Lafayette College Health Professions Advising Program

1. Lafayette College Health Professions Advising Program Professor Nancy Waters Faculty Health Professions Advisor Dr. Julia Goldberg Associate Dean Health Professions Advisor 28 August 2013

2. HPAC? What? Health Professions Advisory Committee Where? 105 Scott Hall Who? Prof Waters, Dr Goldberg, + 5 faculty Why? HPAC reviews candidates prior to students applying for admission. HPAC writes a Composite Letter of Evaluation (CLoE) for you. Schools value it, and will wonder why you DON’T apply through HPAC!

3. Our Purpose: • To provide an overview of steps critical to achieving your career goal in the medical & allied health professions of: • Medicinae Doctor (Allopathic MD) • Osteopathic Medicine (DO) • Dental Medicine & Surgery (DMD &DDS) • Podiatric Medicine (DPM) • Veterinary Medicines (DVM & VMD) • Optometry (OD) • Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)

4. In addition… • We interface with Career Services (201 Hogg Hall) to assist you in exploring allied health science careers including: • Nursing (RN, BSN, MSN) • Nurse Practitioner (NP) • Physician Assistant (PA) • Physical &Occupational Therapist (PT) • Public Health practitioners (OT, MPH) ….among others.

5. …shout out for upcoming events Attend a group Gateway Meeting for 1st Year Students, 1st of 6 begin Monday September 30th 2013! Sign up for NIH trip, Washington DC, on October 15th 2013! Consider CS January Externship program! Information available over Fall Break; deadline to apply is Halloween! 100s of opportunities! …it is never too early to talk with your Gateway Advisor!

6. …as well as… Work/Life Balance in Medicine Alumni Dinner Panel Thursday October 3rd, 2013 6-8:30 pm • Network and dine with our LC alumni from the last 4 decades in an array of specialties! Including pediatrics, veterinarian, palliative care, dentistry, internal medicine, geriatrics and opthalmology! • Moderated panel opens the evening, then dinner, dessert and one-on-one discussion! • Advanced sign-up required –see the HP website for details!

7. …and while we are at it… What can I do with a Biology Degree? Alumni Dinner Panel Early November2013 6-8:30 pm • Another opportunity to network and dine with LC alumni and see the myriad things you can do with a degree in biology, neuroscience and/or biochemistry! • Same style of moderated panel,dinnerand one-on-one discussion! • Stay tuned for specifics! Advanced sign-up will be required!

8. Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC) 105 Scott Hall Focus: to guide students as they sort out career plans, explore internship and externship opportunities, and prepare for careers and graduate school in allied health fields Focus: to serve and guide students interested in applying to medical, dental, optometry and veterinary schools because these specialties ENCOURAGE colleges to submit a Composite Letter of Evaluation (CLoE) for their students Career Services, 201 Hogg Hall

9. Undergraduate Preparation for Admission to Graduate Schools in Health Professions Each HP school sets their own criteria and standards but all consider several key areas: Academic/Science grades (45-55%)* Admissions tests (20-25%)* Health-related experiences Research experiences Community service and volunteer work Letters of recommendation HP school interview * Percentages as reported by NAAHP.

10. How important are good grades I? * Source: aamc.org, aacomas.org

11. How important are good grades II?For students entering in Fall 2012 ** Source: aamc.org and aacomas.org

12. How important are good grades III?

13. Preparation – Academic coursework • Graduate with a major/minor that suits you! Follow your interest and passion! HP schools expect strong natural science foundation, but no specific major is required. • Typically, 1 Year of: Introductory Biology with laboratory (e.g., 101/102) Physics with laboratory (e.g., 111/112; 131/132/133; 151/152) Mathematics (e.g., 125 & 186, 161 & 186, 161 & 162 ) Writing-Intensive Coursework (e.g., English 110, FYS, VAST, plus two additional “W” courses). • Typically 2+ Years of Chemistry General Chemistry with laboratory (e.g., 121/122) Organic Chemistry with laboratory (e.g., 221/222) Biochemistry (e.g., 351*…MCAT 2015 tentatively will require a semester of Biochemistry!)

14. Other relevant courses include: Biol 251 Human Physiology (HPAC recommended) Chem 351 Biochem Survey (requirement for some schools) Phys 220 Medical and Biological Physics Psych 240 Health Psychology Rel 223 Religion and Medicine A&S 222 Medical Anthropology Biol 213 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Biol 340 Molecular Medicine …plan early as some of these may have prerequisites! • Some HP schools have added specific requirements! Check out YOUR choice of schools for the latest admissions requirements! If a course is not offered at Lafayette, plan ahead to enroll at another institution during the summer or at an LVAIC school during the academic year.

15. Advanced Placement We suggest you use your AP Credit for Mathematics and English/writing requirements, but NOT for science requirements! HP schools want to see how you handle collegiate laboratory rigor! …but if you accept AP credit, take higher level science electives! Provide evidence of your skills! • Summer School Do NOT make a habit of taking core or required courses during the summer! HP schools want to see how you handle demanding course loads! • Pass/Fail Avoid this! Period! HP schools want to see concrete verification of your success in many disciplines!

16. Study Abroad Most HP schools view this favorably, especially when combined with healthcare-related experiences. If you are interested in studying abroad—DO IT! But plan ahead to keep your coursework on schedule. • Research Independent Research, Honors Thesis Research, and/or EXCEL work are fast becoming essentialto make you competitive for graduate-level work in the health professions. • Electives Do not choose courses that “look good to a med school” but rather choose courses for which you have a PASSION! This includes art, humanities and social sciences! • …whoyou are and • howwell-educatedyou are contribute to your success!

17. …but what’s new about MCAT2015? • Revision 1991: 4 sections: verbal reasoning, writing sample, physical and biological sciences • 2015 REVISIONS: • Writing sample deleted and replaced with Critical Analysis and Reasoning sections • Psychological, Social and Biological Foundations of Behavior subsection added • Different question/time distribution: 60-65 question items allowing 95 minutes for each of 4 sections • Implications? You need to include introductory level sociology, psychology and statistical experience among your preparation courses! Check out: • http://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/mcat2015

18. Preparation – Co-curricular Experiences • Internships/Externships Shadow an MD! Volunteer at a shelter! Show your commitment! Check out Career Services early to help arrange internships/externships. • Extracurricular Activities Demonstrate your ability to manage time commitments, work in a hierarchy, master communication, leadership, and collaborative skills…but show a long term sincere dedication! These should ENHANCE your academic record, not IMPEDE it! • Read widely on the subject of healthcare. Keep up-to-date with current health news. Check out recommendations on the HPAC web site. …be PASSIONATE! It is your LIFE!

19. Academic Integrity and Conduct HAVE INTEGRITY!!! Practice Principles of Intellectual Honesty Make judicious choices in your behavior! Exhibit high personal standards of ethics—cheating, plagiarism, alcohol/drug violations, vandalism, etc. all compromise your character AND your HP application. Applications REQUIRE the Dean of the College to report disciplinary warning, action and/or conduct violations to HP schools! So think & ACT carefully!

20. Application Timeline To attend immediately after graduating from Lafayette, you must begin the HPAC application process in Spring semester of your JUNIOR year! MEET DEADLINES!!!!!! For many students, optimal application includes a ‘gap’ year, so apply in Spring of your SENIOR year and matriculate at graduation +1 year. SAME DEADLINES TO MEET!!!!! HPAC will work with you when you have all the components in place… when you have completed your science requirements; when you have taken or are ready to take admissions test (MCAT DAT OAT, or VCAT/GRE); when you have a competitive profile of research, dedicated medical-related experiences, and track record of co-curricular activities with PASSION…THEN… HPAC submissions, recommendation letters, interview, etc., will get scheduled typically around the 7th week of the spring semester.

21. All of us at Lafayette look forward to your success! We want to help further your career plans! Stay abreast of what is happening by visiting our web site: • http://healthprofessions.lafayette.edu • Register for and AttendHPAC events; remember—we write that letter for you ! Do not be a stranger! BE PROACTIVE & TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR CAREER!!!