For many students, the dream of becoming a medical doctor starts well before they reach matriculation. My own story is no different. I believe two key factors contribute to anyone's success: hard work and motivation. For me, motivation came in the form of a challenge from my science teacher in 8th grade. He promised a dinner party for anyone who achieved more than 95% in the second semester. This challenge pushed me to work hard, and I was able to achieve 96% marks. This success boosted my confidence and instilled in me a sense of discipline and hard work.
Have you ever experienced the sensation that academic life holds greater significance than merely attaining outstanding grades? Ali Azlan, from MBBS ‘27, certainly has. This piece recounts Ali's voyage of self-discovery, wherein he uncovers his enthusiasm for biology outside the confines of academia and ultimately represents Pakistan at the International Biology Olympiad 2022. Nonetheless, Ali's journey was anything but smooth, and he encountered numerous obstacles along the path.
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When I was a kid, I learned that doing well in school was the most important thing. It seemed that nothing else mattered as long as you had the highest marks in your class. However, I always believed that there was more to life than just getting good grades.
When I found out in 10th class that I could represent Pakistan at the International Biology Olympiad, I immediately recognized it as an avenue to delve deeper into my passion for biology. Unfortunately, many students prioritize chasing after marks and overlook the abundance of opportunities within reach. Upon sharing the Olympiad news with my peers, they regarded it as a mere "distraction" that should be reserved for the university phase. Nevertheless, life presents us with opportunities at all stages, and it's our responsibility to capitalize on them.
To go to International Biology Olympiad, I had to participate in National Biology Talent Contest (NBTC). I worked hard and passed the first exam, making it into the top 50 contestants. My journey, however, was not without obstacles. Juggling my NBTC preparations alongside my F.Sc studies was a challenging feat. To complicate matters further, I had only three months to prepare a massive book of 1493 pages, Campbell Biology. However, I was determined to make the most of this opportunity and chose to prioritize the contest over my F.Sc studies.
Following three rigorous selection camps, I was chosen to be part of the team that would represent Pakistan in the International Biology Olympiad 2022 in Armenia. The team comprised me, three female competitors, and two Principal Scientists from NIBGE, a public-sector research institute.
During this contest, I also had the opportunity to work in state-of-the-art laboratories and use a transmission electron microscope at NIBGE - an experience that not many students can boast of. The practical tasks like DNA extractions, protein separation, chlorophyll activity, etc. were an incredible experience for a student at the F.Sc level.
On July 9, 2022, we left for Armenia, where the Olympiad was held. The experience of representing my country in a global competition with more than 70 other nations was truly unforgettable. Meeting students from all over the world and learning about their diverse interests, scientific developments, and education systems was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the trip.
The Olympiad proved to be quite demanding as each competitor was evaluated individually rather than in teams. The theoretical and practical assessments spanned two arduous days, during which I exerted myself to the fullest. Out of the four Pakistani competitors, I was the sole recipient of the Certificate of Merit, which was a significant accomplishment for both myself and my country.
It was an experience that I will never forget. Participating in this Olympiad has sparked within me a deep enthusiasm for research and a strong affection for the fields of genetics and molecular biology. As a medical student, I am aware of the opportunities available to gain experience in the field. Research projects, volunteering at hospitals, and attending conferences are just a few of the ways in which students can enhance their knowledge and skills. However, Pakistan is lagging behind in providing such opportunities to medical students. Medical institutions must take the lead in promoting such activities to their students. I aspire that my participation in the Olympiad will motivate young students in Pakistan to aim for excellence in other aspects of their lives and not just focus on academic marks.
| 2019 | : | 9th (490/505) |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | : | 10th (1066/1100) |
| 2021 | : | 11th (500/505) |
| 2022 | : | 12th (1041/1100) |
| 2022 | : | Represented Pakistan in IBO 2022 in Armenia |
| 2022 | : | UHS MDCAT (181/200) |
| 2022 | : | Admission to Allama Iqbal Medical College |
In my 9th grade, I aimed to score at least 500/505 marks and to secure a position in the board. Although I fell slightly short, achieving 490 marks left me completely satisfied. During my 10th grade, I was less enthusiastic about securing a position, but I still achieved an impressive 1066/1100 marks in matric. It's worth mentioning that my exams took place before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted everything in 2020.
I was well aware that my F.Sc. results would be the most crucial factor in determining my merit for medical college. Unfortunately, my 11th-grade studies were severely impacted by the pandemic. The closure of colleges, the implementation of the smart syllabus, and the uncertainty of exams all contributed to a difficult year. There was a point during the college closure in March 2021 when I almost decided to switch to computer science and repeat the first year. However, with the eventual reopening of academies and the announcement that only elective subjects' exams would take place, I was motivated to study harder. I spent three months tirelessly studying and was thrilled to receive a score of 500/505 in my 11th-grade exams.
One event that had a significant impact on my journey was my participation in the International Biology Olympiad (IBO) 2022. In December 2021, I learned that I had been selected among the top 50 students of the National Science Talent Contest (NSTC). To prepare for the IBO, I had to read the massive 1493-page book Campbell Biology. It was a challenging decision, but I ultimately chose to prioritize my preparation for the IBO over my F.Sc. studies. After my selection for the four-member IBO team, we underwent a two-week training camp in June 2022, just before my 12th-grade exams. This was a highly stressful time, but it was worth it when we represented Pakistan at the IBO in Armenia in July 2022. I received a Certificate of Merit for my performance there.
My participation in the IBO had a significant impact on my performance in the MDCAT. My concepts of biology were crystal clear. Biology was like a piece of cake for me, thanks to the IBO. However, I did miss out on some of the MDCAT syllabus due to my participation in the IBO. I had to work extra hard to cover the material I missed before the MDCAT, which was scheduled for September.
The most important thing in the MDCAT, in my opinion, is not to lose focus. After my regular session of MDCAT concluded in the first week of September, I got admission to a test session. It was mainly for two reasons: First, I am NOT one of the students who can study themselves consistently without any distractions. Second, there should be “pressure” like I have to cover this chapter before tomorrow’s test. Anyhow, the month of September also passed with the uncertainty of MDCAT date.
I had applied to NUMS MDCAT, and spent the first two weeks of October solely focused on preparing for that test. During this time, I only reviewed Federal Biology and my personal notes. On the day of the test, I felt well-prepared thanks to my time spent in the IBO, and ended up scoring 95.367%.
Finally, the MDCAT date was announced and I felt a sense of relief that the uncertainty had dissipated. However, I still felt the pressure of failure looming over me. To combat this fear, I enrolled in another test session. Although I did not attend every session, it helped me stay accountable and motivated. I chose to prepare solely with Punjab textbooks, against the advice of my chemistry teacher. As the MDCAT date approached, I struggled to complete my revision in time.
UHS MDCAT question papers were distributed. When I turned the question paper and saw the second question about ssDNA, the face of my chemistry teacher flashed before my eyes and his words echoed in my ears. I had better take his advice. Now, it was useless to cry over spilt milk. I still thought, “I can do it. There is nothing much to worry about.” Here comes another blunder: As option “C” was given just below option “A”, I wronged two MCQs (I was not habitual to the pattern given in the paper.). Still, I thought, “If I correctly answer the other 195 questions, I can do it.” Long story short: Yes, I did it. Alhamdulillah, I got 181/200 marks. My rank in the provisional list was 1002. I expected admission to SIMS. Contrary to my prediction, Alhamdulillah I got selected for Allama Iqbal Medical College.
Some lessons I learned:
- 1. Everything happens for our own good ("ALLAH is the best of planners").
- 2. Some kind of “push” in your life keeps you on the path.
- 3. Always aim for the highest.
- 4. The time you spent on any kind of skill or constructive activity always pays off in the end.
- 5. Don't lose focus during the MDCAT. Do anything if it helps you in being consistent.
- 6. There should be some sort of pressure of a schedule or academy or something like that to prevent distractions.
- 7. Keep your nerves under control and don’t panic during the test. (Read the point # 9)
Best Regards
ALI AZLAN
AIMC '27