Notes

Outline

Taking the Next Step: How Do I Become a Health Professional Dr. Juanita Barrena Professor, Biological Sciences

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First Step:  Choosing a Health Professional Career To Be or Not To Be. . .is NOT the question What are the questions? What do I want to DO? How will being a _____ enable me to DO what I want to DO? Is being a ______ really the best way for me to be able to do what I want to DO, or are there other careers that are equally or better suited to my interests?

"I love biology," I love biology, especially anatomy and physiology, and want to keep learning about the human body I want to help find a cure for cancer and other diseases I want to improve access to health care in underserved communities I want to help people

Second Step: Choosing a Major Do I have to have a bachelor’s degree to get into a Health Professional School? Although most Health Professional Schools state that only 90 semester units are required, the fact is that (except for Pharmacy), it is HIGHLY unlikely that you will be admitted without a degree?

Second Step: Choosing a Major Do I have to major in a science like Biology or Chemistry to get into a Health Professional School? Which major is the BEST major for a pre-health professional student? If I major in science, is it better to get a B.S., rather than a B.A. NO, although all Health Professional Schools require prerequisite science courses, you may choose any major. The best major is the major YOU are most interested in, provided it is a “rigorous” one. The degree designation doesn’t matter.  The decision should be based on (1) your interest in science for its own sake; (2) timing; and (3) grades

Science v. Non-Science Majors Advantages and Disadvantages Science majors are known for their “rigor”; Science majors perform better on some types of standardized exams; Most of the prerequisite science courses can be applied toward science major requirements; Students majoring in science are more likely to have access to information and opportunities that relate directly to the health professional world. Science majors are known for their lower GPA’s; Science majors perform worse on some types of standardized exams; Science majors usually require more units and take longer to complete than non-science majors; Students majoring in science are less likely to have access to information and opportunities that relate to the social, cultural, and political world.

What Do I have to Do to get into a health professional school? Live a Life: meet your responsibilities, and pursue your own social, academic, cultural, intellectual, and personal interests; Complete course prerequisites; Complete any specific experiential requirements (e.g., some P.A. schools and veterinary medicine); Complete an application (usually a standardized application that includes a “personal statement”, academic record, family history, employment history; awards and honors, extracurricular activities, membership in organizations, etc); Take a standardized exam; Submit letters of recommendation (may include a pre-health committee interview and committee letter); Complete “Secondaries” (additional essays and money) Interview at Health Professional Schools; Complete a degree (or the requisite number of units).

Qualitative Requirements: What are “THEY” looking for? Scholastic Ability (will you be able to handle the health professional school curriculum and are you likely to pass licensing exams?); Commitment (do you really know what the profession is like and are you committed to the care of patients as your FIRST priority?); Interpersonal Communication Skills (will you be able to relate well to patients and other health care professionals, will you be a good team member?); Leadership, Creativity, Originality, and other Personal Qualities (what qualities do YOU bring that will make you an asset to your class and (eventually) to the profession?); “FIT” with the Health Professional School’s SPECIFIC MISSION (are your skills, personal qualities, values and interests consistent with the School’s mission?)

Course Prerequisites Varies by Type of Health Professional School (e.g.; Allopathic Medicine v. Dentistry v. Optometry, v. etc.); Varies by Health Professional Schools within a Type (e.g., UCSF v. UOP Schools of Dentistry); ALWAYS check the Websites of the Schools you wish to apply to for the most recent set of course requirements; See Handout for a summary of the most common sets of requirements by type of Health Professional School (Note: most of the research for the Handout was conducted by CSUS students:  Arika Wiggens, Lisa Morris, and Kristyn Marshall).

Course Prerequisites: Covering All the Bases 1 year General Biology (Bio 10, 11, 12) 1 year General (Inorganic Chemistry (Chem 1A and Chem 1B) 1 year Organic Chemistry, including lab (Chem 24, 124, and 25) 1 year General Physics (Phys 5A and 5B) 1 year Calculus (Math 26A and 26B or Math 30 and 31)

"1 semester of Statistics (..." 1 semester of Statistics (Stat 1) 1 semester of Anatomy (Bio 22) 1 semester of Systemic Physiology (Bio 131) 1 semester of Biochemistry (Chem 161, or 160A and 160B) 1 semester of Microbiology  (Bio 139) 1 semester of Molecular Biology/Genetics (Bio 184) 1 semester of Embryology (Bio 127) or other upper division Biology (e.g., Bio 130)

"1 year of English Composition..." 1 year of English Composition (Eng 1A and Eng 20) 1 semester of Oral Communication (ComS 4) 12 units of Social/Behavioral Sciences, including: 1 semester of Psychology (Psych 1-Area D-1) 1 semester of Cultural Anthropology (Anth 2-Area D-1) 1 semester of Economics (Econ 1A-Area D-1) 12 units of Arts and Humanities, including: 1 English Literature Course (Area C-4) 1 semester of Multicultural Studies (HRS 161-Area C-2 or Ethnic Studies 100-Area D2) 1 year of Spanish or other non-English language (e.g., Span 1A and 1B)

If I took all of the preceding course what more would I need to complete a B.A. degree with a major in Biology or Chemistry (Biochemistry)? Biology Bio 160 Bio 121 Bio 102 or 103 (upper division plant course) 1 UD Bio unit (if a 3 unit UD Bio elective was selected) Remaining GE Might need 1 more UD unit to total 40 UD units Additional units to total 120 units Note: Chem 31 = minor Biochemistry Chem 31 Chem 160A and 160B (instead of Chem 161) Chem 162 Chem 164 Chem 142 Remaining GE Might need 1 more UD unit to total 40 UD units Additional units to total 120 units

Standardized Applications and Standardized Tests

Are there Magic Formulae? Admission to Medical School = GPA > 3.7 + MCAT total >30 + research experience + health related volunteer experience + membership/office in a student organization Rejection = GPA < 3.5 + MCAT < 24 + C in Organic Chemistry + no research experience + no health related volunteer experience + no membership/office in a student organization

NO

Context of Scholastic Record Parental income and education Pre-college education (geographic location, high school performance record, access to college prep/AP curricula, etc.) Hours/week worked/extracurricular activities Cultural/language barriers Pattern/trend of performance (progression or regression) “rigor” of curriculum (e.g., unit load, combination of courses) Other circumstances/hardships

Quality, Depth, Pattern, and Duration of Involvement in Activities Extent of involvement in each activity Showing up Leadership Advocacy Innovation Legacy (did you have a lasting impact) Track record of involvement demonstrating genuine interest in and commitment to the type of activity (e.g., research, helping others, community involvement, volunteering, working in health care settings, serving in leadership roles, serving as a role model), rather than just a list of different activities you think you are supposed to do.

“FIT” with the Health Professional School’s Specific Mission Each Health Professional School has a unique character and mission; Admission Committees are looking for applicants whose skills, personal qualities, values and interests are consistent with the School’s mission; Admission Committees are looking for applicants who will benefit from and contribute to the unique character of their school; An applicant who is a top candidate for one school may be an unacceptable candidate for another school of the same type.

Examples of Different Medical School Mission Statements The Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science is a private not-for-profit university with a distinct mission “To conduct medical education and research in the context of service to a defined population so as to train persons to provide care with excellence and compassion to this and other underserved communities”.  The University is dedicated to education, research and service to improve the health and quality of life of medically underserved, economically disadvantaged, racially, ethnically and linguistically diverse populations.

"Loma Linda University," Loma Linda University, A Seventh-day Adventist Christian health sciences institution, seeks to further the healing and teaching ministry of Jesus Christ “to make man whole” by: Educating ethical and proficient Christial health professionals and scholars through instruction, example, and the pursuit of truth. . . The University encourages personal and professional growth through integrated development of the intellectual, physical, social, and spiritual dimensions of each member of the university community and those we serve. The mission of Stanford University’s Keck School of Medicine is “To educate future physicians and foster their capacity to make discoveries and lead innovations in the science and practice of medicine.

"The College of Osteopathic Medicine..." The College of Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan State University is dedicated to assist in meeting the ever-growing public demand for physicians who can provide comprehensive and continuing care to all members of the family.  While the educational programs of the College is geared to the training of primary care physicians, the curricula are also designed to meet the continuing need for medical specialists and teacher-investigators. At Des Moines University, the mission of the College of Osteopathic Medicine, first and foremost is to train competent physicians.  More than any other influence, our osteopathic heritage defines how we teach medicine.  From the beginning of our education program, basic sciences and clinical medicine are taught as they relate to a person’s overall health.  More important, our osteopathic philosophy determines how students view patients and treat their health problems.

How do “THEY” learn about “YOU”: Steps in the Admissions Process Preliminary Screening Factual information you provide with your initial application (e.g., grades, test scores, employment history, extracurricular activities, your educational history, parental educational level and occupation, etc.); The “Personal Statement you provide with your initial application (VERY IMPORTANT!!) This is primarily a “quantitative” review, though educational context, activities, and “fit” are given consideration. Your application may be rejected at this point or held for additional review (supplemental materials are requested)

"Secondary/Supplemental Screening" Secondary/Supplemental Screening YOUR responses to additional school specific questions (note: you MUST be sure to read the school’s mission and learn about the program BEFORE answering the questions); Letters of recommendation from individuals and/or pre-health committees (more on this later) Note:  In this part of the application, they are looking for “fit”, leadership, creativity, communication skills, and other personal qualities.  This evaluation is qualitative and subjective, and will determine whether or not you are invited to interview.

More on Letters of Recommendation Most Health Professional Schools require either three separate letters of recommendation or a Pre-Health Committee letter. Some Health Professional Schools (e.g., Osteopathic Medicine and Physician Assistant Programs) require that at least one letter come from a graduate of that type of Health Professional School. You should put a lot of care into selecting references (and members of your committee).  In fact, you should disucss this with your advisor BEFORE asking anyone to write a letter or serve as a member of your pre-health committee.

More on Letters of Recommendation Individual references and/or the Committee must be able to address the full set of skills, character traits, and attitudes that the health professional schools are looking for. At CSUS, YOU actually can have an advantage over students attending UC’s where there are large classes and where faculty do not usually teach labs or otherwise engage in activities with undergraduate students.  However, you need to take advantage of this potential advantage.

"If the school you are..." If the school you are applying to requires or prefers a “committee” letter, you should work with an advisor to identify: At least 3 non-committee members who will write letters to the pre-health Committee on your behalf; Three CSUS faculty members who will serve as the pre-Health Committee It takes a LONG time to get a Committee together, and at least 3 WEEKS must be allowed between the time the Committee meets with you and the due date for the letter. It may take as long as 2-3 months from the time you meet with an advisor about the need for a committee to get the letters from non-committee members, have an interview, and have the letter sent.

"You should meet personally with..." You should meet personally with each person you ask to write a letter or serve on a committee; Individuals and Committees writing letters should be provided with: A copy of your personal statement A copy of your application materials A resume Any form provided by the school (with your name typed in, as well as the reference’s name, address, etc., also typed in, and completion of the “waiver” section) STAMPED, ADDRESSED envelopes.

The Interview: What are they Looking For? Is the person who showed up, the poerson who wrote the application? Did the letters of recommendation represent the person fairly (i.e., is what they said consistent with what the interviewer sees)? If a research activity was mentioned, was it a meaningful activity, and do you really know your “stuff”? Do you have interests outside of school (like in the real world)?

The Interview: What are they Looking For? Do you know about THEIR particular school, and how you could benefit from and contribute to the program? Do you really have a visioin of what you will be like as a health professional? Do you have any characteristics that might cause them to question your appropriateness.

LAST STEP PACK YOUR BAGS AND WALK THROUGH THE UNLOCKED DOOR INTO A CAREER AS A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL