JHU Harvard standford etc. but I got multiple mid tier acceptances that I'm happy with. All comes down to MCAT and I think to do well on that, like very high percentile, you need to have somewhat of a gift + work ethic
Click to expand...

100% agree with above. There is a certain threshold of intelligence that is needed to be a physician. After that it is all work ethic and perseverance, which is a much more important than innate intelligence
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
I was talking to my step dad a few years back when I became "pre-med" and I asked him the exact same thing. He told me that you're going to doubt yourself every step of the way. When you're in undergrad, you'll doubt getting in. When you get in, you'll think the adcom had pity on you and you just snuck in. When you're a resident, you'll doubt you're doing as well as your fellows. Then you'll look up and you're the head of trauma surgery at a major level-1 center. I think it's relatively normal to doubt yourself as long as it motivates you and doesn't cripple you.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 6 users
JustLookingforAnswers said:
I am sort of glad that I heard of someone with a similar experience.

In H.S., I remember a teacher told me I would not make it in life and that I wasn't smart enough. Even though I am currently excelling in my studies, I do think of those experiences every now and then and it gets me down: how someone can think so lowly of me.
Click to expand...
So many people have stories of comments like this from teachers, and I'm always horrified. I have to wonder if some of them are doing it so that students can have someone they want to prove wrong by succeeding.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users
cactusman said:
So many people have stories of comments like this from teachers, and I'm always horrified. I have to wonder if some of them are doing it so that students can have someone they want to prove wrong by succeeding.
Click to expand...

That teacher didn't get in to medical school probably lol
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
Hard work trumps smart almost every time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 10 users
Members don't see this ad :)
I'm glad you brought this up because I doubt myself all the time. It's good to know that I'm not the only one who feels this way. #HardWorkPaysOff
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
JustLookingforAnswers said:
When I see others give it there all and fail, I always think of what it was like for me when I was younger
Click to expand...
Your pre-7th-grade intelligence is rearing its ugly head :p

Totally joking :laugh: In all seriousness, you'll know you're smart enough when you get your MCAT score back. (Hint: you'll discover that you are indeed smart enough)
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 users
You don't have to be brilliant to get admitted to and succeed in medical school. it doesn't require you to be smart (as long as you are above average you are fine) it's much more important to be a hard worker and be able to understand a lot of information quickly.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
Ive met one person throughout my education that was blatantly more intellectually gifted than most. Never went to class and was a huge slacker, but all he needed was a few hours of cramming before an exam and he would make perfect grades across the board. He was like this with everything, non academics included. He switched from bio to gen studies his junior year because med school seemed like too much work. Everyone else works really hard and or really smart. Achievements are a reflection of your dedication.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
walloobi said:
Your pre-7th-grade intelligence is rearing its ugly head :p

Totally joking :laugh: In all seriousness, you'll know you're smart enough when you get your MCAT score back. (Hint: you'll discover that you are indeed smart enough)
Click to expand...
LOL thanks, kinda beat from studying today...Thanks for that correction ahahahahah!

Honestly, there are a lot of incorrections in that post showing how much I have left to care, haha
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
JustLookingforAnswers said:
I am sort of glad that I heard of someone with a similar experience.

In H.S., I remember a teacher told me I would not make it in life and that I wasn't smart enough. Even though I am currently excelling in my studies, I do think of those experiences every now and then and it gets me down: how someone can think so lowly of me.
Click to expand...

It's way more common than people like to admit. No one wants to talk about how their own school thought they were stupid. You are not stupid until you believe that you are. If you all ever want to talk and share stories, message me! I'll be more than happy to talk.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
doctor_deebee said:
It's way more common than people like to admit. No one wants to talk about how their own school thought they were stupid. You are not stupid until you believe that you are. If you all ever want to talk and share stories, message me! I'll be more than happy to talk.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much!!!

I wish you luck with your aspirations!
 
I hate to sound arrogant, but I was kind of the opposite.
In HS, everybody thought of me as really smart, but I lacked test taking skills/couldnt be interested in stuff I did't like/didn't do projects/write essays well, so I had barely above average grades, and most people assumed I was a straight A student. I'm doing pretty well in college ( besides W"ing orgo, and I'm doing well in it now, but yeah).
I had to get that off my chest.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
Everybody doubts themselves. You dont have to be a genius to get into medical school. You have to know what it takes and then be willing to work for it. Like anything else in life, being a genius helps but isnt a requirement. Except maybe for being Chess world #1. Might need some smarts to beat Carlsen.
 
Getting a high GPA is usually a good indicator that one is smart. Doing that while juggling ECs, work, life says one is wise in addition to smart.


JustLookingforAnswers said:
When you were pre-med, did you ever have a feeling of, "I totally can do this," or "This is what I was meant to do"? I currently have a 3.923 GPA as a college sophomore, but I don't consider myself "smart" I consider myself a freaking hard worker. As odd as this may sound, when I was younger (talking elementary to middle school) I had a lot of learning disabilities that hindered my academic performance. You name it - I was in IEP, tutors, absolutely everything - no matter how hard I tried I was always at the bottom. Then for whatever reason 7th grade came and I started "getting it", and performing 1000% a lot better academically and somehow grew out of those disabilities. I was able to graduate High School in the top 10 of my class, and now soon to finish this semester off in several weeks with a 4.0 semester GPA. But the thing is, I don't know why I was able to suddenly do better. So when people say that I am "smart", I don't always resonate with that. When I see others give it there all and fail, I always think of what it was like for me when I was younger.
I guess I am trying to figure out: how did you know you were intellectually able to succeed in Med School?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
 
With that GPA, you have a good combination of smarts and hard work. Even if it is mostly hard work, you have the baseline intelligence required for med school. Be thankful that you already have the foundation for hard work.

Even in high school, I always had the smarts. I could not go to a single class, not do a shred of homework, and then study for an hour or so before the exam, then ace the final. Years of that ****ed me (I did it to myself). When I first started college, I did really well following the same lazy method. It wasn't until I was working full time plus doing research and volunteering and didn't have time to do my last minute cramming that I realized I was going to need to put in work. Thank God I ended up joining the military, because that definitely matured me and gave me the work ethic. But it was hard, and my GPA suffered a little because of it.

You're in a good place! Just don't lose your motivation.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
GPA isn't a reliable indicator of intelligence. I know of at least 20 classmates that have higher GPA than I do because they kiss ass well. My reluctance to suck up eventually led me to a lower GPA but at least I ain't no ones bitch.

As for the MCAT, there's no excuses for that 1. If you can't get over a 505 in 3 tries, then maybe it's time to consider a career change.

At the end of the day, nothing beats good old fashioned hard work, something that seems to be lacking in the newer generations
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
kavorca said:
Hard work trumps smart almost every time.
Click to expand...

Not sure if this'll change depending on the school, but there are plenty of people in med school who will chill, do nothing, and then haul ass for the week/week and half leading up to an exam . Sure they'll pass, but barely but then they'll drop comments like "oh if I worked as hard as you did I'd kill it"...well ya didn't your grades reflect it. I'm def not naturally smart like those people who'll study like that, but I put in effort everyday and I'm holding well above my own for my class, as are other people who are approaching school in a similar way. Hard work > natural talent any day of the week.
 
Sorry if you can't do a rubik's cube while blindfolded I don't think you're cut out to be a doctor.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 4 users
I never knew that I was smart enough due to dropping out of high school going on to get my GED then on to a small college which I struggled the first two semester 1.80 first got put on probation then made 2 D's the second but still scratched a 2.0 or else I would of been suspended for a year. The following semesters resulted in better study techniques and going to tutoring 4 days a week to get a 3.5 my 3rd semester and 4.0 my 4th I just kept working hard making the deans list and never letting bad quizzes get me down. Then scoring a 5010 on the MCAT really made me believe I could do it but not gonna lie my school pre-med committee turning me down for a letter was really tough knowing I had a 3.45 and 5010 which landed me a few MD's in texas and many DO's but in the end nothing really can measure how smart you are until that first acceptance letter that is when you know all the late nights and mental break downs were worth it and YOU ARE SMART ENOUGH!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
Dagrimsta1 said:
As for the MCAT, there's no excuses for that 1. If you can't get over a 505 in 3 tries, then maybe it's time to consider a career change.
Click to expand...

Dont be ridiculous. He can be a doctor with a 500 if he wants. A DO school will admit him with a 500. Why would you tell him to change careers if he can very likely become a physician? He has almost a 4.0..
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users
I really don't think GPA is an indicator of intelligence. It's more of a sign of how hard one works and their motivation. Some of the smartest people I know get poor grades yet can surpass anyone in their test scores. Of course it helps in getting a 4.0 if one is smart, but it's not crucial.

Goro said:
Getting a high GPA is usually a good indicator that one is smart. Doing that while juggling ECs, work, life says one is wise in addition to smart.
Click to expand...
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
Goro said:
Getting a high GPA is usually a good indicator that one is smart. Doing that while juggling ECs, work, life says one is wise in addition to smart.
Click to expand...

Hhhmm. I would say many smart people don't have good grades because they don't study effectively/ do well on essays/projects and don't manage time well. Plenty of non-genius people can pull of good grades and EC's with hard work.

Dagrimsta1 said:
GPA isn't a reliable indicator of intelligence. I know of at least 20 classmates that have higher GPA than I do because they kiss ass well. My reluctance to suck up eventually led me to a lower GPA but at least I ain't no ones bitch.

As for the MCAT, there's no excuses for that 1. If you can't get over a 505 in 3 tries, then maybe it's time to consider a career change.

At the end of the day, nothing beats good old fashioned hard work, something that seems to be lacking in the newer generations
Click to expand...
This.....this concerned me a bit......:scared:
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
A non-genius can still be smart.
mwsapphire said:
Hhhmm. I would say many smart people don't have good grades because they don't study effectively/ do well on essays/projects and don't manage time well. Plenty of non-genius people can pull of good grades and EC's with hard work.


This.....this concerned me a bit......:scared:
Click to expand...
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
You'll always worry you're not smart enough; the results should serve as objective evidence to the contrary. Working hard is something that some people never learn, don't sell yourself short. I wish I had had the discipline to earn a GPA like that. Remember we all bring something unique to the table!


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app
 
Goro said:
A non-genius can still be smart.
Click to expand...
I meant to say " not very smart", but that sounds harsh.
Idk. I think it's more than that. Plenty of people who become nurses or obtain PhD's ( therefore, becoming a different type of doctor) could have done med school.
 
mwsapphire said:
I meant to say " not very smart", but that sounds harsh.
Idk. I think it's more than that. Plenty of people who become nurses or obtain PhD's ( therefore, becoming a different type of doctor) could have done med school.
Click to expand...
On the other hand, if ALL PhDs could become MDs, we'd have a shortage of pre-med advisors.
 
cactusman said:
On the other hand, if ALL PhDs could become MDs, we'd have a shortage of pre-med advisors.
Click to expand...
We've established this already- pre med advisors are , more often than not, *****s
:laugh:
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
Imposter syndrome is a pain in the sciences. It is more prevalent than you think.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 users
mwsapphire said:
We've established this already- pre med advisors are , more often than not, *****s
:laugh:
Click to expand...

What makes them *****ic? I'm a pre-med advisor. I'd love to get honest feedback as to how the advisors you've interacted with are inadequate.
 
Omg.....look at the " My advisor says I shouldn't study for the MCAT" thread. So many examples in there.
Actually, as Dr @Goro Search " Data point 1423023948032948320 why pre med advisors are *****s"
Not all of them, but most of them. I did say " more often than not"
 
Goro said:
There's a thread somewhere in these fora about "stupid things your pre-med advisors have said"

The posts are frightening.
Click to expand...
*You* should be a pre med advisor!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
mwsapphire said:
Omg.....look at the " My advisor says I shouldn't study for the MCAT" thread. So many examples in there.
Actually, as Dr @Goro Search " Data point 1423023948032948320 why pre med advisors are *****s"
Not all of them, but most of them. I did say " more often than not"
Click to expand...
In fairness, the OP of that thread seemed to have left out the very important part where he hadn't taken all of the recommended coursework for the MCAT yet. But there are plenty of other examples.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
Goro said:
A lot of bright and talented people have it, and not just in the sciences.
Click to expand...
It should be talked about more. We need to break down the barriers of bottling up our feelings so that we can improve the mental health of ourselves and colleagues, and have an inclusive work and learning environment.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
You must log in or register to reply here.
Next unread thread

Similar threads

D
How do I know if my stats are good enough?
Replies
3
Views
915
gonnif
gonnif
C
"What would you like the committee to know about you that wasn't in your application?"
Replies
12
Views
851
SCG3212
SCG3212
N
  • Question
Apply upcoming cycle or take another gap year? How do you know when you’re ready to apply?
Replies
4
Views
698
LizzyM
LizzyM
SolarPistachio
How do I know if I'm a better candidate for MD programs vs MD/PhD Programs?
Replies
8
Views
747
LizzyM
LizzyM
dihedralsymmetry
I don't know what I'm doing wrong
Replies
22
Views
2K
RunnerDad
R
Top