The Nathan Smith Society Veterinary MedicineDental MedicinePublic & Global Health The Health Career Experience and Advising at Dartmouth

Speakers Lee Witters, Faculty Advisor, Health Professions Program & Nathan Smith Society; Professor, Biology/Medicine/Biochemistry Sarah Berger, Health Professions Program Advisor Jon Kull, Professor of Chemistry;Dean, Graduate Studies Carl Thum, Academic Skills Center Some Other Key People Dr. Robert Keene, DMD, Pre-Dental Advisor Annette Hamilton, Health Professions Program Administrative Coordinator Andrew Welch & Dr. Joseph Schwartzman, Admissions Office, Geisel School of Medicine Some Very Special People A Flock, Gaggle, Bevy, Herd, Crowd, Etc. of Very Knowledgeable and Welcoming Pre-Health Students from the Classes of 2013, 2014 and 2015

A “To-Do” List Join the Nathan Smith Society one of three ways: 1.Sign sheets on clipboards being passed around 2.Enroll on NSS web site 3.Blitz

Nathan Smith Society Events Winter/Spring/Summer Terms 2012 DHMC Shadowing Program Community Veterinary Shadowing Program Community Dental Shadowing Program Dartmouth Ears (a patient visiting program at DHMC) Dartmouth TALES (visitation with Alzheimer patient/family) ‘Dinner with a Doc/Vet/Dentist’ Program Geisel “Interest Groups” & Alumni Workshops Dartmouth Cancer Scholars ‘Take a Med Student to Lunch’ Program “Mock Admissions” Paying for Medical School (Geisel Financial Aid office) Senior Night DC/Geisel Night NSS Research Opportunities Database MD/PhD, MD/MBA programs Special Speakers & Events

A “To-Do” List Join the Nathan Smith Society one of three ways: 1.Sign sheets on clipboards being passed around 2.Enroll on NSS web site 3.Blitz Visit NSS web site ( and review the document entitled “Advice for Entering Students’ –While there,“self-enroll” on NSS Blackboard site (instructions on NSS home page)

A “To-Do” List Join the Nathan Smith Society one of three ways: 1.Sign sheets on clipboards being passed around 2.Enroll on NSS web site 3.Blitz Visit NSS web site ( and review the document entitled “Advice for Entering Students’ –While there,“self-enroll” on NSS Blackboard site (instructions on NSS home page) Hang onto the info sheets passed out –Points of contact; advice for curricular & extracurricular decisions AND D-planning document

Eight “Helpful Hints”

“Hints” #1 & #2 “Hints” #1 & #2 1. This is a challenging and time-consuming curriculum. You will need to develop new strategies and continually reassess (and maybe regroup). Everyone’s pace and track is different! 2. Be pre-emptive; don’t sit back and wait to “see how you are doing”. Utilize course resources, the Academic Skills Center and knowledgeable advisors. Plan your path carefully!

What & Where is Pre-Health Advising at Dartmouth? Enter Here & Check The Electronic Map! Dr. Lee Witters Weekly walk-in office hours (posted on NSS and NSS Blackboard sites) Two Convenient Locations

What & Where is Pre-Health Advising at Dartmouth? I must be at the rear entrance to Parkhurst! Sarah Berger Weekly walk-in office hours (posted on NSS and NSS Blackboard sites) Two Convenient Locations

Speakers Lee Witters, Faculty Advisor, Health Professions Program & Nathan Smith Society; Professor, Biology/Medicine/Biochemistry Sarah Berger, Health Professions Program Advisor Jon Kull, Professor of Chemistry;Dean, Graduate Studies Carl Thum, Academic Skills Center

Hint #3 3. Dartmouth does not have a specific pre-med or pre- health curriculum. Major in what you enjoy and are interested in, but bear in mind that you must be able to demonstrate scientific aptitude and excellence. A wide experience in the humanities and social sciences is a real asset to a health career, as well. Not “premed”

Hint #4 4. Most Dartmouth students initiate application to med/vet/dental school at end of senior year or as alums, rather than spring of junior year, creating one or more “gap years”. EVERYONE SHOULD CONSIDER THIS OPTION TO SEE WHAT IMPACT THIS WOULD HAVE ON YOUR DARTMOUTH EXPERIENCE (examples: course flexibility, FSP/LSA, curricular/major options, avoiding “doubling up”, building your credentials, athletics)! Later is greater?

Hint #5 5. Choose your first year courses (and especially your fall term courses) carefully with the advice of someone familiar with you, the courses and with the pre-health requirements. “Should I ease into a college science-based curriculum or not? Math Course? Chemistry Course? Biology Course? ?More than one of above ?None of the above Physics Course? Writing/English (2 courses required) First Year Seminar Writing 5; Writing 2/3 Consider other courses that emphasize writing and critical analysis of writing

Speakers Lee Witters, Faculty Advisor, Health Professions Program & Nathan Smith Society; Professor, Biology/Medicine/Biochemistry Sarah Berger, Health Professions Program Advisor Jon Kull, Professor of Chemistry;Dean, Graduate Studies Carl Thum, Academic Skills Center

Math Options General requirement: Two math courses (calculus, statistics) Math 3 Introduction To Calculus OR Math 8 Variable Calculus Math 1/2 Calculus With Algebra (by invitation) Statistics (Math 10; others) Take a Math course if needed for beginning chemistry sequence! Have Math 3 Credit? If you have Math 3 or 8 credit and are invited to enroll in a higher level Math class, you don’t “have” to do that

Chemistry Options General requirement: Two terms general chemistry with lab; Two terms organic chemistry with lab; one term biochemistry Chemistry 2 Quantitative Reasoning in Chemistry (by invitation) Chemistry 5 General Chemistry (Second term is Chem 6) Chem 5 also available in winter term (Chem 6 in spring & fall) Pre-Req Math 3 (or Math 3 credit or Math 1/2) Pre-Req Chem 10 (by exam) “ counts ” for 2-term general chem requirement ANOTHER OPTION Biology-Chemistry 8/9 Stay tuned!

Physics Options General requirement: Two physics courses (with labs) Physics 3 General Physics I Physics 4 General Physics II Offered winter & spring terms Math 3 Pre-Requisite Physics 13 Introductory Physics I Physics 14 Introductory Physics II Offered winter & spring terms   Usually taken by intended physics/math majors or with strong background in physics & math Many pre-health students defer physics till later, since it, unlike Bio 11 & Chem 5, is not a pre-req for other required pre-health courses Math 3 and 8 Pre-requisite (or concurrent Math 8)

Biology Options Minimum** required: 2 Biology courses with labs Biology 11 The Science of Life (no lab) Lab Courses Biology 12 (Cell Biology) Biology 13 (Genetics) Biology 14 (Physiology) Biology 15 (Microevolution) Biology 16 (Ecology) Biology 2 Human Biology (no lab) Want background in human biology to orient your other studies? Uncertain about rigor of college science courses? Testing your interest in health or biology? 1 offering in fall: (DNA to Disease) 1 offering in winter: (Cooperation & Conflict) & 1 in spring: (Emerging Infectious Diseases) ** More strongly recommended Pre-Req

Biology-Chemistry 8/9 Chemical Principles/Biologic Processes Two-term class combining principles of both disciplines Taken together over two consecutive terms, this option gives credit for Chem 5 and takes place of Bio 11, thus serves as pre-requisite for Biology lab classes and for Chemistry 6. If a student takes only the one term (8) it will count as a distributive, but NOT towards any pre-requisites. Along with its interdisciplinary goal, it is also aimed at giving students more time to learn the Chem 5 material. The enrollment in this class is capped at 80 students. Pre-requisites: Math 3 (can be concurrent) NO pre-matriculation credit for Chemistry 5

Psychology & Sociology Psychology Psychology 1 (fall, winter, spring) Sociology Sociology 1 (fall, spring) OR Sociology 2 (winter, spring)

Taking More Than One…. or None … Among Math, Chem & Bio Courses? “ Should I ease into a college science-based curriculum or not? CHEM 2 BIO 2 MATH BIO 11CHEM 5 BIO 2 CHEM 5 BIO 11 OTHER MATH Writing 5 (or 2) or lst Yr Seminar Writing 5 (or 2) or lst Yr Seminar Writing 5 (or 2) or lst Yr Seminar Writing 5 (or 2) or lst Yr Seminar MATH OTHER Writing 5 (or 2) or lst Yr Seminar Writing 5 (or 2) or lst Yr Seminar MATH? Writing 5 (or 2) or lst Yr Seminar CHEM 5 PHYSICS 3 Writing 5 (or 2) or lst Yr Seminar Many combinations possible (only some shown)!

Taking More Than One…. or None … Among Math, Chem & Bio Courses? “ Should I ease into a college science-based curriculum or not? CHEM 2 BIO 2 MATH BIO 11CHEM 5 BIO 2 CHEM 5 BIO 11 OTHER MATH Writing 5 (or 2) or lst Yr Seminar Writing 5 (or 2) or lst Yr Seminar Writing 5 (or 2) or lst Yr Seminar Writing 5 (or 2) or lst Yr Seminar MATH OTHER Writing 5 (or 2) or lst Yr Seminar Writing 5 (or 2) or lst Yr Seminar MATH? Writing 5 (or 2) or lst Yr Seminar CHEM 5 PHYSICS 3 Writing 5 (or 2) or lst Yr Seminar Many combinations possible (only some shown)! Take-Away Message Have a conversation about YOU and your specific goals, aspirations and scholastic background with a knowledgeable advisor before committing to a specific class schedule and keep on talking to knowledgeable advisors as you proceed through Dartmouth! Your first year faculty advisor A pre-health advisor (Walk-in D-plan help Friday, Sept 7, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM; 125 Haldeman; new group every 30 minutes) and in HPP offices (11 Parkhurst; 123 LSC) weekly (hours to be e- mailed & posted on home page of Nathan Smith Society)

Hint #6 6. Get to know your professors (as mentors & future letter writers) USE OFFICE HOURS!

Hint #7 7. Learn to write well! The process of med/vet/dental school application will emphasize your verbal reasoning skills and ability to write well-structured and reasoned essays (MCAT; applications to schools). In addition to working with professors, use the Student Center for Research, Writing, and Information Technology (RWiT) whenever you have the opportunity.

Hint #8 8. Participate in extracurricular activities that abut on the health care profession and service to society; sustain your involvement, so that your humanity, creativity and impact are evident.

Evaluating Beyond Grades,MCAT/DAT/GRE Scores and Prior Experiences in Health Active listener Problem solver Communicator (oral, written) Critical thinker Multilingual Resiliency Integrity/Judgment Adaptability Persistence Motivation Intellectual curiosity Empathy Altruistic service Skills & AbilitiesPersonal & Professional Characteristics

Speakers Lee Witters, Faculty Advisor, Health Professions Program & Nathan Smith Society; Professor, Biology/Medicine/Biochemistry Sarah Berger, Health Professions Program Advisor Jon Kull, Professor of Chemistry;Dean, Graduate Studies Carl Thum, Academic Skills Center

Some Very Special People A Flock, Gaggle, Bevy, Herd, Crowd, Etc. of Very Knowledgeable and Welcoming Pre-Health Students from the Classes of 2013, 2014 and 2015 Erin Klein 13 Jane Lu 13 Valerie Zhao 15 Annie Rao 14 Isa Francisco 14 Mike Jacobs 13 Megan Bunnell 13 Adam Kraus 14 Joseph Yi 13 John Kim 13 Nia Foney 15

Dental & Veterinary Contacts at Dartmouth Dentistry –Dr. Robert Keene or –Annie Rao 14 –Meeta Prakash 13 Veterinary Medicine –Rose Dicovitsky 14 –Isa Francisco 14 –Sean Kaufman 13 And don’t forget the web site for the Nathan Smith Society

Lee Witters & Sarah Berger will be available to assist you in choosing your fall courses on Friday, September 7, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, 125 Haldeman (new group every 30 minutes on the hour & half hour) Work with D-planning document (last two pages of handout distributed today) in advance would be helpful

Be sure to put your name on clipboard sign-in sheets before you leave today