freshman pre med2016-updated_10.4.2016

College of Natural Sciences

Finding Your Path to Medical School

Wilmore Webley, Director, Pre-Med/Pre-Health Advising

Libbie Kohler, Assistant Dean, College of Natural Sciences

Cathy Eden, Pre-Health Professions Advisor

Doug Smith, Assistant Dean, College of Natural Sciences

2College of Natural Sciences

Good News, Bad News

There are an infinite number of roads that you can take to get to medical school

There is no checklist that you can follow that will guarantee that you will get there

You must create your own map and it should be filled with experiences that are meaningful to you

http://alignwithyourdesign.com/403/saturn-return-reading-ages-28-32/

http://alignwithyourdesign.com/403/saturn-return-reading-ages-28-32/


http://spartandoctors.wixsite.com/spartanmd/roadmap-to-medical-school

http://spartandoctors.wixsite.com/spartanmd/roadmap-to-medical-school


Applicants and Matriculants to US Medical Schools, 2015

Median MCAT Score for UMass

Amherst accepted students (509 on

new test or 31 on old test – low 80s

percentile – based on small set of

data)

2015 Data (https://www.aamc.org/download/321494/data/factstable17.pdf)

Applied Accepted

Median GPA 3.55 (3.45 sci) 3.70 (3.64 sci)

MCAT score 28.2 / 71% (506) 31.4 / 85% (511)

https://www.aamc.org/newsroom/newsreleases/446400/applicant-and-enrollment-data.html

https://www.aamc.org/newsroom/newsreleases/446400/applicant-and-enrollment-data.html

https://www.aamc.org/download/321494/data/factstable17.pdf


Miscellaneous Facts about Medical School

Average age of most recently accepted class – 25

UMass Med – 90% MA resident; 10% non-resident

UMass Med – 75% have 1 or more gap years

In-state preference for some medical schools

Acceptance more challenging for international students About 1% of International Students are accepted each year


Do Well in Your Classes

Your #1 priority

Be proactive

Use all available support services (LRC, ExSEL,

Office Hours)

Work with a study group

Take care of yourself (exercise, eat well, get

support)


Being a Competitive Candidate

You Can Handle Scientifically Rigorous Courses• GPA (Science GPA, etc)• MCAT, DAT, GRE score

You are Engaged in Your Community• History of Community Service• Campus Engagement• Choose AUTHENTIC & MEANINGFUL activities

You Have First-Hand Knowledge of the Field of Healthcare• Shadowing for dental school OK• Medical school requires hands-on patient care experience• PA requires specific number of hours (200-2000 hours)


Getting Hands-On Experience

EMT Medical Scribe Phlebotomist

Pharmacy TechnicianDental Assistant CNA


Workshops on getting hands-on experience will be offered later in the semester.

Check Pre-Med/Pre-Health Newsletter for Announcements of those workshops.

Sign up for Pre-Med/Pre-Health Newsletter here: http://www.cns.umass.edu/students/pre-medical-and-pre-health-advising

Getting Hands-On Experience

http://www.cns.umass.edu/students/pre-medical-and-pre-health-advising


Questions about competitiveness?

Competitiveness


Choosing Classes for Spring Semester


Courses for Spring Semester

What you need for Pre-Med/-Dent/-PA:

Chem 112

Bio 152, 153

Stats? (spring or later)

What you might need for your major:

Math?

Talk with a major advisor!

Gen Eds:

Diversity U & G

History

Use ARR & SPIRE


Questions about classes for spring?


Using SPIRE…ARR?Enrollment appointment?Searching for Gen Eds?


Know How to Use SPIRE


About Majors…


UMass Amherst Acceptances (most recent data)

Biology

Biochemistry

Chemistry

Economics

Engineering

English

Environmental Science

Finance

Kinesiology

Microbiology

Nursing

Pre-Veterinary Science

Psychology /Neuroscience

Public Health

Women Gender and Sexuality

Studies

Majors of recently accepted UMass Amherst students


http://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools/articles/2016-08-23/infographic-4-questions-about-undergraduate-majors-for-medical-school



Do Biological Sciences Majors Have an Advantage on MCAT Exam?




What Should I consider When Choosing a Major




Questions about majors?

Declaring a major?• Start with the department website• Look at the link for “Undergraduates” (to find instructions)

Choosing a major?• Majors fair at end of October

• Explore department websites

You will have multiple advisors.• Pre-Health, Major…Minor(?), Honors(?)

Choosing your Major


Make a Back-Up Plan…


Name 5 job titles in healthcare, other than nurse or doctor, which require a BS/BA degree or higher.

There are over 200 different careers in healthcare… (NOT including Public Health careers!!)

Have a Back-up Plan


List of Healthcare CareersAthletic Trainer

Audiologist

Acupuncturist

Anesthesiology Assistant

Biomedical Engineer

Bioinformatics

Biostatistician

Certified Nursing Assistant

CT Technologist

Cardiopulmonary Technician

Clinical Lab Scientist

Cardiovascular Technologist

Cardiovascular Technician

Chiropractor

Cytotechnologist

Community Health Worker

Clinical Trials Researcher

Dentist

Dental Hygienist

Dental Assistant

Dietician

Dental Lab Technician

Dosimetrist

Emergency Medical Technician

ECG Technician

EEG Technician

Exercise Physiologist

Environmental Health & Safety

Ethicist

Epidemiologist

Genetic Counselor

Health Specialty Teacher

Hospital Administrator

Health and Medical Services Manager

Histologist

Kinesiotherapist

Licensed Practical Nurse

MRI Technologist

Medical Interpreter

Medical Coder

Medical Records Technician

Medical Transcriptionist

Medical Technologist

Mammographer

Medical Illustrator

Medical Photographer

Medical Assistant

Medical Librarian/Cybrarian

Medical Records Administrator

Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Nursing Instructor

Nurse Anesthetist

Nurse Practitioner

Nurse/Midwife

Nutritionist

Ophthalmologist

Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapy Asst

Orthotist

Optometrist

Optician

Paramedic

Patient Advocate

Patient Financial Services

Pathology Assistant

Pathologist

PET Technologist

Podiatrist

Perfusionist

Physician (MD/DO)

Physicians Assistant

Pharmacist

Pharmaceutical Scientist

Pharmacy Technician

Phlebotomist

Prosthetist

Physical Therapist

Physical Therapy Asst

Psychologist

Public Health Educator

Prosthodontist

Radiologist

Radiation Therapist

Regulatory Affairs Specialist

Recreational Therapist

Registered Nurse

Radiologic Technologist

Radiological Technician

Respiratory Therapist

Risk management

Speech and Language Pathologist

X-Ray Technician

School Nurse

Social Worker

Surgeon

Surgical Technician

Transcriptionist

Toxicologist

Utilization Manager

Ultrasound Technician


www.ExploreHealthCareers.org

http://www.ExploreHealthCareers.org


Exploring The Field of Healthcare


Interested in Study Abroad?

Study Abroad


About Study Abroad

Study abroad or domestic exchange are great ways to improve your cultural competence.

It may slow down your progress toward applying but it is well worth the time and effort and increases your chances of getting accepted. Students who do study abroad are 17% more likely to get into medical

school.

Steps to start the study abroad process:IPO* webpages (*International Programs Office)IPO visitMajor advisor visit


You Don’t Need Health Experience Abroad

Medical schools are wary of students doing programs in foreign countries.

Some overseas dental programs are good, however.

Your service work should be sustained over several years. A 10-day service trip to a developing country does NOT show a sustained commitment to service.


About Commitment…


Commitment

Top 5 Reasons to Dislike Pre-Med Students (adapted from Wired.com)

5. They are too focused on grades.

4. They are too focused on resume building.

3. They horde leadership positions for their own personal gain.

2. They don’t fulfill commitments after they get what they need.

1. They are not motivated by curiosity.

Have an authentic commitment to what you choose to do!


If you sign up for the Networking Dinner, GO! (It costs the

department $25 per person for the dinner!)

If you get hired by a lab, show up and dedicate yourself to the work!

If you take a leadership role with a student group, show up and do the job well!

Commitment (continued)

Don’t over-commit. Quality > Quantity


Some miscellaneous info about Medical School…


Two Kinds of Medical Degrees

MD, Doctor of Medicine, Allopathic~70% of doctors in the US (2010, AAMC)

DO, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine~7% of doctors in the US (2010, AAMC)

- only one DO school in New England (ME)- not chiropractic

Both recognized as physicians by the American Medical Association (AMA). Both can choose any medical specialty.


Community Engagement

and

Clinical Experience


Find Meaningful Community Service

Not all of your volunteer experiences need to be healthcare-related

Maintain long-term volunteer commitments

Seek opportunities that allow you to gain experience with people throughout the life span



Check the UMass website for links to volunteer opportunitiesUMass.edu –> student life –> get involved –> community service

Consult with the United Way or Red Cross in your hometown to find volunteer opportunities close to home

Explore the Citizen Scholars program at UMass



Keep a journal of what you did, hours you worked, interesting things that happened, people who trained and supervised your work (include their contact info)

This will help you when you are ready to ask for LORs

It will also help you when you write your personal statement and interview


Association of American Medical Colleges www.aamc.org

UMass College of Natural Sciences Health Professions Advisingwww.cns.umass.edu/students/pre-medical-and-pre-dental-advising

Websites of medical schools of interest to you

Be Informed About Medical School Admissions

http://www.aamc.org

http://www.cns.umass.edu/students/pre-medical-and-pre-dental-advising


Other Websites with Helpful Information

Association of American Medical Colleges-AAMChttp://www.aamc.org

UMass Medical School Selection Criteria:http://www.umassmed.edu/som/admissions/application-process/selection-criteria/

UMass Medical School Academic Requirements:http://www.umassmed.edu/som/admissions/application-process/academic-

requirements/

Medical School Favorability to Out-of-State Residents:https://www.amherst.edu/campuslife/careers/students/gradstudy/health/guide/part2/a

ppendix

International Students and Medical School: https://www.aamc.org/students/aspiring/303912/applyasaninternationalapplicant.html


Read Books About the Field of Medicine

They will give you a glimpse into the field of medicine and help you on the Verbal section of the MCAT.

Recommended authors and books for pre-healthcare professionals:

Atul Gawande (Checklist Manifesto, Complications, articles in the New Yorker, Being Mortal)

Jerome Groopman (Your Medical Mind, How Doctors Think, articles in the New Yorker)

Tracy Kidder (Mountains Beyond Mountains)

Siddhartha Mukherjee (The Emperor of All Maladies)

Rebecca Skloot (The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks)


Join the UMass Medical School Book Group!

http://www.umassmed.edu/som/admissions/tracks_and_pathways/prematriculation/

http://www.umassmed.edu/som/admissions/tracks_and_pathways/prematriculation/


Core Competencies for Entering Medical Students

Interpersonal Competencies• Service Orientation

• Social Skills

• Cultural Competence

• Teamwork

• Oral Communication

Intrapersonal Competencies• Ethical Responsibility to Self and Others

• Reliability and Dependability

• Resilience and Adaptability

• Capacity for Improvement

Thinking and Reasoning Competencies• Critical Thinking

• Qualitative Reasoning

• Scientific Inquiry

• Written Communication

Science Competencies• Living Systems

• Human Behavior

From the AAMC* Admissions Initiatives* Association of American Medical Colleges