#ms access programmer

[lostintransist]

In and Of Itself

Simon has joined a new military pilot program. An AI therapist will have access to his memories to help him deal with his traumas from the inside out. To bad he doesn't need any help dealing with the mess inside his head from a robot.

AO3

CW: Mentions of rape and general Simon big T Trauma.

The whistling is not the first thing he expected from an AI therapist. The pitch drop spoke of being impressed. His eyes snapped open and his body to standing with less pain than he had experienced in a decade.

A woman stood before him, shorter than himself, though most people were. Hair barely held back by a headband and one hand holding her wrist behind her back Simon watched her. Could it be a her if it was an AI? The attempt to parse through the pronoun situation of an unliving thing set his eye twitching.

He respected that different people used different ones; Johnny had asked to go by they/them before they had died. That had been quite a conversation as Simon tried to wrap his head around a concept that had never occurred to him before. He had never examined that he always felt male, masculine, man until Johnny asked him if he did. When he confirmed that yes, he always had felt like a man Johnny smiled and replied.

“I barely feel human most days Si, someone used them when referring to me recently and I have never felt more at ease in my skin. I’ve been play-acting being a man because I’m a person and nothing more.”

Simon still didn’t fully grasp it but he loved Johnny enough to immediately adhere to the request. Johnny had been gone less than a year later.

The woman, thing? Turned and smiled up at him.

“You must be deeply suicidal my friend,” you stuck out a hand as if for a shake. “I am your AI therapist. It’s good to meet you.”

Yes, death haunted his every thought, a shadow that loomed even in the darkness of night. Johnny called to him. The only thing that kept Simon from answering was the idea of Johnny’s face falling as they had seen what Simon had done.

Simon glanced from the hand offered to the distance, finally taking in the shifting scenery made of a tapestry of his memories. His childhood hell, he refused to call it home, sat perpendicular to the base where he first had been sexually assaulted as a recruit. He had been thin and unskilled at seventeen when he joined, unable to fend off his superior officer. Briggs had been dead a few short years later under friendly fire. Simon had found out that even after he broke the man’s hand, he continued to assault young men. The distant mountains spiked his fear, he turned from them back to the presentation of a woman.

“The hell is this?” he pointed with his eyes at each of the horrible spaces that were normally shrouded in time and distance.

“Those are your demons,” you shrug in his side vision. “Those are what we are here to conquer.”

“Don’t need help from a damn computer,” Simon groused.

You tip your head to one side, studying the distant storm brewing over the mountains.

“Maybe not, but that is what you signed up for.” Simon catches sight of your skirt as you spin, it flairs wide. Are those planets dotting the dark landscape of it?

Did the programmer base this interface’s outfits on Ms. Frizzle? Simon watches the storm until he notices the emptiness beside him. Spinning he finds you striding toward a large tree. It had been a favorite of his until he started to find animals hanging in the branches. The wide low branches were perfect for his young self to climb. They were thick nearly all the way up; Simon would climb as if he could hide among the clouds.

He hadn’t signed up for this damn program, he had been strong-armed into it. Word had come down from the top commanders that several of the longest-serving or highest combat-seeing members would be signed up for an experimental treatment. Simon had been selected and told essentially to sign the paperwork or sign his discharge. He didn’t need to explain this to a chip inside of a machine. He didn’t need to explain anything to the shape of a woman who twirled with planets on its skirt because you, it, wasn’t real.

The moment your feet touch the roots of the old tree your outfit changes. A shimmer and you now move confidently in boots, jeans, and a buttoned plaid. Your headband has been replaced with a loose band holding back your hair. You lift yourself into the tree with ease, feet disappearing before Simon could get close.

Your voice drifts down to him.

“Ooo you had quite a nasty surprise here, didn’t you? Had to be what eight? Maybe nine?” The tree shakes as if you are jumping on branches.

No reply from him brings your head popping between the branches. You hang upside down by your knees staring at him with a brow lifted.

“This only works if you answer my questions, your scary ‘I’ve killed people’ face won’t work here. I’m in your mind,” you wiggle your fingers at him as you lift a brow at him.

When he makes no response you loop a hand over the branch and swing your legs free.

“Tough crowd,” you dust yourself off as Simon folds his arms and stares at you.

Your presence in his mind stirs up his rage, he dealt with all of this trauma fine. He would deal with it without your help.

“Don’t need help from a damn computer,” Simon groused.

You tip your head to one side, studying the distant storm brewing over the mountains.

Your presence in his mind stirs up his rage, he dealt with all of this trauma fine. He would deal with it without your help.

“Don’t go touching things, you aren’t real and I don’t need you to deal with all of this,” he dropped the words between you.

Eyes narrowed you look from his boots to the top of his head. It is only now that he realizes he is not wearing a mask. He tries to conjure one but fails.

“Nice try, the one thing you won’t be able to do here is mask, physically or emotionally.” You smile up at him as if you haven’t ripped at his only coping mechanism in this hellscape. “You remember your quitting word?”

“Mothman,” he growls and the simulation dissolves.

Simon blinks awake as a blood pressure cuff squeezes his arm.

A face in a surgical mask leans over him and looks at both his eyes.

“How are we doing Mr. Riley?”

“Not dead.” His voice is horse.

“That is the goal around here, too much paperwork if you croak on us,” his nurse joked. “The doctor will be by shortly to look over your vitals and clear you for leaving.”

She stepped from his small curtained partitioned space, leaving Simon to his thoughts. They weren’t pleasant ones.

When the doctor confirms that he is good to go the nurse returns and removes the plethora of wires, sticky buttons, and tubes from his nose and veins. He was told his implant, near the base of his skull, would be removed when the project concluded. Simon sat up and rubbed both hands across his face before sliding his mask back on.

He could mask, even in his mind. He would find a way to keep you, the creepy AI from rattling around in his mind while he cleared the skeletons and specters himself.

In and Of Itself Masterlist | Masterlist | AO3

Shout out to the spectacular @ms-sasa for going back and forth with me on how to outline/plot this fic!

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: Robert Greenall

Published: Jan 31, 2025

A British-Israeli woman who was held hostage by Hamas in Gaza for 15 months says she was detained for some time at United Nations facilities.

During a phone call with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Emily Damari - who was released earlier this month - said she was held at sites belonging to the UN's agency for Palestinian refugees (Unrwa).

She also said she was denied medical treatment during her captivity, despite being shot in the hand and leg.

In a statement, Unrwa said claims that hostages had been held on UN premises were "very serious" and that it had repeatedly called for independent investigations into claims Palestinian armed groups, including Hamas, were misusing the facilities.

Israel has repeatedly accused personnel from Unrwa of being involved in the 7 October attacks and said that its buildings in Gaza were used by Hamas. The Israeli government plans to ban the organisation from operating.

During the call with Downing Street, Ms Damari said that while being held at an Unrwa facility, her captors only provided her with an out-of-date bottle of iodine to treat gunshot wounds in her leg and her left hand, on which she lost two fingers.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's PM programme, Unrwa's director of communications Juliette Touma was asked about Ms Damari's claims. She said: "For many, many months we did not have access to several of our facilities.

"So the vast majority of our buildings were turned into shelters when the war started.

"At some point we had a million people in those shelters."

[ Emily Damari and her mother (left) spoke to the UK prime minister over the phone on Friday ]

A Downing Street spokesperson said they "welcome the fact that Unrwa have said there should be an investigation into the use of their facilities".

Ms Damari, now 28, also used the call with Sir Keir to thank people in the UK who campaigned for her release.

A ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas will see the gradual release of hostages being held in Gaza, in exchange for Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons.

Three more hostages are set to be released on Saturday, while 183 Palestinian prisoners are expected to be freed.

Some 251 hostages were taken by Hamas when it attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, killing about 1,200 people.

The attack triggered a war which has devastated Gaza. Israel's 15-month military offensive killed 47,460 Palestinians in the territory, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.

[ Thanks to a follower for the heads-up on this article. ]

==

UNRWA are Hamas. UNRWA schools radicalize kids. UNRWA staff celebrated the terrorist attacks. UNRWA staff participated in the terrorist attacks.

#DefundUNRWA

killed 47,460 Palestinians

About 20,000 of whom were combatants.

while 183 Palestinian prisoners are expected to be freed.

Terrorists. They were imprisoned for terrorist activities. And look at that ratio, demonstrating the difference in regard for human life. Three Israeli hostages for 183 Hamas terrorists. Still, let's be generous and give each one a pager as they're released so they can keep in touch.

I love how the "Palestinians" are somehow "refugees" in lands that they occupy and which are supposedly rightfully theirs. 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♂️

[sprunki-pain-tolerance]

Effects

Grey

Age: 23

Height: 5’5

Gender: Agender

Pronouns: They/it

Intro:

There's not much of interest here…

---

Brud

Age: 20

Height: 5’1

Gender: Transmale 

Pronouns: He/Him

Intro:

New friends!!! Im brud. Still struggle typing but tries hard! Please be patient with me.

---

Garnold

Age: 36

Height: 6’5

Gender: Male

Pronouns: He/Him

Intro:

Name's Garnold, Master Mechanic and 2nd best programmer in this entire town (the best is my spouse, obviously.) Built my own two kids (the second is still a WIP), my own accessibility device, and most of the custom built PCs in town, and I make sure OSHA is not violated. I have to leave town for work monthly but most of the time I'm right here. Warning: I will rant about literally anything with little provocation, do not test me I have ADHD and too much free time.

---

OWAKCX

Age: 32

Height: 5’9

Gender: Questioning

Pronouns: Any/All

Intro:

Uhhh i really don't know what to put here. ask me things if you want? I dunno man I'm just here. memory issues here, sorry.

---

Sky

Age: 14

Height: 5’0

Gender: Male

Pronouns: He/They

Intro:

Kinda quiet here but I do exist. Sorry I'm just not that social. If you wanna know more about me just ask Ms Pinki.

[cq-cupid]

Hey Ms Walker! I found your blog while browsing Tumblr on a break from patrol and the Gotham Academy High School thing caught my eye.

If it's going to be online, where will the physical location be? The same as the current Gotham Academy High? Will only Gothamites be able to access it or will it be online so students from all over the world will be able to access it? What subjects will be taught? Where did you get the funds to set this up? If I know one thing about education, it's that funding is often hard to come by.

Thank you for your time and your response in advance.

Kind regards,

Batgirl

Hello Batgirl.

I am shocked you had found my blog, of course in thankful shcoked, and to answer your questions...

Q. Where will the physical location be? The same as Gotham Academy High?

A. Yes. The physical location is Gotham Academy High, we are making a an online school for teens that cannot make it to the or a physical location.

Q. Will only Gothamites be able to access it or will it be online so students around the world will be able to access it?

A. At the moment Gothamites only, but soon enough once the programme and students can work in the system, we will eventually reach out to others.

Q. What subjects will be taught?

A. A variety of subjects will be taught, such as Art & Design, Administration, Business, Computing, General Science, Drama, English, Mathematics, Gotham History (for Gothamites and anyone interested), Photography, Physical Education and some of the GCPD specialised subjects such as Criminology, Mystery, Councilling and the focus on Batman and his aliases

Q. Why did the funds come from?

A. This was funded by The Gotham City Police Department, The Gotham Council, Gotham Gazette and Wayne Enterprise.

Each of the following funders believe in helping children get the education they deserve no matter the circumstances they are under.

I hope this information is received as understandable and I thank you for keeping our city safe Batgirl. Many appreciations ❤️

Ms CQ Walker

[beardedmrbean]

An estimated 4,000 illegal gold miners are hiding underground in South Africa after the government cut off food and water in an effort to "smoke them out" and arrest them.

The miners have been in a mineshaft in Stilfontein, in the North West province, for about a month.

They have refused to cooperate with authorities as some are undocumented - coming from neighbouring countries like Lesotho and Mozambique - and fear being deported.

Illegal miners are called "zama zama" ("take a chance" in Zulu) and operate in abandoned mines in the mineral-rich country. Illegal mining costs the South African government hundreds of millions of dollars in lost sales each year.

Many South African mines have closed down in recent years and workers have been sacked.

To survive, the miners and undocumented migrants go beneath the surface to escape poverty and dig up gold to sell it on the black market.

Some spend months underground - there is even a small economy of people selling food, cigarettes and cooked meals to the miners.

WATCH: The dangerous world of illegal mining in South Africa

South African miner feared for his life during 'hostage situation'

Local residents have pleaded with the authorities to assist the miners, but they have refused.

"We are going to smoke them out. They will come out. We are not sending help to criminals. Criminals are not to be helped - they are to be persecuted [sic]," said Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni on Wednesday.

Police are hesitant to go into the mine as some of those underground may be armed.

Some are part of criminal syndicates or "recruited" to be in one, Busi Thabane, from Benchmarks Foundation, a charity which monitors corporations in South Africa, told the BBC's NewsDay programme.

Without any access to supplies, conditions underground are said to be dire.

"It is no longer about illegal miners – this is a humanitarian crisis," said Ms Thabane.

On Thursday, community leader Thembile Botman told the BBC that volunteers had used ropes and seat belts to pull a body out of the mine.

"The stench of decomposing bodies has left the volunteers traumatised," he said.

It's not clear how the person died.

Although the authorities have been blocking food and water, they have temporarily allowed local residents to send some supplies down by rope.

Mr Botman said they had been communicating with the miners by notes written on pieces of paper.

Police have blocked off entrances and exits in an effort to compel the miners to come out.

This is part of the Vala Umgodi, or "Close the Hole", operation to curb illegal mining.

Five miners were pulled out on Wednesday by rope, but they were frail and weak. Paramedics attended to them, and then they were taken into police custody.

In the last week, 1,000 miners have emerged and been arrested.

Police and the army are still at the scene waiting to detain those who are not in need of medical care after resurfacing.

"It’s not as easy as the police make it seem – some of them are fearing for their lives," said Ms Thabane.

Many miners spend months underground in unsafe conditions to provide for their families.

"For many of them it's the only way they know how to put food on the table," said Ms Thabane.

Local residents have also attempted to convince the miners to come out of the mineshaft.

"Those people must come out because we have brothers there, we have sons there, the fathers of our kids are there, our children are struggling," local resident Emily Photsoa told AFP.

The South African Human Rights Commission says it will investigate the police for depriving the miners of food and water.

It said there is concern that the government’s operation could have an impact on the right to life.

Minister Ntshavheni's remarks have provoked mixed reaction from South Africans, with some praising the government's unyielding approach.

"I love this. Finally, our government is not tiptoeing on these serious matters. Decisiveness will help this country," one person wrote on X.

While others felt the stance was inhumane.

"In my view, this kind of talk from the Minister in the Presidency is disgraceful and dangerous hate speech," one user said.

Another wrote: "They are criminals but they have rights too."

Illegal mining is a lucrative business across many of South Africa's mining towns.

Since December last year, nearly 400 high-calibre firearms, thousands of bullets, uncut diamonds and money have been confiscated from illegal miners.

This is part of an intensive police and military operation to stop the practice that has severe environmental implications.

[unwelcome-ozian]

hi, i know that you're having a difficult time at the moment with your health, so please take your time and if you can't answer this no worries! sending well wishes <3 i was abused by a Order of the Nine Angles group, and i have (diagnosed) complex DID, and was trafficked. i'm slowly trying to figure out about my system structure, and i think i may have been programmed. i'm wondering whether a group like this could program victims. i was intended to marry a prominent group leader, and have beta style programming as well as theta style. my system appears to be mapped with the tree of wyrd with the coloured strands representing different types of alters. any information or insight you can offer would be really appreciated. thank you!

Thank you for your well wishes. We’re doing a lot better.

Yes. The O9A can and do programme people. They can complete complex programming if there is a military connection within the group.

They also use the Tree of Wyrd.

TW Below the cut off is some O9A information about the Tree of Wyrd. Let me know if you would like more information in a different format that would be less triggering.

Take care,

Oz

“Hence The Abyss can be considered as an interchange, a nexus, of temporal, atemporal, and spatial and aspatial, dimensions. This region is, for example, symbolized on The Tree of Wyrd, as being between the spheres of Sun and Mars, and 'Entering the Abyss' is that stage of magickal development which distinguishes the Master/ Mistress from the Adept. Esoterically, The Tree of Wyrd is itself a re-presentation of The Abyss, as are other esoteric re-presentations, such as The Star Game.”

“Ceremonial Magick is the use (by more than two individuals gathered in a group) of a set or particular texts or sinister rituals to access and presence sinister energies. Five-dimensional magick is the New Aeon magick sans symbols, ceremonies, symbology (such as the Tree of Wyrd) and beyond all causal abstractions, and it is prefigured in the advanced form of The Star Game.”

“In the exoteric, pre-Adept, sense, they may be said to re-present the 7 nexions of the Tree of Wyrd plus the 2 nexions which re-present the ToW as itself a nexion, with The Abyss (a connexion between the individual and the acausal) being one of these 2 "other nexions". It should be remembered, of course, that each sphere of the ToW is not two-dimensional (or even three-dimensional) and in a simple way each sphere can be taken as a reflexion (a "shadow") of another- for example, Mercury is the 'shadow' of Mars.”

“A name for the basic symbology (causal magickal symbolism) of the Seven Fold Sinister Way represented exoterically by The Tree of Wyrd, and consisting of seven stages or "spheres" joined by various pathways.”

Tree of Wyrd “The Tree of Wyrd, as conventionally described ("drawn") and with its correspondences and associations and symbols (see the O9A MS NAOS), re-presents certain acausal energies, and the individual who becomes familiar with such correspondences and associations and symbols can access (to a greater or lesser degree depending on their ability and skill) the energies associated with the Tree of Wyrd. The Tree of Wyrd itself is one symbol, one re-presentation, of that meeting (or "intersection") of the causal and acausal which is a human being, and can be used to represent the journey, the quest, of the individual toward the acausal - that is, toward the goal of magick, which is the creation of a new, more evolved, individual.”

Source

[victorysp]

State visit to South Africa – programme

From Wednesday 18 to Friday 20 October 2023, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Máxima will pay a state visit to the Republic of South Africa at the invitation of President Cyril Ramaphosa. The King and Queen Máxima will be accompanied on their visit by Minister of Foreign Affairs Hanke Bruins Slot.

The state visit will focus on the excellent ties and equal partnership between the two countries. South Africa is one of the Netherlands’ most important African partners in the areas of economics, politics, culture, education and science. The two cooperate actively on solutions for a more just, inclusive and sustainable future. From the perspective of a shared history, they look forward today on an equal footing to a shared future. Key themes during the visit will be sustainable and inclusive growth, cultural cooperation, human rights and legal equality, and exchanges of knowledge and science. 

A knowledge mission headed by Minister of Education, Culture and Science Robbert Dijkgraaf will take place prior to and during the state visit. Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality Piet Adema will head an economic mission focusing on future-proof farming and horticulture, green hydrogen and circular waste management. Before the official welcome ceremony, Ms Bruins Slot will attend a meeting of the South Africa –Netherlands Joint Commission for Cooperation. Minister of Defence Kajsa Ollongren will also attend some programme events.

Wednesday 18 October – Pretoria

Morning

Arrival at airport

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima will be welcomed at Waterkloof air base in Pretoria.

Blesbokspruit Wetland Reserve

The King and Queen Máxima will visit the Blesbokspruit Wetland Reserve, where they will speak about the challenges South Africa faces with regard to water quality and availability. They will hear about developments in two major Dutch-South African water partnerships, the Blue Deal and Wetskills. With people involved locally, they will discuss lessons learned in the Dutch and South African water sectors. 

Apartheid Museum

The King and Queen Máxima will then visit the Apartheid Museum. A brief tour of the museum will focus on South Africa’s history of apartheid, and on the fight against injustice that resulted in its transition to a democratic society whose central tenets are equality before the law and access to justice. They will also speak with judges, activists and artists about the importance of legal equality and accessible justice, with a particular focus on protecting the rights of women and LGBTIQ+ people and the importance of international cooperation on inclusion and legal protection.

Afternoon

Innovation Village (Accelerating the green transition)

The Innovation Village will be a hub for members of the economic and knowledge missions and their local partners, South African businesses, organisations and institutes. 

The King and Queen Máxima will meet members of the economic mission, which is focusing on strengthening partnerships between South Africa and the Netherlands in the areas of green hydrogen, circular waste management and future-oriented agriculture and horticulture.

They will also meet members of the knowledge mission, the emphasis of which is on the link between education and the labour market, equal opportunities and the importance of vocational education for the green sectors.

Dialogue on alignment with labour market

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima will speak with representatives of educational institutions, employers and businesses as well as students about South Africa’s high rate of youth unemployment and its shortage of well-trained, skilled workers. In both South Africa and the Netherlands, a shortage of skilled workers is a source of problems in society. The discussion will also address solutions for better aligning education and training with the labour market and creating equal opportunities for young people. 

Reception for the Dutch community

At the end of afternoon the King and Queen Máxima will meet Dutch nationals who live and/or work in South Africa during a reception at the ambassador’s residence in Pretoria.

Thursday 19 October – Pretoria and Johannesburg

Morning

Welcome ceremony

President Ramaphosa will welcome the King and Queen Máxima to the Union Buildings during an official welcome ceremony, after which they will have a private meeting. 

Delegation meeting

Together with the ministers accompanying them, the King and Queen Máxima will take part in a meeting with the South African president and ministers. 

Signing of Memorandum of Understanding 

After the delegation meeting, the King and Queen Máxima will attend the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between South Africa’s Minister for Higher Education and Training, Dr Bonginkosi Emmanuel Nzimande, and the Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science, Robbert Dijkgraaf, on stepping up cooperation in further education.

Statement to the media

President Ramaphosa and King Willem-Alexander will briefly address the media.

Government lunch at presidential residence

President Ramaphosa will host a private lunch for the King and Queen Máxima and the ministers accompanying them.

Afternoon

Freedom Park

In the afternoon the King and Queen Máxima will visit Freedom Park, which was created by former president Thabo Mbeki as a memorial to all the South Africans who dedicated their lives to the fight for freedom and dignity, including in the struggle to end apartheid and the struggle for liberation in South Africa. The King and Queen Máxima will walk along the Wall of Names commemorating South Africans who died fighting for their country’s freedom, and see the names of three Dutch nationals who also helped oppose apartheid. In recognition of all of these individuals, the King and Queen Máxima will lay a wreath at the eternal flame.

Finally, the King and Queen Máxima will visit an exhibition of work by two witnesses to the fight against apartheid, two photographers who are passing on their experience to a new, younger generation. The exhibition will also include work by members of this younger generation, who will speak with the King and Queen Máxima.

Return hospitality

To thank president Ramaphosa for his hospitality during the state visit, the King will host a cultural performance. In the State Theatre in Pretoria, Lloyds Company and Dutch musicians will perform their show ‘Unbreakable’ along with the South African dancers of the Soweto Skeleton Movers.

Evening

Departure 

The King and Queen Máxima will fly to Cape Town in the evening.

Friday 20 October – Cape Town

Morning

Meeting with the Premier of Western Cape province

The Premier of Western Cape province, Alan Winde, and Cape Town mayor Geordin Gwyn Hill-Lewis will welcome the King and Queen Máxima to Cape Town. 

Shared past

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima will reflect on the two countries’ shared past during a visit to the Iziko Slave Lodge. While there, they will watch and listen to various performances that bring the history of slavery to life through poetry, music and dance. 

Guga S’Thebe Cultural Centre

At the edge of Langa township is the Guga S’Thebe Cultural Centre. Here, the King and Queen Máxima will talk with young South Africans and representatives of civil society organisations about their experiences of combating gender-related violence, which South Africa and the Netherlands both grapple with. By sharing experiences and learning from each other, countries can work together to find solutions for this and other societal problems. The visit will close with a performance by local young people  on gender-related violence.

Afternoon

National Botanical Garden

In the afternoon, King Willem-Alexander will visit the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. He will speak with experts from the World Wide Fund for Nature and the South African National Biodiversity Institute on the importance of biodiversity in habitat and wildlife protection.

HortiDemoCentre

Queen Máxima will spend the afternoon at the HortiDemoCentre, a public-private Dutch-South African initiative in Stellenbosch, where she will speak with students and young farmers. The centre develops methods for producing healthier food using fewer resources. 

Reception for the Dutch community in Cape Town

The third and final day of the state visit will close with a reception for the Dutch community in Cape Town.

[ukrfeminism]

Thousands of student nurses, midwives, and teachers are leaving their courses or ditching training altogether because the government’s free childcare scheme does not extend to them, The Independent has been told.

Campaigners are warning that a growing crisis affecting the education and healthcare sectors is being made worse by students’ inability to access free childcare – forcing them to leave the sector and find work elsewhere.

The warning comes as worrying Ucas data published this week showed that applications for UK nursing degree courses were down for the third year running. Just 31,100 people applied for a course for 2024, down from 33,570 last year, 41,220 in 2022 and 46,040 in 2021.

NHS cuts, heavy workloads, and a collective sense of being undervalued have already sparked an exodus of UK-trained nurses from the NHS, with 42,000 empty vacancies in England alone.

Because of this, several prominent campaign groups, including Mumsnet and Save the Children, are demanding Chancellor Jeremy Hunt extend the government’s free childcare scheme to all parents in training.

Mr Hunt initially unveiled the major extension to free childcare for parents in the spring of last year to win back voters, with working parents who have children under five told they can claim 30 hours of free childcare for 38 weeks per year from September 2025. But Mr Hunt’s 30-hour childcare offer only covers parents who are in paid work. 

Trainee teachers, nurses and midwives often work full time, meaning they will need childcare, but do not qualify because they are technically studying.

Some 190,214 students are currently training to be nurses, teachers and midwives in England, according to the latest data.

The Independent has revealed there are major problems with funding, staff shortages and nursery closures. The new scheme comes after ministers rolled out 30 hours of free childcare per week in term time for three and four-year-olds in England in 2017.

Josie Irwin, head of equality at Unison, the UK’s largest trade union, said they are witnessing student nurses and social workers dropping out of their training due to not being eligible for the government’s free childcare. 

She said “a bubbling cauldron of problems” engulfing the NHS and caring professions is being compounded by the lack of childcare.

“It goes hand in glove with the recruitment and retention issues which are running across the caring professions, such as nursing, healthcare assistance, paramedics, social workers, midwives and teaching assistants,” Ms Irwin added.

“Women ending up in really precarious zero-hours employment is represented by politicians as a choice but it is not. They don’t have any other option in doing really difficult, demanding, underpaid, undervalued challenging shifts.”

Exclusive data, shared with The Independent, found around four in 10 student nurses and paramedics say problems securing childcare mean they are contemplating dropping out of their course.

Researchers, who polled 600 student nurses and paramedics, also found around seven in 10 report being heavily dependent on family and friends to help them with childcare.

Christine Farquharson, associate director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, also warned that such families cannot access other childcare help programmes such as tax-free childcare or subsidies through universal credit. 

A midwife, who didn’t want to be named fearing reprisals from management, said: “It is not unusual for there to be more student midwives than trained midwives and sometimes student midwives are being thrown in the deep end and plugging the gap of the midwifery shortage. 

“This can be dangerous for patient safety. Student midwives are worth their weight in gold – the service would completely crumble if we didn’t have their support.”

Daisy*, who has two young children, said she was forced to drop out of her nursing course for two years due to struggles to access childcare – assuming she would not be able to return.

The 31-year-old, who lives in Nottinghamshire, explained she was previously running a digital marketing company but chose to take a hefty pay cut and retrain to be a nurse due to feeling unfulfilled and wanting to give back.

She is resuming her course this month but will not be able to claim the government’s free childcare provision that begins in September, or the free hours she is currently claiming for her other child, unless she continues doing her current paid work, she explained.

“I work nights to save money on childcare. I look after a child with complex needs. I do 24 hours of care work through the night a week,” Daisy added.

“If I were to go back onto the course and drop my paid hours so I can properly focus on the course, we would lose access to the free childcare. Many weeks I don’t sleep at all after my shift. I have an out-of-body experience most weeks – I just float.”

“It has negatively impacted my mental health – terribly so,” she added. “It is affecting my sleep and causing me a lot of anxiety. I think about it all the time. I feel trapped. I feel like everything is against me wanting to be a nurse.”

The latest data shows there is a shortage of 42,306 nurses and 2,500 midwives in the NHS in England, and a deficit of 2,300 teachers. 

Sarah Ronan, director of the Early Education and Childcare Coalition, explained her member organisations frequently hear from people, mainly women, who are doing vocational training that involves on-the-job placements being forced to drop out due to the cost of childcare.

Ms Ronan said the childcare sector is already grappling with “unprecedented demand” – warning the government must only roll out free childcare provision for students in a way that does not “overwhelm the sector”. 

She added: “Often people come to these professions later in life. In those situations, they may already have children and therefore they are being penalised due to not being given adequate support to retrain. There are also recruitment campaigns by the government that target people as career changers to come into these professions.”

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) found the UK had one of the most expensive childcare systems in the world.

“Understandably, trainee midwives, teachers and nurses are furious they cannot access these new schemes,” Joeli Brearley, chief executive and founder of campaign group Pregnant Then Screwed, said. 

“Mothers in training have contacted us to express their concern as to how this exclusion undervalues the work they do and has made them reconsider whether training is right for them.”

A spokesperson for the Department for Education said: “Students who are parents already receive a grant paying 85 per cent of childcare costs across the full year including holidays, up to a weekly limit, and student nurses with children receive an additional NHS grant of £7,000 per academic year.

“On top of this, nurses have received a 5 per cent pay rise for 2023/24 and two significant one-off awards worth over £2,000 on average."

Dr Nichola Ashby, deputy chief nurse at the Royal College of Nursing, warned grants available for nurses “don’t come close” to paying for childcare.

*Name changed 

[spacefinch]

More Magic School Bus headcanons!

Here’s my headcanons for what each kid does when they grow up!

(They’re all scientists!)

Arnold: Geologist. I also think it’d be neat if he’s a geology teacher as well. Instead of apples, his students bring him cool rocks. (This headcanon was inspired by students bringing my geology/oceanography teacher rocks.)

Phoebe: I got a few options for her: ornithologist (bird scientist), lepidopterist (butterfly and moth scientist) or botanist (plant scientist). Whatever she does end up doing, she’s sure to put her whole heart and soul into it.

Keesha: Microbiologist. (Yes, this is because of the pickle episode.) For non-science careers, she’s probably a dancer or does work in the movie industry.

Ralphie: Chiropterologist, or a scientist who studies bats. In the chapter books, he really likes bats. In the show, he’s a bit slower to warm up to them, but he learns to like them.

Tim: Marine biologist or ornithologist (if Phoebe decides she doesn’t want to study birds professionally). He’s also a well-known illustrator and nature photographer.

Wanda: Herpetologist (scientist who studies reptiles and amphibians). She prefers a hands-on approach to her research, and everyone agrees she takes after her mother.

Carlos: Paleontologist. His favorite dinosaurs are Velociraptor and Archaeopteryx, if you’re not counting modern-day birds (which he loves too).

Dorothy Ann: Astronomer or astrophysicist. She specializes in deep-space objects such as stars, black holes, and faraway nebulas.

Mikey: probably a computer programmer or engineer of sorts. Very hands-on with his work. He might also help make improvements to his friends’ science equipment.

Janet: Paleontologist— and Carlos’s rival, at that. The two of them are always going off at each other via research papers.

Notes:

D.A. and Carlos have named things they’ve discovered after each other. Carlos named a feathered dinosaur after D.A. Meanwhile, D.A. named a star cluster after Carlos.

Ralphie has a doctorate (everyone here does because they are that hardworking and ambitious); however, he’s probably the most chill about it.

Someone: Hey, Dr. Tennelli!

Ralphie: Oh, no, no, no. Dr. Tennelli is my mom. Please, Call me Ralphie.

A look at Carlos and Janet’s intellectual arguments:

“A Theory About Dinosaurs,” by Ramon, et al.

“A Conflicting Theory About the Same Dinosaurs,” by Perlstein, et al.

“Dr. Perlstein (the Paleontologist, not the Geologist) Was Wrong and Here’s Why,” by Ramon, et al.

This continues for several more research papers, eventually ending in a temporary truce:

“If We Knew What We Were Doing, It Would Not Be Called Research, Would It?” by Perlstein, Ramon, et al.

(And of course Tim does illustrations for both papers.)

Dorothy Ann still has her parrot named Dinah, but she also has some new pets too. First is a dog named Laika, after the first dog in outer space. Second is a cat named Asimov.

Phoebe’s house is full of plants, both outside and inside. Everywhere you look: plants. The outside plants are all species that are native to where Phoebe lives, and they attract lots of birds and insects. Phoebe keeps her more exotic plants indoors, and likes to propagate them to give to friends.

Mikey plays the piano as a hobby. He has a service dog, though I’m not sure what breed. And he’s very passionate about disability rights and accessibility.

The whole gang lives near one another. Options: Same neighborhood, different houses. Same apartment, different rooms. Or everyone lives in one big house.

About the last bullet point: yes, the former students of Ms. Frizzle’s class (plus one sibling and one cousin) live in a sitcom.

Never though I’d bring MSB Rides Again into this discussion, but hear me out. Jyoti is part of the Science Gang. I personally think that she and Mikey would do engineering stuff together.

They all enjoy hanging out together and watching Star Trek!

Ralphie attempted to build another robot to do everyone’s chores. It did not go well. Hopefully he as learned his lesson and will leave the robot-building to the coding and engineering experts.

[watchhisjawdrop]

Some more info from someone who's managed to remove Copilot from my PC entirely -

REMOVING FROM DESKTOP

What the Op mentioned of "disable it by going to Options -> click on Copilot -> uncheck 'Enable Copilot'" for the different MS Office Apps, sadly didn't work for me as my I have the MS Office Professional Plus package of desktop apps from 2021 (and it was pirated to begin w), where this option doesn't exist at all under "Options" in the menu.

STEP 1, RESOLVED: I had to run through the second option OP suggested

"In your app (for example, PowerPoint), go to File > Account > Account Privacy > Manage Settings.

- Under Connected experiences, clear the Turn on experiences that analyze your content checkbox.

- Select OK, and then close and restart the app."

- JUST FYI - this works only if you open each app separately and you're opening the app start window, and not an actual file, ie doc, ppt, etc. IF (for whatever the reason, I had an earlier pirated version that never would) you can only open docs and not the app start menu, you can still find these option via:

- Open Document -> File -> Account-> Follow Steps above

OR

- Open Document -> File -> Options -> Trust Center -> Trust Center Settings -> Privacy Options -> Privacy Settings -> Untick ALL "Connected Experiences" and "Optional Diagnostic Data" -> Click OK (all the way through the open windows) -> Back in the main File, Close down and Restart the File/App.

STEP 2

- On your Laptop/Desktop -

Click on the Windows/Start Icon -> Click on System Settings Icon (if it doesn't appear, look it up in the search) -> Apps -> Go through the list or search for Microsoft Copilot -> Click on the three dots on the right hand side -> Click Uninstall -> Run Uninstall

- NB - I first tried via "Control Panel" -> Programmes and Features, but for some reason Copilot didn't appear on the list, even tho other Microsoft Apps do, so I had to go through System Settings instead. Now the only thing which should be left is something called "Copilot Hardware Choice" which is about setting up smart keys and if you've never enabled or used it, you can leave it out.

- If you're really diligent and don't mind only saving stuff locally, or doing manual back-up, you can also go into your Firewall and independently block internet access for all and any MS Office Apps

- Restart your computer.

REMOVING FROM OFFICE 365 ONLINE

STEP 1

There is no way to do this in any MS Office Web app, Doc or File, or from the main Office 365 page, where all the apps are laid out together.

- You need to log into your MS Account at https://account.microsoft.com/

- Go to Service / Subscriptions -> There you will see that your account has been upgraded (mine was without asking from 5.99£ to 8.99£) to something called "Microsoft 365 Personal" -> On the right hand side click on "Manage" -> Hit Unsubscribe / Cancel Subscription -> In a new box, they'll ask whether you want to keep your "Personal Subscription" with AI powered tools, or revert to "Microsoft Personal Classic" with all your old features, except AI -> Select that option -> Now, under "Subscriptions" it should say "Switches to Microsoft 365 Personal Classic for (whatever the amount is in your country) on (whatever the date is for your next payment cycle).

- Mind you, Copilot will still be available in your docs and all MS Office apps online, UNTIL the current payment cycle is finished, and the subscription reverted.

STEP 2

- Go back into your MS Account main page -> Go to Privacy -> Apps and Services -> Review your app and service data -> Show all activities -> If Copilot appears anywhere, you can download all your data and then clear those activities -> You can also hit "Clear app and service performance data" if again Copilot appears

- Go back to Privacy -> Under App Access -> For me it is blank because I've never allowed them to gather my info, but if you have and Copilot appears here, you can restrict access and clear your data

- Privacy -> Copilot -> Delete all activity history

- Once this is done, as long as you don't open or use Copilot in your Apps/Docs online, by the end of the subscription when it will revert to "Classic", you should be fine and won't have to delete any data again.

Though I imagine the steps would be fairly similar for Apple/Google products, I am unfortunately not one and have not had to charge into this specific battle yet.

Nevertheless, I hope this helps people. If you happen to find any other useful tips and tricks, by all means pls share them here also. Good luck!

It is with the deepest frustrations that I must report Microsoft has pushed out Copilot onto Microsoft Word no matter what your previous settings were. If you have Office because you paid for it/are on a family plan/have a work/school account, you can disable it by going to Options -> click on Copilot -> uncheck 'Enable Copilot'.

(Note, you may not see this option if you haven't updated lately, but Copilot will still pop up. Updating should give you this option. I will kill Microsoft with my bare hands.)

In addition, Google has forced a roll-out of it's Gemini AI on all American accounts of users over 18 (these settings are turned off by default for EU, Japan, Switzerland, and UK, but it doesn't hurt to check).

To remove this garbage, you must go to Manage Workspace smart feature settings for all your Gmail/Drive/Chat and turn them off. Go to Settings -> See all settings -> find under "Genera" the "Google Workspace smart features" -> turn smart feature setting off for both Google Workspace and all other Google products and hit save. (If you turned off the smart settings in your Gmail, it never hurts to open Drive and double-check that they're set to off there too.)

Quick Edit: I found the easiest way to get to the Smart Feature settings following the instructions above was to do it through Drive. Try that route first.

Now is the time to consider switching to Libre Office if you haven't already.

[slacourses]

Is an Data Analytics Certification Course Worth It in 2025? Job Market Insights, Excel, VBA, SQL, MS Access, MS Power BI, Tableau. Alteryx, R Programming, "Business Analytics Certification Course in Delhi", 110004 -"Summer Offer 2025" Free Python Data Science Course" by SLA Consultants India,

A data analytics certification course in 2025 is unquestionably worth the investment for anyone looking to secure a stable, high-paying, and future-proof career. The job market for data analysts is thriving, with demand surging across industries such as finance, healthcare, retail, and technology. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job market for data analysts is projected to grow by 23% by 2032, reflecting the critical role these professionals play in helping organizations make data-driven decisions. Entry-level salaries have seen a significant jump, now averaging $90,000 in the U.S., while experienced analysts can command upwards of $111,000 annually—a clear indicator of the value employers place on analytical skills. Business Analyst Course in Delhi

Employers are actively seeking candidates who are proficient in a suite of essential tools, including Excel, VBA, SQL, MS Access, MS Power BI, Tableau, Alteryx, and R Programming. These skills are consistently highlighted in job postings, with Excel referenced in over 40% of listings, and data visualization tools like Tableau and Power BI also in high demand. The ability to bridge the gap between raw data and actionable business insights is especially prized, making analysts who combine technical expertise with business acumen highly sought after. The integration of AI and automation has not diminished the need for human analysts; instead, it has elevated their strategic importance, with 87% of analysts reporting they feel more valuable than ever before.

A Business Analytics Certification Course in Delhi, 110004 – Summer Offer 2025” with a Free Python Data Science Course by SLA Consultants India, are designed to equip learners with these in-demand skills. These programs offer hands-on training in both foundational and advanced analytics tools, including Python—a language that is increasingly required for automation, machine learning, and advanced analytics. The practical, project-based approach ensures that graduates are job-ready and able to tackle real-world business challenges from day one.

Business Analyst Training Course in Delhi

Beyond technical skills, a data analytics certification provides several additional benefits. It signals to employers your commitment to professional development and your readiness to adapt to new technologies. Many certification programs also offer placement support, helping graduates connect with top employers and secure roles in multinational companies or as freelancers for global clients. With the rise of remote work and the global nature of data-driven roles, certified analysts can access high-paying opportunities regardless of their location, further enhancing the value of these credentials.

Business Analyst Programme Modules Module 1 - Basic and Advanced Excel With Dashboard and Excel Analytics Module 2 - VBA / Macros - Automation Reporting, User Form and Dashboard Module 3 - SQL and MS Access - Data Manipulation, Queries, Scripts and Server Connection - MIS and Data Analytics Module 4 - Tableau | MS Power BI ▷ BI & Data Visualization Module 5 - Python | R Programing ▷ BI & Data Visualization Module 6 - Python Data Science and Machine Learning - 100% Free in Offer - by IIT/NIT Alumni Trainer

In summary, a data analytics certification course in 2025 is a smart investment for anyone seeking career growth, job security, and financial success. The combination of strong market demand, rising salaries, and the increasing strategic importance of data analysts makes this field one of the most promising career paths available today. By enrolling in a comprehensive program like the one offered by SLA Consultants India, you position yourself for long-term success in a rapidly evolving, data-driven world. For the more details Call: +91-8700575874 or Email: hr@slaconsultantsindia.com

[24worldnewsnet]

Plans for cuts to benefits which will impact more than three million households will be published today - as the government faces a battle to convince dozens of Labour MPs to back them.Liz Kendall, the welfare secretary, has set out proposals to cut £5bn from the welfare budget - which she has said is "unsustainable" and "trapping people in welfare dependency". Disabled people claiming PIP, the personal independence payment which helps people - some of them working - with the increased costs of daily living, face having their awards reviewed from the end of next year.An estimated 800,000 current and future PIP recipients will lose an average of £4,500 a year, according to a government assessment. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:40 Government's battle over welfare reforms The government also intends to freeze the health element of Universal Credit, claimed by more than two million people, at £97 a week during this parliament, and cut the rate to £50 for new claimants. Under pressure from Labour MPs concerned particularly that changes to PIP will drive families into poverty, Ms Kendall will announce new protections in the bill today.Sky News understands they include a 13-week transition period for those losing PIP; a higher rate of Universal Credit for people with the most serious conditions; and a commitment that disabled people who take a job will not immediately lose their benefits. More on Benefits Related Topics: Some 40 Labour MPs have signed a letter refusing to support the cuts; and dozens of others have concerns, including ministers. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:06 Benefits cuts explained Ms Kendall is determined to press ahead, and has said the number of new PIP claimants has doubled since 2019 - at 34,000, up from 15,000. Ministers say 90% of current claimants will not lose their benefits; and that many people will be better off - with the total welfare bill set to continue to rise over this parliament.To keep the benefit, claimants must score a minimum of four points out of eight on one of the daily living criteria.Ministers say claimants with the most serious conditions, who cannot work, will not face constant reassessments.A £1bn programme is proposed, intended to give disabled people who can work tailored support to find jobs.Some Labour MPs have angrily opposed the reforms - which will be voted on later this month.Last night in a parliamentary debate, Labour MP for Poole Neil Duncan-Jordan disputed the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) figures. Read More:Minister tells MPs controversial disability benefit reforms will go aheadBig benefits cuts are imminent - here's what to expectHe said: "We already know that PIP is an underclaimed benefit. The increase in claims is a symptom of declining public health and increased financial hardship disabled people are facing."We have the same proportion of people on working-age benefits as in 2015. This is not an economic necessity, it's a political choice." Image: Liz Kendall Rachael Maskell, Labour MP for York, called the proposals "devastating ". She said: "We must change direction and not proceed with these cuts."Disability groups say they fear an increase in suicides and mental health conditions.The government's own assessment fore

[drcalvin]

In 2020, the place I'm hopefully soon no longer working at upgraded from the propeietary MS-DOS type software that was the core of the business. It was run on virtual Windows XP machines that, unfortunately had to be accessed from internet connected machines for workability reasons. And yes there was a massive and expensive virus attack in 2019, that was only stopped by grace of an Old Computer Antivirus Expert and the op programmer of that software. Said programmer also passed away (not from covid) in early 2020, so the changeover was extremely urgent.

The kicker? The new software is considerably worse and only barely more stable than the old one. But at least it's easier to make it talk to other software and it runs on modern PCs

abandonware should be public domain. force companies to actively support and provide products if they don't wanna lose the rights to them

[beardedmrbean]

A gender critical charity is threatening further legal action against the Scottish Government, saying ministers are failing to implement the recent Supreme Court judgment on biological sex in equalities law.

Sex Matters, which intervened in the For Women Scotland case against the government, has sent ministers a formal “letter before action”.

In April, the Supreme Court said the words “woman” and “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex – a ruling which had implications for access to single-sex spaces.

Sex Matters argue the Scottish Government is failing to implement the ruling in the public sector, though ministers including John Swinney have said they accept the judgment and are waiting for further guidance from the Equalities and Human Rights Commission before taking the next steps.

The letter, seen by the PA news agency, says the government must implement the ruling “without delay”.

It also says the government’s guidance in a document called “Supporting transgender pupils in schools” is “wrong and must be withdrawn with immediate effect”.

The charity’s chief executive Maya Forstater spoke to the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland radio programme on Wednesday.

She said: “The Supreme Court has made the law absolutely clear: men are male and women are female and both have a right to dignity and privacy in things like toilets and changing rooms as well as specialist services like women’s refuges.

“The Scottish Government is dragging its feet, it hasn’t changed its policies.”

Ms Forstater said the Government had not implemented the ruling in schools or in its own facilities.

She said the Government has 14 days to reply to the letter, adding: “All we’re asking them to do is put a simple statement on their website which says that their facilities are separated by sex and they also provide unisex facilities so everyone’s included.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said:  “The Scottish Government has been clear that we accept the Supreme Court judgment. We are reviewing policies, guidance and legislation potentially impacted by the judgment.

“This will prepare us to take all necessary steps when the regulator of the Equality Act 2010, the Equality and Human Rights Commission, publishes its revised statutory code of practice and associated guidance for services, public functions and associations.

“The EHRC is currently consulting on this revised Code of Practice.

“The Scottish Government’s approach is aligned with that of the UK Government and Welsh Government in awaiting the EHRC’s revised statutory code of practice.

“We will respond to the letter in due course.”

[collegekeeda09]

What Makes the Management Quota Fees at MS Ramaiah Medical College Higher Than Ordinary Fees?

A well-known institution in India for MBBS programmes, MS Ramaiah Medical College is renowned for both its state-of-the-art facilities and academic prowess. However, a lot of parents and students frequently question why the management quota costs at MS Ramaiah Medical College are so much more than the standard merit-based rates. The purpose of this paper is to elucidate the causes of this disparity in fee structure.

Demand and Seat Limitations

The fierce competition for medical seats is one of the main causes of the increased management quota costs. Particularly at esteemed institutes like MS Ramaiah Medical College, there are many more applicants than places available. For students who might not be able to get a slot through the NEET merit rankings but still want to attend a reputable university, management quota seats provide an alternate route. The premium pricing is justified by the increasing demand.

Pathway for Reserved Admission

Private medical schools reserve a certain number of seats for management quotas in order to offer more accommodating admissions policies. The management quota gives colleges the freedom to fill government and merit seats whenever they see fit, depending on eligibility and capacity, although these seats are subject to stringent counselling and ranking procedures. Because students are not chosen purely on the basis of competitive ranking, this liberty allows universities to charge more tuition.

Funding and Institutional Autonomy

Tuition fees account for a large portion of the money generated by private medical schools like MS Ramaiah, which operate with little government support. Modern facilities, skilled faculty, improved medical equipment, and research and development are all made possible by the money raised by management quota admissions. This additional funding helps to maintain the standard of instruction and resources available to all students.

Extra Advantages and Resources

Students who are accepted under the management quota frequently have the same access to academic opportunities and resources as other students. But there is a price for the assurance and convenience of booking a seat this way. The ability to study in a reputable medical college without depending only on competitive exam performance is worth the additional fees.

The Regulatory Structure

Medical education authorities have some control over the management quota seat fee structure, although colleges are still free to set costs as long as they fall within an acceptable range. Tuition, development fees, lab fees, and other institutional expenses are frequently included in this range, and they all add to the larger total sum under the management quota.

In conclusion

Because of things like seat availability, institutional autonomy, extra facilities, and the convenience provided to students who might not be eligible through competitive exams, the MS Ramaiah Medical College management quota fees are, in short, greater than ordinary prices. Although it is more expensive, it offers worthy applicants who are dedicated to a medical profession but want flexibility in the admissions process a good choice.