PREMEDLIFE THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR PREMEDICAL STUDENTS
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013
BEYOND THE RANKINGS Choosing Which Medical Schools to Apply to
PLUS: 2014Summer Premed Programs
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The Medical School Checklist
A helpful checklist to put med students on the right track
Heartbeat of Success
A med students guide to medical school admissions
Record Number of Premeds Applied, Enrolled in Medical School p.8 | Biology Textbooks Cater to Premeds p.11
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contents
premedlife|november/december 2013 “Isn’t doing well in your coursework and on the MCAT enough to get into medical school? Nope.” p. 25
Sleep May Help Conquor Your Fears
p.57
12
18
HOW TO CHOOSE WHICH MED SCHOOLS TO APPLY TO
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FRONT COVER
As you prepare to make your list of medical schools to apply to, there are some factors you should consider when deciding which ones should be added to your list. With over 133 medical schools scattered across the country, and so many factors to consider, finding a medical school that best fits who you are as an individual, a student, and a future doctor can be quite a challenging task.
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10 SCHOOLS MOST POPULAR AMONG PREMED STUDENTS These schools have the largest population of students applying to medical schools in 2013.
THE MEDICAL SCHOOL SURVIVAL CHECKLIST A helpful checklist of the most important things that you should keep in mind as you create your study strategy. 2014 SUMMER PROGRAMS FOR PREMEDICAL STUDENTS A listing of summer opportunities for prehealth students. The list includes programs nationwide in several different areas. Among the areas are: California, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and many more!
November/December 2013 | PreMedLife Magazine | 3
contents/departments
premedlife|november/december 2013 “Over the past five years, the number of medical school students choosing family medicine as a career choice has spiked almost 10 percent.” p. 10
IN THIS ISSUE
Book Excerpt “The Heartbeat of Succes: A Med Students Guide to Med School Admissions|24
An excerpt about extracurricular activities from medical student Alexa Mieses’ new book for premeds.
The Doctor of the Future| 20 As a premed student you are preparing to become a doctor of the future. You have chosen medicine because you already know that you want to help those who are sick and that you like studying science.
DEPARTMENTS
Newsbites| 8 Relevant news & information for students applying to medical school
The Most Popular Schools Among Students Who Apply to Medical School in the U.S.
p.18
The Goods| 52 Gadgets & gizmos to keep you entertained. Check out our picks for this issue
As a premed student you are preparing to become a doctor of the future.
p.20
In The Stacks|55 Books to inspire you or provide you with advice along your journey to medical school
Better Life, Better You| 56 Advice & tips for taking care of yourself to make it through your hectic pre-med life
The Goods.
p.52
4 | PreMedLife Magazine | November/December 2013
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Do you believe it’s almost the end of year already? Well believe it! It’s coming to a close and it’s now time for you to finish what you started. Whether this semester has gone as well as you planned or not at all, it’s time to wrap this one up and move on to the next. The next step in your journey to getting into medical school. So as exhausted as you may feel with the end of the fall semester drawing to a close, remember that you’ve gotten this far and in a few more weeks your well-deserved break will be here and you can take a moment to breathe. Chances are - you’ve been working your tail off doing everything that premeds do - whether it’s spending endless hours studying for your courses or volunteering your time at a hospital or in some research lab, you’ve been doing the premed thing. And if you’ve been doing it how it needs to be done and have been fully committing yourself to accomplishing your premed goals and reaching milestones along your journey to getting into medical school - then you sure a heck deserve a break! Yeah I said it - you deserve and need a break. The key to a successful life as a premed - or any human being for that matter - is having balance in your life. A life without balance just shouldn’t happen and as cliche as it may sound bringing balance to your pre-med life may seem impossible at first thought, it is something that has to happen if you want to be a successful, well-rounded, and grounded individual as you move forward not only as a pre-med student, but as a medical student, and even as a resident and finally a physician. I believe that for so long now, the stigma behind being a pre-med student and the perception of not having enough time to do things other than pre-med has been engrained so much into the pre-med culture that many premeds truly believe that that’s just the way it is. The truth is - it doesn’t have to be that way and you shouldn’t be okay with moving through your premed life in such a manner. So, as your winter break draws closer make a conscious effort to bring an element of balance into your life, some way, some how. It’s more important than you may even realize and in the end, bringing more balance will ultimately do more good than harm.
Sheema Sheema Prince
Publisher tprince@premedlife.com
6 | PreMedLife Magazine | November/December 2013
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PreMedLife magazine is published six times per year by Kisho Media, LLC. and copies are provided to select colleges and universities free of charge. The information in PreMedLife magazine is believed to be accurate, but in some instances, may represent opinion or judgment. Consult your pre-med advisor with any questions you may have about the medical school admissions process and related topics. Unless otherwise noted, all photographs, artwork, and images may not be duplicated or reprinted without express written permission from Kisho Media, LLC. PreMedLife magazine and Kisho Media, LLC. are not liable for typographical or production errors or the accuracy of information provided by advertisers. PreMedLife Magazine reserves the right to refuse any advertising. All inquires may be sent to: Kisho Media, LLC. P.O. Box 7049 New York, NY 10116 To reach us by phone call (347) 857-7491 or email us at info@premedlife.com.
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WINTER’S COMING. . . AND SO IS A BREAK!
Production Coordinator | Shawn Klein
THELATEST
Biology textbooks used by undergraduate students are geared to-
ward students seeking admission to medical school and preparing
to take the MCAT, a new study shows. {PAGE 11}
Record Number of Premeds Applied, Enrolled in Med School
Despite the growing concern that Obamacare would discourage aspiring doctors, newly released data shows that a record number of premeds applied to and enrolled in medical schools across the country in 2013. According to a press release issued by the Association of American Medical Colleges, the total number of applicants to medical school increased by 6.1 percent to 48,014, surpassing the previous record set in 1996 by 1,049 students. In addition, the number of first-time applicants jumped by 5.8 percent to 35,727. The reason for
the overall growth in medical school enrollment is due in part to the opening of new medical schools, as well as in response to the AAMC’s call for medical schools to reach a 30 percent increase in enrollment to counter future doctor shortages. The specific numbers show that in 2013, four new medical schools opened their doors for the first time and 14 medical schools increased their class sizes by more than 10 percent. “At a time when the nation faces a shortage of more than 90,000 doctors by the end of the decade and millions are gaining access to health insurance,
8 | PreMedLife Magazine | November/December 2013
we are very glad that more students than ever want to become physicians. However, unless Congress lifts the 16-year-old cap on federal support for residency training, we will still face a shortfall of physicians across dozens of specialties,” said AAMC President and CEO Darrell G. Kirch, M.D. “Students are doing their part by applying to medical school in record numbers. Medical schools are doing their part by expanding enrollment. Now Congress needs to do its part and act without delay to expand residency training to ensure that everyone who needs a doctor has access to one.” n
flickr / uonottingham
Recent news & information relevant for students applying to medical school
THE STRENGTH TO HEAL
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Š20 2 13. 3.. Pa P id d forr by the Unit nited d Sta St tess Army. my. Alll rights reserved. ed. d
Family Medicine Now More Popular Among Students Over the past five years, the number of medical school students choosing family medicine as a career choice has spiked almost 10 percent. That’s according to the results of an annual survey of the nation’s family medicine residency programs conducted by the American Association of Family Practitioners. The recent survey revealed that 67.4 percent of first-year family medicine residents graduated from U.S. allopathic or osteopathic medical schools in 2013, making this year the fifth straight year the number has increased. “This is another indicator that medical students realize primary care is the foundation of health care,” said Perry Pugno, M.D., vice president for medical education at the AAFP. “The number of students choosing family medicine in the annual Match continues to increase, and the attendance at the AAFP’s National Conference for Family Medicine Residents and Medical Stu-
dents has really increased. All of these point to a trend toward primary care careers.” While the new numbers offer a glimmer of hope to the dismal predictions of a shortage of physicians in the U.S., Dr. Pugno explained that the increase in numbers isn’t happening fast enough. “As health care education policies such as community-based teaching health centers are more fully implemented and we reform our health system to focus on the quality of care and not the quantity of services, we’ll see continued interest in primary care,” Pugno concluded. “I believe there’s a broad-based understanding in the country that we need to grow the primary care physician workforce, and students are recognizing that family medicine is a specialty that will meet their professional goals and gives them a future that includes both personal and professional satisfaction.” n
10 | PreMedLife Magazine | November/December 2013
Med School Scales Back Test, GPA Prereqs to Attract More Students
Flickr / CSUF Photos
Flickr / UC Irvine
THELATEST
In 2012, barely 2 percent of applicants to George Washington University’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences were offered admission. Now, the school has announced that it is given less weight to an applicant’s GPA and MCAT scores in order to attract more students, particularly those from minority populations. According to data from the Association of American Medical Colleges, George Washington SOM already receives more applicants from African-American and Latino students than almost every other school in the U.S. However, the school’s newly hired head of diversity, Yolanda Haywood, has stated that she hopes to change the fact that minority students made up less than one-third of the school’s student body last year. “There are no ‘quotas or numbers’ associated with this initiative. The whole point is to create a medical workforce that can address the needs of their patients – which is becoming increasingly more diverse,” Haywood told The GW Hatchet in an email. “By virtue of D.C. having a multi-cultural population, it’s always been a priority that we maintain a diverse community.” n
THELATEST
Biology textbooks used by undergraduate students are geared toward students seeking admission to medical school, a new study shows. The study, conducted by Steven W. Rissing, a professor in the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology at Ohio State University, analyzed the text of eight textbooks which were published by McGraw-Will and Benjamin Cummings that were commonly used in introductory college biology courses. In his analysis, Rissing looked for how much the textbooks followed what the Association of American Medical Colleges specified as topics most important for pre-medical students to know. The findings revealed that all of the textbooks analyzed, those designed for biology majors and other for non-biology majors needing to fulfill their schools general science requirement, closely followed the MCAT specifications put forth by the AAMC. Specifically, Rissing found that the sequency of topics in the text closely followed the AAMC importance ratings for topics. Moreover, all textbooks included at least 50 percent of the primary MCAT biology content specifications within the first 30 percent of the book.
“That means the texts put a heavy emphasis on molecular and cellular biology, while giving less attention to the big issues that have more relevance to students who don’t plan on being medical doctors, said Rissing. “These general education students are getting a lot about cell division mitosis from their
Flickr / Amin Tabrizi
Professor Says College Biology Textbooks Cater to Premed Students
textbooks when they really should be learning about things like personalized medicine, evolution and the impact of climate change.” The findings were published in the September 2013 issue of the journal CBE-Life Sciences Education. n
Sergey Khamidulin / 123RF
choosing the best
med sch
12 | PreMedLife Magazine | November/December 2013
hool
IF YOU THOUGHT THAT GETTING THROUGH ORGANIC CHEMISTRY AND taking the MCAT were your biggest concerns as a premed student, think again. With 133 medical schools scattered across the country, and so many factors to consider, finding a medical school that best fits who you are as an individual, a student, and a future doctor can be a challenging task. So, how do you go about choosing the best medical school for you? Well, for starters, you’re going to have to know exactly what you want. From geographical location to teaching style, there are several things you will need to think about as you embark on this mission to choose the school that will ultimately lend its name to the rest of your medical career. As you begin making your list of 15-20 schools (which is the average number of schools premed advisors tell their students to aim for), here are some things you should consider most important to help you apply to the right mix of schools and narrow down your selections to the schools that will ultimately be the best fit for you.
YOU KNOW THE TIME IS COMING FOR YOU TO FINALLY PICK WHERE YOU WANT TO APPLY TO MEDICAL SCHOOL. NOW IT’S TIME TO MAKE YOUR LIST.
November/December 2013 | PreMedLife Magazine | 13
Since applying to medical school is a highly competitive process, it is best that you only apply to schools that will position you as a “competitive” student within the applicant pool. Yes, we know that you’ve dreamed of going to one medical school in particular since you were 10 years old, but what sense would it make to apply to your “dream” school if your GPA and MCAT scores fall well below the average GPA and MCAT scores of students who were accepted? The truth is, many medical schools will not even consider your application unless your credentials are at or above a certain cut-off point. So you’ll have to think realistically about where you stand “grade-wise” as an applicant. This will be a good starting point for determining which schools you should add to your list. Many students have found that the Medical Resource Group’s Medical School Finder tool (www.stu-
Flickr / uonottingham
APPLY TO SCHOOLS WHERE YOU’LL BE A “COMPETITIVE” CANDIDATE
dent-doc.com/medfind) is a useful tool to compare your scores, bot GPA and MCAT, to those of students who matriculated at medical schools across the U.S. All you do is enter your scores and GPA and the system will generate a list of schools at which your GPA and MCAT scores are “very competitive,” “competitive,” and “less competitive.” In addition, the Medical School Finder tool also provides users with a detailed breakdown of how your score was generated from the information entered and the information of the specific school. The site does not note the while the formula used for the tool is based on reasonable assumptions and historial data, it cannot predict future trends in medical school acceptances. In addition to this, another great resource is the Medical School Admissions Requirements guide which is published each year by the Association of American Medical Colleges - www.AAMC.org. This guide provides information about each medical school in the U.S., including the average GPA and MCAT scores of student sin each entering class. But remember, numbers are not everything. If you discover that your numbers are below average
14 | PreMedLife Magazine | November/December 2013
for a particular school that you are really interested in, you should seriously consider contacting the school to discuss your individual case, as there are a number of different factors that are considered by medical school admission committees when it comes to offering students a seat in an incoming class.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF: Which schools will I be considered a “competitive” applicant? If my GPA and MCAT are not competitive enough for any school, are there any post-baccalaureate pre-medical programs I can apply to?
APPLY TO SCHOOLS IN YOUR HOME STATE
Unless you have a very good reason not to, you should apply to all the schools in your home state. Many medical schools give preference to applicants who are residents of the school’s state. Sometimes, in-state residents make up as much as ninety percent of the school’s entering class. And this does not only apply for public Even many private schools have a strong preference for in-state residents. The fact of the matter is - an applicant’s state of residence has a
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huge influence on the changes of being admitted to medical schools. Why? Well, many states require its public medical school and encourage private medical schools to give preference to applicants who live within the school’s state or region in order to increase the number physicians who will potentially remain in the state to practice medicine. Believe it or not, an unspoken common belief, which many also play a part in admitting more in-state applicants than out-of-state applicants is that many schools ten to believe that students will be more successful in medical school if they have a strong emotion al support system around them and the goal for most schools is to produce successful students who will go on to be successful doctors. Another plus to applying and gaining admission to a state school as an in-state resident is that residents generally pay lower tuition rates than students who are considered out-of-state.
Questions to ask yourself: What do I have to lose by applying to schools in my home state or region?
APPLY TO SCHOOLS IN AREAS WHERE YOU WON’T MIND LIVING
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that location doesn’t matter. Location is one of the most important factors to consider since it will ultimately in one way or another influence your ability to focus academically , how much money you’ll be spending (ie. cost of living expenses), educational opportunities/ learning experiences, and your personal life (or lack thereof) - with the latter being of less importance as you focus on your schooling. The location of whichever medical school you choose to attend is very important for a number of reasons: If you are the type of student who relied a lot on family and friends to get you through tough times during your undergraduate years, then you may want to attend a school close to home, either in the same city (or a couple hours away). any pre-medical advisors will tell students to attend a medical school that is close to home because during the trying times, which will most likely come on your journey to becoming a doctor, you will most likely rely on your support systems of family and friends, and the closer they are, the better! The best thing to do is to seriously think about your current relationships and weigh the pros and cons of moving away or staying close. On the other hand, if you’ve always lived at home and are ready to see what other places have to offer, this may very well be the perfect opportunity for you to attend a school that’s not close to home. Many times, applicants do not put as much thought as they should into where they are going to spend the next four years of their life because they are so consumed with attending a “great” school. But if that “great school is in a less desirable area, or an area that doesn’t appeal to the student, chances are he/she is going to be miserable. The point is – know what you’re getting yourself into and have an idea of what life will be like wherever your medical
school is located. So if you’ve lived in Florida your entire life and are thinking about applying to the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, be prepared to weather to storm – both figuratively and literally! With some medical schools located in small towns and some in larger cities, some in country setting and others in downtown areas, your surroundings are very much to be considered when thinking about where you plan to attend medical school. If you’re from New York City and not only like the “fast” life, but also know the cost of living for such a city, then attending a medical school in a big city may not be a bad decision. However, there are people who love living in a small town setting and hate the big city life. These are all things to be consider when thinking about where you will apply to medical school. Some may be higher on your priority list than others and some things you may not even care about. So if at the end of it all you decide on a certain school and find that you’re miserable for not considering one factor or another, you can’t say that we didn’t tell you. If you plan on applying to a school in a location that is completely brand new to you, or even if you are familiar with the location, it is highly suggested that you actually visit the school and attend an open house. Once you do this, you will get a chance to get a feel for where you may be spending the next 4 to 6 years of your life.
16 | PreMedLife Magazine | November/December 2013
Questions to ask yourself: How far will you be from friends and family? What is the climate like in the area? What is the cost of living? Will you be living in the city or a rural area?
APPLY TO SCHOOLS THAT MATCH YOUR “LEARNING STYLE”
No matter which medical school you choose to attend you will still graduate as a doctor. But it is very important to research what type of curriculum and academic program the school offers because if the school’s curriculum design and academic environment fails to suit your personal learning style, you may be in for a rude awakening. Generally, there are three approaches to how medical school curricula are structured – Traditional, Integrated/Systems-Based, or Problem-Based Learning (PBL). You need to know the difference between the three and which one you believe will be the best route for you. So what’s the difference between them? Traditional: If you are thinking about applying to a school with a traditional-style curriculum, then be prepared to spend the bulk of your first two years in the classroom studying the basic sciences, the third will be devoted to clinical science and the fourth to electives. This type of curriculum is similar to the learning environment students experience during undergrad. The courses are lecture-based and
Flickr / uonottingham
OKAY, SO WHERE SHOULD YOU START?
Choosing a medical school is one of the most important decisions you will make. You have a huge task ahead of you and you’ll need to choose a good medical school where you will spend the four years of medical education. Here are some starting points to get you off on the right foot:
are specific to whatever discipline of medicine is being taught. Problem Based Learning (PBL): This curriculum requires students to solve carefully selected problems using basic sets of knowledge of a particular concept, skills in problem solving, self-directed learning strategies, and skills with working in a groupsetting. However, this type of curriculum varies from school to school. According to a study at one university, the PBL curriculum cuts lecture time by 60 percent, decreases the rate of memorization, and teaches the science of medicine in the context of clinical cases. In addition, PBL typically gives students the opportunity to interact with patients sooner than a traditional program may allow. Integrated/Systems – Based: If you’re the type of student who doesn’t mind lectures but also likes the idea of the PBL environment, then a school that offers an Integrated/Systems-Based curriculum may be just what the doctor ordered (no pun intended). This type of curriculum is a mixture between the two previously mentioned teaching styles. With year progression, the amount of patient contact increases, which many students in such a program are okay with, as they feel they do not know enough in the beginning. Over the last several years, many medical schools have moved away from a more traditional curriculum which offers, during the pre-clinical years, mostly lecture-based courses to PBL, which is an innovative
educational teaching method that presents students with complex problems and scenarios as the context and the basis for “active” learning. So, it’s your job to read all you can about the teaching methods at different schools and figure out which philosophies are most important to you. This is something that you will seriously want to consider when choosing which schools to apply to.
Questions to ask yourself: Is there an emphasis on building problem-solving skills, on collaborative work, or on early contact with patients?
APPLY TO SCHOOLS THAT MATCH YOUR ULTIMATE CAREER GOAL
While you can train to become a doctor at any medical school, it’s important for you to think about what you ultimately want to do once you obtain your degree. In general, medical schools fall into two categories, primary-care and research. If you are interested in dedicating your life to actually practicing medicine as a primary-care doctor who interacts and treats patients, then you may want to apply to a school that has a program which emphasizes primary care training.
To read the full article, visit www.premedlife.com.
Most students start their list by consulting the Medical School Admissions Requirements book (available at www.aamc.org and sometimes at your university library or advising office), which will give you a nice overall profile of each school. In addition, AAMC has a list of medical schools on its Web site http://services.aamc.org/member listings which links directly to each school’s Web site.
AAMC’s Medical School Directory is another valuable resource students can use to obtain information about individual medical schools. It can be found at https://services.aamc.org/30/msar. The directory allows you to search, sort, compare, and save your favorite schools.
The U.S. News & World Report publishes its annual rankings of top medical schools in primary care and research. This is a good resource to use if you’re interested in knowing which schools ranked highest in categories of primary care, research, and specialty areas. http://gradschools.usnews.rankings and r e v i e w s. c o m / b e s t - g r a d u a t e - schools/top-medicalschools.
In The Princeton Review’s book The Best 168 Medical Schools students can learn the facts about admissions requirements and curricula at 142 accredited U.S., Canadian, and Puerto Rican allopathic schools, 20 accredited osteopathic schools, and 6 accredited naturopathic schools. The book also provides answers to all the practical questions you should ask when applying to medical school
Don’t be lazy! Be prepared to do a lot of research as you begin making your list of medical schools to apply to.
WHERE FUTURE DOCTORS GO
Flickr / CollegeDegrees360
POPULAR COLLEGES FOR PREMEDS
Each year, at colleges and universities across the country, students apply to medical school by the thousands. For some schools in particular, the number of students who apply to medical school by far out weighs the number of students applying from other schools, making these schools gain the title of being most popular among those who will one day apply to medical school. In this snapshot look at which schools rank among the top for producing the most number of medical school applicants, it is clear that some significantly beat out others not by hundreds but by thousands. Take a look at the schools that made this list to see if your school makes the list.
COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES THAT PRODUCE THE MOST NUMBER OF MEDICAL SCHOOL APPLICANTS
1
University of California Los Angeles
ØLos Angeles, CA
823 students from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor apply to medical school in 2012.
2
University of Michigan Ann Arbor
ØAnn Arbor, MI
812 students from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor apply to medical school in 2012.
3
University of California – Berkeley
ØBerkeley, CA
768 students from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor apply to medical school in 2012.
4
5
ØLa Jolla, CA
547 students from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor apply to medical school in 2012.
6
University of Texas at Austin
ØAustin, TX
740 students from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor apply to medical school in 2012.
University of California – San Diego
Cornell University
ØIthaca, NY
478 students from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor apply to medical school in 2012.
18 | PreMedLife Magazine | November/December 2013
7
University of WisconsinMadison
ØMadison, WI
455 students from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor apply to medical school in 2012.
8
Univ of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign
ØChampaign, IL
419 students from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor apply to medical school in 2012.
9
Brigham Young University
ØProvo, UT
405 students from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor apply to medical school in 2012.
10
University of Georgia
ØAthens, GA
401 students from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor apply to medical school in 2012.
The Power of Difference: Enhancing a Community of Inclusion OHSU Center for Diversity & Inclusion
Summer Equity Research Program Thinking about graduate school? Interested in research, nursing, medicine, or dentistry? Spend eight weeks in the summer working with faculty and graduate students at the OHSU Equity Summer Research, Dental, Nursing, and Medicine Internship Program. Learning opportunities include: • • • • •
CONNECT Website: www.ohsu.edu/equity-research Email:
cdi@ohsu.edu
Phone:
503 494-5657
Facebook: facebook.com/OHSU.CDI Twitter:
twitter.com/OHSU_CDI
Hands-on experience in a research or clinical setting Clinical shadowing and dental observation Weekly seminars and meetings with fellow students and faculty to discuss ongoing research A poster presentation of your research project Ongoing, personal mentoring about your individual career path
Emphasis on Mentorship We strive to match scholars and mentors based on research and clinical interests. During the internship, interns work full-time with their mentors in an OHSU laboratory and/or clinical setting. Who Should Apply The paid internship program seeks diverse students from underserved, economically and socially disadvantaged communities. Applicants must have completed at least one full year of college coursework. The most competitive applicants will have completed coursework in mathematics and basic sciences, (e.g. biology, chemistry, neuroscience, biopsychology). Equity interns will be selected in April, and will receive a stipend for 40 hours of lab or clinical work per week during the program. Applications will be available in December 2013.
Center for Diversity & Inclusion www.ohsu.edu/diversity
incomible / 123RF
A
the Doctor of the Future
As a premed student you are preparing to become a doctor of the future. You have chosen medicine because you already know that you want to help those who are sick and that you like studying science. BY HEIDI MOAWAD, MD
future as a physician will allow you to combine a solid academic foundation in science and human biology with the practical work of being a doctor. While you prepare for your future in medicine, you are undoubtedly taking science pre-requisites and studying for the MCAT. Your scores in these classes and exams are certainly a significant part of your groundwork for getting into medical school. I'm sure that, as an ambitious college student, you also have additional interests and talents. Some of the complementary activities that many premedical students do to prepare for the medical school application process are internships and summer jobs in the medical field. These experiences can serve to enrich your experience, confirm for you whether you really want to pursue medicine, and enhance your application. Many young doctors find themselves wanting to pursue non-traditional work in medicine after medical school or residency training. It can be a bit confusing to try to figure out how to break into non-traditional areas like medical technology or healthcare business. Most young doctors are not familiar with the broad array of options available to physicians within the whole realm of health care. The good news is that a medical degree can serve as the entry point to leadership roles in many facets of the medical field. The key to success in finding your way to innovative areas of medicine is to explore, explore and explore. As a premedical student you are well positioned to examine any of the interests you have and find ways to combine them with medicine. Global
health is an expanding field, as are telemedicine, medical information technology and the use of new, innovative health care platforms for physician patient communication. You have the opportunity to attain the most respectable professional degree and use it on any way to choose. Creativity in your career path can change the world for the better. You can use internships and summer jobs now to build connections between medicine and your other areas of interest while you pave the way for your future as a doctor. This time of preparation for medical school is the ideal time to try out different recipes that combine medicine with other disciplines. While you search for summer jobs or internship opportunities, you can often step into exciting experiences or even create your own vision for multidisciplinary learning. Preparation for the medical school application process can be rigorous, even for the most motivated student. Outside the classroom, preparation for medical school can be the most enjoyable part, as well as the most likely to distinguish you as a candidate. At this stage, there is no need to hesitate or feel that a part time job must translate into a long-term identity. It is the perfect time to see what the whole world of medicine has to offer, to enjoy the potential of peering into the future and deciding whether you want to become a doctor, what kind of doctor you want to become, and positioning yourself for a seat in a medical school class and beyond. You can become the doctor that you want to be. When you begin to explore what that means both outside and inside the classroom, you will become a candidate whose application goes beyond numbers and grades, but who has a clear vision of a career as a physician.
Heidi Moawad M.D. is author of Careers Beyond Clinical Medicine, an instructional book for doctors who are interested obtaining non-clinical careers. http://nonclinicaldoctors.webs.com/ Dr. Moawad is a neurologist and teaches at John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio and in a recipient of The McGregor Course Development Grant Award in Globalization Studies.
November/December 2013 | PreMedLife Magazine | 21
the
MEDICAL SCHOOL SURVIVAL
checklist
Gearing up to apply to start medical school but don’t have a clue about the challenges ahead? Like many perspective med students my initial understanding of the forthcoming experience was limited to and shaped by what I had read in medical school blogs, student forums, and med school recruiting “propaganda”. What I learned informally was confusing at best, often scary, and much of the time proved not to be the case in my own med school reality. As a result of my med school “baptism by fire” I decided to capture some of the lessons I had learned the hard way and share them with others who are considering taking on the difficult and seemingly overwhelming challenge of succeeding in medical school. Mine is not a perfect list but I can tell you it has worked for me! Use this as a starting point for developing your own study strategy. Create a schedule and stick to it. You shouldn’t have to think R about what you’re doing next, it’s important to have a daily and
R
weekly plan. Organization is the key to success. Then study, study and study some more!
Find how you study best for each subject and stick to it. Some students study best alone and some do better studying with a group? Do you get more from reading a book, listening to a professor, or both?
Have everything you need before you begin: books, lectures, R notes, a white board, colored pencils, highlighters, notebooks,
scratch paper, etc.. You want to be able to find your things easily so you don't waste your valuable time.
R R R
Don’t allow interruptions from family, friends and fellow stuR dents when you know you need to focus your time on reading,
studying, or reviewing a lecture. Make sure you schedule time to call family and friends when it is convenient for YOU.
is under pressure to perform. This is medical school, R Everyone the information is extremely difficult, the schedule is tough, and the hours are long. Each day more information is piled on and you’re expected to absorb all of it while retaining what you have already learned. Stress/Anxiety is a normal byproduct.
22 | PreMedLife Magazine | November/December 2013
R
Taking a break periodically, from the grind of studying, is essential to your mental health! Set aside personal “down time” to exercise, grocery shop, relax, and do things for yourself.
Learn to focus on what is within your control, and don’t sweat the things that are out of your control or that you need to worry about in the future. Regain focus and a bit of your sanity by working on the activities you need to do now, like reviewing a lecture or cramming for a test.
You can’t always go it alone so don’t hesitate to ask for help from professors, TA’s, fellow students, roommates, family and friends. From my experience people are willing to help if you let them know. I was overwhelmed when my laptop crashed during the first two weeks of school (in the middle of my first block of exams). I reached out to my friends and the med school administrators and I was surprised at how quickly the problem was resolved. I’ll never forget that feeling of relief; it truly made a difference at a time when I was overwhelmed!
Be a friend to everyone. You never know who is having a bad day, failed a test or misses home. Be the ray of sunshine in someone’s day, whether it’s a smile or a simple “Hi, how are you?” Be the genuine person you want your future patients to admire.
taoty / 123RF
R R R R
Review your test if possible or meet with the teacher to discuss questions you missed. Go over all of the questions to cement the high yield concepts, it’s the best way to ensure you thoroughly know that topic.
Going to lectures is critical. A lot of people think that going to class is optional especially when they think they know that particular subject. The professor always emphasizes important points during a lecture; it is vital to take advantage of that knowledge. The points of emphasis are usually because they will show up on an exam.
Go to laboratory and doctor patient relationship courses. I know a lot of students skip these classes to catch up on sleep, but this isn’t the right approach. These classes are essential for your success in the course and as a future doctor. You learn the basics in laboratory on how to orient yourself when looking at a body; you get to truly have an in depth approach to anatomy- literally! The 30 second rule. If a professor spends more than 30 seconds discussing a particular slide, clinical correlation or topic- it’s going to be on the test. Star, highlight, circle or bold that information, you’re pretty much guaranteed to see it later.
Unfortunately, your past educational success and study habits are no guarantee of future success in med school; the bar is much higher. In college you may have crammed for a test the night before and succeeded. Not to scare you but in Medical School you will “cram for tests” every day for a week before the test, and you’ll still walk into the testing room feeling stressed, unsure, and unprepared. The good news is that if you get accepted into Med School you have already proven you have the intellectual capacity to succeed. At that point it’s all about applying yourself to the fulltime job of studying. You will work harder than you have ever worked before, study until you are beyond exhausted, and at the end of the day you’ll feel guilty about stopping to sleep. If that’s not enough, by necessity you will sacrifice time with your family, have very limited time to spend with friends, and forget about any semblance of a normal life. Your life will revolve around med school. Not to be melodramatic, but it will take a 100% commitment from you and your absolute undying devotion to your studies if you want to become a doctor. That’s what I have learned from my “baptism by fire” attending medical school. I hope it helps you avoid some of the obstacles I experienced. I’ve got more to say but to be honest I’m feeling guilty, I need to get back to my fulltime job . . . studying! HEATHER BERGDAHL is a coffee connoisseur, automotive enthusiast, business woman, and world traveller. She received her MBA from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. She is currently a Caribbean medical student attending Saba University. She has relocated 6 times, traveled the world and seen places and things that many people only dream of. Becoming a doctor is another step on her career success ladder. She lives her life embracing the belief, "the best is yet to come!"
November/December 2013 | PreMedLife Magazine | 23
Biophysical Society
2014 Summer Research Program in Biophysics University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Priority Application Deadline: February 15, 2014 Interested in interdisciplinary science? Want to work in fast growing area of biomedical research? Looking to get some hands-on lab experience this summer? Check out the Summer Research Program in Biophysics, an 11 week course for undergraduate minority students at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Course expenses, travel costs, meals, and housing are covered.
Course includes:
Recommended Prerequisites:
• Lectures with UNC faculty members and seminars with visiting professors from graduate programs across the country
• Studying quantitative science: chemistry, physics, biochemistry, and/or computer science
• Mentored research experience
• 2 semesters of biology • 2 semesters of calculus-level physics
• Team-building activities and field trips
• 3.0 cumulative or higher GPA in science courses
See what past students have to say about the Summer Research Program!
“…this has been the most useful and wonderful summer of my college career. Not only have I learned academically, I have built multiple bridges that can only benefit me in the future.”
“It has influenced me to take an additional science course at my university as well as has helped me create ideas for my senior project... the environment of the course created learning.”
“I learned new lab techniques as well as worked on the project independently. I was able to complete |my own experiments and when I had questions or hit a snag, my mentor was available to help.”
For more information or to recommend a student, email Ellen Mackall: emackall@biophysics.org, or visit www.biophysics.org.
Book Excerpt
The Heartbeat of Success
A Med Student’s Guide to Med School Admissions
Despite having a GPA high enough to be part of the premedical honor society on campus, I chose to devote my time to the premedical club that focused mostly on health equity and professional development: the Minority Association of Premedical Students (MAPS), the undergraduate arm of the Student National Medical Association. I was so passionate about the organization’s work and it showed; as a result I was chosen to be Secretary and then President of the local chapter. During my sophomore year of college, I was awarded the Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship. The JK Watson Fellowship is a two year fellowship that provides professional development opportunities for promising undergraduates; the program’s main component is three paid summer internships. Around the same time, I was accepted to a very popular premedical summer enrichment program. I felt torn; should I choose the fellowship or the traditional premedical experience? I ultimately chose the JK Watson Fellowship because I felt more excited about the opportunities it offered. Once again, pursuing my passion led to positive results. As a Watson Fellow I was able to teach children What’s all the fuss about extracurricu- at the Bronx Zoo, publish a magazine article about lar activities? Isn’t doing well in your HIV/AIDS at Gay Men’s Health Crisis and travel to coursework and on the MCAT South America to work with at-risk youth through a enough to get into medical school? small charity organization in Santiago, Chile. I chose to do what I loved and medical schools clearly saw my Nope. Extracurricular activities and employment are opportunities to ex- passion shine through my application.
plore your interests, become involved in your community, develop a project or earn money to support yourself. Saying you love to help people during a medical school interview is not enough—actions speak louder than words! In addition to having a job, I par-
ticipated in a lot of extracurricular activities during college. I loved every single one of them.
WHAT ARE EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES? Let’s first define extracurricular activities. Extracurricular activities are activities you engage in outside of class and apart from studying. This includes but is not limited to shadowing a physician, volunteering your time for a certain cause, being part of a student group, holding a job or pursuing a hobby. Not all of your extracurricular activities need to be related to medicine. There are many things you can pursue that will still speak to the fact that you would make a great physician. For example, you can be a leader with your religious organization, teaching reli-
gious instruction to children every Saturday. At first, this may seem unrelated to medicine. However, a closer look tells the admissions committee two things. First, it tells the committee a bit about who you are and how you enjoy spending your free time. Second, you are demonstrating that you are a leader who likes working with other people and teaching. These are all qualities of a great physician! The only rule for choosing extracurricular activities is the same as the rule for choosing a major: make sure you choose activities you love! If you enjoy what you’re doing, you’re more likely to remain committed to the activity, excel and take on leadership roles. This is what medical schools want to see. They don’t want to see an applicant who says they simply attend premedical student group meetings once a month and shadow a physician every now and then. When choosing extracurricular activities, choose only a few and remain committed to them throughout your undergraduate career. In doing so, you are allowing yourself to get to know your peers, prepare to take on a leadership role and eventually get a letter of recommendation from whomever supervises the group. A leadership position doesn’t just mean that you became the President of a group. Leadership could also mean that you were in charge of a planning or fundraising committee or created a new service project and led the initiative. Leadership can also mean that you did not hold a formal position at all, but improved the way in which your group delivers supplies or services to the community. Remember, when you are first adjusting to college, it is okay to bounce around different organizations and student groups until you find the ones you enjoy most. You should commit to your extracurricular activities by the end of your first year of college and stick with them! Aside from choosing a few activities you love, and remaining committed to them over an extended period of time, there is one more guiding principle to choosing extracurricular activities: choose varied experiences. I advise students to find one clinical activity, one activity that serves your college community and one activity that either serves you as an individual or
November/December 2013 | PreMedLife Magazine | 25
your community at large. By following this practical formula, you are ensuring that medical school admissions committees see different sides of your personality. It is important to find a clinical experience because without one, medical school admissions committees may think that you have an unrealistic idea of what it means to be a doctor. Look for a formal program for premedical students that incorporates shadowing (see the Resource List), or find a physician or hospital who will take you on as a volunteer and stick with it! It’s better to shadow at one location or with one doctor once a week for two years, than to shadow random physicians for an hour here and there, for four years. In addition to learning what it is like to be a physician and an opportunity to interact with patients, you may be able to ask the physician you shadow for a recommendation letter. An easy way to have fun, demonstrate leadership and serve your community is to become active with a student group on campus. This will ensure that you develop relationships with your peers and possibly even a faculty member as most student groups have faculty advisors. You can join a premedical club, cultural society, religious group, or honor society— whatever! Just make sure the group is productive and works to sponsor events for a good cause. A poetry club that sponsors a poetry slam fundraiser or a “big sib/little sib” program to mentor freshman students are great examples. Remember, it does not have to be directly related to medicine. It just as to be something you enjoy and something productive. The final type of activity to choose is either something completely selfserving or something that serves the larger community (i.e. your city, your state, the nation etc.). The self-serving activity can be anything you want, but again it has to be productive. For example, if you play an instrument you can list this as an activity on your medical school application. In addition to practicing, it would be great if you also participated in a musical performance or wrote a song (even if you just performed it at an open mic session at the local bar). Engaging in hobbies you enjoy is also a great way to stay sane when school becomes stressful, and to maintain a good balance between work and your personal life. Hobbies do not always have to be
something grandiose either. Perhaps you enjoy building model cars. That’s great! Maybe you can create your own instruction manual to demonstrate leadership in this area. Do you see where I’m going with this? Through an individual hobby, you can still demonstrate your ability to be a leader and follow through on projects. You can demonstrate your ability to manage your time and challenge yourself. You can still show the admissions committees who you are. You can show the committee that you will be a great doctor. The other option I mentioned is more community service. I mentioned this because for some people, community service is their hobby and passion. They would rather do more community service than engage in a hobby like drawing or cooking. That is totally okay. I specified choosing an activity that serves a larger community just for the sake of variation. You will have an opportunity to work with people outside of your college. Some examples are volunteering with national organizations like the Red Cross, Boys and Girls Club or Habitat for Humanity. In summary, make sure you sample different extracurricular activities if you are undecided about what to pursue. Once you know what you like, choose no more than a handful of activities to commit yourself to over a long period of time. Spend time getting to know your peers and supervisors involved with each activity. Take on leadership roles. When the time comes to apply to medical school, you will have a long and strong history of commitment to meaningful activities that tell the committee who you are and why you will be a good physician.
get published. write for us
ALEXA MIESES is currently pursuing an M.D./M.P.H. joint degree at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (formerly Mount Sinai School of Medicine). She aspires to be a wonderful clinician with influence beyond the confines of an examination room and hopes to serve as a role model for others working to make their dreams a reality. To learn more or to purchase her book, visit www.alexamieses.com.
If you consider yourself a good writer and would like a chance to have your article published in an issue of PreMedLife Magazine, we’re looking for student writers to submit articles. From your personal experiences as a pre-med student to living everyday life as a college student, we want to share your story with our readers. Or if you need an idea to write about - we’ve got tons of them. For more information about writing for PreMedLife Magazine, visit our Web site at www.premedlife.com or email us at info@premedlife.com.
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PRE-MED
2014
SUMMER PROGRAMS
PROGRAM NAME
LOCATION
DATE
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
Little Rock, Arkansas
Early June 2014
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP)
Los Angeles, California
June -August 2014
Seaver Undergraduate Research in Biology at Pepperdine University
Malibu, California
May 11 - July 26, 2014
Stanford Summer Research Program (SSRP)-Amgen Scholars
Stanford, California
June 21 - August 23, 2014
28 | PreMedLife Magazine | November/December 2013
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 opportu-
nities for Summer 2014. 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.
To find more information about any of the programs listed, search the name of any of these program in Google.
DESCRIPTION
PERKS OR COSTS
DEADLINE
Paid summer research fellowships for undergraduate students who will be juniors or seniors by the fall semester. Students will work on a project relevant to human health in a laboratory of a faculty member at either the University of Arkansas, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, or the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. The Biomedical Research fellowships are designed for students with a solid background in science who wish to be part of an ongoing research project, develop their technical skills and are interested in pursuing a research career.
ü$3000 Stipend
MARCH 6, 2013
The UCLA SMDEP will serve as a model learning community in which students examine health care issues in medically underserved communities. Through a research project, problem-based learning cases, lectures, clinical experiences, and small-group discussions, students will also improve their learning skills and increase their science knowledge. The program targets educationally and financially disadvantaged community college students.
üMeals üStipend üHousing
MARCH 6, 2014
üStipend üRoom + Board üTravel Costs
FEBRUARY 14, 2014
ü$3,500 Stipend
FEBRUARY 3, 2014
Summer research program geared specifically to undergraduate students who are interested in pursing a career in biological research, science education, environmental science or biotechnology. Over the summer, students will pursue individual research seminars in one of five research areas students may elect to study. Program offers undergraduates who want to prepare for and enter Ph.D programs in the sciences an opportunity to work with Stanford's distinguished faculty and work in one of Stanford's state-of-the-art research facilities. Participants will work with a faculty member and a lab mentor to craft a research project. The program culminates with a research symposium, where students present individual talks and posters on their summer projects in front of the faculty, lab mentors, and University administrators.
November/December 2013 | PreMedLife Magazine | 29
PROGRAM NAME
LOCATION
DATE
UCLA Pre-Medical Enrichment Program (PREP)
Los Angeles, California
June - July 2014
UCLA Re-Application Program (RAP)
Los Angeles, California
June 18-August 1, 2014
Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy
Duarte, California
May-July 2014
National Cancer Institute (NCI) Continuing Umbrella of Research Experience (CURE) Program
Duarte, California
May-August 2014 June-August 2014 June-September 2014
UCSD Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
San Diego, California
June - August 2014
Graduate Experience for Multicultural Students (GEMS) at the University of Colorado - Denver School of Medicine
Denver, Colorado
June 2- August 8, 2014
30 | PreMedLife Magazine | November/December 2013
DESCRIPTION Program designed to provide premedical and predental students from disadvantaged background with a means of strengthening their ability and readiness to study medicine or dentistry. Students will work at a rigorous pace with a highly focused scope to prepare for the MCAT and DAT. Participants will engage in an extensive and lively classroom review of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Verbal Reasoning. Participants are also assigned to observe practicing physicians, dentists, and medical researchers performing the typical functions of their professions.
PERKS OR COSTS
DEADLINE
端Travel Allowance
MARCH 1, 2014
MAY 2014
A comprehensive, structured re-application program designed to assist students from disadvantaged backgrounds who have been unsuccessful in gaining admission to any U.S. medical school. The program begins with an intensive eight-week summer session, focused upon prerequisite science review and on MCAT preparation.
Program gives promising students with an interest in research and health science careers practical experience and helps them develop important skills for their futures. Our instructors are world-renowned physicians and scientists who guide students in their research, while helping them develop their critical thinking skills. Weekly seminars allow students to present research findings to their peers, a good primer for what graduate and postdoctoral students do. Program is designed to engage the scientific curiosity of promising young high school and undergraduate students from underrepresented populations who are interested in cancer research as a career.
端$4,000 Stipend
MARCH 14, 2014
端$4,000 Stipend
CONTACT PROGRAM
Program for motivated undergraduate students interested in seeking future training in a combined MD/PhD program. Principle focus is an 8-week research project conducted in the laboratory of a faculty member in the biomedical sciences.
FEBRUARY 14, 2014
Selected GEMS interns will enroll in a research internship course, Topics in Biomedical Science and Research. The course will be conducted by distinguished research faculty and will consist of lectures, demonstrations, and laboratory research assignments with a mentor.
FEBRUARY 15, 2014
November/December 2013 | PreMedLife Magazine | 31
PROGRAM NAME
LOCATION
DATE
Summer Student Research Fellowship at Hartford Hospital
Hartford, Connecticut
June 2-August 8, 2014
Yale University Summer Medical/Dental Education Program (SMDEP)
New Haven, Connecticut
June 14 - July 26, 2014
College Enrichment Program (CEP) at the University of Connecticut
Storrs, Connecticut
June - July 2014
College Summer Fellowship Program at UConn School of Medicine
Farmington, Connecticut
TBA
Summer Medical/Dental Education Program (SMDEP) at Howard University
Washington, DC
June 1 - July 12, 2014
Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation Internship Program
Ridgefield, Connecticut
Open
32 | PreMedLife Magazine | November/December 2013
DESCRIPTION
PERKS OR COSTS
DEADLINE
Program offers a unique clinical research opportunity for college students pursuing careers in medicine. Fellowship is designed exclusively for pre-medical students completing either their junior or senior year in college. It offers the student an introduction to research methodology, patient treatment, and ethical issues in medicine as well as exposure to a broad spectrum of health care providers within a large community teaching hospital.
ü$4,000 Stipend üTravel Allowance
FEBRUARY 5, 2014
Program for highly motivated college students who are considering a career in medicine. The Program exposes students to a problem-based learning model of science education that is similar to that used in medical school.
The program addresses the needs of University of Connecticut freshmen and sophomores. The program is designed to provide sound development of scientific and mathematical skills. The program consists of courses in individual programs of study in: Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Calculus, and Physics. The program will consist of 30 hours per week of formal lecture, laboratory, directed study, and clinical experiences addressing the needs of college freshman or sophomores.
MARCH 1, 2014
üStipend üFood üHousing üTravel Allowance
The program is designed to offer undergraduates who are completing their sophomore, or preferably their junior year of college, and plant to purse a career as a MD, DMD, MD/PhD, or DMD/PhD. Once a student is accepted to the program and has selected and found a faculty sponsor in which to do research, the student will meet with the faculty sponsor in June and develop a research protocol and suitable project description. The program is designed to provide an educational experience of exceptional quality that will strengthen the overall academic preparation of underrepresented minority, disadvantaged, and low-income students who express interest in admission to medical or dental school.
Research & Development: Throughout the summer, interns will have the opportunity to work side-by-side with top researchers in their field. Medical: Interns within the medical department have the opportunity to assist on both early and late phase clinical trails. Whether the project entails enrolling participants into a clinical trail or measuring and analyzing trail results, interns work with leading doctors and researchers to assure that all Boehringer Ingelheim products meet all requirements set forth by the FDA.
APRIL 2014
MARCH 15, 2014
ü$2,500-$3,000 üStipend üHousing
MARCH 1, 2014
MARCH 1, 2014
November/December 2013 | PreMedLife Magazine | 33
PROGRAM NAME
LOCATION
DATE
Georgetown Summer Medical Institute (GSMI)
Washington, DC
June - July 2014
Pre-Medical Summer Enrichment Program (PSEP) at The University of South Florida
Tampa, Florida
May - June 2014
Minority Students Health Careers Motivation Program
Miami, Florida
June-July 2014
Health P.A.S.S. Program
Des Moines, Iowa
June 9 - 27, 2014
Professional Education Preparation Program (PEPP) at The University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
n/a
MCAT-DAT Review Summer Workshop at the University of Louisville School of Medicine
Louisville, Kentucky
June 4 - June 28, 2014
Buck for Brains Summer Research Program at the University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Varies
34 | PreMedLife Magazine | November/December 2013
DESCRIPTION
PERKS OR COSTS
DEADLINE
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.
ü$3,862 (5 Credits) ü$3,090 (4 Credits)
TBA
The program is designed for highly motivated tudents who are preparing for medical school. The program includes a review of concepts in biology, general and organic chemistry, and physics. Participants will work closely with faculty in areas of reading skills, test taking skills, etc. Participants are also paired with physicians in the local community to have an opportunity to develop an appreciation of the "real world of medicine" through weekly clinical experiences.
ü$1,500 Grant
MARCH 2014
The program is designed to be a mini first-year medical education experience that exposes participants to classroom instruction in select basic science courses in the medical education curriculum and offers physician-shadowing opportunities. Great attention is placed on identifying and removing any barriers that may prevent a participant from being a competitive medical school applicant.
ü$400 Stipend üHousing üMeals üTravel Allowance
MARCH 2014
The program is for promising college sophomores and juniors to prepare for and enhance their chances of getting into medical school and other health professions programs. In the program's courses, clinical opportunities and practical exposure, students will gain the confidence that they can achieve a degree and career in any of Des Moines University's four clinical areas- and the knowledge they need to get started.
üTravel Stipend üMeals üMaterials
MARCH 1, 2013
üHousing üMeals
N/A
Free MCAT review workshop for eligible students
üStipend üHousing üMeals
MARCH 2014
The program provides undergraduates at the University of Kentucky with hands-on experience in academic research, working alongside "Bucks for Brains" faculty. Students are placed in research settings ranging from plant biochemistry to computer science to American history.
ü$3,500 Stipend
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).
The program provides academic enrichment in chemistry and biology, as well as clinical experiences, medical and dental experiential activities, laboratory experiences, seminars, demonstrations, and clinical site visits.
APRIL 15, 2014
November/December 2013 | PreMedLife Magazine | 35
PROGRAM NAME
LOCATION
DATE
Frontier Nursing Service Courier Program
Wendover, Kentucky
TBA
Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Bethesda, Maryland Baltimore, Maryland Frederick, Maryland
mid-May-June 2014
Summer Internship Program at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland
May 25 - August 2, 2014
College Summer Enrichment Program at the University of Massachusetts Medical School
Worcester, Massachusetts
May 25 - June 20, 2014
Four Directions Summer Research Program at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts
June 9 - August 7, 2013
Siteman Cancer Center Summer Opportunity Program
St. Louis, Missouri
May 27 - August 2, 2014
36 | PreMedLife Magazine | November/December 2013
DESCRIPTION
PERKS OR COSTS
DEADLINE
The program provides a type of internship for young women and men who had a desire to go into the medical field. For young women and men who are interested in the healthcare field, the Courier Program provides limited opportunities to shadow healthcare professionals including: family nurse practitioners, physicians, nurse-midwives at FNS rural healthcare centers, at Mary Breckinridge Hospital and Home Health Agency.
ü$500 Stipend
FEBRUARY 15, 2014
The program is designed to provide an independent research experience in biomedical and/or public health research to undergraduate students under the direct mentoring of established Johns Hopkins researchers. During the program interns work one-on-one with faculty on research projects in their field of interest and attend a health science seminar series.
üStipend
MARCH 1, 2014
The program provides experience in research laboratories to students of diverse backgrounds, including underrepresented minority students and students from economically disadvantaged and underserved backgrounds. The purpose of this exposure to biomedical and/or public health research is to encourage students to consider careers in science, medicine and public health.
ü$3000 Stipend üHousing
MARCH 2014
A tuition-free four-week residential program for undergraduate sophomores and juniors interested in entering the health professions. The goals of the program are to help participants improve their qualifications and competitive standing for admission to professional, graduate and/or medical school. Sessions include the professional school application process with emphasis on medical school admissions and financing professional school.
üStipend üHousing üTravel Allowance
MARCH 15, 2014
The focus of activity during the summer is participation in a basic science research project. Additional program goals include: Experience cutting edge research at a leading medical school, understand the medical school application process, exposure to Native American health care issues, integrate Native traditions including talking circles, networking with Native American students and faculty.
üTravel Allowance üHousing üLiving Stipend
FEBRUARY 17, 2014
ü$3,500 Stipend
MARCH 1, 2014
Program provides opportunities for undergraduate, pre-med and medical students enrolled at Washington University or other accredited universities to work on cancer research projects during the summer. Opportunities range from basic laboratory research to clinical research to prevention/control and population research.
November/December 2013 | PreMedLife Magazine | 37
PROGRAM NAME
LOCATION
DATE
Biomedical Research Apprenticeship Program (BioMed RAP) at Washington University in St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
May 27 - August 2, 2014
University of Nebraska Medical Center Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP)
Omaha, Nebraska
June 7 - July 18, 2014
Summer Undergraduate Fellowship Program at the Eppley Cancer Research Institute
Newark, New Jersey
June 2 - August 8, 2014
UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical and New Jersey Dental Schools Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP)
Newark, New Jersey
June 2 - July 11, 2014
Biomedical Careers Program (BCP) at Robert Wood Medical School
Piscataway, New Jersey
June - July 2014
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP)
New York, New York
June 20 - August 2, 2014
38 | PreMedLife Magazine | November/December 2013
DESCRIPTION
PERKS OR COSTS
DEADLINE
As a BioMedRAP/CD-BioRAP participant, students will conduct independent research with outstanding faculty mentors, work in a cutting edge science and technology environment, gain exposure to some of the nation's finest biomedical investigators and an extensive variety of research topics, receive individualized career counseling and develop your career interests, participate in workshops, seminars and journal clubs, build a social network with student peers and faculty, and prepare to apply to the best Ph.D. and M.D. /Ph.D. programs in the United States.
üStipend üTravel Allowance üHousing
FEBRUARY 3, 2014
üMeals üTravel Assistance üStipend üHousing
MARCH 1, 2014
ü$4,000 Stipend üHousing
MARCH 1, 2014
üStipend üHousing üMeals
MARCH 1, 2014
üTuition Free
MARCH 15, 2014
üMeals üTravel Assistance üStipend üHousing
MARCH 1, 2014
The program is designed to identify, recruit, and assist future dentists and doctors through a comprehensive six-week summer experience for talented freshman and sophomores. The overall goal of the program is to provide each scholar the navigation tools necessary to reach their current and future goals. NMC's primary focus on core academics is a springboard for students in their pursuit of a career as a physician or dentist.
Students in the summer program work for 10 wks doing hands-on research in Eppley Institute laboratories. Students get to try research, learn techniques and new concepts, and work with professional researchers, all while earning a competitive summer salary.
Program serves to advance our institution's core mission of meeting society's current and future health care needs by preparing individuals underrepresented in medicine and dentistry, and doing so while championing cultural competency and humanism in all aspects of education. SMDEP reaffirms our continued commitment to and involvement in pipeline initiatives and will allow our two institutions to attain even greater diversity. Academic enrichment program for undergraduate students interested in careers in the health professions. The program targets undergraduates who are economically and/or educationally disadvantaged. BCP offers an intensive six-week summer program to serve students at all stages of undergraduate education. Students take part in a variety of science enrichment and healthcare-oriented activities. The program provides students seriously interested in applying to medical or dental school with a well-defined, integrated approach to learning, focusing on the basic science curriculum needed to apply to medical or dental school. Students engage in intense labs, learning-skills, and career development courses during the six weeks of the program, while attending weekly clinical rotations and seminars. The program strives to help students enhance and improve their chances of becoming successful applicants and students at the medical/dental schools of their choice.
November/December 2013 | PreMedLife Magazine | 39
PROGRAM NAME
LOCATION
DATE
Gateways to the Laboratory Summer Program at Weill Cornell/Rockefeller/Sloan-Kettering
New York, New York
June - August 2014
Summer Undergraduate Mentorship Program at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University
Bronx, New York
June - July 2014
Montefiore Medical Center's Health Opportunities Program (Monte-HOP)
Bronx, New York
TBA
Project Asian Health Education and Development (AHEAD)
New York, New York
June - August 2014
The Travelers Summer Research Fellowship Program for Premedical Students at Weill Cornell Medical College
New York, New York
June 23 - August 8, 2014
Project Healthcare at NYU Langone Medical Center
New York, New York
June - August 2014
40 | PreMedLife Magazine | November/December 2013
DESCRIPTION
PERKS OR COSTS
DEADLINE
The program was established for underrepresented minority and disadvantaged college students who wish to pursue the combined MD-PhD degree. Over the summer, students will: Work independently on a research project. Students will present and participate in weekly journal clubs. Participate in a hands-on tour of the Gross Anatomy Lab. Sit for a Mock MCAT exam. Partake in a Lab Techniques Workshop and Clinical Skills Workshop. Participate in Career Development Workshops. Scrub into surgeries at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital.
ü$4,300 Stipend üTravel Expenses
FEBRUARY 15, 2014
The program will be comprised of a six-hour per week commitment to a shadowing experience with an assigned mentor and fourteen hours per week of lecture attendance. These fourteen hours will be distributed into the following three core curriculum components: six hours clinical didactic, six hours medical informatics, and two hours of MCAT preparation and test taking strategies.
ü$1,000 Stipend üTransportation üMeals
APRIL 2014
The program is designed to promote, educate, and encourage underserved youth to purse careers within the health fields. Students will gain valuable knowledge and professional skills through interactive workshops, mentorship by physicians, observation of physician-patient interactions, lecture activities and independent learning. The program is designed to provide training and experience for college students who are interested in pursuing a career in the health care field. The program consists of a practical field placement, seminars and workshops, and participation in the development and completion of a community health project. Students explore various health careers, and gain an understanding of the dynamics of the New York Asian American community and of current health issues impacting the health status of Asian Americans in the United States.
The program is designed to give 25 premedical students deeper insights into the field of medicine, including issues that greatly affect the health of traditionally underserved groups. Through the experiences of laboratory or clinical research, the students learn how one purses a specific research problem under the supervision of a faculty member, thus providing an early education into basic research techniques that could be applicable to any area of medicine. Project Healthcare is an innovative volunteer program for enthusiastic and inspired college and post-baccalaureate students. Created by the Bellevue Hospital Center Emergency Department, PHC allows students an opportunity to experience and many different aspects of healthcare. The program is comprised of several weekly rotations which are based in the Emergency Department. It offers the committed student a unique healthcare experience, which is intended to furnish a wealth of knowledge about the numerous options for a career in healthcare.
MARCH 1, 2014
üMeals üTravel Assistance üStipend üHousing
FEBRUARY 15, 2014
ü$140/Wk üHousing üTravel Expenses for students who live some distance from NY
FEBRUARY 1, 2014
üMeals üTravel Assistance üStipend üHousing
FEBRUARY 14, 2014
November/December 2013 | PreMedLife Magazine | 41
PROGRAM NAME
LOCATION
DATE
Summer Scientific Work Program (SSWP) at Franklin Hospital
Valley Stream, New York
TBA
ACCESS Summer Research Program at Cornell University
New York, New York
TBA
AGEP Summer Research Institute (SRI) at SUNY Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, New York
n/a
Bronx-Westchester Area Health Education Center
Bronx, New York
May/July 2014
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP)
Cleveland, Ohio
June 7 - July 18, 2014
Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine Summer Scholars Program
Athens, Ohio
June 2 to July 3, 2014
42 | PreMedLife Magazine | November/December 2013
DESCRIPTION The program is designed to help college students decide whether or not a career in medicine is right for them. This renowned program offers students the opportunity to complete a four-week summer internship where they have the chance to observe and ask questions in order to learn more about the medical field. Throughout these four weeks, accepted students rotate through various departments in order to gain a well rounded experience of the hospital. Some of these departments include the operating room, emergency room, radiology, geriatrics, laboratory, psychiatry as well as the rehabilitation unit. The Access program of Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences is a summer internship program that trains underserved college students in the biomedical sciences Interns gain hands-on xperience in a biomedical research laboratory and are encouraged to apply to PhD programs. Selected students are placed in laboratories at the Weill Cornell Medical College under the mentorship of experienced faculty members. The program is an intensive residential research internship program for underrepresented minority undergraduates majoring in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Students will get a unique opportunity to work on independent research projects in cutting-edge laboratories under the direction of Stony Brook University faculty.
PERKS OR COSTS
DEADLINE MARCH 15, 2014
ü$3,000 Stipend üUp to $300 for Travel üHousing
FEBRUARY 1, 2014
ü$3,500 Stipend üRound-trip airfare üHousing üMeals
CONTACT PROGRAM
Health Careers Internship Program (HCIP): This program allows students aspiring toward a career in the health professions the opportunity to work in a health care setting and interact regularly with health professionals. Students must be Junior or Senior in college. Summer Health Internship Program (SHIP): The program provides a six-week summer placement opportunity for junior/senior high school, and freshman/sophomore college students who have expressed an interest in the health field.
APRIL 2014
The program is designed to identify, recruit, and assist in preparing as many highly talented, ommitted, and hardworking minority and economically disadvantaged students as possible for careers in dentistry and medicine. We hope to imbue our students with the confidence and skills necessary to allow them to return to school better prepared to perform well in more rigorous basic science and math classes.
üMeals` üTravel Assistance üStipend üHousing
APRIL 2014
Summer Scholars participants prepare for the challenges and rewards of medical school. Twenty-five applicants are selected each year to participate in this rigorous six-week program designed to give you an intensive and realistic introduction to the first-year curriculum at OU-COM. In addition to traditional medical school curricula taught by medical college faculty, graduate students and upper-class medical students, the program focuses on case-based problem solving and small-group/team work.
üRoom + Board üStipend üProgram Materials üRound-Trip Travel Expenses
MARCH 1, 2014
November/December 2013 | PreMedLife Magazine | 43
PROGRAM NAME
LOCATION
DATE
MedStarz Program at the University of Toledo College of Medicine
Toldeo, OH
July 2013
Research, Observation, Service, and Education (R.O.S.E) Program at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Cincinnati, Ohio
Mid June - Early August 2014
Chester Summer Scholars Program
Cleveland, Ohio
May 27 - August 1, 2014
Pre-Professional Internship Program at Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine
Cincinnati, Ohio
n/a
Summer Premedical Enrichment Program (SPEP) at the University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
June - July 2014
Summer Premedical Academic Enrichment Program (SPAEP) at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
June - July 2014
44 | PreMedLife Magazine | November/December 2013
DESCRIPTION
PERKS OR COSTS
DEADLINE
The program provides students exposure to medicine and will include experiences that encompass sessions on navigating the medical school application process, introduction to the Problem Based Learning (PBL) model in small group sessions, hands on experience in the gross anatomy lab, clinical lectures on medical topics, diversity and cultural competency exercises, and contact with physicians in the clinical setting.
üHousing üTravel Allowance
MARCH 1, 2014
The R.O.S.E. program is part internship, part early acceptance to medical school, and part mentorship program. The purpose of the program is to provide stimulating experiences and contact with academic medical faculty for high ability, intellectually curious pre-medical college students.
ü$3,000 Stipend üROSE students have conditional acceptance to the Cincinnati College of Medicine
FEBRUARY 3, 2014
The program awards 15 collegiate undergraduate students the opportunity to spend the summer in clinical laboratory research at MetroHealth Medical Center. The program is an opportunity equpment are for pre-medical and scientifically-oriented students provided to explore the potential for a career in medical research or academic medicine.
ü2,000 Stipend üFree Parking üSupplies and equpment are provided
FEBRUARY 14, 2014
The Pre-Professional Internship Program at the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine (OCPM) is designed to provide insight into the many facets of podiatric medicine and the education involved with obtaining the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine Degree.
CONTACT PROGRAM
Residential program for 18 college juniors, seniors, and postbaccalaureate premedical students. Students receive intensive exposure to medicine as a career through tours, speakers, seminars, and shadowing. Students are exposed to the medical school experience and the academic curriculum through a noncredit course in cardiophysiology, extensive interaction with medical students and faculty, and detailed guidance through the medical school application process.
MARCH 1, 2014
This program, open to high school graduates and college students, is designed specifically to prepare and support students who wish to pursue careers in the field of medicine. Spend seven weeks in Level I, strengthening your academic skills and learning more about careers in medicine. Or, spend eight weeks immersed and engaged in the work of physician-scientists including laboratory research and MCAT preparation through Level II. Both programs will enhance your skills and knowledge in science, writing and public speaking. You'll discover a challenging and stimulating program in the environment of a major academic medical center.
ü$1,000 Stipend üTransportation üHousing üMeals
MARCH 1, 2014
November/December 2013 | PreMedLife Magazine | 45
PROGRAM NAME
LOCATION
DATE
Pre-med Enrichment Program at the University of Pennsylvania Health System
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
May 19 - July 25, 2014
Pre-Med Program at St. Mary Healthcare Center
Langhorne, Pennsylvania
June - August 2014
Summer Pre-Med Program at Doylestown Hospital
Doylestown, Pennsylvania
Late-May - August 2014
Mini-Med Spring Break at Drexel University College of Medicine
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March/April 2013 Choose from 7 sessions
Vanderbilt Summer Science Academy (VSSA)
Nashville, Tennessee
June 2 - August 1, 2014
Oncology Education (POE) Program
Memphis, Tennessee
Mid-June - August 2014
46 | PreMedLife Magazine | November/December 2013
DESCRIPTION The aim of this program is to prepare minority students for careers in academic medicine other positions of leadership in medicine. Students will be engaged in a program of research, clinical observations, classroom exercises and teaching observations, designed to stimulate their interest in academic medicine. In addition, the students will be engaged in the following: activities pertaining to the medical school application process and medical school admissions; classroom instructions and simulated testing to prepare the students for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). This program is for students who have complete their second year of college with a GPA of at least 3.2 in a course of study that qualifies them for
PERKS OR COSTS
DEADLINE
ü$2,500 Stipend
JANUARY 31, 2014
ü$3,000 Stipend üConditional acceptance to the UC COM
CONTACT PROGRAM
The program is designed for college students who have complete their junior year and are pursing academic programs leading to medical school. Doylestown Hospital physicians assist with the program, which includes lectures and "hands-on" volunteer work on patient floors and in many departments.
FEBRUARY 2014
Participants will experience a medical education as seen through the eyes of 3rd and 4th year medical students during their clinical rotations in the hospital and clinical practices. The experience can enlighten participants about a career in medicine, whether they're about to enter medical school or are just beginning the application process. Participants will accompany the teaching team and 3rd and 4th year medical students on hospital rounds and be part of discussions between physician, patient, and medical students.
ü Tuition: $1500
MARCH 1, 2014
The program offers biomedical research opportunities to undergraduates who want to pursue a career in biomedical sciences. There are two major tracks within the VSSA; the Basic Science Programs for undergraduates interested in careers in research, and the Undergraduate Clinical Research Internship Program for undergraduates who wish to pursue a career in medicine.
ü$2,500-$4,000 Stipend
FEBRUARY 1, 2014
The POE program offers a unique opportunity for students preparing for careers in the biomedical sciences, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, psychology, or public health to gain biomedical and oncology research experience. The POE program provides a short-term training experience (internship) in either laboratory research or clinical research. Students participating in the Pediatric Oncology Education program will receive training in a superb academic environment created by the interaction of committed basic scientists, research-oriented physicians, and postdoctoral fellows.
ü$4,000 üHousing
FEBRUARY 1, 2014
November/December 2013 | PreMedLife Magazine | 47
PROGRAM NAME
LOCATION
DATE
Dialysis Clinic, Inc. Collegiate Medical Summer Internship Program
Nashville, Tennessee
TBA
Michael E. DeBakey Summer Surgery Program at Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas
Mid-June- August 2014
The University of Texas Dental Branch and Medical School at Houston Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP)
Houston, Texas
May 27 - July 3, 2014
Health Career Opportunities Program (HCOP) at The University of Houston College of Optometry
Houston, Texas
TBA
Physiology Undergraduate Research Experience (PURE)
San Antonio, Texas
June - July 2014
Scholars Program in Organic Chemistry at University of Texas - Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, Texas
TBA
48 | PreMedLife Magazine | November/December 2013
DESCRIPTION
PERKS OR COSTS
This program is a summer internship for pre-medical students in the clinical area of organ transplantation. The internship includes shadowing physicians on rounds in the hospital, observing and assisting in an outpatient/clinic facility, and observing transplant and transplant-related surgical operations.
CONTACT PROGRAM
The Michael E. DeBakey Summer Surgery Program offers the pre-medical student a glimpse of a career in surgery long before they will ever pick up a scalpel for the first time. During the eight weeks, students become familiar with the hospital environment, the operating room, and the lifestyle of a surgeon. They are expected to become an integral part of their surgical teams by participating in rounds, surgery, and conferences.
The program seeks motivated students from a variety of backgrounds including those who are underrepresented or underserved that are interested in pursuing a career in dentistry and medicine, including those who have an interest in serving the underserved. Students will have clinical experiences in such areas as emergency medicine, family practice, internal medicine, restorative dentistry, and oral surgery.
DEADLINE
JANUARY 3, 2014
üStipend üTravel Assitance üMeals üHousing
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.
MARCH 1, 2014
MARCH 1, 2014
This research program designed for highly motivated college undergraduate students with a genuine interest in experimental research careers in biomedical science. Undergraduates will have the opportunity to receive hands-on experience in on-going research projects under the direction of a faculty member as well as work with postdoctoral fellows and graduate students.
ü$3,000 Stipend
FEBRUARY 15, 2014
The goals of the program are to improve college students' performance in organic chemistry and to provide these students with exposure to clinical medicine. The SPOC program will be conducted on the UT Southwestern campus in Dallas and has two components: 1) a 10 week course in Organic Chemistry and 2) clinical preceptorships with practicing physicians at UT Southwestern or in one of our affiliated clinical sites.
ü$1,000 Stipend
CONTACT PROGRAM
November/December 2013 | PreMedLife Magazine | 49
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THEGOODS
Our pick of items that will add some flair to your pre-medical life and perhaps put a smile on your face
Building Blocks of Light
à
EDI
TO
R’S
PIC
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Add a ray of retro inspiration and a gleeful glow to your desktop or nightstand with this adjustable Tetris light set! The seven colorful, plastic tetriminos can be arranged in any combination, and each piece illuminates when stacked upon the others.
}
~
Biological Reasoning Bath Towel
There’s no question as to whether you’ll be adding this skeleton towel to your scientific lavatory. This towel will have your mind brimming with new curious inquiries, but your love for this bold bit of decor is an absolute certainty!
} 52 | PreMedLife Magazine | November/December 2013
Little Miscellany Sunshine Container
Assemble this helpful box and watch with awe as your odds and ends find a permanent home. From Knock Knock comes this clever cube that you can stash anywhere you need a bit of extra storage. Printed with a to-the-point message, this cardboard box is perfect for the clutterbug in you!
Zipboard Retractable Whiteboard
The Zipboard Retractable Whiteboard is a portable board and easy to transport from place to place. This is an ideal tool for students working on homework problems or students meeting as a study group. The dry-erase marker included stows conveniently in the center of the cylindrical board, so you'll be ready to write, teach, and draw whenever motivation strikes.
~
~
Right Hand, Ready Espresso Cup Set
Challenge your guests to a smile-filled round of coffee with this playful porcelain espresso set! Featuring four colorfully dotted cups with coordinating spinner-liked saucers, these Twisterinspired mini mugs put a fun bend on the decor in your breakfast nook.
Look Blog, No Hands! Tablet Stand
}
A rubbery material and a supportive notch provide endless propping possibilities for each of your electronic gadgets, and an open center is the perfect place to store a charger.
November/December 2013 | PreMedLife Magazine | 53
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INTHESTACKS
Books we think that those aspiring to become doctors might be interested in reading
ONE DOCTOR: CLOSE CALLS, COLD CASES, AND THE MYSTERIES OF MEDICINE by Brendan Reilly M.D. In his book Dr. Brendan Reilly gives readers a peek inside what life was like for him working at New York Presbyterian Hospital as executive vice chair and shares his thoughts and experience on what works in medicine and what doesn’t. The stories Dr. Reilly tells throughout the book as he gives a look at his career in medicine not only are told to show how much medicine has changed over the years but also what the future of medicine still holds. Earlier in his book, Dr. Reilly shares a story about a man being treated at New York Presbyterian on the concierge floor where it costs an extra $1,600 a day out of pocket that pretty much pays for the luxuries a hospital could possibly offer a patient during their stay. This book is a great read for anyone looking for a candid and first-hand account of medicine in America.
MY OWN COUNTRY: A DOCTOR’S STORY by Abraham Verghese In his personal account of practicing medicine in Johnson City, Tennessee, Abraham Verghese, senior associate chair and professor for the Theory and Practice of medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine, tells of his experience working as “the AIDS doctors” in a remote and conservative town. As Verghese shares his story, his great compassion for giving his patients 100 percent of himself as a physician on all levels, even making an emotional connection with each of them. This book is a great read for anyone considering the medical profession, as it is a book about medicine, compassion, healthcare, cultures, and more.
TOP TIER PREMED: HOW NORMAL PEOPLE BECOME AWESOME APPLICANTS TO MEDICAL SCHOOLS by Brandon-Luke L. Seagle, MD With years of experience mentoring premed students, Dr. BrandonLuke L. Seagle, a recent medical school graduate, offers his advice and guidance on becoming a highly competitive applicant to the top medical schools in the country. Dr. Seagle’s book is quite informative and provides a lot of practical advice for students planning on applying to medical school sometime in the future. This book is especially good for students who attend smaller schools which may not have counselors specifically dedicated to pre-med students and are looking for basic guidance on building the strongest medical school application possible.
HOW TO ACE YOUR MEDICAL SCHOOL INTERVIEWS: 224 SAMPLE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH INSIGHT ON THE INTERVIEWS AND PREMED PROCESS by Sal Ektmi From his own experiences, Sal Ektmi (pronounced “select me”) shares with readers advice on preparing for upcoming medical school interviews. As Sal Ektmi describes “interview answers are a bag of stories and thoughts that must be present at the proper times.” This general read provides insight about the medical school interview process, as well as pre-med advice in general.
November/December 2013 | PreMedLife Magazine | 55
BETTERLIFEBETTERYOU Latest news and information on taking care of yourself as a busy student living the pre-med life
Individuals who have had a heart attack or a stroke but engage in physical activity may lower their risk of death, according to the results of a new study published in the journal BMJ. The study, led by Huseyin Naci, a fellow at A new study shows that exercise was Harvard Medical School and a graduate student at the London School of Economics, involved more effective than medication among stroke and heart attack patients close to 340,000 people who had had strokes, heart attacks or heart failure or were at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The results of the study revealed that among patients who had suffered from strokes, researchers found that exercise was more effective
Anxiety Triggers Perceptions of Foul Odors, Study Shows
Anxiety may cause the brain to perceive neutral odors as negative ones, according to researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madision. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) researchers sought out to examine the brains of volunteers who were shown anxiety-inducing images and texts. Next, before taking the MRI, the volunteers were asked to rate a panel of neutral smells. Then, after they were exposed to screens displaying disturbing images, such as images of war or car crashes, the volunteers were then asked to rate the same group of neutral smells.
56 | PreMedLife Magazine | November/December 2013
than taking medication. The study also showed that for patients who had suffered from heart attacks, exercise appeared to be as effective as medication in preventing early deaths. However, researchers reported that for individuals with prediabetes, neither medication or physical activity decreased the risk of early death for these individuals, but this may be due to the small number of people studied with this condition. “One limitation of this analysis is there were far fewer people who were exercising in these studies than taking medications. Exercise as treatment is something that has been under-researched,” Naci explained. “Exercise should be considered as a viable alternative to, or in combination with medications.” According to background information provided, the U.S. Government’s guidelines on physician activity recommend individuals engage in at least two-and-a-half hours of moderate to intense aerobic activity each week, including but not limited to rapid walking, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous to intense aerobic activity, including but not limited to jogging.
flickr / Living Fitness UK
Exercise May Be As Effective As Medication
Health | Wellness | Fitness | Nutrition | Mind & Body
The findings revealed that after the subjects had experiences of anxiety and stress via the images shown, they assigned certain smells they had previously rated neutral as negative. "After anxiety induction, neutral smells become clearly negative,” said Professor Wen Li. “People experiencing an increase in anxiety show a decrease in the perceived pleasantness of odors. It becomes more negative as anxiety increases." In their papers, researchers note that their finding is important, as it might help explain the way anxiety and smell perception can effect the brain during stressful situations. “We encounter anxiety and as a result we experience the world more negatively,” Li added. “The environment smells bad in the context of anxiety. It can become a vicious cycle, making one more susceptible to a clinical state of anxiety as the effects accumulate. It can potentially lead to a higher level of emotional disturbances with rising ambient sensory stress. The results of this study were published in the Journal of Neuroscience.
flickr / Freddia Pen
newstouse
flickr / Anomalily
For fitness tips, motivation, healthy eating, and workouts visit www.THAFitnessGroup.com
Drinking Coffee May Slow Brain Development The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) has reported that when young rats were given caffeine, the maturing processes in their brains was delayed. The study, led by Reto Huber of the University Children’s Hospital Zurich, looked at what would happened when moderate quantities of caffeine was administered to 30-day-old rats over five days and the electrical current generated by their brains was measured. Researchers found that rodents that consumed caffeine levels equal to three to four cups of coffee per day in humans results in reduced deep sleep and a delayed brain development. However, compared to the rodents being administered pure drinking water, there were significantly more neural connec-
tions in the brains of the caffeinedrinking animals at the end of the study. Furthermore, the rodents who experienced a slower maturing process in their brains also acted differently than those that did not. Specifically, the rats that consumed caffeine were timid and cautious compared to rodents that age that were normally more curious with age. "The brain of children is extremely plastic due to the many connections," says Huber. "This optimization presumably occurs during deep sleep. Key synapses extend, others are reduced; this makes the network more efficient and the brain more powerful," says Huber.
Researchers from Northwestern University have reported that ones emotional memory can be manipulated during sleep, according to a new study. The study, published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, involved 15 healthy volunteers who were administered mild electric shocks when two different faces appeared. In addition, the volunteers were exposed to different odors, including the smell of clove or mint, while looking at each fact and being shocked simultaneously. Then as the volunteers were sleeping, one of the odors was released minus the image of faces. Researchers found that after the volunteers woke up and presented with the face linked to the odor they smelled during their sleep, the level of fear they experienced was less than when they saw the other face. “It’s a novel finding,” said Katherine Hauner, from the Northwest University Feinberg School of Medicine. “We showed a small but significant decrease in fear. If it can be extended to pre-existing fear, the bigger picture is that, perhaps, the treatment of phobias can be enhanced during sleep."
flickr / d o l f i
Fears Can Be Conquered During Sleep, Study Shows
November/December 2013 | PreMedLife Magazine | 57
LASTWORD
Some final thoughts on getting through your days as a college student
“Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living the result of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinion drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition, they somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.
”
- STEVE JOBS was the American entrepreneur, marketer, and inventor, who was the co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Apple Inc.
“Don’t say you don’t have enough time.
”
You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michaelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.
– H. JACKSON BROWN JR., an American author best known for his inspirational book, Life's Little Instruction Book
“
“If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it.
If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same place. –NORA ROBERTS, an American bestselling author of more than 209 romance novels.
“Believe in yourself and all that you are.”
Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.
–CHRISTIAN D. LARSON was an American New Thought leader and teacher, as well as a prolific author of metaphysical and New Thought books.
58 | PreMedLife Magazine | November/December 2013
”
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