The Chem 20 Factor Summary

In the passage “The chem 20 factor” by Ellen Goodman explains the long process and hardships of what it takes to become a doctor, she explains how it all starts with Chem 20 and how all the Pre-med students say “Every class is a combat mission” this just goes to show that Ellen Goodman can connect with the readers because she has her own experiences with the same struggles which can really grab the attention of the reader to connect and feel the same way she does.
Ellen goodman really explains the college course Chem 20 that all pre-med students have to take, she describes Chem 20 by “a psychological laboratory of pre-med anxiety…...Every class was a combat mission.” This quote explains that the class was very punishing and grueling to be

in and that every single thing you do could affect your future greatly. She also says “Each grade was a life-or-death matter” she says this because she is trying to connect with the reader and warn them about what they are getting his/herself into she says “It taught people whose goal in life was the relief of pain and suffering that only the fittest, the most single-minded, would survive.” I think she says this because she wants the readers to really put this across their mind and to really think about what they do next. She says that Chem 20 just touches on what’s to come, and that she wants to let them know that once you go in there really no going back and that you need to just keep pushing forward.
Ellen Goodman then goes on to argue that doctors aren’t recognized for what they do or what they did to get where they are. She says “doctors made a commitment to go into medicine when they were eighteen or nineteen years old, with the full knowledge that they wouldn't be practicing until they were 30 or older.” from this statement she wants to let the people who go to hospitals that people need to recognize what doctors have done. A want to be doctor made a commitment at the age of 18 which is a huge thing to do as a teenager but yet people dont see that, she really wants people to see what doctors have gone through such as the chem 20 class and also saying “that the average doctor in training earns $12,500 to $15,000…...it is normal for a young doctor to work an eighty hour week” this just says that doctors are very committed.
Ellen Goodman mentions her chem 20 class and what doctors have to do a lot, she focuses on these major points just to get a point across and make a connection with the reader as she wants them to feel or think the same way as her. The way she touches on the fact that it’s normal for a young doctor to work eighty hours is crazy. She doesn’t exaggerate this statement, she is very subtle but demanding she gets her point across and makes the reader think or agree with her. Her main audience is other doctors or people who want to become a doctor, and she just wants to let them know what it takes and what people will think of you. That is you can pass Chem 20 you can make it and everything from there on should be easy and normal. But it all starts with Chem 20 and if you can handle it.
Ellen Goodman is just wanting to warn the people who are wanting to become a doctor that the road ahead is very difficult but you need to keep going and that the little money or long hour weeks is all normal and that she doesn't want that to stop you she just want you to keep going. That everything begins and revolves around Chem 20