PreMedLife Magazine - May/June 2011 by PreMedLife Magazine

PREMEDLIFE

THE MAGAZINE FOR PREMEDICAL STUDENTS

MAY/JUNE 2011

Double Degrees Are Dual Degree Programs A Right Choice For You?

International Medical Schools What You Need To Know About Taking Your Studies Abroad Financial Aid Special

Cost vs. Resources What Are Your Options For Paying For Medical School

Especially This Specialty What Does It Take To Become An Ob/Gyn?

Mobile Apps For Premed Students When Studying For The MCAT Goes Mobile

Log onto www.premedlife.com to view the digital edition of this issue for FREE!

CONTENTS

May/June 2011

www.premedlife.com

FEATURES

Double Degrees | 16 Find out what combined degree programs can offers students considering this study option

International Medical Schools | 24 What you need to know if you’re thinking about applying to an international medical school

Cost vs. Resources | 32 Figuring out how to pay for medical school is one of the biggest challenges students face

DEPARTMENTS

Ask The Experts | 14 Your questions answered by knowledgeable insiders who give insight about the medical school admissions process

School Spotlight| 23 Get a glimpse into what Duke University School of Medicine has to offer students Especially This Specialty | 43 Find out what being an Ob/Gyn is all about and what it will take to pursue this specialty

IN EVERY ISSUE Newsbites| 6 Recent news & information relevant to students applying to medical school In The Stacks| 53 Books to inspire you or provide you with advice along your journey to medical school

24 >>>

Better Life, Better You| 54 Advice & tips for taking care of yourself to make it through your hectic pre-med life

Gadgets & Gizmos

Check out a few of the gadgets & gizmos that we’ve picked out for this issue - they’re sure to keep you entertained. From stapleless staplers to cool pen and pencil holders, these items are sure to make you smile

College 101| 56 Here are some things that every student attending college should know about

P.50

Want to be featured in PreMedLife Magazine? We’re looking for pre-med students to join the PreMedLife Student Advisory Board. Are you interested in sharing your opinion about what topics matter most to pre-med students? Then join our team. Students selected to be a part of the PreMedLife Advisory Board will be acknowledge in every issue and considered a part of the PreMedLife staff. Sounds interesting? Send an email to info@premedlife.com with your Name, College/University, and year (i.e. Freshman, Sophomore, etc).

May/June 2011 | PreMedLife Magazine | 3

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www.facebook.com/premedlife PreMedLife Magazine is published six times per year by Kisho Media, LLC. and copies are provided to selected 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-med advisor with any questions you may have about the medical school admission process and related topics. Unless otherwise noted, all photographs, artwork, and and 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. Or call (347) 231-6429 or email info@premedlife.com.

publisher from the

Some may ask "how will one exam possibly test my understanding of months of material?" But somehow, some way, in the land of professors, they truly make it happen. You’re looking back at the notes you took three months ago and you can barely make out what you wrote next to your rendition of the student with the funny hair sitting a few rows in front of you. Or, you've gone through a box of highlighters and marked up the textbook so much that it now looks like a work of art and you can't even remember what the important information is anymore. Either way, since you haven't figured out how to stop time, the next few weeks are inevitable. So just do your best to get through it. Think of how you'll reward yourself when it's all finished. If it's your first year, I suggest you get used to this and figure out from now how, where, and when you study best. For all you seniors, you've come very far and kudos to you, but remember, if you're planning on going to medical school, it's the ending of one stage in your life and the beginning of the next. One thought that may help get you through in the meantime is that IT’S NOT FOREVER. Finals will come and go. So hang in there − you'll be glad you did.

Sheema Publisher

May/June 2011 | PreMedLife Magazine | 5

NEWSBITES

>>> Recent news & information relevant to pre-medical students applying to medical school

Big MCAT Changes on the Horizon Incoming freshman who are planning to apply to medical school can expect to face some major changes with one of the most, if not the most, important exams of their undergraduate experience If you are a pre-med student whose timeline has you taking the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) in Spring 2015, you may want to listen up. Since it first came on the scene in 1928, the MCAT has evolved in many ways and in about four years, the exam that is considered to be the most important in any pre-med student's career, will undergo some of the most significant changes to date. The changes to the MCAT were revealed in a recent announcement made by the group that administers the MCAT, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) which originally appointed what they call the MR5 Committee, a 22-member advisory panel, to review the MCAT exam in 2008. Responsible for the recommended changes to the MCAT, the MR5 Committee expressed that the revisions were developed in order to increase the overall value of the exam to medical school admissions committees. The goal of the committee was to preserve the best features of the current MCAT exam, while at the same time get rid of what wasn't "working" and make the exam better by putting an emphasis on concepts they felt future doctors would need. After three years of over 75 outreach events, and informational and opinion surveys from more than 2,700 undergraduate and medical school faculty, administrators, residents, and medical students, the MR5 Committee came up with 14 preliminary recommendations. In February 2012, the AAMC is set to review the recommendations and if approved, the changes would be the first major revisions to the test in 25 years. "These are the biggest proposed changes to the MCAT in 25 years and reflect the significant changes in the practice of medicine during this time, as physicians today need to know far more than they did a generation ago," said Amjed Saffarini, executive director, pre-health programs, Kaplan Test Prep. "The recommended changes are designed to make the test more relevant for the next generation of doctors, and rightly so. However, the increased amount of coursework that future pre-med students will have to learn in order to sit for the new MCAT would be akin to high school students having to take calculus before taking the SAT速 or ACT速 - certainly not impossible for these strivers, just more challenging given all their other prerequisites." A GLIMPSE AT THE CHANGES Although the MCAT has gone through four major revisions in the past, many experts say that it has

6 | PreMedLife Magazine | May/June 2011

been unable to "consistently predict personal and professional characteristics." According to the advisory committee, the next version of the test should focus less on testing just for students' scientific knowledge and instead emphasize their critical analysis and reasoning. So in other words, while the MCAT may be able to test a student's knowledge of organic chemistry, it can't test how well they will interact with future patients. Moreover, recommendations made by the advisory committee not only include changes to the content but a change to the format as well. Aside from adding an extra 90 minutes to the already

five-and-a-half-hour exam, the new test would feature four sections: molecular, cellular, and organismal properties of living systems; physical, chemical, and biochemical properties of living systems; behavioral and social sciences principles; and critical analysis and reasoning skills. In a study examining how well the MCAT predicts a student's success in medical school, Clara Callahan, MD, dean of admissions at Jefferson Medical College, found that while the test scores were very good at predicting how medical students performed in the hard sciences, there were not as good at determining how they would perform on tests of clinical skills.

HERE'S

A QUICK LOOK AT THE COMMITTEEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

PROPOSED MAIN CONTENT CHANGES:

Updating the exam's two natural science sections to relate more to current science and test how students solve problems in a way that helps demonstrate their scientific thinking and research skills. This would include more questions in the areas of biochemistry and cellular and molecular biology, areas in which research has seen plenty of advances over the last 10 years. The committee also called for more regular updates to the section to reflect advances and discoveries. Adding a section to test behavioral and social science concepts, including ethics and philosophy questions in the verbal reasoning section. With this change, the advisory committee hopes to assess other aspects of learning that are usually part of a broader liberal arts curriculum, such as ethics, philosophy, psychology, and cultural studies.

While it is still too early to say exactly which changes will be approved by the AAMC, the redesigned MCAT will most likely lead to necessary changes in both the undergraduate curriculum and medical school coursework. "The best way to learn is to step out of the classroom and read newspapers, volunteer or learn about social justice issues," Hanley said. "Being more involved in the health care system will further enhance the quality of care for patients." PREPARING FOR THE NEW MCAT Test experts say that in order to perform well on the new MCAT, pre-med students will have to master some new content. To do well on the exam, one's course load should not be strictly hard sciences, but also include social science classes, like psychology and sociology. These

"soft sciences" will play an important part when preparing for the new behavior and social sciences section of the exam. In addition, for students who would not otherwise take courses in biochemistry, cellular biology, and molecular biology, it might be in their better interest to register for these courses as the concepts in the courses may now show up on the exam. So we know that there are changes coming but it is unclear at this point how many of the proposed recommendations will actually be accepted. And there may even be some additional changes from now until the time the new exam will make its debut. In all, the changes are intended to make the MCAT a better indicator of a pre-meds students success in medical school, but only time will tell. Â&#x201E;

Transforming the verbal section into a new 'Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills' section which would eliminate current passages in the natural sciences and technology and replace them with passages in ethics and philosophy, cultural studies, population, behavioral and social sciences, and humanities disciplines. This section would test examinees' ability to engage in critical analysis and reasoning and would not require specific subject matter knowledge in these disciplines. Eliminating the writing sample because medical school admissions committees reported that scores on this section of the test are used for only a very small group of applicants. "It really didn't help us, even though it occupied a large portion of the test," said MR5 Committee Chair Steven G. Gabbe, M.D., senior vice president for health sciences and CEO of the Ohio State University Medical Center. "Medical schools gain no predictive validity from the writing test beyond what they already know from applicants' college grades." Additionally, performance on the Writing Sample offers admissions committees very little additional information about applicants' preparation for medical school relative to what is offered by undergraduate grades and the other sections of test. The new test would include six hours of testing time (compared to four hours and 20 minutes on the current test). Including breaks between sections and a lunch break, the total administration time for the new test would be approximately seven hours. A PASS/FAIL EXAM? One idea made by the advisory committee which was later rejected was shifting the current scores (15 points for each section) to a pass/fail system. "The idea was seriously considered, but was rejected out of concern that medical schools would not have as much information about applicants," Gabbe explained. "With point totals, medical schools can make their own judgments."

May/June 2011 | PreMedLife Magazine | 7

NEWSBITES Top medical schools rankings for 2012 released by US News The U.S. News & World Report has once again released its annual list of the top medical schools in the United States. After surveying more than 145 fully-accredited medical schools, the following is a list of the highest-ranked medical schools for research and primary care. Note: Due to ties, there are more than 10 schools listed here. RANK

RESEARCH

TOTAL ENROLLMENT

#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #5 #5 #5 #9 #10 #10

Harvard University Boston, MA University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD Washington University St. Louis, MO Duke University Durham, NC Stanford University Stanford, CA University of California San Francisco, CA Yale University New Haven, CT University of Washington Seattle, WA Columbia University New York, NY University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI PRIMARY-CARE

#1 #2 #3 #4 #4 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10 #10 #10 #10

A new summer program designed to introduce undergraduate college students to urban health care will make its debut at Camden Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU). The program, named PULSE (Premedical Urban Leaders Summer Enrichment Program), will give students the opportunity to learn about health conditions that are commonly prevalent in urban communities, participate in medical workshops, interact

8 | PreMedLife Magazine | May/June 2011

11.9 12.2 11.9 12.5 11.8 11.4 11.5 12.1 10.3 11.9 11.6

TOTAL ENROLLMENT

University of Washington Seattle, WA University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, NC Oregon Health and Science University Portland, OR University of California San Francisco, CA University of Colorado Denver Aurora, CO University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE University of Massachusetts-Worcester Worcester, MA University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA East Carolina University (Brody) Greenville, NC University of Alabama-Birmingham Birmingham, AL University of Iowa (Carver) Iowa City, IA University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI

NJ med school offers summer program on urban health

725 608 463 493 422 456 618 382 926 638 665

926 753 504 618 621 998 492 487 608 309 748 586 652

with health care providers, and participate in service activities to help improve the health and well-being of the urban community of Camden. In addition, students will be exposed to introductory microbiology from physicians, including faculty who are in infectious disease and epidemiology. Learning experiences will also come from topics on health, economic and educational disparities that exist in urban communities like Camden. “There is a great need in health care to recruit and train individuals who have the same background and experiences as patients who live in urban settings,” says Dr. Jocelyn Mitchell-Williams, associate dean for multicultural and community affairs for CMSRU. “Our goal, through PULSE, is to expose underrepresented students to career options in health care.” According to Dr. Mitchell-Williams, during PULSE, students will get the opportunity to learn introductory microbiology from physi-

MCAT SCORE

MCAT SCORE 10.3 10.8 10.2 11.5 10.6 10.8 9.9 10.7 12.2 10.0 10.2 10.7 10.4

cians, including an expert in infectious disease and epidemiology. What’s more is that they’ll learn more about health, economic and educational disparities that exist in urban communities from Camden health care providers and community leaders. PULSE is also designed to help students develop the skills needed to succeed in the fields of science and medicine. “Service learning and research each afternoon will give students the opportunity to develop their interpersonal skills and to form close relationships with medical school faculty and staff,” Dr.MitchellWilliams added. “Students will present their work at the PULSE summer symposium at the completion of the program”. PULSE will take place on Rowan University's Camden campus and run from May 16-June 10, 2011. For more information about the program or to get the application call (856) 361-2800 or visit www.rowan.edu/CooperMedicalSchool.

NEWSBITES

MEDICAL SCHOOL PIPELINE Here’s a list of new medical schools that are being developed in the U.S.

More and more students seek training to become primary-care doctors The number of medical schools students who have chosen to train for primary-care medicine has increased in 2011, according to preliminary data from the National Resident Matching Program(NRMP). Overall, 2011 was the first year that the number of successful matches for US seniors overshot the 15,000 mark, which represents a match rate of 94%. Seniors attending medical school in the US have filled 1,301 family medicine positions, up from 1,169 in 2010. In 2011, 48% of available family medicine slots were filled by US seniors, up from 44.8% in 2010. In addition, internal medicine matches for US seniors increased 8%, to 2,940 from 2,722, and also grew for a second straight year. In 2011, 57.4% of available internal medicine residency slots were filled by US seniors, up from 54.5% in 2010. In both internal and family

Student

Spotlight

medicine, a greater percentage of slots were filled even as the overall number of available positions increased. Data released by the NRMP showed a 7.3% jump in first-year emergency medicine residency positions filled by US seniors, from 1,182 in 2010 to 1,268 this year. Among the most competitive slots were dermatology, orthopedic surgery, otolaryngology, plastic surgery, radiation oncology, thoracic surgery and vascular surgery, according to the NRMP. The good news is that the number of US seniors entering their first year of residency training increased to 15,588 over 14,992 last year, continuing an increase in recent years due to the opening of new medical schools and the expansion of existing medical schools.

W NE

CALIFORNIA NORTHSTATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MEDICINE Rancho Cordova, California Anticipated TBA

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE Kalamazoo, Michigan Anticipated TBA

PALM BEACH MEDICAL COLLEGE Palm Beach, Florida Anticipated TBA

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE Riverside, California Anticipated Fall 2012

CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE Mount Pleasant, Michigan Anticipated Fall 2012

COOPER MEDICAL SCHOOL OF ROWAN UNIVERSITY Congratulations to

WILSON T. SMITH from California State University, Sacramento! Will Smith is a non-traditional pre-medical student who currently, with the unconditional support of his amazing wife, is enrolled in a postbaccalaureate program and hopes to apply to medical school in the next few years. Want to be featured in our Student Spotlight? Log on to www.premedlife.com and tell us why you should be selected

Camden, New Jersey Anticipated Fall 2012

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, GREENVILLE Greenville, South Carolina Anticipated Fall 2012

QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE North Haven, Connecticut Anticipated Fall 2013 or 2014

UPDATED 5/2011

May/June 2011 | PreMedLife Magazine | 9

NEWSBITES Medical humanities may become required course for med school students Courses designed to teach clinical empathy through medical humanities An increasing number of medical schools in the United States are placing a growing emphasis on the humanities, according to an article published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

The article revealed that 69 of 133 accredited schools in the US now require that medical students take a course in the medical humanities, including courses in literature and painting, as a way to teaching competencies, whether its skills, knowledge, or attitudes. Based on studies that have demonstrated that clinical empathy can be taught through medical humanities, medical schools in the US have shown greater efforts toward incorporating medical humanities into the curriculum. "The observational skills of medical students can be improved through examining paintings and sculptures," said Irwin Braverman, MD, a medical professor at Yale University and author of Medicine and Art. Through a program developed by Dr. Braverman called "The Doctor-Patient Relationship", first-year medical students are brought into the Yale Center for British Art to sharpen their observational skills. "The thought occurred to me that if I were to show [students] and unknown object, show them something they really had not familiarity with, and ask them to describe what they saw, they would probably describe every single detail in that object because they didn't know what was important or unimportant. They had not prejudice or biases," Dr

Gasol, Medical Student Turned Professional Basketball Player Many people may not know this, but Pau Gasol, professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers, was once a medical student. When he was only 18 years old, Gasol was a firstyear medical student at the University of Barcelona. The son of a mother who was a physician and a father who was a nurse, Gasol set his sights on becoming a doctor after learning that one of is idols, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, had HIV. "I wanted to find the cure," Gasol said. "I wanted to be able to find the cure for major sicknesses. I wanted to find the cure for cancer. I was an 11 year old dreaming at the time," Gasol admitted. Gasol suspected that he'd end up being a medical researcher. For some time, he tried balancing both basketball and medicine. During his first semester in medical school his schedule called for him to go to basketball practice in the morning and then attend three medical courses until the afternoon where he would once again return to basketball drill-work. Committed to his dream of becoming a doctor, Gasol somehow

made it work and passed the three classes with above-average grades. By the time his second semester rolled around, Gasol's hectic schedule become a more difficult feat - he missed more classes but still managed to pass the majority of his courses. When he came up on his second year, Gasol found himself in a bind because when he spent extra hours at the hospital or in the lab he would miss scheduled basketball practices. After much thought, Gasol requested a meeting with the dean of the medical school and decided to drop out of medical school. "To me, it was not hard because I know what felt right," Gasol revealed. "I just felt like basketball was really getting to a point that it could be a great opportunity. I was getting good at it. I was traveling with a professional team. It was really exciting stuff. I was right there, and it was happening to me. I thought if it didn't work out, I could always go back to medicine. I could always become a doctor. The dean said I could always come back." Â&#x201E;

10 | PreMedLife Magazine | May/June 2011

Braverman explained. After seeing the benefits of his program, Dr. Braverman realized that first-year students would be best suited for the concept since he would be starting with a "mind that hasn't been tampered with." Since its first run, Dr. Braverman's program is now a required course which brings medical students into a museum setting to observe paintings without interpretation. It's all about the "cerebral experience of looking at an unknown object and finding the details of this object," Dr. Braverman stated. Since its inception, more than 24 other US medical schools, including Brown University, Cornell University, Duke University and Stanford University, have imitated or created a "slightly amplified" version of the program, Dr. Braverman revealed. "Nobody has data that shows that [taking humanities courses] creates one kind of doctor versus another," says David Muller, MD, dean for medical education and the Charles C . Morchand chair in medical education at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. "I would hope that if it accomplishes anything, it maintains the student's well-being and if it makes them a little bit more of a well-rounded person and a better clinical doctor, then that would be great." Â&#x201E;

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NEWSBITES Demand for premedical scribes grows Indiana to get brand new medical school Marian University has announced that it has received pre-accreditation status for its new medical school. Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine will be the state’s second medical school and is expected to directly address the shortage of physicians in Indiana. According to the press release announcing the news, Indiana will be short 5,000 physicians by 2020, and will need 2,000 more primary-care physicians. "The new college of osteopathic medicine will provide much needed primary care physicians to the many medically underserved counties in Indiana, and provide eco-

nomic growth to the state," said David Coil, DO, president of the Indiana Osteopathic Association (IOA). "We are excited to champion Marian University in this endeavor and are here to help promote the university to our future DOs," he continued. A brand new building will house both the college of osteopathic medicine and the university's School of Nursing. The college is expected to begin accepting applications in the summer of 2012 and open in the fall of 2013. For more information about Marian University, visit www.marian.edu.

Shorter shifts may make for better docs Reducing working hours for doctors in training doesn't have a negative impact on educational and clinical outcomes, according to a study published in the British medical journal BMJ. For the study researchers in the UK reviewed 72 studies: 38 which reported training outcomes, 31 which reported outcomes in patients, and three which reported both. The results revealed that a reduction

in working hours from greater than 80 hours a week (in accordance with US recommendations) does not seem to have adversely affected patient safety. "We found that most studies found either a beneficial or neutral impact on patient safety and clinical outcome and limited or no effect on post-graduate trainee or examination results," the authors concluded.

Career Trends>>>

As more hospitals are turning to electronic medical record systems, the need for medical scribes has drastically increased over the years. If you are unfamiliar with the term, a scribe is a person who is hired to input data into the new record-keeping systems which are designed to improve efficiency and quality in health care facilities. For a pre-med student who would be thrilled to have an opportunity to work directly with physicians on a day-to-day basis, the mediocre pay is more than acceptable. According to officials at several companies that hire and train scribes, scribes started working in fastpaced emergency departments in the mid-1990s, but hiring increased as more and more health care facilities switched over to an electronic data system. The companies explained that by having scribes handle the majority of the data entry, physicians were able to focus more on patients. ScribeAmerica, the largest scribe company in the nation, employs 800 people in 21 states and Emergency Medicine Scribe Systems (EMSS) has increased its number of scribes from 100 to 600 within a two-year period. Another company, PhysAssist Scribes Inc. went from providing 7,500 hours a month of scribe coverage in 2005 to 38,000 in March 2011. The demand for scribes continues to grow and even one company, EMSS, has considered equipping physicians with cameras and microphones to offer virtual scribes to remote hospitals. Education: Some college or a bachelor's degree. This is meant to be a temporary position for people who plan to become medical professionals; scribes gain experience with medical problems, vocabulary, and treatments. Preferred Background: Scribe companies want college students studying to become doctors, nurses, and physician assistants. They also accept graduates who plan to work a year before applying to professional school. Companies do extensive training. Salary: $8 to $12 an hour. With experience, up to $20 an hour.

Medical students find geriatrics to be a rewarding field, but say it lacks earning potential and prestige, according to a recent survey published in Age and Aging. 12 | PreMedLife Magazine | May/June 2011

NEWSBITES

Medical school acceptances aren’t coming very easy Getting into medical school is already tough as it is, but some schools aren’t making it any easier for students to get in - and in some cases, it is almost next to impossible to get accepted Acceptance rates at many US medical schools are less than 10%, according to an analysis of graduate school data reported to U.S. News and World Report. Compared to business school and law school, medical school has come to be one of the hardest, if not the hardest, graduate school program to get admitted to. Specifically, in 2010, 521,876 applications were submitted to the 121 medical schools that reported data to the U.S. News and

Medical School

World Report about entering students. This means that on average, only 8.9% of applicants were admitted. And let's not even talk about the schools with the lowest acceptance rates. At Mayo Medical School, the school that has earned the title of having the lowest acceptance rate in the country - out of almost 4,000 applicants, only 87 were actually admitted. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, while acceptance rate data by

school reflects the number of applicants admitted to a particular institution, the average prospective student applies to 14 medical schools. Therefore, the average acceptance rate across all schools is not a direct reflection of the total number of individuals who get into medical school. Here’s a list of the 10 medical schools with the lowest acceptance rates, based on applicant and acceptance data reported by the institutions to U.S. News and World Report:

Applicants

Acceptances

Acceptance Rate

U.S. News Med School Research Rank

Mayo Medical School

3,989

2.2%

George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences

10,588

328

3.1%

Wake Forest University School of Medicine

7,389

226

3.1%

Stanford University School of Medicine

5,873

192

3.3%

Georgetown University School of Medicine

11,549

420

3.6%

Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School

5,437

200

3.7%

Rush University Medical College

6,488

246

3.8%

Howard University College of Medicine

6,044

234

3.9%

University of California-Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine

6,204

240

3.9%

University of Vermont College of Medicine

5,516

221

4.0%

Rank Not Published

May/June 2011 | PreMedLife Magazine | 13

ASK THE EXPERT

>>> Your questions answered by knowledgeable insiders who give insight about the medical school admissions process

GOT QUESTIONS? Get answers to your important premedical questions with the help of experts and insiders about the process. Our Ask the Expert section connects you with individuals who can answer questions on a wide variety of topics. Send them to info@premedlife.com. Remember, you can also visit your pre-health advisor to ask them any questions as well.

Summer Session Courses been thinking about getting a headstart on my preQ| I’ve med prerequisites this summer. Is it a good idea to register for 1 or 2 courses during the summer session?

Get to know your professors early so you can use them for a recommendation later on down the line

“Minority” Status been coming across a lot of programs interested in Q| I’ve recruiting students who are “minorities”. How do I know if I fall into a medical school’s definition of “minority”? There are many programs implemented by medical schools that

A| are designed to recruit students who represent federally defined minority groups that are under-represented among practicing physicians. These groups often include African-American, HispanicAmerican, and Native American. In addition, the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) also has a check-off for “disadvantaged” status. When you identify yourself as minority or disadvantaged to AMCAS, at some point individual schools may inquire further about your response and may request additional information that they take into consideration during the admission process.

Know Thy Professors

if I don’t know any of my professors well enough to Q| What ask them for a letter of recommendation? no easy way to say this but you should make sure that, by A| There’s the time you’re applying to medical school, this isn’t the case! While it may seem intimidating at first to walk into office hours and start a conversation with one of your professors, the more practice you gain, the easier it will be. Starting in your first semester, make it your business to get to know one of your professors well, and by the time you apply, you’ll have developed relationships with at least six professors, if not more.

580,304 14 | PreMedLife Magazine | May/June 2011

should really think carefully about using the summer option A| You to fulfill your pre-med prerequisites. The fact of the matter is that any medical school likes to see these courses, especially the science courses, taken with a normal academic load so that a student's level of maturity, motivation, time management skills, and intellect can all be evaluated. But if you do choose to take one of these courses over the summer, it is not advised to take one or more of the science courses during the summer. Not only do the courses usually cover less material due to the abridged timeline, but you are less likely to retain the information you may need to perform well on the MCAT. Many students decide to use their summer break to get ahead with their prerequisites. As long as the course you take is at an accredited four-year U.S. college or university, and it is a course with lab normally taken by that school's premed students you should be good to go.

MCAT Crystal Ball the scores I get on my practice MCATs, is there any Q| Besides way to predict what sort of scores I will have on the MCAT? experts have said that you can gauge your performance A| Some on the MCAT by just looking at the score you got on your SATs! One of the best correlations that has been seen between MCAT and any other achievement is between the MCAT and the SAT scores. However, there are exceptional students with modest SATs who achieve strong MCAT scores.

Research vs. Primary-Care the difference between research and primary-care Q| What's medical schools? only difference between these two types of schools is A| The emphasis. Research-oriented medical schools tend to devote more time and effort towards hard sciences and, as the name suggests, are usually centers of medical research. Primary-care-oriented schools focus instead on patient care and train students to become better caregivers than scientists. However, both types of school still require that their students complete clinical science classes, attend clinical rounds, and will grant the MD upon graduation.

The total number of applications received by U.S. Medical Schools for the 2010-2011 entering class

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COVER STORY

Double Degrees Many students choose to pursue joint degrees, combining a medical or scientific education with other fields of study. Take a look at what combined degree programs can offer medical students wishing to take their studies beyond just medicine.

There is a long list medical schools that offer combined or joint MD degree programs. Such programs put students in a position to earn their MD degree while they complete a second degree program, either a BA/BS degree or a second graduate-level degree. While the obvious benefit of pursuing dual degrees simultaneously is that not only can it cut the cost of graduate school but it tends to be a faster course of study as opposed to pursing the degrees separately. Generally, the coursework is accelerated and typically condensed. For the majority of programs combining MD degrees and a second graduatelevel degree, a student would complete the first two years of pre-clinical medical school coursework, then start their secondary degree, and finally return to medical school for the final two years of clinical rotations. The length of the programs depends on the course of study, but in most cases, after about six years of study, the student comes out with a MD plus another graduate degree.

16 | PreMedLife Magazine | May/June 2011

If you plan on pursuing a combined degree, make sure that you are ready for the commitment involved and that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re choosing this path for the right reasons

May/June 2011 | PreMedLife Magazine | 17

TO COMBINE OR NOT TO COMBINE? The decision to pursue a combined-degree is typically based on a students long-term goals. For a student who's always seen themselves as a physician who practices medicine in a hospital, clinic, or a private practice, a combined-degree program may not be needed. The level of training and education provided through the typical four-year medical school program can provide sufficient training. Even for highly specialized concentrations, medical school, residency, and internships can usually provide students with the adequate training and background needed. If a student is interested in contributing to the development of health care policies, then maybe a MD/MBA program is right up his/her alley. Or maybe mitigating intellectual property issues in biotechnology is something that sounds like what you've always dreamed of doing...then you'll be a great match for a MD/JD program. Either way, there are a lot of options for students wishing to branch out and have plans to do something more than just practice medicine. What combined degree programs are out there? There is a long list of schools that give students the option of pursing their MD degree and another graduate degree related to the field of medicine or are still completing their undergrad degree. Below are brief descriptions of a few combined-degree programs available for students that want to dibble and dabble in another academic area. Remember to contact each program to learn further details about the combined degree offered.

BS/MD or BA/MD Some students know early on that becoming a doctor is what they truly want to do with their lives. They exhibit great levels of commitment, they are very mature, and their academic achievements are exceptional. These students may have the option to take advantage of a handful of programs that integrate undergraduate studies with acceptance into medical school. These programs usually last from 6 years to complete instead of the customary 8 years for both degrees. Students should be prepared to endure the rigorous, challenging undergraduate workload that usually comes along with these types of programs. If you are thinking about applying to this type of combined program, keep in mind that entry is sometimes restricted to students entering as freshmen. There are 6 year programs that students can apply to in their sophomore year in undergrad. Some of the combined degree programs allow motivated, qualified students to enter medical school after only three undergraduate years. So there are a lot of options for those considering this path. Do your research and you may find a way to reach your goals of becoming a doctor sooner than later.

MD/MS Masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Degree There are several different combinations when it comes to dual, MD/MS programs. Depending on the discipline chosen for your Masters degree, this type of program is aimed at training those who wish to perform research in medical sciences incorporating the perspective and/or skills achieved through clinical medical training. One example of a joint MDMS degree program entails the following: Students begin the MS course work after completing 1 year of clinical training. Joint degree students then spend the fall and spring semesters of their 4th year and the summer and fall semesters of their 5th year completing the MS coursework. Finally, they complete their professional papers/thesis for the MS degree and their clinical rotations for the MD degree in the spring semester of their 5th year. With this kind of background, graduates of joint MD/MS programs can expect to be highly competitive for residency and fellowship positions at prestigious institutions.

MD/JD Juris Doctor A growing number of medical schools offer students the option of getting their medical degree along with a law degree. Some schools do not require you to take the LSAT, which is usually required for law school admission. By pursuing both degrees, students gain the skills and knowledge that will allow them to work in a number of law-related jobs as well as practice medicine. Individuals with a MD/JD degree have pursed careers in medical management, managed care, policy development and consulting, and other health care administration arenas. The majority of these programs are offered jointly through various law schools. Students enrolled in MD/JD programs typically take an average of 6 years, including summers, to complete both degrees, compared to the usual 7 if pursued separately. MD/JD degree programs are designed to prepare future physicians to meet the issues in offices, hospitals, medical centers and health-care related positions. Example Course: Anatomy of a Medical Malpractice Case

MD/MBA Master of Business Administration Health care issues are becoming increasingly a big part of today's society. Given that the health care industry is closely intertwined with the business world, it is very helpful if there are health care professionals who can bring practical knowledge and experience to the business world. If you're the person who's always flipping through business magazine or tuning into those business related news shows, you may want to look into this option. For those who seek to join the executive team at a hospital or health care facility or work at a pharmaceutical company, MD/MBA programs are a perfect match. Most of these programs require students to apply and gain acceptance to the MD and MBA program separately. It is also required that students take both the MCAT and the GMAT. Example Course: Social Medicine

MD/MPH Master of Public Health Students looking to gain perspectives on both the medical world and the health issues of the human population, the MD/MPH may just have your name on it. This dual degree program is currently one of the most popular choices among the joint-degree programs. If you are interested in tackling public health issues or working towards developing and implementing preventative medicine programs, then this degree may be your best bet. Students holding this degree go on to combine their medical training and knowledge with what they've learned about public health issues to work on issues as diverse as bioterrorism, quality improvement in health services, and cancer prevention efforts. For most programs, pursing the option only tacks on an extra year of study. Students usually apply to the school of public health during their second year of medical school and begin coursework after the second or third year. Example Course: Behavioral & Social Sciences of Public Health

MD/PHD Doctor of Philosophy A MD/PhD student is someone with a medical degree and a PhD in any one of a wide range of scientific disciplines. The goal of most of these programs is to provide students with the opportunity to obtain advanced education and research training in a scientific discipline, while also providing exposure to and training in clinical medicine. The time for a student to obtain a MD and PhD degree separately is longer than if com-

>> 18 | PreMedLife Magazine | May/June 2011

bined into one program. Offered jointly by the graduate school and the medical school, this dual degree program usually consist of 2 years of medical school curriculum followed by a minimum of 3 years of graduate study with a dissertation research in a scientific area leading to a PhD degree. Most schools offer PhD degrees in biomedical subjects such as Biochemistry, Biostatistics, Neuroscience, and Immunology, just to name a few. Graduates from this program usually end up working as a researcher, a professor at a teaching hospital, or both. Several of these schools are members of the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) which are fully funded by the National Institutes of General Medical Sciences and for students enrolled in these programs, full tuition and living expenses are covered and to top it off, students receive a stipend. Maybe that's why these programs are highly competitive. For those students who are up for the challenge, this may be something worth looking into. Example Course: Current Topics in Neuroscience and Human Behavior

MD/M.Ed Master of Education Students who chose this path may be interested in patient education or a career in an academic center working in medical education. There will always be a need to teach,whether its students, patients, or colleagues. In most cases, students apply to the MD/M.Ed programs separately and must be accepted by both programs to purse the joint degree. Students complete both degrees in 5 years, as opposed to 6 years. Potential areas of study include, but are not limited to, Special Education, Early Childhood Education, Human Resource Development, and Organizational Leadership. Example Course: Community Development Action

MD/MHA Medicine Health Administration Environmental issues are beginning to become a hot topic of debate and as health care organizations start to adapt in response to environmental pressures, physicians will be sought to lead these institutions. This program is ideal for physicians who know early on in their career that they wish to pursue administration work as well as a career in medicine. Students applying to this dual degree must be accepted to both the schools' Department of Health Administration, as well as the School of Medicine. The program usually runs for 5 years and graduates take on positions as health care executives and leaders in various health related fields. Example Course: Health System Organization, Financing, & Performance

MD/DMD Doctor of Dental Medicine The combined MD/DMD program is a fairly new option that crosses the fields of dentistry and primary care medicine. Students who are drawn to this type of program usually have an interest in the more broad range of the health care profession. The link between oral health and systemic health emerges and students are trained to provide health promotion and disease prevention care in a new arena. Students should be prepared to take the clinical licensure examination leading to the practice of density and for post-graduate, year-one residencies in medicine, which are required prior to medical licensure at the end of 5 years. Example Course: Health & disease in individual community, society Whether you chose to go for just the MD degree or combine it with another advanced degree, make sure you’ve done your research and are doing it for the right reasons. Don’t do it to impress others or because it looks good. Do it because it’s what you truly love to do. Set aside the financial rewards, prestigious status, and having additional letters after your name, practice medicine because it’s what you love to do.

20 | PreMedLife Magazine | May/June 2011

Where BS or BS/MD

Albany Medical College Northwestern University, The Feinberg School of Medicine University of Connecticut School of Medicine Baylor College of Medicine Ponce School of Medicine University of Kentucky College of Medicine Boston University School of Medicine Stony Brook University Health Sciences Center School of Med University of Miami Miller School of Medicine at Miami Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University Temple University School of Medicine University of Nevada School of Medicine Drexel University College of Medicine The Ohio State University College of Medicine University of New Mexico School of Medicine George Washington University School of Med and Health Scienc Tufts University School of Medicine University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Howard University College of Medicine U of Florida College of Med University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry Jefferson Medical College UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School University of South Florida College of Medicine Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern Californ UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine Meharry Medical College University of Alabama School of Medi Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University Michigan State University College of Human Medicine University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine Wayne State University School of Medicine Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Drexel University College of Medicine University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine

MD/MHA University of Washington Medical University of South Carolina Medical College Virginia Commonwealth University Medical School University of Maryland School of Medicine Ohio State University College of Medicine

MD/DMD Case Western University

*Please note: This is only a parti

e to go for...

ces

nia

cine

MD/JD

MD/PHD

Baylor College of Medicine University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine Duke University School of Medicine University of Illinois College of Medicine-Urbana Champaign Mayo Medical School University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine Southern Illinois University School of Medicine University of Minnesota Medical School Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Medicine The Ohio State University College of Medicine University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine University of Florida College of Medicine University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School University of South Florida College of Medicine UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

Albany Medical College Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine University of Kansas School of Medicine Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University Ponce School of Medicine University of Kentucky College of Medicine Baylor College of Medicine Queen's University Faculty of Health Sciences University of Louisville School of Medicine Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University Rush Medical College of Rush University Medical Center University of Manitoba Faculty of Medicine Boston University School of Medicine Saint Louis University School of Medicine University of Maryland School of Medicine Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University San Juan Bautista School of Medicine University of Massachusetts Medical School Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine Sanford School of Medicine of The University of South Dakota University of Miami Miller School of Medicine at Miami

MD/MPH

MD/MBA

Baylor College of Medicine The Ohio State University College of Medicine University of Minnesota Medical School Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University The Texas A & M University System Health Science Center College of Medicine University of Nebraska College of Medicine Boston University School of Medicine Tufts University School of Medicine University of Nevada School of Medicine Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University Tulane University School of Medicine University of New Mexico School of Medicine Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine U of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Medicine Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School University of Oklahoma College of Medicine Dartmouth Medical School UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA University at Buffalo SUNY School of Medical & Biomedical Sciences University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Drexel University College of Medicine University of Alabama School of Medicine University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry Duke University School of Medicine

Baylor College of Medicine Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University Northwestern University, The Feinberg School of Medicine University of Connecticut School of Medicine Boston University School of Medicine Saint Louis University School of Medicine University of Illinois College of Medicine Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University Stony Brook University Health Sciences Center School of Med University of Illinois College of Medicine-Urbana Champaign Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Med University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons The Ohio State University College of Medicine University of Kentucky College of Medicine Dartmouth Medical School Tufts University School of Medicine University of Michigan Medical School David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA U of Florida College of Med University of Minnesota Medical School Drexel University College of Medicine UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School University of Nevada School of Medicine Duke University School of Medicine UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

ial list of the many schools which offer combined degree programs of study

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SCHOOLSPOTLITE

Get a glimpse into what one medical school in the U.S. has to offer prospective students <<<

DUKE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE Durham, North Carolina If you are a pre-medical student who is interested in attending a research-oriented medical school, Duke University School of Medicine may be the school for you. Coming in at #5 on U.S. News & World Report’s 2012 list of top medical schools for research, Duke takes pride in being one of the world's premier centers for medical education, clinical care and biomedical research. What’s more is that The Duke Clinical Research Institute is the largest academic clinical research organization in the world. It took Duke less than five years after opening its doors to become ranked by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) in the top quarter of medical schools in the country. Known for its unique curriculum, Duke has dedicated the last 75 years to molding eager medical students into outstanding physicians and scientists. The school’s curriculum is different from curriculums adopted by other schools in that it requires students to dedicate an entire year to research or work towards a second degree. And by squeezing the traditionally structured training from four years into three, the school

provides students sufficient opportunity to pursue their own independent interests. Duke’s education model, called The Foundation for Excellence Curriculum, is designed so that students have the opportunity to tailor their education to serve their personal interests and career goals. Students have patient contact early on – in which they get to practice history-taking and physical exam skills on patients in the Duke Hospital wards, shadow physicians during the second half of the first year, and begin their clinical clerkships a full year earlier than other medical schools. In addition, Duke unique education model is unusual among medical school curriculums in that all of the basic sciences, from physiology to gross anatomy, are taught in the first year. "The first year is like drinking from a fire hose," said Vega, president of the Davison Council, the student government body. "There is so much information and it just keeps coming. But we all get through it." For more information about Duke University School of Medicine visit medschool.duke.edu.

quick facts DEGREE(S) OFFERED: MD MD/PhD

SCHOOL TYPE Private

LENGTH OF PROGRAM 4 Years

# OF APPLICATIONS 5,166

# APPLICANTS ENROLLED 100

MEAN MCAT SCORE 34

Student Average GPA 3.74

Tuition $70,891

May/June 2011 | PreMedLife Magazine | 23

PREMEDLIFE

Foreign Medical Schools

Thousands of pre-medical students decide to attend medical school abroad - Learn about the ins and outs of this study path

an alternative to studying medicine in the US, an increasing number of students are attending international medical schools. It is estimated that thousands of students leave the US to study medicine abroad. International medical graduates (IMGs) constitute approximately 25 percent of practicing physicians in the US, a level of participation that has increased from 18 percent in 1970 and only 10 percent in 1963. And here’s some good news - according to one study published in Health Affairs, foreign medical school grads provide the same quality of care as those trained in the US. Among the top four primary specialties, the IMG population represents 37% of total physicians in internal medicine; 28% anesthesiology; 32% in psychiatry; and 28% in pediatrics. IMGs are chiefly concentrated in New York, California, Florida, New Jersey and Illinois and the top five countries of

origin among IMGs are India, The Philippines, Mexico, Pakistan and the Dominican Republic. If you are thinking about applying to an international medical school, there are many factors that you need to consider and there’s a lot of information that you will need to know if you’re looking to coming back to the US to practice medicine. Graduates of international medical schools are referred to as "IMGs" as opposed to "USMGs" for graduates from US medical schools. Many international medical schools have key differences from schools in the US. Take for example, European medical schools, which accept high school graduates into their 6-year medical doctorate programs.Or some medical schools in the Caribbean which do not require the MCAT for admission. Foreign medical schools can differ substantially from US

>>> 24 | PreMedLife Magazine | May/June 2011

PREMEDLIFE MAGAZINE | Getting you medical degree outside of the US is a huge decision to make, so it is very important the you do all the necessary research to make sure that you know about everything thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s involved.

May/June 2011 | PreMedLife Magazine | 25

schools in their requirements for admission and length of study. In any event, it is always wise to consult your pre-med advisor if you’re thinking about attending a foreign medical school. Here are a few things that you will want to consider as you think about whether or not obtaining a medical degree at a foreign school is the best option for you. Unlike US medical schools, foreign medical schools do not necessarily require an undergraduate degree or an admissions test; and, if an admissions test is required, the score need not be as competitive as for US schools. From not being accepted into US medical schools to having a non-competitive GPA or MCAT score, there are many reasons why students decided to pursue their medical education outside of the US In one focus group that was conducted, 72% of students attending foreign medical school revealed that they had initially applied to medical school and only ten of the 82 participants indicated that they had also been accepted by a US medical school. The results of the focus group also revealed reasons for attending a foreign medical school included, but were not limited to, having the opportunity for clinical rotations in U.S with hospitals affiliated with the school, the school’s reputation, and accelerated program or other admissions requirements enabled student to finish school faster.

Reputation, Reputation, Reputation As you begin to research the many foreign medical schools that are out there, it may be in your best interest to look up information on the school’s reputation. The reputation of medical school is among a number of factors that residency programs in the US considered when selecting applicants to invite for interviews. It is in your best interest to find out if the school is recognized as the equivalent of an accredited medical program in the U.S. While some states will accept a region’s accreditation, there are some states that will review foreign medical schools on a case-by-case basis. It would be a good idea to utilize The Graduate Medical Education Directory, published by the American Medical Association (AMA), which is recognized as the official list of Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited graduate medical education programs. To find more information about this directory, visit www.ama-assn.org. You may also want to see if the school you’re interested in is listed in the International Medical Education Directory (IMED) by visiting http://imed.faimer.org. The IMED is a free web-based resource that provides information about international medical schools that are recognized by the appropriate government agency in the countries in which they are located.

Another good indicator of whether an international medical school is reputable or not may just be that its standards of accreditation are comparable to those in the U.S. as determined by the National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation(NCFMEA). There are several countries that have been reviewed by the NCFMEA and are found to use standards to accredit their medical schools that are comparable to the standards used to accredit medical schools in the United States. These countries include Australia, Canada, Cayman Islands , Czech Republic, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Mexico, Netherlands, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Saba, St. Maarten, Slovak Republic, Sweden, Taiwan, and United Kingdom. This factor will also be important when it comes to applying for financial aid because only schools located in one of the 26 countries can participate in the Federal Student Loan Program.

Getting Certified Because medical schools outside the United States and Canada vary in their educational standards and curricula, The Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certification is designed to assure residency program directors and the public that

Comparison of Average Cost of Attendance at U.S. and Selected Foreign Medical Schools

Source: GAO analysis of Institutional data and published American Association of Medical Colleges based on academic year 2008-2009 data.

26 | PreMedLife Magazine | May/June 2011

>>>

IMGs have met the minimum standards of eligibility to enter such programs. If you plan to go to an international medical school, make sure that your degree will be recognized in the US When you attend medical school outside of the US or in Canada, you will need to gain certification by ECFMG. The purpose of the ECFMG is to evaluate, examine, and certify physicians who were educated outside the United States and Canada. Through its program of certification, the ECFMG assesses the readiness of international medical graduates to enter US residency or fellowship programs. In other words, ECFMG certification provides an assurance to residency programs and to the people of the U.S. that IMGs have met the minimum standards, including proficiency in English, required to enter such programs. In order for a student to even apply for ECFMG certification, the school they attend must be listed in the International Medical Education Directory (IMED) of the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER). To learn more about the certification process, visit www.ecfmg.org.

Residency Rules Once you become certified by the ECFMG, physicians who wish to practice medicine in the US have to complete an accredited residency training program in the US. or Canada. Many medical graduates are placed in residency programs through the National Resident Matching Program. While this process requires at least three years, you will have to complete a residency program regardless of the training that you received abroad. In addition, the fact that you’re coming from a foreign medical school may mean that competition for residency positions may be more difficult. It is important that you discuss participation in the National Residency Match Program with your pre-medical advisor or the

admissions officer at the foreign medical schools you are interested in attending. It is also important to know that in order for students coming from an international medical school to enter a residency program in the US, they must show evidence of a medical degree from a recognized medical school, which The Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research currently list 2000+ such institutions. To see if the school that you’re interested is on the list visit www.imed.faimer.org.

Obtaining a License As with physicians who graduate from schools in the US, IMGs must also apply for a license in the state(s) in which they intend to practice. An international physician should consider where he or she would like to practice medicine because each state has different licensing requirements for physicians. In most cases, you have to complete 1-3 years of residency or years of practice outside of the U.S. or Canada before applying for a license. A quarter of that physician workforce is comprised of international medical graduates and they include both US citizens and foreign nationals. Studies have shown that IMGs have needed more attempts to pass the licensing exams than their US-educated counterparts. For international medical graduates who wish to enter a US family practice residency program, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has on their Web site, General Guidelines for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) Who Wish to Enter a Family Medicine Residency Training Program in the United States. To learn more, you can visit www.aafp.org.

USMLE Regardless of where you do your medical training, to practice in the US you will need to pass the US Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE). And

28 | PreMedLife Magazine | May/June 2011

although passing the licensing exam is critical for those seeking to practice in the US, not all schools focus on this as a part of their program. It used to be that only foreign medical graduates had to take the clinical skills portion of USMLE step 2, but starting in the spring of 2005 everyone taking step 2 must take both the clinical skills and clinical knowledge portions of step 2. While attending medical school abroad, students can take Step 1, Step 2-Clinical Knowledge, and Step 2-Clinical Skills. The final step of the licensing exam is usually taken during residency.

Financial Aid Students who attend foreign medical schools rely on various resources to fund their education. In 2008, the federal government loaned $633 million to U.S. students enrolled in foreign institutions--including medical students-through the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program. Many US students enrolled at foreign medical schools take out loans, such as the FFEL to fund their education. Students who are enrolled in eligible international medical schools may borrow up to $20,500 in subsidized and unsubsidized loans annually. Deciding whether or not to attend a foreign medical school is an important consideration to during your pre-medical career as you map out the next few years of your life. If you are thinking about studying medicine outside of the U.S., just make sure that you’ve done all of your research and aren’t left with any surprises when its too late to turn back. Make sure that you ask all the questions you need to ask and don’t hesitate to take a step back and thoroughly think about it. Foreign medical school isn’t for everyone! Just make sure that if you’re applying to a foreign medical school that it’s for all the right reasons. Going a foreign medical school and then returning to the US to practice medicine is just another pathway to reaching your end goal - becoming a doctor.

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how to survive a bad gpa Now that the semester is over some students are left worrying how they’ll manage to get into medical school with less than impressive grades

dmissions committees usually look at two different values when assessing your GPA: your science GPA and your overall GPA. While the science GPA has traditionally been the more important of the two, the movement toward recruiting a more well-rounded student body has increased the importance of the non-science GPA. The reality that you have to face is that regardless of the subject you want to study, a very low GPA is certainly going to put you at an early disadvantage when it comes to applying to medical school. But college performance is not the only measurement of a student's worth, and there are several things you can do to offset a poor GPA. It’s good to start off by thinking about why a low GPA is such a big deal. Medical schools admission committees may look down upon a student with a low GPA not merely because it's a low number, but because of what it might indicate about you. A low gpa can either mean that you don't understand the subject well enough to continue your education in it or that you lack the ability to study effectively or perform well in tough courses. So if you fall into the category of having a bad GPA, you'll need to prove to the admissions committees that both of these things aren't true. The first thing you may want to think about doing to sway the opinions of admissions committees judging you by you GPA is to get some real-word experience in your back pocket. Whether it is volunteering at a hospital and forming relationships with health care professional that will soon be able to write a recommendation boasting about your desire and potential or taking one of those guided research/reading one-credit courses that allow you to spend time with a professor at least once a week, you'll be able to build a rapport with someone who will be able to vouch for your hard work and dedication and will be able to offset your poor grades. It’s also a good idea to take additional, challenging courses and do well in them. You'll also need to do exceptionally well on the MCAT. If you're able to perform well on the MCAT you'll give the admissions committee a reason to kind of "overlook" your poor gpa. When getting your medical school application together, you're really going to want to write an awesome personal essay. If your low gpa is due in part to uncontrollable occurrences outside of the classroom, such as personal/family problems, mental or physical issues, a learning disability, then your essay will give you an opportunity to explain your situation. And much more importantly, you'll have a chance to explain how you've overcome those obstacles and are now prepared to succeed in medical school. Something else to keep in mind is that there's often more than one way to actually get into medical school. For instance, you can try to get into one of those post-baccalaureate premed programs that are designed to enhance your credentials for getting accepted into medical school. Some of these programs are even affiliated with medical school and have a program that allows excep-

30 | PreMedLife Magazine | May/June 2011

tional students to automatically gain acceptance into the linking medical school upon completion of the post-baccalaureate pre-medical program. So take some time to investigate your options and map out a plan for what you'll need to do to get into medical school. Don't for one minute think that your dream is dead. It may be a difficult process but if your heart is in it, you'll find way to get there. Don't worry yourself sick! You're in the company of plenty other students who also wish they had performed better in their classes. There's good news...you can still get into medical school if you stay confident and approach the months ahead with a strategy. Here are a few tips for redeeming your gpa:

ACE THE MCAT It goes without saying that the MCAT is an important part of your application. So get on the ball! Aim to score above average for the schools you've chosen. A high score will definitely help you stand out from applicants with equal or higher GPAs.

RECOMMENDATION LETTERS Your letters of recommendation are a good opportunity for you to compensate for a low GPA. It's okay to talk to the people that will be writing your letters of recommendation and let them know that your GPA isn't as high as you'd like it to be and share with them the circumstances explaining your mediocre performance. By doing this, you allow those with academic credibility the chance to address your concerns on your behalf. This can be very persuasive to a member of the admissions committee.

WRITE A STELLAR PERSONAL STATEMENT Aside from your MCAT score, your personal statement may be your best chance to prove that you are something greater than the sum of your stats. Highlight your interesting accomplishments, experiences, aspirations, and obstacles that you've overcome. The fact of the matter is...your med school application will be considered by a group of people that are human beings with subjective criteria. Imagine them as a thinking body open to seeing the best in what you have to offer. Your goal is to convince them of your virtues and trust them to be impressed by your strengths. Contrary to what you might hear, medical school admissions is not just about numbers.

PREMEDLIFE MAGAZINE

Cost vs.

Resources a little

∨

Ways to help make paying for medical school easier

ccording to the 2010-2011 AAMC Annual Student Tuition and Fees Report, the average tuition and fees for first-year medical students at public schools was $26,845 for state residents and $48,682 for nonresidents. For students at private schools, average resident tuition was $44,490 and nonresident tuition $45,986. To these costs must be added possible tuition and fee raises, books, housing, and other living expenses during the traditional 4-year programs. On average, medical students in the US graduate with an overwhelming debt load of nearly $155,000. While medical school is expensive, most students receive some form of financial aid to help meet the costs. The key to financing your medical school education is to begin your search for funding early. If you wait until you’re accepted into medical

32 | PreMedLife Magazine | May/June 2011

school, you might be left frantically searching for a way to foot your medical school bill. Here’s a look at some ways to help you reduce the burden of costs for your medical school education: IN-STATE PERKS One easy way to reduce the cost of medical school is to attend a public school within your home state instead of a private school, which may come with a hefty price tag. Don’t have a medical school in your state? No worries - you may be eligible to attend other state schools as an in-state resident through an exchange program such as WICHE, the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, which allows students from Alaska, Montana, and Wyoming to apply to and attend any western medical school as a state resident (with the exception of the University of Washington).

>>>

The thought of paying for medical school brings plenty of stress to aspiring medical students, but early planning may help ease the burden of the financial tab that comes along with practicing medicine

May/June 2011 | PreMedLife Magazine | 33

But even if you do go to medical school in state, it is very likely that it will end up costing you $140,000, including room and board. If you do plan on attending a school in-state, the goal is now to get all of the financial aid that you can to help further reduce the cost of your degree. MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS Simply put - your goal should be to get as much financial aid for medical school that does not need to be paid back. You should make it your business to apply for as many scholarships as possible. The merit scholarship is one of the most popular and the most prevalent. In order to qualify for such a scholarship, you must first demonstrate a high GPA, as well as a high score on your MCAT. Once you’re accepted into medical school, you should find out if you qualify for any of the school’s merit-based scholarships. Each medical school that offers merit-based scholarships has their own rules. Therefore, students who need financial help are encouraged to apply at several medical schools to increase their chances of qualifying for a scholarship at a school. Earning a full-ride merit scholarship can eliminate tuition costs, allowing academically qualified students to save hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of four years. Many schools offer full scholarships for students with strong academic credentials. Naturally, the competition for these generous scholarships is high, so not every student who meets the academic qualifications will necessarily earn a full scholarship to medical school. Check out the local corporations and organizations in your area, do some research, you never know what you might find. AWARDS & GRANTS You may also find it helpful to check with the university or medical school that you’ve been accepted into to see what awards and grants are offered. Alumni will often set up scholarships for students who meet certain criteria including anything from grades, athletics, volunteer work, or whatever the grantor wished to recognize with the award. You may find that you are eligible for an award because of your grades, volunteer work, athletic prowess or some other reason. TUITION-FREE SCHOOLS More recently universities have been helping medical students out in a big way by offering them the opportunity to attending medical school at no cost to them. Here are some schools that offer scholarships that every medical school student dreams of:

The Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine (CCLCM) gives all incoming students scholarships to cover the annual tuition of more than $40,000. At Mayo Medical School every medical student receives financial assistance from the Mayo Foundation, with all students receiving at least half tuition scholarships. Through the generous support of donors, the University of Central Florida's College of Medicine made medical college history with their four-year scholarship program. Each member of the school’s charter class received a full, four-year scholarship with living expenses. The school hopes to continue receiving support from generous donors so that they continue providing their students with a tuition free medical school education. SERVICE-ORIENTED PROGRAMS While programs may offer students the chance to obtain their medical education for free, it’s always important that you know the commitment involved. Whenever you find a program offering such a deal, make sure that you know what’s involved and what the long-term commitment may be. The military and the US Health Service Corps are two ways you can help finance your medical education. If you choose the military, you will receive the medical training you need in exchange for service to the country. The funding you receive for your education will be proportionate to the number of years of active duty you must provide in return. In the U.S. Health Service Corps, medical students can also receive assistance with medical school funding in exchange for a promise from the student to offer service in a medically underserved area of the country once his or her education is complete. The National Institutes of Health will pay tuition and a living stipend for those interested in spending the eight years in school necessary to receive an M.D. and a research Ph.D. through programs like its Medical Scientist Training Program. The National Health Service Corps will repay $50,000 in education debt for two years of service in needy areas. It will repay up to $35,000 for a third year. MEDICAL ASSOCIATION DOLLARS The American Medical Association (AMA) Foundation provides financial assistance through

scholarships, grants and awards to deserving medical students and residents across the nation. The AMA offers the following scholarships: The Minority Scholars Award, The Physicians of Tomorrow Scholarship, The Scholars Fund and The Arthur N. Wilson, MD Scholarship. For more information about the AMA’s resources to help fund your medical school education, visit www.ama-assn.org LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAMS There are government plans in place to help alleviate some of this debt for certain individuals. The AAMC’s searchable database provides detailed information about many of the state and federal programs available to medical and other health professions students. Groups like the National Health Service Corps offer medical school loan forgiveness programs to physicians who agree to practice for a set number of years in areas that lack adequate medical care (including remote and/or economically depressed regions). The are a few ways to qualify for medical school loan forgiveness programs. Finding work at a non-profit organization. There are many hospitals that are non-profit, so hospitalists and other doctors associated with these organizations may qualify for loan forgiveness loan programs. And even if the hospital that you work at is not a non-profit institution, they may just have an employee reimbursement benefit which will often offer student loan forgiveness as part of their financial package. Another way to become eligible for one of these programs is by performing public service for the elderly or disabled. Physicians who work for the under-served may be eligible to have a big percentage of their medical school loans deferred. Some may jokingly say that getting into medical school is the easy part - it’s getting through medical school without racking up a busload of debt that’s the hard part. But the honest truth is that many medical school graduates are left paying back student loans amounting to great sums of money. So as a pre-med student, whatever you can do to help ease the burden of medical school costs - do it. No matter what point you are at in you pre-medical career, whether you’re a freshman or post-baccalaureate student, there are many opportunities that will allow you to focus less on the money aspect of medical school and more on the learning part. Don’t wait to start thinking about paying for medical school - the time is now.

Finding Medical School Financial Aid Information Online AAMC’s FIRST Program www.aamc.org/first

AMA's Financial Aid Resources Page www.ama-assn.org

FinAid Web Site for Loans & Scholarships www.finaid.org

MEDebt Solutions www.medebtsolutions.com

AAMC’s Financing Your Medical School Education www.aamc.org/students/financing

Explore Health’s Funding Opportunities explorehealthcareers.org

34 | PreMedLife Magazine | May/June 2011

PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT AWARDED THE MOST FINANCIAL AID IN 2011 College/University University of South Dakota (Sanford)

Students receiving any financial aid 99%

Students receiving loans 95%

Students receiving grants/scholarships 89%

University of Nebraska Medical Center

98%

91%

61%

West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

98%

94%

20%

University of California--Los Angeles (Geffen)

98%

91%

94%

University of Missouri

96%

89%

70%

University of Arizona

95%

86%

76%

University of Iowa (Carver)

95%

90%

65%

University of Minnesota

95%

86%

77%

University of Utah

95%

89%

64%

Ohio State University

95%

87%

59%

University of South Carolina

95%

89%

37%

University of North Dakota

94%

89%

52%

University of California--San Francisco

94%

76%

94%

Virginia Commonwealth University

94%

89%

57%

University of Kansas Medical Center

93%

80%

90%

East Carolina University (Brody)

93%

90%

75%

Indiana University--Indianapolis

93%

89%

32%

University of New Mexico

93%

90%

71%

University of Massachusetts--Worcester

93%

88%

35%

University of California--Davis

92%

88%

91%

Oklahoma State University

92%

87%

11%

Oregon Health and Science University

92%

89%

80%

University of Toledo

92%

85%

University of Washington

92%

86%

70%

West Virginia University

92%

83%

40%

University of Louisville

92%

87%

35%

University of Colorado--Denver

91%

67%

91%

85%

35%

Michigan State University (College of Osteopathic Medicine) University of Pittsburgh

91%

79%

69%

Medical University of South Carolina

90%

89%

18%

University of Michigan--Ann Arbor

90%

82%

65%

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

90%

87%

45%

University of Nevada--Reno

90%

82%

University of North Texas Health Science Center

90%

86%

55%

Wright State University (Boonshoft)

90%

86%

35%

SUNY--Syracuse

89%

85%

28%

University of California--San Diego

89%

78%

57%

University of Kentucky

89%

80%

45%

Source: U.S. News & World Report

May/June 2011 | PreMedLife Magazine | 35

|BOOK EXCERPT

In Stitches A MEMOIR

by Anthony Youn, MD, with Alan Eisenstock

A heartfelt, candid, and laugh-out-loud memoir of one man's bumpy road to becoming a doctor and learning to be comfortable in his own skin.

Prologue: The Face in the Ceiling What a pair. Double D’s. Poking up at me like twin peaks. Pam Anderson, eat your heart out. Too bad they’re attached to a fourteen-yearold boy. I ease the black marker out of my lab coat pocket and start drawing on my first surgery patient of the day. Phil. An overweight AfricanAmerican boy. Phil has severe gynecomastia— in layperson’s language, ginormous man boobs. Poor Phil. Bad enough being fourteen, awkward, and a nonathlete in a tough urban Detroit school. Now he has to deal with breasts? Two weeks ago. I sit in my office with Phil and Mrs. Grier, his grandmother. Phil lives with his grandma, who’s raised him since he was ten, when his mom died. He’s never known his dad. Mrs. Grier sits on a chair in front of my desk, her hands folded in her lap. She’s a large woman, nervous, well dressed in a light blue dress and matching shawl. Phil, wearing what looks like a toga, sits on a chair next to her. He stares at the floor. “It happened fast,” Mrs. Grier says. “He shot up, his voice got deeper, he started to shave.” She speaks in a low rumble. She looks at her grandson, tries to catch his eye. He can’t see her. He keeps his head down, eyes boring into the floor. “Then he became quiet. Withdrawn. He would spend more and more time in his room alone, listening to music. He would walk around all day wearing his headphones. Seemed like he was trying to shut out the world.” Mrs. Grier slowly shakes her head. “Phil’s a good student. But his grades have gone downhill. He doesn’t want to go to school. Says he’s sick. I tried to talk to him, tried to find out what was wrong. He would just say, ‘Leave me alone, Nana.’ That’s all he would say.” Phil clears his throat. He keeps looking at the floor. Mrs. Grier shifts in her chair. “One day I accidentally walked in on him when he was drying off after a shower. That’s when I saw . . . you know . . . them.” Phil flinches. Mrs. Grier reaches over and touches his arm. After a moment, he swallows and says in a near whimper, “Can you help me?”

“Yes,” I say. I say this one word with such confidence that Phil lifts his head and finds my eyes. He blinks through tears. “Please,” he says. The night before Phil’s procedure. I can’t sleep. I lean over and squint at the clock on the nightstand. I twist my head and look at my wife, deep asleep, her back arched slightly, her breath humming like a tiny engine. I exhale and study the ceiling. A shaft of light blinds me like the flash from a camera. My mind hits rewind, and I’m thrown backward into a shock of memory. One by one,

36 | PreMedLife Magazine | May/June 2011

as if sifting through photographs, I flip through other sleepless nights, a string of them, a lifetime ago in medical school, some locked in the student lounge studying, some a function of falling into bed too tired or too worked up for sleep. Often I would find myself staring at the ceiling then, the way I am now, talking to myself, feeling lost, fumbling to find my way, wondering who I was and what I was doing. The memory hits me like a wave, and for a second, just as in medical school, I feel as if I am drowning. My eyes flutter and I’m back in our bedroom, staring blurrily at the ceiling. I see Phil’s breasts, pendulous fleshy torpedoes that have left him and his grandmother heartsick and des-

perate. I know that his emotional life is at stake and I am their hope. I know also that isn’t why I can’t sleep. I blink and see Phil’s face, and then I see my own. I was Phil—the outsider, the outcast, the deformed. I was fourteen year-old Phil. I grew up one of two Asian-American kids in a small town of near wall- to-wall whiteness. In elementary and middle school, I was short, shy, and nerdy. Then I shot up in high school. I became tall, too tall, too thin. I wore thick Coke-bottle glasses, braces, a stereotypical Asian bowl-cut hairdo, and then, to my horror, watched helplessly as my jaw began to grow, unstoppable, defying all restraint and correction, expanding Pinocchio-like, protruding to an unthinkable, monstrous size. I loved comic books, collected them, obsessed over them, and as if in recognition of this, my jaw extended to a cartoon size. I was Phil. Except I grew a comic-book jaw while he grew National Geographic breasts. Like Phil, I only wanted to look and feel normal. I just wanted to fit in. It hits me then. My calling—my fate—was written that summer between high school and college, the Summer of the Jaw. My own makeover foreshadowed my life’s work. Reconstructing my jaw showed me how changing your appearance can profoundly affect your life. Now, years later, I am devoted to making over others— helping them, beautifying them, changing them. I have discovered that plastic surgery goes beyond how others see you; it changes how you see yourself. On occasion, I have performed

procedures that have saved lives. I believe that I will save Phil. My mind sifts through my days in medical school, and in a kind of hallucinogenic blaze, I conjure up every triumph, every flub, every angst-filled moment. I remember each pulsepounding second of the first two years of nonstop studying and test-taking, interrupted by intermittent bouts of off-the-hook partying. I see myself in years three and four, wearing my short white coat, wandering through hospital corridors trying to overcome my fear that someone—an administrator, a nurse, or God forbid, a patient—would confuse me for a doctor and ask for medical attention. I teetered a hair’s width away from those moments that might mean life and death, facing the deepest truth in the pit of my stomach: that I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. And neither did any of my medicalschool classmates, those doctors in training who stumbled around me. But things changed. Thanks to my small circle of close friends, my focus, work ethic, and drive to succeed, I slowly grew up. I entered medical school a shy, skinny, awkward nerd with no confidence, no game, and no clue. I came out, four years later, a man. A smile creeps across my face. My eyelids quiver. I catch a last glimpse of the face of my younger self in the ceiling as it shimmies and pulls away. Sleep comes at last. Phil’s surgery goes well. Ninety minutes, no complications. I lop off his breasts with a scalpel, slice off the nipples, then suture them back onto his now flat chest. I nod at his new

areolas. They have decreased in diameter from the size of pie plates to quarters. I leave Phil stitched up and covered with gauze, a normallooking high school freshman. Good news, Phil. You will not break new ground and become the first male waiter at Hooters. I once saw an episode of Grey’s Anatomy in which a character suggested that she—and every doctor—experienced an “aha moment” when she realized she had become a doctor. That never happened to me. I experienced an accumulation of many moments. Some walloped me, left me reeling. Others flickered and rolled past like a shadow. They involved teachers, classmates, roommates, friends, family, actors playing patients, nurses, the family of patients, and patients themselves, patients who touched me and who troubled me, patients whose courage changed my life and who taught me how to live as they faced death, and of course, doctors— doctors who were kind, doctors who were clueless, doctors who were burned out, doctors who inspired me and doctors whom I aspired to be, doctors who sought my opinion and doctors who shut me down. Thinking about all these people and moments, I see no pattern. Each moment feels singular and powerful. They stunned me, enveloped me, awed me, but more often flew right by me unnoticed until days, weeks, months, years later. Until now. This is my Book of Moments. This excerpt was printed with the permission of the author, Anthony Youn, MD.

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ESPECIALLY THIS SPECIALTY

Learn more about various specialties and what it will take to pursue a certain specialty<<<

Becoming an...

ObstetricianGynecologist (OB/GYN) OB-GYN is an acronym for an obstetrician and gynecologist, which is a physician who specializes in female reproductive health. An obstetrician/gynecologist is a physician specialist who provides medical and surgical care to women and has particular expertise in pregnancy, childbirth, and disorders of the reproductive system. Even though they are two different specialties, the education and training for both fields occurs concurrently.

WHAT DOES AN OBSTETRICIAN/GYNECOLOGIST DO? OB-GYNs diagnose and treat disorders of the female reproductive system, from simple urinary tract infections to sexually transmitted diseases. They may also detect life-threatening conditions such as breast, uterine and ovarian cancer. An OB-GYN also monitors pregnancy and supervises child birth.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO BECOME AN OBSTETRICIAN/GYNECOLOGIST?

Obstetrics/Gynecology is not for those who aren't willing to dedicate at least 12 years of their life studying. Undergraduate - (4 Years) to obtain bachelor's degree Medical School - (4 Years) to obtain a doctor of medicine degree (MD)

Obstetrics and gynecology (or obstetrics and gynecology; often abbreviated to OB-GYN, OBG, O&G or Obs & Gynae) are the two surgicalâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;medical specialties dealing with the female reproductive organs in their pregnant and nonpregnant state, respectively, and as such are often combined to form a single medical specialty and postgraduate training programs.

Gynecologists and obstetricians must demonstrate the utmost compassion as well as technical ability and, in many cases, endure a difficult schedule and be able to handle risky situations with a delicate hand and a sharp eye.

WHAT IS THE CAREER OUTLOOK FOR AN OBSTETRICIAN/GYNECOLOGIST ? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment outlook for physicians and surgeons is positive, with a growth rate that's much faster than average. The BLS projected an increase in employment of around 22% from 2008 to 2018.

WHAT DO OBSTETRICIAN/GYNECOLOGIST EARN? The average salary of an Ob/Gyn is about $261,000, while the lowest salary package is approximately $159,000 per year. In general, the salary of an Ob/Gyn falls somewhere between $150,000 to $250,000. However, for Ob/Gyns with more than one specialization the pay is higher than other physicians with only one certification. With more than one certification and increased experience, an Ob/Gyn salary may reach to about $400,000 per year.

Residency - (Minimum 4 Years) to qualify to practice Ob/Gyn Following a residency in obstetrics and gynecology, there are several options for subspecialty training. Most fellowships require an additional three years of training, and the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology offers certification examinations to fellowship graduates.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SUB-SPECIALTIES OF OBSTETRICIAN/GYNECOLOGISTS? There are only four recognized subspecialties in the field of obstetrics/ gynecology and they are Gynecologic Oncology, Maternal/Fetal Medicine, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, and Urogynecology/Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery WHAT ARE CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD OBSTETRICIAN/GYNECOLOGIST? This specialty calls for quick thinking, strong interpersonal skills, and proficiency in a variety of specialized procedures to treat an array of conditions. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a hands-on and deeply involved job with immediate and gratifying results.

May/June 2011 | PreMedLife Magazine | 43

2011

PRE-MED SUMMER PROGRAM LIST

PROGRAM NAME

LOCATION

DATE

DURATION

UCLA Re-Application Program (RAP)

Los Angeles, California

June-July 2011

11 Months Summer Session 7 Weeks + Academic Session 9 Months

Georgetown Summer Medical Institute (GSMI)

Washington, DC

June/July 2011

Varies

STEP-UP/BSURE Program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Baltimore, Maryland

June - August 2011

8 Weeks

44 | PreMedLife Magazine | May/June 2011

Summer research and academic enrichment geared toward pre-medical students are a great way to strengthen your medical school application. Most students who get accepted to medical school have participated in one or more summer pre-med programs during the course of their undergraduate studies. The following is a list of summer programs available to students aspiring to become doctors. There are various opportunities available in a number of institutions across the US. If you want to participate in academic enrichment programs, test preparation courses, research projects, or hospital internships, check out the following list of opportunities for Summer 2011. Be sure to check individual websites for application deadlines! The list includes opportunities nationwide in several different areas. Among the areas include are: California, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and more.

DESCRIPTION Comprehensive, structured re-application program designed to assist students from disadvantaged background who have been unsuccessful in gaining admission to any U.S. medical school. The program begins with an intensive 8-week summer session, focused upon prerequisite science review and MCAT preparation. An individualized academic-year program that consists of a science curriculum will follow.

PERKS Stipend (Depending on availability)

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Phone(310) 825-3575

MAY 2011

Website www.medstudent.ucla.edu/prospec tive/?pgID=183

Email: gsmi@georgetown.edu

The program, combined with the informative and supportive environment at Georgetown University School of Medicine, will provide preparation and insight for individuals exploring the calling of medicine as a career, and those making-up medical school course.

JUNE 2011

Website school of medicine.georgetown.edu/prospectivestudents/specialprograms/summer

Tuition: $3,862 (5 Credits) for Human Gross Anatomy and Human Physiology; $3,090 (4 Credits) for Medical Histology (Microscopic Anatomy) and Medical Biochemistry. Tuition includes the use of course textbooks and lab fees (for Anatomy).

Summer research program for talented students who are dedicated to the advancement of underrepresented groups in the sciences and mathematics. Students selected for this internship will experience state-of-the-art scientific research and are encouraged to consider and pursue biomedical research careers in areas of specific interest to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).

PROGRAM INFO

$4,000 Stipend Travel Allowance

(410) 455-2271 Email: sutphin@umbc.edu

FEBRUARY 2011 OR UNTIL THE PROGRAM IS FILLED

Website www.umbc.edu/bsure

May/June 2011 | PreMedLife Magazine | 45

2011 PREMED SUMMER PROGRAM LIST PROGRAM NAME

LOCATION

DATE

DURATION

Health Career Opportunities Program (HCOP) at The University of Houston College of Optometry

Houston, Texas

May 23-July 1, 2011

6 Weeks

Summer MCAT Review Program at Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

May 23 -27 2011

1 Week

T p u t s w s t t s c t w p a t d

T p

Study and Treatment of Human Disease in Mwandi, Zambia

46 | PreMedLife Magazine | May/June 2011

Mwandi, Zambia

Early July - August 2011

4 Weeks

PREMEDLIFE MAGAZINE DESCRIPTION The program involves specific activities designed to enhance qualifications for entry to the professional program including preparation for the Optometry Admission Test (OAT), counseling regarding the admission and application process, academic counseling, time management training, and test-taking/skills.

PERKS Financial aid assistance information is given to all students

PROGRAM INFO (713) 743-2047 rboykins@optometry.uh.edu

CONTACT PROGRAM

Website www.opt.uh.edu/students/undergrad/

(517) 355-2363

The program is designed to help students prepare for the MCAT by building upon their undergraduate learning by helping them to synthesize a stronger overall command of related scientific and biological principles. The program will help students solidify the knowledge and skills students they have already developed in their undergraduate work and show them how to tap the critical thinking skills necessary for success in the MCAT. Instructors explain concept overviews, then provide guided practice through problem sets, followed by close analysis with an eye to understanding MCAT philosophies and mechanics, and while instructors are available outside of class time for consultation, this approach may not be suited to every student's learning style.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

MAY 1, 2011

Website lrc.msu.edu/gre/CLIMB.php

Tuition: $800 (includes all materials, pre- and post-testing and follow-up advising).

The summer program in Mwandi, Zambia offers students an opportunity to work or various research & service projects at the United Church of Zambia's mission hospital, primary school or preschool. UCZ's mission hospital compound is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).Immediately following the spring semester, students will travel to Mwandi to conclude their course work which will consist of an independent project and a medical experience at the UCZ hospital compound. Students will spend approximately 3 weeks on-site in Mwandi and will write a final research paper based on their independent project.

Housing

vecase@davidson.edu

CONTACT PROGRAM

Website www.bio.davidson.edu/people/vecase/mwandi/index.html

ELIGIBILITY: Students in good standing Davidson students enrolled in a pre-med spring course

May/June 2011 | PreMedLife Magazine | 47

PREMEDLIFE MAGAZINE

there’s an app for that

Here are a few apps every pre-med student could use, from studying for the MCAT to organizing your notes from class. So if you’re not already hip to these apps, you may want to check them out. MCAT Question A Day Description: Get free test prep and master the MCAT with help from mcatquestionaday.com. This app features over 850 questions to answer and users can track their performance with a feature called the My Stats tool. And the best thing about this app is that it’s FREE. Available for: iPhone and iPad Web site: www.mcatquestionaday.com

Flashcards Deluxe Description: Students can use Flashcards Deluxe instead of toting around a huge stack of flashcards made with “old school” paper index cards. It is a userfriendly app that you can use to study for any of your classes. And if you can even use flashcards that someone has already made, you can search Quizlet.com's library from within the app. Available for: iPhone/iTouch/iPad Web site: www.orangeorapple.com/Flashcards

Watermelon Express’ MCAT Physics Description: This is one of Watermelon Express’ apps for subjects covered in the MCAT. With this app you’ll get 5 mini diagnostic tests, 900 practice questions with detailed solutions, and 500 pages of review material with test taking tips and tricks. The cool feature about this app is that it can be used across different platform so if you start using it on your iPhone you can continue on iPad and finish on desktop. Available for: iPhone/iTouch/iPad Web site: www.watermelonexpress.com

MCAT McGraw Hill Description: This is fully interactive learning app with a full array of smart, social and fun features. This app features 400+ copyrighted questions and solutions across all categories, 5 diagnostic test, 800+ pages of review material including 50 Top Strategies for Test Day, MCAT Study Plan, Getting the Most from the Tests, Using Online Resources, and more. This app is also FREE. Available for: iPhone and iPad Web site: www.itunes.apple.com

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GADGETS&GIZMOS

>>>Our pick of cool and unusual items that we thought our readers might be interested in

Dine Ink Utensil Set With this cool Dine Ink Utensil Set your pens will surely stay under the radar from those pen-snatching classmates of yours. But be careful not to mistake them for disposable cutlery and throw them out with the trash.

Stick Set Whenever This fun set of sticky notes will make light of the many things that college students have going on in their lives. With six sticky pads of varying sizes, these sets will have you noting, tagging, and flagging in style.

Colorful Book Clock

This sneaky Colorful Book Clock hides incognito on your desk or bookshelf. Snuggle it between you favorite books for a unique time telling treat. Don't own any books? Impress your friends with a faux book collection.

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GADGETS & GIZMOS| Eco Staple Free Stapler The Eco Staple Free Stapler cuts out tiny strips of paper in the corner of your documents and uses these strips to "stitch" up to five pages of standard paper together. No more metal staples (so that's good for the planet and your wallet).

Decision Maker Introducing your new best friend… Decision Maker! No more agonizing over difficult decisions – now you've got a cute little helper who will do all the hard thinking and provide you with the best possible solution for any problem you might have. Just ask, spin, and presto – instant decision-making!

a a

Hand Pen Holder Handy heavyweight pen holder that's perfect for holding everything from desktop supplies to knickknacks. Created from a durable plastic and cement combo - get one or choose two to double fist! Finished with a felted base and tonal magnetic wrist.

May/June 2011 | PreMedLife Magazine | 51

Free events and programs across the nation are being offered to premedical students . From MCAT preparation to learning more about the medical school admissions process, students can take advantage of the many upcoming events. For more information about free programs being offered in your area, visit www.princetonreview.com/events.

FREEPREMEDEVENTS

|PREMEDLIFE MAGAZINE

MCAT & MEDICAL SCHOOL SEMINAR

STRATEGY SESSION FOR THE MCAT

Get an introduction to med school, the MCAT, and the application process. If getting into medical school keeps you up at night, you should take advantage of this seminar. Students will gain an in-depth knowledge of the MCAT and demystify the medical school admissions process. At the end of the session, you'll know the MCAT and how to put together an application that will impress any admissions committee.

Ask you know, the MCAT is a computer-based exam. Attend this MCAT free event to learn everything there is to know about the MCAT CBT. You'll meet an expert Princeton Review instructor who will walk you through some questions and teach you some of the company’s proven strategies that you can use on test day.

TESTFEST 2010 FREE PRACTICE TEST Put your skills to the test by taking a free practice exam. Participants also receive a detailed analysis of their results.

PRE-MED JUMPSTART Admissions and MCAT test experts to come together for this free workshop. Find out what you need to know about Medical School Admissions and the strategies you will need for the MCAT.

ANATOMY OF THE MCAT Learn the ins and outs of all the areas of the MCAT. Meet expert instructors who will break down all the areas of the test, what to expect and what you need to know in order to be ready on test day. A team of specialist instructors will dissect the MCAT subject by subject and share strategies designed to improve your score on each section of the exam.

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MCAT & MEDICAL SCHOOL ADMISSIONS FORUM In this free seminar, students will gain an indepth knowledge of the MCAT and demystify the medical school admissions process. At the end of the session, you'll know the MCAT and how to put together an application that will impress any admissions committee

HYPERLEARNING MCAT CLASS At the Hyperlearning MCAT Free Class, you will experience the most thorough, demanding, and effective MCAT prep course around. An instructor will teach you some of the company’s most effective test-taking strategies and lead you through several MCAT sample problems. To find information about free programs being offered in you area log-on to: www.princetonreview.com/events.

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IN THE STACKS

Books we thought that aspiring doctors might be interested in reading<<<

BS/MD PROGRAMS-THE COMPLETE GUIDE: GETTING INTO MEDICAL SCHOOL FROM HIGH SCHOOL by Todd A Johnson Students have a guide to find and become the most competitive candidate for BS/MD programs. BS/MD admission expert, Todd Johnson, has helped hundreds of students understand the process of admissions into these very competitive programs. THE MINDFUL MEDICAL STUDENT: A PSYCHIATRIST'S GUIDE TO STAYING WHO YOU ARE WHILE BECOMING WHO YOU WANT TO BE by Jeremy Spiegel M.D Four years in medical school are not only demanding and competitive in a strictly academic sense, but they may bring students face-to-face with perfectionism, anxiety, obsessions, power plays, difficult patients, ethical dilemmas, identity crises, sleep deprivation, financial strain, and--perhaps for the first time in their lives--confrontations with disease, suffering, and death. THE MED SCHOOL SURVIVAL GUIDE : HOW TO MAKE THE CHALLENGES OF MED SCHOOL SEEM LIKE SMALL STUFF by Jennifer Danek Whether you're in your first year, doing your rotations, or finishing your residency, medical school is one of the most challenging -- and potentially enlightening -- things you'll ever go through. How do you turn the frustrations of med school into motivation? How do you remain focused on the things that made you go into medicine in the first place? How do you maintain your relationships with others and yourself? And most important, how do you use this education to become the best doctor you can be? The Med School Survival Guide advises readers on how to handle school, home, and the wards. THE MEDICAL SCHOOL ADMISSIONS GUIDE: A HARVARD MD'S WEEK-BYWEEK ADMISSIONS HANDBOOK by Suzanne M. Miller This guide contains the weekly, step-by-step plan Dr. Suzanne M. Miller used to get into Harvard Medical School. She has since utilized the strategy to help hundreds of applicants gain entry into medical school first as a Harvard pre-med tutor and then as CEO of MDadmit, a medical school admissions consulting service. Book Highlights include: 1. Weekly, easy-tofollow advice on navigating the complex admissions process. 2. Multiple examples of successful personal statements, AMCAS work/activities, secondary essays, and letter of intent/update letters. 3. Special sections on reapplicants, non-traditional applicants, DO schools, and foreign schools.

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BETTERLIFEBETTERYOU

>>> Information on taking care of yourself as a student living a busy life

newstouse

Health | Wellness | Fitness | Nutrition | Mind & Body

get off your tush The effects of sitting all day cannot be reversed by moderate intervals of daily exercise, according to a report published by NPR. Epidemiologist Steven Blair, a professor of public health at the University of South Carolina pointed out that most people lead very sedentary lives--we sit in an office or cubicle for eight or more hours a day and then either sit in front of the TV or at the dinner table talking at night. In a study, led by Dr. Blair, researchers examined the risk of dying from heart disease among adult men. They looked at how much time men spent sitting, whether in their cars, at their desks or in front of the television. Blair revealed that men who spent more than 23 hours a week sitting had a 64 percent greater risk of dying from heart disease than men who reported being sedentary for less than 11 hours a week.

Work it! According to the American College of Sports Medicine, adults who begin lifting weights early on in life may benefit from decreased age-related muscle loss, also known as sarcopenia, and live independently longer. In addition to beginning a strength-training program early in life, researchers at the University of Michigan also recommend adults consider the number of sets in their fitness program. They suggested progression models, with gradual changes in volume and load to accommodate long-term growth in muscle mass.

People who exercise on a regular basis may lower their chances of coming down with a cold, according to a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. According to the press release announcing the findings, Dr. David Nieman, a professor in the College of Health Sciences at Appalachian State University, and colleagues have spent more than 20 years studying the effects of exercise, diet, weight, gender and education levels on one's health. The results revealed that regular exercise was shown to have the greatest influence. A brisk walk for 30 to 45 minutes a day increased the number of immune system cells that circulate in the body, Dr. Nieman explained. Although these levels decline within a few hours, each bout of exercise is likely to enhance surveillance of harmful viruses and bacteria, and reduce the number and severity of upper respiratory infections, such as the common cold. "Exercise is probably the most powerful thing you can do to reduce your sick days,” Dr. Nieman stated.

COLLEGE STUDENTS: Do you have a question about fitness that you want answered by our health and fitness experts? We’ve hired a master personal trainer just for you! Send your questions to info@premedlife.com and he’ll answer them.

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PreMedLife Magazine Student Advisory Board

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS PreMedLife Magazine is now accepting applications for its Student Advisory Board. This is a great opportunity for you to be the voice of pre-med students nationwide.

Physically Active People Smarter Than Others? Yes, according to one group of researchers. The results of the study, led by Kirk I. Erickson, an Assistant Professor of psychology at the University of Pittsburgh, revealed that walking for over six miles regularly for a week could reduce the risk of brain shrinkage in old age, thereby preventing the emergence of memory problems and cognitive decline in them. “Maintaining a moderate physical activity assists one in lowering one’s likelihood of being engulfed by Alzheimer's disease,” explained Erickson. The study examined the analysis of physical activity and cognitive patterns in nearly over 300 adults, who were on average 78 years old. Physical regime followed by each participant was noted. The results revealed that a high-resolution MRI scan performed nine years later showed them as "cognitively normal." However, after another four years, more than 33 % of the participants were found to have small cognitive impairment or dementia. The research claimed that the correlation performed within cognitive health, brain scans and walking patterns for the participants pointed that more physically fit participants were rendered at a considerably lower likeliness of developing cognitive impairment. "That's because the size of our brain regions can only be so large", Erickson explained. "So with no exercise, there can be significant deterioration and decay with age".

Deadline: Friday, September 30th, 2011 Don’t delay, only a limited number of positions available!

APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT WWW.PREMEDLIFE.COM

COLLEGE101

>>> Helpful advice to manage and deal with life as a college student

Don’t Let Final Exam Time Get the Best of You As the semester draws to a close and the days of your final exams approach, staying focused will be more important than ever

aking tests is nothing new to you but it seems like every semester, when finals roll around, it’s like the experience is brand new. If you think about it though, you’re at a point in your life - a student in college - so you pretty much have a lot of experience with this thing call test-taking. And if anything, because you’ve taking so many tests up until this point in your academic life, you may as well call yourself an expert at taking tests. As the end of the semester seems to suddenly arrive, you realize that final exams are pretty much inevitable. So you move forward and decided that you have to do what you have to do. You may decide to make a finals study schedule or you may just wing it and go with the flow. You may decide to make a study outline for each class or you may just go with looking through all of the notes you’ve taken for your classes. You may arrange for study groups or you decided that you’re better off studying on your own. To prepare, you review your notes, go over passages in your highlighter-filled textbooks, and look at past exams. But you ask yourself, are you doing enough to prepare for your final exams? The answer

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to this question will come soon after you sit down on test day. So what’s the best thing that you can do to prepare for your finals? The answer is - psych yourself out! A big part of taking tests is preparing yourself mentally. All around you, students are talking about finals and it may seem that there’s no way of avoiding the chatter. Whether your standing on line in the dining hall or waiting for the bus to go from one part of campus to another, there’s no way of getting away from the talk. Don’t let other people’s worries and anxieties about upcoming finals get to you. Be confident that you’ve done all you could do and leave it at that. Because if you begin to build up stress around the thought of your upcoming finals, be sure that it will take a toll on your mentally in one way or another. Map out a study plan and promise that you’ll reward yourself with something nice once everything is said and done with. Thinking like this is one way to help motivate yourself to hit the books. Spend a moment thinking about how you’ll spend the first few days after your last final is over - this might cheer you up and help you focus a little better once you

begin studying for your finals. Just don’t let your finals get the best of you. Finals can do a number on college students and there are a lot of students who buckle and crumble under the pressure - don’t be one of them. Stand up to your finals and show them who’s boss. Don’t let them chew you up and spit you out. Do what you have to do to make it through. Just know that it will all be over soon and once its over you’ll hopefully be able to pat yourself on the back because you’ve performed well. You’re going to make it through so just gear up and give it your all. Don’t complain about how much you have to do because complaining sure won’t help your situation. Okay how about this, we’ll say that its okay to complain for five minutes only, but once this five minutes is up, its time for you to move on. You know that what you’re doing is working towards an end goal - getting into medical school. If you have to, remind yourself that hard work does pay off and that this time will too pass. You’ll be so proud of yourself once you make it through, so strap up your boots and give it your all - you’ll look back on these time and be glad you did what you had to do.