1. ? Are you a Non-Traditional Student? ? ? NON-TRADITIONAL COLLEGE
Med school ? ? ?
TIME OFF
NON-TRADITIONAL
COLLEGE

2. Non-traditional Paths to Medical School
Tarik Asmerom, MS1
Robert Bonacci, MS1

3. Facts about the Non-Traditional Student
Definition: Any student who does not go straight to medical school after graduating from college
Usually takes at least one year off
Growing percentage of students entering medical school have taken one or more years off before matriculation
The 2011 Perelman School of Medicine entering first year class:
60% are non-traditional students
Average age at matriculation is 23 (Range: 21-30)

4. Why take time off? Pursue a passion
Improve credentials for application
Change career to medicine
Mature and grow as a person

5. What can I do before applying to medical school? A few examples:
Research
NIH
Travel/ Global Experiences
Unite for Sight
Community Service Work in the US
Teach for America
Other Types of Employment
Academic Enhancement
Post baccalaureate program
Another degree

6. What should I keep in mind while taking time off before medical school?
Get letters of recommendation:
Stay in touch with professors to ensure they have submitted (or are in the process of submitting) their letters for you
Get recommendations from Post Baccalaureate program, graduate degree professors/administrators, supervisor/research advisor after graduation
Describe worthwhile experiences after graduation in your application
Be aware of deadlines:
Take MCAT on time
Apply early in the application season

7. Are there programs which can help me become a competitive medical school applicant?
Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Programs assist students prepare for medical school after having received their bachelor’s degrees
19% of 2011 entering class completed Post-Bac programs
Types of Post-Bac programs:
Changing career to medicine
Completing science requirements
Enhancing academic record
Post Baccalaureate Website:
http//services.aamc.org/postbac/

8. In addition to the Post Bac programs are there others?
Graduate degree programs might be another alternative.
Make sure the degree program has biomedical science courses, because admissions committees want to see if you can handle a lot of these types of subjects
MPH might also be a path, but first discuss this type of degree with your pre-health advisor and/or medical school admissions directors, because it’s important that you can demonstrate your facility with biomedical science.
Attempt to earn as many A’s and B’s as possible!

9. Time off during Medical School
Research
For competitive specialties
School funded grants
National grants
Mentor funded
Additional Degrees
International Clinical Experiences
Personal Time – Leave of Absence

10. Questions? Contact Us: Tarik Asmerom: tarika@upenn.edu
Robert Bonacci: