The announced three-day hospital internship for the 1,800 applicants of the Public Service Deparment (PSD) medical scholarships will begin tomorrow. While such hospital stints were optional, or rather, randomly assigned in the past, they are mandatory for all JPA med. applicants this year.

The short internships are meant to “…expose students to the rigors and realities of being a doctor…” but given the short period of exposure, it’s hard to say how useful such internships are going to be. Nevertheless, it is definitely a step forward in terms of assesing potential JPA scholars (well, it is better than mere shock therapy).

Advice from experienced ex-applicants to this year’s batch include taking the initiative in learning and exploring, making a good first impression through appropriate dressing, and of course, coming on time.

[News via The Star Online]