Lafayette College Health Professions Advising Program

Professor Nancy WatersFaculty Health Professions Advisor

Dr. Julia GoldbergAssociate Dean Health Professions Advisor

18 September 2013

Medical, Dental, Podiatry, Optometry and Veterinary Aspirants

Pre-Application Meeting

HPAC?What?

Health Professions Advisory CommitteeWhere?

105 Scott HallWho?

Prof Waters, Dr Goldberg, + 5 facultyWhy?

HPAC reviews & interviews candidates before students apply for admission. HPAC writes a Composite Letter of Evaluation (CLoE) for you. Schools value it, and will wonder why you DON’T apply through HPAC!

Our Purpose:To remind you what is ahead for you to achieve your career goal in the medical & allied health professions of:

Medicinae Doctor (Allopathic MD)Osteopathic Medicine (DO)Dental Medicine & Surgery (DMD &DDS)Podiatric Medicine (DPM)Veterinary Medicines (DVM & VMD)Optometry (OD)

remember…We interface with Career Services (201 Hogg Hall) to assist you in exploring ALLIED HEALTH science careers including:

Nursing (RN, BSN, MSN)Nurse Practitioner (NP)Physician Assistant (PA)Physical/Occupational Therapy (PT, OT)Public Health practitioners (MPH)Targeted Post-Baccalaureate Programs

….among others.

…shout out for HP/CS eventsCareer Fair!! Pathway to Success on Thursday

September 19th 2013 (that’s tomorrow!)Sign up for NIH trip, Washington DC, on

October 15th 2013!January Externship program! Information to be

available over Fall Break; apply by Halloween! 100s of opportunities!

Practice tests at:http://bit.ly/LafayetteCollege

Practice interviewing at: https://lafayette.interviewstream.com/Default.aspx

…stay abreast of HP events & in touch with your CS Gateway Advisor!

…as well as…Work/Life Balance in Medicine

Alumni Dinner PanelThursday October 3rd, 2013 6-8:30 pm• Network and dine with our LC alumni from

the last 4 decades in an array of specialties! Including pediatrics, veterinarian, palliative care, dentistry, internal medicine, geriatrics and opthalmology!

• Moderated panel opens the evening, then dinner, dessert and one-on-one discussion!

• Advanced sign-up required –see the HP website for details!

Sorry!! Closed!!

…and while we are at it…What can I do with a Science Degree?

Alumni Dinner PanelEarly November 2013 6-8:30 pm

• An opportunity to network and dine with LC alumni and see the myriad things you can do with a degree in biology, neuroscience and/or biochemistry; ?? back up plans 1,2 or 3!

• Moderated panel, dinner, 1 on 1 discussion!• Stay tuned for specifics! Advanced sign-up will

be required!

…and some peer option guidance?…The Health Professions Club, a student organization, is looking for revival! Why not get involved to reinvigorate it????

We are looking for Senior Peer Mentors to be available for advice; consider nominating a helpful senior…or plan to serve as one later on in your career!

Stay tuned for information on informal Health Professions Alumni Mixers associated with Lafayette-Lehigh Weekend! 

How will medical schools select tomorrow’s doctors?

Who will best fulfill the mission of the school?Who will serve the nation’s healthcare needs?Qualifications they search for in applicants: scholarship

accomplishmentsintellectual curiosityemotional maturitycharacterinterest in medicine

sensitivity to otherscommunication skillssense of care for otherscommitment to servicecritical thinking skillsproblem-solving skills

Undergraduate Preparation for Admission to Graduate Schools in Health Professions

Each HP school sets their own criteria and standards…but all weight several key areas:

Academic/Science grades (45-55%)* Admissions tests (20-25%)*Health-related experiences Research experiences Community service and volunteer work Recommendation Letters (especially

CLoE)HP school interview

* Percentages as reported by NAAHP.

As of 20 August 2013:

32,650 applicants at AMCASup by 6% over last year4-6 week verification time, but now extended

9,900 applicants at AACOMASup by ~25% over last year4-4.5 week verification time

So what is the landscape now????

How important are good grades I? Applicant

Matriculation Year

Acceptance ratio for GPA 3.60 +

Acceptance ratio for GPA3.59-3.20

Acceptance ratio for GPA < 3.20

Overall acceptance ratioALL GPAs

Lafayette 2008-2013aggregate data (MD + DO)

91% (53/58)

60% (49/81)

32% (11/34)

66%

(107/162)

National 2008-13 aggregate data MD only *

64% 34% 18% 45%

During the same period, 71% of LC student applicants to dental school were accepted, and 100% of our applicants to veterinary school gained admission!

* Source: aamc.org, aacomas.org

How important are good grades II?For students entering in Fall 2012

Overall Admission Rate

Applicant meanGPA

Admitted meanGPA

Applicant meanMCAT

Accepted mean MCAT

MD43.1%

3.54 3.68 28.3 31.2

DO35.6%

3.42 3.49 25.7 26.9

** Source: aamc.org and aacomas.org

How important are good grades III?

Changes for MCAT2015?• Revision 1991: 4 sections: verbal reasoning, writing

sample, physical and biological sciences• 2015 REVISIONS:• Writing sample deleted (already done for some);

replaced with Critical Analysis & Reasoning sections• Psychological, Social and Biological Foundations of

Behavior subsection added• Different question/time distribution: 60-65 question

items allowing 95 minutes for each of 4 sections• Implications? You need to include introductory level

sociology, psychology and statistical experience among your preparation courses! Check out:

• http://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/mcat2015

Preparation – Academic coursework Graduate with a major/minor that suits you! Follow a plan

you love! HP schools expect strong natural science foundation but the rest is up to you! As Juniors/Seniors:

Completed most from among: 2 Introductory Biology with laboratory

2 General Chemistry with laboratory2 Organic Chemistry with laboratory

2 Physics with laboratory2+ Mathematics to include at least 1 calculus and a stats course

at least 3 Writing-Intensive Coursework (e.g. English 110, FYS, VAST, plus two additional “W” courses)Biochemistry

Some HP schools have added specific requirements (e.g. nutrition or microbiology or immunology). Check out YOUR preferred schools! If a course is not offered at Lafayette, plan ahead to enroll at another institution during summer or at an LVAIC school during the academic year.

Other relevant courses include: Biol 251 Human Physiology (HPAC recommended)Chem 351 Biochem Survey (required by some schools)Phys 220 Medical and Biological PhysicsPsych 240 Health PsychologyRel 223 Religion and MedicineA&S 222 Medical AnthropologyBiol 213 Comparative Vertebrate AnatomyBiol 340 Molecular Medicine

…plan early since most of these have prerequisites, especially since those prerequisites may be crucial to performance on MCAT2015 !

Do not delay in making good selections! Your Degrees of Freedom are rapidly constrained from among your choices!

But what about……?Advanced Placement. Use sparingly; aim higher with rigorous replacement coursesSummer School. Avoid for core; demonstrate laboratory skills while balancing a normal load Pass/Fail. Avoid; demonstrate evidence of your success in the breadth of your course experiencesStudy Abroad. mostly viewed favorably, so consider doing it…but plan ahead! (and pay attention to HC issues!)

Research. Independent Research, Honors Thesis and Excel-type experiences are fast becoming essential among your portfolioElectives. Choose wisely based on YOUR interest and passion; do not select courses by ‘what looks good’….that is a poor criterion for judgment!

Be true to who you are to be broadly well-educated

Preparation – Co-curricular ExperiencesInternships/Externships Shadow an MD! Volunteer at a shelter! Show your commitment! One more time—see Career Services early to help arrange internships/externships.

Extracurricular Activities Demonstrate your ability to manage time commitments, work in a hierarchy, master communication, leadership, and collaborative skills…but show a long term sincere dedication! These should ENHANCE your academic record (gpa/mcat) not IMPEDE it!

Read widely on the subject of healthcare. Keep up-to-date with current health news. Check out recommendations on the HPAC web site.

…be PASSIONATE! It is your LIFE!

Preparation: Character and Conduct

HAVE INTEGRITY!!!

Practice Principles of Intellectual Honesty

Make judicious choices in your behavior!

Exhibit high personal standards of ethics. Cheating, plagiarism, alcohol/drug violations, vandalism…even if only warnings…ALL compromise your character AND your HP application. Application services and individual schools will require you disclose and explain.

Applications REQUIRE the Dean of the College to report all disciplinary warning, action and/or conduct violations to HP schools! So think & ACT carefully!

When Should You Apply?For most students, Spring/Summer of the SENIOR year is OPTIMAL. Why? Deeper experiences, enhanced maturity, greater insight, stronger technical capabilities, more competitive dossier of research, clinical internships/externships, and suitable extra- and co-curricular experiences….entering the HPAC application queue as a SENIOR means you will have a gap year prior to matriculating.

If you plan to attend in the fall immediately upon graduation, you must commence application in Fall-Spring-Summer of your JUNIOR year.

If you begin application as a junior, but reconsider to delay as a senior, you must still meet all relevant deadlines for the next cycle with updated materials! Likewise if you apply anew or reapply during a gap year.

Choose the timeline that works best for YOU!

HPAC works with YOU when your package is ready!

Application Timeline for ‘15To matriculate Fall 2015

-core coursework completed successfully-multiple competitive experiences in HP settings-recruit 3-5 recommenders in Fall 2013 to write for you-submit completed Personal Information Form 1 March 2014-arrange for all waivers/letters/disclosures by 1 March 2014-interview on-campus with HPAC in April/May 2014-sit for MCAT by 1 May 2014 to have scores by 1 June 2014-open application services begin ~4June 2014-2ndary requests extended beginning July 2014 (2-7 day return)-interviews extended beginning August 2014-offers extended within 3 weeks or as long as 6 months later…should you apply as a junior or as a senior? Maybe you

can see why the mean age of matriculating medical students has increased to 23-24!

…enter the GAP year (NOT a ‘year off’ by any measure)

What to do??? Targeted post-bac programs; innovative and compelling ways to broaden your experiences and increase your competitiveness among applicants!

>delay your entry to HP school by 1+ years

>may enhance probability of admission to HP school

With a gap year, you enter on-campus HPAC application cycles during your senior year or during the year following, not your junior

year; you complete secondaries and interviews in the subsequent year!

But you STILL MUST meet on campus deadlines for submitting your materials so HPAC can work with you!

Components of a Successful ApplicationStrong Admissions Test Score (MCAT, DAT, OAT, or VCAT/GRE), taken timely as early as possible in Spring 2013 for matriculation Fall 2015. Test dates are limited and variable by discipline, so check back frequently!

TESTING FEES (scores reported 1-4 weeks):MCAT $270DAT $385OAT $270GRE general $185GRE subject test fees $150

APPLICATION FEES (verification 4-6 weeks):AMCAS $160+ $34AACOMAS $195 + $35-50ADEA AADSAS $244 + $90OptomCAS $150 + 700VMCAS $190 + $95

Insightful Personal Essay (see space limitations at each Admissions Service) Use resources of the WA Program to your benefit! Make it perfectly error-free.

Well-Honed Interview Skills Be articulate, maintain good eye contact and confident body posture! Practice! A lot! Read and prepare! Some topics reported? healthcare reform, euthanasia, HIV, obesity, cancer, aging, stem cell research, end of life issues. Other topics? Your favorite course, book, leisure activity. Can you answer: “How has ______ prepared you for a career in medicine?”

Timely Application Submission/Turnaround Rolling admissions means the later you apply, the more intense is the competition for the declining number of available slots. And complete requests for secondary applications quickly!

Your Ongoing Obligations?1) Study – Maintain your grades!

2) Be fully prepared for your application test! We recommend an April, May, or June test date for score release timing, but sit for the exam when you are ready to perform well! Again, be strategic!

3) APPLY AS SOON AS APPLICATION PORTALS ARE OPEN ~ 1June 2014! 4) Get additional PRACTICAL experience over Interim 2013-2014; apply for

volunteering, externships, internships deadlines in Career Services by 31 October 2013! Summer 2014 experiences count…but only on 2o applications.

5) Complete your undergraduate RESEARCH experience , preferably with resultant product (poster, paper, etc.) by 1 June 2014.

6) Provide evidence of commitment through COMMUNITY SERVICE AND EXTRACURRICULAR EXPERIENCES to display your people and social skills, leadership potential, teamwork ethic, communication strengths.

7) Have a back up plan…or three! Outcomes may elude us…for a while! So be prepared with a gap-year plan and stay on top of reapplication deadlines.

All of us at Lafayette look forward to your success! We want to help further your career plans! Stay abreast of what is happening by visiting our web site:

http://healthprofessions.lafayette.edu

Register for and Attend HPAC events; remember—we write that letter for you ! Do not be a stranger! BE PROACTIVE & TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR CAREER!!!