1. Your Path to Med School Andrew McLemore, OMS-I Pre-SOMA Michigan State University November 2, 2009

2. Taking the Osteo-Path As you prepare your application, ask yourself these four questions: –What draws me to my chosen career in health care? –Am I making an informed career choice? –Do I have a good head? –Do I have a good heart? –Am I prepared to spend the time?

3. You are your resume! Purpose of application process is to tell admissions committee who you are More than grades, admission test scores, extracurricular activities How do you differentiate yourself from others applying for the same spot?

4. You are your resume! Be ready for the transition: Student -> Applicant

5. How to be a Successful Applicant

6. What draws me to my chosen career in health care? Desire to help and to serve is true of all applicants Each person has a unique personal journey Osteopathic Practices and Principles Would make a good introduction to any personal statements you must make on your application

7. Am I making an informed career choice? Do I know what its like to be a patient? –Personal or family experience Do I know what its really like to be a physician? –Paid or volunteer activity in serving others –Keep a journal or blog –Be a part of relevant communities

8. Do I have a good head? Do I have the intellectual capacity? –High GPA –High scores on admission tests Do I have an open, creative mind? –Can you examine all the information, draw a conclusion, and ask if there is another way to look at the problem –More than being a walking biochem book

9. Do I have a good heart? Do I understand the meaning of empathy? –Must have good interpersonal skills Do I appreciate the importance of the doctor-patient relationship? –Career is built on relationships –Not the Dilbert lifestyle

10. Am I prepared to spend the time? Am I prepared to spend the time required for the practice of my profession? Am I prepared to spend sufficient time with each one of my patients to meet his or her needs?

11. Standardized Test: The MCAT

12. Standardized Tests Veterinary, PT, OT, masters – GRE Dental –DAT Optometry - OAT Pharmacy -PCAT Medical (allopathic and osteopathic) – MCAT

13. Standardized Tests Usually taken a minimum of 1 year before you plan to matriculate –This cycles test-takers are applying to begin in fall 2011 Application to medical school is done during summer between junior and senior year.

14. Preparing for the Exam Critical to doing well on the test Learn as much about the format and content before you take the first test Think of this test as the single most important one in your life –Do it once, do it right –Material vs. Methods

15. Preparing for the Exam Make sure you have taken the required courses before attempting the test Need an organized, systematic review of the topics –Form study groups –Commercial review courses –Practice exams –Self-preparation

16. Preparing for the Exam Start studying well before the test date, sometimes as early as 6 months before Make getting in game shape a routine Study 1 to 2 hours/night for the duration Do not cram

17. Applying

18. Choosing which schools to apply to: What type of city do I wish to live in for the next four years? Is it important for me to be near friends and family? What is the culture of the professional school? What about financial considerations?

19. Application Forms and Services AACOMAS –Online, central clearinghouse for DO admissions –May apply to all 29 osteopathic campuses AMCAS –Parallel system for MD schools –You may apply to both DO and MD programs

20. Application Forms and Services 11742 applicants in 2008 cycle

21. Personal Statement or Essay Your first chance to go beyond the numbers No universal formula –Personal journey –Important experiences –Strengths you possess –Goals for education and career –How you will contribute to class diversity

22. Personal Statement Can also be used to explain anything in your background –Difficult semester –Bad year due to illness or family problems Have your advisor give you critical feedback on essay Begin thinking about it now!

23. Supplemental Application Once your target school receives your application and evaluates it, you may be sent a secondary application –Answer more questions –Another essay (different) –More $ DO IT QUICKLY!

24. Letters of Recommendation Will this person write a strong letter? Make sure your professors know more about you than your grades Have a good mix of science/non- science professors, volunteer mentors, physicians Furnish your evaluator with a resume or list of college activities

25. Application Timetable

26. Freshman, Sophomore, Junior Visit your advisor each semester Take relevant core science courses at a reasonable pace Get some experience in your anticipated career and its community Perform community service Plan to take MCAT

27. Junior Year (spring) Take standardized test Keep grades up –Last chance to make an academic statement –Upward trend is great Register with centralized application services (AACOMAS, AMCAS)

28. Summer after Junior Year Complete application Request transcripts from ALL schools be sent to appropriate schools or application service Arrange letters of recommendation

29. Senior Year (Fall Semester) Complete supplemental applications QUICKLY Send updated transcript at the end of the semester if requested Begin preparation for financial aid Go to scheduled interviews

30. Financing your Education In-state/out of state issues 98% of professional school students receive some form of assistance 86% of graduates have debt this is manageable!

31. Financing your Education Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Grants and Scholarships Service Commitment (military, etc) Underserved areas Loans -Subsidized vs. unsubsidized

32. Be Aware of… Federal loan limits D.O./Ph. D circumstances Dependency from parents Health Insurance Rate of loan repayment

33. Life in Medical School

34. First Two Years Classroom-Based Final dose of Basic Science Anatomy, Physiology, Biochem, Genetics Doctor-Patient Relationship, Clinical Skills, OMM COMLEX Level I

35. Years Three and Four Hospital-Based Rotations through various disciplines Family Medicine, General Surgery, Internal Medicine, OB/GYN, Orthopedic Surgery COMLEX Level 2-CE and -PE

36. Internship and Residency AOA or ACGME? Your first work as a paid physician –Approximately $45,000 in PGY-1 PGY-1 through PGY-7 COMLEX Level 3 Board Certification

37. Life as a Med Student Work Hard, Play Hard Caregivers Must Be Careful Lean on Each Other Remain Objective Be Good to Yourself Remember the Number One Symptom

38. The Two Kinds of Students in Medical School The next thing to do = 17 th grade The good kind

39. What do you mean- Go another way?? Public Preprofessional Persona The Power of Inertia The School of Hard Knocks It Happened to McLemore

40. Contacting Me andrewmclemore@gmail.com 517-803-7324 Facebook: Andrew McLemore AIM: andrewmclemore THANK YOU!