ACADEMIC PLANNING FOR THE SOPHOMORE YEAR

Office of Academic AdvisingOffice of Pre-Professional Programs

and Advising

ACADEMIC PLANNING FOR THE SOPHOMORE YEAR

Introductions Overview and purpose of the program

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET INTO MEDICAL SCHOOL?

Academic Achievement and Aptitude Research Experience Medically-Related Experience Community and Public Service Diverse Activities/Interests/Other Activities Letters of Recommendation Personal Qualities

Competencies!

A PREMED PLANNING MODEL (see http://web.jhu.edu/prepro/health/premed_plan.html)

freshman year sophomore year junior year senior year summer following graduation bridge year

What are the implications for: Summer Courses Timing of the MCAT Study Abroad “Capstone” experiences Putting your “best foot forward”

TODAY’S FOCUS: ACADEMIC PLANNINGWHAT DOES REALISTIC ACADEMIC SELF-ASSESSMENT MEAN?

First… who am I?1. How have I adapted my time management

skills to the academic demands of college?2. How have I adapted my study skills to the

academic demands of college?3. Where do I stand in first-year science

classes?4. Where do I need to be academically to take

a full science courseload as a sophomore?5. How can I best assess my readiness?6. How can I best assess my future academic

options?

Are you the student who was so dazzled by covered grades that you sort of forgot to do homework and develop good study skills?

Are you the student who spends 24-7 in the library and doesn’t get involved in campus activities or service?

Are you the student who studies and studies but STILL can’t perform well on tests?

AN ACADEMIC SELF-ASSESSMENT…

1) Was my Fall 2010 covered GPA 3.0 or higher? Yes = 1 point

2) Did I receive a B or higher in a Fall 2010 science course? Yes = 1 point

3) Did I receive a B or higher on a Chemistry or Physics midterm in Spring 2011? Yes = 1 point

THE SCORING SCHEME…

1 point or 0 points = Red light

THE SCORING SCHEME…

2 points = Yellow light

THE SCORING SCHEME…

3 points = Green light

WHAT DOES MY RESULT MEAN?

READINESS AND REALISTIC ACADEMIC PLANNING FOR THE SOPHOMORE YEAR

The Case of Organic Chemistry

THE SCIENCE AND ART OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY – DR. FALZONE

What is Organic Chemistry really like? How does Organic Chemistry differ from

other areas of Chemistry? How does success in Introductory Chemistry

relate to success in Organic Chemistry? How does success in first-year science

courses relate to success in Organic Chemistry?

HOW TO STUDY FOR ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

Read the chapter material before (!) the lecture

Attend all lectures

Study every single day, do reviews weekly, and stay caught up!

Solve as many problems as possible

Study with a friend

Get help when you need it

ASSESSING WHERE YOU STAND IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY ONCE ENROLLED

What are the warning signs?

Understanding the “hows” and the “whys”

When to consider withdrawing from the course? Implications?

When to consider repeating a course? Implications?

ACHIEVING ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND A STRONG APPLICATION TO MEDICAL SCHOOL(ADVICE FROM PRE-PROFESSIONAL AND ACADEMIC ADVISING!)

Choose an academic major that reflects your academic passions and will maximize your academic success.

Have your academic transcript (and your resume) “tell a story.”

ACHIEVING ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND A STRONG APPLICATION TO MEDICAL SCHOOL(ADVICE FROM PRE-PROFESSIONAL AND ACADEMIC ADVISING!)

Carefully consider the timing and sequencing of science/premedical requirements.

Don’t let your rush to medical school compromise the quality and depth of your JHU experience.

Develop a path to medical school that is unique to you (consider a “bridge” year or two…)!

FINAL NOTE:HOW TO SPEND YOUR SUMMERS… Keep in mind the spirit and implications of pursuing “A

Premed Planning Model.

Seek enriching activities that will “season” you as a future candidate for medical school.

Only pursue science in the summer if it makes sense. If you do take summer coursework,

Do not take more than one science sequence or combination of premedical courses.

If pursuing Organic Chemistry, be cautious about taking all three components in one summer.

Premedical requirements can be taken away from Hopkins; grades will ultimately appear on your medical school application.

FINAL REMINDERS

Be sure to reference the “Premed Planning Guide” and you must be on the Pre-Prof listserv. Go to:

http://web.jhu.edu/prepro Be prepared for Fall 2011 Course Registration

*** April 15 for freshmen *** Get to know your instructors Work with faculty advisors and academic advisors Meet with a pre-med advisor Attend Pre-Prof Office programs, specifically , the fall

2011 “Sophomore Premed Small Group Workshop”

Be Realistic and Make Wise Choices!!