J Volume 124 Issue 106 kansan.com Tuesday, February 28, 2012 Campus politics the student voice since 1904 Young Democrats and College Republicans prepare for caucuses PAGE 2 CAMDUS LAWRENCE WHAT DO YOU THINK? STUDENTS DISH ON THE JAYHAWKS Words by Kayla Banzet Brian Williams, senior Kansas State University "They are friendly rivals! I get to hear about when we lost to them from my sister, who is a Jayhawk. This means I make sure she knows when we beat them." Bryson Hines, freshman Missouri Southern State University "I think of all the school spirit that that surrounds the Jahawk and the legacy that it has made in Kansas as well as many other states." Katie Ewert, junior Emporia State University "When I see the Jayhawk, I think of all of my friends that attend there and how the University of Kansas is the best place for them. It suits their academic needs." Rici Swartz, junior, Wichita State University "I guess I think of a great basketball family. I mean, they all have to be close or they wouldn't be able to have a winning season year after year." J.C. Boyce, senior Evangel University "As a Kansan looking at it in a different light than just sports, I can't help but admire the rich history and roots the University has in the state, and the many Kansans and people worldwide who've received a quality education there throughout the years. I have had family and friends who've attended there during various decades dating back into the 1940s. I feel that the Jayhawk generally makes the average Kansan feel a sense of pride, regardless of origin." Chastin Leggett, junior, Oklahoma State University "The Jayhawk is associated in the Big 12 with great doctors and basketball, but also childish arrogance and unsportsmanlike conduct." Chelsee Hicks, sophomore University of Arizona "I have always felt a connection with the I have always been a comrade in Jayhawk since I spent my childhood in Kansas. I feel it much more than when I see the University of Arizona “A” or Wildcat, the symbols that represent my own college. The Jayhawk makes me think of rivalries between friends and families who supported K-State, and to me it signifies a very close-knit college that radiates school pride." Jancey Hall, junior Kansas State University "Every time I see the bird, I wonder who came up with such a thing and debate if it was real, if it would taste good and wonder why when choosing the colors, they decided to use primary colors. When I look at a Jayhawk I just have all sorts of questions and then realize why it's so awesome to be a Wildcat." 31 infuse estrians CHRIS BRONSON/KANSAN HAWK signals have created confu- place to cross," Woosley said. er times it's pedestrian res, but we look at the number vehicles on the road to see if it's able." nuttucky and Tennessee streets between 7,000 and 10,000 day, a number not surprising by Benson, a nearby resident former University student. he were excited when we saw were putting them in at first use there are so many cars, they just fly by," Benson said. I guess I don't understand they couldn't put up a sign what each signal means."ough puzzling at first, Gaines would rather the signals be sing than unsafe. so like having them there just se it does slow down traffic, see so many people using walking to campus," Gaines "It's definitely better than a someone get run over or lo like having them there just se it does slow down traffic, see so many people using walking to campus," Gaines "It's definitely better than g someone get run over or thing." Edited by Max Lush Changes to MCAT will affect incoming students MARSHALL SCHMIDT mschmidt@kansan.com Freshmen pursuing pre-medical education at the University of Kansas will face a significantly different MCAT on their road to medical school this fall. Although recently announced changes to the MCAT will not affect current pre-medical or medical students, they do reflect a shift in the medical community to emphasize a more holistic approach to treating patients. "Doctors need to be effectively trained in working with real people and the complex factors they face," said Dr. Jeff Koetje, the Kaplan national director for pre-health programs. "Historically, doctors have been criticized with dealing with patients as organ systems or diseases." Changes to the MCAT will include more upper-level biology and chemistry to the biosciences, elimination of the writing portion and a new section covering behavior and social sciences, Koetje said. The added section intends to convey the complexity of factors affecting patients' health, including language, culture, economics, value systems and ethics. While Kojeet cited that 73 percent of surveyed medical school admission officers approve of the change, only 50 percent believe that undergraduate programs will have enough time to make the necessary curriculum changes. Paul Crosby, pre-medical advisor for the University, is excited for the coming changes but is concerned about the changes to pre-medical All sections will be longer, lengthening the test from five-and-a-half to seven hours. course work The MCAT has been part of the medical school admission process for 73 years, and this is the fifth revision of the test. The last changes were made in 1991. "Having custom courses sounds great," Crosby said. "However, it's very expensive, and this would place a great burden on small colleges. Overly specialized courses would not prepare students as well for further learning and other career possibilities." Heidi Chumley, senior associate dean for medical education at KU Medical Center, sees the changes as long awaited. While medical school admissions will have to recalcibrate the weight MCAT scores have on admission standards, Chumley sees other aspects of admission, such as grades, the in-person interview and written answers, as continuing Last year, 173 KU students applied for medical school. Koetje encourages pre-medical students to keep up to date with changes, which are slated to go into effect in 2015. "I hope the changes in the MCAT is an opportunity for all institutions to look at more holistic measures for admissions," Chumley said. "I would encourage students at the University of Kansas to stay tuned and follow along," Koetje said. Koetje said students can find additional information at kaplan-ncat.com, or by following @kaplan on twitter and "liking" Kaplan on facebook. to be relevant. Edited by Taylor Lewis The Kaplan Test Prep surveyed admissions officers at 69 universities with Association of American Medical Colleges accreditation about how the new MCAT format will affect test and medical school preparation. Some of the highlighted results to questions of the survey are given below. Based on what you know, do you support the recommended changes to the MCAT set for 2015? - Completely yes: 18% - Generally yes: 52% - Generally no: 3% - Completely no: 0% - Not sure: 27% Do you think the changes to the test will better prepare students for medical school? CRYPTOQUIPS 4 OPINION 5 - Completely yes: 11% - Generally yes: 62% SPORTS 12 SUDOKU 4 CLASSIFIEDS 11 CROSSWORD 4 - Generally no: 9% - Completely no: 0% - Not sure: 17% Should pre-med programs revise their curricula in order to sufficiently prepare students for the new MCAT? — Yes; 67% — No; 5% — Not sure; 29% — Refused to answer; 8% Don't forget Which would you say is the most important admissions factor? — MCAT score: 43% — Undergraduate GPA: 28% — Relevant experience: 19% — Interview: 9% — Letters of recommendation: 2% — Personal statement: 0% Today is National Pancake Day. Indulge in a few pancake stacks. (On stacks, on stacks, on stacks.) contents, unless stated otherwise, © 2012 The University Daily Kansan Source: Kaplan Test Prep's 2011 Survey of Medical School Aumissions Officers Today's Weather Overcast skies, 70% chance of showers. South winds 10-15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Don't rain on our parade 12