Are you a Non-Traditional Student?

Non-traditional Paths to Medical School 2009 Presenters: Lauren Mathews, MS2 Michael Rey, MS2 Chrystal Webb, MS Presenters: Atu Agawu, MS1 Victor Alcalde, MS2 Lauren Mathews,MS3 Michael Rey, MS Presenters: Lauren Mathews, MS2 Michael Rey, MS2 Chrystal Webb, MS Presenters: Atu Agawu, MS1 Victor Alcalde, MS2 Lauren Mathews,MS3 Michael Rey, MS3

Facts about the Non- Traditional Student  Definition: any student who does not go straight to medical school after graduating from college o Usually takes at least two years off  Growing percentage of students entering medical school have taken one or more years off before matriculation  The 2010 University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine entering first year class:  68% are non-traditional students  Average age at matriculation is 23 (Range: 20-33)  Definition: any student who does not go straight to medical school after graduating from college o Usually takes at least two years off  Growing percentage of students entering medical school have taken one or more years off before matriculation  The 2010 University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine entering first year class:  68% are non-traditional students  Average age at matriculation is 23 (Range: 20-33)

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

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

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  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

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 o Types of Post-Bac programs : 1. Changing career to medicine 2. Completing science requirements 3. Enhancing academic record o Post Baccalaureate Web Site: o  Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Programs assist students prepare for medical school after having received their bachelor’s degrees o Types of Post-Bac programs : 1. Changing career to medicine 2. Completing science requirements 3. Enhancing academic record o Post Baccalaureate Web Site: o

In addition to the Post Bac programs are there others?  Graduate degree programs might be another alternative. o 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 o 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. o Attempt to earn as many A’s and B’s as possible!  Graduate degree programs might be another alternative. o 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 o 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. o Attempt to earn as many A’s and B’s as possible!

Questions? Contact Us:  Atu Agawu, MS1:  Victor Alcalde, MS2:  Lauren Mathews, MS3:  Michael Rey, MS3:  Chrystal Webb, MS3: Contact Us:  Atu Agawu, MS1:  Victor Alcalde, MS2:  Lauren Mathews, MS3:  Michael Rey, MS3:  Chrystal Webb, MS3: