FFG I did speak to addmisions officers All three said it was just measure iteligence.
Bis yakov maidel
You can pick up what you need to know in med school. You cite a few examples barely any of which are valid (Eg the average physician does not need to know how an MRI works nor does he/she)and Besides those can be taught in med school. It doesnt help the orthopedst much that he learnt young’s modulus at least 5 years prior to becoming an orthopedist. By the time it would become relevant it has long been forgotten. Ditto for your ophthalmologist example.
Even half of what you study the first year has zero real world application and will never be revisted by the average physician once step one is behind you.(think memorizing steps in Krebs cycle)
I happen to think those subjects are important in of themselves. But they have little to no application in the understanding or practice of real world medicine