Quote:
Originally Posted by PedOncoDoc
On a related note, what are everyone's thoughts on special permissions for students persuing advanced professional degrees - particularly law and medical degrees?
I offended a few of my "fellow" students while I was in medical school for implying that no special arrangements should be made for students with a learning disability or language issues. I felt that if you wanted to be a professional in a field where lifelong learning is mandated and audited - you should demonstrate the ability to perform at the same level as your peers. I followed it up with, "They wouldn't give me a head start in a running race so I could pursue my dreams of being a professional sprinter in spite of not being graced with exceptional sprinting speed." It is also my opinion that a student should have demonstrated adequate mastery of the primary language where they expect to practice their profession in the pre-admission screening regardless of their primary language. I believe this to be especially true in professions where communication and language interpretation are vital.
This does not reflect my opinions about undergraduate degrees which I feel should be achievable in spite of learning/language disadvantages should appropriate support be provided.
Thoughts?  |
Generally agree. If you are getting a professional certification, the folks who pay you deserve to receive professional services.
I had a friend in law school who figured out after the first semester that he was dyslexic(he told me his problem, and I said "Charles, dumbass, you're dyslexic). The dean allowed him to get the final one hour before everybody else, all he could do is read, then he had the same three hours to finish the test that everybody else had. (for those that don't know, 90% of law school classes are graded based upon one comprehensive final exam).
We had a couple of foreign students in law school. The thought was that they were allowed in, but would return home to practice law.
A family practice doc here in town attended medical school in Rome(he is not Italian). He says that every class, test, lecture was conducted in Italian, and he had to learn Italian to get through school. I can't imagine taking any class, especially law/medicine classes, in a different language.
I wonder if, in the future, part of the US economy's exports will be the exportation of education/educated people.