To be continued...
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Raising Money for Medical Education
Medical school is not cheap! From taking pre-med courses, applying, tuition, books, commuting, relocating, etc. etc. the list of expenses just goes on and on and on. I know that I will not be able to afford all of this with the current economic state that I am in. I also know that I don't want to ask for people to give me money through sites like Gofundme, Youcaring, etc. etc. Instead, I want people to purchase something from me in order to support my medical mission to become a physician. Stay tuned to my blog! You will find out how I will fund my medical education. Heck! Maybe you will decided to be a part of my movement and fund me, too.
Special Master's Programs for Medical School
Special Master's Programs for Medical School
(Source: http://success.ucdavis.edu/grad-prof/healthprof/medicine/med_smp.html )
Students who are qualified medical school applicants but who have not yet been successful in matriculating may want to consider participating in a special master's preparatory program (a type of post-bac) to further strengthen their academic credentials for the re-application process. Also, some qualified medical school applicants who want to enhance their academic credentials apply to these programs before they have applied to medical school. While most post-baccalaureate programs are designed for students who have not yet completed pre-med requirements or who want to strengthen their undergraduate academic record, these programs allow participants to take courses with medical students while earning a master's degree.
To search for other types of post-bac programs, on Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Specific information about each of the individual programs and application timelines may be found on the schools' respective web sites, and a Health Sciences Advisor can then help you determine which program fits you best.
A. Special Master's Programs (SMP = med school classes + Master's degree)
These programs evaluate applicants as pre-med students rather than graduate students (pre-med prerequisites including the MCAT must be completed) and students in the programs take classes taken with medical students and are graded relative to them. Thus, medical schools can see how these SMP students would perform if actually in medical school rather than having to infer their performance from undergraduate grades; a Master's degree is also conferred on all who complete the program.
Boston University: Master of Arts in Medical Sciences
GMS, Boston Univ. School of Medicine72 East Concord Street, Room L-315
Boston, MA 02118-2526 Phone: (617) 638-5255
The one-year Master of Arts in Medical Sciences Degree Program responds to the need to provide students with the background essential for the pursuit of a variety of careers in the health professions. Boston University School of Medicine conducts the required and elective courses of the program at the medical school and awards the MA degree in medical sciences.
Drexel University College of Medicine: Masters Degree in Medical Sciences (IMS + MSprograms)
Office of Professional Studies in the Health Sciences Drexel University College of Medicine New College Building, Room 4104 245 North 15th Street, Mail Stop 344Philadelphia, PA 19102-1192 Email: medicalsciences@drexelmed.edu Phone: (215) 762-4692 http://www.drexelmed.edu/Home/AcademicPrograms/ProfessionalStudiesintheHealthSciences.aspx
Applicants to the IMS program include students who are late in their decision to apply to medical school, students interested in improving their academic record before applying or re-applying to medical schools, or students who would like a year in a medical school setting before deciding whether medicine is the career for them. The one-year program has been designed for college graduates who wish to enhance their academic credentials required for entry into U.S. medical school programs.
Eastern Virginia Medical School: Master of Sciences in Biomedical Sciences (Medical Masters)
Biomedical Sciences Program P.O. Box 1980Norfolk, VA 23501 Phone: (757) 446-5944
The Eastern Virginia Medical School master's degree is a one-year pre-professional master's degree program. The program gives students a foundation in histology, embryology, molecular & cellular biology, biochemistry, neuroanatomy and physiology. The program provides an opportunity for highly motivated students to improve their academic credentials by demonstrating their academic abilities in a rigorous medical school environment.
Georgetown University: Master of Science in Physiology and Biophysics (SMP)
Office of Biomedical Graduate Education Attn: M.S. Credentials-SMP Box 571411-M 3900 Reservoir Rd NWWashington DC 20057 Email: physio@georgetwon.edu
This 11-month Special Masters Program is tailored to college graduates who wish to strengthen their credentials for application to U.S. medical schools. The Georgetown SMP is the first and longest running program its kind. The unique features of the SMP make it ideal for students to obtain a strong Masters-level education while at the same time strengthening their medical school application.
Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine: Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences
Office of AdmissionsATSU/Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
800 West Jefferson Street
Kirksville, MO 63501 Email: admissions@atsu.edu Phone: (866) 626-2878
The Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences program is designed to develop fundamental concepts and skills in research along with a focus on a specialized area of biomedical study. This one-year program is appropriate for students who wish to obtain a Master's-level biomedical education in a medical school environment, or who wish to strengthen their credentials for osteopathic medical school application.
New York Medical College: Master of Science-Accelerated Biomedical Sciences
Dr. Norman Levine Physiology Department New York Medical College Valhalla, NY 10595 Email: norman_levine@nymc.edu Phone: (914) 594-3211
This one-year accelerated track in the NYMC interdisciplinary basic medical sciences program is designed for those to apply to medical school.. Students in this track take selected pre-clinical medical school courses and the relatively small number of students in the program allows faculty to work closely with students and provide them with guidance concerning their applications to medical school.
Nova Southeastern University: Master of Biomedical Sciences
Doreen PalmerOffice of Admissions
Health Professions Division
Nova Southeastern University
3200 South University Drive
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33328 Email: medinfo@nova.edu Phone: (800) 356-0026, ext. 21144 Local Phone: (954) 262-1144
For those students wishing to improve their academic credentials in the medical sciences (and who have not been accepted to a health professions school after one year), the College of Medical Sciences offers a 2- year program of study leading to a master's degree in Biomedical Sciences. Those enrolled in this program take basic science courses similar to those offered within the Health Professions Division during their first year. During the second year, students may choose to continue their program of general studies or concentrate their studies within one department or area.
Tulane University: Master of Science in Pharmacology
Department of Pharmacology, SL 83Tulane University Health Sciences Center
1430 Tulane Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70112-2699 Email: cclarks@tulane.edu Phone: (504) 988-5444
This one-year post-baccalaureate program leading to the degree of Master of Science in Pharmacology has been designed to attract those students who are interested in improving their credentials to compete for admission to a medical school, as well as those individuals who are interested in this degree to achieve their professional goals. This training will prepare the student for further education in either medical or graduate school.
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Masters of Science in Physiology
Molecular and Cellular Physiology University of Cincinnati College of Medicine 231 Albert B. Sabin Way, MSB 4207A Cincinnati, Ohio 45267-0576 Email: jeannie.cummins@uc.edu Phone: (513) 558-3102
The M.S. in Physiology is a one-year program designed to help college graduates strengthen their academic credentials in preparation for application to U.S. medical schools. Students enroll in two first-year medical school courses (Medical Physiology and Medical Biochemistry) that are among the top predictors of success in medical school, and in graduate courses during the spring quarter. In the summer quarter the student writes a thesis that reviews a current topic of significance in physiology. It is also worth noting that one of the peripheral benefits for students in this program is that it will qualify them for Ohio residency and subsequent application to the numerous medical schools in Ohio.
University of Toledo Health Science Campus: Masters in Medical Sciences (MSBS/MS)
Dr. Carol Bennett-Clarke, Academic Advisor Associate Professor, Neurosciences College of Graduate Studies The University of Toledo Mail Stop #1042 Toledo, Ohio 43614 Email: carol.bennett-clarke@utoledo.edu Phone: (419) 383-4115
The goal of the one-year (12 month) Masters Degree in Medical Sciences at the University of Toledo Health Science Campus is to provide a program for students who wish to enhance their understanding of the biological sciences and improve their overall application to gain admission to medical school. Students in this program will have the opportunity to complete coursework with medical students (being graded on the same scale) and participate in other graduate school courses, which will provide foundational information for continued study in the medical school curriculum. Students completing this program with strong academic performance, as indicated by high GPAs, will have confirmed their ability to perform in the medical school curriculum, and therefore greatly strengthen their overall admission package. Students enrolled in the program ar guaranteed an interview for medical school at the University of Toledo College of Medicine. Students who successfully complete the program will also be awarded the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences degree (MSBS/MS).
B. Other Medical School Preparatory Programs (not SMP)
1. Med Prep with Med School Classes (no degree available)
Some universities offer medical school prep programs that do not award Master's degrees, but do allow participants to take classes with medical students. In many cases there are restrictions on who can apply for these programs based on factors such as personal background, previous attempts at medical school matriculation, and state residency. Quite often, these programs are offered only to a select number of wait-listed applicants. Tulane, however, offers a one-semester program to those who have been wait-listed at any medical school.
Tulane University Medical Center: Anatomy Certification Program
Shannon Dawsey, Senior Program CoordinatorAnatomy Certification Program Director
Department of Structural and Cellular Biology
Tulane University Medical School
1430 Tulane Avenue, SL-49
New Orleans, Louisiana 70112 Email: sdawsey@tulane.edu
Phone: (504) 988-5255
2. Med Prep with Master's Degree (no med school classes)
There are also some programs for pre-med students who are already good candidates for admission to medical school except for a need to strengthen their academic transcript. Typically (as with Loyola below), applicants must have a Bachelor's degree with an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 and the basic pre-med prerequisites completed (biology, chemistry, math and physics) along with MCAT scores. Although these programs offer a Master's degree, participants take graduate courses rather than classes with medical students. For this reason, they are not considered "Special Master's Programs" but they may be worth investigating if they are evaluating applicants as potential medical students.
Loyola University Chicago: Master of Arts in Medical Sciences
Department of Biology Lake Shore Campus 1032 W. Sheridan Road Chicago, IL 60660 Email: biologydept@luc.edu Phone: ( 773) 508-3620
The Department of Biology is offering a program of graduate study leading to the Master of Arts in Medical Sciences (MAMS). This program focuses on the development and improvement of intellectual skills required for entry into medical school programs and takes 1 year to complete. All students will pursue graduate-level study (not medical school classes) in the areas of Medical Cell Biology and Biochemistry; Anatomy and Physiology; Neurobiology; and Genetics and Development.
Where's Sam Now? (Updates!!!)
Hello readers!
I know I have been gone for a minute! LOL My last post was in December of 2013 and we are now in July 2014. Yikes! Well, here is what I have been up to.
I took General Chemistry 1 and earned an A. So, I turned a D+ into an A. BAM! I am taking Orgo II right now and once again I am kicking @$$!! Yeah baby!
Although I have turned my low grades into high(er) grades, I still feel like my application isn't strong enough. I spoke to a few of the admission counselors at both US and Caribbean schools, and they too agree that I need to do more to prove that I can handle medical school. The remedy to that appears to be graduate science courses; undergrad science will no longer suffice. Such is life!
I am going for a Master's in Biology or a Special Master's program. Hopefully, I am accepted into one (I am applying to 8 programs). I guess by August I will let you know what happened.
And the journey continues...
I know I have been gone for a minute! LOL My last post was in December of 2013 and we are now in July 2014. Yikes! Well, here is what I have been up to.
I took General Chemistry 1 and earned an A. So, I turned a D+ into an A. BAM! I am taking Orgo II right now and once again I am kicking @$$!! Yeah baby!
Although I have turned my low grades into high(er) grades, I still feel like my application isn't strong enough. I spoke to a few of the admission counselors at both US and Caribbean schools, and they too agree that I need to do more to prove that I can handle medical school. The remedy to that appears to be graduate science courses; undergrad science will no longer suffice. Such is life!
I am going for a Master's in Biology or a Special Master's program. Hopefully, I am accepted into one (I am applying to 8 programs). I guess by August I will let you know what happened.
And the journey continues...
Monday, December 23, 2013
One Step At A Time: The Process of Retaking Pre-Med Courses
It's been such a long while since I've written a post but I have been so busy. I am also so so happy.
Following the undesirable outcome of my Caribbean medical school application and Masters applications, I went back to the drawing board. I cried a few times and asked myself if I really wanted to continue putting myself through this torture. The pill of rejection is not an easy pill to swallow after all. After much contemplation, I decided to continue. My goal is to become a doctor and NOTHING will stop me.
I wrote to each school and asked why my application was rejected. Ross University gave me the most in depth reply and told me to retake all grades lower than a C. I spoke to UMDNJ (now Rutgers) and they pretty much told me the same thing. Now I felt scared. Where in the world will I find the money to take these courses all over again on my own? As a non-matriculated student, I have to pay out of pocket. I thought about how bad I wanted to be a doctor and made it happen. Remember, where there is a will, there is a way.
I registered for Organic Chemistry and Physics in the fall semester. I had to take these classes in the evening since I am working full time. I paid in full and could not wait for the semester to start. Low and behold I was dealt a blow. The school dropped me from the classes because I did not have my immunization records on file. Can you believe it? I rushed to send the records but it was too late. I had to go on the waiting list for the evening course and register for the morning courses. In the end, I got into the evening class for Physics but had to take the Orgo in the morning. I now had to beg and plead with my job not to fire me so that I can take this morning class. Lucky for me they compromised. I just had to take a pay cut now (keep in mind I just purchased a new car in order to get to school and work on time SMH). Mountains of headaches on this journey I tell you.
Anyways, after all was said and done--studying, sacrifice of sleep, stress, broke, tears, etc.--I am pleased to share with you all that I passed both classes. A grade of "B" in Physics and "B-" in Orgo. You just don't know how much hope this has given me. It also made me realize even more that when you believe, you can achieve. I will be taking Orgo II in the Spring along with Anatomy and Physiology. I know I will pass and I aim to get an A in both courses now that I have definitely figured out my way.
Stay tuned...
Following the undesirable outcome of my Caribbean medical school application and Masters applications, I went back to the drawing board. I cried a few times and asked myself if I really wanted to continue putting myself through this torture. The pill of rejection is not an easy pill to swallow after all. After much contemplation, I decided to continue. My goal is to become a doctor and NOTHING will stop me.
I wrote to each school and asked why my application was rejected. Ross University gave me the most in depth reply and told me to retake all grades lower than a C. I spoke to UMDNJ (now Rutgers) and they pretty much told me the same thing. Now I felt scared. Where in the world will I find the money to take these courses all over again on my own? As a non-matriculated student, I have to pay out of pocket. I thought about how bad I wanted to be a doctor and made it happen. Remember, where there is a will, there is a way.
I registered for Organic Chemistry and Physics in the fall semester. I had to take these classes in the evening since I am working full time. I paid in full and could not wait for the semester to start. Low and behold I was dealt a blow. The school dropped me from the classes because I did not have my immunization records on file. Can you believe it? I rushed to send the records but it was too late. I had to go on the waiting list for the evening course and register for the morning courses. In the end, I got into the evening class for Physics but had to take the Orgo in the morning. I now had to beg and plead with my job not to fire me so that I can take this morning class. Lucky for me they compromised. I just had to take a pay cut now (keep in mind I just purchased a new car in order to get to school and work on time SMH). Mountains of headaches on this journey I tell you.
Anyways, after all was said and done--studying, sacrifice of sleep, stress, broke, tears, etc.--I am pleased to share with you all that I passed both classes. A grade of "B" in Physics and "B-" in Orgo. You just don't know how much hope this has given me. It also made me realize even more that when you believe, you can achieve. I will be taking Orgo II in the Spring along with Anatomy and Physiology. I know I will pass and I aim to get an A in both courses now that I have definitely figured out my way.
Stay tuned...
Saturday, July 6, 2013
On to Plan B: My Next Course of Action
The writing was on the wall. I cannot say that I am surprised. I applied to 4 Caribbean Medical Schools: American University of Antigua, American University of the Caribbean, Ross University, and St. George's University. Unfortunately, I was not accepted into any of these schools.
AUA: We like you but not enough for our medical school. Instead we will offer you a spot in our pre-medical program. If you do well, then you can join our medical school. Oh! And by the way, we don't qualify for government loans and we just lost ties with our private lender. Good luck finding the money to finance this!==I REJECT THIS OFFER!
AUC: Sorry but your MCAT grades are too low. You have 2 weeks to let us know that you have re-registered to take it. Once you have taken it again and scored at least a 25, we will reconsider your application.==NO WAY CAN I MAKE UP MY MIND IN 2 WEEKS ON WHEN I WILL RETAKE THE MCAT. GUESS THIS APPLICATION GOES DOWN THE DRAIN, TOO!
Ross University: We regret to inform you that our program is not the ideal path for you. We don't think that you can handle living in Dominica while studying medicine. Try getting more credentials then apply again for reconsideration.==MORE CREDENTIALS? DID YOU BOTHER LOOKING PAST MY GRADES AND AT MY CREDENTIALS?! I AM IN THE MEDICAL FIELD, LIVED OUT OF MY SUITCASE FOR A YEAR, TRAVELED TO AND STAYED FOR WEEKS IN A 3RD WORLD COUNTRY ALMOST 4 TIMES A YEAR TO PROVIDE HUMANITARIAN AID, VOLUNTEERED MY WHOLE LIFE, AND YOU DON'T THINK I'M FIT?! SMH MAYBE NOT ACCEPTING ME IS A BLESSING IN DISGUISE! PEACE OUT!
St. George's University: We were founded on the principle that medical school rejects will be given a chance but we now only accept 3.4 and above averages. We have forgotten our past and where we came from. We now consider ourselves the Harvard of the Caribbean and cannot accept a below average student like yourself. Complete a Master's program then maybe we will consider accepting you.==I WILL TAKE YOUR ADVICE ALRIGHT! I WILL COMPLETE A MASTER'S PROGRAM AND CLOSE THE BOOK ON YOUR SCHOOL. WITH A BETTER MCAT SCORE AND MASTER'S DEGREE, I WILL FIGHT HARD TO GET ACCEPTED TO THE SCHOOL THAT ALLOWED ME TO EARN MY GRADUATE DEGREE. SINCE YOU DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE ME THAT CHANCE, I'LL JUST SCRATCH YOU OFF OF MY RADAR ALL TOGETHER. THANKS BUT NO THANKS!
So, on to Plan B I go. I will continue to do my volunteer EMS. Assuming I do not get accepted into a Master's program, I will take graduate courses as a non-matriculated student. I will take the Princeton Review course for the MCATs and blow the test out of the water. Complete my AMCAS application and hope to matriculate into a US Medical School in the Fall of 2014.
Heartbroken? Yes! Mentally broken? Absolutely NOT! Life goes on! On to the next one!
AUA: We like you but not enough for our medical school. Instead we will offer you a spot in our pre-medical program. If you do well, then you can join our medical school. Oh! And by the way, we don't qualify for government loans and we just lost ties with our private lender. Good luck finding the money to finance this!==I REJECT THIS OFFER!
AUC: Sorry but your MCAT grades are too low. You have 2 weeks to let us know that you have re-registered to take it. Once you have taken it again and scored at least a 25, we will reconsider your application.==NO WAY CAN I MAKE UP MY MIND IN 2 WEEKS ON WHEN I WILL RETAKE THE MCAT. GUESS THIS APPLICATION GOES DOWN THE DRAIN, TOO!
Ross University: We regret to inform you that our program is not the ideal path for you. We don't think that you can handle living in Dominica while studying medicine. Try getting more credentials then apply again for reconsideration.==MORE CREDENTIALS? DID YOU BOTHER LOOKING PAST MY GRADES AND AT MY CREDENTIALS?! I AM IN THE MEDICAL FIELD, LIVED OUT OF MY SUITCASE FOR A YEAR, TRAVELED TO AND STAYED FOR WEEKS IN A 3RD WORLD COUNTRY ALMOST 4 TIMES A YEAR TO PROVIDE HUMANITARIAN AID, VOLUNTEERED MY WHOLE LIFE, AND YOU DON'T THINK I'M FIT?! SMH MAYBE NOT ACCEPTING ME IS A BLESSING IN DISGUISE! PEACE OUT!
St. George's University: We were founded on the principle that medical school rejects will be given a chance but we now only accept 3.4 and above averages. We have forgotten our past and where we came from. We now consider ourselves the Harvard of the Caribbean and cannot accept a below average student like yourself. Complete a Master's program then maybe we will consider accepting you.==I WILL TAKE YOUR ADVICE ALRIGHT! I WILL COMPLETE A MASTER'S PROGRAM AND CLOSE THE BOOK ON YOUR SCHOOL. WITH A BETTER MCAT SCORE AND MASTER'S DEGREE, I WILL FIGHT HARD TO GET ACCEPTED TO THE SCHOOL THAT ALLOWED ME TO EARN MY GRADUATE DEGREE. SINCE YOU DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE ME THAT CHANCE, I'LL JUST SCRATCH YOU OFF OF MY RADAR ALL TOGETHER. THANKS BUT NO THANKS!
So, on to Plan B I go. I will continue to do my volunteer EMS. Assuming I do not get accepted into a Master's program, I will take graduate courses as a non-matriculated student. I will take the Princeton Review course for the MCATs and blow the test out of the water. Complete my AMCAS application and hope to matriculate into a US Medical School in the Fall of 2014.
Heartbroken? Yes! Mentally broken? Absolutely NOT! Life goes on! On to the next one!
Monday, July 1, 2013
Applying to Medical School...It's The Climb!!
After a few rejections, I almost lost all hope. I thought to myself, "What did I just set myself up for?" I mean I knew going into this that the odds were high against me. Then I logged into my student account to see what grade I got in my statistics course. Low and behold I saw a grade of "A" staring at me. A slew of emotions stirred inside of me. Once again I proved to myself that I am no idiot. I am still that genius student that began reading 5th grade level at the age of 4 and started college courses at the age of 15. Sure I got lost along the way and slipped. However, I did not stay down. I kept on moving and climbing. I will get accepted into a medical school. I will become a doctor. I will be one of the greatest physicians to have practiced medicine. While this application process has taken me for a roller coaster of a ride, I remain motivated and determined. Like the Miley Cyrus song says, "I gotta keep trying! Gotta keep my head held high! There's always gonna be another mountain. It ain't about how fast I get to medical school. It's the climb!" All together these lyrics hit my situation right on. May you find some inspiration in the lyrics and music, too.
THE CLIMBMiley Cyrus
I can almost see itThat dream I'm dreaming but
There's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"
Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking
But I, I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high
There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb
The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down but
No I'm not breaking
I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going
And I, I gotta be strong
Just keep pushing on
'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!
There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes you gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!
Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby
It's all about, it's all about the climb
Keep your faith, keep your faith, whoa
THE CLIMBMiley Cyrus
I can almost see itThat dream I'm dreaming but
There's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"
Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking
But I, I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high
There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb
The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down but
No I'm not breaking
I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going
And I, I gotta be strong
Just keep pushing on
'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!
There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes you gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!
Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby
It's all about, it's all about the climb
Keep your faith, keep your faith, whoa
Monday, May 6, 2013
Holistic Review: The Changing Face of Medical School Admissions
Today I stumbled upon an article in the New York Times that really brought some much needed encouragement. The article, "The Changing Face of Medical School Admissions" speaks about more schools willing to adopt a holistic approach when reviewing medical school applications. The translation for this: A little less focus on MCAT scores & GPAs; and a little more attention towards personality and philanthropy. This one quote from the article pretty much says it all:
“It’s time for us to take some risks,” said Dr. David Muller, author of one of The New England Journal of Medicine articles (Reforming Premedical Education — Out with the Old, In with the New) and dean for medical education at Mount Sinai. “We need to push the limits on what we’ve been complacent about for too long.”
Dr. David Muller joins many other medical doctors who believe in the holistic approach and adopting new methods to medical school admission. Dr. Robert A. Witzburg and Dr. Henry M. Sondheimer are 2 more medical doctors who make a strong case for the holistic approach, too, in The New England Journal of Medicine article here: Holistic Review — Shaping the Medical Profession One Applicant at a Time
I am so happy that more schools are willing to give this a try. With the support of the AAMC, too, I believe that this will give more students like myself a chance at medical acceptance. The AAMC is actually hosting a workshop for medical schools' admission committees to discuss this: Holistic Review in Admissions: Challenging Conventional Thinking and Practice
News like this makes me stay positive. I know that I am going against the odds but God is good. I know that I have the heart, compassion, and mental capacity to be an excellent physician. I am not an idiot nor am I slow. One slip on the road will not stop me from pursuing my medicine goals. I will continue to bang down the doors of as many medical schools I can until one of these schools decide to take a chance with me. I tell you this, that school will be forever grateful.
"I have failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed."--Michael Jordan
“It’s time for us to take some risks,” said Dr. David Muller, author of one of The New England Journal of Medicine articles (Reforming Premedical Education — Out with the Old, In with the New) and dean for medical education at Mount Sinai. “We need to push the limits on what we’ve been complacent about for too long.”
Dr. David Muller joins many other medical doctors who believe in the holistic approach and adopting new methods to medical school admission. Dr. Robert A. Witzburg and Dr. Henry M. Sondheimer are 2 more medical doctors who make a strong case for the holistic approach, too, in The New England Journal of Medicine article here: Holistic Review — Shaping the Medical Profession One Applicant at a Time
I am so happy that more schools are willing to give this a try. With the support of the AAMC, too, I believe that this will give more students like myself a chance at medical acceptance. The AAMC is actually hosting a workshop for medical schools' admission committees to discuss this: Holistic Review in Admissions: Challenging Conventional Thinking and Practice
News like this makes me stay positive. I know that I am going against the odds but God is good. I know that I have the heart, compassion, and mental capacity to be an excellent physician. I am not an idiot nor am I slow. One slip on the road will not stop me from pursuing my medicine goals. I will continue to bang down the doors of as many medical schools I can until one of these schools decide to take a chance with me. I tell you this, that school will be forever grateful.
"I have failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed."--Michael Jordan
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