1. Lafayette College Health Professions Advising Program Professor Nancy Waters Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC) Co-Chair Academic Year 2012-2013

2. Welcome First Year Students to our HP Program!!! Professor Nancy Waters Health Professions Faculty Advisor 30 August 2012

3. Our Purpose: To provide an overview of steps critical to achieving 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) Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)

4. In addition … We interface with Career Services to assist you in exploring allied health science careers including: Nursing Nurse Practitioner Physician Assistant Physical Therapist Public Health practitioners ….among others.

5. …shout out for a hot new date! Allied Health Alumni Dinner Panel Tuesday September 25 th, 6-8:30 pm Network and dine with our LC alumni working as PAs, PTs,OTs, NPs and Genetic Counselors! Moderated panel opens the evening, followed by dinner, dessert and discussion one-on-one with guests! Advanced sign-up required in Career Services Office, Hogg Hall!

6. Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC) 105 Scott Hall Focus: to serve and guide students interested in applying to medical, dental, optometry and veterinary schools Six faculty members: Prof Nancy McCreary Waters, Health Professions Faculty Advisor, HPAC Committee Co-Chair, Department of Biology …plus 5 other appointed faculty members Ex Officio members: Dr Julia A Goldberg, HPAC Committee Co-Chair, Associate Dean of the College, Scott Hall Ms Simona Glaus, Postgraduate Studies and Fellowship Assistant, Dean of the College Office, Scott Hall Dr Hannah Stewart-Gambino, Dean of the College, Scott Hall Ms Linda Arra, Director of Career Services, Hogg Hall Career Services, 201 Hogg Hall This is where to go for help sorting through career plans, finding internships/externships, and other opportunities in allied health fields

7. Undergraduate Preparation for Admission to Graduate Schools in Health Professions Each HP school sets their own criteria and standards but all consider several key areas: Academic/Science grades (45-55%)* Admissions tests (20-25%)* Health-related experiences Research experiences Community service and volunteer work Letters of recommendation HP school interview * Percentage of relative importance reported in a 2001 study by the NAAHP.

8. How important are good grades? Applicant Matriculation Year Acceptance ratio for GPA 3.60 + Acceptance ratio for GPA 3.59-3.20 Acceptance ratio for GPA < 3.20 Overall acceptance ratio ALL GPAs Lafayette 6-yr aggregate data 2005-11 MD+DO 89% (55/62) 61% (46/75) 35% (13/37) 66% (114/174) National 3-yr 2008-10 aggregate data MD only ** 64%34%18%45% ** Source: AAMC Data Warehouse at http://aamc.org/data

10. Preparation – Academic coursework  Graduate with a major/minor that suits you! Follow your interest and passion! HP schools expect strong natural science foundation, but no specific major is required.  Typically, 1 Year of: Introductory Biology with laboratory (e.g., 101/102) Physics with laboratory (e.g., 111/112; 131/132/133; 151/152) Mathematics (e.g., 125 & 186, 161 & 186, 161 & 162 ) Writing-Intensive Coursework (e.g., English 110, FYS, VAST, plus two additional “W” courses).  Typically 2+ Years of Chemistry General Chemistry with laboratory (e.g., 121/122) Organic Chemistry with laboratory (e.g., 221/222) Biochemistry (e.g., 351*…MCAT 2015 tentatively will require a semester of Biochemistry!)

11.  Other relevant courses include: Biol 251 Human Physiology (HPAC recommended) Chem 351 Biochem Survey (requirement for some schools) Phys 220 Medical and Biological Physics Psych 240 Health Psychology Rel 223 Religion and Medicine A&S 222 Medical Anthropology Biol 213 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Biol 340 Molecular Medicine …plan early as some of these may have prerequisites!  Some HP schools have added specific requirements! Check out YOUR choice of schools for the latest admissions requirements! If a course is not offered at Lafayette, plan ahead to enroll at another institution during the summer or at an LVAIC school during the academic year.

12.  Advanced Placement We suggest you use your AP Credit for Mathematics and English/writing requirements, but NOT for science requirements! HP schools want to see how you handle collegiate laboratory rigor! …but if you accept AP credit, take higher level science electives! Provide evidence of your skills!  Summer School Do NOT make a habit of taking core or required courses during the summer! HP schools want to see how you handle demanding course loads!  Pass/Fail Avoid this! Period! HP schools want to see concrete verification of your success in many disciplines!

13.  Study Abroad Most HP schools view this favorably, especially when combined with healthcare-related experiences. If you are interested in studying abroad— DO IT! But plan ahead to keep your coursework on schedule.  Research Independent Research, Honors Thesis Research, and/or EXCEL work are fast becoming essential to make you competitive for graduate-level work in the health professions.  Electives Do not choose courses that “look good to a med school” but rather choose courses for which you have a PASSION! This includes art, humanities and social sciences! …who you are and how well-educated you are contribute to your success!

14. …but what’s new about MCAT2015? Revision 1991: 4 sections: verbal reasoning, writing sample, physical and biological sciences 2015 REVISIONS: Writing sample deleted and replaced with Critical Analysis and 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: https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/mcat2015/

15. Preparation – Co-curricular Experiences Internships/Externships Shadow an MD! Volunteer at a shelter! Show your commitment! Check out 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, 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!

16. Academic Integrity 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, etc. all compromise your character AND your HP application. Applications REQUIRE the Dean of the College to report disciplinary action and/or conduct violations to HP schools! So think & ACT carefully!

17. Application Timeline To attend immediately after undergraduate graduation, apply in Spring/Summer of your JUNIOR year. For many students, optimal application includes a ‘gap’ year, so apply in Spring/Summer of your SENIOR year. HPAC will work with you when you have all the components in place… when you have completed your science requirements; when you have taken or ready to take admissions test (MCAT DAT OAT, or VCAT/GRE); when you have a competitive profile of research, dedicated medical-related experiences, and track record of co-curricular activities with PASSION…THEN… HPAC submissions, recommendation letters, interview, etc., will get scheduled typically around the 7 th week of the semester.

18. 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/ Attend HPAC events; remember—we write that letter for you ! Do not be a stranger!