Premedical Studies at Fresno State Larry G Riley

Pre-medical Studies at Fresno State Larry G. Riley, MSc, Ph. D Professor – Comparative Endocrinology Pre-Med Advisor Biology Department California State University, Fresno Science 1, room 212 lriley@csufresno. edu Appointments are made with the Biology department @ 278 -2001 California State University, Fresno – Department of Biology

The Journey Towards a Medical Doctor (MD) & Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) Additional Requirements California State University, Fresno – Department of Biology

Additional Requirements You are able to highlight up to 15 separate Work and Activity Experiences on you application including: • • Extracurricular Activities Medically-Related Experiences & Exposure Employment Volunteer Work Internships and/or Research Letters of Evaluation Personal Statement **You may also identify up to three of these Work and Activity experiences that you consider to be the most meaningful. This designation will allow you an additional 1, 325 characters to explain why this experience was particularly meaningful to you. California State University, Fresno – Department of Biology

Keep Good Notes • Keep track of all your work and activity experiences and the hours you devote. • Consider keeping a journal of clinical experience, volunteer service, research, etc… to record your experiences and maturation: its good material for your personal statement. • Working a service job could provide you with leadership opportunities (i. e. shift-manager), patience, compassion. Don’t disregard your job experiences. California State University, Fresno – Department of Biology

Extracurricular Activities • Activities that you like to do • Hobbies • • Reading Exercise Playing music Etc… • Describe any personal growth that these activities may have had on you and shaped the person you are. California State University, Fresno – Department of Biology

Clinical Experience • Admissions committees look to see that your application conveys evidence of … empathy, service orientation, ethical responsibility to self and others, an awareness of what a career as a practicing physician entails, • as well as other characteristics and strengths. • • California State University, Fresno – Department of Biology www. aamc. org

Clinical Experience • Shadowing a physician may offer you exposure to the patient care environment, BUT it’s not the only way to demonstrate these skills and attributes. • Shadowing may not be a possibility for you due to… – Balancing a rigorous academic schedule – Extracurricular activities – Personal responsibilities – Etc… • How do you can gain such experiences? California State University, Fresno – Department of Biology www. aamc. org

Alternatives to Shadowing A recent survey of medical school admissions officers conducted by the AAMC found that 87% of respondents indicated that they accept an alternative activity, such as… 1. Hospice Volunteer 2. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) 3. Volunteer EMT 4. Hospital Scribe 5. Caretaker (outside the home or for an ill family member) California State University, Fresno – Department of Biology www. aamc. org

Alternatives to Shadowing • No matter how you choose to gain clinical experience, it’s important to remember quality is more important than quantity. • Admission officers want you to not only show depth of experience and a longitudinal commitment to the work you choose, but also to be able to articulate how your medical exposure has informed your motivation for a career in medicine California State University, Fresno – Department of Biology www. aamc. org

Work & Volunteering • Medical school admissions understand that many students need to work out side of going to school. • You can still demonstrate leadership skills, compassion, ethical responsibility, etc… • Your job • Volunteering • Great way to further demonstrate those qualities • Shows that you are a well-rounded individual • Best if this activity has nothing to do with health-care • Do something that you like • Great source for a letter of evaluation California State University, Fresno – Department of Biology

Letters of Evaluation • Suggested: Two science faculty, maybe one nonscience faculty, and one or two others • Doing research with a professor helps him/her get to know you and write a more credible, personal letter • Doctor or supervisor in charge of your clinical experience, volunteer, or job are good people for letters of evaluation • AVOID letters from family members, friends of family, doctors that are friends, and clergy California State University, Fresno – Department of Biology www. usnews. com

Letters of Evaluation • How many letters should I get? – Varies across medical schools • Boston University: min. 0; max. 6 • UC Davis: min. 3; max. 6 • Chicago Medical School: min. 3; max. 3 California State University, Fresno – Department of Biology www. aamc. org/msar

Letters of Evaluation Tips for getting the best letters of evaluation 1. Choose wisely a. b. c. d. Come from someone who can objectively comment on your potential as a medical student Someone who knows you well Ask if they are willing to write a positive letter of evaluation Be prepared to give them your C. V. and/or personal statement 2. Request your letters earlier rather than later a. Give them at a minimum 4 weeks time to write their letter 3. Visit your professors (present and past) a. b. c. d. e. Go to office hours: this allows them to get to know you better The more you share about yourself, the more personal the letter will be Sit up front in class (students that sit in the back are noticed less) Reach out to past professors, make an appointment to stop by and say hi, or call Remember you are asking for a favor, be respectful, humble, and sincere California State University, Fresno – Department of Biology www. usnews. com

Letters of Evaluation Tips for getting the best letters of evaluation cont. 4. Follow the application instructions 5. Nurture your relationships a. b. We do not like to write letters to those students that have never come to our office Avoid asking a professor with whom you have never talked with to write a letter of evaluation 6. Express your gratitude a. b. c. After they have agreed to write you a letter Send a thank-you note (not an email & not a verbal thank you), a small gift, or some other token As in many aspects of life, relationships matter. Paying attention to them can bring rewards. California State University, Fresno – Department of Biology www. usnews. com

Research • Research teaches you a lot of skills you can’t get in a classroom – Independence, working as a team, problem solving skills, oral & written presentation, how to communicate in laymen’s terms, etc… • It expands your knowledge • Research experience is a critical component to your application packet. California State University, Fresno – Department of Biology

Percent of Students Accepted with Different Experiences % of Students with Different Experience Community service/volunteer Shadowing Medical/clinical volunteering Scribe/medical employed Research Boston Univ. USC Keck School of Medicine 80% 75% 85% 40% 95% 75% 80% 85% 40% 95% Mayo Clinic 85% 90% 40% 95% Case Western 80% 85% 90% 35% 95% UC Davis 75% 65% 90% 50% 90% UC Irvine 75% 95% 45% 95% UCLA 80% 75% 90% 40% 95% UC Riverside 80% 65% 90% 40% 90% UC San Francisco 80% 75% 90% 35% 95% Medical School California State University, Fresno – Department of Biology

Personal Statement • 5300 characters or about 1 ½ page single spaced at 12 -point font. • It takes a lot of reflection and introspection to prepare, edit, and polish a strong statement. • Don’t rehash your resume or other parts of your application in your essay. Be creative, think outside the box and review certain aspects of your life. California State University, Fresno – Department of Biology

Personal Statement: Suggestions • Start early, minimum 6 months. I suggest to start now by writing a mini-autobiography about your life experiences that have resulted in you wanting to apply to medical school. – This does not need to be perfect, just thoughts that you can use in your personal statement. • Write, re-write, let it sit, and write again. After you spend time writing set it aside for a minimum of 24 hours before you review and re-write. • Stay focused: highlight interesting aspects of your journey – not your entire life story. – Choose a theme and stick to it, and support it with specific examples www. princetonreview. com California State University, Fresno – Department of Biology

Personal Statement: Suggestions • Back off the clichés. – Be personal and specific • Find your unique angle – What can you say about yourself that no one else can. – Every one has trials in life • What‘s important and unique is how you reacted to those incidents. • Be interesting – Create intrigue before launching into the story of who you are. • Show don’t tell – Don’t tell them about your unique qualities (ie. I’m compassionate) show them through the stories you tell about yourself www. princetonreview. com California State University, Fresno – Department of Biology

Personal Statement: Suggestions • Be thoughtful about transitions – Vary sentence structure – You don’t want your essay to be boring • Stick to the guidelines • Stay on topic – Don’t ramble, it uses up precious space, it also can cause confusion • Don’t overdo it – Beware of being to self-congratulatory or too self-deprecating • Ask for feedback before you submit www. princetonreview. com Two med school essays that admission officers loved https: //www. usnews. com/education/best-graduate-schools/top-medicalschools/articles/2017 -06 -12/2 -medical-school-essays-that-admissions-officers-loved California State University, Fresno – Department of Biology