Transcript PREPROFESSIONAL TRACKS

The Road to Medical School
Dr. David Frank
Chemistry Department
CSU Fresno
McLane 159 (278-2273; email is better)
[email protected]
The Path to Becoming a Physician
• Bachelor Degree
– Possibly Post-bac work to shore up soft GPA
• Medical School - 4 years
• Residency - Minimum of 3 years (1st year
often called internship)
• Optional: Fellowships for further
specialization
Have A Plan
Diploma
• Academics - Required Courses,
Bachelor’s Degree
• Extracurricular Activities
(including medical experience)
• MCAT
• Research
• Letters of Recommendation
• Finances for the Application
Process
www.csufresno.edu/premed
www.fresnostate.edu/premed
What Should I Major In?
1. Whatever interests you the most.
2. English, philosophy, history, and music majors have higher
acceptance rates than Chem or Bio majors (fewer apply), but
also may take longer to graduate to get all of the pre-reqs.
3. Advantages of Biology or Chemistry major
• Premed prereqs are part of the degree requirements
• Science (BCPM) GPA is buffered by taking more
science classes
• Better preparation for first year of med school
• Higher priority at getting into impacted first year Chem
1A/1B and Biol 1A/1B.
Undergraduate Academic Preparation
• 1 year of General Chemistry (1A and 1B), even if you
have AP credit. NOT 3A/3B
• 1 year of Organic Chemistry with lab 128 A
& 129A, then 128B and 129B)
• 1 year of General Biology with lab (Biol 1A and 1B),
even if you have AP credit. NOT Biol 10
• 1 year of physics with lab (Phys 2A/B; Does not have
to be physics for physics majors).
• Math 75 & 76, or Math 75 and Math 101 (Statistical
Methods; 4 units)
AP Credit
• In general we advise pre-med students to take
general chemistry and biology at Fresno State (not
a community college) even if they have AP credit
for these courses.
• However, you can check with the medical schools
in which you are interested to find out about their
policy on AP courses.
• The medical school might allow an upper division
course in the particular discipline to fulfill the
requirement.
– Hard to know early on which med schools you will
choose to apply to…
Academics - Courses Required by
Many Medical Schools
• 1 year of English (composition
stressed)
• 1 year of Math (calculus,
statistics, computer science)
• 1 semester of Biochemistry
Academics – Other Courses
• Physiology (Comparative or Human; can
help with the MCAT)
• Genetics (can help with the MCAT)
• Human Anatomy (just before entering; can
help with first year med school)
• Cell Biology & Molecular Biology (can help
with first year med school)
Academics – Other Courses
Because the the MCAT in 2015 will change, we strongly
advise students who may take this exam to take…
• One or two semesters in introductory psychology
-PSYCH 10. Introduction to Psychology (3 units)
-PSYCH 40T. Topics in Research Design and Statistics
• One or two semesters in introductory sociology
-SOC 1 or 1S. Principles of Sociology (3-3 units)
-SOC 3. Critical Thinking about Society (3 units)
• Introductory Biochemistry
Before applying, make sure that
you have fulfilled the course
requirements for the medical
schools to which you intend to
apply.
Academics Count
• Aim for a minimum 3.6 GPA, for BOTH
your overall GPA as well as your BCMP
(Biology, chemistry, math and physics)
GPAs.
• For allopathic medical schools, the GPA is
calculated based on all courses taken, even
those for which you applied for grade
substitution.
www.aamc.org/msar
Stanford =
Upper Division Biology
Statistics
Irvine =
Nationwide: 18,000 seats and 43,000 applicants: 42%
Western University of Health Sciences
College of Osteopathic Medicine of
the Pacific
Candidates for admission must have a
minimum science GPA of 3.30, a
minimum overall GPA of 3.30, and a
minimum average MCAT score of 27.
The “Old” MCAT (Before 2015)
• Three Multiple choice parts:
–
–
–
–
Verbal Comprehension
Physical Sciences
Biological Sciences
Writing Sample is gone in 2013
• Be sure that you have completed all the
coursework required
• Take practice exams. Scores on these
will determine whether you are ready to
take the real one. These are available for
only $35 each, after the first free one,
from AAMC.
The “New” MCAT (Begins 2015)
• Natural Sciences: concepts in biology,
general and organic chemistry, biochemistry,
and physics
• Psychological, Social and Biological
Foundations of Behavior: Concepts of
introductory psychology and sociology, and
introductory biology concepts that relate to
mental processes and behavior.
The “New” MCAT (Begins 2015)
• Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills: be able to
analyze, evaluate, and apply information provided
by passages from a wide range of social sciences
and humanities disciplines.
– Does not testing specific knowledge
– Does test analysis and reasoning skills you need
for medical school
– may prompt you to read broadly as you prepare
– Along with many others, passages about ethics
and philosophy, cross-cultural studies and
population health are included.
The “New” MCAT (Begins 2015)
https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/mcat2015/
MCAT Timing
• The best timing is to take the MCAT in the spring of
the calendar year prior to the year you plan to enter.
(For most this will be April of their junior year.)
However, do not take the MCAT before you are
ready.
• The MCAT is now offered on-line on 24 different
days during the year. The exam is now a half-day test;
on some days, both a morning and afternoon exam is
offered. There is a test site in Fresno. Register early to
be sure you get the date and site you want.
• Go to the AAMC website for information and
registration.
MCAT Preparation
• While taking chemistry, biology and physics, remember
you are preparing for the MCAT.
• Check the AAMC website and consult The Official Guide
to the MCAT Exam available from AAMC
• For MCAT2015, visit
https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/mcat2015/
• Remember to schedule in preparation time before taking
the MCAT. Consider the Kaplan prep course ($2000).
• Don’t ever take the MCAT for practice: it’s expensive
($230). Plan to take it only once.
MCAT Preparation
Change your high school study habits:
• Rote memorization doesn’t work so well for the MCAT.
• You need to develop conceptual thinking skills.
• Start making notes from your text as well as lectures.
• Organize the material by topic.
• Look for logical connections between all of the facts,
don't just memorize isolated facts.
• Read and review notes for understanding.
• This all takes TIME (2-3 hours of study for each hour
in class)
What Do I Do In The Summer?
• There are lots of summer opportunities for
students interested in being physicians.
Check the internet, the AAMC and the
aspiringdocs websites.
• Applications are due between January and
March and are extensive. Look into
programs early.
Extracurricular Activities
•
•
•
•
Medical Experience
Leadership
Volunteer Service
Research
Keep Good Notes
• Keep track of your extracurricular activities
and the hours you devote.
• You might want to keep a journal of clinical
experience to record your experiences and
maturation: its good material for that
personal statement.
Letters Of Reference
• Two science faculty, one non-science faculty, and
one or two others
• Remember while taking courses that you are going
to need letters of recommendation.
• Doing research with a professor helps him/her get
to know you and write a more credible letter.
• Have the letters on file the spring semester before
you apply (April/May of junior year).
Letters Of Reference
• Most med schools use the AMCAS letter
distribution service. They only accept letters from
AMCAS.
• You must provide each letter writer with your
AMCAS Letter ID found on your AMCAS Letter
Request Form, as well as your AAMC ID#.
Letters Of Reference
• Instruct the letter writer to either send your letter to
AMCAS directly, or to Ms. Hall in the Information
Center (S1-136). In either case, the letter must be
accompanied with your AMCAS Letter Request Form,
as well as your AAMC ID#.
• We shall send your letters to AMCAS on your
instruction. If all are being sent to the same schools,
they can be sent as a packet with the same Letter ID #.
• Advantages of our service: we keep copies of your
letters which may be needed for scholarship
applications, for non-AMCAS schools, and for
AACOM applications.
The Application Process
• Primary Application - takes
time!
– transcripts from all
college-level schools
– personal statement
– record of extracurricular
activities
– names of letter of
recommendation writers
for those medical schools
that use the AMCAS
service for collecting
letters of recommendation
• Secondary Applications
– more essays
– request letters of
recommendation be sent
to AMCAS, the MD
application service*.
(Letters to AMCAS can
be sent after the primary
application is
submitted.)
*unless school is not
using the AMCAS letter
distribution service.
Institution 1
Secondary Application
What is your interest in XYZ School of Medicine?
Insitution 2
Describe your motivation to become a physician.
What do you see as the most significant issue the medical
profession will face in the next 40 years?
What personal benefits have you gained from your major
extracurricular activity?
What personal benefits have you gained from your
research/teaching experience?
Given the opportunity to share dinner conversation with one
person (deceased or alive) who has made a significant contribution
to science, medicine or human service, identify the individual you
would select and why?
Institution 3
•Please explain your reasons for applying to XYZ School of
Medicine. We understand that you are probably applying to several
medical schools. We are interested in why you have placed XYZ
School of Medicine on your list of schools. (max character limit
1500)
•Please describe any unique characteristics you have that will
contribute to the diversity and bring educational benefits to the
entering class. (max character limit 1500)
•If you are not in a degree-seeking program, please indicate what
you will be doing from the time you complete this application to
the start of medical school.
The Interview
• Choose medical schools carefully. Know
what they offer and what you offer them.
Review your application and their catalog.
Talk to medical students. Find out about
hospital affiliations, curriculum, student
support.
• If possible, engage in a mock interview.
The Interview
• Your experience in medicine. You need to explain
your experiences that have helped you to
understand the reality of a medical career.
• You have the longevity, discipline, motivation,
and resiliency to succeed in medical school. How
can you convey the evidence of these traits?
• You have thought about, and to some degree
understand, the current and future state of
medicine.
• How can you convey to the interviewer that you
are “one of them.”
Planning for Necessary Expenses
• All professions have application expenses.
• Med school: ~$4000 to $8000 (+)
– MCAT review class: $2000
– # schools you apply to & where you interview.
– AMCAS Application: $160 first school, $32 each
additional school (UC Berkeley avg: 20 – 25 schools)
– Secondary applications: $70 to $100 each in CA
• AMCAS has a Fee Assistance Program.
• Don’t short-change yourself on the application
process.
Item
Cost
MCAT Test
$230
MCAT Preparation
$2,000
Initial AMCAS
Application
Each additional school
(24 is average) @ $32
$160
Secondary Application
(20 @ $100)
$2000
Travel Costs to
Interviews
Total
$3000
$768
$8158
Stanford 463
interviewed, 86
accepted. Rush:
399/130
(19% – 33%)
Resources: Getting Started
• Premedical Web Site
• Advising
• Informational Sessions, Conferences on and
off campus (i.e., UC Davis conference)
• HCOP (Health Careers Opportunity Program,
targets students from educationally or
economically disadvantaged backgrounds.)
• AEW (Academic Excellence Workshops,
NSCI 40T, LSAMP program)
More Resources
• Student Clubs: Fresno State Premed Club (only premeds),
AMSA Chapter (anyone interested in a health profession),
Tri Beta Biology Club
• Natural Science class: The Art and Practice of Medicine
(NSCI 1; spring class)
• Academic Research Associate Program at Community
Regional Trauma and Burn Center headed by Dr. Greg
Hendey and administered by Brandy Snowden. (NSCI 110)
• Research Opportunities-during the year and in the summer
• Conferences Given by Medical Schools for Premed Students
Yet More Resources
• Scribe Program at St. Agnes Hospital headed by
Dr. David Claypool
• Other scribe programs via CEP America at
Community, Clovis, and Madera.
• Workshops on Personal Statement Writing and
the Application Process
• Service to Collect and Send Out Letters of
Reference. (You must open a file with me and
sign a form to either waive or not waive your
right to see your letters of reference.)
Plan B
Postbaccalaureate Programs: academic
record-enhancement, career changing,
underrepresented groups, economically or
educationally disadvantaged groups..
• CSU Fullerton
• CSU East Bay
• Charles Drew University
• Mills College
• San Diego State University
• San Francisco State University
• Scripps College
• UC Berkeley Extension
• University of Southern California
UC Postbaccalaureate
Consortium
http://meded-postbac.ucsd.edu/
Helps educationally and
economically disadvantaged
students get into medical school.
Must be committed to practicing
in underserved communities of
California.
Post-bac nationwide:
http://services.aamc.org/postbac/
Plan B
Caribbean Medical Schools
There are three medical schools in the Caribbean that stand out:
St. George’s University in Grenada, West Indies, Ross
University in the Commonwealth of Dominica, and American
University of Antigua. Students admitted to St. George’s have
an average GPA of 3.34, and an average MCAT of 28. At Ross,
the average GPA is 3.4, with a range of 2.7 - 4, but for early
admission they require at least an overall GPA of 3.0 and a
science GPA (BCPM) of 3.25, with an MCAT score of at least
24.
Also: UAG School of Medicine in Guadalajara, Mexico
Plan B
Options
1. Medical Doctor
6. Optometrist
2. Podiatrist
7. Physician Assistant
3. Dentist
8. Nurse
4. Pharmacist
9. Ph.D.
5. Veterinarian
10. Clinical Lab
Technician
Excellent Books
• Medical School Admission Requirements
• The Official Guide to the MCAT Exam
• Complications: A Surgeon’s Notes on an
Imperfect Science by Atul Gawande, M.D.
• Better: A Surgeon’s Notes on Performance by
Atul Gawande, M.D.
• The Checklist Manifesto, by Atul Gawande, M.D.
• Advising Information:
www.csufresno.edu/premed
www.aspiringdocs.org
Useful Web Sites
• General Information:
 www.aamc.org/meded/start.htm
 www.aacom.org
 www.amsa.org
• Interviews:
 www.studentdoctor.net/interview/index.asp
• Scholarships:
 www.fastweb.monster.com
• Summer Opportunities:
 www.cmu.edu/hpp/intern.html
 www.swarthmore.edu/Admin/health_sciences/
summer_opportunities.html
 www.aamc.org/members/great/summerlinks.htm