THE MAGAZINE FOR PRE-MEDICAL STUDENTS
JULY/AUGUST 2014
the best
MEDICAL SCHOOLS for the Entrepreneurial Student
+
5 Tips to Prepare Your Finances Before Going to Medical School How to get your personal finances in order
PreMed Lessons From the World Cup A look at unusual similarities between
the World Cup and being a premed student
What Every Premed Should Know Before Going to Med School 8 pieces of information every premed
should know before heading to med school
before you step foot into medical school
Med School to Launch MD/MBA Program p. 12 | Every UC Irvine Med Student Gets GoogleMagazine Glass p.14|1 July/August 2014 | PreMedLife
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contents| | | | |
premedlife | july/august 2014 “There is no shortage of highly-successful health care startups led and championed by MDs” p.18
Tips to Prepare Your Finances Before Entering Medical School
p.27
p.18 COVER STORY BEST MEDICAL SCHOOLS FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL STUDENTS When medical schools partner with business schools offering top notch entrepreneurial components, doctors-in-training get a unique opportunity to combine their medical training with business world expertise and leadership. Among the schools listed, are those which not only offer students the chance to receive their medical degree, but also pursue a business degree, namely one concentrated in entrepreneurial studies.
TO PREPARE YOUR FINANCES 27 TIPS BEFORE MEDICAL SCHOOL
...because the cost of medical school is enough to put you in debt for a while
DICHOTOMOUS CONCEPT OF 30 THE HEALTH FOR A PREMED STUDENT
One student’s personal view on the relationship between health and being a premed student
July/August 2014 | PreMedLife Magazine |3
contents/departments p.28
IN THIS ISSUE 4 THINGS THE WORLD CUP CAN TEACH US ABOUT BEING PREMED |16
A few unusal similarities between one of the most popular events this year and being a pre-medical student
8 PIECES OF INFORMATION EVERY PREMED STUDENT SHOULD KNOW |28
No matter what stage of the pre-medical journey, here are a few things to keep in mind along the way
HOW TO SAVE TIME ON THE MCAT |32
A look at a few math shortcuts to save time while completing the MCAT
DEPARTMENTS NEWSBITES | 10
Relevant news and information for students applying to medical school and pursuing medicine. In this issue: xx
p.32
THE GOODS | 36
Gadgets, gizmos, and other unique things to keep you entertained. Check out our picks for this issue including the Anywhere Travel Guide and the book Science Ink.
THE GOODS Anywhere Travel Guide
p.36
4 | PreMedLife Magazine | July/August 2014
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TIME TO RECHARGE So, what have you been doing this summer? For most of pre-
meds, summer is a time is the time for summer courses, research programs, MCAT prep, more pre-med stuff, volunteering, and more pre-med stuff. Not that there’s anything wrong with being motivated and dedicated to your goal of becoming a doctor, the summer season should also be a time for you to take some time to yourself - life still happens in the summer and as crazy as it may sound to all of you hard-working pre-meds, even if it’s just for a week or two - take time to recharge. While you may feel that a week or two can make a difference, the benefits you will gain from stepping back from your pre-medical world will ultimately bring you closer to reaching your goals. What can you do in a week? Spend some quality time with your family (I know this sounds so cliche). Hang out with friends you haven’t seen since high school. Sign up for a fun class or quirky event on Livingsocial.com! This summer, PreMedLife is letting you know that it’s okay to take time for yourself and is officially giving you the thumbs up on this move. Pick a week, mark it off on your calendar and draw a big ol’ circle around Day 1. Get some of your other premed buddies in on doing the same thing and make it a time to do something that may not be the typical pre-med thing to do, but will give you the edge to get the job done! Be ready because this will be the break that you become a stronger and more capable medical school applicant. Be sure to email me at tprince@premedlife.com and let me know how your summer went! Enjoy your summer!
Sheema
Sheema Prince Publisher tprince@premedlife.com
PREMEDLIFE the lifestyle magazine for premedical students www.premedlife.com
Founder & Publisher | Sheema Prince Executive Director| Jonathan Pearson Executive Vice President | Monique Terc Contributing Editor | Njeri McKenzie Online Marketing Consultant | Portia Chu Contributing Writers Marilyn Chau, Leah Fisch, Allison Gray, MD, Ryan Gray, MD, Kesha Shah Find us on Twitter @premedlife Find us on Facebook.com/premedlife Here’s How to Reach Us: Kisho Media, LLC P.O. Box 7049 New York, NY 10116 Main Office (347) 857-7491 Have a Story Idea? Email us at editor@premedlife.com Want to Subscribe? Visit www.premedlife.com and sign-up to our mailing list to receive an email when the latest issue is available online Want to Join Forces? (a.k.a. Partner With Us) Email us at info@premedlife.com Advertising Inquiries? Email advertise@premedlife.com PreMedLife magazine is published six times per year by Kisho Media, LLC. and copies are provided to select colleges and universities free of charge. The information in PreMedLife magazine is believed to be accurate, but in some instances, may represent opinion or judgement. Consult your premedical/pre-health advisor with any questions you may have about the medical school admissions process and related topics. Unless otherwise noted, all articles, photographs, artwork, and images may not be duplicated or reprinted without express written permission from Kisho Media, LLC. PreMedLife magazine and Kisho Media, LLC. are not liable for typographical or production errors or the accuracy of information provided by advertisers. PreMedLife magazine reserves the right to refuse any advertising. All inquires may be sent to: Kisho Media, LLC. P.O. Box 7049 New York, NY 10116 To reach us by phone call (347) 857-7491 or email us at info@premedlife.com.
6 | PreMedLife Magazine | July/August 2014
DIGITAL What Makes Standout Medical School Applicants
Medicine is an ever-increasing field, and more and more mysteries are being explored and solved by incredible minds around the world.
What’s on Premedlife.com? Mercy: My Experience as a Hospital Volunteer
“Recently I started a volunteer shift at my local hospital, working in the ER department.
Pre-Med Summer Reading List
Regardless of what you are studying, there are a few books that can be useful for just about any pre-med and may help along the way.
Pre-Med Life, or In Other Words, I Wish I Had More Sleep In My Life Sleep is just one of those things that you start to appreciate more, yet have less of every day as pre-med students, or just as students in general.
5 Things Every Premed Should Know Before Studying Abroad
Regardless of your major, living and studying internationally can be valuable to any student, and for premeds studying abroad, the experience can be one of the best things you could ever do during college
Call for Pitches
Jobs & Internships
We are officially opening up the submission process for upcoming issues of the magazine and our website. If you have an idea (or an essay that you think might work for the magazine or website, contact us via email (info@premedlife.com), pitch something on our Guest Post page. If it’s something we can use, we’ll be in touch in the very near future - and you could see your piece published!
Check out www.premedlife.com/opportunities.html to view the latest jobs and internship opportunities in your area. Here are a few of our current listings:
8 | PreMedLife Magazine | July/August 2014
PhysAssist Scribes Medical Scribe - Fort Worth, TX or Nationwide PhysAssist Scribes, Inc. is looking for scribes to accompany physicians.
THELATEST
Students who attend the University of California Irvine School of Medicine may be the first to have an opportunity to use Google Glass technology during schooling. {PAGE 14}
Recent news & information relevant to students applying to medical school
flickr/ Ken Teegardin
Pricey Medical School Provides Financial Planner For Students
Although its been around since 2012, Oregon Health & Science University’s student debt counseling and financial management program is getting a lot of attention. As one of only two medical schools in the U.S. to offer such a service, OHSU’s program is designed to be an educational and counseling resource for the students of OHSU to help students better understand the fiscal challenges while pursuing their medical degree. The program’s manager, Justin Kribs, is charged with a number of tasks, including but not limited to meeting with students in a group setting or on a one-on-one basis to cover various issues like loan repayment options, for-
bearance strategies, setting up budgets, credit card counseling, and more. For MDs in particular, Mr. Kribs job becomes quite important as students reach the point when they need to start paying down their medical school debt, while at the same time trying to buy a home, start a family, and/or save for retirement. “In my opinion, it’s a whole population that’s been ignored from a financial planning perspective,” Mr. Kribs noted. The school’s website notes that almost every student who attends OHSU does so with the help of financial assistance of some kind and generally students fund their degree by borrowing from the Federal Government or from
10 | PreMedLife Magazine | July/August 2014
a private financial institution such as a bank. According to an article published on Oregonlive.com, last year, the average MD-degree holder left OHSU with $198,700 of debt, up from $173,000 in 2009-10. Furthermore, the average dental student left with $230,245, up from $176,200 in 2009-10. “He’s the first person we’ve hired. He’s not going to be the last person, the way things are going,” noted David Robinson, OHSU executive vice provost. “We already have 2,800 students here. Ideally we’d like to touch every one of those students in some personal manner. Obviously one person can’t do that.” ¡
CONTINUING AND DISTANCE EDUCATION
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Your First Steps to your Dream Medical Career. Let us help you reach your goal. - Our main campus features UVM’s top-ranked Medical School - Level-I Trauma center at the Fletcher Allen Healthcare Facility - 90% acceptance rate
Med School Fails To Block Student From Graduating Wikipedia/ GoddardRocket
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THELATEST
Schools Team Up to Launch MD/MBA Program for Med Students The College of William & Mary and Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) have partnered to create a dual degree MD/MBA program, according to a press release announcing the new collaboration. The new MD/MBA program will give students the opportunity to finish the first three years of EVMS’ medical school curriculum before spending one year at William & Mary’s Mason School of Business to complete a 48-credit-hour MBA curriculum. Then students will return to EVMS for the final year of medical school.
“The new dual-degree program provides medical students at EVMS an important opportunity to broaden their understanding of the complex healthcare environment they are entering and to expand their skill set beyond the clinical domain,” said C. Donal Combs, vice president of EVMS and dean of the EVMS School of Health Professions. “Both of these factors should make them more competitive, both in terms of their applications to residencies and their ultimate recruitment into practice settings.” ¡
12 | PreMedLife Magazine | July/August 2014
A federal judge has ordered that Case Western Reserve University award one of its students a medical degree despite the school’s claim that the student was “unprofessional.” The student, who had successfully completed all MD requirements and was accepted into a dermatology residency program in Columbus, was informed just weeks before graduation by CWRU that he was being expelled. The reason - the university learned that the student had been convicted of a misdemeanor DUI and in turn took action. “The School of Medicine places a great deal of emphasis on a student’s attitude and behavior, including the student’s ability to act as a caregiver, a student’s ability to take responsibility for his actions and mistakes, and a student’s ability to act cooperatively as a member of the health care team.” the school wrote in a court document. “The School of Medicine recognizes that the adequately protect the health of a patient, a physician must be much more than a person with knowledge of the basic medical science.” However, despite it’s decision to take action, CWRU recommended the student for a residency and sent him a letter stating that he would graduate with distinction for his research skills. According to the press release announcing the courts decision, the student “enrolled at CWRU in 2009 after graduating from the University of Michigan-Flint with a 4.0 gpa and a triple major,” according to court documents. “Ultimately, CWRU denied [the student] a diploma because it believed he should have reported an out-of-state arrest and prosecution for driving while impaired that had not yet concluded and despite provisions in the handbook that did not require an arrest to be reported,” the judge wrote. ¡
THELATEST
$3.3 Million Awarded To Residents Who Work In Underserved Areas
wikipedia/ Royalbroil
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced that over the next three years it plans to award $3.3 million in grants have been awarded to provide more physicians to rural and underserved areas of the state.
For medical students in Wisconsin, the incentive to practice in the state’s rural and underserved areas of Wisconsin, the state's Department of Health Services will award more than $3.3 million in grants to six health organizations to establish new Graduate Medical Education programs over the next three years. "This is a win-win for future physicians and the patients they will serve via this di-
verse group of health care providers," Secretary Kitty Rhoades said. "Clinical training in underserved areas significantly increases the likelihood that resident physicians will remain to continue their practices, which in turn will increase access to quality health care." According to the press release announcing the award, the new resident physicians will provide health care services to Wiscon-
sin citizens at hospitals and clinics in rural and underserved areas in over 20 counties that have agreed to serve as clinical training sites. The initiative will create 51 new training positions for medical residents and will target five specialties: family medicine, general internal medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, and psychiatry. ÂĄ
July/August 2014 | PreMedLife Magazine |13
THELATEST
UC School of Medicine First To Integrate Google Glass Into Curriculum Students who attend the University of California Irvine School of Medicine may be the first to have an opportunity to use Google Glass technology during schooling, according to a press release issued by the school. For the pilot program, the school will use a product called Pristine EyeSight, which is the “only HIPAA compliant video-based communication platform optimized for Google Glass in healthcare environments.” The school’s leadership believe that the wearable computing technology will provide many benefits including, but not limited to its ability to display information like a smartphone; its ability to help students communicate with the internet using voice commands; and most importantly, its ability to broadcast and record patient care in a secure manner. As the academic year begins for thirdand fourth-year students, 10 pairs of Google
Glass will be distributed. The initial plan is to have students utilize the glasses in the OR and ER department. In August, an additional 20 to 30 pairs will be distributed to first- and second-year students. “I believe digital technology will let us bring a more impactful and relevant clinical learning experience to our students,” said Dr. Ralph V. Clayman, dean of medicine. “Our use of Google Glass is in keeping with our pioneering efforts to enhance student education with digital technologies - such as our iPad-based iMedEd Initiative, point-of-care ultrasound training and medical simulation. Enabling our students to become adept at a variety of digital technologies fits perfectly into the ongoing evolution of healthcare into a more personalized, participatory, homebased and digitally driven endeavor.” ¡
14 | PreMedLife Magazine | July/August 2014
Buck Ennis
Steve Zylius/UC Irvine
Montefiore To Help Stabilize Struggling NY Med School
The Montefiore Health System and Yeshiva University will begin a joint venture to run the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. According to the press release announcing the move, “by taking operational control of Einstein, Montefiore will help stabilize the medical school’s troubled finances.” Under the new agreement, it is expected that there will be a single unified faculty which will allow for academic appointments from Yeshiva to be maintained while being employed by Montefiore, as they continue to tech and mentor the medical school’s students and Montefiore’s residents. “We are undertaking this historic process of transforming our relationship with Montefiore and Einstein to match the extraordinary opportunities and challenges in the healthcare environment of the 21st century,” said Richard M. Joel, president, Yeshiva University. “We are delighted to emphasize our shared commitment to assuring the continuity and growth of the educational and research functions of Einstein while remaining a leader in medical education. At the same time, we are taking a powerful and important step towards building a financially sustainable Yeshiva University.” ¡
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GETTING IN >>>
The unusual similarities between the World Cup and being pre-med.
by Marilyn Chau If
you haven’t already noticed,
2014 is a golden year for any soccer-loving fans, and this year’s World Cup has definitely not left any disappointed. Surprise early exits for top-ranked teams, thriller last second goals, and certain underdogs doing surprisingly well have made for anything but a boring
2014 FIFA World Cup. For-
tunately, for all aspiring premeds out there, the tournament in
Brazil
also
holds some great some valuable pre-
med lessons to be learned as well—a fact that should lesson the guilt of
MCAT sessions to watch the matches. anyone skipping a few
review
1.
HOW YOU FINISH MAY BE MOST IMPORTANT For Americans and Portuguese alike, the June 22nd match was one of nail-biting agony. For the Portuguese, it was a match that ended in a glorious goal and extreme relief, thanks to a last-seconds goal assisted by the much-loved
(and much-hated) Christiano Ronaldo. However, “CR7’s” performance up until that point in the match had been arguably less than stellar. It wasn’t that he wasn’t playing well; he just wasn’t playing as stellar as anticipated. The last few seconds of the game changed that though, with a beautiful assist that prevented Portugal from being eliminated from the tournament. For premeds, it’s important to realize that an “average” performance during the start of your time at college can sometimes be salvaged by a strong finish. A high MCAT and strong upperclassman science course grades can help to land you an interview spot.
2.
KNOW WHEN TO TAKE AN “INJURY” BREAK Franck Ribery, Kevin Strootman, and Marco Reus are just among a few of the key players who won’t be seen on the pitch in Brazil due to injuries, and they undoubtedly feel that their injuries came with extremely unfortunate timing. However, they also know that choosing to attempt to play while injured could just ruin their chances of playing forever. Premeds can take a hint from these guys and realize that sometimes taking a break can be in their best interest also. Plan wisely and be alright with taking a gap year to study for (and dominate) the MCAT or to get your energy back before diving into medical school if necessary.
16 | PreMedLife Magazine | July/August 2014
3.
Buck Ennis
4 THINGS THE WORLD CUP CAN TEACH US ABOUT BEING PRE-MED
MORE SHOTS MEAN MORE CHANCES A simple but practical truth, anyone watching the World Cup knows that more shots on goal typically correlates with more goals being scored. When it comes to medical school applications, this truth should definitely be recognized. Even though you really only need to be accepted by one school in order to one day get your MD, applying to more schools increases your chances of getting that one acceptance letter.
4.
RANK OF YOUR “TEAM” MATTERS VERY LITTLE As evidenced by the early exit of a top-ranked team like Spain, the rank of your “team” (ie university) can’t be relied on in order to ensure your entrance into medical school. The other side of this is also true; just because you come from a little-known college doesn’t mean that you can’t get into a great medical school. Individual academic performance (and a high MCAT score) is significantly more important than attendance at an Ivy League school when it comes to clinching an acceptance letter.
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cover story
MD + MBA: The Best Medical Schools for Entrepreneurial Students
W
Today, an increasing number of medical students are bulking up their medical education by pursuing a business degree as they follow their passion and nurture the entrepreneur spirit within.
hile you may think that everything that makes a student special enough to gain acceptance into medical school would also be enough to launch a successful start up, there are a growing number of opportunities designed to support the entrepreneurial ambitions of medical students. Truthfully, the MD degree combined with an MBA degree is one of the most versatile credentials in the world of higher education. Over the last 20 years, the number of MD/MBA programs has increased fivefold. There is no shortage of highly-successful health care startups led and championed by MDs. And while there are physician entrepreneurs who do not complete MBA programs, there is no shortage of highly-successful healthcare startups led and championed by MDs. Naturally, students who are pursuing careers in medicine want to help people, make a difference in the lives of their patients or in the world of research. Some of these students follow their passion to do good for others through their commitment to their patients or their research efforts. Others see things a little differently and at some point are driven to “start something.” The number of medical students turning to dual-degree MD/MBA programs to prepare them for taking on entrepreneurial roles continues to rise and the interest for programs that offer students the opportunity to pursue the business side of things is steadily growing. Whether it’s to get a better grasp around the business side of medicine or to prepare for developing their own venture, students can now choose from several MD/MBA programs across the US, according to the Association of MD/MBA Programs. What’s more, MD/MBA graduates reported mostly positive attitudes towards their training and often noted the benefits of career acceleration, and professional flexibility, according to a recent study led by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. “Our findings may have significant implications for current and future physician-managers as the landscape of health care reform will likely require leaders to have a better balance between clinical care and business savvy. Graduates with MD and MBA training could potentially fill this browning need within the sector.” The following is a list of MD/MBA programs - but not just any programs. Among the schools listed, you’ll find those which not only offer a medical degree but have joined forces with some of the most notable and distinguished entrepreneurial programs in the country. From recognized entrepreneurial cents and special conferences to curriculum specializations in entrepreneurship and business plan competitions, the following schools make our list of the top schools to consider if you’re a pre-med thinking about becoming a physician entrepreneur. >>>
18 | PreMedLife Magazine | July/August 2014
Erik Reis/123RF Stock Photo
July/August 2014 | PreMedLife Magazine |19 flickr/401 (K) 2013
BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
Jones Graduate School of Management
Boston University School of Management
This 5-year program is designed for students who are specifically interested in the business aspects of medicine. According to the school’s website, recipients of this degree generally intend to practice medicine, but have long-term entrepreneurial or management interest that they want to pursue simultaneously with, or subsequent to, their clinical careers. The school has an Entrepreneurship concentration which promotes the effective use of knowledge and skills gained from an MBA in creating value in an entrepreneurial venture.
DUKE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE Fuqua School of Business Created in 1999, Fuqua’s Health Sector Management
(HSM) Program was created and now ranks among the top health industry business school concentrations in the world. In addition to HSM, students have the option to complete the Entrepreneurship & Innovation concentration which involves a broad set of electives and includes one course that provides hands-on experience.
HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL
develop their own approaches, guidelines, and skills for being entrepreneurial managers.” Then in the fifth year, students can choose from elective curriculum courses including but not limited to: Entrepreneurship and Global Capitalism, Entrepreneurial Leadership in Creative Industries, and Entrepreneurship and Technology Innovation Education.
This 5-year program is an immersive program where students enrolled in the program spend the first three years at NYU School of Medicine. The summer of the third year through the spring semester of the fourth year, students spend their time at NYU Stern to pursue MBA coursework. Then students return to the medical school for the summer and fall of their fifth year, followed by a final semester at NYU Stern in the spring of the fifth year. Students who pursue the MD/MBA degree take 9 less credits than if they were to complete the stand-alone MBA. In addition, students can take advantage of the credit-sharing benefits of the program which allows them to receive credit for certain aspects of the medical school curriculum. Another nice benefit for those applying to the MD/MBA program is that the GMAT or GRE, which are normally required for the MBA program, is waived and applicants need only complete the MCAT to be
Harvard Business School
The Harvard Medical School and Harvard Business School established this 5-year program in 2005. It is designed to educate prospective leaders of a wide range of health care organizations, such as those that finance and deliver health services as well as those that develop and market pharmaceutical, medical devices, and other healthrelated products. Specifically, the program requires a course called “The Entrepreneurial Manager” which “addresses the issues faced by managers who wish to turn opportunity into viable organizations that create value, and empowers students to
20 | PreMedLife Magazine | July/August 2014
Wikipedia/ Melinda (Meyer) Moses
BOSTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
Stern School of Business
Photo courtesy of NYU
This 5-year program offers entrepreneurship courses for student who have the desire to have the option of becoming an entrepreneur by either starting a new venture or purchasing an existing business. Specific courses consider entrepreneurial opportunities in biotechnology and life sciences. Students have the option to take courses in managing growth, developing a business plan, and venture capital. Students spend the first two years taking courses at the medical school with the third and fourth year split between the medical school and the business school. The fifth year is spent taking final courses at the medical school.
considered for the program. All MBA electives and specializations, including Entrepreneurship and Innovation which offers courses like Business Start-Up Practicum, Entrepreneurial Finance, Marketing for Entrepreneurs, and New Venture Financing, are available to MD/MBA students.
Photo courtesy of University of California Irvine
UNIVERSITY OF BUFFALO SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES University of Buffalo School of Management
This five-year program leads to both an MD and an MBA degree. In addition to the 27 hours of core courses, students in the program complete 18 hours of MBA electives. The school offers an array of opportunities for entrepreneurs through innovative programming and strategic partnerships including the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, the Allstate Minority and Women Emerging Entrepreneurs program, and the Henry A. Panasci Jr. Technology Entrepreneurship Competition.
PENN STATE COLLEGE OF MEDICINE Smeal College of Business
In December 2013, the Smeal College of Business and the Penn State College of Medicine admitted its first student to the newly developed MD/MBA program. For the program, students spend the first three years at the College of Medicine to complete the standard medical school curriculum. Then during the fourth year, students move to the Smeal MBA Program to participate in the standard first-year MBA curriculum. The fifth year consists of a mix of both business and medicine. Aside from the standard MBA curriculum, the school has an open-enrollment program
called Launch Pad: Mastering the Essentials of Business Start Up, which is designed for individuals with the desire to start their own business or those who wish to be in a position to advise others. The Launch Pad is a two-day program, taught by faculty leaders who are experienced, accomplished entrepreneurs in their own right.
TUFTS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE Northeastern University College of Business Administration and Heller Graduate School at Brandeis University The Tufts MD/MBA program is one of the oldest and largest MD/MBA programs in the country with the program’s inception in 1994. Unlike most dual degree programs, this program is integrated to make
sure you finish both degrees in 4 years. Students do however occasionally take a fifth year to do research in business or management if they so chose. When it comes to entrepreneurial opportunities, the third year of the program entails students taking a Entrepreneurship Boot Camp course which is designed to provide an intellectual and practical framework for combined degree MD/MBA students interested in exercising their entrepreneurial energy to solve problems in healthcare and will explore the process of launching a new venture, particularly in the healthcare sector. The MD/MBA program also organizes weekend get together such as the Tufts 3-Day Startup MedSTART events.
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE The Paul Merage School of Business
Students in the program complete a five-year combined curriculum leading to an MD from the UC Irvine School of Medicine and an MBA from the UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business. Healthcare-related courses previously offered at the business school included: Healthcare Entrepreneurship: From Physician to CEO which is a course structured to build business development skills to create and manage a medical practice or a science-based enterprise and Development of New Ventures in Healthcare Services which is designed to introduce students to the process of developing a medical services company. The business school is also home to the Don Beall Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship which serves as the hub of thought leadership in the important science of innovation management.
July/August 2014 | PreMedLife Magazine |21
UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO PRITZKER SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
Wikipedia/ Nikkul
University of Chicago Booth School of Business
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES SCHOOL OF MEDICINE Anderson School of Management
The MBA/MD program allows current UCLA/UCR/ Drew MD students to participate in a combined 5‐year program. Students successfully completing the program will be awarded both the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and the MD degree. The core goal of the combined MBA/MD Program is to create educational opportunities for students to become effective “bilingual” leaders in both clinical and business environments. Students in the program have the opportunity to choose from several advanced electives that focus on entrepreneurial or emerging ventures. These
courses include venture initiation, small business management, financing emerging enterprises, and business plan writing. In addition, the school has an entire center dedicated to entrepreneurial studies; one that is a recognized leader in
22 | PreMedLife Magazine | July/August 2014
Students complete the first two years of medical school before taking a yearlong leave of absence to pursue full-time course- work at Chicago Booth. Following the year of full-time MBA work, students return to the medical school for their clinical clerkship year. During their fourth and final year of the MD degree, students take electives at both the Pritzker School of Medicine and Chicago Booth. Among the 14 concentrations offered by Chicago Booth is Entrepreneurship which offers a curriculum designed to integrate all business areas including marketing, finance, operations, and strategy. From New Venture Strategy to Commercialization Innovation, students will have the option to take courses that
address their individual interests. Chicago Booth’s entrepreneurship curriculum integrates all business areas including marketing, finance, operations, and strategy, and takes students beyond the classroom, allowing them to test themselves in realworld settings. Students have the option of taking courses that address individual career choices. Sample courses include: New Venture Strategy, Commercializing Innovation, and Entrepreneurial Finance and Private Equity.
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT SCHOOL OF MEDICINE University of Connecticut School of Business
The Doctor of Medicine program is offered at the University of Connecticut Health Center. Usually, students complete the first two years of study in the School of Medicine, enroll in the full time MBA program for the third year, and then return to the Health Center to take electives in both the School of Medicine and the MBA program. MD/MBA students are required to complete 42
Wikipedia / Ragesoss
entrepreneurial education and research, oversees all teaching, research, extracurricular, and community activities related to entrepreneurship at the Anderson School of Management.
Photo courtesy of University of Arizonaa College of Medicine
credits in the MBA program. As a full-time participant in the MBA program, students have access to UConn’s Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation which offers many programs including, Business Plan Competition, Startup Weekend Storrs, seminars, and mentoring services.
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA COLLEGE OF MEDICINE Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona
Photo courtesy of University of Creighton University School of Medicine
The Eller College is home to the McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship, a recognized leader in entrepreneurship education designed to give students the tools needed to launch an enterprise or innovate from within an existing company. The program is five years in length with the first two years in the UA College of Medicine, the third within the Eller College of Business, and the final two years at the UA College of Medicine with a continuing connection to the resources and classes at the Eller College of Management. The Eller College is home to the McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship, a recognized leader in entrepreneurship education designed to give students the tools needed to launch their enterprise or innovative idea. MD/
MBA students are offered electives such as Industrial Analysis and New Venture Development, New Venture Finance, Planning of New Ventures, and Social Entrepreneurship.
DARTMOUTH MEDICAL SCHOOL Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth
This 5/6-year combined MD/ MBA program is offered by Dartmouth Medical School and the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. The MD/MBA degree offers students diverse
career opportunities in areas such consulting and entrepreneurship. The five year program is tightly scheduled to allow further medical training or accelerated progression into a career, saving one year’s tuition. The six year track allows students to experience the full impact of both pro- grams, including the Tuck Summer Internship Program. Course work with the program is individualized and determined by the student, with guidance from the MD/MBA directors. Educational plans vary, though students typically spend the first three years at Dartmouth Medical School, acquiring a thorough grounding in the basic sciences in the classroom and lab- oratory, and intensive clinical training at the Darthmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. The fourth year of the program is spent at the Tuck School of Business, where the school’s innovative core curriculum provides training in the broad integrative skills that are the hallmark of organizational leadership. In the fifth year, students complete their medical clerkships and required courses, as well as electives for both schools, integrating the
experience of the previous four years and applying it to areas of their own special interest. For students who have chosen the six- year option, years five and six are divided between medical school and business school, which allows the student to participate in the Tuck Summer Internship Program, as well as spread their electives out between the two schools.
KECK SCHOOL OF MEDICINE Marshall School of Business
This 5 1⁄2 -year combined MD/ MBA program is offered by the Keck School of Medicine and the Marshall School of Business. Students admitted into the program begin a year of core MBA courses following the successful completion of the first two years of medical school. During the last two and a half years of this dual degree program, students participate in their clinical clerkships at Keck School of Medicine, and students will get the opportunity to take elective courses at the Marshall School of Business which offers a wide range of entrepreneurial-related courses.
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ance the concerns of individual health needs and organizational and institutional constraints.
CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE This 5-year combined MD/MBA pro- gram is offered through Creighton University’s School of Medicine and the Creighton College of Business. The MBA degree is largely completed during a yearlong absence from medical school. Students in the program complete the MBA curriculum as full-time students between the second and third years of medical school. Prior admission to medical school and the MCAT score implied by that admission is accepted in lieu of a GMAT score submission for this program. One hallmark of the program is its flexibility - as long as students take at least 15 credits during their year-long absence from medical school between years 2 and 3, they can complete the remaining 14 hours for the MBA degree in a number of different ways. This flexibility will give students the opportunity to work at jobs or intern- ships, conduct research, and engage in other activities that enhance their practical experience. Through this MD/ MBA program students have the opportunity to delve deeper into bioscience entrepreneurship courses such as Technology Commercialization and Bioscience Entrepreneurship.
UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE COLLEGE OF MEDICINE University of Lousiville College of Business
This program is designed to prepare students whether they involve managing their own practice or developing and marketing discoveries and medical devices. “Combining a second degree with medical education helps to experience
Photo courtesy of University of Perelman School of Medicine
Creighton University College of Business
health through the lens of diverse disciplines including the humanities, business, policy, public health and other diverse disciplines.” What’s more, the College of Business was selected as the National Model MBA Entrepreneurship Program and their programs in entrepreneurship are regularly ranked among the best. The school’s Forcht Center for Entrepreneurship offers a suite of programs that are designed to develop and nurture entrepreneurial skills, experiences, and opportunities. The nationally ranked Entrepreneurship MBA gives students provides training to launch new businesses. The 20-month program is ranked #18 among the best Entrepreneurship MBA programs in the country. Additionally, students who are accepted into the Entrepreneurship MBA program by the priority deadline receive $1000 scholarship.
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA MEDICAL SCHOOL TWIN CITIES Carlson School of Management
The MD/MBA Dual Degree program was developed for
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students who have already been enrolled in the University of Minnesota MD Program. This program serves students who wish to earn an MBA degree as well as their MD. Students apply to the Full-Time MBA Program during fall of their second year of medical school, but do not begin the MBA program until the fourth year of this five-year dual degree program. Both degrees are completed in five years. To complete in this time frame students carry a very demanding course load. After acceptance into the dual degree program, students meet with both their MD and MBA advisors to be sure that their study plan satisfies both degree requirements. While the dual degree MD/MBA enables students to complete the two degrees in a shorter time frame than they would if the degrees were pursued separately, it does not diminish the cost or number of credits required for each program. MD/MBA graduates go on to working in healthcare entrepreneurship and new device development, pharmaceuticals, and direct care in professional settings. They also become key advisors in policy and government, able to bal-
PERELMAN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
This 5-year combined MD/ MBA program is offered by the Perelman School of Medicine and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. While the majority of students who matriculate in the MD/BA program enroll in the Health Care Management major at Wharton, other majors like Entrepreneurial Management, are also available. The Entrepreneurial Management major provides MBA students with skills, analytical tools, perspectives, and experiences that prepare them for careers as autonomous entrepreneurs, family-business entrepreneurs, or entrepreneurs in corporate settings. Whether a student wants to start a business while in school, join an emerging business, or set the groundwork to launch a new firm later in his or her career, the program aims to provide preparation for all of these exciting options. The program combines theory with practice, providing students the opportunity to test the theories, models, and strategies learned in the classroom by creating real business plans, working on other field projects, and gaining access and insight from leaders in the entrepreneurial business community.
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE Owen Graduate School of Management
Vanderbilt’s joint MD/MBA program seeks to equip innovative physician-leaders with an interwoven expertise in both management and medicine
WEILL MEDICAL COLLEGE OF CORNELL UNIVERSITY The Johnson School of Management at Cornell University
This 5-year program offers students the option of earning an MBA degree in 12 months and is designed for students who want to pursue a career in medicine and business, preparing them for leadership roles in major health organizations, pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, and other health-related businesses. Students who will receive a dual degree will begin their program in the medical college and take a one-year leave of absence between the third and fourth years. They then join the Johnson School’s Accelerated MBA (AMBA) program in May of their third year of medical school and complete the MBA degree requirements by the following May. The MBA degree is granted after the student completes the fourth year of medical school and obtains the MD degree. Each year, one medical or graduate student is granted a full-tuition scholarship for the Johnson School portion of the Accelerated MBA program. Many of our alumni who have earned an MBA in addition to
Photo courtesy of University of Drexel University College of Medicine
to help achieve those future imperatives. The joint MD/ MBA degree takes five years to complete, a savings of one year compared to the length of time required to earn the two degrees separately. Students spend their first three years in the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. They then enroll in the Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management for year four and take courses in both schools in year five. Vanderbilt MD/MBA graduates may pursue a broad array of career paths, including entrepreneurship. an MD have developed entrepreneurial ventures in medically related fields such as drug delivery, diagnostic processes, biotechnology, and nanotechnology.
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN MEDICAL SCHOOL Stephen M. Ross School of Business
The MD/MBA Program is a five-year integrated program. Students accepted into the Program will spend their first three years in Medical School, completing the M1, M2, and M3 course work. These students will then matriculate in Michigan’s Ross School of Business complete the full first year MBA course load as their fourth program year, and complete an MBA summer internship, if desired, between the fourth and fifth program years. In the fifth year, students will spend one semester completing the MD requirements, and the other semester completing the MBA requirements. The business school offers a variety of entrepreneurial -related electives including, but not limited to, Legal Aspects of Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship via Acquisitions, New Venture Creations, and Entrepreneurial Management.
DREXEL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MEDICINE Drexel University LeBow College of Business
This joint degree program is geared towards addressing the growing need of physicians to have the business skills for managing corporate medical practices, hospitals and related organizations, as well as contribute to health policy development. The Institute connects students to funding and legal resources and is designed for students to provide the infrastructure they need to get things done. Additionally, students have access to incubation space, accounting and tax resources, and help to secure funding. What’s more, mentors are available to meet with any Drexel student and companies incubating in Baiada are also assigned a dedicated mentor that provides personalized support throughout the venture development process.
TULANE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE A.B. Freeman School of Business
This 5-year combined MD/ MBA program is designed to
train physicians with expertise in management practice and principles, expertise in marketing practice and principles, and expertise in financial management. Students in the program save a year of training when compared to getting both degrees separately. In addition, scholarships are available for qualified MD students who pursue the additional MBA degree. Accepted students spend the fourth year of the program in the Freeman School. The 5th year of the program is divided between the medical school and the Freeman School. Although not specific to the health care sector, students in the combined program are able to use their clinical experiences gained from their third year of medical school to effectively participate in teams formed as part of the business curriculum. Students have the opportunity to take elective courses in the Freeman School to further their education in areas of entrepreneurship. The School of Business offers a variety of courses for students of entrepreneurship, including but not limited to, Management of Technology and Innovation, Negotiations, Social Entrepreneurship, and New Venture Planning. -pml
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THE PLAN > The Money Factor
KNOW ALL RELEVANT DEADLINES
Going hand in hand with the first point, it’s important to realize any relevant deadlines for both your university and your state. For instance, while the official deadline for receiving your financial aid package from your university might not be until the start of the new school year, the deadline for receiving certain state grant funding might be as early as March. If you’re planning on attending medical school directly after finishing up your undergrad studies, it may be a good idea to research all relevant deadlines for financial aid for you during the Christmas break of your senior year.
CONTACT CURRENT LENDERS, IF NECESSARY
5 Tips To Prepare Your Finances Before Going to Medical School The cost of medical school is probably going to be enough to put you into debt for a while.
T
he idea of taking out such large loans may seem intimidating, particularly with the increasing difficulty of successfully getting matched to your desired residency specialty. However, most current physicians would agree that the price of medical school is well-worth it, regardless of the number of years they had to spend paying off their loans. While there isn’t really one sure-fire way to cut down on the tuition costs of attending medical school, there are
a few things you should do to prepare your finances for your time in medical education:
FILE YOUR TAXES ASAP
Taxes might not officially need to be filed until mid-April, but that shouldn’t stop you from getting right to them. Many universities operate on a first-come, first-serve basis when it comes to certain grants or even federal loan allocation. Get the best loans with the lowest interest rates by being sure to file your taxes (and subsequently your FAFSA) as soon as possible.
This step definitely isn’t applicable to everyone, but it may be relevant to you if you have taken out private loans to cover your undergraduate expenses and if your “grace period” has expired on loans. Many loans have a clause that allows you to put your payments on hold if you are enrolled full time in school, but it is typically your own responsibility to inform your lenders of your academic status.
RESEARCH UNIVERSITY FINANCIAL AID POLICIES
Even if your taxes are filed and your FAFSA has been successfully submitted, you might still not be completely ready to receive a financial aid package from your university. If you were unable to choose the “directfill” option to link your FAFSA and IRS taxes information, then there is a chance that you will also need to submit a signed copy of your tax return. Depending on your particular school’s policies, you may also need to have your parents send in a copy of their tax return; some schools require this step whether or not you are even listed as a dependent of your parents. Since your financial aid file won’t be complete until all of these steps are fulfilled, it’s important that you know what policies for paperwork your university has, and if necessary, you can encourage your parents to file their taxes ASAP as well. >>> Are you worried about how medical school will affect your finances? Share your comments on Facebook.com/premedlife.
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8
PIECES OF INFORMATION EVERY PREMED SHOULD KNOW
F
or their thirty-first Medical School Headquarters podcast, Dr. Allison Gray & Dr. Ryan Gray talk about 8 key pieces of information that every student going through the premed process, whether in high school or in college, should know.
NO SUCH THING AS THE “PERFECT” APPLICANT
Medical school admission committee members are looking to build a small community with each class they accept. Every student needs to stand apart, with extra curricular activities, scores and other activities that make you shine. Adcoms what interesting, not cookie cutter.
CHOOSING YOUR UNDERGRAD
We talk a little bit about Canadian undergrad school because Allison went to McGill. Some schools have strict policies on grade inflation, which is a large problem with schools in the US. Choosing an undergrad program should not strictly be based on the prestige of the school, but how that school fits you.
BS/MD PROGRAMS
This is something that you’ll need to know about early in the process, either in high
ximagination/123RF Stock Photo
Key pieces of information that every student going through the premed process, whether in high school or in college, should know.
APPLY BROADLY
The average number of medical school to apply to is 14. 5 is not enough. You need to be very flexible when applying to medical schools, and realize that you really have to apply to enough schools to increase your chances of getting into a medical school. If you have a spouse or significant other, have a conversation about where they would be willing to go. Remember – this is just for 4 years of your life. You’ll have the opportunity to move again for residency. Speaking from experience, you can truly be happy anywhere, as long as you are open-minded.
APPLICATION TIMING
school, or early in college. There are several 7 and 8 year BS/MD programs that guarantee acceptance into medical school if you maintain a certain GPA. Some even don’t have you take the MCAT!
BROADEN YOUR COURSEWORK
We talked to Mount Sinai in Session 16 about FlexMed – a program that lets you apply to medical school as a sophomore in college. If you get accepted, no MCAT! And non of the typical premed requirements. They let you go broaden your horizons and bring some diversity into your medical school class. Enjoy your general education requirements and keep your eyes open about other intersets that you may have.
RESPECT THE MCAT
The MCAT, is the great equalizer. It is like no other test you have taken, and like no other test that you will take. EVER. You need to do practice tests, practice questions, more practice tests and then even more! I’ve covered some MCAT test prep, and will add reviews to some MCAT test prep companies as we are able. If you only get one thing out of this podcast, it is to understand that just because you are a good student, doesn’t mean you will do well on the MCAT.
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Like a giant game of musical chairs – the sooner you can get a chair, the better! Most schools offer admissions on a rolling basis, so if you apply later in the process, many schools may have most of their seats already spoken for. Many advisors may tell you that if you are applying in late August, you should just wait until the next year. Some schools may apply a stigma to the “reappliers.” Applications open in May and typically start accepting submissions starting in June. Don’t be the first, because there may be problems (like here), wait a couple of days to let the guinea pigs try it first and then submit yours!
ENJOY THE JOURNEY!
Above all else (well – maybe not above grades and MCAT scores) – you need to enjoy yourself. We’re sure that you’ve heard that the medical education process is a marathon. Pace yourself. Stop and breath along the way and hopefully you will be able to take advantage of everything that college has to offer. ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Drs. Ryan and Allison Gray are practicing physicians, the hosts of the top-rated weekly Medical School HQ Podcast and publishers of MedicalSchoolHQ.net. Since 2012, they have been providing invaluable, expert guidance to struggling premeds, helping them on their paths to becoming physicians. You can listen to their podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, and on their website.
we know you love us ...so why don’t you ‘LIKE US’? facebook.com/premedlife
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The Dichotomous Concept of Health for a Premed Student by Kesha Shah I have always considered myself to be a health-conscious person. I try to eat well, exercise and stay as happy and positive as I can. College, however, has made me realize that my relationship with health is more of convenience that anything else. I eat wholesome, nourishing foods and try to take out an hour to work out during my day to day routine when there is not much happening. As soon as a time consuming task catches my attention, health becomes the first thing that takes a backseat. A major example of this is during finals week. This past semester, I had 5 finals, 3 of which were back to back cumulative science classes. The only thing I cared about was doing well on my exams. So I stayed cooped up in my room all day surrounded by a copious
amount of papers, charts, and books, I refused to get even a bit of fresh air, and decided that any and every health related activity could wait till my finals were over. The exams came closer and I didn’t feel prepared so panic started to creep in. In response to that anxiety, I ran to order pizza and ignored the big bowl of fruit on top of the fridge. In the back of my head, I always knew that junk food would not make me feel any better. But now looking back, I realize that I was too worried, anxious, and tired to reason with myself. So I pushed those thoughts away and hoped that pizza doused in oil and cheese would provide some emotional stability. That pizza provided some momentary relief but that relief went out of the window when I realized that I had an exam the next morning
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and I hadn’t finished studying. I had to pull an all-nighter. Now I am sure every college student has heard and read about how important it is to get a good night’s sleep the day before the final. Most of us, though, tend to take that advice with a grain of salt. I, especially, start to think that I am invincible and sleep is a thing for the weak. So I stayed up all night and then went to take a 3 hour exam. Due to lack of sleep and the stress that I was under, I started to lose focus during my exam. I filled in the things that I knew and after a while, stopped attempting to work out the things I didn’t know. As I walked back to my dorm room after my exam, the irony of my situation made me laugh. I had completely given up on my health for my exams and during my exam itself, my body decided to punish me for neglecting my health. And it did not stop there. I tried to make amends with my body but the effects of my stress, the junk food, and the sleepless nights kept going for a while. They only stopped when my finals finished and I went back to making health a priority. This has happened to not just me but many of my friends as well. That’s the thing about being in college and being a premed. There is just so much happening that our bodies and our health usually end up being the least important in relation to the other things that need to be done. We like to think that we are too young to have any issues and our health will take care of itself. And for the most part, our body does have a way of restoring itself without our awareness. The problem starts when we keep going and the toxicity is accumulated to an extent that the body finds it hard to restore itself without leaving effects. This whole incident taught me that no one can ever have a relationship of convenience with health. Our bodies are something we tend to take for granted so we can focus on “greater” aspects of life such as relationships, career, family, etc. But we forget that if we don’t have our health, all these other aspects of life also get diminished. I have also learned one more thing from this incident. Premeds want to be doctors. So our main goal in life is to make health a priority for other people. But if we don’t do that ourselves, how can we truly explain the importance of this to others? All of our education is not worth much if we don’t start to practice what we preach. Because even if one day, we are caring for complete strangers, if our health is not great, our talents would not be utilized to the fullest potential and our difference in someone’s life would be a lot less that what it could have been.
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How to Save Time On the MCAT AS A PRE-MED STUDENT, you will be required to earn a decent score on your Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) to be considered for acceptance into medical school. The science portion of the MCAT is designed to test you on the various topics that you’ve studied at the undergrad level. However, the testing style is quite different than your undergraduate tests, especially when it comes to physical sciences such as physics and chemistry. While you were allowed to use a calculator in class to perform detailed calculations, you will be required to do similar calculations on the MCAT without a calculator. Yes, you read right – the math will be just as hard, but you can’t use a calculator. But instead of wasting time working through complex equations by hand, apply the following shortcuts to cut time while still coming up with the correct answers.
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by LEAH FISCH
July/August 2014 | PreMedLife Magazine |33
flickr / Jeremy Mikkola
LEARN HOW TO ROUND
The MCAT is testing your ability to pull data from the question or passage and implement the correct formulas and equations. They are not testing your ability to do long math to five significant figures. Since the answer choices will be quite a few numbers apart, rounding to get an answer that is close enough is good enough. Don’t be too easygoing, but let’s face it, 5.78 x 3.29 is close enough to 5.8 x 3.3 or even 6 x 9, depending on the provided MCAT answer choices.
DON’T WASTE TIME ON LONG MULTIPLICATION AND DIVISION
When it comes to multiplication and division, if you can turn your numbers into some factor of 10, you will be able to do the math in your head. First see if you can round your values to a factor of 10, then apply the following trick. When multiplying by 10, simply add a zero to the original number if there is no decimal, or move the decimal 1 space to the right if there is one. If multiplying by 100, add 2 zeros, or move the decimal 2 spaces. So for example, if you need to multiply 9 x 346, round 9 to 10. You are now multiplying 346 by 10, which is easy, since you only need to add a zero to equal 3,460. The same trick applies for division, but in reverse. Move the decimal 1 space to the left for each factor of 10. For example, if you need to divide 456 by 8, round 8 to 10. You now need to divide 456 by 10, which just requires you to move the (assumed) decimal space one space to the left, giving you 45.6. Another division trick is to cancel out zeros. If you have an equation such as 30/600, start by cancelling a zero from the numerator and denominator. This leaves you with 3/60. See the next trick for additional simplification.
SIMPLIFY YOUR FRACTIONS AND DECIMALS
You may find yourself dealing with a series of fractions when doing MCAT style dimensional analysis. But please, don’t calculate each value. Instead, see if you can find common factors in the numerator and denominator, and divide them out. Using our example from tip #2, we have 3/60. Both 3 and 60 can be divided by 3. This results in a new fraction 1/30. 1/30 is simply 1/3 x 1/10. Which brings me to my next trick.
KNOW THE VALUES FOR COMMON CALCULATIONS
Remember that multiplication table from elementary school? It’s time to revisit that table. Be very familiar with the values of common calculations. This includes multiplication of numbers 1 to 12 x 1 to 12, and even the multiplication tables of 15, 25, and 50. I also recommend knowing the values of common fractions, from ½ all the way to 1/12. Resuming our trick from above, 1/3 = 0.33, but don’t forget we also have 1/10. We can rewrite this as 0.33/10 and use trick #2 to move the decimal 1 space to the left, giving us a final value of 0.033, all without a calculator.
KNOW YOUR TRIGONOMETRY IN NUMERICAL FORM
As an MCAT tutor, this is a pet peeve of mine. I’ll ask a student for the cosine value of 45 degrees and they’ll tell me ‘radical two over two’. Yes, that is the correct value, but HOW will you utilize radicals on the MCAT without a calculator? I recommend familiarizing yourself with the sine and cosine values of the following angles: 0, 30, 45,60, 90, and 180.
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There are two options here. The first is to know the calculator values, for example, cos 0 = 0, cos 30 = 0.866, and so on. The second and faster option is using the trigonometry trick I teach in the tutorial video linked below. Pay special attention to the pattern of memorization for the trig values.
LOGARITHMS AND ANTI-LOGS Many of the math tricks above are simply shortcuts to calculations which can be done by hand. If you forget a trick, you can still resort to pen and paper. However, when it comes to logs and anti-logs, there’s nothing to fall back on. You either know it, or you don’t. So familiarize yourself with the common log and anti-log values so that you can quickly tackle MCAT style questions relating to pH, pOH, pKa, Ksp and so much more. For a list of values to memorize, grab a free copy of my MCAT Math Cheat Sheet at http://leah4sci.com/mcat-math-study-guide-cheatsheet/ By the way, are you getting ready to take your MCAT in the next few weeks? If so, click to grab a FREE copy of my new ebook MCAT Exam Strategy – A 6 Week Guide To Crushing The MCAT. (above ebook title links to this URL https://leah4sci.leadpages.net/ mcat-ebook-guest-post-premedlife/). ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Leah Fisch, is an online science tutor and founder of the Leah4sci tutorial videos at leah4sci.com/mcat.
THEGOODS
Our pick of items that will add some flair to your pre-medical life and perhaps put a smile on your face
Pour Anatomy a Drink Coaster Set Whether you spend your days in a lab or you’re simply a lover of all-things scientific, you’ll appreciate these coasters! Each of these six, slip-free, cushioned coasters is printed with a different system found in the human body - circulatory, digestive, lymphatic, nervous, respiratory, and skeletal - and is sure to evoke smiles from your pals at game night.
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u
Science Ink
Science encompasses the answers to all of the complexities of our lives and beyond - from imploding stars down to the logistics of body modifications. Here’s your chance to explore all of the above with over 200 pages of stories and photos from science-obsessed tattoo enthusiasts, who will take you on a colorful journey through quantum mechanics, paleontology, DNA, and more!
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Pleasurable Planning 2014-2015 Wall Calendar It’s a joy to pencil-in plans upon the gridded blocks of this 17-month calendar! Chalk-style typography pops against this hanging wall calendar’s recycled paper base. Spanning from August of 2014 to December of 2015, this eye-catching calendar calls on you to start jotting down the deets of your day right now!
Everyday Encouragement Wall Decor You can’t help but be inspired every time you glance at this quotable decoration on your wall! “Aim High & Dream Big” swirls in white over the transparent upper layer of this frame while yellow and orange arrows point up and down on its grey background - reminding you regularly to strive for success.
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u The Elements Everything around us - from fireworks in the sky and the air we breathe to beautiful city buildings and our very own skeletons - is made up of elements. Now you can learn more about them and the entire Periodic Table with this hardcover guide by popular science writer Jack Challoner, which covers each element’s specific history, statistics, and uses with impeccable detail and imagery. Let the learning begin!
Anywhere Travel Guide
You don’t have to leave your hometown to see new sights or have novel adventures - just bring along the Anywhere Travel Guide from Chronicle Books for fresh encounters in familiar surroundings! This set of 75 cards offers exciting, offbeat, and fun suggestions such as, “Ask the next person you meet where his/ her favorite street is. Go there.” and “Eat a dessert for breakfast, three appetizers for lunch, and a breakfast for dinner.” Each card becomes an invitation to new experiences that are sure to open your eyes and widen your world!
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July/August 2014 | PreMedLife Magazine |37
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BETTERLIFE
Latest news and information on taking care of yourself as a busy student living the pre-med life.
Aerobic fitness affects long-term memory, according to a study conducted by researchers from Michigan State University. The study, which involved the testing of 75 college students who studied related word pairs and were tested the following day on the word pairs, was designed to test long-term memory retention. Researchers then gauged aerobic fitness by oxygen consumption derived from a treadmill test. “The implications of those [sedentary] lifestyle choices and related cardiorespiratory fitness levels for memory function are not well-understood,” says Fenn. “To determine the extent to which cardiorespiratory fitness relates to the integrity of multiple memory systems, a cross-sectional sample of young adults
Study Shows Stress Can Be Contagious Being around a stressed person or witnessing a stressful event can induce feelings of stress, according to a study conducted by The Max Planck Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences and the Technische Universitat Dresden. The conclusion is the result of a largescale cooperation project which found that empathic stress arose primarily when the person who was watching and the person who was experiencing stress were partners in a relationship and the stressful situation could be directly observed through a oneway mirror. Specifically, 26 percent of observers who were not actually exposed to any stress showed a significant increase in the stress
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were tested over the course of 3 days in areas related to implicit memory, working memory, long-term memory, and aerobic fitness.” The results revealed that students who were less fit found it more difficult to retain information associated with the test. ““The findings show that lower-fit individuals lose more memory across time,” said Kimberly Fenn, study coauthor and assistant professor of psychology.” According to the paper, previous studies on memory and fitness level focused mostly on children and the elderly. This current study, however, is one of the first to examine healthy, young adults. “The findings speak to the increasingly sedentary lifestyles found in the United States and other Western cultures,” said Fenn. “A surprising number of the college students in the study were significantly out of shape and did much Students who were less worse at retaining information than those who fit found it more difficult were extremely fit.” The study were published to retain information in the journal Cognitive, Afffective & Behavioral Neuroscience. ¡
hormone cortisol. Moreover, the effect was significantly strong when the “observer” and stressed individual were partners in a couple relationship. For the study, participants were subjected to difficult mental arithmetic tasks and interviews. The result - only five percent managed to remain clam while the others “displayed a physiologically significant increased in their cortisol levels.” Stress is a major factor in the lives of students who are planning on applying to medical school. It can cause many problems like anxiety, depression, and even feelings of being burnt out. And even for premeds who manage to keep their stress under control, the chances that they are around individuals who are stressed is high, “The fact that we could actually measure this empathic stress in the form of a significant hormone release was astonishing,” says Veronika Engert, one of the study’s first authors. ¡
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Fitness Level Linked to Memory
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Sleep Problems Have Same Impact on GPA as Binge Drinking, Drug Use College students who are not well-rested have a greater chance of earning poor grades and withdrawing from a course compared to those who are well-rested, according to a recent study. After studying 43,000 responses to the 2009 American College of Health Association National College Health Assessment (NCHA) survey, researchers found that the amount of time college students slept and how well they maintained healthy sleep habits were both strong predictors of academic problems. In addition, the study also found that sleep problems had about the same impact on GPA as binge drinking and marijuana use. “Sleep problems are not systematically addressed in the same way that substance abuse problems are,” she said. “For colleges and universities, addressing sleep problems early in a student’s academic career can have a major economic benefit through increased retention.” The study, titled “What Is The Cost Of Poor Sleep For College Students? Calculating The Contribution to Academic Failures Using A Large National Sample" was published in the journal Sleep. ¡
Video Game May Improve Brain’s Ability Conduct Cognitive Tasks
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Certain video games could enhance the ability to execute cognitive tasks, according to researchers at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore. The study, which used the process-of-elimination, was designed to examine the effects of several games and found that a physics-based, complex puzzle game called “Cut the Rope” was the leader when it came to improving “executive” brain functions, like those used during cognitive tasks like memory, decision making, planning and problem solving. “This finding is important because previously, no video games have demonstrated this type of broad improvement to executive functions, which are important for general intelligence, dealing with new situations and managing multitasking,” says study co-author Dr. Michael D. Patterson, an expert in the psychology of video games. ¡
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LASTWORD
Some final thoughts on getting through your days as a college student
“Twenty years for now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover.”” MARK TWAIN, was an American author and humorist
“My favorite animal is the turtle. The reason is that in order for the turtle to move,
it has to stick its neck out. There are going to be times in your life when you’re going to have to stick your neck out. There will be challenges and instead of hiding in a shell, you have to go out and meet them.” RUTH WESTHEIMER is a German sex therapist, media personality, and author best known as Dr. Ruth.
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who’ll decide where to go.” DR. SEUSS , was an American writer, poet, and cartoonist.
“Follow your passion, stay true to yourself, never follow
someone else’s path unless you’re in the woods and you’re lost and you see a path then by all means you should follow that.” ELLEN DEGENERES, is an American comedienne, television host, actress, writer, and television producer.
“Would you like me to give you a formula for success? It’s quite simple, really.
Double your rate of failure. You are thinking of failure as the enemy of success. But it isn’t at all. You can be discouraged by failure or you can learn from it, So go ahead and make mistakes. Make all you can. Because remember that’s where you will find success.” THOMAS J. WATSON was a American businessman.
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