education Archives - Tahsin Hassan Rahit

When I first came to know that GRE is required to pursue higher study in the US, I completely ignored considering the US for my Ph.D. I did not want to invest my time into something that I would not need in my future research/work. instead of reading tons of vocabulary ? and practicing high-school math problems ?, I focused on expanding research knowledge – things that would help.

GRE is going away!

Those who are like me – who do not want to study for GRE (who does? ?), it is good news that GRE is going away! In the last few years, most of the top universities are gradually dropping the GRE requirement. It has been 80 years since the top US universities introduced GRE. And now, they are the ones who are getting rid of it. Could we say that – through the end of an 80 years-long experiment, GRExit once again points out that human capabilities can not be measured using a unified scoring system (See here [1])?

#GRExit Trend

Recently, I was at a conference, where I had the opportunity to hear directly from Scott Barolo, Director of the Program in Biomedical Sciences (PIBS) at University of Michigan. Dr. Barolo is the pioneering figure who made this pivotal decision to drop GRE requirement from PIBS admission requirement in 2017 [2]. Soon after this, other major universities including Harvard, Caltech, Carnegie Mellon, Cornell, Johns Hopkins, and many others followed the same path [3,4]. You can find an almost full list of Bio/Medical programs that do not require GRE here [4].

As a Health/Bio-medical science student, I am very happy to see that Biological science programs are leading in this paradigm shift. Computer science and other programs are also welcoming this change gradually.

Prepare yourself for the opportunity!

It is encouraging to see this GRExit movement when I think about future students. It makes more sense to take students through the “evidence-based” admission system. Meaning, admitting students based on their expertise and experience evidence. As a result, students will be able to give full focus on something that will “actually” help in their higher study. Furthermore, given the quality of higher education in the US, it will surely open the window of opportunity for many students to get the proper facility that they deserve for their higher study. Therefore, I would recommend students to go through the programs and universities you are interested in and prepare yourself accordingly.

Sources:
[1] GRE vs Grad School Success: https://synapticsketch.wordpress.com/2019/01/11/the-gre-a-sinister-sieve-screening-out-stem-talent/
[2] University of Michigan dropped GRE requirement in 2017: https://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2017/08/updated-biomedical-phd-program-major-research-university-drops-gre-requirement
[3] Trends of GRExit: https://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2019/05/wave-graduate-programs-drop-gre-application-requirement
[4] Programs that dropped GRE requirement: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MYcxZMhf97H5Uxr2Y7XndHn6eEC5oO8XWQi2PU5jLxQ

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Bad results put you behind when you start your next race

Bad results place you behind when you start professional/academic race

Once a sprinter was competing with nine other sprinters in a 100-meter race. But when he entered the arena, he saw – while everyone starting from the same mark, he was marked to starting from 20 meters behind others. After asking the referee the reason, referee replied, “Because your previous race result was not as good as others. So you will start behind others.”

It may sound funny, but that is the reality in the real-life race. This is how you get behind of others while seeking for a job or looking for an admission in next level of education. Nevertheless, you can still win the race only if you can run unimaginably faster than others in that short time. You have to do extra hard work as a remedy for your past negligence. However, I see a lot of students with an average result with no significant or economic skill at all. How can you expect someone hiring you? Besides, I have seen that educated people become better CEOs and businessman than others in most cases.

Misconception

“Motivational Speakers” often say that “result does not matter.” which I find misleading and I strongly disagree with the statement. I think the “result does not matter” notion is correct as long as you have “done your part best.” You have tried to get a good result yet you failed for some reason that is beyond your control.

As a student, I am mediocre. I was never in top 25% in the merit list in my school/college life. Even I failed quite a few times. Although the scenario changed during my university life. So, I know how an “F” student thinks, how a mediocre student’s view differs and how a top student perceives education. Most importantly, I know how to transit between this thought process.

Most of the “F” students see education as an unnecessary burden. On the other hand, toppers realize that education is a system which pushes us through a process of learning. We may have forgotten most of the things. But it is the process which is precious. It is the thought process that put barriers between good student and failed student.

In Conclusion

“Run Forrest Run” Movie: Forrest Gump

If you think the result is everything and employers care about your result, you are wrong. Although result will set you at the advantageous mark on the race, still, you have to run with your full effort to qualify for next stage. The only value of your result to the employer is – you know the art of learning and the benefits it possesses.

On the contrary, if you think result does not matter, then you will end up behind the mark. You may not have the opportunity to win because of your ignorance. Besides, you never entered the “process of learning”.

So, try your best to learn and have a good result. Also, create your skill set by applying your learning through volunteering, part-time job, freelancing, hobbies or any way possible.

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