PREMEDLIFE The Magazine For Future Healthcare Professionals
the
back to school issue
+
How to Study Smarter Not Harder What to Consider When Choosing a Study Buddy
Fall 2021
PREMEDLIFE Spring 2021
12
14
16
4 MISTAKES PREMEDS MAKE STARTING OUT
PREMED DO’S AND DON’TS FOR YOUR SOPHOMORE YEAR
5 THINGS YOU NEED TO BE DOING IF YOU’RE A JUNIOR
BEING A FRESHMAN CAN LEAD TO SOME ROOKIE MISTAKES.
STAY ON TRACK WITH THESE TIPS SPECIFIC TO YOUR SECOND YEAR IN COLLEGE
HOW TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
SPRING 2021 | PREMEDLIFE.COM | 3
contents
FALL 2021
l
Get information about the things you should know at the beginning of the year to set the stage for a success. pg. XX
22
6 Courses Premeds Should Take Before Medical School
While there may be many prerequisites you need to take as a pre-med student, there are some in particular that students will surely benefit from in the long run.
24
4 Things to Manage Before Starting Medical School
Before stepping foot into medical school, there are some things that you should make sure you understand.
FRONT COVER
12 4 | PREMEDLIFE.COM | SPRING 2021
THE BACK TO SCHOOL ISSUE
Tips and advice for making this new academic year your best year yet - from high school seniors to college students. For pre-med students, the beginning of a new academic year represents the next step along the journey to becoming a doctor. Knowing what to do (and what not to do) can go a long way when it comes to moving closer to your goals. In this issue, we share information about the things students should now at the beginning of the year to set the stage for being the best pre-med student possible.
26
The Benefits of Rural Medicine Don’t discount rural medicine! This is my advice to all pre-med students out there.
30
How Smart Students Study
Fro students who perform well academically, the answer to getting good grades may be in the overall approach to studying. Here’s a look behind the mindset.
Digital
SPRING 2021
An Open Letter to Premeds It’s not easy. We didn’t choose a very simple path, paved with the smoothest of stones. We chose a path of resistance, and I think we’ll be better physicians for it.
What’s on premedlife.com Medical Students Are Suffering From Imposter Syndrome
What Does the Medical School Application Surge Mean
Imposter syndrome is real in medical school and it’s high among pre-meds too.
Despite many unprecedented challenges, applications to med school skyrocketed
6 | PREMEDLIFE.COM | SPRING 2021
Book Excerpt: The Lady Whose Mouth I Set On Fire I had seen this young woman once before as a patient.
From the
Publisher
HELLO, GOODNIGHT “Every day is a chance to begin again. Don’t focus on the failures of yesterday, start today with positive thoughts and expectations.” - Catherine Pulsifer Let the countdown begin - to the beginning of the rest of your premed life, or as some would call it - the beginning of the new academic year. For some, the start of a brand new semester may bring on feelings of anxiousness and for others, the chance for a fresh start at the beginning of the semester is welcomed with open arms. None of our knew what to expect in the presence of COVID-19 - we made it through. Varied experiences, plenty of downs, and everything in between, we tried our hardest to celebrate little wins, be present in the moment, and spend time with loved ones. Regardless of where you’re at - the time start the semester is fast approaching and it’s up to you to make the best of it.
I personally love the beginning of the new school year because with it comes an awesome energy from you - our readers. When we hear from you and you share with us your ideas, it’s quite energizing. I truly love the opportunity to connect with you and hope that we can stay connected beyond the first few months of the year. So, with that said -- bring it on. Let’s work together to make this year your best year yet and work like you’ve never done before, leave it all out there. Tell us what you want to see in the coming months content-wise and we’ll get to it. Tell us what kind of content you want to see. Tell us what you need from us to get you to the next step along your journey. Your PreMedLife Family is here to serve YOU and we’re going to make sure that we do just that.
-Tasheema P.
Tasheema Prince
Tasheema Prince Publisher FOLLOW ME > @PrinceSheem EMAIL ME > tprince@premedlife.com
8 | PREMEDLIFE.COM | SPRING 2021
PREMEDLIFE the lifestyle magazine for premedical students www.premedlife.com
Founder & Publisher | Tasheema Prince CMO & Project Director | Ryley High Interns | Ihouma Otah & Christian Sitompul 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.
If you can’t stop thinking about it...
...don’t stop working for it. www.premedlife.com
THE BACK TO SCHOOL ISSUE WITH THE START OF THE NEW ACADEMIC YEAR COMES THE NEXT STAGE OF YOUR PREMEDLIFE. HERE’S HOW TO EMBRACE THE NEXT CHAPTER OF YOUR JOURNEY -- WHERE EVERY YOU’RE AT.
SPRING 2021 | PREMEDLIFE.COM | 11
P/ FRESHMAN YEAR HE’S SMILING BUT DOESN’T KNOW HE’S ABOUT TO MAKE A HUGE MISTAKE
12 | PREMEDLIFE.COM | SPRING 2021
Newbie Mistakes Lessons You’re in college now and if there’s anything you must understand -- you’re not in high school anymore and that’s kind of a big deal. As you make this transition from being a Senior in high school to being “fresh meat,” there will be many changes in your life. There will be many times where you are faced with the unknown. What you need to know is that the unfamiliarity and uncertainty is all part of the process and in the end, will make you a better premed. As you move forward along your path to becoming a doctor, here are some things you should consider in your first year in college.
FAILING TO MEET WITH YOUR ADVISOR. As a freshman, you may or may not know a lot about what it is going to take to get accepted into medical school. Regardless of what you think you may know about the process, you should meet with your premedical or pre-health advisor as early as possible. It is your freshman year and while your course schedule may be set for the most part, there are going to be many decisions to come. Your advisor can provide access to an array of things including, but not limited to, topics like your prerequisite and upper-level coursework and providing information on volunteering, research, or shadowing opportunities. The point is - if you are a freshman and you’ve made the decision to pursue medicine (and you’re serious about it) meet with your school’s advisor to begin talks about your long-term plan for applying to medical school. Developing a relationship with your advisor can even be helpful if you plan on applying to a summer program, in which they can provide guidance as you prepare your application for a competitive program.
dergraduate years. Besides, once you’re in medical school you’ll be exposed to more science than you’ll know what to do with.
THINKING A SCIENCE MAJOR IS A MUST. It is quite simple - if you are interested in going to medical school, you can major in whatever the heck you would like to. As long as you fulfill the basic requirements for the medical schools you are interested in applying to, then you’re pretty much set. There is no need to overload yourself with a ton of science courses if that is not where your interest truly is. While most medical school applicants do major in the sciences, other choose humanities, math, statistics, and social science. In fact, there is a growing trend among medical school admission committees who value applicants with humanities backgrounds. Medicine and health care are changing and the world fo medical education will try to keep pace. Earlier this year, the Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai became the first medical school in the nation to offer early acceptance to college sophomores from any major and with no MCAT requirement. While Ichan SOM may be the first to take this “revolutionary” step, it will definitely not be the last. Yes, having a background in science may be helpful when it comes time to 1.) take the MCAT and 2.) learn complex information in medical school, but it is quite okay to explore your other interest during your un-
THINKING FRESHMAN YEAR DOESN’T REALLY COUNT. What are you talking about? If you believe that your first year in college doesn’t really matter and you can start getting serious about pursuing your career in medicine next year, think again. Not only will medical school look at the grade you received as a freshman, they will also take notice of the overall trend of your academic performance. And this will not be a quick glance. To medical school admission committees, every single grade counts and it gets a little deeper than that. They will look over your transcript with a fine-tooth comb to not only get a feel for your academic performance, but also your course load per semester, course levels, and the number of science courses you completed. The good news is that even if you do have a bit of a struggle during your freshman year, and for whatever reason your academics takes a hit, most medical schools can look pass a less than impressive grade or two in your freshman year, as long as they see that you improved overtime.
NOT DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIPS WITH PROFESSORS. While applying to school may seem a ways away when you are only a freshman in college, you must begin to cultivate relationships with professors for one simple reason - recommendations. It is never too early to start thinking about the individuals who may ultimately write your letters of recommendation (or evaluation). In fact, according to a report published by the American Association of Medical Colleges, admissions officers say that non-academic data, such as interviews and letters of recommendation, are the most important data for deciding who to accept into their school. And getting to know your professors is much easier than you may think. Beyond performing well in a course you may be taking, many times professors are involved in activities outside of the classroom which you can get involved with as well.
SPRING 2021 | PREMEDLIFE.COM | 13
P/ SOPHOMORE YEAR
Doing the Most How to make the most of your sophomore year as a premed
You’ve made it through your freshman year alive and should be feeling a bit more comfortable in your premed shoes. You know more about your school, professors, and the culture of the premed community at your school. Or maybe your first year wasn’t so great and things were a bit rough for you. Either way, your sophomore year is here and to have the best year yet, there are a few things you should really know.
BECOME A LEADER You know the saying, “Leaders aren’t born, they are made,” and when it comes to building your record of leadership - the same hold true. You cannot expect medical schools to take your leadership experience serious if you say that a position or role you held just a few months before applying made you a leader. If you haven’t already done so, your sophomore year is the perfect time for you to step up to the plate and engage in a significant activity that will ultimately demonstrate your leadership qualities. VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME No matter what type of volunteer activity you decide on, be sure that you make the experience meaningful. Regardless of whether or not you are having the best experience of your life (or not), there is a lesson to be learned and something you can take away from the time you spent participating. “Volunteering in a health care-related opportunity or organization will benefit you in addition to enhancing your medical school application,” the AAMC’s website explains. “It ‘s a chance to see if you enjoy working in the health or medical field, network with like-minded peers, take on increased responsibility and leadership roles, and build your resume.” In all, volunteering, especially in a health care or medical setting, will demonstrate to admission committees that you have a good sense about what medicine is and what it is not.
14 | PREMEDLIFE.COM | SPRING 2021
GET A JOB Conducting research that is. While it is not a requirement by most medical schools, having academic research experience will certainly help more than it could ever hurt your changes of getting into medical school. Need a better reason to get involved in research? Well, working in a research lab will give your premed brain the opportunity to see what you may have already learned in class or read in a textbook in action. As you learn more about what is involved with conducting research and the research process at a whole, you will develop transferable skills that will not only benefit you during your medical school days, but in your career as a physician. And for those who are planning to go for an MD/PhD program, the significance of having research experience under your belt is even greater. MAJOR IN SOMETHING YOU LOVE (OR JUST REALLY ENJOY) It is pretty simple. When it comes to choosing a major you should pick something based on your passions. As long as you plan a course of study that fulfills the prerequisite requirements for the medical schools you intend on applying to - you should be good to go. Yes, being a science major may have its advantages, like being able to take courses that can help you perform better on the MCAT, you can always customize your MCAT study plan to fill the gaps in knowledge.
SPRING 2021 | PREMEDLIFE.COM | 15
P/ JUNIOR YEAR
16 | PREMEDLIFE.COM | SPRING 2021
5 Things Every Premed Junior Should Be Doing While there are some premeds who apply to medical school following a gap year, approximately 90 percent of students apply for a coveted seat in some school’s first-year class toward the end of their junior year in college, according to data from the American Association of Medical Colleges. With that stated, this year may be your most important year yet! Here are a few things you should be doing if you’re a junior in college and plan on applying to medical school.
FAMILIARIZING YOURSELF WITH AMCAS If you don’t already know what the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), it is the common application for medical school which will allow you to fill out a single profile and submit it to all of the schools you choose. With the exception of a few schools, AMCAS is the primary method for applying to medical schools across the United States. As you will soon come to know, the medical school application process can for some be a long, arduous, and gruesome time, but there’s no way around it. So here’s the deal: the AMCAS is the first chance you’ll get to show medical schools who you are, so it is in your best interest to know what you’re getting yourself into well ahead of time. If you’re ready to get started, the first thing you are going to want to do is visit the AMCAS Application Website. While it may seem like a ways away, when the summer rolls around you’ll know what you’ll be up against and be in the best position to knock out your applications with a little more confidence than if you would have never did your research. DECIDING ON THE BEST TIME TO TAKE THE MCAT The general rule of thumb is that you take the MCAT in the year before you plan to start medical school. And if you find yourself stuck trying to decide if you should take the MCAT early in the year or later on, the AAMC says you should ask yourself the following questions: 1.) Will I take the exam just once or is there a possibility I may want to take it again and 2.) Have I mastered the material or do I need additional coursework or study? Registration information for the MCAT is available at www.aamc.org. Then, think about how you will prepare for the test and give yourself at least three or four months to study. SCOPING OUT POTENTIAL LETTER WRITERS Although data have shown that letters of recommendation aren’t the most important factor when it comes to medical school admission, a handful of admission officers do say that to them poor letters are the biggest application killer. There’s no way around them and they are very much a required part of your medical
school application. So, if you can gain an extra edge, even if it only counts a little bit, a strong, high-quality letter might just do the trick. Now is the time to reflect on what you have done with the last two years of your premed life and the people you have met and hopefully developed relationships with. Sit down and make your go-to list of people who you would like to write your letters for medical school. STRATEGIZE YOUR MEDICAL SCHOOL APPLICATION TIMELINE As many premeds make plans to head to medical school immediately after graduating college, a growing number of applicants take a year off instead. When you begin to think about your medical school application timeline, you’ll need to think about your strategy for getting everything you need to do done - personal statement, requesting and receiving letters of evaluation, completing AMCAS and focus on some critical choices. For starters, the first choice you’ll need to think about is when you’ll actually apply to medical school. Then once you decide if you’ll apply right after graduation or if you’ll take some time off, you can begin to organize your remaining courses, activities, and other elements of your premed life. REVIEWING SPECIFIC ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS While most medical schools generally require the same basic science courses (biology, chemistry, physics) some schools may have additional requirements. At this point, you should have a slight idea about which schools you may ultimately apply to so go ahead and check out their website to find out what courses you’ll need to have in order to apply. This way, you can plan the remainder of your courses accordingly so as to not get caught at the last minute without the courses you’ll need. In addition, each medical school has its own set of rules on which courses they will and will not accept. The first business of order is checking out the current edition of the Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) to learn what the school-specific requirements for your school of choice.
P/ ASK THE EXPERTS
AN INSIDE LOOK
MEDICAL SCHOOL ADMISSIONS Two experts answer some of the most common questions and share a behind-thescenes look at the inner workings of a medical school admissions committee
I
T’S NO SECRET THAT APPLYING TO MEDICAL SCHOOL IS EXTREMELY COMPETITIVE. As a prospective medical student, you want to put your best foot forward as you navigate your way through the complicated admissions process. To help you do that, two proven leaders of US medical school academia who have been training MDs for more than 30 years – Joseph Flaherty,
MD, dean emeritus of the University of Illinois College of Medicine and president of Western Atlantic University School of Medicine (WAUSM), and Paula Wales, EdD, WAUSM’s executive dean and chief academic officer and co-founder of Nova Southeastern University’s Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, sat down to answer some common questions and give you a behind-the-scenes look
Q/When applying to medical school, what are the main criteria considered and what are some things that will help me stand out? Every admissions committee is going to look at your grade point average (GPA) and Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) scores first. Some medical schools have broken the GPA down further into science and non-science GPAs. Most are going to have a bottom cushion that requires this much GPA and this much MCAT, and often they’re wielded into a cognitive index that combines both. >>>
18 | PREMEDLIFE.COM | SPRING 2021
© Western Atlantic University School of Medicine
at the inner workings of a medical school admissions committee.
A message from our friends at Western Atlantic University School of Medicine
SPRING 2021 | PREMEDLIFE.COM | 19
P/ GETTING IN Special interests and accomplishments do catch the admissions committee’s eye, but they’re looking for candidates that have a steadfast interest in a certain area of at least one to three years. Any other accomplishments you have – a vocation, presentation or national meeting, speaking several languages, these things are all important as well. Q/What are your suggestions for writing a standout personal statement? The best recommendation I can give is to let go of your ego and find someone to review it who can give you candid feedback. It’s not meant to be tricky; it’s meant to be straightforward and should answer two main questions: “Why do I want to be a doctor?” and “What do I want to do with medicine?”. It’s a tough balance because to get into medical school you must be hyper-focused on yourself and your performance, but what an admissions committee wants to see are candidates who are going to serve patients. If you can, include details related to empathy in your personal statement.
score up. If you spent a year getting your grades up and/or got a master’s degree, that’s the second most important thing. Something some admissions committees will do is if a student is enrolled in some sort of master’s degree program, we would stipulate that their acceptance was contingent on completion of that degree. But the “reasons why” for each applicant is so individual and it’s true that there are more qualified students than slots and it could be that the student is very well qualified, it’s just that there aren’t enough spaces for them.
“
WE WILL BE LOOKING AT GPA AND MCAT, AND REALLY UNDERSCORE DIVERSITY – WHETHER THAT BE DIVERSITY IN TERMS OF RACE, GENDER, THOUGHT, OR EVEN INTEREST. SPECIAL INTERESTS REALLY DO PIQUE OTHER PEOPLE’S INTERESTS.”
Q/How important are letters of recommendation? Who should write them? My advice would be to get them from people who know you well. Usually, two or three of the letters will be from where you went to college or graduate school; if there’s one where you have work experience – a community agency or practicing physician that can write a letter – include that as well. We’re looking to see how well you get along with people, do you care about them or have an idea of service to the community or the individual? Your MCAT and GPA will show us if you can do it academically but what we really want to know is, are you a decent human being who’s going to make a good doctor?
Q/ How much weight does volunteer work/research and/or other related experiences carry? We look for people who have been involved in something for a long time. And it could be that you put that in your personal statement; that you’ve had the opportunity to volunteer or serve on teams and learned collaborative skills. If you happened to be the leader of that group, I think you can highlight it. Some of those activities will be individual and that’s fine, but if any of them show you working as part of a group in synchrony, that’s increasingly something admissions committees will look at. Q/ I’m a second time applier – how can I increase my chances of acceptance? The most important thing you can do is take a course or series of courses specifically designed to help you get your MCAT
20 | PREMEDLIFE.COM | SPRING 2021
Q/ How important is the MCAT? How many times do you recommend taking it? How can I best prepare and what can I do if I’m not a strong test taker? I can think of two things that may be helpful: The first is taking a prep course on MCATs; the second is taking a few sessions with a learning specialist. A structured, in-person program can help you perform better on the MCAT. And you must because the MCAT score is extremely important as a predictor of how you will perform on later standardized tests, and there is no way to get through medical school without taking those tests. I would recommend taking the MCAT three or four times.
Q/ What should I expect during a medical school interview? Are there different types of interviews? What can I do to prepare? The best thing to do to prepare is write down three or four main points you want to make and then practice the interview. A key thing is to be yourself. You should also be prepared to talk about topics in medicine that interest you. In terms of dress, wear the standard interview outfit that is almost universal for men and women – a dark suit. There are a few different kinds of interviews: interviews with faculty that are oneon-one; panel interviews with faculty that can be a little more challenging; and performance-based interviews that include the MMI, or Multiple Mini Interview, and problem-based learning (PBL) interview. Recognize that the interview starts from the moment you are contacted by the school. Interact well and professionally with the staff who are scheduling you; if you meet with students for lunch or dinner, remember that you are being interviewed the entire time.
View an expanded version of this interview and gain more helpful tips from Drs. Flaherty and Wales on the WAUSM Blog at wausm.education/blog. These tips include how many medical schools you should apply to; the importance of medical school “fit”; and the best ways to show off your unique skills. You can also find WAUSM on Facebook (@wausm), Instagram (@wausm_md), YouTube (@wausm), and Twitter (@WAUSM_MD).
P/ BEFORE MEDICAL SCHOOL
22 | PREMEDLIFE.COM | SPRING 2021
CLASSES IN SESSION 6 Courses Every Premed Should Take Before Your First Day at Medical School
EXPOSITORY WRITING You’re going to have to write whether you like it or not, so you might as well get good at it. From your personal statement to the writing prompt on the MCAT, it is essential that you can express your thoughts, ideas, and stories in a well-crafted piece of writing. While they may excel in many areas, there are pre-medical students who are often deficient in their communication and writing skills. Taking an Expository Writing class may help you learn how to develop and present ideas in a cohesive manner. You can show a medical school committee your writing and analytical skills better than you can tell them. Taking classes in writing composition will put you in a good position to know what it takes to produce a well-written, well organized essay or statement. It may also be worth your while to take a course that will give you the tools you need to switch to an argumentative style of writing also, one that you’ll need to get a point of view across or persuade your reader. SOCIOLOGY If you haven’t already heard, the MCAT is undergoing a significant overhaul in 2015. One of the changes to the MCAT come 2015 will be the addition of a social and behavioral sciences sectional of the test. For those planning to sit for the MCAT in 2015, taking a sociology course is something that you’re going to want to do without a doubt. If you’re taking the MCAT before the big changes get picked up, there’s still good reason for you to take at least one course in this discipline. Students who take a course in sociology or even choose to major or minor in sociology are looked upon in a positive light among medical school admission committees since studying the subject gives students a different view of the things around them. Studies have shown that with a background in Sociology, students look at patients not only in terms of symptoms but also consider social context that may be relevant. LOGIC AND CRITICAL REASONING In your future life as a doctor, having the ability to use logic and think critically will be important in your daily life as need to use “logic and critical thinking in medical reasoning, in understanding health problems, and in making correct decision about clinical cases and situations.” As a doctor, knowledge an experience may not always be enough. There are parts of the MCAT that are used to get a sense of your logic and reasoning skills. The Wall Street Journal ran an article about the new version of the MCAT being focused less on a student’s scientific knowledge but instead emphasis being placed on their critical analysis and reasoning.
ART HISTORY Even if you take an art course just to satisfy your school’s core competency requirements, having some knowledge within this discipline may actually be more useful than you may think. More and ore colleges and universities are offering courses that give pre-medical students the opportunity to use art as a way to expose them to the practice of medicine in a whole new way. Courses like these and other art-themed courses can teach pre-medical students the observational skills that are so important for their future as doctors. In a course offered at Baylor University, pre-medical students get the chance to scrutinize pieces by artists like Rembrandt and Picasso in a class called “Healing Art.” According to the school’s Web site, “besides ‘diagnosing’ the people in works of art, the students create self-portraits to gain empathy for future patients, design art for a clinic. Art courses are a good way of honing creative thinking, dexterity, and observation skills useful in careers as doctors. MEDICAL ETHICS/HEALTH CARE POLICY Believe it or not, there are not many pre-medical student who can hold a knowledgeable conversation about current issues in health care delivery, policy and ethics. Making an effort to become a broadly-education individual will be a surefire way to set yourself apart from other pre-medical students. Being well versed in topics relevant to medical ethics or health care policy may come in handy if during your medical school admissions interviewer springs a question on you about a “hot topic” in the news or maybe some other reform issue directly impacting medical students or simply asks “so, what do you know about health care policy?” FOREIGN LANGUAGE If you plan on working as a doctor in the US, you’re going to want to study a foreign language, namely Spanish, for as many years as you can. If you already speak Spanish, then great – study Latin. You don’t have to become completely fluent in the foreign language you study, but it’s important that you have the tools to be conversational. Even though taking a second language is not required for medical school admission, if you do well it won’t do anything but strengthen your application. Some schools offer “Spanish for Pre- Medical and Health Students” or “Medical Spanish” courses – if yours does, take it! When medical school admission committee’s look at their pile of applicants from prospective students, they look to see how students differentiate from one another. Having a second language under your belt, even if it’s only on the conversation level, is one of the things that will make you stand out.
SPRING 2021 | PREMEDLIFE.COM | 23
P/ GETTING IN
#handlethat 4 things to learn how to manage before starting medical school
Y
ou may learn how to solve problems in organic chemistry, produce a well-written personal statement, or rack up hours volunteering at the hospital, but there are a few important skills that your undergrad ate experience won’t teach you directly. While finishing college is a requirement for medical school admissions, there are a few non-academic factors that will help you out big time, when it comes to succeeding as a medical school and ultimately in the medical field. Here are four things every prospective medical student should learn how to manage before they step foot into anyone’s medical school: TIME. When you start medical school, there will never seem to be enough time. So, as much as you may have resisted it over the years, one of the most important things you must do in medical school (and even before that if you’re down for it), is to figure out how to manage your time. The truth is, you’ll have more on your plate than you ever imagine possible. They secret is to not think about time as if it is the enemy but tell yourself that time is on your side. As the saying goes, you have the same 24 hours in a day as the most successful individuals you’ve heard of or even look up to. You have to learn how to prioritize to complete the things you need to do. To make it through, you may need to develop new ways to handle the great demands that medical school will place on you. And of course, research agrees. One study found that not only did they perform better in their coursework, but also reported that they were less stressed and felt less “overloaded.” There are some individuals who were born to manage time and if you’re one of these people you’ve got one up on the rest of us. These are the people who manage to get in a meal before their 8 am class, who manage to get their class assignments done - ahead of time, who have enough time left in the day to actually go to the gym. But for all of you
24 | PREMEDLIFE.COM | SPRING 2021
who struggle in this department, figuring out how to manage your time will require a bit of work. The simplest way to get started with managing your time better is being accountable. Hold yourself accountable for reaching the goals you set. Period. FINANCES. You are about to make a very real investment in yourself. What this means for most students entering medical school is that they’ll have to take out student loans and make a few sacrifices along the way to keep things under control. About 60 percent of all medical school students plan to finance their medical school education via loans. Your job is to gain a clear understanding of how to successfully manage your finances and deal with the inevitable debt that comes with getting your medical school degree. You need to take a look at your current finances, get a grasp of the expenses that come with obtaining your medical degree, and consider the resources that you’ll need to tap to move forward and make it through successfully. So how can you prepare? For one month, keep track of all of your expense, even the littlest ones and at the end of this 30-day period, you should have a better sense of our current finances. Figure out the costs associated with your MD degree, your living expenses, then write out a budget to determine your current ability to cover everything and how much money you should be saving or taking out in loans. Your final budget should give you an overall picture and include all regular monthly bills. The important thing to remember is that your budget should reflect a realistic picture of how you operate on a day-today basis. Putting an unrealistic budget in front of you will make it challenging for you to succeed. And don’t forget to prepare yourself mentally to stick to the plan. LIFE. Being in medical school shouldn’t mean that you don’t have a life. As hard as it will be, medical school
will require that you be proactive about taking some time out for yourself. Many medical students find themselves multitasking, fixing dinner with an open textbook nearby, which is truly reflective of a poor use of time. Close the books, put away your computer, and take some time to step away for a bit to nourish your body with a meal, catch up with your roommate or spouse, and give your body and mind the break it needs. In the end you will find that the benefits of taking such a pause will outweigh the cons in the long run. Sure, you’ll be in medical school soon, but that doesn’t mean that for the next few years, while you’re preparing to obtain your degree of medicine, you’re a slave to a schedule that has you studying like a maniac. You have the same amount of time in a day as President Barack Obama, who, while running the nation, finds time to shoot some hoops and watch an episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians. So don’t tell yourself that you’re too busy to have a social life. It’s not true. Make sure you “get a life!” HEALTH. Going to medical school can be hazardous for your health. The highly demanding experience will take a huge toll on your overall well-being and you have no idea what you are about to get yourself into and the life you’ve signed up for. When you begin medical school, your health will probably be the first things that goes. What student has time to go to the gym three times a week and eat healthy meals? You do. Circling back to how you manage your time, by making some easy changes to your schedule, you can pencil in time to focus on your health. And as a matter of fact, not only do you have the time and ability to keep your health - mental and physical - it is your obligation. Your future depends on it. Take care of yourself. Before you step foot into medical school, make a promise to yourself that you will take care of yourself.
SPRING 2021 | PREMEDLIFE.COM | 25
PERSONAL
THE BENEFITS OF RURAL MEDICINE
D
on’t discount rural medicine! This is my advice to all pre-med students out there. Let me explain why I feel this way. I was raised in a rural town in Georgia. However, I was of the same mindset that many small-town teenagers are. I would frequently think to myself, “as soon as I get the chance to leave, I’m going to a bigger city to make a good living for myself.” However, by the time I was ready to apply for medical school, a lot had changed. I had already worked in a factory for three years, had a wife, a child, and was very involved in the community from past service projects. I had now
26 | PreMedLife Magazine | September/October 2014
sunsurfr / flickr
By Joey Johnson
developed a deep love, respect, and appreciation for the small town atmosphere. Being that I was a non-traditional student, I had previous experience out in the school of hard knocks that really drove in the old cliché that “money isn’t everything.” I had experienced firsthand how people of rural areas are lacking for access to even basic medical care. It truly is a vastly different world in the rural area when it comes to accessibility. For this reason, I decided on practicing rural medicine. I was familiar with the people, their lifestyles, and the medical issues to which another physician unfamiliar with the area might not be keen. However, money was always an issue for me in college. Right I was beginning to have doubts about financing medical school because of the massive debt, I found out about a rural scholarship program. In short, I signed an agreement with the Georgia Board for Physician Workforce to work a year in a rural area of Georgia for each year they paid $20,000 to my medical school. What a great deal for someone interested in rural medicine anyway! Furthermore, about every state has a similar program. In some states, you don’t even have to be a resident to qualify for their loan repayment programs. While I understand the concern for some students that locking themselves into a rural contract may be equivalent to them signing away earning potential, I ask them to look at the bigger picture. Let’s take a hypothetical situation where student doctor A and student doctor B are both graduating. Student A signed a rural contract and student B did not. If both students went to the same school and had no outside financial assistance other than loans and the rural scholarship, then student doctor A would have $80,000 less in loans upon graduation. Furthermore, this means Student A has much less interest to pay as well. Student doctor B would have to make a significant amount more to make up for this gap. So again, please do not discount rural medicine! Not only does a great need exist, but also, it may be the best financial decision you could make as a medical student.
Joey Johnson is a second year medical student at Lincoln Memorial University - DCOM. He is Class President, CEO of a company that provides various free services to rural areas, and owner of www.joeyjohnsondo.com. He plans to go into family practice in Georgia as an osteopathic physician, and his is also an avid NFL fan.
September/October 2014 | PreMedLife Magazine |27
P/ THE GOODS
Plantable Wish Cards
These plantable wish cards encourage you to write down your goals and watch them bloom!
u
u
A Year of Connection
52 cards and envelopes for writing weekly to someone dear, and a journal to record the yearlong process.
u 28 | PREMEDLIFE.COM | SPRING 2021
Love Language Desk Sculpture
This desktop sculpture, made from handcrafted steel, spells out LOVE in American Sign Language.
Things They Don’t Teach in School Game 400 fun facts, random factoids, and pieces of useless knowledge make for a fresh, lively trivia game.
u
u The Box of Emotions
Putting words to feelings isn’t easy. This handy set of 80 informational cards does it for you.
100 Things to Do For Your Wellbeing
If well-being hasn’t been a priority in your life, here’s a sign—or in this case, a poster. This artful design doubles as a fun list of ideas to nourish your body, mind, and soul.
u
SPRING 2021 | PREMEDLIFE.COM | 29
P/ LAST WORDS
Considering a Study Buddy for the MCAT? Read This.
We’ve all had that experience in college when the professor says “you’ll be doing this project in a group,” and you feel an inward moan. You just know you’ll spend the next three weeks dealing with lazy slackers. And in the end, you’ll have to do all the work yourself anyway. It’s no surprise that many MCAT students prefer to “go it alone” given those types of experiences in college. However, the MCAT is a very different animal than college tests or projects. Having a good MCAT study group or study buddy is essential to your success. In my decade of working with MCAT students, the two biggest factors I’ve seen that lead to MCAT success are a good study buddy and a good attitude. So if working with a partner is essential, how do get the most out of the experience?
Don’t Be Afraid to “Break Up” If Things Aren’t Going Well You’re no married to your study partner. If things aren’t working well for you, address the issue immediately and directly (but politely!!) Simply tell the other person, “I think our learning styles aren’t really meshing that well and I’d really prefer to study on my own. Good luck with your prep!” Your MCAT prep timeline will 30 | PREMEDLIFE.COM | SPRING 2021
end up being pretty tight, and you don’t have time to waste with a partner that isn’t clicking well with you. Give Each Other Homework The whole point of a study buddy (or workout buddy, etc.) is to create accountability to someone other than yourself. At the end of every review session with your study partner, discuss what homework you’re going to be doing over the next several days. Some assignments should be set for both of you, “Okay so we’ll both take AAMC MCAT Test #5 before we meet on Friday” but then other assignments should be divided between you: “It’ll be my job to review this physics chapter on circuits and your job to review the biology chapter on the nephron.” After you’ve split up the homework, at the subsequent session, teach each other what you’ve reviewed. Any edcator will tell you that the best way to learn something is to teach it to some one else. One of the main reasons to have a study buddy is to have someone that you can teach material to. Teach Each Other The Material One of the goals in finding a study partner should be to find someone who has different strengths and weaknesses than you. So if you’re a biology master but are terrible at general chemistry, you should try to find a partner who’s good at chem but weak a biology. The goal is not to have your partner teach you chemistry, but rather for you to teach him biology. It’s that act of teaching that will turn biology from a strength into something you’ve totally mastered. And finally, stay positive! To read the full article, visit www.premedlife.com.