Support The Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012
Total outstanding student loan debt in America is expected to exceed $1 TRILLION this year. Millions of hardworking, taxpaying, educated Americans are being crushed under the weight of the educational debts, while the economy continues to sputter. Support a REAL Economic Stimulus and Jobs Plan. Support The Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012
That’s why I signed a petition to Rep. John Kline (MN-2), The United States House of Representatives, The United States Senate, and President Barack Obama, which says:
“Since 1980, average tuition for a 4-year college education has increased an astounding 827%.
Since 1999, average student loan debt has increased by a shameful 511%.
In 2010, total outstanding student loan debt exceeded total outstanding credit card debt in America for the first time ever.
In 2012, total outstanding student loan debt is expected to exceed $1 Trillion.
In short, student loan debt has become the latest financial crisis in America and, if we do absolutely nothing, the entire economy will eventually come crashing down again, just as it did when the housing bubble popped. Reasonable minds can disagree as to the solutions, they cannot, however, disagree on the existence of this ever-growing crisis, as well as the unsustainable course we’re on towards financial oblivion.
As a result of more than 30 years of treating higher education as an individual commodity, rather than a public good and an investment in our collective future, those buried under the weight of their student loan debt are not buying homes or cars, not starting businesses or families, and they’re not investing, inventing, innovating or otherwise engaged in any of the economically stimulative activities that we need all Americans to be engaged in if we’re ever to dig ourselves out of the giant hole created by the greed of those at the very top.
Now for the good news: there’s finally hope on the horizon!
Representative Hansen Clarke of Michigan has just introduced H.R. 4170, The Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012, in the House of Representatives - legislation designed to lend a helping hand to those struggling under massive amounts of student loan debt.
BMJ article: Increasing numbers of "cash-strapped" medical students raising funds through... prostitution?
I’m really not sure about the reliability of the survey method… but at least those students are getting some early experience at getting screwed over by the sad financial state of healthcare reimbursement. :(
New MCAT format approved
A few of you have asked about undergraduate coursework and majors as a pre-med. The new MCAT format has some major changes that may guide your choices.
1. The total time for the test will grow from 5.5 to 6.5 hours.
2. No more writing sample.
3. Added focus on health behavior, sociology and psychology.
Recommendations for pre-meds taking the new MCAT:
1. Take courses in psychology or sociology or health behaviors or all kinds of interdisciplinary classes. Besides helping you on the new MCAT, this makes sense. Much of working with patients is trying to gain an understand of their beliefs and how to influence/motivate health behavior chaange.
2. Kirch said, “One of the best ways pre-meds can prepare for medical school and for being a physician is “to read broadly” and “to be knowledgeable about the world at large.”
3. You don’t necessarily have to be a bio major or a physics major. Kirch said, “I think someone who is a psychology major or even a major in cross-cultural studies should have as much chance of medical school [admission] as a physics major.”
From another friend. I am excited to be finally finished this year, especially since I just certified my rank list and now have to wait impatiently for my life (for the next 3 years) to be decided for me. But man, that pic really reminds of long nights of studying of the past, present and future.
Medical students: Apply to win a First Aid Step 1 or 2 quizbank
I won one of these scholarships last year. It was helpful to have an additional quizbank to look at besides Uworld, especially for free!
AMSA and the First Aid/USMLERx Team over $800,000 worth of scholarships at medical schools in the U.S. and around the world. Five 6-month USMLERx Step 1 Qmax and five 6-month USMLERx Step 2 CK Qmax scholarships are available to students in need at your school.
This year USMLERx is also offering an ALL-NEW First Aid Step 1 Express Video Course scholarship, with each Step 1 Qmax scholarship.
To apply, simply go to the following link and fill out the brief, confidential online application:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HKJGPD9
The deadline for all applications is Friday, September 30, 2011. Your application will be reviewed by either your Office of Student Affairs or the national AMSA scholarship selection committee, and all awardees will be notified no later than October 31.
For information on USMLERx Step 1 or Step 2 CK Qmax, go to www.usmlerx.com. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to email me or contact info@usmlerx.com
Good luck!
"Take the world apart and figure out how it works." - Built to Spill, 1994.
