If you're a pre-med student, you know that pressure is the name of the game.

From the intense coursework that you've been tasked with to the rampant competition between you and your peers, it may seem that you always have something to worry about.

Why does it have to be this way?

There are a few pretty clear reasons that tensions are high. For example, competition for the best med school acceptances and post-grad placements is steep.

It may feel that you've got to do better than the other pre-med students in your class to have a chance at your dream career. The trouble is that both your peers and your school may feel the same way.

What to Do if Your School's Pre-Med Culture is Cutthroat (and Your School Isn't Helping)

It's in your school's best interest to have a high-performing, extremely competitive class of pre-med students graduating and attending stellar medical schools.

As a result, your school may have extremely high standards for your pre-med progression. These standards may not always work out in your favor.

Ultimately, even though you're just trying to work hard and put your time in to get into medical school, your very dreams and career path could make you a target. Whether you are experiencing difficulty with your studies, are suffering from poor mental health because of your high-pressure situation, or even if you're doing pretty well overall, your jealous, competitive, or desperate peers could take action against you. (And your classmates aren't the only ones to worry about: Your professors could also have a “weed-out” mentality, grading your papers on an unnecessarily harsh curve because they believe that only a small number of students can progress to the next round of pre-med courses.)

As a result, you need to be prepared for:

• Other students refusing to share vital resources
• Teachers seemingly playing favorites among their pre-med students
• False or overblown allegations of your misconduct
• Intense comparison between pre-med students
• Incredible competition for extracurricular achievements
• Decisions from the administration regarding your progress that may not make sense
• “Failure to progress” punishments from your school instead of the support you need to grow as a pre-med student

When progression and placement are seen as a zero-sum game, these maneuvers become simple, attractive tactics.

Need Help Navigating Your School's Cutthroat Pre-Med Culture?

Whether you're experiencing a failure to progress issue or have concerns about your school's placement processes, you need to ensure that your rights are protected throughout your academic career. With national student defense attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm on your side, that's precisely what you'll be able to do. Call our team at 888-535-3686 for more information, or contact us online for a consultation.