PreMedLife Magazine - March/April 2020 by PreMedLife Magazine

The Magazine For Pre-Medical Students

March/April 2020

the postbac issue

WHAT I WISH I’D KNOWN

POSTBACCALAUREATE PREMEDICAL PROGRAMS + Locations. Program Types, and Descriptions.

A PROGRAM THAT WORKS

One school’s plan to create a postbac program that works

PREMEDLIFE.COM

About Postbac Programs From Day One

Follow your calling. The Premedicine and Professional Health Careers program prepares students interested in applying to medical school and other health-related programs. The concentrations are designed for students who have not completed the courses generally required for admission to these schools. All courses offer undergraduate credit.

CONCENTRATIONS • Premedicine

• Preclinical Psychology

• Prenursing

• Prephysical Therapy

• Prephysician Assistant

• Prespeech Pathology

Apply today — sps.northwestern.edu/health • 312-503-2579

PREMEDLIFE March/April 2020

WHAT I’D WISH I KNEW FROM DAY ONE

A POSTBACCALAUREATE PROGRAM THAT WORKS

FROM CORPORATE TO MEDICAL SCHOOL

HERE ARE 5 THINGS I WISH I KNEW ABOUT POSTBAC PREMED PROGRAMS FROM DAY ONE.

ONE SCHOOL’S PLAN TO CREATE A POSTBACCALAUREATE PREMED PROGRAM THAT WORKS

IF YOU’RE IN THE MIDST OF MAKING THE SWITCH TO A CAREER IN HEALTHCARE, YOU MAY BE WONDERING WHERE TO START.

March/April 2020 | PreMedLife Magazine |3

contents

MARCH/APRIL 2020

Thinking about post-bac? This year’s issue provides a list for many programs.

Newsbites

A few news stories in this issue: Medical students can learn to take better patient notes; A new, interactive game is giving medical students the skills they need to become collaborative; During medical school training, students may struggle with the idea of failing.

40 The Goods

In this issue: Pep Talk Postcard Books, your personal peptalk kit to make it easy to brighten people’s day; Little Patient, a cute gift for a pre-pre-med student; Magnetic Notebook has pages that can be removed, organized, shared, and reattached;

I Would Tell My Younger Self...

WHAT’S INSIDE...

2020 Guide to Postbaccalaureate Premed Programs

Last year, there were 53,371 applicants to medical schools across the U.S. and close to one quarter of entering medical students complete a post-baccalaureate pre-medical program to gain admission. Here’s a list of several post-baccalaureate pre-medical programs across the country.

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Regardless of the many issues at play, there is no denying that gaining accepting into medical school brings a level of attention to successful premeds. Here are a few pieces of advice:

WE SEE MORE THAN A GRADUATE STUDENT WE SEE THE FUTURE OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE

MHS in Biomedical Sciences MS in Molecular and Cell Biology

• Prepare for what's next-whether you're planning on medical school, advanced study in the field or a laboratory career • Train in laboratory operations and techniques, clinical research methods and diagnostic testing • Benefit from expert mentoring and guidance on medical school preparation Learn more at qu.edu/grad

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graduate@qu.edu

Digital

MARCH/APRIL 2020

Navigating the Transition from High School to Pre-Med

istockphoto/xx

Going from high school to college is traditionally one of the most challenging obstacles that students must overcome as they enter their post-secondary education plans.

What’s on Premedlife.com Find a Dumbledore

Prove Doubters Wrong

I’ve Got Options

Most people walk into college with a vague sense of what they want to do. Thankfully, you’re a Pre-Med, so you have a general sense of the path you need to take.

There are people around you that either directly or indirectly doubt that you will ever achieve this goal and think that you will fall short of your goal.

A couple nights ago, I sat in my dorm thinking to myself, “Should I be a doctor? Medical school is not only extremely expensive and difficult. Are there any other options?”

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S:7.75"

MOVING MEDICINE FORWARD, ONE INNOVATIVE MIND AT A TIME. THAT’S THE ARMY DIFFERENCE.

S:10.25"

The U.S. Army health care team recruits the brightest students to shape the future of medicine. Through the Health Professions Scholarship Program, we engage the best pre-med students in the nation. If you qualify, not only will the HPSP cover tuition at a medical school of your choice and provide a monthly stipend to help with expenses, but you may be eligible for a signing bonus. That’s the Army difference. Learn more about the Health Professions Scholarship Program at goarmy.com/hpsp

From the

Publisher

IF NOT NOW, WHEN? “Keep going, no matter what.” - Reginald F. Lewis It has been a pretty busy start to the year for us here at PreMedLife and we are sure are readers are just as busy. As things continue rolling ahead after the start of the new year,

it can seem like as you check items off the to-do list another task is waiting in the queue. During times like these, it is very important to take some time to simply be still. And, while the act of doing nothing will be a real struggle for some of us, it will allow for space to appreciate the present – even if it’s just for a moment. Focusing on this very moment – while it may be extremely difficult – can be an easy way to mentally hit the reset button. I challenge you to take each moment as it comes and not focus on spending your precious energy on events that are beyond your control, past or future. With all that premeds are tasked, feelings of overwhelm can unfortunately become the norm. The journey you are on should not be a blur as you are swept up into the many activities of your daily life, but one in which every moment you decide how you’ll feel. So, let’s together make a commitment to take each moment as it comes and gain strength to move forward one step at a time. -Tasheema P.

Tasheema Prince Tasheema Prince Publisher @PrinceSheem tprince@premedlife.com

PREMEDLIFE the lifestyle magazine for premedical students www.premedlife.com

Founder & Publisher | Tasheema Prince VP, Development| Monique Terc Contributing Editor | Njeri McKenzie Online Marketing Consultant | Portia Chu Find us on Twitter @premedlife Find us on Facebook.com/premedlife Here’s How to Reach Us: Kisho Media, LLC P.O. Box 10572 Rockville, MD 20849 Main (646) 571-8035 Have a Story Idea? Email us at editor@premedlife.com Want to Subscribe? Visit www.premedlife.com and sign-up to our mailing list to receive an email when the latest issue is available online Want to Join Forces? (a.k.a. Partner With Us) Email us at info@premedlife.com Advertising Inquiries? Email advertise@premedlife.com PreMedLife magazine is published six times per year by Kisho Media, LLC. and copies are provided to select colleges and universities free of charge. The information in PreMedLife magazine is believed to be accurate, but in some instances, may represent opinion or judgment. Consult your pre-medical/pre-health advisor with any questions you may have about the medical school admissions process and related topics. Unless otherwise noted, all articles, photographs, artwork, and images may not be duplicated or reprinted without express written permission from Kisho Media, LLC. PreMedLife magazine and Kisho Media, LLC. are not liable for typographical or production errors or the accuracy of information provided by advertisers. PreMedLife magazine reserves the right to refuse any advertising. All inquires may be sent to: Kisho Media, LLC. P.O. Box 10572 Rockville, MD 20849 To reach us by phone call (646) 571-8035 or email us at info@premedlife.com.

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NEWSBITES

Game Time

PA T I E N T C A R E

istockphoto/ dusanpetkovic

Medical students can learn to take better patient notes early on, according to a study published in Teaching and Learning in Medicine. The study, conducted by researchers from Hofstra University’s School of Medicine and Stony Brook School of Medicine, sought to examine whether a program to teach students how to write a patient note could fill a curricular gap in formal clinical documentation instruction.

istockphoto/ Cameravit

Notetaking Skills

MENTAL

Failing Thoughts During medical school training, students may struggle with the idea of failing and welcome opportunities to talk about their experiences with navigation perceptions of failure. This is according to a study published in the journal Medical Education. The study, which involved a small study group (12 students) who shared their perceptions and experiences of failure during their medical school training.

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>>>

A new, interactive game is giving new medical students the skills they need to become collaborative future physicians. The game part of a study and was first demoed by incoming medical students at the Thomas Jefferson University’s Sidney Kimmel Medical School as part of their orientation training. The game, which is based on a picture book called “Zoom,” can be played with up to 30 payers who are tasked with organizing a set of images, each of which shows a “zoomed out” section from a previous image, into the correct order within a 30 minute timeframe. For the study, which involved 260 first-year medical students in the graduating class of 2020, students were randomly assigned to 11 teams, with each team having 2 faculty members who acted as facilitators. Findings revealed that the game strongly encouraged friendly interactions, mutual respect, confidence, and trust among the players. “By engaging first-year medical students in the Zoom game, we were able to highlight the aspects of teamwork necessary among the students to succeed as collaborative and supportive future physicians” the study authors wrote. “Further studies on the Zoom game exercise would be essential to determine whether it can have a continuous and lasting effect on instilling team-building qualities among medical students.” The findings from the study were published Cureus.

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MEDICAL SCHOOL NEWS

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Premedical requirements have roots in the Flexner Report (1910) and not changed since the 1970s. The recommendations in the Flexner Report came after a response to the poor state of medical education in the U.S. In an recent editorial published in the Annals of Clinical Psychiatry, Dr. Donald Black, of the University of Iowa College of Medicine, points out that “medical school requirements have not changed, and many college students who intent to apply for medical school continue to major in chemistry, biology, and other health-related subjects, but few major in the humanities. In the piece, Dr. Black highlights thoughts of physician and essayist Lewis Thomas, who stated that “perhaps the most important qualities that are often missed by admissions are those such as ‘tenacity and resolve,’ innate capacity for understanding human beings,’ and ‘affection for the human condition.’ To that point, Dr Black added the qualities of curiosity, good native intelligence, common sense, and a stable personality. He goes on to point out that the science that he has used during his psychiatric practice is knowledge learned in either medical school or residency training, including biochemistry, genetics, and statistics. “The relevant science knowledge that helps me function as a psychiatrist was not what I learned in college. In fact, the most relevant skills to my work are those I learned in high school or before: reading and writing, basic arithmetic, and public speaking.

INTERVIEW

Bias Interviews Medical school interviewees may experience bias, according to a study published in the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved. The study, conducted at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, found that one in five medical school interviewees reported experiencing bias. In addition, applicants of Latinx ethnicity had a higher likelihood of reporting discrimination on the interview trail indicated that they had reported the incident to the medical school where they had this experience. “It should not be surprising that applicants report experiencing bias during medical school interviews,” the authors wrote. “Implicit bias is pervasive, and the culture of medicine is not immune.” The researchers proposed repeating a survey of interview bias with a broader group to help further inform the underlying basis of this phenomenon and that reducing bias in the admissions process is important.

istockphoto/ Alessandro Biascioli

Rethinking Flexner

Phones Hinder Skills The level of smartphone use may have an effect on communications skills among nursing and medical school students, according to a study published in the Journal of Nursing Research. The study, conducted by researchers in Turkey, was designed to determine the level of smartphone addition among nursing and medical school students and to examine the effect of smartphone additional level on communication. Data from over 500 students were collected using various tools, including the Smartphone Additional Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV) and the Communication Skills Assessment Scale. The findings revealed that higher SAS-SV scores have a negative impact on interpersonal communication and social life and reduces learning efficacy in students. “Students and lecturers should be better informed regarding the benefits and risks of smartphone use in education, with precautions provided against excessive and needless use,” the study author’s concluded.

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Getting In WHAT I’D WISH I KNOWN ABOUT POSTBAC PROGRAMS FROM DAY ONE.

BEING A PREMED ISN’T EASY AND YOU’LL ENCOUNTER MANY OBSTACLES ALONG THE WAY. I believe that the incredible feeling of accomplishing your goal of being admitted into medical school and pursuing a career in medicine make the harder parts of the journey worthwhile. That having been said, there are a few things I wish I’d known when I was first starting out. Here, I’ll share what I believe are five things postbac premeds need to know:

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Self motivation is key. To be a successful premed, the ability to motivate your self is very important. After all, most postbac premeds are typically not following a traditional path to medical school. You will definitely need to tap into your mental and emotional energy to maintain the stamina to get going and keep going during the academic program. If you need a way to effectively create a way to motivate yourself, set clear goals. Spend the time to really define what your goals are and what is motivating you as a premed student. >>>

March/April 2020 | PreMedLife Magazine |15

If you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop thinking about it...

...donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop working for it. www.premedlife.com

Getting In Be specific. For example, are you motivated because you want to follow in your parents’ footsteps? Or is your goal to practice in an underserved area? There isn’t a right or wrong answer here, just be truthful with yourself about what motivates you as a premed. By defining and setting straightforward goals, you will always have something to keep you inspired. On those days when your self motivation is hard to tap into, these goals can function as your guide to keep you on the path forward.

Know your ‘why.’ You really have to know why you are pursuing a career in medicine, and it can’t just be because you are following in your parents footsteps. You really need to have a reason beyond what others want you to do with your life that pushes you to get going every day. Becoming a doctor is hard, and lots of tough tasks will make you want to call it quits. You need to have a reason for hanging in there this is much bigger than the challenges and obstacles you will face on a daily basis.

Find a mentor. To be honest, when I first began my premed journey, I did not have a mentor. Looking back now, if I had proper guidance, I could have avoided many missteps and reached success in several areas far sooner. Seeking out mentorship of a successful medical student or practicing physician can help you put things into perspective and gain clarity on how to take the next steps along your journey. They have a wealth of experience, and as such, they can provide practical wisdom that can help you along the way. It is no question that they have been through periods of time when there were highs and lows, and can give you advice or point you to resources that can help you avoid pitfalls along the way. Nowadays, I try to be the mentor I wish I would have had to premed students who reach out to me. I get to see firsthand how fast they develop skills with the right guidance. It is almost like they are playing the game Chutes and Ladders and get a card to takes them up rather down.

Leverage your experiences. If you are pursuing a career as a doctor later in life you have years of life experience to tap into. Perhaps you’ve had some time to explore other career paths, or studied sub-

Perfection is not the goal. As a premed student, you are kind of signing up for a tough time, taking on an experience that seems to be different for everyone in some way or another. It is important to not expect everything to go smoothly. If you are naturally a perfectionist, put that to the side because the odds are, you are most likely going to be disappointed time and time again. There will be challenges and adverse moments, and you will most likely make a mistake, or two or three, or more. I ask that you take your mistakes in pride and this is something that, while it may sound simple, even simple reminders to do so would have made a big difference. If there comes a time when that negative self talk kicks in after a mishap, try to use these moments as lessons, moving forward knowing that from this mistake, you are stronger, wiser, and more confident than before. But remember, if you don’t make the same mistake twice, that is considered progress.

Learn how to say no. If you have a tendency to try to please everybody all the time and not say no to things people ask of you, this is a sure way to set yourself up for failure. It can be hard to say no, but it is generally better in the long run. ject areas outside of the sciences, but whatever it is, your passion and focus is more hone than it ever was in your 20s. Simply put: Your know-how is invaluable. Real world experiences comes with true lessons not taught in the classroom -- something the younger premed cannot draw upon. The good news of being a non-traditional premed is that post baccalaureate programs value a student’s experiences. Most of the programs you will be applying to will be looking for candidates with diverse backgrounds to put together a well-rounded class.

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Establish your support system. One of the hardest lessons for me to learn -- but one that changed my journey profoundly -- was the importance of asking for and receiving help. Simply put, students, and people in general who are comfortable asking for and receiving help -- whether from a family member, professor, peer, or mentor -- experience greater success and feel more connected and confident overall. Never be afraid to ask for help. When you are responsible for your actions and decision to make it through your courses and get into medical school, you are bound to make mistakes. You must never be afraid to recognize your mistakes and address them. A mistake or misstep that you are able to address right away will allow you to minimize the impact it has on your journey and will prepare you to deal with such obstacles in the future. With that said, if you run into a challenge and are unsure of how to overcome and move forward, you must not be hesitant to seek help from those around you who may have the relevant experience to address the issue you may be having. Learn how to say no. If you have a tendency to try to please everybody all the time and not say no to things people ask of you, this is a sure way to set yourself up for failure. While it may feel good to say yes and get a sense of gratification, if you say yes too much, it can be draining. If you are a ‘yes’ person, you are most likely agreeing to take on way too many commitments. It can be hard to say no, but is generally the better thing to do in the long run. Not only does it show integrity, but it will allow you to conserve your time on activities that are not advancing you on your journey. Learn from your mistakes. “Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor,” Truman Capote once wrote. As a premed, the more you find yourself venturing out of your comfort zone, the more likely you are to make mistakes. If you want to be successful as a student, you cant let adversity break you down. Rather than seeing missteps as the end all be all, can you change your thinking to reframe the story that you tell yourself and see such challenge as an opportunity to grow? Ultimately, failures can give us our biggest lessons. After all, what feels like failure today could in fact be teaching you a lesson that will help you doge a much bigger failure later on down the line. Don’t focus on perfection, focus on making progress. You’ll become a successful premed far faster if you learn from your mistakes. p.

MACHINES DO NOT LISTEN.

I DO.

Before you talk to a doctor, choose one trained to listen. Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine practice their distinct philosophy in every medical specialty. A DO is trained to first consider the person within the patient.

Learn more at DoctorsThatDO.org

Getting In

One Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Plan to Create a Postbaccalaurate Pre-medical Program

That Works.

istockphoto/ emrahkarakoc

A growing number of premed students are turning to post-baccalaureate programs to gain admission to medical school. This issue is dedicated to those taking this path to pursue a career in medicine. >>>

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Increasing the pool of students interested in pursuing a career in medicine is an important goal for the health care system and workforce. This medical school is poised to provide a blueprint for the development and implementation of an effective medical school pre-entry program. Designing an effective program to increase acceptance into medical school among previously unsuccessful attempts can be a daunting challenge for schools. With over 50,000 applicants to medical school, there is a great need to provide a program for individuals who are not accepted, and an applicant pool that features underrepresented minority students. In the U.S., research profiling successful postbaccalaurate program models is limited and much of the published articles feature accounts of undergraduate enrichment programs which entail various activities like, MCAT preparation, clinical shadowing, and general academic support. Nationwide, there are schools that have found success in the postbaccalaurate program structures, including Wayne State University, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and Michigan State University. Meanwhile, other studies have highlighted the issue of success of postbaccalaurate and other special-admission students. In one case, a study conducted at Jefferson Medical College found that “although students coming in with postbaccalaurate experiences had lower GPAs and MCAT scores, they were generally successful during their medical school careers. Following these findings and the outcomes from additional programs, many have started recommending that postbaccalaurate students bring a diverse experiences and are generally more mature than applicant coming directly from undergraduate programs be given favorable consideration and treatment during the medical school admissions process. Of course, the search for a framework and model for effective postbaccalaurate program continues. An evolving approach is being implemented by the University of California School of Medicine through its Postbaccalaureate Reapplicant Program, a program that focuses on reapplicant students who are likely to return to communities that are considered medically underserved or who are educationally or financially disadvantaged. Today, the program has a matriculation rate over 80%. For prospective students curious about what a postbaccalaurate program like UC Davis’ looks for, there are a number of factors that come into play. Beyond grades and MCAT scores, here are a few factors taken into consideration: MOTIVATION. The ability to determine motivation – a key factor of medical student success – can be extremely dif-

There is a great need to provide a postbac program for individuals who are not accepted and an applicant pool that features underrepresented students.

answers they are looking for about motivation, they are assessing several factors: What motivates the candidate? What is the school and work environment they find motivation? For the most part, admission committees want to hear those motivational cues that tell them the medical school candidate is about helping others, collaborating with peers, and doing their best to succeed. Another key to tuning into a candidate’s motivation may actually be discovering what drives a student’s self-motivation. Motivation is a key characteristic of any successful physician, regardless of which path in medicine they choose. For postbaccalaurate candidates, an abundance of motivation can really mean a lot to medical schools. In the end, admissions committees are always inspired by candidates who possess a strong degree of motivation. Use storytelling to explain your motivation and aptitude for medical school. ACCOUNTABILITY. When you are a non-traditional premedical student, there is no better thing to do than to take responsibility for the things that have brought you to the place you are in your life One of the key traits of a successful individual, regardless of career choice, is the ability to admit wrong or misstep. When applicants are self-effacing and open about their missteps, how they have dealt with and recover from them, admission committee members see an individual who is mature and has grown from an obstacle, like a low MCAT score or grade in a particular course. Non-traditional pre-medical students should embrace transparency when it comes to discussing their past experiences with admissions committees. Being accountable is a courageous thing and it is a quality that the most successful medical students and physicians possess. DESIRE TO SERVE UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. For certain post-baccalaureate pre-medical programs, it is important for candidates to show a strong interest for one day practicing medicine in a medically underserved community. This trait goes beyond the general question: why do you want to become a doctor? For some pre-meds, speaking to what makes them passionate about pursuing a career in medicine is a struggle. Pre-meds need to be doing things in medicine that will “fill them up” to really be satisfied with their careers. Having a strong desire to served in underserved communities can be the difference between struggling to get out of bed in the morning and being truly excited to get going for the day. p.

ficult. When admission committees consider the

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A CHART DOESNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T EMPATHIZE.

I DO.

Before reading a chart or lab report, a DO sees a human being. Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine practice their distinct philosophy in every medical specialty. A DO first considers the person within the patient.

Learn more at DoctorsThatDO.org

Premedlife

POSTBAC

From Corporate to Medical School by Carleen Eaton, MD

f you’re in the midst of a career in business, education, or another field, but are contemplating making the switch to medicine, you may be wondering where to start. Like any premed, you’ll be taking rigorous science courses, gaining clinical experience and gearing up for the MCAT. But as someone already established in another field, you’ll also be confronting additional challenges relating to everything from going back to school to finding a new peer group. Below are some thoughts and tips to help you make your dream of a career as a physician into a reality.

Making sure medicine is the right move

Whether you’re just a couple of years or much further into your current profession, the most important initial task is to confirm that becoming a physician is truly what you want to do. Giving up your job or making other major life changes too quickly is a pitfall to avoid. So, start slowly, explore your budding interest in medicine thoroughly, and then ramp up the pace if you decide that medicine is the best career for you.

If you’re coming from a non-science field, you’ll likely have very few of the prerequisite math and science courses completed. Although science requirements may vary from school to school, they are typically as follows: two semesters of general biology with laboratory; two semesters of general chemistry with laboratory; two semesters of organic chemistry with laboratory; two semesters of physics with laboratory; one or two semesters of college mathematics; and two semester of biochemistry.

>>>

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istockphoto / © Rawpixel Ltd

Trying out science coursework

March/April 2016 | PreMedLife Magazine |33

Premedlife

POSTBAC

Science coursework takes a different skill set than social sciences and humanities, so even if you were a star in those classes, getting used to science classes may take some time. Therefore, consider starting with one or two science classes to see how you adjust, instead of jumping in immediately with a full load. Note that medical schools prefer that prerequisites be taken at a four-year college or university rather than a community college. Also, avoid online coursework as some medical schools do not accept online classes to fulfill prerequisites. Keep in mind that if you do eventually decide to enter a career-changer post-baccalaureate premedical program, some programs have limits on how many sciences courses you can have completed and still be eligible for admission. If you’re considering doing a structured program, investigate their requirements and don’t go over the limit, which can be as low as one or two classes.

physicians as they allow participants to rotate through multiple departments in the hospital and often include physician shadowing opportunities. Community clinics catering to underserved patients are another excellent place to seek out clinical exposure.

Gaining clinical experience

Stepping up the pace - or not

An important aspect of preparation for medical school is gaining experience in clinical environments. Seek out both physician shadowing experiences, which allow you to see medicine from the perspective of a physician, as well as hands-on experiences interacting with patients by volunteering in a hospital or clinic. Some hospitals offer volunteer programs geared specifically to premedical students. These are ideal for aspiring

Finding a peer group

Traditional premedical students have a built-in group of peers to study with, exchange tips about applying, and for support. As a career changer, you may have to work a little harder to find such a group, especially if you’re not part of a structured post-baccalaureate program. Although many of your fellow premedical students may be younger than you, try to look past the differences in age and experiences and focus on the common goal you share of becoming a physician. You can also find support through organizations and forums for nontraditional premeds such as the National Society for Nontraditional Premedical & Medical Students, Inc.

Once you’ve confirmed that you’re going to make the switch, you’ll face the decision to continue your current career while taking a couple of courses at a time and volunteering a few hours a week, or to dedicate yourself to these endeavors full time. The route you take will depend on how many courses you need to take, the flexibility of your work, and financial and

personal considerations. For example, one teacher and aspiring physician switched to a part-time position to free up time to take more science classes, while a former lawyer left his job to return to school and work as an emergency room scribe. Carefully investigate the various options to see which works best for you as there is no “right” approach for everyone.

Final thoughts

Transitioning from another career to medicine can be both exciting and daunting. Good planning, careful thought, and a methodical approach are essential to overcoming the challenges, but the reward is a career that can be deeply satisfying. As you wade into the premedical world, remember that although you may face some obstacles as a nontraditional applicant, you’ll also be bringing maturity, experience, and professionalism that will help you succeed as a future physician. p ABOUT THE AUTHOR Carleen Eaton, MD is the founder of prehealthadvising.com, which provides personalized advising to applicants to medical school and other health professions programs. Dr. Eaton is a graduate of the UCLA School of Medicine and the author of Getting into Medical School for Dummies, part of the popular Dummies series.

PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT

Tulane University School of Medicine Masters of Science in Medical Genetics and Genomics On the most significant part of an application... We truly try to be holistic in our admissions process and we read every letter of recommendation and every personal statement. So I would say the personal statement – that is really the only thing you have control over by this point.

On pitfalls applicants should be careful to avoid... As a post-bac program we know many of our applicants had applied to medical school and did not get in, but please give us the courtesy of slightly editing your medical school application personal statement to reflect why you are interested in our particular program.

On something seen on an application that they hope to never see again... I didn’t need to know that the applicant had a job as a “bikini barista”– “barista” would have sufficed. Sharing too much information may indicate a lack of judgment.

On applicant’s personal and academic qualities... Of course we want students with good GPAs and MCAT or GRE scores, but we also are looking for students who seem to be independent, mature, caring. We look for volunteer experience and consider other life experiences.

On common mistakes that hurt acceptance... Getting a letter of recommendation from someone whose class they did not do well in, someone who doesn’t know them very well or someone whose lab they dropped out of.

On what makes this program unique... Our program is unique in that it is one of the only ones (if not the only one) whose concentration is Medical Genetics and Genomics – a field of study that is becoming increasingly important in all fields of medicine. Our program allows the students shadowing experience.

As personalized medicine becomes the future of medicine, our students will be ahead of the pack in whatever field of health care they may chose. Many students from our program have gone onto medical or osteopath schools and have done well, but we also have graduates going to dental school, PhD programs, genetics counseling programs and biotech companies.

“Don’t forget the joy of learning while you go through this process.”

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The Post-Baccalaureate Issue

2020 guide to

POSTBACCALAUREATE PREMEDICAL PROGRAMS

Last year, there were 53,371 applicants to medical schools across the U.S. and close to one quarter of entering medical students completed a post-baccalaureate pre-medical program to gain admission. The following is a list of several post-baccalaureate pre-medical programs across the country: EXAMPLE Post-Baccalaureate Program Name College/University | City, State Website: www.premedlife.com Program Type: The type of program or student focus (i.e. Career changer; Academic Enhancement; Underrepresented students; Economically or educational disadvantaged students. Description: Provides a brief description about the program and any unique features or opportunities available to students enrolled in the program.

ALABAMA Master of Science Biomedical and Health Science University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL Website: www.uab.edu/msbhs Program Type: Academic record enhancement (applicants must have taken the MCAT and complete prerequisite courses) Description: This 11-month master’s program is designed to enhance a students admissions value into medical, dental, optometry, physician assistant, physical therapy, occupational therapy or other health science professional schools. Students complete specific courses according to a planned and structured program of study. The program also aims to help students improve PCAT, MCAT, DAT and OAT scores.

ARIZONA Master of Science in the Science of Health Care Delivery Arizona State University | Phoenix, AZ Website: chs.asu.edu/programs/science-health-care-delivery-0 Program Type: Academic record enhancement Description: The MS program in the science of health care delivery focuses on the study and design of systems, processes, leadership and management used to optimize health care delivery and health for all. This degree program provides students with knowledge and competencies to contribute in a patient-centered, safe and cost-effective health care system, and is designed for individuals with an interest in a career in the health care industry. Students can earn a BS in Science of Health Care Delivery and MS in Science of Health Care Delivery quicker through a new 4+1 accelerated degree program. ASU also offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year and accelerated 7.5 week classes. Master of Arts in Biomedical Science, Master of Biomedical Sciences Midwestern University | Glendale, AZ Website: www.midwestern.edu/az-biomed Program Type: Academic record enhancement Description: This one- and two-year program is designed to educate and prepare students in the biomedical sciences to be competitive applicants for careers in a wide range of health-related fields, as well as for additional academic and professional training. Ninety percent of the graduating in the class of 2016 were accepted into a medical, dental, Ph.D, or a physician assistant program.

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Pathway Scholars Program The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix | Phoenix, AZ Website: www.phoenixmed.arizona.edu/pathway Program Type: Career-changer; Socioeconomically disadvantaged Description: The Pathway Scholars Program (PSP) is for Arizona residents who desire to pursue a career in medicine. The program is designed for students who have experienced unique or greater than average challenges in preparing to become competitive medical school applicants. The purpose of this program is to prepare students — who possess qualities that would make them superb physicians, but lack the refined skills necessary — to succeed in medical school. The program incorporates academic support, clinical experience, leadership development and modified medical school coursework to equip students with the skill set necessary to thrive in the College of Medicine – Phoenix curriculum. Upon successful completion of the PSP, students will be granted a Graduate Certificate in “Professional Studies in Health Sciences” and, if the student has met set milestones and competencies, will matriculate into the College of Medicine – Phoenix.

CALIFORNIA Pre-Health Postbaccalaureate Program California State University, Fullerton | Fullerton, CA Website: extension.fullerton.edu/HealthProfessions/home.aspx Program Type: Career-changer; Academic Finisher Description: The goal of the Pre-Health Professions Postbaccalaureate Program is to prepare students to be competitive applicants for medical, dental, veterinary, optometry, PA and pharmacy professional school. The program provides the required and recommended course work for post-baccalaureate students from non-science majors. The program is based on a cohort structure and is designed to be completed in 5 semesters. There is also a program for students who have taken some science courses but still need to complete at least 20 credit of upper division courses. Student may also complete the program on a part-time basis with a tailored part-time course schedule. The program has MD linkage programs with three medical schools and one DO school. Pre-Health Professions (PHP) Program California State University San Marcos | San Marcos, CA Website: www.csusm.edu/el/certificateprograms/healthhs/prehealthprof Program Type: Career-changer Description: Designed to provide a student with the Science and Math courses they need to prepare for entrance into various Health Professions programs. This program is designed to prepare students who have completed a non-life science degree in areas such as Anthropology or English to gain the knowledge base required to become competitive applicants to health professional schools such as dental school, medical school or veterinary school. Classes are held weekday evenings over five semesters.

Pre-Professional Health Academic Certificate California State University, East Bay | Hayward, CA Website: www.ce.csueastbay.edu/ce/programs/pre-professional-health Program Type: Career-changer; Academic record enhancement Description: Designed to provide you with the competitive advantage to enter into health professional schools and, ultimately, a career in the health care industry. The program includes two different tracks, depending on your academic background: Graduates holding a bachelor’s degree in a non-science field who have no professional background in the sciences and those with a bachelor’s degree in a science who wish to improve their GPA for admission to medical schools. Pre-Health Post Baccalaureate Program Chapman University | Orange, CA Website: xx Program Type: xx Description: xx Enhanced Post Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Pre-Medicine Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science | Los Angeles, CA Website: www.cdrewu.edu/cosh/prog/PBPMProgram Program Type: Career changer; GPA enhancer Description: Designed for exceptional individuals who desire to become physician leaders united in the unique goal affirmed by the University’s mission: dedication to social justice and health equity for underserved populations through outstanding education, research, clinical service and community engagement. The program includes: participation in rigorous academic science courses (including prerequisite and upper division science courses); intensive MCAT preparation, including multiple full-length practice tests and a formal test preparation course; frequent, individualized career and academic advising sessions with clinical and academic faculty; opportunities for longitudinal, hands-on, clinical experience; attendance of local and national health conferences; exposure to successful health professionals; longitudinal Pre-Health Series consisting of interactive workshops designed to equip students with the knowledge, behaviors and skills necessary to become successful applicants, and ultimately, successful medical students and physicians. Post-baccalaureate Premedical Certificate Program (PPC) Keck Graduate Institute | Claremont, CA Website: www.kgi.edu/academic-programs/postbac-premedical-certificate-program-(ppc) Program Type: Academic record enhancement Description: This one-year program is designed to combine the best of an “academic enhancer” (AE) program and a Special Master’s Program (SMP). It is an AE because it provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their ability to succeed in a rigorous graduate environment and to learn unique knowledge and skills from biomedical industry to offer medical schools. It is similar to a SMP in that students have the option to continue towards completing a master’s degree with an additional year. The program is best suited for students who have had some success, but are looking to further improve upon their credentials. Pre-Medical Post-Baccalaureate Program Loyola Marymount University | Los Angeles, CA Website: www.cse.lmu.edu/centerforstudentsuccess/healthprofessionsadvising/pre-medi-

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Program Type: Career changer Description: The program is geared for career changers who are interested in pursuing a career in medicine or dentistry. The program provides an opportunity for students to acquire the academic competencies to prepare themselves for the rigors of medical or dental school. Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Med Program Mills College | Oakland, CA Website: www.mills.edu/academics/graduate/pmc_gr/program/index.php Program Type: Career changer Description: Designed for students with bachelor’s degrees who lack some or all of the basic science courses to pursue study in the fields of allopathic medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, pharmacology, veterinary medicine, or optometry. The program is flexible and can be tailored to fit a student’s specific background in science and mathematics. Linkages with an allopathic medical school and an osteopathic medical school allow some of our select students to start medical school in the fall after completing their studies at Mills, thereby eliminating the application year. Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Med Program San Francisco State University | San Francisco, CA Website: prehealth.sfsu.edu/ Program Type: Career changer; Academic record enhancement Description: This formal post-bac program is designed to prepare students for applying to graduate health professions schools such as medical, dental, and pharmacy schools. The program is split into two tracks: a Career Changer Track (CCT) and an Academic Enhancer Track (AET). The CCT is for those needing to take for the first time prerequisite science and math courses and a limited number of upper-division science electives. The AET is for those who

need to improve their academic record by retaking some prerequisites and upper-division science electives as well as taking for the first time a number of upper-division science electives. Post Baccalaureate Premedical Program Scripps College | Claremont, CA Website: www.scrippscollege.edu/postbac/ Program Type: Career changer Description: Designed to offer motivated women and men the opportunity to complete the requisite science courses to successfully pursue a career in medicine in a thirteen-month program for career changers. Successful applicants to the program have completed college but have never before applied to medical school nor taken the MCAT. While we offer the option of a part-time, 24-month program, most of our students complete the full-time program in thirteen months—saving on tuition and living expenses and ensuring that course material is fresh in their minds when studying for the MCAT. Additionally, Scripps’ linkage programs offer qualified students the opportunity to matriculate into medical school immediately upon completion of the program, and about one-third of our students successfully link to one of our five linkage schools. Post Baccalaureate Health Professions Program UC Berkeley Extension | Berkeley, CA Website: www.scrippscollege.edu/postbac/ Program Type: Career changer Description: This program is developed specifically for college graduates who want to apply to professional schools and need to fulfill prerequisites or raise their undergraduate grade point average before applying. Postbaccalaureate Program UC Davis School of Medicine | Sacramento, CA Website: www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/diversity/postbac.html Program Type: Educationally and/or socio-economically disadvantaged Description: This one-year program designed to help educationally and/ or socio-economically disadvantaged students become more competitive applicants to medical school. The program accepts first-time applicants to medical school and reapplicants. The year-long program has two major components: the summer program and the academic year. During the summer, students prepare for the MCAT by developing test-taking strategies and study skills. During the academic year, students enroll full-time in upper division biological science courses on the UC Davis undergraduate campus. To be eligible for the program students must be a California resident. Room, board and educational expenses are covered for the summer session. Postbaccalaureate Program UC Davis School of Medicine | Sacramento, CA Website: www.meded.uci.edu/admissions/postbaccalaureate.asp Program Type: Disadvantaged applicants Description: The program is designed to assist disadvantaged applicants in gaining acceptance to medical school, with the ultimate goal of increasing the number of physicians in underserved areas. During the academic year, students enroll in upper-division science courses. Students are also enrolled in an MCAT critical reasoning preparation course throughout fall quarter. If needed, students may also participate in research and/or enhance their clinical exposure for academic credit. The program hosts seminars, workshops, motivational gatherings, and professional discussions focusing on health care in underserved populations. Postbaccalaureate Program UC San Diego| La Jolla, CA Website: www.postbacpremed.ucsd.edu/ Program Type: Disadvantaged applicants Description: The program is designed for students who seek to enhance their academic records to apply or reapply to allopathic and osteopathic medical schools. The program is appropriate for both first-time applicants and those who have previously but unsuccessfully applied. Students from underrepresented or socioeconomically disadvantaged populations and students who are interested in providing healthcare to underserved communities are particularly encouraged to apply. The year-long program is designed for participants to work towards establishing a strong GPA in upper division biological science courses, reaffirm knowledge gained in undergraduate science courses prior to the UC San Diego Post Baccalaureate Premedical Program, prepare for the MCAT, and develop strong medical school applications and interview skills. Re-Application Program (RAP) David Geffen School of Medicine| Los Angeles, CA Website: www.medschool.ucla.edu/current-ucla-rap Program Type: Disadvantaged applicants Description: The program is a comprehensive, structured re-application program designed to assist students from disadvantaged backgrounds who have been unsuccessful in gaining admission to any U.S medical school. RAP is an 11-month program that is conducted in two sessions. The summer program begins with an intensive six-week summer session, focused upon prerequisite science review and on MCAT preparation.

Interprofessional Health Post Baccalaureate Certificate Program University of California, San Francisco | San Francisco, CA Website: www.bio.uci.edu/undergraduates/postbacc-premedical-program/ Program Type: Career changer Description: The program is designed for individuals who have been unsuccessful in gaining admission to medical school or who have completed the required undergraduate course work, but feel they need more background before initiating the medical school application process. The program is interested in individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds or underserved communities. The UCSF program is designed to help individuals increase their chances of gaining admission to medical school by offering intensive MCAT review, assistance with medical school application preparation, science courses at UC Berkeley Extension, seminars on health care issues in underserved communities, and academic skills workshops. Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA Website: www.chem.usc.edu/postbacc Program Type: Career changer, Recent graduates Description: The program is designed to enable students who are beyond their undergraduate studies to complete the science core classes required for medical, dental and veterinary school in a supportive environment. The program accommodates both recent graduates and career-changers, and offers academic and pre-professional advisement and mentoring. The program is selective and directed towards accomplished students with little or no college-level science work. Master of Science in Medical Sciences Western University | Pomana, CA Website: www.chem.usc.edu/postbacc Program Type: Career changer, Recent graduates Description: The program is designed to assist individuals from diverse backgrounds in gaining acceptance to professional schools with the ultimate goal of increasing the number of health-professionals in underserved areas.

Colorado Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences Regis University | Denver, CO Website: extension.fullerton.edu/HealthProfessions/home.aspx Program Type: Career-changer Description: The program is a 9-month degree program designed to provide record enhancing post-baccalaureate studies for students who wish to pursue a career in healthcare fields such as medicine (DO, MD, PA) and dentistry. The program provides a team-focused, academically intensive and supportive environment in which to prove readiness for future study. It includes a handson externship component in the Denver healthcare community, culminating in an integrative capstone project. The program includes both day (afternoon) and evening courses. It is possible to work part-time while completing the program; however, it is recommended that students work no more than about 15 hours per week and work hours must be scheduled around coursework activities. Masters of Science Program in Modern Human Anatomy University of Colorado | Aurora, CO 80045 Website: www.ucdenver.edu Program Type: Career-changer Description: This new two-year Master’s program merges the virtual world of advanced imaging and 3-D modeling with the anatomical sciences. The program provides graduate level training and teaching experience in the physical and virtual anatomical sciences. The curriculum integrates 3D computer imaging and modeling with human cadaver dissection, neuroanatomy, histology, and embryology. The curriculum offers a unique perspective into the modern anatomical and educational research and the clinical world that will prepare the student for the technical demands of human anatomy in the 21st Century. Selection of candidates will favor the diversity of talents or backgrounds that are complementary to the intended project focus of this program. Consideration will be given to applicant profiles that promise to strengthen team oriented project development as well as the technical and academic demands of the curriculum. The program is potentially attractive to applicants seeking to strengthen their credentials to enter professional schools in medicine, dentistry, osteopathy, physical therapy, physician assistant, or paramedical training in medicine-associated disciplines.

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to complete the requisite science courses to successfully pursue a career in medicine in a thirteen-month program for career changers. Successful applicants to the program have completed college but have never before applied to medical school nor taken the MCAT. While we offer the option of a part-time, 24-month program, most of our students complete the full-time program in thirteen months—saving on tuition and living expenses and ensuring that course material is fresh in their minds when studying for the MCAT. Additionally, Scripps’ linkage programs offer qualified students the opportunity to matriculate into medical school immediately upon completion of the program, and about one-third of our students successfully link to one of our five linkage schools.

Pre-Health Post Baccalaureate Program Chapman University | Orange, CA Website: xx Program Type: xx Description: xx

Post Baccalaureate Health Professions Program UC Berkeley Extension | Berkeley, CA Website: www.scrippscollege.edu/postbac/ Program Type: Career changer Description: This program is developed specifically for college graduates who want to apply to professional schools and need to fulfill prerequisites or raise their undergraduate grade point average before applying.

Enhanced Post Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Pre-Medicine Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science | Los Angeles, CA Website: www.cdrewu.edu/cosh/prog/PBPMProgram Program Type: Career changer; GPA enhancer Description: Designed for exceptional individuals who desire to become physician leaders united in the unique goal affirmed by the University’s mission: dedication to social justice and health equity for underserved populations through outstanding education, research, clinical service and community engagement. The program includes: participation in rigorous academic science courses (including prerequisite and upper division science courses); intensive MCAT preparation, including multiple full-length practice tests and a formal test preparation course; frequent, individualized career and academic advising sessions with clinical and academic faculty; opportunities for longitudinal, hands-on, clinical experience; attendance of local and national health conferences; exposure to successful health professionals; longitudinal Pre-Health Series consisting of interactive workshops designed to equip students with the knowledge, behaviors and skills necessary to become successful applicants, and ultimately, successful medical students and physicians. Post-baccalaureate Premedical Certificate Program (PPC) Keck Graduate Institute | Claremont, CA Website: www.kgi.edu/academic-programs/postbac-premedical-certificate-program-(ppc) Program Type: Academic record enhancement Description: This one-year program is designed to combine the best of an “academic enhancer” (AE) program and a Special Master’s Program (SMP). It is an AE because it provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their ability to succeed in a rigorous graduate environment and to learn unique knowledge and skills from biomedical industry to offer medical schools. It is similar to a SMP in that students have the option to continue towards completing a master’s degree with an additional year. The program is best suited for students who have had some success, but are looking to further improve upon their credentials. Pre-Medical Post-Baccalaureate Program Loyola Marymount University | Los Angeles, CA Website: www.cse.lmu.edu/centerforstudentsuccess/healthprofessionsadvising/pre-medi-

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Postbaccalaureate Program UC Davis School of Medicine | Sacramento, CA Website: www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/diversity/postbac.html Program Type: Educationally and/or socio-economically disadvantaged Description: This one-year program designed to help educationally and/ or socio-economically disadvantaged students become more competitive applicants to medical school. The program accepts first-time applicants to medical school and reapplicants. The year-long program has two major components: the summer program and the academic year. During the summer, students prepare for the MCAT by developing test-taking strategies and study skills. During the academic year, students enroll full-time in upper division biological science courses on the UC Davis undergraduate campus. To be eligible for the program students must be a California resident. Room, board and educational expenses are covered for the summer session. Postbaccalaureate Program UC Davis School of Medicine | Sacramento, CA Website: www.meded.uci.edu/admissions/postbaccalaureate.asp Program Type: Disadvantaged applicants Description: The program is designed to assist disadvantaged applicants in gaining acceptance to medical school, with the ultimate goal of increasing the number of physicians in underserved areas. During the academic year, students enroll in upper-division science courses. Students are also enrolled in an MCAT critical reasoning preparation course throughout fall quarter. If needed, students may also participate in research and/or enhance their clinical exposure for academic credit. The program hosts seminars, workshops, motivational gatherings, and professional discussions focusing on health care in underserved populations. Postbaccalaureate Program UC San Diego| La Jolla, CA Website: www.postbacpremed.ucsd.edu/ Program Type: Disadvantaged applicants Description: The program is designed for students who seek to enhance their academic records to apply or reapply to allopathic and osteopathic medical schools. The program is appropriate for both first-time applicants and those who have previously but unsuccessfully applied. Students from underrepresented or socioeconomically disadvantaged populations and students who are interested in providing healthcare to underserved communities are particularly encouraged to apply. The year-long program is designed for participants to work towards establishing a strong GPA in upper division biological science courses, reaffirm knowledge gained in undergraduate science courses prior to the UC San Diego Post Baccalaureate Premedical Program, prepare for the MCAT, and develop strong medical school applications and interview skills. Re-Application Program (RAP) David Geffen School of Medicine| Los Angeles, CA Website: www.medschool.ucla.edu/current-ucla-rap Program Type: Disadvantaged applicants Description: The program is a comprehensive, structured re-application program designed to assist students from disadvantaged backgrounds who have been unsuccessful in gaining admission to any U.S medical school. RAP is an 11-month program that is conducted in two sessions. The summer program begins with an intensive six-week summer session, focused upon prerequisite science review and on MCAT preparation. Interprofessional Health Post Baccalaureate Certificate Program University of California, San Francisco | San Francisco, CA Website: www.bio.uci.edu/undergraduates/postbacc-premedical-program/ Program Type: Career changer Description: The program is designed for individuals who have been unsuccessful in gaining admission to medical school or who have completed the required undergraduate course work, but feel they need more background before initiating the medical school application process. The program is interested in individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds or underserved communities. The UCSF program is designed to help individuals increase their chances of gaining admission to medical school by offering intensive MCAT review, assistance with medical school application preparation, science courses at UC Berkeley Extension, seminars on health care issues in underserved communities, and academic skills workshops. Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA

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Website: www.chem.usc.edu/postbacc Program Type: Career changer, Recent graduates Description: The program is designed to enable students who are beyond their undergraduate studies to complete the science core classes required for medical, dental and veterinary school in a supportive environment. The program accommodates both recent graduates and career-changers, and offers academic and pre-professional advisement and mentoring. The program is selective and directed towards accomplished students with little or no college-level science work. Master of Science in Medical Sciences Western University | Pomana, CA Website: www.chem.usc.edu/postbacc Program Type: Career changer, Recent graduates Description: The program is designed to assist individuals from diverse backgrounds in gaining acceptance to professional schools with the ultimate goal of increasing the number of health-professionals in underserved areas.

Colorado Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences Regis University | Denver, CO Website: extension.fullerton.edu/HealthProfessions/home.aspx Program Type: Career-changer Description: The program is a 9-month degree program designed to provide record enhancing post-baccalaureate studies for students who wish to pursue a career in healthcare fields such as medicine (DO, MD, PA) and dentistry. The program provides a team-focused, academically intensive and supportive environment in which to prove readiness for future study. It includes a handson externship component in the Denver healthcare community, culminating in an integrative capstone project. The program includes both day (afternoon) and evening courses. It is possible to work part-time while completing the program; however, it is recommended that students work no more than about 15 hours per week and work hours must be scheduled around coursework activities. Masters of Science Program in Modern Human Anatomy University of Colorado | Aurora, CO Website: www.ucdenver.edu Program Type: Career-changer Description: This new two-year Master’s program merges the virtual world of advanced imaging and 3-D modeling with the anatomical sciences. The program provides graduate level training and teaching experience in the physical and virtual anatomical sciences. The curriculum integrates 3D computer imaging and modeling with human cadaver dissection, neuroanatomy, histology, and embryology. The curriculum offers a unique perspective into the modern anatomical and educational research and the clinical world that will prepare the student for the technical demands of human anatomy in the 21st Century. Selection of candidates will favor the diversity of talents or backgrounds that are complementary to the intended project focus of this program. Consideration will be given to applicant profiles that promise to strengthen team oriented project development as well as the technical and academic demands of the curriculum. The program is potentially attractive to applicants seeking to strengthen their credentials to enter professional schools in medicine, dentistry, osteopathy, physical therapy, physician assistant, or paramedical training in medicine-associated disciplines. Post-Baccalaureate Health Professions Program University of Colorado | Boulder, CO Website: www.ce.colorado.edu/programs/post-baccalaureate-health-professions/ Program Type: Career-changer Description: This program is designed for “career changers” who were academically successful as undergraduates and have completed a bachelor’s degree, but have not completed the prerequisite courses needed to apply to medical and other healthcare-related professional schools. The program is an intensive, yearlong science “bootcamp.” Students begin their coursework in June each year and complete the program in May the following year. SCHOLARSHIP OFFERED

Master’s in Biomedical Science University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO Website: www.unco.edu/nhs/biology/programs/graduate/mbs Program Type: Career-changer Description: This one year post-baccalaureate premedical program is designed to provide academic enhancement for strong students with a background in biology who want to improve their application to a professional or other biomedically-related graduate school. This program recently announced that students now have the option to pursue the Master’s in Biomedical Science degree online. Students who choose the online option will complete 30 credits of graduate level coursework in the biomedical sciences in two semesters, just as in our traditional face-to-face program. Applications for admission are accepted on a rolling basis. UNC offers five $6,000 merit-based, competitive scholarships.

Connecticut Medical Laboratory Sciences Quinnipaic University | Hamden, CT Website: www.qu.edu/schools/health-sciences/programs/mhs-medical-laboratory-sciences.html Program Type: Career-changer, Academic enhancement Description: Students may choose either a thesis or a non-thesis option in the medical laboratory sciences program. Both options require students to take four courses or more in their specialization while allowing students to choose

a number of electives to meet their individual needs. Anyone who holds a baccalaureate degree in the biological, medical or health sciences is eligible to apply for admission if appropriate science courses are satisfied. Medicine and Dental Medicine Post-Baccalaureate Program University of Connecticut | Storrs, CT Website: www.med-dent.postbac.uconn.edu/ Program Type: Career-changer, Academic enhancement Description: The program is designed to prepare students who have completed an undergraduate degree and wish to strengthen their preparation for professional school. The program offers two possible tracks. Program A is a two year program is designed for exceptional non-traditional students who have or will complete the bachelor’s degree in a non-science concentration and who have become interested in pursuing a medical education. Program B is designed for students who have earned the bachelor’s degree and who have completed the majority of math and science course requirements, and who will profit from taking any remaining prerequisite courses and a number of advanced science courses.

District of Columbia Postbaccalaureate Premedical Certificate American University | Washington, DC Website: www.american.edu/cas/premed/CERT-GPMD.cfm Program Type: Career-changer, Academic enhancement Description: The program prepares students to apply to health professional schools or advanced degree programs, including medicine (MD or DO). Current students range from new college graduates to older professionals pursuing a new career path. Each student finishes the program with a composite letter of evaluation, which can be sent to health professional schools along with individual letters of recommendation. In addition to multiple clinical experience options, current post-bacc students transitioning to medical school frequently help new and current students to apply for the positions they are leaving, usually through the Post-Bacc Club at AU. Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medicine Program George Washington University | Washington, DC Website: www.smhs.gwu.edu/postbac-premed/ Program Type: Career-changer Description: This one-year program is designed to provide future physicians with the foundational coursework, standardized test preparation, and access to real-world experience. The program benefits those who want to apply to medical school but have not yet taken the general and organic chemistry, biology, and physics courses necessary for admission. Students will complete the program with the coursework commonly required of U.S. allopathic and osteopathic medical schools, and they will also be well prepared to take the newly revised MCAT2015 through a course offered on-site by Kaplan. They will strengthen their interview skills with the help of faculty involved in the GW medical school admissions process. Graduate Certificate in Anatomical & Translational Sciences (GCATS) George Washington University | Washington, DC Website: www.smhs.gwu.edu/anatomy/education/gcats Program Type: Academic enhancement Description: This is an academic enhancer program that offers a gateway into a career in medicine and health-related fields to first-time applicants and those who have previously but unsuccessfully applied to medical school or a physician assistant program. The program is designed to take 9 months to complete. The program recently established a linkage with the George Washington University Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) program. Georgetown Summer Medical Institute (GSMI) Georgetown University | Washington, DC Website: www.som.georgetown.edu/prospectivestudents/specialprograms/summer Program Type: Career changer Description: This program is designed to provide excellent preparation and insight for individuals exploring the calling of medicine as a career, and those making-up medical school courses. All GSMI courses are taught by dedicated, internationally recognized professors from Georgetown University School of Medicine. The program is designed for college undergraduates, post-bacc graduates, and current medical school students. SCHOLARSHIP OFFERED

Special Master’s Program in Physiology Georgetown University | Washington, DC Website: www.smp.georgetown.edu/ Program Type: Academic enhancer Description: This program is tailored to college graduates who wish to strengthen their credentials for application to U.S. medical schools. Students take medical classes along side the medical students, and are graded directly against them. Scholarship opportunities (up to 20% of tuition costs) are available for eligible students participating in the program. Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Certificate Program Georgetown University | Washington, DC Website: www. premed.georgetown.edu/postbac Program Type: Career changer Description: The program is designed for “career change” students. Most of the program’s post-bac students come from non-science majors and/or careers. The program typically looks for students who have completed fewer than half of the undergraduate requirements for medical school.

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Premedical Post-Baccalaureate Undergraduate Certificate American University | Washington, DC Website: www.pcs.udel.edu/pre-med/ american.edu/cas/premed/CERT-GPMD.cfm Program Type: Career-changer, Academic enhancement Description: This program is designed to help provide a path of entry into a challenging and rewarding new career. Key features of the certificate program include: Personalized advisement and academic support; Translational research opportunities, practica and internships; Exceptional interdisciplinary laboratory facilities and outstanding faculty. The program is designed to help those with a non-science related bachelor’s degree to prepare for medical school or other professional schools like dentistry, physician assistant, physical therapy, pharmacy, veterinary medicine and more. Students work closely with UD’s Center for Premedical and Health Profession Studies to develop an individualized program of study that addresses requirements for admission into professional schools in their desired field. Earning the certificate is meant to enhance students’ standing as an applicant to a health care professional school based on the high quality of work accomplished throughout the program.

Florida Premedical Post-Baccalaureate Undergraduate Certificate Barry University | Hollywood, FL Website: www.barry.edu/biomedical-sciences/ Program Type: Academic enhancement Description: The program prepares students who wish to advance as health care professionals or biomedical scientists. The curriculum serves to strengthen a student’s application for medical, dental or other professional health education by delivering a sequence of core science courses similar to the first-year of a medical, dental, or podiatric curriculum. The program is designed to provide motivated students with an intensive and unique learning experience. If students decide not to continue their education to earn a medical or dental degree, they can work in the healthcare industry or teach at a 4-year college with a graduate degree in biomedical sciences. The program offers three tracks: 12-month Track designed for students who have already completed their undergraduate pre-med/ pre-dental preparation and want to enhance their qualifications for entrance into medical or dental school. The 18-month/2-year Tracks are also designed to prepare you for acceptance to medical and dental schools but at a slightly less rigorous pace than the 12-month program. The Research Track is designed for students who are currently employed in the healthcare industry who seek advancement in their chosen field, those who wish to “cross-over” into the biomedical fields in industry or teaching, and those who are preparing for PhD programs, particularly in the biomedical field. The Research track is a 2 year program. Post-Baccalaureate Medical Pathway Program Florida Atlantic University | Baca Raton, FL Website: www.science.fau.edu/student_services/pre_health/certificate_program.php Program Type: Career changer Description: This “career changer” certificate track is designed for students who have not completed all of the undergraduate medical school pre-requisite courses. Students enrolled in the program are provided with tutoring resources on campus, early registration, Financial Aid funding (if available), one-on-one professional and academic advising, and access to the Pre-health advising resources. The Career Enhancer track is no longer being offered. Certificate in Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Florida International University | Miami, FL Website: medicine.fiu.edu/academics/degrees-and-programs/certificate-in-molecu-

lar-and-biomedical-sciences/index.html

Program Type: Career changer, Academic enrichment Description: The program is designed to provide academic enhancement and professional development to applicants to health-related professional degree programs. The graduate certificate program strengthens the biomedical knowledge and professionalism skills of applicants, improving their qualifications for application to medical school or other health-related professional degree programs. The program comprises eight graduate-level courses. Master’s Bridge Program Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL Website: medicine.fiu.edu/academics/degrees-and-programs/certificate-in-molecu-

lar-and-biomedical-sciences/index.html

Program Type: Career changer, Academic enrichment Description: The Bridge to Clinical Medicine major of the M.S. Program in Biomedical Sciences is designed to expand the pool of successful medical school applicants from medically underserved, rural, and inner-city communities. It is a 12-month program that provides both education in medical knowledge and experiences in clinical practice. The Bridge to Clinical Medicine M.S. major provides disadvantaged students with a bridge to medical school or a career in healthcare. Students admitted to the Bridge to Clinical Medicine major will be enrolled in two courses with medical students in the medical degree curriculum. Students will be selected for the Bridge Program from the regular Florida State University College of Medicine (FSU COM) admissions cycle. Students from medically underrepresented, rural and inner-city populations who do not gain direct admission to the medical school may be invited to participate. This three-semester experience will allow selected students to demonstrate growth and improvement in both academic and health-care settings.

Masters of Biomedical Sciences Larkin University | Miami, FL Website: ularkin.org/college-of-biomedical-sciences/ Program Type: Career changer, Academic enrichment Description: The program was designed with the Pre-medical and Pre-dental applicants in mind. The curriculum contains coursework similar to that experienced in the first year of medical or dental school. Located in a hospital setting with direct access to residents, MDs, DOs and DDSs; students will experience hands-on training in real life scenarios. Pre-Health Post-Baccalaureate Program (PHPB) University of Florida | Gainesville, FL Website: www.clas.ufl.edu/prehealthpostbac/ Program Type: Career changer Description: This program is designed to offer dedicated and motivated students an opportunity to complete academic pre-requisite courses for admission to medical school or dental school. The program offers two tracks: Career Changer Program offers pre-health students an opportunity to take academic pre-requisite courses for admission to medical school, dental school, and other health professional graduate programs. This program is specifically for students who did not take science pre-requisite courses as undergraduates (maximum of two completed). The ReStart Program offers pre-health students who earned a non-science bachelor’s degree an opportunity to take academic pre-requisite courses for admission to medical school or dental school. This track is specifically for students who began taking science pre-requisite courses (generally 1-3 courses) as an undergraduate and experienced academic difficulty. Pre-Health Post-Baccalaureate Program University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL Website: www.prehealth.miami.edu/pre-health-tracks/post-baccalaureate Program Type: Career changer Description: This program is is specifically designed for career changers, not for science or academic enhancement. The program is tailored for students with little or no science preparation, and the coursework takes approximately one to one and-a-half calendar years to complete. This non-degree certificate program for college graduates who seek admission to a health professional program such as medicine (allopathic or osteopathic), dentistry, podiatry, optometry or veterinary medicine. Master of Science in Medical Sciences University of South Florida | Tampa, FL Website: www.health.usf.edu/medicine/graduatestudies/ Program Type: Career changer Description: The program offers two curriculum tracks: one track is the medical, which is designed to assist students who are seeking admission in a health professional school (e.g., M.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.V.M., D.P.T., and Pharm.D. programs) and the second is the research track which is designed for students who want to pursue a career in research, or enter into a biomedical sciences Ph.D. program. There are two programs in the medical track. These programs in Medical Sciences, within the Morsani College of Medicine, have been developed to provide a novel interdisciplinary and concentrated program of study that is designed for students interested in either future doctoral or professional programs in the biomedical sciences and who value the interdisciplinary approach. The pre-professional program integrates several disciplines and topics including the subject areas of anatomy, biochemistry, genetics, histology, microbiology, neuroscience, pathology, pharmacology and physiology. These medically-oriented subject areas have been integrated to provide a solid foundation in the medical sciences. The rigorous program is designed to allow students to demonstrate their full academic ability and suitability for future careers in healthcare in either academic or clinical environments. The interdisciplinary nature of the program promotes a broad intellectual focus that is required of current and future health-care professionals. Master of Science in Medical Sciences University of South Florida | Tampa, FL Website: www.health.usf.edu/medicine/mdprogram/diversity/ims Program Type: Career changer Description: The program is designed to provide qualified students with advanced training in the sciences basic to the practice of medicine. A goal of this concentration is to provide promising medical school applicants an opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that would enable them to have a career in the medical sciences. A goal of this concentration is to provide promising medical school applicants an opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that would enable them to have a career in the medical sciences. IMS participants are no longer offered conditional admission to USF MCOM MD program.

Georgia Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program Agnes Scott College | Decatur, GA Website: www.agnesscott.edu/post-bacc Program Type: Career changer, Late starter Description: The program is open to highly motivated men and women with successful undergraduate academic careers in non-science fields. The post-baccalaureate pre-med cohorts are a mix of new graduates and seasoned career professionals. The program has admitted attorneys, individuals with doctorates, ordained ministers, public health professionals and several recent graduates with majors that span the social sciences and humanities. The 13-month program—the only one offered in Georgia—features comprehensive studies in pre-medical laboratory sciences available through our undergraduate departments. The program does feature linkage agreements.

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SCHOLARSHIP OFFERED

Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences Mercer University School of Medicine | Macon, GA Website: www.medicine.mercer.edu/admissions/biomed Program Type: Strengthen medical school application Description: This program is a research-intensive, thesis-based graduate program designed to prepare students for employment in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries; healthcare; teaching; and for further postgraduate studies at the doctoral level in medicine (MD, DO), dental medicine (DMD), or in basic and applied/translational research (PhD). Students who remain in good standing are eligible for a full tuition scholarship for 55 credit hours of the 75 credit hour total of the MSBMS Program and a substantial Graduate Research Fellowship for the final four semesters (Spring-Summer-Fall-Spring) of the MSBMS Program. Master of Science in Preclinical Sciences Mercer University School of Medicine | Macon, GA Website: www.medicine.mercer.edu/admissions/biomed Program Type: Strengthen application Description: The Master of Science in Preclinical Sciences (MSPCS) Program is a one-year (32-week) curriculum composed of 31 credit hours of science courses addressing concepts that are foundational to the practice of medicine and to research in the biomedical field. The two main goals of the MSPCS are to prepare graduates for careers in science teaching, academic laboratory research, publishing or policy-making, and to enhance the scientific knowledge of graduates who desire to pursue a Ph.D. in the biomedical sciences, a medical degree through either a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) program, or other degrees in healthcare, such as in Pharmacy, Physician Assistant, or Dentistry.

Iowa Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences Iowa State University | Ames, IA Website: www.vetmed.iastate.edu/bms/academics/one-year-masters Program Type: Strengthen application Description: This is a one-year, non-thesis Master of Science program; students continue higher education courses to prepare for careers in the academia, research, or the biotech, pharma and healthcare industries. Graduates of the program may attend professional schools or continue studying in a PhD program. The core curriculum includes study of both human and animal sciences in 30 credit hours of graduate-level coursework. This program is designed to expand upon undergraduate coursework in the science fields. The entire curriculum is designed to be completed in just one year, beginning only in the fall semester and ending with a final oral examination of the creative component in the spring semester.

Illinois Post Baccalaureate Premedical Program Dominican University | River Forest, IL Website: www.vetmed.iastate.edu/bms/academics/one-year-masters Program Type: Career changer; Strengthen Application Description: This program is designed as an academic bridge for students who have completed a bachelor’s degree and who intend to pursue a degree in the medical sciences including but not limited to: MD, DO, PhD, OD, DMD, DVM, DC, MA, and MS. The program is appropriate both for students who have never before taken introductory natural science courses (career-changers) and for students who need to improve their grades in the science pre-requisites before applying to a professional program (career enhancers). Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Health Program DePaul University | Chicago, IL Website: www.csh.depaul.edu/academics/pre-health-program/post-baccalaureate Program Type: Career changer; Strengthen Application Description: The post-baccalaureate (post-bac) program is flexible and allows students who might be working full-time or part-time to complete the courses (offered during the day, Monday through Friday) on a part-time basis at their own pace. Benefits of the program include but are not limited to: rolling admission; completion of courses on a part-time basis if needed, and free tutoring. ONLINE COURSES OFFERED

Master of Science in Biology for the Health Professions Illinois Institute of Technology | Chicago, IL Website: science.iit.edu/programs/graduate/master-science-biology-health-professions Program Type: Strengthen Application Description: The program is designed to strengthen you as an applicant for professional health schools, including medicine, dentistry, optometry, and pharmacy. This 12-month, non-thesis program accepts Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), Dental Admissions Test (DAT), or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for admission. Students may earn the degree on campus or online, part-time or full-time. If students wish to obtain hands-on laboratory experience, you may choose lab classes as electives. MS in Infectious Disease Loyola University | Chicago, IL Website: ssom.luc.edu/indiri/graduate-program/overview/ Program Type: Career changer; Strengthen Application Description: This is a two year, full time program that includes courses the first year and research the second year. Some of the first year courses are taken with medical students as well.

Medical/Dental Education Preparatory Program (MEDPREP) Southern Illinois University School of Medicine | Carbondale, IL Website: www.siumed.edu/medprep/ Program Type: Educationally and/or economically disadvantaged Description: MEDPREP provides assistance to educationally and/or economically disadvantaged students, preparing them to achieve success in the health professions. The program operates on a year-round basis, beginning in June of each year. Students complete the program in five semesters (summer, fall and spring in their first year; fall and spring in their second year). Three program options are available: Traditional program: Students enroll as undergraduate post-baccalaureate students. The traditional option focuses on academic skill development. The second options is the Masters in Public Health with Concentration in MEDPREP: MP/MPH students complete many of the MEDPREP courses offered in the traditional program, and simultaneously complete graduate level coursework to complete the MPH degree in two years. The third option is the Masters in Biological Sciences with Concentration in MEDPREP. MP/MBS students complete many of the MEDPREP courses offered in the traditional program, and simultaneously complete graduate level coursework to complete the MBS degree in two years. Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science | North Chicago, IL Website: www.rosalindfranklin.edu/academics/college-of-health-professions/ degree-programs/biomedical-sciences-ms/ Program Type: Educationally and/or economically disadvantaged Description: This one-year course of study includes a number of graduate-level courses in the basic medical sciences and the choice of educational concentrations in a variety of healthcare fields. Students in this unique program take classes with students in other degree programs, including various graduate programs, allopathic and podiatric medicine, nutrition, physical therapy, and physician assistant studies. Students who are actively enrolled in BMS course work and meet the requirements of other RFU programs will be granted an interview providing they remain actively enrolled in BMS at the time of the interview. SCHOLARSHIP OFFERED

Master of Arts in Medical Sciences Loyola University | Chicago, IL Website: www.luc.edu/biology/mams/ Program Type: Strengthen application Description: The Master of Arts in Medical Sciences program prepares students who aspire to become compassionate, culturally-competent physicians, to build a compelling medical school application. All students are expected to apply to medical school following the MAMS program. Some student apply immediately after the MAMS program, some apply after a year-long internship following MAMS. A guaranteed admission interview will be granted, after degree conferred, at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. A limited number of full-tuition scholarships are available for students enrolled in the MA in Medical Sciences program. Pre-Medicine Certificate Program Northwestern University | Chicago, IL Website: www.luc.edu/biology/mams/ Program Type: Career changer; Late starter Description: The program admits post-baccalaureate students seeking the laboratory science courses in biology, general and organic chemistry and physics required for the application to most medical, dental, veterinary, and related professional schools. This program is designed for career changers and students who have not completed the coursework needed to apply to medical school. Advanced Studies in Biology for the Health Professions Northwestern University | Chicago, IL Website: sps.northwestern.edu/program-areas/post-baccalaureate/advanced-biolo-

gy-health-professions

Program Type: Strengthen application Description: The program draws students from a wide range of backgrounds who are interested in careers in medicine, physical therapy, physician assistant studies or other health careers. Students complete four to eight advanced undergraduate courses in biology to help them prepare for professional programs. Pre-Medical Studies Program Lewis University | Romeoville, IL Website: www.luc.edu/biology/mams/ Program Type: Career changer; Late starter Description: This program serves as a springboard not only for those looking at the MCAT exam and Medical School, but those looking to enter any higher-level health profession education fields, including Physical Therapy, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry and more. This program is offered at a discounted tuition rate for adult learners. Students who aspire to enter medical school or pursue graduate-level education in the health sciences may complete a certificate program in lieu of the Bachelor of Arts with 32 semester hours of advisor-approved coursework from major-level offerings in the departments of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Master of Arts in Biomedical Science Midwestern University | Downers Grove, IL Website: www.midwestern.edu/programs_and_admission/il_master_of_ arts_in_biomedical_sciences.html Program Type: Career changer; Late starter Description: The Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences (M.A.) degree is a fulltime, three-quarter, graduate level, coursework only program. This program is designed to help students with a bachelor’s degree, preferably with a major

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in the sciences, improve their academic foundation in the biomedical sciences and enhance their credentials for admission into medical school or other health professional program. Biotechnology Master’s Degree Program Rush University | Chicago, IL Website: www.rushu.rush.edu/graduate-college/academic-programs/biotechnology-mas-

ter%E2%80%99s-degree-program

Program Type: Career changer; Late starter Description: This accelerated full-time Master of Science in Biotechnology program will provide you with excellent training for your future career in biomedical or medical sciences. The biotechnology courses in this nine-month program are designed for discovery. They range from core biomedical science classes, laboratory practica and experimental design to communications and biomedical research strategies. Biotechnology program students also participate in Interprofessional Education though a University course.

Indiana Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (BMS) Marian University | Indianapolis, IN Website: www.marian.edu/osteopathic-medical-school/curriculum/master-of-sci-

ence-in-biomedical-sciences

Program Type: Strengthen application Description: This two-track program offers individuals an opportunity to enhance their application through graduate science courses similar to the first year of medical school. It also provides an opportunity for those interested in pursuing a career in the life/biomedical sciences or research laboratories to complete the entire two-year program to earn a master’s degree in biomedical sciences. Students are guaranteed interview to MU-COM during the spring if they earn a 3.50 GPA in the fall semester. The Biomedical Sciences program offers students two tracks. For those interested in pursuing a professional degree by enhancing your application there is a Medical School Track. This track provides students with an opportunity to complete 21 credit hours at a level similar to the first year of medical school. Master of Science in Medical Science (MSMS) Program Indiana University | Indianapolis, IN Website: www.msms.medicine.iu.edu/overview/ Program Type: Students from disadvantaged backgrounds Description: The program is designed to enhance the preparation and confidence of its students to be successful in a medical curriculum. Students aspiring to careers in medicine at times require additional skill-building experience and an enhanced knowledge of learning strategies. This opportunity is only for students from especially disadvantaged backgrounds. The program is a two-year program that includes 36 credit hours of course work at the graduate level that includes experiences in didactic instruction, problem-based learning and research. M.S. Pre-Professional Degree Program Indiana University | Indianapolis, IN Website: www.physiology.medicine.iu.edu/graduate-programs/master-of-science/ Program Type: Strengthen application; Academic enhancement Description: This one-year, non-thesis degree program is specifically designed for graduates with B.S. degrees who wish to improve their academic credentials and their chances of successful admission to medical and other professional schools.

Kansas Post Baccalaureate Program University of Kansas | Kansas City, KS Website: www.kumc.edu/school-of-medicine/office-of-diversity-and-inclusion/student-pro-

grams-/post-baccalaureate-program.html

Program Type: Strengthen application Description: This 13-month structured academic program is designed to strengthen the biological and social sciences foundation for students preparing for careers in medicine. This is a conditional admission program; as a result of the successful completion of the program with a 3.25 G.P.A., each participant will matriculate into the University of Kansas School of Medicine the following fall.

Kentucky Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Med Program University of Louisville | Louisville, KY Website: louisville.edu/medicine/degrees/postbacpremed Program Type: Career changer; Late starter Description: This two year pre-med preparation program specifically designed for career changers with a bachelor’s degree who desire to become a physician but lack the pre-med course work and preparation for medical school admission. The program seeks applicants with minimal pre-med level science courses completed in biology, chemistry and physics. Each student has a program plan tailor made just for them. Students attend school either on a part-time or full-time basis. Students may work while in the program and must maintain a minimum of six credit hours per semester (summer courses are optional). Most classes are available morning, afternoon and evening during the week.

Louisiana Masters Program in Pharmacology Tulane University School of Medicine | New Orleans, LA Website: www2.tulane.edu/som/departments/pharmacology/masters Program Type: Strengthen application Description: This one year post-baccalaureate program leads to the MS degree in Pharmacology. The program is designed for those interested in improving their credentials to gain admission to a medical or dental school. Class size is maintained at less than 35 to create a more personal connection between students & faculty. Masters Program in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Tulane University School of Medicine | New Orleans, LA Website: www2.tulane.edu/som/departments/biochemistry/education/ masters-program-2012.cfm Program Type: Strengthen application Description: This two-semester graduate program designed to enrich and improve credentials of graduates to apply for admission to medical, dental or other healthcare-related profession programs. The program is primarily designed to enrich and improve academic credentials of graduates. Our distinctive program emphasizes student development in four areas (coursework, experiential learning, presentation skills, and personal growth), and allows students to broaden and strengthen their academic foundation for further intellectual development, such as gaining entrance into medical-, dental- or health profession-related schools. Masters in Physiology Tulane University School of Medicine | New Orleans, LA Website: www2.tulane.edu/som/departments/physiology/graduateprogram/ program-info-2014/physiology-masters.cfm Program Type: Strengthen application Description: This program is designed to provide advanced training and understanding of the functions of the body, and to serve as the foundation for the study of medicine. Successful completion of this one-year program will increase your competitiveness for medical schools or equivalent professional programs. The program includes Advanced Medical Physiology, Neurophysiology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Translational Physiology. The program is open for applications all year around. In addition to our main curriculum, for those students also desiring some exposure to clinical medicine, the M.S. Program will facilitate voluntary participation in several clinics. Students who would like to volunteer and gain research experience, clinical experience, or shadow a doctor, the MS program will facilitate students working in a clinic focusing on providing basic healthcare to veterans. Students can participate in research, grant writing, protocol creation, and in the clinic. Masters in Cell and Molecular Biology Tulane University School of Medicine | New Orleans, LA Website: www2.tulane.edu/sse/cell/academics/graduate/masters/about.cfm Program Type: Strengthen application Description: This one-year program is designed to enhance the competitiveness of students applying to postgraduate professional schools, especially Medical and Dental School, but also Veterinary School, Optometry School, Business School, Law School, and Ph.D. programs. The program cultivates communication skills through student presentations in research seminars and Journal Clubs. Master of Science in Biological Sciences Louisiana State University Shreveport | Shreveport, LA Website: www.lsus.edu/academics/graduate-studies/graduate-programs/ master-of-science-in-biological-sciences Program Type: Career changer; Late starter Description: The thesis option offers a basic science approach to the study of any one of the following concentrations: cellular and molecular biology, field and organismal biology, environmental biology, and computational biology. The non-thesis health sciences concentration is available for those students who desire a non-thesis option as a means of preparing for a profession in the health sciences. A health sciences concentration is available for those students who desire non-thesis option as a means of preparing for a profession in the health sciences.

Massachusetts Postbaccalaureate Premedical Certificate University of Massachusetts | Dartmouth, MA Website: www.umassd.edu/premed/pre-healthprofessionscertificate/ Program Type: Career-changer, Late starter Description: This program is designed for any student who already has completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution but needs to complete the professional program undergraduate requirements before applying to the allied health program of their choice. Postbaccalaureate Pre-Medical Program Mount Holyoke College | South Hadley, MA Website: www.mtholyoke.edu/professional-graduate/postbac-premed Program Type: Career-changer, Late starter Description: The program is open to women and men preparing for medical school. Our students have earned a B.A. from an accredited college and need further undergraduate work to meet program prerequisites.

Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program Elms College | Chicopee, MA Website: www.mtholyoke.edu/professional-graduate/postbac-premed Program Type: Career-changer, Late starter, Strengthen application Description: The program offers pre-PA, pre-pharmacy, pre-veterinarian, pre-chiropractic, pre-dental, pre-physical therapy, pre-occupational therapy, pre-anesthesiologist assistant, and more. Tuition includes 50% subsidization of MCAT (or PCAT, OAT, DAT or GRE) prep course. Highly diverse and international student body representing all states in the U.S. and U.S. territories (such as Guam and Puerto Rico), and countries around the world, including Brazil, Portugal, Turkey, China, Japan, Korea, Nigeria, Ghana, Angola, Spain, Iraq, Poland, and many others. Students work with the premed advisor to develop their program — all programs are individualized for the specific student’s needs and the programs to which they are applying. Students who have already taken premedical prerequisite courses in chemistry can usually earn their certificates in 1 academic year (2 semesters). Students who have not taken prerequisites in chemistry or sufficient biology courses can usually finish the program in 2 academic years (4 semesters). Master of Medical Sciences in Immunology Harvard Medical School | Boston, MA Website: mmscimmunology.hms.harvard.edu/ Program Type: Career-changer, Late starter Description: The mission of the HMS Master of Medical Sciences in Immunology (MMSc IMM) is to provide a solid, instructional and research-based foundation in both Basic and Clinical Immunology. This program will serve the needs of students with a strong undergraduate biology background with an interest in medicine and seeking deeper knowledge of Immunology. The HMS MMSc Imm is a two-year program with two primary goals: To give students a solid foundation in Basic and Clinical Immunology in order to better understand how a new revolution is currently occurring in the treatment of numerous diseases and conditions including immunodeficiencies, allergies, chronic inflammatory diseases, transplantation and cancer. To provide students with comprehensive tools and protected time to engage in mentored research on important issues in either Basic or Clinical Immunology depending on their inclinations. This will entail working with leading Harvard faculty and will culminate in a Master’s thesis. Premedical Program Harvard Extension School | Boston, MA Website: www.extension.harvard.edu/academics/premedical-program Program Type: Career-changer, Late starter Description: The program is designed to prepare for medical or dental school through the postbaccalaureate Premedical Program at Harvard Extension School. Whether you are changing fields and need to complete all prerequisite coursework, or you are looking to strengthen your academic record, you’ll find a rigorous experience with the opportunity to earn sponsorship in this selective program. As a premedical candidate in the program, students have the opportunity to secure a composite letter of recommendation for your medical school or dental school application through sponsorship. The composite letter of recommendation is a narrative highlighting a student’s overall academic and personal strengths. Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Pre-Medical Studies Boston University | Boston, MA Website: www.bu.edu/met/programs/undergraduate/pre-medical-studies-post-baccalaureate-certificate/ Program Type: Career-changer, Late starter Description: This certificate program permits those with bachelor’s degrees to pursue the course requirements for admission to medical school and other health career programs. Metropolitan College has an open-enrollment policy, which means that you can register for classes without being in a certificate program or matriculating into a degree program. However, you cannot take courses during the day unless you are a degree student or enrolled in the Pre-Medical Studies certificate program. M.S. in Medical Sciences Program Boston University | Boston, MA Website: www.bumc.bu.edu/gms/masters-in-medical-sciences/ Program Type: Career-changer, Late starter Description: The mission of the MS in Medical Sciences (MAMS) Program is to prepare students for a career in medicine by providing an academic environment that fosters integrity, collaboration, professionalism, cultural competence and lifelong learning. The curriculum in the M.S. in Medical Sciences (MAMS) Program is closely aligned with the first year medical curriculum at Boston University School of Medicine and several courses, including the required Biochemistry and Cell Biology (BI 751) and Medical Physiology ( PH 730/731) courses which have identical content. Other graduate level courses allow students to explore additional areas of medicine and biomedical research. Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program Brandeis University | Waltham, MA Website: www.bumc.bu.edu/gms/masters-in-medical-sciences/ Program Type: Career-changer, Late starter Description: This program is designed for career-changers and recent college graduates who would like to take the necessary pre-requisites for medical school and other health professions programs such as dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, or podiatry. Career Changer Track: A two-year course of study for students with no science background, this track starts in the fall semester and allows students to complete all necessary prerequisites for medical school/other health professions programs. Finisher Track: A special 15-month program that offers non-science majors a pathway to complete medical/health professions school prerequisites, starting

with Organic Chemistry in the summer, then integrating into the second year of the postbac program. Students in the career-changer track are eligible for consideration for our linkage with The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Online Prerequisites for the Health Professions Massachusetts General Hospital Institute | Chicopee, MA Website: www.mtholyoke.edu/professional-graduate/postbac-premed Program Type: Career-changer, Late starter, Strengthen application Description: The program provides students with the content and preparation students need to succeed in graduate school. Courses are taught by practicing clinicians and researchers, and examples are drawn from health care. All science courses can be taken with with or without a lab. Post-Baccalaureate in Pre-Medical Program Northeastern University | Boston, MA Website: www.cps.neu.edu/degree-programs/undergraduate/bachelors-degrees/post-baccalaureate-pre-medical.php Program Type: Strengthen application Description: The program is designed for students who already hold an undergraduate degree in a science discipline and are interested in pursuing a career in medicine. Enabling students to enhance your existing academic record by completing pre-medical courses, this innovative program prepares you to successfully apply to a medical, dental, osteopathic, nursing, or other program to prepare for a career in a health professions field. Designed for students who require all or most of the basic pre-medical courses, this program offers one-on-one advising, tutoring, success coaching, and other academic support services. Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program Tufts University | Medford, MA Website: as.tufts.edu/postbacpremed/ Program Type: Career changer; Late starter Description: The program is designed for students who did not intend to pursue a career in health care as undergraduates, and who now wish to take pre-health coursework for the first time. The Tufts program is uniquely positioned to accommodate a variety of health-related career goals. Students work with a health professions advisor to develop an individualized program of study chosen from a wide range of course offerings. This flexibility allows our students to pursue careers in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, osteopathic medicine, optometry, podiatry, or as a physician assistant or nurse practitioner. Masters in Biomedical Sciences Tufts University School of Medicine | Medford, MA Website: publichealth.tufts.edu/Academics/MBS-Microsite Program Type: Strengthen application; Academic enhancement Description: The majority of courses in this full-time program are identical to our first-year medical curriculum, and exams are held at the same times. The difference is MBS classes are smaller, allowing for more individualized instruction. The program also offers unique courses in computer-based anatomy, basic human pathology, and clinical medicine, and the introductory course in clinical medicine gives students early exposure to patient care. Post-Baccalaureate Program Worcester State University | Worcester, MA Website: publichealth.tufts.edu/Academics/MBS-Microsite Program Type: Career changer; Academic enhancement Description: This program is expected to meet the needs of students interested in medical, dental, and veterinary school as well as those interested in pharmacy, physician’s assistant, physical therapy, and optometry programs. Each student’s history is evaluated and appropriate courses are advised based upon his/her specific needs. Students have access to Worcester State’s Pre-Medical and Health Professions Advisory Committee and, if necessary for a program, the recommendation letter process. This program is part-time and classes are offered primarily in the evening. It is designed for students who need the basic science curriculum either as new courses (career changers) or as repeat attempts (GPA enhancement).

Maryland Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD Website: krieger.jhu.edu/postbac/ Program Type: Career-changer, Late starter Description: This program is designed to meet the needs of talented individuals from a multiplicity of backgrounds, this program is right for students that have compiled an excellent academic record in college, have taken no or few premed courses, never applied to medical school or taken the MCAT, are committed to serving others, and have the ultimate goal of entering the medical profession. Full-time study is required for at least one academic year; most students finish the program in 9 to 14 months. This highly selective program emphasizes personal attention and academic preparation for the best medical schools. If students wish to accelerate their enrollment in medical school, skipping the glide year altogether, there are options to do so via “linkage” arrangements with several outstanding medical schools. MCAT preparation is included as part of the post-bac program.

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Post-Baccalaureate Premed Program Goucher College | Baltimore, MD Website: www.goucher.edu/graduate-programs/post-baccalaureate-premed-program Program Type: Career-changer, Late starter Description: The program is designed for students who have not previously taken the science classes required for admission to medical school. Occasionally, the program admits students who have taken one or two of the science prerequisites. This program is designed for students to learn alongside other like-minded students, in small classes focused on the distinctive needs of post-baccalaureate premedical students. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the many opportunities for practical experience available in the Baltimore area and the linkages Goucher has developed with prominent medical schools. And in one year, students will earn a certificate by completing the courses necessary to pursue a career in medicine. Classes are small— typically 32 post-bacc students in the lecture part of class, 16 in each lab—and have been designed with the particular needs of post-bac students in mind. The program offers workshops, speakers, and panels throughout the year addressing various aspects of applying to medical school and working in the profession. Science in the Evening (SIE) University of Maryland | Baltimore, MD Website: oes.umd.edu/graduates-post-baccalaureates-professionals/post-baccalaure-

ate-programs/science-evening

Program Type: Career-changer, Late starter Description: This non-degree, post-baccalaureate program provides the pre-requisite coursework needed to apply to most medical, dental, and veterinary schools or biotechnology/biosciences graduate programs. With SIE, students acquire knowledge of the basic foundational curriculum in biology, chemistry, and physics needed for any life sciences career. SIE prepares students who have little or no background in science to succeed with key concepts, outstanding faculty, rigorous academics, and exceptional advising. Accommodating busy schedules, Science in the Evening is offered at convenient evening meeting times at the College Park campus. Courses meet face to face in campus classrooms during UMD’s fall and spring semesters. Master of Health Science (MHS) Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health | Baltimore, MD Website: oes.umd.edu/graduates-post-baccalaureates-professionals/post-baccalaure-

ate-programs/science-evening

Program Type: Career-changer, Late starter Description: The Master of Health Science (MHS) degree program is designed for students interested in graduate-level preparation for careers in medicine, public health, and related health sciences. Our MHS students pursue advanced graduate work, a career in medicine, or positions in industry or public health. The MHS program is completed in one academic year (late August through mid May). The program’s flexible curriculum allows opportunity to take courses throughout the Bloomberg School of Public Health. Post-Bacc Health Science Intensive Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts & Sciences | Baltimore, MD Website: oes.umd.edu/graduates-post-baccalaureates-professionals/post-baccalaure-

ate-programs/science-evening

Program Type: Career-changer, Late starter Description: The Johns Hopkins University Post-Baccalaureate Health Science Intensive Program is a unique concentration in the MS in Biotechnology program. In one-year as a full-time student, you will be immersed in an innovative 360° curriculum specifically created to help students like you who want to build a more competitive medical school application. This 360° curriculum includes the traditional advanced science academic coursework necessary to bolster a students academic record for a successful medical school application (knowledge) along with the practical skills (tools) necessary to use them in the field (application) as well as the advice and mentoring necessary to be successful (support). This unique approach is designed to help students prepare simultaneously for application to medical school and success in medical school while concurrently earning a Master of Science in Biotechnology degree from Johns Hopkins University.

Maine Certificate in Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Studies University of Southern Maine | Portland, ME Website: oes.umd.edu/graduates-post-baccalaureates-professionals/post-baccalaure-

ate-programs/science-evening

Program Type: Career-changer, Late starter Description: This certificate program is designed for students who have already graduated from college with a baccalaureate degree and who seek to fulfill the science course requirements for admission to schools of medicine or dentistry, or to physician assistant programs.

Michigan Masters in Molecular & Integrative Physiology University of Michigan Medical School | Ann Arbor, MI Website: https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/molecular-integrative-physiology/education/

masters-program

Program Type: Career-changer, Late starter Description: This program is designed for students who wish to earn an M.S. degree and who plan, after program completion, to pursue application to a health profession program such as Medical School or Dental School. Students will choose to pursue either: An intensive, research-oriented track during which the student will spend their time both in classes and in a research laboratory, which will allow the student to explore their interest in research

and prepare them for the workforce or a health professional graduate program or An intensive, course-oriented track that will prepare the student for the rigors of health professional graduate programs. Postbac MEDPREP University of Michigan Medical School | Ann Arbor, MI Website: https://medicine.umich.edu/medschool/education/non-degree-programs/

postbac-medprep

Program Type: Career-changer Description: This program is an 8 to 14-month program designed to enable someone without a science background to prepare for medical school and a career as a physician. Postbac MEDPREP includes science-intensive coursework, health care experiential learning opportunities, training and preparation for the MCAT exam, and comprehensive support throughout the medical school application process. is designed for those who want to take a new path in their professional life. Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Premedical Studies Lawrence Technological University | Ann Arbor, MI Website: www.ltu.edu/arts_sciences/naturalsciences/post-bacc-certificate-premedi-

cal-studies.asp

Program Type: Career-changer Description: This program is designed for college graduates who are interested in pursuing a professional medical career but have taken few or none of the science courses needed for admission to a medical, dental, veterinary, pharmacy, or other allied health school. The first such program in Michigan, the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Premedical Studies provides the specific, rigorous preparation in English, biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics that medical schools require.

Maine Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Health Program Northwestern Health Sciences University | Bloomington, MN Website: www.nwhealth.edu/undergraduate-health-sciences/post-bacc/ Program Type: Career-changer Description: Students who have a bachelor’s degree can enroll in the program and complete prerequisites for a healthcare professional school. By taking accelerated courses in general chemistry, organic chemistry and physics, students can complete one full academic year of a two-course sequence in only one 15-week semester - half the time it typically takes in other post-bac pre-health programs.

Missouri Post-Baccalaureate Program Avila University | Kansas City, MO Website: www.avila.edu/academics/schools-colleges/school-of-science-health/pre-

health-professions/postbaccalaureate-program whealth.edu/undergraduate-health-sciences/ post-bacc/

Program Type: Career-changer Description: The program is designed to help prepare students with a baccalaureate degree in a non-science field to obtain the science courses and academic advising to gain admission to a Health Professions School. The Prehealth Professions Post-Baccalaureate advisor works with each student to plan the student’s individual program of study.

Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program Rockhurst University | Kansas City, MO Website: ww2.rockhurst.edu/pre-medical-post-baccalaureateType: Career-changer Description: The mission of the program is to provide quality science education and academic advising for individuals with a desire to pursue a career path in health sciences such as medicine, dentistry or as a physician assistant. The program is designed to provide future physicians with the foundational coursework, standardized test preparation and real-world experience necessary for a successful medical school application. The program is geared toward students who have completed a baccalaureate program in any discipline, and now wish to fulfill science requirements for medical school. Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program Washington University in St. Louis | St. Louis, MO Website: college.wustl.edu/programs/postbaccalaureate/premed# Type: Career-changer, Strengthen Application Description: The Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program (PBPM), is designed to offer students a curriculum that not only helps students fulfill program admission requirements but is also tailored to student needs. You will have access to a robust offering of premedical courses; clinical and nonclinical volunteer opportunities; research opportunities; MCAT preparation; one-on-one advising; and a community that will share in each students goals. Students are not required to retake core courses that they have already successfully completed, but may choose to retake core courses in subject area(s) where they desire a firmer foundation.

and; therefore, experience an application glide year. Students are encouraged students to consider the 1-year Master of Science in Health Sciences program during the glide year to further enhance their academic foundation prior to professional school matriculation. Another aspect of the professional school application process requires that students demonstrate an informed choice to enter the health care field. The Certificate program facilitates acquisition of this experience through a partnership with Bozeman Deaconess Hospital for a clinical observation course.

North Carolina Master of Science in Biomedical Science Program Wake Forest University | Winston-Salem, NC Website: internal.graduate.wfu.edu/admissions/BMSC.html Program Type: Strengthen Application Description: The Master of Science in Biomedical Science degree is a full-time, graduate degree option that is designed to help students with a bachelor’s degree, preferably with a major in the sciences, improve their academic foundation in the biomedical sciences, and augment their credentials for admission into health professional programs, Ph.D. study in the sciences, or entrance to the workforce. Applicants who wish to complete the master’s program as preparatory to medical school should select the “Biomedical Science/PB-MS” (BMSC/PB) program on the on-line application. This component of our master’s program will aid students who have already completed medical school prerequisites and earned a baccalaureate degree to enhance their current science knowledge with graduate level medical science classes and MCAT preparation to increase their competitiveness for health professional school admissions or other medical science careers. Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Health Program Guilford College | Greensboro, NC Website: www.guilford.edu/academics/departments-and-programs/ health-sciences/post-baccalaureate-pre-health-program/index.aspx Program Type: Strengthen Application Description: The post-baccalaureate pre-medical & pre-health studies program is designed for students who have a bachelor’s degree and now wish to prepare for graduate study in the health professions such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, physician assistant, pharmacy, physical therapy or occupational therapy. The post-baccalaureate pre-medical & pre-health studies program provides a coherent, individualized course of study that allows students to complete or retake the required science and social science courses to prepare for admission to a graduate program in the health field of their choice. Premedical & Predental Post-Baccalaureate Program University of North Carolina at Greensboro | Greensboro, NC Website: biology.uncg.edu/undergraduate/post-bacc/ Program Type: Career changer, Strengthen application Description: This program is designed for career-change individuals who have not yet completed the courses that are required for applying to medical, dental, or other health professional schools. It can also serve students who have earned a science degree, but now desire to enhance their academic records. Even post-baccalaureate students who lack any science background can, within 15 months of summer matriculation, complete the prerequisite courses for the Medical College Aptitude Test (MCAT) or the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) by enrolling in this program. Pre-health Post Baccalureate Certificate Program Meredith College | Raleigh, NC Website: www.meredith.edu/academics/graduate_programs/pre-health/ Program Type: Career changer, Strengthen application Description: This program is designed for individuals with a bachelor’s degree who are interested in either preparing to enter a healthcare field— through medical school or other allied health programs—or enhancing their credentials for re-application to medical school. The program offers individualized advising, small classes and assistance finding shadowing and clinical experiences. In addition, faculty members provide a committee letter of recommendation for applicants to programs in the healthcare field. MCAT study sessions are provided for students working toward acceptance into medical school.

Nebraska Pre-Medical Post-Baccalaureate Program Wake Forest University | Winston-Salem, NC Website: healthsciences.creighton.edu/multicultural-and-community-affairs/ post-baccalaureate-program/pre-medical Program Type: Strengthen Application Description: The goal of this program is to prepare students for admission to medical school To be eligible you must have been denied admission to a medical school, be disadvantaged either educationally or environmentally, and be either a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.

Montana

New Jersey

Post Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Certificate Montana State University | Bozeman, MT Website: www.montana.edu/hpa/postbacc Program Type: Career-changer Description: As a ‘career-changing’ program, students accepted into this program have earned a non-science bachelor’s degree and have often been employed prior to deciding to pursue medicine or health care (see requirements). Students apply to professional school at the end of the Certificate program

Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Preparation Program Drew University | Winston-Salem, NC Website: healthsciences.creighton.edu/multicultural-and-community-affairs/ post-baccalaureate-program/pre-medical Program Type: Career changer Description: The Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Preparation Program is designed for students who need additional undergraduate course work in math and the sciences in preparation for application to medical or other

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health professions schools. A health professions advisor is available to help guide and mentor students in this program. Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Preparation students have access to the same academic resources and activities as other Drew students, including our graduate-level library, full network access and extracurricular activities. In some circumstances, students who do not meet the minimum GPA requirements for the Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Preparation Program may be offered admission to our general non-matriculation program: the Post-Baccalaureate Program. Post-Baccalaureate Program University of Nevada School of Medicine | Reno, NV Website: internal.graduate.wfu.edu/admissions/BMSC.html Program Type: Strengthen Application Description: The School of Medicine, in partnership with the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and Nevada State College, offers a structured, one-year certificate program designed for students who need GPA improvement, MCAT preparation, or additional upper division science coursework to be competitive for medical school admissions. The course load and schedule is very rigorous - the program is intended to mimic the intensity of medical school to prepare the students for the difficult work ahead. Programs of study are created individually for each student based on their academic needs. Students are also required to attend regular teambased-learning seminars as well as monthly advising meetings throughout the year. At the end of the academic year, students take an intensive MCAT preparation course before they take the test in mid-late summer.

New York Premedical Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Natural Science Hofstra University | Old Westbury, NY Website: www.hofstra.edu/academics/grad/grad_postbacc_premed.html Program Type: Strengthen Application, Career changer Description: This program provides the opportunity for students who hold a bachelor’s degree and who have not previously studied the sciences to prepare for entrance into a medical profession of their choice. Students may also retake science courses to demonstrate an improved mastery of those subjects. The full program, consisting of a minimum of 32 credits, can take as little as 15 months to complete depending on your academic background. Students meet one-on-one with a pre-health advisor to select and register for classes. Postbaccalaureate Health Studies Program New York University | New York, NY Website: postbacc.cas.nyu.edu/page/home Program Type: Career changer Description: Applicants to the program are career changers, whom have at least a 3.0 undergraduate GPA and have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. When reviewing applications, the program considers all aspects, including the applicant’s academic record, professional goals, past experiences, and letter of recommendation. Successful applicants have clearly communicated their intentions and demonstrated efforts toward pursuing a career in the health professions. NYU currently has linkage agreements with six medical and one dental schools. Sciences for the Health Professions Certificate Farmingdale State College | Farmingdale, NY Website: postbacc.cas.nyu.edu/page/home Program Type: Career changer Description: The Certificate in Sciences for the Health Professions is a post-baccalaureate science program designed to meet the needs of students with bachelor’s degrees in non-science fields who seek a career change into the health professions, but lack some or all of the necessary science and mathematics background. Post Baccalaureate Pre-Medical/Pre-Health Program Fordham University | Bronx, NY Website: www.fordham.edu/info/21774/fordham_post_baccalaureate_ pre-medicalpre-health_program Program Type: Career changer Description: The program is for college graduates interested in a career in the health professions but still in need of the prerequisite science courses. The program offers the pre-med curriculum primarily in the evening, on weekends, and during the summer to prepare students for application to medical, dental or veterinary schools, nursing, physician assistant or physical therapy programs. Post-baccalaureate Pre-Health Program University of Rochester | Rochester, NY Website: www.sas.rochester.edu/prehealth/ Program Type: Career changer Description: Designed for career changers, the program serves to prepare individuals seeking admission to professional schools. Whether medicine, dentistry, vet, nursing or others, the program allows individuals with a bachelors degree to complete the pre-requisite coursework necessary for their intended professional program. The program is also currently in the process of developing several linkage programs and an MCAT test prep course as part of the program. Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Health Program Stonybrook University | Stonybrook, NY Website: www.stonybrook.edu/spd/prehealth/ Program Type: Career changer Description: The program allows students to take coursework at Stony Brook University to prepare for careers in medicine, dentistry, or other doctoral-level health-related fields. The program is designed for career-changer students

who lack requisite math and science courses needed to apply to professional programs. Students in the program are given special preference for registration into the basic courses required for schools of the health professions, i.e., basic biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics. These courses are in high demand and non-matriculated students (i.e., post-bac students) usually must register after all undergraduates, which results in great difficulty for them to meet the requirements for application to health profession schools. Successful applicants to our Post-Bac program are given preference in registering for these basic courses. The Linkage Program is designed for Stony Brook Post-Bac students only and can mitigate the need for a “gap year” in the applications process for applicants to the Stony Brook School of Medicine. Students who take the MCAT in April usually enter medical school in the following “gap year.” Linkage students take the MCAT in April and, if accepted, may enter the Stony Brook School of Medicine in the fall of the same year. Once nominated, the applicant must still compete with all applicants to the medical school. The Stony Brook Faculty Committee on Health Professions can nominate up to five students for linkage; the medical school is under no obligation to accept any of them. Certificate in Basic Sciences for Health Professions Adelphi University | Garden City, NY Website: university-college.adelphi.edu/academics/certificate-programs/ certificate-in-basic-sciences-for-health-professions/ Program Type: Career changer Description: This Basic Sciences for Health Professions certificate program focuses on all factors that are important to medical school applications, including science course work, medical volunteer experience, attaining good scores on the MCAT (the medical graduate admissions test), and securing important recommendations from academic and medical professionals. Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program Columbia University | New York, NY Website: gs.columbia.edu/postbac/ Program Type: Career changer Description: The program allows students, alongside all other Columbia University undergraduates, to complete the academic prerequisites for admission to schools of allopathic medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and graduate programs in allied health fields such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, or physician’s assistant programs. Additionally, the program provides students with opportunities for practical clinical and research experience, guidance throughout the medical school application process, and institutional support through a letter of recommendation. Postbac Premed students come from a wide range of backgrounds. Some have already begun a career and are looking for more from their professional lives, others have experienced personal situations that inspired them to go into a medical field, and some are seeking the science education they didn’t take as an undergraduate. Upon arriving at campus, Postbac Premed students have completed a rigorous undergraduate education, but have completed little to no premedical sciences coursework; they are not looking for academic enhancement in their academic records. Post Baccalaureate Pre-Health Manhattanville College | Purchase, NY Website: www.mville.edu/programs/post-baccalaureate-pre-health Program Type: Career changer Description: The program is geared toward students interested in applying to graduate or professional preparation in the Health Sciences, particularly in the fields of Medicine (M.D., D.O., D.V.M.), Dentistry, Physical Therapy, and Optometry. The Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Health Professions (PBPH) at Manhattanville College is designed for two types of students: 1.) Students who have earned a bachelor’s degree with a major and/or minor outside of the sciences and are now seeking to complete the necessary pre-requisite core courses required of most graduate preparation in the Health Sciences; and 2.) Students who have earned a bachelor’s degree with a major or minor in the sciences and are currently seeking academic enhancement of existing science courses by repeating course work already taken and/or enrolling in upper-level science courses. Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Health Studies Cornell University | Ithaca, NY Website: www.sce.cornell.edu/sp/health_studies/index.php Program Type: Strengthen application Description: The is a biomedical and clinical sciences academic enhancement and enrichment program for qualified, highly motivated students who wish to enhance their academic career with a one-year individualized and rigorous science-based educational program.

Ohio Pre-Medical Post-Baccalaureate Program John Carroll University | University Heights, OH Website: www.sce.cornell.edu/sp/health_studies/index.php Program Type: Career changer Description: This program is designed for students who want to fulfill the requirements for admission to medical school, dental school, and other professional health care schools. The program is an excellent way to fulfill undergraduate science prerequisites needed to apply to these schools and improve scores on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Post Bacc./M.D. Pathway Northeast Ohio Medical University | Cleveland, OH Website: www.neomed.edu/medicine/admissions/paths/post-bacc-md/ Program Type: Career changer, Strengthen application Description: This program 2-year program offers provisional admission to medical school. The program is designed for students with a bachelor’s

degree and an interest in practicing as a community-based doctor in an urban setting in a primary care field such as family medicine. Upon acceptance as a provisionally admitted student to the NEOMED Post-Bacc./M.D. program, students will have a seat reserved for them as a first-year medicine student at NEOMED. These students will be promoted to NEOMED if all promotion requirements, are met. Pre-Professional Health Programs Cleveland State University | Cleveland, OH Website: university-college.adelphi.edu/academics/certificate-programs/ certificate-in-basic-sciences-for-health-professions/ Program Type: Career changer, Strengthen application Description: There are two types of students that choose the Individualized Post Baccalaureate Options: Career Changers: Students who fall into this category most often have a degree in a non-science area. Many of our students come from social science and business backgrounds, but we’ve had students with degrees in Art History and Music as well. Grade Enhancers: Students who fall into this category generally do have degrees in the sciences and come to CSU to repeat core coursework or to take upper level undergraduate coursework to enhance their cumulative and science GPA. The Individualized Post Baccalaureate Program does not have a fixed curriculum. The number of courses and the program duration will be determined by your career goals and by previous undergraduate coursework. Post baccalaureate students receive the same student support services such as advising and the many extracurricular opportunities available to undergraduate students. MEDPATH Ohio State University | Columbus, OH Website: medicine.osu.edu/students/diversity/Programs/medpath/Pages/ index.aspx Program Type: Educationally and/or socioeconomically disadvantaged Description: The Program’s aim is to increase the number of underrepresented minorities and students from educationally and/or socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds who enter medical school, and who show evidence of a commitment to practice in a medically underserved community. To complement this mission, students who are not underrepresented or from disadvantaged backgrounds may also be considered for admission to MEDPATH with the following conditions: The student must show clear evidence of a commitment to practice in a medically underserved community. This can be demonstrated by extensive volunteer activity in service to an underserved or disadvantaged community (e.g., free clinics, mobile health units, American Indian reservations) or other extensive volunteer service to persons from lower socioeconomic communities). In addition, at least one personal/professional experience letter, submitted through AMCAS, that attests to the candidate’s desire to serve underserved communities as a physician is highly desirable. Post Baccalaureate Prehealth Certificate Program Northeastern State University | Tahlequah, OK Website: academics.nsuok.edu/prehealth/PostBacCertificate.aspx Program Type: Career changer, Strengthen application, Underrepresented Minorities Description: The post baccalaureate prehealth certificate program targets students who have earned a non-science bachelor degree and provides them with the opportunity to obtain necessary prerequisites for competitive entry into their health professions program of interest. The post bac curriculum provides the rigor that the professional programs require, which will enhance your competitive edge for admission. The post baccalaureate programs primarily targets second career individuals with little or no science background. However, individuals that are underrepresented minorities who are economically or educationally disadvantaged, individuals that have already applied to their health profession program, individuals that require additional courses to enhance their academic record, or individuals that require leveling courses to be competitive for entry into a graduate program, and are not currently competitive for a career in health professions or graduate school are able to enroll in the sciences courses offered in the post baccalaureate program. These individuals are not eligible to receive a certificate however.

Oregon Post Baccalaureate Pre-medical Program Oregon State University | Corvallis , OR Website: www.science.oregonstate.edu/node/356 Program Type: Career changer Description: The program is designed for students with successful first degrees looking to change careers. This is an informal program where students take the courses they need along with the regular students, and take advantage of all the extensive support services available in the premed program. Most students seeking to complete prerequisites (not a major) will typically need two full years and then apply during their third summer. Students entering the program with limited health care experience will definitely need the full two years of preparation. For a student with excellent grades from their first degree, chemistry and math credit, and good health care experience, a shorter timeline of two summers and one full year may be possible in some cases.

Pennsylvania Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Health Program Temple University | Philadelphia, PA Website: cst.temple.edu/academics/graduate-programs/prehealth Program Type: Career changer, Strengthen application Description: The CST Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Health Program is for students planning to apply to medical school or other health professional schools: dental, physician assistant, veterinary. Successful applicants to this program

March/April 2020 | PreMedLife Magazine |45

have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and above, a documented history of service, knowledge of the health career profession and strong letters of recommendation.The CST Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Health Program offers two tracks, one for college graduates who have not taken the required science courses; Basic Core in Health Science (BCHS) and one for students who possess a background in science; Advanced Core in Health Science (ACHS). Postbaccalaureate Program Lewis Katz School of Medicine | Philadelphia, PA Website: medicine.temple.edu/education/postbac-program Program Type: Career-changer, Strengthen application Description: The program is designed to specifically prepare students for success in our medical school and as practicing physicians. The program has two tracks of study; the Basic Core in Medical Sciences for those students now considering a career in medicine and the Advanced Core in Medical Sciences for students who already have a passion for medicine and want to enrich their science backgrounds. Every student accepted into the program receives a conditional acceptance to the Lewis Katz School of Medicine and successful completion of their track of study results in direct matriculation without a gap year. Matriculants to the program have demonstrated academic excellence, documented history of community service, medically related volunteer experience and strong letters of recommendation. Drexel Pathway to Medical School Drexel University College of Medicine | Philadelphia, PA Website: medicine.temple.edu/education/postbac-program Program Type: Strengthen application Description: This is a one-year master’s degree program with early assurance into the College of Medicine. The program provides students who have taken pre-med classes the opportunity to further enhance their academic background in preparation for medical school studies. Drexel Pathway to Medical School students who meet the GPA and MCAT score requirements matriculate into the MD program. The early assurance is a conditional acceptance for matriculation into Drexel University College of Medicine following successful completion of the program with achievement of the academic and professional benchmarks outlined in the DPMS program policies. The purpose of the Drexel Pathway to Medical School program is to promote diversity at Drexel University College of Medicine by providing opportunities to individuals who come from socially or economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Program Drexel University College of Medicine | Philadelphia, PA Website: drexel.edu/medicine/Academics/Graduate-School/Interdisciplinary-Health-Sciences/ Program Type: Career changer Description: The flexible curriculum of this full-time, two-year master of science program allows students to create an academic experience consistent with their health care career goals. Such customization also allows students to consider health science career pathways they wouldn’t have previously considered. The Interdisciplinary Health Sciences program provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to succeed in rigorous science courses with content relevant to their chosen health care profession. In this way, students may strengthen their academic record for health professional schools, or for direct entry into the health care workforce. Interdepartmental Medical Science Program Drexel University College of Medicine | Philadelphia, PA Website: drexel.edu/medicine/academics/Graduate-School/interdepartmental-medical-science/ Program Type: Late starter, Strengthen application Description: The program offers an interdisciplinary curriculum that integrates basic science courses presented at the level of first-year medical school. Applicants to the Interdepartmental Medical Science program include students: Who are late in their decision to apply to medical school; Interested in improving their academic record before applying or reapplying to medical school; and Interested in applying to dental, optometry, podiatry, chiropractic or other health professional schools. Considered a “special master’s” program, the Interdepartmental Medical Science program affords students the opportunity to take actual first-year medical school courses. Evening Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Drexel University College of Medicine | Philadelphia, PA Website: drexel.edu/medicine/Academics/Graduate-School/Evening-Post-baccalaureate-Pre-medical/ Program Type: Late starter, Strengthen application Description: This program allows an individual with a non-science baccalaureate degree the opportunity to continue his or her current career while fulfilling undergraduate pre-requisite science courses for most health professional schools. Changing careers is often a very difficult decision for individuals to make. This program will help candidates transition into a new career by allowing them to maintain their current position while completing the prerequisite coursework for application to medical, dental, physician’s assistant, veterinary or other health professional schools. Pre-Medical Program West Chester University | West Chester, PA Website: www.wcupa.edu/sciences-mathematics/preMed/post_bac_info.asp Program Type: Career changer Description: The Pre-Medical Program prepares undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students for application to the health professional schools of medicine (allopathic or osteopathic), dentistry, optometry, podiatry, and veterinary medicine; physician and pathology assistant programs; and careers in biomedical research. To apply for the program, students should have a non-science major, have not take the required science courses, or have not

taken the MCAT, GRE or similar professional school exam. The program is not a degree or certificate program. SCHOLARSHIP OFFERED

Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program Bryn Mawr | Bryn Mawr, PA Website: www.brynmawr.edu/postbac Program Type: Career-changer Description: The program is designed for women and men like you who are highly motivated to pursue a career in medicine but have not taken the required premedical courses as undergraduates. Over a 12-month period of intensive, full-time study in the classroom, the program aims to prepare students for the challenges of medical school. A feature of the program is the links with many medical schools that offer conditional early acceptance to students of the program. The Benjamin and Mary Measey Foundation has made an annual award to the Bryn Mawr College Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program for a limited amount of scholarship funds for disadvantaged postbaccalaureate premedical students enrolled in the Bryn Mawr program who are in good academic standing. Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Certificate Program LaSalle University | Philadelphia, PA Website: www.lasalle.edu/post-bacc/ Program Type: Career changer Description: This is a career change program and students with Baccalaureate degrees in the biological sciences are not eligible. To receive the Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Certificate and be eligible to apply to one of the linkage programs, students must complete 7 science/math courses at La Salle University. Students ranging in age from the early 20’s to mid-40’s representing diverse academic, geographic, and cultural backgrounds participate in La Salle’s Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Certificate Program. The students bring with them experiences in such fields as art, business, music, psychology, nutrition, and nursing. All students receive direct guidance from their advisor on selection of course work, gaining volunteer experience, preparation for the MCAT or other appropriate admissions tests, and completing the application process. A linkage program exists with Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. The advantage of such a program is that students do not have to sit-out the typical “glide year” between the time they apply to medical school and the time they start. Eligible candidates can apply, be accepted and matriculate within the same year. Pre-Health Post-Baccalaureate Programs University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA Website: www.lasalle.edu/post-bacc/ Program Type: Career changer, Strengthen application Description: The Pre-Health Core Studies program supplies students who have little scientific background with key concepts and the rigorous training necessary to succeed in the professional health school of their choice. The PreHealth Specialized Studies program is for students who possess a background in the sciences, but who are seeking to bolster their academic credentials and extend their studies. Many of our students don’t fit neatly into either track, and our experienced advising team can help you develop a personalized profile of classes. Pre-Health Post-Baccalaureate Programs Thomas Jefferson University | Philadelphia, PA Website: www.jefferson.edu/university/biomedical-sciences/degrees-programs/postbaccalaureate-pre-professional.html Program Type: Career changer Description: The program is designed for individuals seeking to complete their basic science requirements in preparation for entrance to medical and other health-professional schools. The P4 program currently has linkage agreements with the following medical schools: Sidney Kimmel Medical College and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. The Program is designed for academically accomplished individuals seeking to participate in extensive shadowing and volunteer opportunities and fulfill their science requirements before applying for admission to medical/professional school. The one-year track provides students with an accelerated curriculum and is more appropriate for students who already have clinical and volunteer experiences. The two-year track provides students with more time to complete their coursework, as well as providing additional time for outside activities (clinical/volunteer opportunities, part-time employment, etc.). Both tracks provide students with identical training and curriculum to prepare them for admission to medical/ professional school. Students are also eligible for on-campus housing. Health Sciences Post Baccalaureate Program Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine | Erie, PA Website: lecom.edu/academics/health-sciences-post-baccalaureate-program/ Program Type: Career changer Description: The Health Sciences Post Baccalaureate Program offers a rigorous curriculum centered on the basic medical sciences to prepare students for medical, pharmacy or dental programs. The program is designed to take 8 months to complete. Health Sciences Post Baccalaureate Program Rosemont College | Rosemont, PA Website: www.rosemont.edu/academics/undergraduate/post-bacc-medical Program Type: Career changer, Strengthen application Description: This designed to prepare students to enter graduate or professional school programs in the health care fields. This program serves two groups of students: career changers and/or record enhancers. Students in the program receive one-on-one advising throughout the program of study to assist you with course selection and professional school applications. Students who successfully complete the program will receive a letter of recommenda-

46 | PreMedLife Magazine | March/April 2020

tion to include in their application to professional and /or graduate school. Rosemont College also offers a one credit MCAT Review course to all students. Pre-Medical and Health Professions Programs Duquesne University | Pittsburgh, PA Website: www.duq.edu/academics/degrees-and-programs/pre-medical-and-health-professions/post-baccalaureate-program Program Type: Career-changer, Strengthen application Description: This program is designed to assist students, both those who decide later in their undergraduate programs but who lack the basic requirements, or those who hope to enhance their record, in gaining the necessary course work and preparation to achieve higher scores on entrance examinations (e.g., MCAT, DAT, GRE, OAT) needed for admission. Students enrolled in the PB-PMHPP Certificate Options have the opportunity to apply to the competitive PB-PMHPP Linkage program with the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM). Through Duquesne’s Linkage agreement, qualified PB-PMHPP students may make early application to LECOM and thereby eliminate the need to sit-out the typical “glide year” between the time of application and the time medical school starts. For a career changer pathway applicant, the program is two years and most likely will include a summer term. For the enhancement pathway, the program is typically one year.

Rhode Island Gateways Program Brown University, Warren Alpert Medical School | Providence, RI Website: www.brown.edu/academics/medical/education/other-programs/ gateways Program Type: Career-changer, Strengthen application Description: The Gateways Program offers two courses of study: Master of Science in Medical Sciences: In this one-year, full-time program, students will complete 8.5 required courses culminating in a Master of Science (ScM) in Medical Sciences from Brown University. Courses include all four of the basic science courses and two of the three organ system courses undertaken by first-year medical students at Alpert Medical School. Students also complete a unique seminar course series about pressing issues in today’s health care system, such as social determinants of disease, population health, interdisciplinary teamwork, quality improvement, and health care communication. Integrated into this course series will be a longitudinal service learning experience at a community healthcare site and an associated community-based capstone project. Certificate in Medical Science: For this one-year certificate program, students will complete 6 required courses: all four of the basic science courses and two of the three organ system courses undertaken by first-year medical students at Alpert Medical School. Students also have the freedom to independently pursue other areas of interest during this academic year, including part-time research opportunities and/or a 3-week, full-time immersion experience. Pre-Health Professions Certificate Providence College | Providence, RI Website: www.providence.edu/continuing-education/programs/Pages/ pre-med-pre-health-professions-certificate.aspx Program Type: Career-changer, Recent graduates Description: This 24-credit, part-time program is aimed at recent graduates and career changers who need to take the science and math courses that are required for admission into medical school or another graduate program — in dentistry, physician assistant, veterinary medicine, optometry, physical therapy, advance practice nursing, pharmacy, public health, or other health professions.

South Carolina Master of Science in Medical Sciences Medical University of South Carolina | Charleston, SC Website: academicdepartments.musc.edu/grad/MS%20Medical%20Sciences Program Type: Career-changer, Recent graduates Description: The Master of Science in Medical Sciences is a one-year program specifically designed to provide students with a structured opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills that will prepare them for the challenges of applying to and succeeding in medical school and other professional schools. This on-site program contains didactic coursework at the professional level, professional skills development sessions, standardized test (e.g. MCAT or DAT) preparation, and clinical exposures to form a complementary skill set to those that have been acquired at the undergraduate level.

Tennessee Post-baccalaureate Program Carson-Newman College | Jefferson City, TN Website: www.cn.edu/undergraduate/programs/health-pre-professions/ post-baccalaureate-program Program Type: Career-changer, Recent graduates Description: The program is designed for students to use the foundation of their bachelor’s degree to pursue a career in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry, physical therapy, veterinary medicine, and a host of other health professions. The program is not a degree program or a graduate program. It is a bridge program to prepare BA/BS students for admission to health professional schools. An individualized curriculum is designed based on the background, interests, and needs of each student. Requirements are generally determined by the career choice and the specific professional schools where admission is sought. This intensive program is designed to be completed in 12 to 24 months by full time students (taking a minimum of 12 semester

hours). It is primarily geared toward the student who has a non-science degree or those who seek career changes requiring additional science courses for admission. The required curriculum is intended to help ensure that every student has the academic background to be competitive in the admissions process to a professional school.

Virginia Medical Master’s Program Eastern Virginia Medical School | Norfolk, VA Website: www.evms.edu/education/masters_programs/medical_masters_program Program Type: Strengthen application Description: The ‌degree is a one or two year special master’s program. The majority of the courses are medical school courses and all are taught by medical school faculty. The program provides an opportunity for highly motivated students to improve their academic credentials by demonstrating their academic abilities in a rigorous medical school environment. For this reason, it is particularly suitable to help students make themselves more competitive applicants to medical or dental programs. Program applications may be reviewed within two weeks. Students are paired with a first-year medical student who has successfully completed your program. GeorgeSquared/Graduate Certificate in Advanced Biomedical Sciences George Mason University/Georgetown University | Manassas, VA Website: cos.gmu.edu/georgesquared/ Program Type: Strengthen application, Career changer, Recent grad Description: This is a full-time 9-month, 20 credit graduate level certificate program which provides excellent advanced science preparation for health professions including medical, dental and other healthcare-related advanced studies. The program includes preparation for professional examinations (such as MCAT, DAT, or GRE), and outstanding advising and support towards your goals. Graduate Certificate Premedical Program Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine | Blacksburg, VA Website: www.vcom.edu/premedical_admissions Program Type: Strengthen application Description: This 1-year graduate level program designed for students who need to enhance their academics in order to gain acceptance to an osteopathic (DO) or allopathic (MD) medical program. It provides an opportunity for highly motivated individuals to grow as a student and to improve their academics to a level that can allow them to earn admittance into medical school. The program is offered to attract individuals from rural areas, low socioeconomic status backgrounds, and underrepresented minorities, although acceptance is not limited to individuals from these groups. Students who meet these benchmarks at the end of the Fall Semester will be granted a seat in the DO Program at one of the VCOM campuses for the following August. Such offers of acceptance will be contingent on continued strong performance within the

program and maintaining the exceptional recommendation from the faculty. Premedical Graduate Health Sciences Certificate Program Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond, VA Website: www.medschool.vcu.edu/graduate/premed_cert/ Program Type: Strengthen application Description: This one-year, graduate-level program for individuals seeking to enhance their qualifications for admission into professional school, including Medical, Dental, and Veterinary School. Students who successfully complete the Certificate Program also have an opportunity to continue to a Master of Science (M.S.) or Ph.D. degree program within the School of Medicine. The CERT Program is structured to improve overall competitiveness for admission into professional school. The CERT Curriculum allows students to enhance their academic record through graduate-level, medically-relevant courses offered by the program. In the spring semester, the program provides additional opportunities to strengthen standardized test scores, increase clinical or research experience, as well as gain volunteer experience in the community. Students successfully finishing the program with a GPA of 3.5 and presenting an MCAT score of 28 (505 on the new MCAT) or higher are guaranteed an interview for the medical school at VCU, for the application cycle following completion of the CERT Program. Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program University of Virginia | Charlottesville, VA Website: www.medschool.vcu.edu/graduate/premed_cert/ Program Type: Career changer, Late starter Description: This program is designed for college graduates with strong academic records who have made a late decision to pursue a career in medicine. The one-year, full-time, residential program provides the science courses students need to be eligible for medical school admission. Well-qualified students may be able to skip their glide year and matriculate in medical school in the fall immediately following the program.

Vermont SCHOLARSHIP OFFERED

Post Baccalaureate Premedical Program Bennington College | Bennington, VT Website: www.bennington.edu/academics/graduate-postbac-programs/ postbaccalaureate-premedical-program Program Type: Career changer, Late starter Description: The postbac curriculum is designed so that students can complete the basic requirements for medical school in one year. The Field Work Term offers students the opportunity to work or volunteer in a setting of your choosing—shadowing a doctor, assisting in research, volunteering abroad—or many other possibilities—to gain further hands-on experience prior to medical school. The program reviews applications holistically. In addition to strong

academic performance, we value experience in the field, a clear statement of your reasons to pursue an MD, DO, or DDS, strong personal qualities, and a desire to learn in a collaborative and interactive academic setting. A small number of alumni-funded awards are offered to outstanding applicants to the Low-Residency MFA in Writing Program. A limited number of merit-based institutional grants are awarded to highly qualified applicants to the Postbac Premed Program. SCHOLARSHIP OFFERED

Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program University of Vermont | Burlington, VT Website: learn.uvm.edu/program/post-baccalaureate-premedical-program Program Type: Career changer, Recent grad Description: This program is designed to provide students with the prerequisite coursework and access to research and direct patient care experiences prior to applying to health and medical school. Students are guaranteed an interview with schools on the program’s linkage agreement list, provided they meet the professional school guidelines and have a certain GPA. The University of Vermont offers a scholarship to the first 25 admitted and enrolled students who are beginning the program in the summer term. Additionally, through the generous support of the Hillman Foundation, a scholarship is available for a student enrolled in the program.

Washington Master of Arts in Medical Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School | Norfolk, VA Website: www.heritage.edu/mamsprogram Program Type: Strengthen application Description: The program introduces students to a broad range of topics in the medical sciences while strengthening their academic credentials for admission to medical and other professional schools. Since the program’s inception, more than 80% of program graduates have gained admission into a professional school. Graduates have entered a wide range of professional programs including medicine, PA, dentistry, podiatry and others. Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Professional Health Studies Certificate Program Seattle University | Seattle, WA Website: www.seattleu.edu/scieng/advising/pre-health/post-baccalaureate-pre-professional-health-studies-certificate-program/ Program Type: Career changer Description: The program is designed for qualified students who have finished their undergraduate degrees, but lack most or all of the core pre-health science courses (Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physics, or Math). The program is not appropriate for those who have completed the basic pre-health courses and wish to enroll only in advanced coursework.

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THE GOODS

Little Patient

Smart and surprisingly sweet, this little patient is the perfect toy to pique the interest of your pre-pre-med student, and it can also help a brave kiddo get through a tough surgery.

Pep Talk Postcard Books

Think of this book as your personal pep talk kit, making it joyously easy to brighten peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s days, turn frowns upside down, and serve as a personal cheering section for all the deserving folks in your life.

u 36 | PreMedLife Magazine | March/April 2020

Magnetic Notebook

Create a custom notebook with pages that can be removed, organized, shared, and reattached. A magnetic spine and pages printed with a strip of iron ink keep things firmly in placeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and also make all this movability possible. Pages can be scanned, photo copied, and printed, too. The magnetized spine can also hold onto your pen.

Think BIG.

Artist Matthew Hoffman presents an artful reminder to follow your dreams with this hand-cut, three-dimensional display. Beautiful solid mahogany wood is hand cut and painted, then presented in a shadowbox frame.

Therapy Dough

Remember playing with dough as a kid? Squishing, squeezing, and shaping it into anything your heart-and imagination-desired. This grown-up version lets you relive that childhood fun, and provides adult benefits: stress relief and aromatherapy.

u Storymatic Game

The Storymatic was created by writer Brian David Mooney for a fiction workshop at Marlboro College in Vermont; he later expanded it for use with his high school students. Over time, his students pestered him to make copies of his cards, so they could use them at home with their friends and families.

March/April 2020 | PreMedLife Magazine |37

LAST WORDS

Here’s what I will tell my younger self...

REGARDLESS OF THE MANY ISSUES AT PLAY, THERE IS NO DENYING THAT GAINING ACCEPTING INTO MEDICAL SCHOOL BRINGS A LEVEL OF ATTENTION TO SUCCESSFUL PREMEDS. HERE ARE A FEW PIECE OF ADVICE: Know your obstacles. Take the time to understand what you are up against as you navigate not only the medical school admissions process, but what coming ahead. Believe in yourself. Place all your belief in yourself and your ability to be successful, no matter what. Don’t make excuses. As a non-traditional student, it can be very easy to blame someone else for your challenges and obstacles. With this mindset, it is hard to let go and begin moving past those shortcomings. Successful premeds say that they are comfortable with taking responsibility for their mistakes and using any failures as a chance to change their trajectories for the better. Be willing to learn. One of the most important traits of successful premeds, medical students, and even physicians is a true desire and willingness to learn. They make attempts to learn from everyone and every situation they encounter and look at every experience as a chance to grow. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Be confident about what you bring to the table., but also be aware of your areas of improvement. Successful premeds take inventory of their skills and abilities and use any feedback and criticism to improve. Get uncomfortable. Test your academic and professional boundaries by seeking out risks that may make you slightly uncomfortable. To grow, risk is necessary if you truly want to excel, and successful premeds approach risk with a clear sense of what they may be able to handle. Meditate daily. Successful premeds carve out time for the much needed breaks from all the anxieties and worries that come with being a premed. Take a couple of minutes out of your day to be still. Banish distractions. Premeds live in a fast-paced educational environment filled with distractions. Successful premeds learn early how to focus on what is important and push the rest to the side. There is no doubt that some days will be filled with unexpected urgencies but if you can set boundaries, you will be better able to complete your top-priority goals. Learn from your mistakes. The more you venture

38 | PreMedLife Magazine | March/April 2020

out of your comfort zone as a premed, the higher the chances they have of making mistakes – which successful premed do not let crush or break them down. Rather than seeing missteps as the end all, they see it as an opportunity to grow. In the end, failures can be your biggest lessons. Especially for post-baccalaureate premed students, what might feel like failures or obstacles could in fact be teaching you a lesson that will help you preserve later on during your journey. Keep moving forward. If you believe wholeheartedly in your passion for pursuing a career in medicine, you will be able to overcome even the toughest of times. You have to do whatever you need to do in order to “keep the train going” or mentally reset. Create time blocks. Most premeds are overloaded with activities and academic work, creating to-do lists to constantly keep track of all that is going on. Break down your workload down into digestible tasks so things feel more doable and less overwhelming. This will help sort our things methodically. Have drive. One of the most defining characteristics of successful premeds is their drive. Successful premeds not only set clear goals but they also have a strong drive to actually reach their goals. Some would call it the “fire in the belly” energy of those who are downright motivated to succeed and gain admission into medical school. Get disciplined. For many aspects of reaching goals, with consistency comes the reward of success. By establishing a routine, which then allows for consistency in their efforts, successful premeds make great strides towards making their dreams reality. Seek out mentors. Mentorship is critical for premeds because mentors can share significant resources and foster important connections. Unsure of how to find a mentor? Look first to the individuals you already know or professors teaching one of your courses. Learn how to say no. Many successful premeds learn early on that they cannot please everybody all the time. Successful premeds know that if they say yes too much, it could suck the energy they need to keep moving forward towards their goals. While it can be hard to say no, it is usually better in the long run. Savor the moment. The road to medical school can be a long one. For many successful premeds, there is one theme that comes up a lot – taking the time to pay attention to the present moment. Instead of multitasking and focusing on things that have happened in the past or what the future holds, successful premeds say they feel more satisfied when they stop to enjoy the small, great things in life. Surround yourself with the “right” people. Good energy is contagious. This means that when you surround yourself with other students who are happy and supportive, you will put yourself in an environment to not only build self-confidence, but also boost your spirits. Reward yourself. Treats can play an important role when it comes to forming good habits. Be self-aware. Successful premeds face challenges with confidence and trust that they will come out on the other side. Even when they do not fully know what steps to move forward and which path to take, they move forward with a commitment to succeed despite the odds. Grow your emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is the ability to be aware of your emotion, as well as those of others. Look for ways to strengthen your EI by knowing your strengths and weaknesses, focusing on the positive, not being a perfectionist, and embracing change.

istockphoto / Deagreez

Premedlife

POST-BACCALAUREATE PRE-MEDICINE CERTIFICATE

THE CURRICULUM The Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medicine Certificate provides high quality, preparatory education for individuals who aspire to enter medical school. This program is structured, full-time, and offered at the GW Virginia Science and Technology Campus (VSTC) in Ashburn, VA. Students benefit from being part of a cohort and are expected to complete the program of study in one year. All courses are restricted to Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medicine Certificate students. Laboratory sessions accompany all didactic coursework, except biochemistry, and are conducted in new state-of-the-art facilities on the VSTC. The Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medicine Certificate requires the successful completion of 35 credit hours, divided into three 15-week semesters:

SEMESTER I | SUMMER

Credits

THE GW CONNECTION TO THE WORLD Founded in 1821, GW has built a legacy of transforming students into agents of change. A GW education integrates intellectual discovery, interactive learning and unparalleled access to opportunities in every sector of society to help you put knowledge into action.

COURSE DESIGN AND LOCATION The GW Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medicine

HSCI 3101

General Chemistry I

Certificate program is a structured, full-time

HSCI 3102

General Chemistry II

program offered at the GW Virginia Science and Technology Campus in Ashburn, Virginia. The

SEMESTER II | FALL HSCI 3103

Organic Chemistry I*

HSCI 3201

Biology I

HSCI 3301

Physics I

35-credit-hour program begins each summer session and is designed to be completed in a 12-month period.

(571) 553-0329

SEMESTER III | SPRING HSCI 3104

Organic Chemistry II*

HSCI 3202

Biology II

HSCI 3302

Physics II

HSCI 3105

Biochemistry*

smhs.gwu.edu/postbac-premed

* Organic Chemistry I, Organic Chemistry II, and Biochemistry are offered as a sequential, three-course series, 10-week each, over the fall and spring semester.

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GW SCHOOL OF MEDICINE + HEAL TH SCIENCES

Application deadline is June 15

To Gain an Edge in Advancing your Medical Education The Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Biology of the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences is pleased to offer Two New Pre-Medicine Academic Enhancer Programs:

' Missions of the GCATS and M-ATS Programs Are:

- To Enhance Competitiveness of Applications to Medical Schools - To acquire a Solid Foundation in Basic Medical Sciences and Translational Sciences - To Emphasize Clinical Relevance with a Problem-Based Learning Approach