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

Speakers Lee Witters, Director, Health Professions Program; Faculty Advisor, Nathan Smith Society; Professor, Biology/Medicine/Biochemistry Jon Kull, Professor of Chemistry Carl Thum, Academic Skills Center Roni Nitecki ‘11 Jared Bookman ‘11 Other Key People Dr. Robert Keene, DMD, Pre-Dental Advisor Annette Hamilton, Health Professions Administrative Coordinator, Career Services Andrew Welch, DMS Admissions Director Special Introduction Sarah Berger, Pre-Health Advisor, Health Professions Program

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 ‘nss’

Nathan Smith Society Events Spring Term 2010 DHMC Shadowing Program Community Veterinary Shadowing Program Community Dental Shadowing Program Dartmouth Ears (a patient visiting program at DHMC) ‘Dinner with a Doc/Vet/Dentist’ Program NSS Research Opportunities Database DMS “Interest Groups” & Alumni Workshops ‘Take a Med Student to Lunch’ Program “Mock Admissions” Paying for Medical School (DMS Financial Aid office) Senior Night DC/DMS Night “Dance for a Dream” (annual fund-raiser for selected charity) Workshops on Medical/Dental/Vet School Application

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 ‘nss’ Visit the 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 ‘nss’ Visit the 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 being passed out –Key points of contact and advice for curricular and extracurricular decisions

Six “Helpful Hints”

1. 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”

Six “Helpful Hints” 2.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?

Six “Helpful Hints” 3. 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?

Speakers Lee Witters, Director, Health Professions Program; Faculty Advisor, Nathan Smith Society; Professor,Biology/Medicine/Biochemistry Jon Kull, Professor of Chemistry Carl Thum, Academic Skills Center Roni Nitecki ‘11 Jared Bookman ‘11 Other Key People Dr. Robert Keene, DMD, Pre-Dental Advisor Annette Hamilton, Health Professions Administrative Coordinator, Career Services Andrew Welch, DMS Admissions Director

Math Options General requirement: Two math courses (calculus, statistics) Math 3 Introduction To Calculus Math 1/2 Calculus With Algebra (by invitation) Math 8 (Variable Calculus) OR ABOVE Take a Math course if needed for beginning chemistry sequence! Have Math 3 Credit? Wait??

Chemistry Options General requirement: Two terms general chemistry with lab; Two terms organic chemistry with lab; biochemistry (some) 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

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? 2 offerings in fall: (Biology in the News; DNA to Disease) 1 offering in winter: (LUCA: The Last Universal Common Ancestor) & 1 in spring: (Emerging Infectious Diseases) ** More strongly recommended Pre-Req

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 Monday Sept 20, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM; 125 Haldeman; new group every 30 minutes) and in HPP office (11 Parkhurst) weekly (hours to be ed & posted on home page of Nathan Smith Society)

Where is the Pre-Health Advising at Dartmouth? I must be at the rear entrance to Parkhurst! Weekly walk-in office hours (to be announced)

Six “Helpful Hints” 4. Get to know your professors (as mentors & future letter writers) USE OFFICE HOURS!

Six “Helpful Hints” 5. 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.

Six “Helpful Hints” 6. 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, Director, Health Professions Program; Faculty Advisor, Nathan Smith Society; Professor,Biology/Medicine/Biochemistry Jon Kull, Professor of Chemistry Carl Thum, Academic Skills Center Roni Nitecki ‘11 Jared Bookman ‘10 Other Key People Dr. Robert Keene, DMD, Pre-Dental Advisor Annette Hamilton, Health Professions Administrative Coordinator, Career Services Andrew Welch, DMS Admissions Director

Speakers Lee Witters, Faculty Advisor, Nathan Smith Premedical Society and Professor of Biology/Medicine/Biochemistry Jon Kull, Professor of Chemistry Carl Thum, Academic Skills Center Roni Nitecki ‘11 Jared Bookman ‘11 Susanna Kurnick ‘11, Rachael Labitt ‘11 and Athena Aicher ‘11 (Pre-Veterinary interest) Allison Clark ‘12 (Pre-Dental interest) and Dr. Robert Keene (Pre-Dental Advisor)

Lee Witters & Sarah Berger will be available to assist you in choosing your fall courses on Monday, September 20, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, 125 Haldeman (new group every 30 minutes on the hour & half hour)