MDS REVEAL SECRETS TO SUCCESSFUL RELATIONSHIPS | STUDY FINDS MOST STUDENT MULTITASK DURING LECTURES
PREMEDLIFE The Magazine For Pre-Medical Students
March|April 2015
®
postbac THE
IT’S MCAT TIME
Getting the most out of your last month of preparation
DON’T GET CAUGHT SLIPPIN’
Pitfalls to avoid as a post-bac pre-medical student
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POSTBACCALAUREATE PREMEDICAL PROGRAMS + Locations. Program Types, and Descriptions.
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March/April 2015 | PreMedLife Magazine |1
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March/April 2015 “For anyone who wishes to become a practicing physician, graduation from college is just a single, small step in the journey.” p. 29
21 THE POSTBACC ISSUE
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DECIDING IF A POSTBAC PREMED PROGRAM IS RIGHT FOR YOU
HOW TO BUILD A COMPETITIVE APPLICATION FOR POST-BAC PROGRAMS
PITFALLS TO AVOID AS A POST-BACCALAUREATE PRE-MEDICAL STUDENT
THE ARE SEVERAL OPTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO POSTBAC PREMED PROGRAMS. CONSIDER THESE IMPORTANT FACTORS WHEN MAKING YOUR DECISION
WHEN CONSIDERING HOW TO BEST BUILD A COMPETITIVE APPLICATION, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO POSITION YOURSELF IN THE STRONGEST WAY POSSIBLE.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO STAY FOCUSED THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE DURATION OF YOUR POSTBAC PREMED PROGRAM. HERE ARE A FEW PITFALLS TO AVOID.
March/April 2015 | PreMedLife Magazine |3
contents
MARCH/APRIL 2015
Postbac is becoming the
l new “traditional”. There are over 200 pre-med post-baccalaureate programs in the U.S.
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Countdown to MCAT2015: Maximizing the last month of preparing for the new MCAT
It’s the final countdown until the new MCAT. With just one month of prep time remaining for students sitting for MCAT2015, here are a few tips to help you proceed in the most successful way possible.
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What post-baccalaureate pre-med programs look for in strong applicants?
WHAT’S INSIDE...
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The 2015 Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Med Program Directory Considering postbac premed? Our postbac premed directory provides details for more than 75 high-quality programs offered throughout the US.
For students thinking about the possibility of a postbac premed program to pursue their dreams, it is important to have an idea of what admission committees are looking for in their strongest applicants.
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The difference between career changer and academic enrichment programs Postbac premed programs are intended for different groups of applicants. Here’s some insight into which category you should be considering.
4 | PreMedLife Magazine | March/April 2015
Larkin Health Sciences Institute
Postbaccalaureate Degree MS in Biomedical Sciences
YOUR FUTURE IS IN YOUR HANDS. The Post-Baccalaureate Degree in Biomedical Sciences is a Master of Science (M.S.) degree designed to prepare Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, Pre-Optometry, and Pre-Pharmacy students for professional school by offering courses that are typical in the first year of medical, dental, or other doctoral programs. Students will complete active learning with real clinicians, treating real patients in a teaching hospital. Graduates will have an experience that is unique compared to other similar programs.
Unique Aspects of the Program... n Use of “Fresh-Frozen� Cadavers for Surgical Demonstrations and Gross Anatomy n Direct Interaction with Hospital Physicians and Residents n Larkin Community Hospital affiliation, a Teaching Hospital with ~300 Federally-Funded Residencies n Use of Ion-Torrent DNA Sequencing to Analyze Cadaver, Human and Animal Specimens for Microbiota Analysis and Pharmacogenomics n 1-Year, 30 Credits, $23K
Larkin Health Sciences Institute
5996 S.W. 70th Street | South Miami, FL 33142
For more information contact Ms. Flor Taylor at: 305.760.7515 or ftaylor@ularkin.org
www.ularkin.org
CC Flickr / Huntley Paton
Digital
MARCH/APRIL 2015
Katy Perry’s Left Shark: A Lesson in Preparing For Medical School Interviews We find lessons in everything! And the ‘smh’ moment during the Super Bowl halftime show provides a powerful lesson for every pre-med heading toward the step of medical school interviews.
What’s on Premedlife.com? 8 Things We Learned About MCAT 2015
Pre-Med-Themed Fashion In Honor of #NYFW
The AAMC conducted a Twitter chat to discuss all things MCAT2015. Here are 8 things we learned from the makers of the test.
In honor of New York Fashion Week, we picked some of the most stylish medical/science-themed fashion items. #nyfw #werk #fashion
What Pre-Meds Can Learn From Sam Smith At The Grammy’s Grammy-award winning Sam Smith has had such a successful year. The lesson behind his story is important for anyone in the process of filling out medical school applications.
GO BEYOND THE PAGE
You’ll find the icon on selected pages throughout the issue. That’s your signal to grab your smartphone or tablet and go deeper with the content on that page. Here’s how: 1. Download the free Layar app from the Apple or Android store or at layar.com 2. Launch the app and scan any page displaying the icon. 3. Premedlife videos and other bonus content will instantly appear on your device.
6 | PreMedLife Magazine | March/April 2015
From the
Publisher
PREMEDLIFE the lifestyle magazine for premedical students www.premedlife.com
Founder & Publisher | Tasheema Prince Executive Director| Jonathan Pearson
POST-BAC PREMED: THE NEW NORMAL? You are unique, and if that is not fulfilled, then something has been lost. --Martha Graham When it comes to medical school admissions,
post-baccalaureate pre-medical programs are fast becoming the new normal. Each year, the number of students pursuing careers in medicine via post-baccalaureate programs are increasing. Not only are more students taking this so called “non-traditional” route, more programs are popping up all across the country. And while being a “non-traditional” applicant who has taken the “scenic route” to medical school may have a one time or another made a pre-med look unique, it might soon be commonplace. For all you pre-meds who are paving your own path, the next steps on your journey need to be concrete. What happens further along during the medical school admissions process will be shaped by the experiences you have led you to one realization - it is never too late to pursue your passion, dreams, and goals. Not everyone will understand how you have the guts to try again or make a change, because, dammit, it is your unique path, your story, your way. And it can be scary. Challenges may present themselves, and (breathe) it may be tough. But this is your journey to medical school. With this issue, we at PreMedLife celebrate the postbac option, supporting the pre-meds considering such a journey. Your motivation and perseverance are what make you part of the new face of medical school admissions. That’s why we are happy to give you our Post Bac issue. We hope it inspires you to keep dreaming the dream.
Tasheema Prince Tasheema Prince Publisher Follow me on Twitter: @PrinceSheem Email me at: tprince@premedlife.com
Executive Vice President | Monique Terc Contributing Editor | Njeri McKenzie Online Marketing Consultant | Portia Chu Contributing Writers Marilyn Chau, Carleen Eaton, MD, Suzanne Miller, MD 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 judgment. Consult your pre-medical/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.
8 | PreMedLife Magazine | March/April 2015
Premedlife
S T U D E N T A D V I S O RY B O A R D
The PreMedLife Student Advisory Board is an exemplary group of premed students from a variety of backgrounds who have a wide range of accomplishments. They will help keep us informed about what we need to know to make PreMedLife magazine the go-to resource for aspiring doctors.
Follow us @premedlife
Tisha Berg UCLA Extension
Viven Chen University of Miami
Samantha Culver University of Vermont
Caitlin Draper University of Arkansas
Jared Eaves The University of Texas at Austin
Austin Greer Indiana Wesleyan University
Charis Guinto Evangel University
Hannah Hoekstra University of Minnesota
Lisa Lachhman Pace University
Austin Newsman Georgia State University
James Rock Slippery Rock University
Tyra Turner Agnes Scott College
10 | PreMedLife Magazine | March/April 2015
March/April 2015 | PreMedLife Magazine |11
premedlife
According to a new study, the majority of medical school students admit
NEWS
to multi-tasking during their lectures - studying for another class, using social media, and checking e-mail. {PAGE 14}
Physicians have identified ways to make it through the tough parts of their lives, according to a study published in the journal Academic Medicine. The study, which was led by researchers from the University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, used responses from in-dept interviews with 25 individuals: 12 women and 13 men; 10 who were in a relationship and 15 who were single. Four common strategies emerged during the interviews. They rely on mutual support. The researched noted that many participants emphasized both the support they provided to and received from their domestic partner. They recognize the important roles of each family member. The study participants indicated how they define their roles within their family and described the importance of role definition to ensure an efficient family unit. “Several participants felt it was
an important part of their relationship to have clarity of their own and their partners’ responsibilities,” the authors wrote. “Having defined roles within the family and the knowledge that others must fill in ensured the success of their relationships amid the context of a medical career with competing demands.” Because many of the physicians and domestic partners in this sample relocated far from their families for their medical careers, they earnestly acknowledged the importance of support from extended family members, particularly in times of crisis. Another participant indicated how support from external family members helped their family to function more smoothly. They have shared values. For many couples, sharing important values helped their relationship work. “These shared values helped many participants define the foundation of their relationship and offered a frame of reference when competing commitments
arose or when they faced challenges and difficult issues,” the authors explained. They acknowledge the benefits of being a physician had on their relationships. Having a doctor in the family is always a good thing and as the study confirmed, participants described how the knowledge physicians possess to care for a family member when ill or injured provides a direct and practical value to their relationships. Participants also noted the benefits of financial and occupational security associated with being a physician. One physician, Dr. Sims, noted, “There is more financial security than you would get in other settings.” Others spoke to the same issue. These physicians recognized that through being a physician they are often shielded from the economic downturn of larger society, which allows them to avoid relationship problems fueled by a lack of finances. ¡
12 | PreMedLife Magazine | March/April 2015
CC Flickr / HK.Colin
Study Identifies Several Factors That Help Medical Marriages Last
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NEWS
premedlife
CC Flickr / velkr0
Most Students Multi Task During Med School Lectures, Study Found The majority of medical students multi task during lectures, according to a study published in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. The study, led by Ankit V. Shah from the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, was designed to determine the extent to which medical students multi task during lecture, and more specifically, the types of multitasking, how often, and the relationship between multitasking and their academic performance. Investigators administered a survey to 125 second-year students at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine and following a 50-minute lecture, students were given an unannounced 10-question multiple-choice quiz to asses the students “knowledge acquisition” from the 50-minute lecture. The results of the survey revealed that multitasking during lecture is prominent among medical students. In fact, 98% of students check e-mail, 81% use social media, and 74% study for another class.
Furthermore, the investigators found that students spent the most time studying for another class (23 minutes) followed by using social media (13 minutes) and checking e-mail (7 minutes). “Today’s medical students grew up during an era with rapid advancements in computer technology and electronic media that changed our daily lives, from how we interact with others to the ways we do our work,” says coauthor Ronald P. Januchowski, DO, assistant professor of family medicine and associate dean for curriculum, assessment and medical education at VCOM-Carolinas. “With the technological ability to constantly be ‘on’ coupled with the rigorous demands of medical school, students might feel compelled to perform more than one task at a time.” A closer look at the factors which influenced students’ multitasking during lecture revealed that the top reasons were exam schedule, lecturer, and the number of lectures in the day. ¡
NEWS
Patients Want Doctors To Dress Formal
CC Flickr/ Upupa4me
CC Flickr/ Mercy Health
premedlife
Survey Finds Family MDs Suffer Most From Burnout Half of young physicians practicing family medicine feel burned out, according to the results of Medscape’s 2015 Family Physician Lifestyle Report. The report, which provides updates from a previous study on lifestyle and job satisfaction among doctors, found that 50% of family doctors feel burnout, up from 43% in 2013. “Burnout is defined as loss of enthusiasm for work, feelings of cynicism, and a low sense of personal accomplishment,” the authors explained.
The survey also found that the highest burnout rates were among physicians in the critical care space (53%) and emergency medicine (52%). Past studies have shown that feelings of burnout among physicians can have a negative affect on the care their patients receive. “This report provides more evidence of the importance of these factors, with bureaucratic tasks and spending too many hours at work rated as the most frequent causes of burnout,” the authors noted. ¡
When it comes to what doctors should wear, a new study has found that patients prefer them in formal attire. The study, published in BMJ, suggest that patient trust, compliance, and satisfaction all begin with a physician dressed conservative and professional attire. Specifically, formal attire and white coats was preferred 60% of the time. Researchers found that in the majority of the studies, patients expressed strong preferences about what they felt physicians should wear, or said that the way a physician dressed affected their perceptions of a physician. “Many studies have looked at various aspects of physician attire, so we wanted to look across this body of literature to find common threads,” lead author Christopher Petrilli, MD, an internal medicine resident at the U-M Health System, explained. “But at the same time, we found a lack of detailed guidance from top hospitals to their physician about how to dress.” The findings also revealed that only 5 of the hospitals on the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals ranking had official guidance for physicians about attire at all, with the majority of the hospitals just recommending their doctor’s attire to be “professional.” The other hospitals offered no formal guidance. The research team is currently preparing to conduct their own study to evaluate how physician clothing choices influence several factors. The study, "Targeting Attire to Improve Likelihood of Rapport" or TAILOR, will survey patients in outpatient general medicine and specialty clinic waiting rooms and inpatient medical units. ¡
16 | PreMedLife Magazine | March/April 2015
Premedlife
M C AT
Maximizing the Last Month of MCAT Preparation
Preparing for the MCAT is definitely an exhausting task. Some days you’ll probably feel so tired of studying that you’ll be thinking that you just can’t wait to get it done with. Other times, however, you’ll probably have moments of panic when you think about how your time for studying is running out day by day. Fortunately, regardless of how you’re feeling about taking this monumental test, there are definitely a few tried and true ways to nail down your preparations in the month leading up to your test date. STRENGTHEN YOUR WEAKNESSES Even though a month might not seem like a lot of time left, in reality it really should be plenty of time for you to focus on strengthening your weakest areas. By this point you should have already worked on trying to keep yourself well-rounded in all subjects of the exam; having one section in which you do extremely well probably won’t help you out too much if you are weak in all other areas. However, using this last month of MCAT preparation time to build up your weakest areas is definitely an ideal game plan in order to both maximize your scoring potential while also keeping yourself as even as possible between all subjects. Feel free to spend a little bit of time brushing up on topics that
you already know well, but resist the temptation to spend any significant amount of time on them during this last month of preparation. Do yourself a favor by focusing on your weakest areas, thereby bringing them up to par with your stronger subjects. BUILD UP YOUR ENDURANCE The MCAT is typically described as being a “marathon” exam, and depending on how fast (or slow) you might run through 26.2 miles, this could really be an accurate description. For many premed students, just having the endurance to patiently sit through an exam of this magnitude and duration can be extremely exhausting; in fact, for some, it is the length of the exam that is the hardest part about it. Use your last month of MCAT prep time to increase your test-taking endurance by forcing yourself to sit through at least several full-length practice exams if at all possible. While taking practice exams might sound like a terribly boring way to spend your Saturdays, you’ll probably be glad you did by the time your actual test date rolls around. FIND YOUR PACE In line with building up your test-taking endurance, spend this last month of MCAT preparation finding
your ideal test pace. Each subject in the MCAT has a predetermined amount of time during which it must be completed; train yourself to keep an ideal test-taking pace as you work through your practice exams. This way, your endurance will be strong, and you’ll also find peace of mind in knowing exactly what pace you need to work through each section in. If possible, try to leave yourself at least five minutes of “wiggle room” within your test pace during each section so that you can have extra time to review any particularly challenging questions if you need to. Dealing with the stress of figuring out the correct answers to test questions on the day of your MCAT can be challenging enough. Don’t let worries about being able to complete sections on time add to your stresses; be prepared by working out your test-taking pace ahead of time.
SCAN THIS PAGE TO VIEW THE ONLINE EXCLUSIVE ARTICLE “THE MOST UNDERRATED MCAT TACTICS” (See page 6 for details.)
18 | PreMedLife Magazine | March/April 2015
CC Flickr/ rhodesj
3 ways to get the most out of your studying 30 days until test date
March/April 2015 | PreMedLife Magazine |19
THE POSTBAC PREMED ISSUE
istockphoto / Š hjalmeida
A growing number of premed students are turning to postbac premed programs to gain admission to medical school. This issue is dedicated to what we’re calling the new normal.
March/April 2015 | PreMedLife Magazine |21
istockphoto / Š Oko_SwanOmurphy
Premedlife
POSTBAC
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THE
POSTBAC WAY
Deciding If A Post-Baccalaureate Program Is Right For You By Suzanne Miller, MD
G
IVEN the shear number of options, deciding if a post-baccalaureate program is right for you can be even more complicated than choosing which medical school to attend. There are two types of decisions – how to decide where to apply and how to decide which program to attend. Let’s start with a few questions:
4 KEY QUESTIONS
HAVE YOU TAKEN ANY PRE-MED CLASSES?
If yes...How long ago did you take the classes? If they are more than a few years old, you should likely repeat them, take a higher-level class in the same subject, or pursue a special masters program. Medical school admissions committees
seem more particular about the age of the science classes as opposed to the English and Math requirements. Each program has its own policy, which tends to change with variations in the admissions committee members. Some medical school admissions committees want courses two years old or less, while others will extend out to five years. It’s usually better to be safe and fulfill the requirements with fresh classes. If no...Life is simpler in some ways because you will have to take all of the medical school prerequisites.
HOW QUICKLY DO YOU WANT TO APPLY TO MEDICAL SCHOOL?
If you are in a hurry, you can complete all premed courses in one year in an intensive, full-time
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POSTBAC
program. If not, many programs allow you to complete the courses over two to three years.
You have five main types of post-bac programs to choose from:
DO YOU HOPE TO WORK WHILE TAKING CLASSES?
FULL-TIME, INTENSIVE PROGRAMS FOR CAREER CHANGERS
Many programs offer night programs specifically for students who have employment commitments. If you are willing to go to school full-time, there are many options for you as well.
HOW MUCH CAN YOU PAY FOR A POST-BAC PROGRAM?
Intensive and/or private school post-baccalaureate programs can run $40,000 per year. Public school options may be more affordable. But entering the medical profession is anything but cheap, and this starts with an investment in post-bac programs.
PROGRAM TYPES
Once you’ve reviewed your needs and desires when it comes to personal pre-med course history, desired time line, full-time vs. part-time, and cost, it is time to evaluate the actual post-baccalaureate options. Colleges and universities have realized the potential moneymaking strategy of offering postbac coursework and new programs pop up each year. The increasing supply of programs increases your chance of finding a program that is a great fit.
These programs are ideal for non-traditional premeds who have not taken pre-med classes, wish to complete the courses quickly in a structured environment, and can afford taking time off work. Such programs tend to be very well respected and have competitive admissions processes. Further, schools with these types of post-bacs usually offer special linkage programs or performance-based guaranteed interviews to certain medical schools, which can aid in the medical school admissions process for stellar students.
PART-TIME
Numerous colleges and universities offer part-time programs for post-bacs who want to work or pursue other interests. Part-time programs can involve day or night classes. These programs also tend to be geared toward career-changers. However, some grade-enhancing programs (see below) also offer part-time coursework.
GRADE-ENHANCING
Grade-enhancing post-baccalaureate programs tar-
get students who have already taken the pre-med classes and did not perform as well as they hoped academically. These programs either repeat the usual pre-med classes or provide higher-level science classes to increase a pre-med’s GPA. Though some grade-enhancing programs offer a masters level degree, they most often provide undergraduate certificates in a science field.
SPECIAL MASTER’S PROGRAMS (SMP)
SMPs are known as the most rigorous type of grade-enhancing program. They usually mirror the first year medical school coursework, as opposed to re-taking pre-med classes or higher-level basic science classes. Doing well in a SMP program bodes well for medical school admissions when it comes to academics. But, unfortunately, many SMPs grade on a strict curve and think nothing of handing out GPAs in the low 3s. SMPs can be a double-edged sword – they are often considered the best way to prove your ability to handle the academic rigors of medical school but doing poorly at a SMP program can sink your chances of medical school admission.
DO IT YOURSELF
No rule exists stating you have to complete the medical school prerequisites in a formal program.
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THE SPREADSHEET Sometimes it’s easier to create your own program by attending undergraduate, graduate, or extension classes at your local college or university. Community college or online courses may seem attractive, but, right or wrong, many medical schools look down upon such classes. Though certain exceptional, non-traditional pre-meds have gained acceptance to medical school after taking all pre-med courses at a community college, it is not an easy path or one I readily suggest.
MAKING THE DECISION
So, which of these programs are you leaning toward? It’s common to consider programs in a few of the categories listed above. Once you have determined what type(s) of program(s) you’d most like to pursue, I suggest turning to the American Association of Medical College’s online database to start making your program list: services.aamc.org/postbac. Though the database does not breakdown the post-bac programs as I have above, it does offer the useful ability to sort by special program focus, state, public/private, undergraduate/graduate, and institution. Perform some general searches first to get a feel for how the database works, and then narrow down
your queries to start compiling a list of potential programs. These characteristics will both help you determine where to apply and which program to attend. Of course, some of this data cannot be gleaned from a database. Fortunately, the admissions committee members of many post-bac programs are more than happy to speak to prospective students. Don’t be shy! Set up a meeting with a member of the admissions committee and feel free to ask direct questions. You may also speak with students in the program and sit in on classes. There is no better way to decide which program is right for you than making an in-person visit. By the end of this process, you should easily be able to find post-bac programs that fit your needs. I suggest most post-bac applicants should apply to at least 10 programs given how competitive they are becoming. This is especially true of top career-changer and SMP programs. And when you are lucky enough to receive multiple-acceptances, you can return to your comprehensive spreadsheet to decide where to matriculate. But, in the end, deciding which post-bac program to attend will likely come down to a gut feeling of where you will have the highest chance of excelling. P
After you have compiled your program list, it is time to evaluate each program to determine if it is worth applying. Create a spreadsheet detailing the following program attributes: q q q q q q q q q q q
q q q q q q q
Name Location Overall reputation Program type/focus Degree offered Acceptance rate of students to medical school Likelihood of obtaining a strong GPA MCAT Preparation resources Linkages to medical schools Strength of advising and support Opportunities to improve research, community service, and clinical experiences Overall “vibe” Minimum GPA MCAT or standardized test requirements Application deadlines Tuition Financial aid/scholarship options Average length of program
Print+Digital SUBSCRIPTION TWO FORMATS 1-YEAR / $12 premedlife.com/subscribe
POSTBAC
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26 | PreMedLife Magazine | March/April 2015
the competitive advantage Still, even though the prospect of spending more years in school might not seem appealing to the majority of people, the number of hopeful students applying to post-baccalaureate pre-medical programs each year seems to be increasing. While the number of such post-bac pre-med programs is also arguably increasing too, getting accepted into these programs is definitely still an impressive feat. Therefore, building a competitive application for your desired post-bac pre-med program is a solid step towards earning your MD.
I
f you’ve chosen to apply for a post-bac premed program in order to enhance your chance of being a stronger medical school applicant, there is a pretty good chance that you are pretty sure of your goal to become a physician. You are so sure, in fact, that you have chosen to spend an additional year of your life enrolled in school--a pretty impressive fact, considering how medical school alone is already another four years of school after you have completed an undergraduate degree. When considering how to best build a competitive application for a post-bac pre-med program, it is essential to recognize the differences between different such programs. For instance, while Columbia University’s program (the oldest and largest program of its kind within the United States) is said to be designed to meet the pre-med educational requirements of students seeking to enter the medical field who have not taken any (or who have barely taken any) of the core pre-med science courses, other post-bac pre-med programs might have a very different student population in mind.
>>>
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POSTBAC
Specifically speaking, the AAMC’s post-bac premed program listings directs applicants to specify whether they are looking for a program with a special focus for “career changers,” “academic record enhancers,” “groups underrepresented in medicine,” or “economically or educationally disadvantaged students.” An “other” category is also an option for anyone who feels that they do not meet any of the more common categories of post-bac pre-med program applicants. Although the layout of these programs might all be relatively comparable, your chances of getting accepted into each program might not be equally spread out. Because of this, when choosing a post-bac pre-med program to apply to, take the first step of building a “competitive application” by choosing to apply to those programs that best match with your individual needs. In other words, even though you might be considered to be an excellent applicant for one school’s post-bac pre-med program, another school with a different focus might see you as less than ideal. Make the best use of your time and money by applying to schools that are most likely to accept students from your personal background. While there is definitely still a chance that you will be accepted at schools that have programs created for students of other backgrounds in mind, it is generally considered to be the wisest and most practical plan to apply to schools that you have the best chances of being accepted at. In addition to correctly choosing schools that match with your needs as a post-bac pre-med student, be sure that you do not underestimate the competitiveness of these programs. It is a wellknown fact that getting accepted into medical schools is an impressive feat, and students typically spend a good deal of time agonizing over the specifics of their applications because of this. However, applying to a post-bac pre-med program should not be taken any more lightly. Carefully deciding on the specifics on your application can help improve your chances of getting accepted over the other many applicants. With that in mind, one of the strongest ways you can build a competitive application is to have solid experiences within the field of science. If you are still enrolled in your undergraduate university, then this can be relatively easily accomplished through completing a summer REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) program, and if you do not want to spend an entire summer working on a research project, then there is also a decent chance that you can hop onto a research project on your campus through a professor/mentor at your own university during the school year instead. If, however, you have already graduated, then you will most likely discover that finding a way to
“THE FIRST STEP OF BUILDING A COMPETITIVE APPLICATION IS TO APPLY TO PROGRAMS THAT BEST MATCH WITH YOUR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS.” get experience in the science or medical field may be a bit more difficult. Obviously having a job within the science or medical field is the simplest way to accomplish this, but there is a good chance that you may not be fortunate enough to have an opportunity like that. Instead, offering your time as a volunteer may be your best way to gain experience within research or medicine. If you happen to live close enough to a research hospital, then there is a good chance that they have programs set up for anyone looking to volunteer in a lab. Additionally, volunteering your time in local free clinics is a solid way to build up your application as well. Even though you most likely will only be checking in patients or helping out with other seemingly menial duties, your time spent there is still a way to shine a little brighter in your application. No matter where you go, however, it is key that your relationships with those over you are positive ones. While this is always a good rule to abide by in life (that is, treating those over you with respect and working in such a way as to gain their respect as well), it is particularly important to keep in mind as you work to build your post-bac pre-med application. Most programs require you to submit recommendations from past employers, professors, or others in leadership in your life as a part of your application. If you attend an undergraduate school that has class sizes in the hundreds, then there is a good chance that you do not know your professor personally. This can be a problem during your application building process, as generalized recommendation letters are more likely to be skimmed over than letters that can praise specifics about you as an individual. Do yourself a favor by intentionally building quality relationships, and you will be more likely to be written about in a positive, specific light. Just like just about every program requiring you to submit letters of recommendation from those who are presumed to know you well, so is every program likely to require you to submit at least one (and often more) essay(s) on why it is that you want to attend a post-bac pre-med program. Even if writing essays is not your strength, this essay is actually the part of your application that can be the best tool for helping others to see that you are an excellent candidate for their program. Its purpose should not be to just answer whatever question stem that has been assigned to it; instead, this essay is your way to present yourself as a memorable and commendable candidate to any post-bac pre-med program.
The word count on it is a limit to how much information you can include, and because of this is it important that all statements made within your essay(s) are intentional and work to point to why you are an excellent candidate. Do you have a special story of what led you to decided to change careers and pursue a career in medicine? Have there been any particular challenges that you have had to overcome in order to get to where you are? Whatever your story is, include it succinctly within your essay(s). Additionally, if there is anything within your application that could lead an admissions committee to view you as a less than ideal candidate, then the essay(s) is the best place to address anything you believe could be concerning to them as well. These issues can typically be easily addressed during a face-to-face interview, but you will most likely need to convince them that you are even worth the time of an interview through your essay(s) first. Finally, perhaps the most important item to keep in mind while compiling your competitive post-bac pre-med application is that you really do need to create an argument for why an admissions committee should choose you to be accepted into their program. You know that you want to be accepted. You know that you will be an excellent doctor someday. You know that you have what it takes to treat patients with excellence and empathy. You know these things about yourself, and the overall goal of your post-bac pre-med application should be to help an admissions committee to know these truths too. It is with this mindset that your most competitive application can be created. Therefore, leaving in “filler” materials within your application that are included just for the single purpose of “having something there” is not ideal; while it is important that your application include information that will help you stand out as a candidate, having to include anything that does not specifically serve this purpose is really not your best option. Ideally, your application should consist of intentional entries; from the writers of your recommendation letters to the activities you mention within your personal statements, everything within your application should be pointing to the fact that you will make an excellent physician someday--a physician about which a post-bac pre-med program would be proud to be able to say, “He attended our program first before attending medical school.” P
28 | PreMedLife Magazine | March/April 2015
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your future, their hands
What post-baccalaureate pre-med programs look for in prospective students 30 | PreMedLife Magazine | March/April 2015
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Graduating with a degree from an accredited undergraduate program is an impressive accomplishment for anyone. However, for anyone who wishes to become a practicing physician, graduation from college is just a single small step in the journey. For students who were perhaps “lucky� enough to realize that they wanted to be a doctor during their first few years of their undergraduate careers, transitioning from undergrad to medical school can often be a fairly simple transition.
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Such students are often called “traditional” students and are more likely than others to find themselves enrolled in medical school classes within a year of celebrating their college graduations. However, for many other students, the process is not so simple. Many physician-hopefuls realized their desire to practice medicine after they had already chosen other fields of study during their undergraduate careers. These students, although often just as bright and motivated as other pre-meds, typically need to make up for “lost ground” in order to successfully apply (and be accepted) to medical school. Fortunately, there are several options for such students/applicants, depending on when within their lives they decided to pursue medicine. Specifically speaking, while some undergraduate students might find it possible to squeeze in all pre-med requirements during their last few years at school (or might find it reasonable to spend five years in
college instead of the traditional four), anyone who has already graduated obviously will not be able to do so. Instead, programs such as post-baccalaureate pre-medical Programs exist to help these students. A post-baccalaureate pre-med program typically lasts for about a year. These programs consist of focused studying on the core science classes, particularly those included in upper level biology work. Often, programs contain built-in MCAT preparatory classes in order to help students do their very best on this crucial exam, and many programs work hard to ensure that adequate mentoring programs are also available to their students as well. Other components of post-bac pre-med programs might include curriculum time set aside for completing volunteering hours or set times each week during which students get to learn basic clinical medicine skills. However, just like medical school, these programs are also competitive. While there are definitely a
growing number of such programs (perhaps as many as there are medical schools), there are also arguably a growing number of people looking to attend them each year too. Because of this, understanding what a particular post-bac pre-med program looks for in its applicants is a crucial step to enhancing your chances of being accepted by your desired program. COMPETITIVE UNDERGRADUATE GPAS Like any academic program, post-bac programs are interested in knowing your academic performance up to this point in your academic career. However, unlike with many medical schools, having a relatively low GPA does not necessarily mean that you have a greatly reduced chance of being accepted. Instead, many post-bac pre-med programs understand that their students are there primarily in order to improve their non-competitive GPAs from undergrad. At the same time, being able to show academic motivation through your GPA is still of huge importance. In other words, while a few low grades during science courses (or other courses) during your freshman year in college probably will not keep you out of a post-bac program, continuing to get low grades throughout your upperclassman years as well might. Post-bac programs are more likely to admit students who have shown academic improvements than those who seem to be “stagnant C’s” throughout all of their schooling. Additionally, when considering how your GPA might play into your chances of getting accepted at a post-bac pre-med program, it is very important to consider the average GPAs of the students already in the program. Different post-bac programs may have different focuses; while some programs seem to focus on students looking to improve their GPAs from undergrad, other programs are more directed towards students who never got the chance to take the required pre-med courses because they were studying other areas during undergrad. Research the average GPAs of students within a program that you are considering and improve your acceptance chances by applying to programs with averages like your own. OVERALL AMBITION In continuation with the above theme, applicants who are considered to be both ambitious and dedicated will typically have the highest chances of getting accepted by post-bac pre-med programs. Unlike a GPA, however, ambition can be a little harder to clearly “show” to an admissions committee since it cannot be as easily measured. Still, post-bac programs are looking for applicants who show ambition through their current life choices, whether that be through volunteering to check in patients at a local free medical clinic or spending a few days a week putting in hours at a local research lab as a volunteer. Ambition to rise above difficult circumstances is
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also well received by post-bac pre-med programs as well. As mentioned previously, these programs are designed with the understanding that many of their applicants are coming into the field of medicine from what could easily be considered to be disadvantaged situations. Trying to complete undergraduate science classes while working a full time job, doing college work while being responsible for a family, or just trying to navigate the rigors of school while being an older/non-traditional student are all circumstances taken into account by post-bac pre-med program admissions committees. Additionally, the AAMC states that specific post-bac pre-med programs are designed with students who are from educationally or economically disadvantaged backgrounds in mind. Therefore, students who show great ambition and who are from such backgrounds are definitely ideal candidates for these programs. AGE OF APPLICANT In addition to having student bodies made up of varying GPAs between different postbac pre-med programs, the average age of students in different programs varies as well. Specifically speaking, even though the general aim of all of these pre-medicine focused post-bac programs is the same (that is, helping to get students accepted into medical schools), the actual student populations vary greatly from program to program. While some programs might have more students who come directly from undergraduate courses (and thus are around 22 or 23 years old), the majority of programs actually have average ages of students much closer to 30 years of age. Falling out of the “normal” age for a student in a particular program does not necessarily mean that you cannot be accepted to that program, but it does mean that the program is probably looking for applicants who might have a few more (or less) years of life experiences under their belts. TOTAL LIFE EXPERIENCES In fact, many post-bac pre-med programs are extremely interested in the life experiences of their applicants. While a good part of this interest stems from general inquiries into the lives of its potential students, admissions committees are also very interested in knowing how a student’s current interest in medicine ties into his/her past life experiences. However, this does not necessarily mean that a student who chose a career in nursing prior to deciding to apply to a post-bac program
has a better chance of getting accepted into the program than a theology student does; instead, it simply means that admissions committees are very interested in knowing the life experiences that led the thought processes behind an applicant’s current decision to pursue a career in medicine. In general, the best way for a post-bac premed program applicant to use his/her life experiences to improve his/her chances of getting accepted into a program is to use any and all application essays to tie in past experiences with current ambitions. For instance, the student who is working in the business world but who wants to pursue a career in medicine should use his personal statement essay to clearly articulate what experiences in his current career led him to his current conclusion that a career change would be best for him. An admissions interview is the next place where a student can use his past experiences to help improve his chances of getting accepted into the program, but this second step typically only occurs if the first place of convincing (the essays) is well received. The goal of a post-bac pre-med program is to graduate students who will then be accepted into medical schools--students who might not otherwise have ever gotten to go to medical school. While the content of the programs themselves is carefully designed to best achieve this goal, admissions committees understand that they can only really achieve their goals if they also have classes of students who best meet the character qualities of successful doctors. Such qualities include intelligence, integrity, and ambition, and all of these are often analyzed based on a student’s re-telling of his/her past life experiences. While the overall goal of a post-bac premed program is somewhat similar to that of medical schools in general (that is, to graduate students who are better prepared to eventually serve in the medical field), the requirements for admissions to these programs are vastly different. Both programs are very competitive, but they definitely have different standards of acceptance. While medical schools typically are looking for applicants who have strong GPAs and high MCAT scores, post-baccalaureate pre-medical programs are more interested in discovering students who could someday have those medical school admissions requirements. P
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34 | PreMedLife Magazine | March/April 2015
HT SLIPPIN’
PITFALLS TO AVOID as a post-baccalaureate
pre-medical student
S
o you’ve successfully gotten accepted to a quality Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program. You’ve worked hard to get to where you are, and you are proud of being there. You would rather be in “actual” medical school right now, but you understand that your decision to do a year in a post-bac program is probably for the best and will most likely help enhance your chance of eventually being accepted into your dream medical school in the future. At the same time, however, just being accepted into this program is not necessarily a guarantee of you choosing to follow through with your dreams of becoming a physician. Instead, it is up to you to stay focused throughout the entire duration of your program in order to best enhance your chances of moving forward to the next step in your journey (that is, medical school). Post-Baccalaureate Programs are set up to help ensure your success as a premed student. This set up typically includes many long hours of science-focused lectures; often classes are done in a time-crunch plan, with an entire year or semester’s worth of material being condensed into an 8 week schedule. (However, the particular schedule of classes of each post-bac pre-med program varies from school to school). >>
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Days within your life as a post-bac pre-med student might also include spending time studying for the MCAT and learning basic clinical medical skills as well. Shadowing physicians and completing volunteering hours might also be a part of your program, and many post-bac programs work hard to ensure that each student has the option of having an individual mentor as well. However, despite the structure of a post-bac pre-med program being meticulously designed to improve a student’s chance of getting accepted into medical school, it is still up to each individual student to make the most of his/her time in the program. Additionally, even though getting into a postbac pre-med program is a step in the right direction, sometimes being in such a program can actually make things harder for students to push on and pursue their medical school dreams afterwards. Specifically, there are several pitfalls that students within such a program need to avoid in order to keep their spirits alive for the challenge of medical school. BURNOUT Arguably the greatest enemy for post-bac and medical school students alike, suffering from burnout (without ever finding a way to successfully cope with it) can often be the difference between success and failure for many students. The workload in a postbac program is designed to be one that adequately prepares students for the workload of the classes in medical school; as such, the pace of learning is easily comparable to that of having to sprint during a marathon. While your undergrad work will have ideally prepared you for the challenge of the classes within a post-bac program, the fact remains that the majority of post-bac pre-med students probably will never have experienced such an intense academic load all at once before. Stay ahead of the game and actively work to avoid falling prey to burnout in a post-bac program. Keep written reminders to yourself of why you wanted to become a physician in the first place. Stay in touch with friends who know how badly you want to work towards your dreams and goals, and call them to remind you whenever you feel like giving up. Although the majority of your “free time” will need to be spent studying, make sure to build in time to relax and refresh yourself. Successfully working towards your goal of completing your post-bac pre-med program and getting accepted into medical school will mean learning how to deal with the stresses of a grueling course load without giving in to academic burnout. DEPRESSION In line with burnout, depression is another struggle faced by post-bac and medical students alike. Al-
though burnout is definitely a major contributing factor to overall depression (and arguably vice versa), depression also tends to affect an individual on a deeper level than academic burnout does. While burnout may just affect a student’s focus during his academic pursuits, depression will spill out into every area of his life. However, even though a surprising number of graduate students will experience symptoms of depression during their studies, this potential pitfall definitely does not need to be a struggle that prevents them from achieving their dream career goals. Instead, post-bac students must learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of depression and to fully acknowledge them in their own lives if they are there. Seeking help through licensed counselors and other healthcare professionals is the next step, and postbac programs often have mentors who are available to help students with their struggles as well. Student support groups can also be of incredible importance for the post-bac pre-med student struggling to keep his dream of medical school alive; knowing that you are not alone in your struggles is important for helping you to push through and pursue your dreams. PROCRASTINATION While telling yourself, “I’ll finish this lecture tomorrow” can be essential to preserving your own mental health at times, making a habit of doing so is almost guaranteed to create a pit for yourself that will be incredibly hard to dig out of. “Tomorrow” might have been a reasonable option for studying in undergraduate classes, but it really is not a practical approach to the course work within a post-bac program. Since the post-bac pre-med program is designed to get you in shape for medical school, the coursework within these programs is also designed to push you to develop steady study habits that will lead to your eventual success as a medical student. Avoid falling into a hole of procrastination by creating a strict study plan for each day of your week and sticking to it. Obviously, unexpected emergency situations will arise occasionally. However, the student who is on top of all of his studying (or who at least has a definite plan for how to stay on top of it) should find such situations less stressful than the student who already has mounds of catch-up work to do on top of the unexpected occurrence. Additionally, be quick to recognize that procrastination is often not so much a problem of doing nothing but a problem of doing the wrong things. In other words, even though it may be tempting to justify cleaning out your car instead of studying the day’s lectures, as long as you’re in school the lectures should probably be placed as a higher priority and should be accomplished first.
LACK OF CONCRETE FUTURE GOALS Finally, a common pitfall for many post-bac pre-med students is a lack of actually solid future goals. This may sound like an unlikely problem for you if you’re currently enrolled (or currently planning on enrolling) in a post-bac program, but it is unfortunately a real problem. In fact, this potential pitfall can be one that makes all of the other previously mentioned problems unmanageable. Without concrete solid goals for your future in medicine, you are much more likely to give in to the stresses of your post-bac work and give up on pursuing your doctorate. With concrete goals, on the other hand, your goals will propel you through difficult nights of studying and days spent inside libraries. Be proactive in avoiding this common pitfall by forcing yourself to have a real realization of why you want to do what you want to do. Know exactly why you want to pursue a career in medicine; have a solid grasp on the desires behind your dreams, knowing why being a doctor is what you want to do with your life. Keep a reminder of whatever sparked an interest in medicine in you in the first place; write a solid plan for how exactly you will go about pursuing your career in medicine once you complete your post-bac program. Will you take a year off to take the MCAT and apply to medical schools? Will you spend time working in a research lab? Would you like to get a stronger grip on medical terms and work as a scribe in the ER of a hospital? Whatever you choose to do, have a solid plan that you can remind yourself of whenever you get frustrated or exhausted while plowing through your post-bac program. As initially stated, your position as a post-bac pre-med student is definitely an exciting one to be in. You’ve worked hard to get to where you are; regardless of the steps that led you to choose to pursue a career in medicine, your position in a post-bac pre-med program is one that will probably bring you one step closer to your dreams, provided that you can avoid these common pitfalls of students. Once you have successfully completed your program (and found a way to work through these common problems), you will find yourself to be well prepped for medical school. Not only will you have a stronger academic background through your concentrated science course work, but you also will have successfully faced many of the struggles fought by medical students before even entering medical school. Finding ways to conquer tendencies towards procrastination and feelings of burnout while you are in your post-bac program will help you be an even stronger student (and person) during medical school. P
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Premedlife
POSTBAC
paths Choosing
istockphoto / © denis_pc
BY CARLEEN EATON, MD
Applicants searching for a post-bac pre-med program are sometimes overwhelmed by the array of options available. The first step in the search for the right program is to understand the difference between the two major categories of post-bacs: career-changers and academic record enhancers. These programs are intended for different groups of applicants, so it’s important to know which category you should be considering. >>>>
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Program Types Career changer programs are aimed at students who have a bachelor’s degree but haven’t taken the science prerequisites for medical school. Some students who attend these programs have had previous careers before switching to a premed path, while others start the program immediately after college, despite the “career changer” label often used to describe these post-bacs. Academic record enhancer programs are designed for students who need to improve their science GPAs in order to be competitive for admission to medical school. These programs usually require applicants to have already completed the core science courses required for medical school admission. The coursework in these programs consists of upper division and/or graduate level science courses which will strengthen a student’s academic foundation while also giving them a second chance to prove to medical schools that they can excel in science classes.
Some academic record enhancers lead to a certificate of completion, while others lead to a master’s degree in biomedical sciences, human physiology, or a related area. Record enhancers that culminate in a master’s degree are often referred to as “special master’s programs” or “SMPs.” While many students fall neatly into one of these categories, finding the right fit can be more complicated for students who have completed some, but not all, of the core science courses, which include general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics. Many career changer programs place limits on the number of prerequisite science courses students can have completed prior to entering the program. Therefore, students who started on the premedical path as an undergraduate, but didn’t finish it, should look for programs that are flexible about previous coursework or will tailor the curriculum to individual students’ needs. For example, some career-changers allow students to have taken
several science courses previously. Conversely, there are some record enhancers that allow students to finish up missing core science courses. Check the admissions websites for the programs you’re interested in or contact the admissions office to ask if the program will be able to accommodate you. Note that some programs are focused on students from minority groups that are underrepresented in medicine or who are socioeconomically disadvantaged. There are both career changer and record enhancers geared to these students to help increase the diversity of the medical school applicant pool. Admission Admission to career changer programs is typically based on factors that include GPA, SAT/ACT scores, activities, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and in some cases, an interview. For academic record enhancers, GPA, activities, letters of recommendation, and application essays, and in-
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terviews are also considered; in addition, an MCAT score may be required. Some record enhancers accept SAT/ACT or GRE scores instead. Programs of both types have rolling admissions, so apply early in the cycle to give yourself the best chance of acceptance. Medical School Linkages Many career changer programs have linkage agreements with particular medical schools. Linkage agreements allow students to apply to medical school during the post-bac program and eliminate the “gap year” that students otherwise need to take after finishing their post-bac courses. Post-bac programs and their linkage schools establish requirements for eligibility to apply, such as a particular GPA in the post-bac. Taking the MCAT is sometimes, but not always, required. Academic record enhancers may guarantee an interview to a medical school affiliated with their program or give other preference to applicants who perform well in their program.
Length Both program types range from one to two years in length. One-year career changer programs often include a summer session in addition to two semesters during the academic year. Other career changers take 15 months or longer to complete. Academic record enhancers are typically one year, but may be two years, or offer the option for students to receive a certificate after one year and a master’s degree for completing a second year. There are also programs that lead to a master’s degree after only one year. Finding Programs The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has a searchable database of post-baccalaureate premedical programs at http://services.aamc. org/postbac/. In addition, the pre-health advising office at your undergraduate school may maintain a list of programs, so check with your advisor as well. The right post-bac program can be a valuable bridge to medical school whether you’re a career changer
just getting started with science courses or you need upper level coursework to boost your GPA. There are more options than ever for students who are switching to pre-med or who are seeking to become more competitive for admission to medical school. Once you’ve determined which type of program you need, you’ll be ready to delve more deeply into specific programs, and find a great match that will get you to your goal of admission to medical school. P
Carleen Eaton, MD is the founder of prehealthadvising.com, which provides personalized advising to applicants to medical school and other health professions programs. Dr. Eaton is a graduate of the UCLA School of Medicine and the author of Getting into Medical School for Dummies, part of the popular Dummies series.
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2015 GUIDE PAGES REMOVED INENTIONALLY
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newstouse Study Links Cell Phone Separation With High Anxiety
Cell phone users who are separated from their devices experience serious psychological and physiological effects, according to a study conducted by researchers from the University of Missouri. The study, published in the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, was designed to better understand the impact of cell phone usage and what occurs when people are unable to answer their ringing phones. Involved iPhone users who were told that the purpose of the study was to test out a new wireless blood pressure cuff. In reality, researchers observed and recorded heart rate and blood pressure data as study participants sat at a cubicle. While at the cubicle with their iPhone in their possession, participants completed a word search puzzle. Researchers then asked participants to complete a second word puzzle without their iPhone.
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Student Loan Debt Affects Graduates’ Mental Health
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Health | Wellness | Fitness | Nutrition | Mind & Body As they completed the first puzzle, researchers recorded each patients’ heart rate and blood pressure responses. Then, researchers informed the participants that their devices were causing interference with the wireless blood pressure cuffs and that they would need to place the phones further away in the room for the rest of the experiment. Finally, as participants worked on the second puzzle, the researchers called the participant’s iPhones and the measure the blood pressure and heart rates of the participants. Researchers found that when participants were unable to answer their ringing iPhones while solving the word puzzles, their heart rate and blood pressure jumped. In addition, the participants feelings of anxiety and unpleasantness increased. “Our findings suggest that iPhone separation can negatively impact performance on mental tasks,” said Russell Clayton, lead researcher. “Additionally, the results from our study suggest that iPhones are iPhone users experience capable of becoming an extension of ourselves such high levels of anxiety when that when separated, we experience a lessening of ‘self ’ and a negative physiological state.” ¡ separated from their device
The burden of student loan debt may affect the health and well-being of recent graduates, according to a new study. The first-of-a-kind study, led by researchers at the University of South Carolina and the University of California, Los Angeles, examined the relationship between student loans and early adult mental health. Two questions were explored: What is the association between the amount that students accrue during undergraduate studies and their mental well-being post graduation and what is the association between annual student loan borrowing and the mental well being of currently enrolled students? The team also looked at whether the relationship between student loan debt and mental health well-being as associated by the amount of money their family had, whether they attended a 2-year or 4-year college, and the degree they ultimately obtained. The research team used data from the a survey representative of young adults in the United States. The findings revealed that those who had higher amounts of student debt reported higher levels of symptoms consistent with depression. Moreover, student loans were associated with poorer psychological functioning.
“We are speculating that part of the reasons that these types of loans are so stressful is the fact that you cannot defer them, they follow you for the rest of your life until you pay them off,” explained Katrina Walsemann, lead author. “We speculate that the American middle class is suffering the most from post-graduation debt, since they do not qualify for governmental assistance, nor is their family able to take on the bulk of the costs associated with college.” According to background information provided in the press release announcing the results, in 2012, student loan debt totaled over $1 trillion in the United States, making this type of loan second only to home mortgage debt. “The present findings raise novel questions for further research regarding student loan debt and the possible spillover effects on other life circumstances, such as occupational trajectories and health inequities,” the authors wrote. “The study of student loans is even more timely and significant given the ongoing rise in the costs of higher education.” The study "Sick of our loans: Student borrowing and the mental health of young adults in the United States" was published in the journal Social Science & Medicine. ¡
52 | PreMedLife Magazine | March/April 2015
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THE LIFE
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the anti-freshman 15
Regular Exercise May Help Sharpen Brain Function While there is a lot of research showing the benefit of exercise among older adults, new research now shows that regular physician activity among young adults improves brain function. The new study, led by researchers at the University of Otago, was designed to examined whether regular sustained exercise could boost cognitive ability among students 18-30 years old. The study involved 52 students who took a series of cognitive tests while the researchers measured oxygen availability in the frontal lobe of their brains, as well as their self-reported exercise frequency. The findings, which were published in the journal Psychophysiology, revealed that both blood supply to the brain and cognitive functioning appear to benefit from regular exercise in young adults. Moreover, the researchers also found that body mass index did not play a significant role in how well the brain functioned. This may suggest that regular activity, rather than actual body weight, may be more important overall. “This provides compelling evidence that regular exercise, at least 5 days per week, is a way to sharpen our cognitive ability as young adults – challenging the assumption that living a sedentary lifestyle leads to problems only later in life,” said Dr. Liana Machado, senior lecturer at the University of Otago and lead researcher. ““I think the idea that young people do not have to worry about exercising since they are in their prime developmentally is rapidly being overturned by mounting evidence that even the brains of young adults can benefit from regular exercise.” ¡
Personal training, fitness tips, motivation, healthy eating, and workouts; in person or via FaceTime & Skype
/Jaypeeinhd SCAN THIS PAGE TO WATCH THE GET FIT WITH JAPYEE VIDEO. (See page 6 for details.)
March/April 2015 | PreMedLife Magazine |53
premedlife E X I T I N T E R V I E W
Balamurali Ambati
At the age of 17 he graduated from a New York medical school and became the World’s Youngest Doctor. Today, he is an ophthalmologist, educator, and researcher.
Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in medicine? I became a doctor for several reasons. When I was 4 years old, I was burned on both of my legs and I was in the hospital for about three months. I had three surgeries at the time for skin grafts. This was a very formative experience; just seeing the doctors and the nurses. As I got older, I enjoyed biology and that seemed to fit well. My uncle was also a physician and I was able to see a little bit of what he did. All of those things were influential factors. Do you remember if any of the questions asked during your medical school interviews were particularly easy or difficult to answer? There were some interviewers that were hostile because I was very young. It is what it is. I did the best that I could at the time. So let’s see – I was interviewing when I was age 13 and some interviewers would be hostile in a sense of asking questions like “how would you react to seeing a naked man or a naked woman?” I don’t remember how I answered the questions but that was a tough question at the time. What do you think best prepared you during your college years to be successful in medical school? Well, NYU has a very challenging curriculum – organic chemistry was my hardest class. And going from high school where I breezed through most of my classes to hitting a wall in organic chemistry was good preparation for showing me that I had to step my game up a notch. And that experience of a much higher level of competition was very humbling. What attracted you to Ophthalmology? Ophthalmology is something that I choose because in medical school you go through different rotations. I liked Internal Medicine, General Surgery, and Pediatrics – I feel like my specialty combines all of those. You see all kinds of diseases, you do exquisite surgery, you see patients of all ages – in what other field could I be a transplant surgeon, a prosthetic surgeon, an emergency surgeon, do international and overseas work? I conduct wonderful research as well. It’s really a very nice combination.
DOING WHAT HE LOVES At 37, Dr. Ambati donates his time overseas with his organization Orbis, the world’s only flying eye hospital. In 2013 alone, the organization trained 22,000 medical professionals and provided 5.7 million treatments to adults and children.
What’s the best advice you ever received as a college student? My mentor and he organic chemistry professor Dr. Edward McNeils told me to never forget what it’s like to be a student. I think a lot of doctors forget their training years and treat students poorly. What do you think premeds should be most aware of? I’d say that every premed should understand what they’re getting into and understand their own reasons for doing medicine. Students should consider what kind of life they want to lead and when they want to do different things in terms of job, career, family, children, and enjoying life.
54 | PreMedLife Magazine | March/April 2015