Premed – willpeachMD https://willpeachmd.com Medical School Guide Sat, 28 Dec 2024 21:26:38 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.0.14 Best Surgical Internships for Undergraduates https://willpeachmd.com/surgical-internships-for-undergraduates Wed, 03 Aug 2022 14:19:02 +0000 https://willpeachmd.com/?p=7028 Best Surgical Internships for Undergraduates Read More »

]]> Summer break isn’t just a time to relax or rest on your laurels. It’s an opportunity to gain valuable experience in your desired profession. This allows you to stand out among the many other pre-med students, especially when it’s time to get into medical school and beyond. 

Whether it’s making connections or getting hands-on experience, summer internships are worth considering.

This guide will cover the best surgical internships available for undergraduates across the US.

Best Surgical Internships for Undergraduates

FSIE Undergraduate Surgical Internship 

Portland-based FSIE is hosting a six-week intensive program to help students gain experience in general surgery. The internship focuses on curriculum-building activities to build your resume.

In particular, you’ll have the opportunity to shadow doctors and nurses in the clinic and operating room. Interns receive the fundamentals of surgical procedures and skills in the research laboratory. 

During the program, you’ll shadow physicians within your specialty. Surgeons allow you to follow a single patient throughout their surgical process. This includes the initial consultation, testing, surgery, and post-operations. 

According to FSIE, many of their students have presented their research findings at national meetings. You’ll lead authorship for scientific manuscripts published in various peer-reviewed journals. 

The deadline for applications is December 1st.

Details

Heersink School of Medicine – Surgery Undergraduate Research Experience 

The Heersink School of Medicine offers an internship to encourage undergraduates to pursue a career in surgery. 

This 8-week program involves clinical shadowing, so you’ll be able to see the life of a surgeon and other medical practitioners. You’ll also gain invaluable experience from seminars and workshops. 

The program accepts ten students and generally runs from June to August in the summer. 

Applicants must have at least a 3.2 GPA, be a U.S. citizen, be a sophomore or junior, and have a strong interest in medicine. 

If you’re interested in exploring a career in surgery, this program can help you decide whether medicine is the career path you want to be in. 

Details

Houston Methodist Leading Medicine – The Rosenberg Summer Surgical Fellowship 

The Houston Methodist Hospital offers the Rosenberg Summer Surgical Fellowship for undergrad students. This is a 10-week mentorship program sponsored by Wade Rosenberg, MD. It’ll cover General Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Neurosurgery, Urology, and Cardiovascular Surgery. 

The mentorship program allows you to shadow surgeons and attend grand rounds. Also, you’ll attend didactic lectures and seminars geared towards career development. At the end of the surgical internship, students will present the work they’ve done throughout the summer. 

If you’re curious about a specific surgical field, this is an excellent opportunity to get behind the scenes of what the surgeon does daily. 

Details

Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences – Surgical Internship

Unlike the other programs, this is a semester-long internship for four pre-med students. Interns receive valuable exposure to what it’s like in the operating room. 

You would observe and work directly with surgeons to learn about the medical pathologies and procedures. 

This internship covers a wide array of medical specialties: 

  • Cardiothoracic surgery 
  • General surgery
  • Foot and ankle surgery
  • Pediatric orthopedic surgery
  • Neurosurgery
  • Vascular surgery
  • Pediatric general surgery
  • Plastic and reconstructive surgery. 

Students are required to shadow surgeons for at least 4 hours a week. Over the semester, that amounts to 150 to 200 hours per week. Interns must write three peer-reviewed case studies, one of which will be presented at the end of the program. 

There are also interactive roundtable discussions and surgical workshops for students to attend. 

Details

Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine Summer Research Intern Program 

Based in Chicago, the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital is hosting their summer intern program for undergrad students. This 8-week-long program runs from June to August and requires 15 to 20 hours per week. 

If you’re someone interested in clinical research for orthopedics and sports medicine, this program is for you. Interns will be exposed to real-world situations like shadowing clinicians and observing surgeries. 

The program comes with weekly research meetings, training, and exposure to research projects. Some research topics include fracture management, pediatric bone health, scoliosis, concussion, and more. 

Details

International Medical Aid Pre-Med Internships

Unlike the other internships, International Medical Aid offers surgical internships abroad. The internship allows students to visit areas like East Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. These areas urgently need health care assistance, where they can volunteer to help patients. 

By choosing surgery as an area of interest, you’ll shadow a surgeon and observe them while standing just a few feet away. This is the time for you to ask a lot of questions and cultivate relationships that can serve you in the future. For example, you can meet professionals that can write you a letter of recommendation. 

The typical day consists of spending six to eight hours in the hospital, and free time can be spent on local excursions. You have the option to work in the hospital on weekends or enjoy treks around your area. 

When accepted, the program will cover: 

  • 24/7 U.S. and local country support 
  • Medical school admissions support 
  • Orientation and training 
  • Gated housing and 24/7 security 
  • Travel, Health, and accident insurance 
  • Placement related transportation 
  • Chef-prepared meals 
  • Hospital fees 
  • Communication
  • Program debriefing 

Details

Related Articles

]]> 5 Physician Shadowing Programs in Cincinnati https://willpeachmd.com/physician-shadowing-cincinnati Tue, 19 Jul 2022 13:44:38 +0000 https://willpeachmd.com/?p=6859 5 Physician Shadowing Programs in Cincinnati Read More »

]]> Shadowing is critical in helping you decide on a career in healthcare. But finding programs near to you can sometimes prove difficult.

If you’re based in Seattle, WA, or the surrounding metro area, these physician shadowing programs could be a great fit for you.

Looking for shadowing programs elsewhere? Check out other physician shadowing guides. We cover all major U.S. cities!

Physician Shadowing Programs in Cincinnati

1. Job Shadowing at Premier Health

For those interested in nursing, patient care tech, respiratory therapy, pharmacy, and more, the job shadowing program at Premier Health could be for you.

Primarily designed for college students looking to learn about health care careers in both clinical and non-clinical settings, this program is open to individuals aged 14 and over (to shadow in the ER or in surgery you must be 16 or above).

The program is an observation-only experience based on availability. Preceptors are arranged on application.

Applications should be made at least 8 weeks prior to starting dates.

Opportunities are available across Southwest Ohio.

Details

2. University of Cincinnati Medical Center

The University of Cincinnati Medical Center has an observership program for high schoolers under their “UC Health Career Journeys Program”. 

The program provides opportunity to learn about medical care in a hospital and clinical setting, from observing one-on-one patient care to support services. 

Running from September to March, participants will be led by adult advisors (working clinicians at UC Health) and are expected to attend twice monthly meetings. There is also a virtual program that runs once a month within the same time period.

Application deadlines are set for the end of July.

In addition to the Health Career Journeys Program, UC also runs a VolunTeen Program running from June to mid-August that’s open to teens 15 years of age or older. Volunteers in this program, although not receiving the opportunity to shadow, can still get a taste of health careers via assignments to specific departments and participation in departmental orientations.

Adults volunteers interested in clerical work, assisting and escorting patients and visitors, are also welcome.

See the contact info for details of each of these programs.

Details

3. University of Cincinnati Neurosurgery Student Shadowing

Individuals over the age of 16 are welcome to apply for UC’s Department of Neurosurgery Student Shadowing program and get a glimpse into the subspecialty.

The opportunity offers the chance to experience the outpatient clinical setting, including observing the duties performed by the healthcare worker they shadow.

Each student is limited to shadow neurosurgery attending physicians for 1 day (maximum of 8 hours).

Details

4. TriHealth

TriHealth offers a learning opportunity through its physician shadowing program. The facility offers job shadowing for high school and college students aged 15 and upward. Students under the program can explore various career paths in healthcare. 

TriHealth wishes to specify that shadowing is not the same as clinical rotations that are a part of degrees and certifications and that they provide observation only. The facility does not allow participants to interact with patients or provide direct care.

TriHealth approves available opportunities for 8-16 hours, depending on the department and clinical unit. 

Willing participants must submit an application and the documentation requested. A review team from TriHealth will review all applications before approval is submitted. 

Details

5. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

The Job Shadow Program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center offers experiential learning opportunities to help individuals learn about health career alternatives and the skills required by various occupations. 

The program provides a four-hour instruction and shadowing experience once a month to 20 individuals interested in learning about a particular field of health care. 

Participants in the program will be able to observe the workplace environment and the duties of the health care provider they are shadowing; however, they will not be permitted to provide hands-on patient care.

The program welcomes participants aged 16 and above.

Cincinnati Children’s provides this opportunity to give participants a hands-on experience of the academic, technical, and personal skills needed in healthcare. 

You can choose a shadowing program in the following areas:

  • Pharmacists
  • Audiology
  • Physician
  • Registered nurse
  • Radiology
  • Physician
  • Sports medicine
  • Speech Pathologist

Check out the video below for more on the shadowing opportunities offered at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center…

Details

Other Opportunities For Clinical Shadowing In Cincinnati

As well as applying to the organized shadowing programs listed above, it can be worth researching and enquiring about possible hospital volunteering programs in Cincinnati and the surrounding metropolitan area.

The Christ Hospital Family, based off of Auburn Ave, Cincinnati, has a rich and well-established volunteer program that could be useful.

Signing up to volunteer can help you build a network among physicians, nurses, physician assistants, and other healthcare workers that could lead to important shadowing opportunities.

What About Private Shadowing?

It’s possible to set up private shadowing programs with physicians (and other healthcare workers) in Cincinnati.

Here are some important tips on how to secure further shadowing opportunities in the city and surrounding areas:

  • Contact your own personal care provider (PCP) and enquire about shadowing
  • Look up major hospitals in the area and check to see if doctors practicing there are alumni of your college (email them and explain the situation)
  • Try cold calling/emailing physicians listed on the faculty list of Seattles’ major medical schools (UC Health is a good place to start)
  • Consider applying for hospital scribing jobs in the city
  • Look into virtual shadowing opportunities

If you have contacts in Columbus, it might be worth looking at physician shadowing opportunities there also.

I Want To Shadow A Certain Specialty Doctor, What Can I Do?

If you’re looking to learn more about the various areas of medicine (and the differing roles) then shadowing can help.

Finding opportunities is generally the same across all areas of medicine and health. You’ll want to contact departments (and physicians) directly and see if they can put you in contact with specialist healthcare workers in areas you may be interested in.

Looking for tips on shadowing specific specialty doctors? Check out our guides here.

Final Thoughts

A physician or clinical-based shadowing program is important for any student interested in allied health careers. Not just future doctors but nurses, physician assistants, and anyone in between!

Hopefully, the programs above can help give you an introduction to what life in healthcare is all about.

]]> Can You Convert a DO to an MD Degree? (Explained!) https://willpeachmd.com/can-you-convert-a-do-to-an-md-degree Tue, 12 Jul 2022 13:29:14 +0000 https://willpeachmd.com/?p=6717 Can You Convert a DO to an MD Degree? (Explained!) Read More »

]]> The idea that students studying towards a DO degree should be given the opportunity to convert to an MD degree (and vice versa), has been long discussed. Arguments over the small differences in earning both degrees, coupled with 2020 residency mergers, certainly do a lot to support the argument.

So Can You Convert A DO to an MD Degree?

You can’t convert between osteopathic (DO) medical degrees and allopathic (MD) degrees. The governing and accreditation boards for both remain separate. As do the specific colleges designed to deliver on teaching.

Although you could in the past, and may be able to again in the future (possibly via a merger), it’s impossible right now.

Still, despite these facts being true, that doesn’t stop the debate.

In this article, we’ll explore the idea of DO to MD conversion, look at the history of the idea and look into the reasons why you can’t.

We’ll also explore:

  • The future possibility of MD/DO conversion
  • The statements issued by specific boards
  • The similarities and differences between the degrees (that could help lead to their separation)

If you’re still unsure about the terms and want a brief overview of each, skip to the “Related Questions” section first.

Ready to learn more? Let’s get started.

Why You Should Be Able to Convert a DO to MD

While you can’t currently convert a DO to an MD degree, the idea that you should is pretty persuasive.

Back in 1982 a legal case took place arguing that DOs should be able to use MD letters in communications with patients. Relying on the argument that “(t)here is no substantial difference between accredited medical schools irrespective of the terminology of the degree conferred, except that students attending medical schools conferring the degree ‘Doctor of Osteopath’ are required to take, and be examined in, several courses in manipulative therapy,” the case was eventually thrown out. The Texas court failed to agree.

Fast forward to the 2020s however, and the debate is still ongoing.

The idea that a DO to MD conversion should occur, according to research, seems to exist on the following four principles:

  1. Separation only really exists because of retiring accrediting board members motivated by financial incentive
  2. It was already once possible to convert a DO to an MD degree for a small fee (specific to California, ending in 1962)
  3. Residency positions are open to applicants holding either degree
  4. There’s minimal difference between the content studied and examined

Whether there’s any real weight between these arguments, is not enough.

For now, earning a DO is still a separate process from earning an MD.

Related: Osteopathic Medical (DO) Schools In Texas (Ultimate Guide)

Is There A Possibility of an MD/DO Degree Merger?

Despite persuasive arguments, for many, the possibility of a merger is still very little.

This is because, as it stands, there is no real benefit. For doctors working in the US (excepting those who wish to work abroad – see the section below on “International Limitations” for more), job prospects and salaries are much the same. Degree holders from either path go on to specialize via residency (and often end up in the same careers) through the same match process.

Also, the impact on patient care delivery is small – few doctors or patients care about the initials attached to a medical degree.

What about merging COMLEX with STEP?

One place a merger could be possible is when it comes to exams. Dropping the COMLEX (the DO board exam) and replacing it with STEP (the MD equivalent), makes more sense. This is mainly because there is a large amount of overlap between topics on either exam and the materials used to study for both.

Many students theorize this could happen within the next few years.

Why Can’t You Convert a DO degree to an MD?

According to more skeptical students, the decision could have a lot to do with money.

Both degrees are governed and accredited individually. Both are earned at specifically designed colleges and teaching hospitals. Both degrees operate as individual “competing businesses.”

What About AOA Leadership? Doesn’t That Mean DO and MD could Merge?

Some students argue that because AOA leadership is slowly dying (evidenced by a 2019 statement that seemed to open up to the idea of a potential merger), rules on separation could eventually relax.

But this doesn’t take into consideration the other side of the argument; the governing committee behind the MD, the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). Without a public statement, we have no almost no idea where they stand on a potential MD-DO combined degree or conversion.

Because some feel the MD is the more prestigious (and competitive) degree, we can’t just assume the LCME would be open to any conversion or merger. The greater possibility is that the LCME just takes over everything.

As this 2016 AACOM report says…

Finally, sooner rather than later, osteopathic medical schools will likely be forced into joining with and being accredited by the Liaison Commission for Medical Education (LCME). The logic is inescapable. By agreeing to the proposition that one accreditation system with one common standard on the graduate medical education level through ACGME is in “the public interest,” the osteopathic profession will likely be unable to offer a rational and compelling reason why one accreditation system with one common standard accrediting all US medical schools (allopathic and osteopathic) is not in “the public interest” on the undergraduate level. This is particularly the case when the LCME is composed of the same partners—AMA and AAMC—on the graduate medical education level. And given that tuition-dependent medical schools with comparatively few full time faculty members cannot meet current LCME standards, DO schools will close or lose their osteopathic identity.

– Dr Gevitz, 2016

When Can You Convert a DO to an MD Degree?

As of right now, there are only predictions. Even then it’s more likely that the two will combine under one degree, making conversion pointless.

For some, this could be in the next 10 years…

I believe the MD DO merger will take place within 10 years. Everyone’s saying that “old guards” will not allow that to happen. But the “old guards” are already gone. Any DO who is younger than 55 are the same crowd who advocate for the MDO 20 years ago. This age group probably makes up up to 75% of DOs. AOA with its shrinking membership will not be able to stop the merger if LCME proposes it..

– Solodyn, SDN

For others, possibly never…

The AOA is part of the ACGME voting board now. They still have some power. I don’t think MD and DO will merge. LCME doesn’t care and doesn’t want anything to do with DO schools.

– DrStephenStrange, SDN

Related Questions

What is a DO degree?

DO stands for Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine. The degree is undertaken at an osteopathic medical school and upon completion, graduates will be able to use the letters DO after their name. DO’s make up approximately 11% of all practicing physicians in the US.

Osteopathic medical schools take a holistic approach to medicine. Students mostly go on to work in a generalized role in rural areas. There are around 37 DO medical schools in America, and around 121,000 DO physicians currently practicing. While not as popular as MD degrees, the number of people choosing a DO degree is increasing.

What is an MD degree?

MD stands for Doctor of Medicine, and it is the most popular type of medical degree undertaken in the US. Students train in allopathic medicine, focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Upon completion, graduates can use the letters MD after their name.

Students attend a medical school accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). They also specialize in specific areas of medicine such as neurology, ophthalmology, and cardiology. There are currently 155 accredited MD programs available in the US.

What are the differences between a DO and MD degree?

Some of the differences between a DO and MD degree include the teaching approach, salary, international opportunities, and education. However, both DO and MD graduates will be licensed to practice medicine equally in all 50 states.

With DO degrees, students follow a holistic, whole-body approach. They need to undergo an additional 200 hours of training in the Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment field. MD students, on the other hand, do not undergo this extra training.

DO Vs MD Salary

Technically, DOs and MDs can earn the same kind of salary. However, as most DO graduates enter into a primary care field, statistically they do earn a lower salary than MD graduates who go into a specialized field.

International Limitations

Perhaps one of the biggest differences that you will need to take into account, is the international opportunities available. MD degrees are more widely accepted throughout the world than DO degrees. This means if you want to practice medicine abroad, an MD degree would be the better option. That being said, DO degrees are becoming more accepted thanks to their rise in popularity. DO graduates have full practice rights in approximately 50 different countries.

Routes to Qualification

When it comes to getting qualified, DO students need to pass a Comprehensive Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX). MD students, on the other hand, need to pass the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE).

Both DO and MD programs teach science-based classes, such as biochemistry, physiology, and anatomy. The coursework for DO programs is slightly different in the fact that a tenth of it focuses on hands-on therapies.

These are the main differences you will need to consider when deciding which degree to undertake.

Is a DO or an MD degree better?

Both DO and MD degrees allow you to practice medicine. While they may take different approaches and the requirements differ slightly, they are equally as good as one another. DO degrees are not as well known as MD degrees, but that is starting to change now more students are opting to go down the DO route.

For patients, having DO or MD after your name doesn’t make a difference. You will still be viewed as a medical professional regardless of what letters you have after your name. However, when it comes to employment opportunities, you may find it easier to get into your chosen career with an MD degree.

To determine which type of degree is the best option for you, consider where you want to practice medicine, and whether you would like to learn Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment. One could argue that a DO degree is more impressive due to the additional training and skills acquired. However, there really is very little difference between the two.

Is residency different for a DO and MD?

In 2020, the Graduate Medical Education (GME) and American Osteopathic Association (AOA) changed the residency match requirements for DO and MD doctors. Both DO and MD students can now apply for the same positions after completing school. Prior to this, DO and MD doctors went through separate residency matches.

The only remaining difference between DO and MD residency is that DO students can become board certified in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. This is typically paired with Neuromuscular Medicine and is referred to as an OMM/NMM residency.

DO graduates can find it a little more difficult to obtain a residency, but this is mostly down to how few medical schools there are. Statistically, there are far more MD students looking for a residency program, which ultimately leads to a higher acceptance rate compared to DO students.

What are DO and MD admission requirements?

Admission requirements are almost the same for DO and MD medical schools. There are pre-requisite courses that need to be taken at the undergraduate level, and students need to shadow a DO or MD physician. Additionally, both DO and MD applicants need to take an MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) test.

A personal statement will be required when applying for admission into a DO or MD program. Do students will need to write a personal statement for AACOMAS, while MD students will write one for AMCAS.

Applications for both DO and MD schools begin in May, though AMCAS applications can be submitted in June.

Understanding the key differences between a DO and MD degree will help you to decide which path is right for you. You cannot convert a DO degree into an MD degree, but in reality, they both provide the same opportunities so it shouldn’t matter too much.

]]> 6 Physician Shadowing Programs in Seattle https://willpeachmd.com/physician-shadowing-seattle Thu, 07 Jul 2022 16:05:47 +0000 https://willpeachmd.com/?p=6631 6 Physician Shadowing Programs in Seattle Read More »

]]> Shadowing is critical in helping you decide on a career in healthcare. But finding programs near to you can sometimes prove difficult.

If you’re based in Seattle, WA, or the surrounding metro area, these physician shadowing programs could be a great fit for you.

Looking for shadowing programs elsewhere? Check out other physician shadowing guides. We cover all major U.S. cities!

List Of Physician Shadowing Programs In Seattle

Swedish Medical Center Seattle

Swedish Health Services/Swedish Medical Center has two teams dedicated to helping people interested in shadowing.

The Graduate Medical Education (GME) team offers Observerships with physicians (MD/DO), physician assistants (PA-C), podiatrists (DPM), dentists, and nurse practitioners.

You’ll have to search for providers through their listings first and you’ll also have to be over the age of 18 (those under 18 may want to contact Volunteer Services).

Observerships are ideally completed within 30 days of a start date. Check out the following for more info,

DETAILS

COPE Health Scholars

Running at various health care sites throughout Washington (including sites in Seattle), California, and Hawaii, COPE Health Scholars is a year-round program taking enrollment every quarter.

Offering 250 hours of field experience with weekly commitments of 4-8 hours, the program is separated into 9-month and 3-month options.

Designed as a program to help individuals decide if a career in helath care is right, COPE boasts 34,000 alumni who’ve all received completion certificates from the initiative via Keck Graduate Institute.

Applicants must be 18 or over and have completed GED or high school by the deadline for the cohort they wish to enroll in. Interviews take place via Skype and applications can be made online via their website.

The cost of the program runs between $232-$509 depending on the length of months you wish to complete it.

DETAILS

Seattle Children’s Hospital

Seattle Children’s Hospital offers medical observerships and a chance to shadow health experts.

To qualify you’ll need to be 18 and over, be able to show a dedicated interest in healthcare, and/or be an individual already working in healthcare but interested in different aspects of pediatric care.

These observerships do not fulfil high school senior projects, there’s also a dedicated page for those interested in high school and youth service projects.

Like most shadowing opps, you’re expected to complete an observership request form first. You’ll also need to show vaccination proof.

Applications are processed in approx 3 weeks. Observerships typically run 1-3 days.

DETAILS

UW Medical Center Observations

UW Medical Center presents opportunities to shadow medical staff including physicians, dentists, pscyhologists, microbiologists, pharmacists, and more.

Observerships are mandated by the school’s compliance regulations meaning no patient care or hands-on medical training is conducted.

You’ll need to be over 18 to be allowed in operating rooms but anyone over 16 is eligible to apply. You’ll also need to find providers to observe first.

DETAILS

Swedish First Hill Family Medicine Shadowing

Swedish First Hill Family Medicine offers a limited number of shadowing opportunities for pe-med students (high school and undergrad) ans also has spots for LCME or osteopathic med students.

Shadowing is offered up in outpatient or inpatient clinics and can be scheduled for up to four half-days.

Graduates of US or International medical schools are ineligible for this opportunity.

DETAILS

Sea Mar Shadowing

High school through to graduate school individuals are welcome to apply to Sea Mar to shadow medical providers.

Opportunities exist in Western Washington State for individuals willing to apply to via the link.

You’ll need to apply with a CV, your proposed shadowing hours and the name and contact of a preceptor.

DETAILS

Other Opportunities For Clinical Shadowing In Seattle

As well as applying to the organized shadowing programs listed above, it can be worth researching and enquiring about possible hospital volunteering programs in Seattle and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Signing up to volunteer can help you build a network among physicians, nurses, physician assistants, and other healthcare workers that could lead to important shadowing opportunities.

What About Private Shadowing?

It’s possible to set up private shadowing programs with physicians (and other healthcare workers) in Seattle.

Here are some important tips on how to secure further shadowing opportunities in the city and surrounding areas:

  • Contact your own personal care provider (PCP) and enquire about shadowing
  • Look up major hospitals in the area and check to see if doctors practicing there are alumni of your college (email them and explain the situation)
  • Try cold calling/emailing physicians listed on the faculty list of Seattles’ major medical schools (UWB Bothell is a good place to start)
  • Consider applying for hospital scribing jobs in the city
  • Look into virtual shadowing opportunities

I Want To Shadow A Certain Specialty Doctor, What Can I Do?

If you’re looking to learn more about the various areas of medicine (and the differing roles) then shadowing can help.

Finding opportunities is generally the same across all areas of medicine and health. You’ll want to contact departments (and physicians) directly and see if they can put you in contact with specialist healthcare workers in areas you may be interested in.

Looking for tips on shadowing specific specialty doctors? Check out our guides here.

Final Thoughts

A physician or clinical-based shadowing program is important for any student interested in allied health careers. Not just future doctors but nurses, physician assistants, and anyone in between!

Hopefully, the programs above can help give you an introduction to what life in healthcare is all about.

]]> Is UCLA Good for Pre-Med? (Everything You Need to Know) https://willpeachmd.com/ucla-pre-med Wed, 06 Jul 2022 14:32:28 +0000 https://willpeachmd.com/?p=6613 Is UCLA Good for Pre-Med? (Everything You Need to Know) Read More »

]]> Choosing a great college for undergrad studies can make a big difference when it comes to being a pre-med. But because there’s so much choice, and a lot of factors hanging in the balance, it’s difficult to know what schools are best. 

UCLA has an excellent college reputation, but does it stack up for pre-med? Here’s what we know about its pre-med offering (and if it’s right for you)…

Quick Answer: Is UCLA Good For Pre-Med In 2022?

UCLA is a very prestigious and academically rigorous school. It delivers excellent infrastructure and tons of extracurriculars to its pre-meds, making it a solid choice for students preparing to get into medicine. On the flip side, the university doesn’t have a specific pre-med advising service (only a broader Pre-Health). It’s also very competitive to get involved in good-quality extracurriculars, and it’s challenging to get the top grades.

Before you read on, make sure you read our premed guides for info on other schools, study tips, prep, and more!

Does UCLA Offer Pre-Med?

UCLA, according to the AAMC, produces over 1,000 med school applicants every year, the most of any school in the US.

Despite the fact it has a massive number of pre-meds, UCLA doesn’t provide premed-specific advising. Instead, you can book one-on-one advising appointments through UCLA’s Career Center via the broader-career-focused UCLA Pre-Health.

On their website, there are tons of workshops and events posted, and you can find a complete list of available resources.

Like most schools, the pre-med curriculum at UCLA doesn’t lead to a formal degree: there is no pre-med major. It is an adaptable course of study that satisfy requirements and prepare you to pursue graduate studies in the medical field.

UCLA Pre-Med Requirements

UCLA recommends a study path for pre-meds, with specific classes that meet each prerequisite. According to the school, the following track should be OK to satisfy the requirements of just about any school:

1) Biology: One year with lab (Medical school requirement):

• Life Sciences 7A, 7B, and 7C + 23L (UCLA Required courses)

Life Sciences 107 (UCLA Optional courses)

2) General chemistry: One year with lab (Medical school requirement):

• Chemistry 14A, 14B, and 14BL or Chemistry 20A, 20B, and 20L (UCLA Required courses)

• Chemistry 30AL (UCLA Optional courses)

3) Organic chemistry: One year with lab (Medical school requirement):

• Chemistry 14C, 14CL, and 14D or Chemistry 30A, 30BL, and 30B (UCLA Required courses)

• Chemistry 30C (UCLA Optional courses)

Related: Interested in other Premed schools in California? Check out our guide; 4 Best Pre-Med Schools In California (Key Info & Data)

4) Biochemistry: One course (Medical school requirement):

• Chemistry 153A (UCLA Required courses)

• Chemistry 153L (UCLA Optional courses)

5) Math: One year (Medical school requirement):

• Math 3A, 3B, and 3C; or Math 31A, 31B, and 32A; or Life Sciences 30A, 30B, and 40 or Statistics 13 (UCLA Required courses)

• Statistics 10 and 12; Biostatistics 100A and 110A; Program in Computing 10A; Biomathematics 110, 160, and 170A (UCLA Optional courses)

6) Physics: One year with lab (Medical school requirement):

• Physics 5A, 5B, and 5C; or Physics 6A, 6B, and 6C; or Physics 1A, 1B, and 1C; Plus: Physics 4AL and 4BL (UCLA Required courses)

• Life Sciences 107 (UCLA Optional courses)

7) College-level English/writing: One year (Medical school requirement):

• 3 English, Comparative Literature, or “W” courses (UCLA Required courses)

8) Courses helpful for MCAT prep:

• Psychology 10; Sociology 1 (UCLA Optional courses)

You can check out our guides on the aforementioned subjects and MCAT study too!

What’s Good About UCLA Pre-Med

UCLA is ranked as one of the top public universities in the US. It has all the expected academic credentials of a large public university yet with class sizes of a small college – more than half of UCLA’s classes have no more than 20 students!

The university has more than 1,000 student organizations and a world-class research hospital. Its beautiful coastal location (although it doesn’t make this list: Med Schools By The Beach (15 Amazing Options)) is a huge plus and makes it a strong choice for a pre-med undergraduate experience. Here are what, we feel, are the 2 things that make it a good pre-med choice:

  1. Tons of extracurricular activities; organizations, activities, and labs
  2. Pre-Health offers good guidance

But let’s get into the specific stuff UCLA presents for pre-meds and can help you get into a med school.

Clinical Experience

When it comes to shadowing options, UCLA’s on-campus Ronald Reagan Hospital doesn’t let undergrads shadow doctors at their facilities, except as part of specific approved programs. But it isn’t really a problem since there is plenty of other hospitals, clinics, or physicians in private practice to gain shadowing hours nearby.

Besides our recommendations here; physician shadowing and hospital volunteering recommendations in Los Angeles, here are some other places worth looking into:

  1. Cedars-Sinai Hospital
  2. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
  3. Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center
  4. Olive View–UCLA Medical Center
  5. Providence Saint John’s Health Center

Among the many UCLA students organizations, you can find numerous clinical opportunities too, such as:

  • Care Extenders Program 
  • Emergency Medicine Research Associates (EMRA) 
  • Student Stroke Force/Team 
  • SCOPE at UCLA 
  • ARC Medical Program 
  • Bruin Beans 
  • CTSI RAP 
  • PULSE UCLA 
  • APA Health CARE 
  • AMSA 
  • Sports Medicine Internship
  • Fellowship for International Service and Health (FISH)
  • Medical Experience through Service in Healthcare (MESH)
  • Global Medical Brigades

Research Experience

UCLA has plenty of research opportunities for pre-meds. We believe the place to start when it comes to research is the website of the Undergraduate Research Center, where you can find good guides and info.

Besides this resource, one of the best places to get involved with research is with UCLA students’ clubs and associations. We’ve highlight two of them here for you:

  1. Emergency Medicine Research Associates 
  2. UCLA Health Sciences Volunteer Program 

Another way is to become a research assistant in a UCLA faculty member’s lab. However, getting into these positions can be competitive and demand extra effort.

Civic Engagement

UCLA offers many volunteering activities unrelated to medicine, where a pre-med can get good civil engagement exposure and develop leadership skills.

Some of the most popular ones include: 

The video below provides some nice info on what life is like at UCLA for a premed…

What’s Bad About UCLA Pre-Med

Although UCLA is a prestigious college, research has shown to bring up the following criticisms of its pre-med program:

  1. UCLA doesn’t have a specific pre-med/pre-health advising office, complicating pre-meds life.
  2. It’s hard to get good grades in the required pre-med science courses.
  3. Many pre-meds simply don’t make it through to the end.
  4. STEM classes are often graded on a curve, making it challenging to earn As (classes of other disciplines are evaluated using a straight scale, in contrast).
  5. Getting involved with extracurriculars can be very competitive. There is a high number of pre-meds competing for quality extracurricular experiences.
  6. UCLA doesn’t provide a committee letter. You’ll have to ask teachers and mentors for recommendations individually.
  7. Off-campus housing is costly.

Are You At An Advantage Getting Into David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM)?

In 2020, 903 UCLA pre-meds applied to DGSOM, and 33 were accepted—just 3.7 percent. The acceptance rate at Geffen is lower, at 2.8 percent.

This difference, though, is not huge. You aren’t more likely to get into Geffen as a UCLA pre-med than an applicant from another college. 

UCLA’s Pre-Med Acceptance Rate

In 2020, 1,149 UCLA pre-meds applied to medical school, and 53 percent were accepted. That’s 10% higher than the national average.

The successful applicants from UCLA had an average MCAT score of 513.6 and an average GPA of 3.7.

What UCLA Majors Are Best For Pre-Meds?

At UCLA, psychobiology is the most popular pre-med major. And we believe there are two reasons for that:

  • Its pre-major course requirements closely align with the pre-med classes you’ll need to take
  • Many people think it’s the science major in which it’s “easiest” to maintain a good GPA (more on that discussion here; What’s The Easiest Pre Med Major?)

Of course, that isn’t the only major UCLA students choose. Other common majors for UCLA pre-meds include the following, some of which are notoriously tough:

  1. Biochemistry
  2. Biology
  3. Ecology, behavior, and evolution
  4. Human biology and society
  5. Microbiology, immunology, and molecular genetics
  6. Neuroscience
  7. Physiological science

However, UCLA pre-meds also major in anthropology, sociology, English, history, and other non-science disciplines too.

Is UCLA Good For Biology?

College Factual’s rank puts UCLA Biology at #41. It is in the top 5% of the country in this field of study, and it is also ranked #8 in California.

Is UCLA Good For Pre-Med? The Internet’s Opinion…

The Internet is the best place to get unbiased information about schools. And here is some of what we think is the most relevant info we could find:

Honestly, I would encourage you to look elsewhere.

After completing an undergraduate program and subsequent graduation, the average medical school acceptance rate is 42%. For UCLA and UC Berkeley, it’s 51%. This is really not stellar considering that schools like Vassar and Xavier are 92%, Emory is 91%, Brown is 85%, and, well, you get the idea. Many schools will help you far more in being accepted to medical school. I know these figures since my son was accepted to these, as well as other schools.

– Michael McAllister, Quora

UCLA does have intense competition as one of the premier public universities in the US. Expect it to be tough in virtually every science or engineering program.

On average, exams are difficult and a handful for the majority of students. They are hard, but in all likelihood not Cal Tech or MIT hard I would assume.

(…)

So yes, it is rigorous. With work ethic, mental strength, pure talent, or a combination of them, it can be done.

– Parich Tangmatitam, Quora

Conclusion: Is UCLA Good For Pre-Med?

Getting through pre-med at UCLA is challenging due to its rigorous courses and competitive extracurricular scene. But opportunities abound and are wide-ranging, From academics to research to clinical experience, as a pre-med, you’ll be able to put together a competitive application here. But prepare to work hard, getting a good GPA is tough here.

Related: Is UCLA A Good Medical School? (Everything You Need To Know)

]]> Is MIT Good For Pre-Med In 2022? (Everything You Need To Know) https://willpeachmd.com/mit-pre-med Tue, 17 May 2022 19:43:46 +0000 https://willpeachmd.com/?p=6573 Is MIT Good For Pre-Med In 2022? (Everything You Need To Know) Read More »

]]> Choosing a great college for undergrad studies can make a big difference when it comes to being a pre-med. But because there’s so much choice, and a lot of factors hanging in the balance, it’s difficult to know what schools are best. 

MIT has an excellent college reputation, but does it stack up for pre-med? Here’s what we know about MIT’s pre-med offering (and if it’s right for you)…

Quick Answer: Is MIT Good For Pre-Med In 2022?

MIT is a super prestigious and top-rank school with great resources and opportunities for pre-med. It’s an excellent choice for students that want to excel in science and engineering and live among brilliant peers and professors. Still, its classes are challenging, especially in the sciences, and it doesn’t seem easy to maintain a high GPA.

Attending MIT is also by no means a guarantee of admission to any med school, but its prestige and resources might help put you on the right path. Of course, you’ll still have to have an excellent GPA and MCAT scores, and there’s where MIT (due to its competitive student intake) could make things difficult.

Does MIT Offer Pre-Med?

Like most schools, MIT doesn’t offer a pre-med or a pre-health major. It means students may pursue whatever major they want and take classes in any department.

But to apply to any health-related professional school (such as medical, dental, etc.) is necessary to fulfill a few requirements. MIT students interested in a medical career are encouraged to make a registration meeting with their Prehealth Advising (led by Aleshia Carlsen-Bryan) in the spring of their sophomore year.

They will help you explore different paths and programs and prepare for and apply to top med schools. They try to demystify the application process by sharing experience and expertise in researching all the programs, understanding the prerequisites and requirements, writing critical essays, and preparing for interviews.

MIT Pre-Med Requirements

Each med school has its courses and competencies to gain admission. Prehealth Advising recommends you take all the required courses at MIT, but it is fine if you can’t since you can take classes at another university or post-baccalaureate and special master’s programs.

Related: 11 Best Accredited Online Biochemistry Courses [2022]

In general, med schools require their applicants to complete the following courses:

  • General Biology w/ Lab (2 semesters)
  • General Chemistry w/ Lab (2 semesters)
  • Organic Chemistry I (1 semester)
  • Biochemistry (1 semester)
  • Math (2 semesters, statistics recommended)
  • Physics (2 semesters)
  • English/Writing & Humanities (2 semesters)

MIT Prehealth Advising has created a guide for pre-meds pointing out the courses and competencies MIT students should take to fulfill med school requirements. These cover:

  • General Biology with lab (2 semesters):

1) Introductory Biology (7.012, 7.013, 7.014, 7.015, or 7.016)

and one of the following:

2) Fundamentals of Experimental Molecular Biology (7.002) or Laboratory Fundamentals in Biological Engineering (20.109) or Experimental Molecular Neurobiology (9.12) or Biological Circuit Engineering Laboratory (20.129[J])

  • General and Organic Chemistry (3 semesters):

1) Principles of Chemical Science (5.111 or 5.112) or Intro to Solid State Chemistry (3.091), and

2) Organic Chemistry I (5.12).

  • Biochemistry (1 semester):

1) General Biochemistry (7.05) or Biological Chemistry (5.07/20.507)

  • Physics (2 semesters):

1) Physics I (8.01) and

2) Physics II (8.02) or equivalent

  • Math (2 semesters):

1) Calculus (18.01) and

2) Calculus II (18.02) or equivalent

  • English/Writing and Humanities (2 semesters):

1) Courses in writing and humanities that satisfy the CI-H requirement.

An advantage of being pre-med at MIT is that 9 of the 12 required courses for med school are also General Institute Requirements (GIR), which makes the path to your major shorter. Ironically, we can say that at MIT, almost everyone is pre-med by default because of the GIR. Besides this requirement, the lecture and lab portion of classes are separate at MIT, giving students more time to cover the same material.

What’s Good About MIT Pre-Med

  • There are a ridiculous number of opportunities (UROPs, MISTI, Camp Kesem, the proximity of hospitals, etc.)
  • Every med school advisor helps their advisees through the process, complementing the series of presentations/talks that the pre-health office organizes to guide and resource current applicants.
  • MIT has a pre-health office that has streamlined the medical school process and made everything easy to follow and understand.
  • Pre-med students at MIT offer a unique perspective on medicine: that of a joint scientist-engineer-philanthropist.
  • It’s super prestigious and some of MIT’s pre-meds were explicitly told at their med school interview that being an applicant from MIT immediately set them apart from other applicants.
  • MIT students excel in science and engineering and live among brilliant peers and professors, all in an environment that is unrivaled.
  • The atmosphere at MIT is one of collaboration, not cut-throat competition.
  • the research at MIT is not only ground-breaking but also plentiful and easily accessible to undergraduates.
  • The nice thing about the rigor of the classes at MIT is that the subject matter and questions on the MCAT are relatively simple by comparison.
  • The best part about being a pre-med at MIT is the support you get from staff, the prehealth office, and my classmates. The pre-med culture at MIT is decidedly uncompetitive.
  • MIT is exceptional because it allows you to be unconventional and still succeed.

Clinical Experience

MIT is in Cambridge, just a few minutes walking from Boston, and its outstanding infrastructure and opportunities. You can find exceptional volunteering opportunities at Boston Children’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, among many others.

Related: 8 Best Hospital Volunteer Opportunities In Boston! (2022)

And to help you connect with professionals, MIT Prehealth Advising runs a half-day or full-day physician shadowing program at local hospitals.

Another great source of information and opportunities at MIT is clubs and organizations, and the MIT Pre-Medical Society is an excellent place to start.

Research Experience

MIT’s Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) ensures that everyone who wants to conduct high-level research can do so. As a result, it’s usual for undergraduates to be published as the first authors on scientific papers and present their research at conferences.

Participating in independent research shows responsibility and creativity valuable to any employer or graduate school.

Related: What Counts As Research Experience For Medical School?

Civic Engagement

Service is a large part of healthcare, and medical schools want to know that you genuinely care about serving people. And MIT’s Summers/IAPs are great for doing service!

During the school year, you can also find great opportunities for volunteering at local organizations and in student clubs, like:

  • Globemed
  • Global Poverty Initiative
  • Leadership Training Institute
  • Community Work-Study
  • Amphibious Achievement
  • Alternative Spring Break

What’s Bad About MIT Pre-Med

Here are the more concerning opposing sides of being pre-med at MIT:

  • Classes have the reputation of being incredibly difficult, especially in the sciences.
  • It doesn’t seem very easy to maintain a high GPA at MIT.
  • There are a few complaints about grade deflation.
  • It’s an understatement to say that As are not as easy to come by as they might be elsewhere.
  • Many pre-meds can’t manage to get into med school.

Are You At An Advantage Getting Into Harvard Medicine?

MIT doesn’t have a medical school, but it runs a popular joint MD-PhD program with Harvard Medical School (HMS) and offers a Harvard-MIT program in Health Sciences and Technology (HST). After in-depth research, we couldn’t find any evidence of advantages for MIT students to get into Harvard medicine, however.

MIT’s Pre-Med Acceptance Rate

For 2021, the BCPM GPA for accepted MIT applicants was 4.71/5.0, and the Cumulative GPA was 4.74/5.0. The range of accepted GPAs was ~3.9 – 5.0. The acceptance rate for MIT’s 2021 cohort was 74% for MD applicants and 90% for MD-PhD applicants.

What MIT Majors Are Best For Pre-Meds?

The most common pre-med majors at MIT are:

  • Biology
  • Brain and Cognitive Sciences
  • Biological Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Chemistry
  • Computer Science and Molecular Biology

We believe these majors are the most popular because they are more directly related to medicine, and some pre-med requirements can be satisfied by the major’s requirements.

Related: What’s The Easiest Pre Med Major? (Read This First!)

Is MIT Good For Biology?

MIT ranks at #2 in College Factual’s most recent rankings. It is in the top 1% of the country for biology, and it is also ranked #1 in Massachusetts.

Is MIT Good For Pre-Med? Internet’s Opinion

The rest of the web is a great place to go to find unbiased information about a college, and it’s no different with MIT. Here are a few comments on Quora that seem helpful…

I would claim that it is unnecessarily difficult to get into medical school coming from MIT. Because the grades are much more challenging to get than at state schools (schools like Berkeley and UCLA are exceptions), and very little credence is given to students from elite schools.

All that being said, once you get into Medical School, your MIT is actually more impressive than your medical school diploma, even if you come from Harvard or Johns Hopkins medical school.

I’m on faculty at a medical school. Everyone I work with is a doctor. None of them are impressed by my medical degree. All of them are impressed that I went to MIT.

– Mitul Mehta, SB Finance, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2003)

I went to UCSF med school. At my interview, I was explicitly told that being an applicant from MIT immediately set me apart from other applicants. UCSF, for price, quality/value, location was my top choice med school, and I got in. I had a (very hard earned) 4.7/5.0 at MIT, so far from perfect but something I was very proud of.

– Sheri Marquez, studied Bachelor of Science in Biology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Conclusion: Is MIT Good For Pre-Med?

MIT has an excellent reputation for pre-med. You;ll undoubtedly be well prepared on the track for med school, but classes here might make it tough to get a stellar GPA. Definitely, something to consider!

For more info on what pre-med life could be like for you here, check out this video from a pre-med student who became a published researcher…

Related: 4 Best Pre-Med Schools In Massachusetts (Key Info & Data)

]]> Is Yale Good For Pre-Med in 2022? (Everything You Need to Know) https://willpeachmd.com/yale-pre-med Fri, 13 May 2022 19:30:30 +0000 https://willpeachmd.com/?p=6561 Is Yale Good For Pre-Med in 2022? (Everything You Need to Know) Read More »

]]> Choosing a great college for undergrad studies can make a big difference when it comes to being a pre-med. But because there’s so much choice, and a lot of factors hanging in the balance, it’s difficult to know what schools are best. 

Yale has an excellent Ivy-league reputation, but does it stack up for pre-med? Here’s what we know about Yale’s pre-med offering (and if it’s right for you)…

Quick Answer: Is Yale good for pre-med in 2022?

Yale is an excellent school for pre-med. It provides outstanding extracurricular (research, shadowing, and volunteering) opportunities, while its pre-health advisory service help to improve students’ applications. The almost 90% med school admissions acceptance rate is an impressive plus.

Of course, by no means attending Yale will guarantee a place in med school (that’s the same for all colleges/universities). You’ll still have to work hard to reach an excellent GPA and MCAT score.

Let’s dive a little deeper into Yale’s full pre-med picture, picking out the major pros and cons!

Does Yale Offer Pre-Med?

“Pre-med” refers to anyone completing coursework in preparation for applying to medical schools. And Yale does not have a “pre-med major,” but it suggests a typical pre-med curriculum to help you think about when and what you should take.

Beyond the suggested pre-med courses, there is no specific major for pre-med at Yale. Many choose to major in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, or Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. But many others choose English, Religious Studies, Biomedical Engineering, or even Computer Science.

Biology-related majors tend to include many pre-med courses already, and, it’s true, majors like English and CS don’t have much overlap. But it is perfectly possible to complete any major you choose alongside pre-med, as long as you plan well.

That means you can have a major in any field while having the support of the track to help guide your application.

The Office of Career Strategy (OCS) is where to get started if you are considering medical school at Yale. It offers many ways for you to engage that align with your needs. They help you explore options, create application materials, learn to network with ease, guide you through negotiating offers, and consider how graduate school might fit into your plans.

Within the OCS, you will find the Health Professions Advising Program (HPAP), which helps undergraduates and alumni of Yale College, Postdoctoral Associates, and students in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences interested in following an advanced study in the health professions. The most helpful advising resources for the first year are FroCos – First-Year Counselors – and the professional adviser at HPAP.

They recommend you make an appointment to speak with the OCS health professional folks during the beginning of the sophomore year.

Yale Pre-Med Requirements

By the end of sophomore year, you should have decided whether you want to go directly into med school right after graduation or take a gap year (or more) first.

If you don’t take the latter, you must finish all your pre-med requirements by junior year, and, in this case, you should follow these recommended classes:

First-year:

  • General Chemistry
  • English 114 and 120 (or another writing credit)
  • Gen chem lab [alternatively Freshmen Organic + orgo lab]
  • Take a small STEM class (First-year seminar or CURE class)
  • Math 112 or 115 or 116 or 120 (it depends on your preparation)
  • Summer: you would do research at Yale and start volunteering at Yale New Haven Hospital

Sophomore year:

  • Organic chemistry + lab
  • [or one semester of biochemistry]
  • Intro bio sequence
  • Psychology (1 semester)
  • Statistics (1 semester)
  • WR course Summer: research at Yale or another institution. Start volunteering if you haven’t started already. Or finish that language requirement in a foreign country.

Junior year:

  • Biochemistry (1 semester)
  • Physics 170 or 180 or 200 + lab
  • Research for credit (if your major allows for this)
  • Study for the MCAT
  • Summer: apply to med schools

Senior year: Medical school interviews

On the other hand, many undergrads take a gap year to finish a research project or even participate in clinical research, and med schools like students with strong gap year experiences. In this case, if you are going to take a gap year, OCS/HPAP recommends a slightly different set of classes.

As you do these courses (and your undergrad), Yales’s HPAP is there for you. They help you arrange clinical and research experiences and volunteering engagement opportunities.

Related: Best Pre-Med Schools In Connecticut (Costs, Extracurriculars & Admission Info)

What’s Good About Yale Pre-Med

Being a pre-med at Yale allows you to choose any major you want while creating a foundation in STEM and writing.

But besides this freedom, here’s what else is good about it:

  • Among the FroCos in every residential college, at least one pre-med can provide informal, constructive advice. FroCos understand how overwhelming it is to choose classes as a first-year because they were in your shoes just a few years ago.
  • The climate among pre-meds is supportive rather than cutthroat.
  • The advisers at HPAP provide structured guidance through all four years and during the medical school application process itself. They look at your courses to make sure you’re checking off all the boxes and give you a much-needed sanity check =) You can set up 15 to 30-minute appointments at any time.
  • Practically all the classes have tons of support from Undergraduate Learning Assistants (ULAs), Graduate Teaching Assistants (TAs), and professors during office hours. ULAs are students who have taken the class before, a year or two older. TAs, on the other hand, have more expert knowledge of the subject, and they can explain tricky concepts in new ways.
  • Many classes allow you to work with your peers on problems, and Yale students are excellent collaborators! Putting heads together helps to work through many issues. This atmosphere makes my pre-med classes more fun.
  • The classes provide a rock-solid foundation for the MCAT
  • Yale undergrads do well when applying to med schools, with almost 90% getting into a US medical school. The national average is approximately 45%.
  • This high acceptance rate is not dependent on what students major in.
  • Yale offers hundreds of extracurriculars via campus organizations, including nearly 100 athletic teams, over 50 performance groups, and 60 cultural associations.

But let’s look at what else Yale offers to strengthen any med school application.

Health Care-Related Volunteer and Community Service Opportunities

The Yale OCS offers pre-med students Health Care-Related Volunteer and Community Service Opportunities in the New Haven and Surrounding Area. It includes dozens of opportunities that will help to enrich your curriculum.

Publication experience

Among Yale’s extracurriculars, one can find many student-run publications that help keep students informed and allow them to research and get some significant publications.

What’s Bad About Yale Pre-Med

According to our research, the main complaints are as follows:

  • Pre-med students have many classes already picked out between all of Yale’s requirements, the med school requirements, and major requirements. They do not get to take many courses purely for fun or interest. They also often take classes over the summer (sometimes at other institutions) to lighten the load during the academic year or even out of scheduling necessity. And many of these classes are challenging and filled with other pre-meds.
  • A very noticeable number decide to stop doing pre-med.
  • Classes are hard.
  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, students struggled to fulfill pre-med requirements due to decreased in-person opportunities for research and clinical experience (not much of a problem anymore!)

Are Pre-Meds at an Advantage For Getting Into Yale Medicine?

Being a pre-med at Yale offers no apparent advantage for helping you get into Yale medicine. Yale is the third most-selective medical school in the US, with an acceptance rate of 2.44% for the class of 2023, according to data released by the Medical School Admission Council (AMCAS).

Yale’s Pre-Med Acceptance Rate 

Getting into a medical school from pre-med depends on MCAT scores, GPA, and interviews. And contrary to the low yale pre-med acceptance rate for admission seekers, Yale undergrads do well applying to med schools, with an impressive 90% getting into a US medical school.

Is Yale Good For Biology?

For biological and/or biomedical sciences students pursuing a bachelor’s degree, Yale is at #9 in College Factual’s most recent rankings and #1 in Connecticut.

Is Yale Good For Pre-Med? Reddit’s Opinion!

Reddit is a great place to get honest student opinions. Here are some of (what we feel are) the platform’s most relevant comments.

Nope. Pretty much the least competitive pre-med program there is, and collaboration is encouraged and required. The most “toxic” you get are a few extra first-years in Freshman Orgo, but they’re easy to avoid.

– mekade24

Current med student, calhoun (hopper) alum. Definitely was not competitive [during] my years, though there were turbos who tried to make it so. The intro bio sequence had some strong grade inflation so that it was pretty hard to get anything less than a B+ so everyone was super chill and would help each other on problem sets, but Orgo/Biochem was perhaps a little less collaborative.

Also, Yale is a great place to take advantage of research funding. I finished with a 3.45 science gpa (pretty low for med school applicants, I was on a varsity team and wasn’t great at time management), but I’m at a top 5 MD program because I got some great publications over my summers.

– PatagucciPete

Conclusion: Is Yale Good For Pre-Med? 

Yale is an Ivy League top school for pre-med. Its acceptance rate to medical school is almost 90%, and it offers excellent research opportunities. It’s definitely up there as one of the best places to help you go on and get accepted to study medicine.

And for a little snapshot into what life as a pre-med at Yale might look like, you can check out the video below…

]]> Is Johns Hopkins Good For Pre-Med? (Everything You Need To Know) https://willpeachmd.com/johns-hopkins-pre-med Wed, 23 Feb 2022 15:21:52 +0000 https://willpeachmd.com/?p=6493 Is Johns Hopkins Good For Pre-Med? (Everything You Need To Know) Read More »

]]> Choosing a great college for undergrad studies can make a big difference when it comes to being a pre-med. But because there’s so much choice, and a lot of factors hanging in the balance, it’s difficult to know what schools are best. 

Johns Hopkins has an excellent reputation in terms of academics, but does it stack up for pre-med? Here’s what we know about Johns Hopkins’ strength and reputation at the undergrad level. 

Is Johns Hopkins Good For Pre-Med in 2022?

In most online polls, Johns Hopkins is ranked as one of the best schools for pre-med in the country. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is one of the best medical schools in the country, so pre-med students at JHU benefit from world-class resources and opportunities. 

Does Johns Hopkins Offer Pre-Med?

Johns Hopkins does not offer a pre-med major, but they do offer a pre-health track. Any major can be on the pre-health track, but the majority come from the sciences.  Pre-Professional Programs and Advising is a robust presence, with published guides, small group and individual meetings, and requirement tracking for pre-health students. 

Johns Hopkins Pre-Med Requirements

Here are the JH requirements for medical school applicants:

  • 2 courses (with lab) each of chemistry, organic chemistry, biology
  • 1 course each of biochemistry and statistics
  • 2 courses each of physics and calculus
  • 2 courses each of English/writing and social sciences/humanities

Related: 11 Best Accredited Online Biochemistry Courses

What’s Good About Johns Hopkins Pre-Med

Being a competitive university and having a competitive medical school, JHU attracts many pre-med types, so you will be surrounded by bright people who want to share ideas and experiences. 

JHU also offers access to many clinical, volunteer, and research opportunities that other schools simply don’t have. 

Clinical Experience

Pre-Professional Advising is there to help you set up two kinds of clinical experience: direct patient interaction and job shadowing. They can also help you with international clinical experiences. JHU is close to Johns Hopkins Hospital and Johns Hopkins Medical Center, both of which are world-class medical facilities. 

Research Experience

JHU offers myriad research opportunities (and funding) both on campus and through the university medical institutions. All majors and all pre-health track students are encouraged to follow their interests in “the vast world” of opportunities offered here.

Civic Engagement

Just like with research opportunities, JHU, with its proximity to large hospitals and a large city, offers a multitude of medical and non-medical volunteer opportunities. There are also many campus opportunities for involvement and leadership, including pre-med organizations like MAPS, The Women’s Pre-Health Leadership Society, and the Medical Ethics Discussion Panel.

What’s Bad About Johns Hopkins Pre-Med

All those pre-meds mentioned above that JHU attracts? That can feel exhausting and overwhelming at times, and that can give you a misplaced sense of over-competition and stress.  

JHU Pre-health classes are likely to be large and rigorous, and there are “few regulations on how professors teach and grade,” leading to grade deflation. One insider says the difficulty of your courses depends on the compatibility between the professor’s teaching style and your learning style. 

Thi competitive nature of Johns Hopkins is also something that’s led to a “toxic” label among some students. This is highlighted in greater detail in the video below…

One of the main criticisms here is that the competitive culture can be damaging mentally if not balanced well by individual students.

Are You At An Advantage Getting Into Johns Hopkins Medical School?

JHU School of Medicine is one of the most competitive in the country, accepting only 7% of applications, so any advantage you had applying from JHU is likely to be whittled away by fellow JHU grads also applying. 

Johns Hopkins’ Pre-Med Acceptance Rate

80% of JHU students are accepted into medical school, better than the national average. JHU’s reputation and educational experience ensure a strong acceptance rate every year. 

What Johns Hopkins majors are best for pre-meds?

Molecular and Cell Biology is always a favorite and is probably one of the best for preparing you for the MCATs. 

Biomedical Engineering and Chemical/Biological Engineering are two of the hardest majors at Hopkins, but they are well worth the effort in terms of “limitless opportunities” in the job market even if you decide not to go to medical school. 

Public Health also prepares you well for medical school and is considered one of the “easiest” of the pre-health majors. 

Is Johns Hopkins good for Biology?

The Biology Department at JHU is very strong and a popular choice. Neuroscience is another good pre-health major renowned for its popular courses and professors. 

Is Johns Hopkins good for pre-med? Reddit’s / Internet Opinion

Internet opinion: It’s obviously a really great school for pre-med, but there might be some downsides:

Simply going to JHU carries a lot of weight and our school has one of the best pre-med tracks in the country. Medical schools know this. Don’t worry!

u/yiqz on Reddit

45% of JHU students come in with interest in applying to med school. Only 20% apply, which means there is a huge attrition rate.

Anonymous on Quora

Another good watch to get more info on what a “day in the life” of a student at the college might look like, is in the video below. This can help you form more of your own conclusions (with a surface look) as to the pros and cons of John Hopkins…

Conclusion: Is Johns Hopkins good for pre-med?

Johns Hopkins is one of your best bets for a reputable, challenging, and engaging pre-med experience. They have world-class resources to go with the world-class education. Get in here, set yourself on a pre-med track and study hard!

Related Articles

]]> Is Princeton Good For Pre-Med? (Everything You Need to Know) https://willpeachmd.com/is-princeton-good-for-pre-med Mon, 06 Dec 2021 19:50:18 +0000 https://willpeachmd.com/?p=6416 Is Princeton Good For Pre-Med? (Everything You Need to Know) Read More »

]]> Choosing a great college for undergrad studies can make a big difference when it comes to being a pre-med. But because there’s so much choice, and a lot of factors hanging in the balance, it’s difficult to know what schools are best.

Princeton, as a top-tier Ivy League school, has an excellent reputation in terms of academics, but does it stack up for pre-med?

We’ve done the research and reviewed the opinions of Princeton pre-med students to help save you time. Here’s what we found out!

Is Princeton Good For Pre-Med? 

Princeton is a great school for pre-meds aspiring to study medicine. Although it has no affiliated medical school, it offers some of the most impressive extracurricular (shadowing, research, and volunteering) opportunities in the US. Its pre-health advisory service also does a top job of helping students improve applications, boasting an 84% admissions acceptance rate.

But while attending Princeton for undergrad offers no guarantee of a place in med school (you’ll still have to work hard to achieve a great GPA and MCAT score), its prestige and opportunities can go a very long way to help.

Related: Does Princeton Have A Medical School?

Does Princeton Offer Pre-Med?

Like many other institutions, there is no “pre-med” major at Princeton but rather a “track” called prehealth.

The prehealth program prepares students for an advanced degree in medicine, dentistry, nursing, optometry, pharmacy, public health, and veterinary medicine.

Students there can take a major in any field while having the support of the track to help guide their application. The track offers the versatility to pick from many different majors and minors.

For example, suppose you want to opt for biochemistry with a public health minor on the pre-health track. In that case, you can complete the conditions to graduate with your desired degree and the ones needed for medical school. 

Suppose your major closely aligns with your prehealth courses (like the example above). In that case, you don’t have to take too many additional classes to complete the pre-health track. 

But you still can major in music, performing arts, etc., and be part of the program. It just means you’ll have to pick up the common prereqs along the way!

Princeton Pre-Med Requirements

A pre-med student must fulfill:

  1. General education requirements
  2. Concentration requirements
  3. Pre-med prerequisites

These requirements will overlap to different degrees depending on the degree program (AB, BSE), concentration, and profession of interest.

For pre-med prereqs, Princeton’s HPA recommends students take the following courses:

  • General Chemistry: CHM 201 (or 207) + CHM 202 or CHM 215 (if AP 1 Unit)
  • Organic Chemistry: CHM 301 + CHM 302/304
  • Biology: EEB 211 + MOL 214 or 215
  • General Physics: PHY 101/103 + PHY 102/104/108 (or equivalent)
  • Math: 1 semester calc + 1 semester stats
  • Literature/English: 2 semester English literature/writing
  • Biochemistry: MOL 345

Princeton’s HPA assists their pre-meds with course selection and academic advice. They also help students arrange clinical and research experiences, as well as civic engagement opportunities.

The college’s HPA can also help connect you with relevant clubs and organizations (more on these later) that can help improve med school applications.

What’s Good About Princeton Pre-Med

Princeton built their Prehealth track so that students can choose any major they want while creating an excellent foundation in STEM and writing. 

But besides the degree of freedom being a pre-med at Princeton affords, here’s what else is good about their set-up:

  1. Princeton has an outstanding pre-health advisory service (the Health Professions Advising office) with tons of information to help assist students in their applications
  2. HPA offers individual and group advising from experienced pre-health staff 
  3. Peer advising service (designed with freshman and sophomores in mind)
  4. HPA Jock Docs peer network for Princeton student-athletes (helps discuss the balance between athletic endeavours and prehealth)
  5. Various clinical opportunities in the the surrounding college community
  6. Princeton Office of Undergraduate Research offers research help and assistance
  7. Many health-related student organizations, including the Princeton HOSA: Future Health Professionals and the Princeton Pre-Veterinary Society (can help students explore further leadership and community service opportunities)
  8. The Princeton Public Health Review (PPHR), Princeton’s student-run medical journal, showcases the public health research by Princeton students and faculty members and editorializes on relevant local, national, and international events.

That last one is especially useful for helping you gain publications (something that looks amazing to medical school admissions teams).

Clinical Experience

Specific clinical opportunities offered by Princeton include:

  • New Jersey Medical Reserve Corps
  • Penn Med Princeton Medical Center Hospital Grand Rounds
  • Penn Med Princeton Medical Center Hospital Volunteering
  • Physician Shadowing
  • Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad (PFARS)
  • St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center (SLRC)

And many others.

Research Experience

Princeton Office of Undergraduate Research helps pre-meds who want to conduct research and aim for publications during the academic year (as well as keeping students informed about future research opportunities).

Civic Engagement

The Pace Center is Princeton University’s primary resource for civic engagement.

Getting involved enables pre-meds to gain crucial leadership and volunteer experience that can help their med school application shine.

What’s Bad About Princeton Pre-Med

Based on our research, the main complaints are as follows:

  • Courses are very demanding and students can get overloaded (it can be a challenge to schedule in extracurricular activities around academic commitments).
  • There are complaints about grade deflation.
  • Undergraduate theses at Princeton require many hours of research and study. Students usually have to dedicate the summer before their senior year to it; a period when many other of the countries pre-meds are busty studying for the MCAT.

Princeton’s Pre-Med Acceptance Rate

Getting into medical school as a pre-med depends on factors like your MCAT score, GPA, and interview performance. Evaluations are holistic rather than specific.

But according to the school’s data, the acceptance rate of Princeton pre-meds to US medical schools has been 84% in the last five years. 

Here’s the data from 2016 to 2020:

  • 576 out of 684 (84%) medical school applicants were accepted via three different paths:
  1. Thirty-five were accepted through Sophomore Early Assurance Programs.
  2. 450 out of 516 (87%) applying with a Princeton committee letter of recommendation were accepted.
  3. 91 out of 132 (69%) of those applying by other means were accepted.

Of applicants who were accepted without post-bac coursework in 2017-2020, the middle 80% were in the following GPA and MCAT ranges (10% were higher and 10% were lower):

  • 3.39-3.94 cumulative GPA (with a median of 3.70)
  • 3.28-3.95 bio/chem/physics/math (BCPM) GPA (with a median of 3.69)
  • ~511 to ~524 MCAT (with a median of 519)

However, getting into Princeton as an undergrad (before signing up to the Prehealth track) is pretty tough. According to 2020’s data, Princeton’s acceptance rate was just 6% (1450-1570 SAT or a 32-35 ACT).

Which Princeton Majors Are Best For Pre-Meds? 

Princeton advises students to consider several questions when settling on a major. These include:

  • What do you like to study?
  • Beyond knowledge gained, how will your major help you to learn to think, analyze, and communicate in new ways, and how will that apply to medicine or other careers?
  • What kinds of questions do you want to answer in your independent work?
  • What are the faculty and students in the department like?
  • Will you have time to pursue this concentration alongside other interests?

A lot of these questions are similar to those we cover in our article on the easiest pre-med major here.

The most popular majors for Princeton applicants accepted to med school between 2016 and 2020 were:

  1. Molecular Biology
  2. Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
  3. Psychology
  4. Chemistry
  5. Public & International Affairs
  6. Neuroscience
  7. Chemical & Biological Engineering
  8. History
  9. Politics
  10. Anthropology
  11. Economics (tie)

Accordingly to the HPA, however, about one-third of applicants to medical school are non-science majors.

Is Princeton Good For Biology? 

Princeton was ranked #6 on US News’ list of the best schools for Biology majors. Princeton offers a great Molecular Biology Major that can be a good fit for aspiring pre-meds looking to go on to become physicians.

Is Princeton Good for Pre-Med: Reddit’s Opinion

In addition to our research, Reddit is a good place to get an unbiased opinion on the school’s pre-med offering and its potential pros/cons.

Here are some of (what we feel are) the platform’s most relevant comments…

They did away with the official grade deflation policy but it is something that is ingrained in the culture at Princeton. Classes are very difficult and competitive ESPECIALLY in premed classes where students are cutthroat and GPAs suffer as a result. 

– u/liv12394

Medical schools know about Princeton’s GPA issue. They don’t consider a 3.5 at Princeton and a 3.5 at [college] as equivalent. When I applied just after they technically got rid of deflation, there was still a letter going out to schools explaining the grading policy. And, it’s not like you’re the only kid from Princeton applying.. schools aren’t stupid, they know your GPA will be deflated because you are coming from Princeton

– u/mixed_recycling

Real Talk Princeton

Another place to go to get unfiltered insider info on pre-med life at Princeton is the student-run Tumblr site; Real Talk Princeton.

Using the search bar to find content on “medical school”, you’ll find a lot of useful info you might not be able to read otherwise. You’ll have to do a bit of digging to find the really valuable stuff, but it’s worth it if you’ve got a couple of hours.

Conclusion: Is Princeton Good For Pre-Med? 

Princeton is a top school for pre-med. Its acceptance rate for health programs is a solid 84%, and it offers outstanding opportunities for research, civic engagement, and clinical experience.

On the negative side, there is probably some grade deflation (possibly owing to Princeton’s prestige and competitive academics), and students can get overloaded with classes very easily.

Despite that, the college’s pre-health advisory service does a good job preparing its undergrads. They have everything you need to create an unbelievable med school application, offering impactful support and important application-relevant opportunities.

Related: 4 Best Pre-Med Schools In New Jersey (Costs, Extracurriculars & Admission Info) 

For a more detailed overview of what student life can be like as a pre-med at Princeton, check out the following video…

]]> 5 Physician Shadowing Programs In Indianapolis https://willpeachmd.com/physician-shadowing-indianapolis Tue, 09 Nov 2021 18:47:34 +0000 https://willpeachmd.com/?p=6179 5 Physician Shadowing Programs In Indianapolis Read More »

]]> Shadowing is critical in helping you decide on a career in healthcare. But finding programs near to you can sometimes prove difficult.

If you’re based in Indianapolis or the surrounding metro area, these physician shadowing programs could be a great fit for you.

List Of Physician Shadowing Programs In Indianapolis

Parkview Health Job Shadowing

Parkview Health Job Shadowing has various opportunities for shadowing in its clinics and hospitals in and around the Indianapolis area.

The group pairs individuals with Parkview professionals for a day or week-long shadowing program, giving people the chance to see the daily functions, duties, and responsibilities of various healthcare careers.

The programs are designed for high school, college, or workforce individuals and daily placements are between 4-8 hours long (for a total of 40 hours per semester). You have to be 14 and over to be eligible.

DETAILS

Major Health Partners

The Major Health Partners group, in nearby Shelbyville, can arrange physician shadowing and observerships.

As a leading provider of healthcare in the southeastern part of the state, the group is home to numerous clinics, hospitals, and other facilities where it’s possible to see the day-to-day operations of health work up close and personal.

During the pandemic, they did put a temporary hold on their regularly advertised opportunities but it’s worth checking back with the group to see if there are any current opportunities available to explore.

Check out the website for more info.

DETAILS

St. Vincent Indianapolis Job Shadowing

Ascension St. Vincent Hospital, the flagship installation of St. Vincent Health, is known to take students and members of the general public on board for physician and other healthcare career shadowing experiences.

Their application for the Sonography Shadowing Program is worth looking at and tells you everything you need to know about their expectations of shadowing applicants and what’s offered via placement.

You may also want to get in contact with Abdullah Hawsawi via LinkedIn. He successfully arranged a shadowing placement with the group as a student at the University of Indianapolis and may have a few pointers on who to reach out to for specialty or career-specific observerships.

DETAILS

Van Laeken Summer Research Internship in Pediatric GI

This flexible 8-week summer program ran out of the University of Indiana’s School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics, offers interns the option to work on clinical research projects under the mentorship of physicians and researchers at its Pediatrics GI faculty.

The program is open to both undergrads and medical students. There is also the opportunity to participate in relevant GI division conferences.

You can email McKenzi Sidor at msidor@iu.edu for more info.

DETAILS

Indiana CTSI Summer Internship Program

The Indiana CTSI Summer Internship Program is offered to high school, undergraduate, and medical students looking to gain insight and experience assisting physicians and other faculty members in lab and clinical research.

Connections made via the program may offer unique new ways in which to shadow/observe clinicians within their respective fields.

DETAILS

  • Name: Indiana University School of Medicine
  • Location: 340 West 10th Street, Fairbanks Hall, Suite 6200, Indianapolis, IN 46202-3082
  • Contact: 317-274-8157
  • Website: indianactsi.org/education-training

Other Opportunities For Clinical Shadowing In Indianapolis

As well as applying to the organized shadowing programs listed above, it can be worth researching and enquiring about possible hospital volunteering programs in Indianapolis and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Signing up to volunteer can help you build a network among physicians, nurses, physician assistants, and other healthcare workers that could lead to important shadowing opportunities.

What About Private Shadowing?

It’s possible to set up private shadowing programs with physicians (and other healthcare workers) in Indianapolis.

Here are some important tips on how to secure further shadowing opportunities in the city and surrounding areas:

  • Contact your own personal care provider (PCP) and enquire about shadowing
  • Look up major hospitals in the area and check to see if doctors practicing there are alumni of your college (email them and explain the situation)
  • Try cold calling/emailing physicians listed on the faculty list of Indianapolis’ major medical schools (IU School of Medicine is a good place to start)
  • If you’re interested in becoming a PA, email or call up Saint Francis South and Mooresville ER (both staff PA’s)
  • Consider applying for hospital scribing jobs in the city
  • Look into virtual shadowing opportunities

I Want To Shadow A Certain Specialty Doctor, What Can I Do?

If you’re looking to learn more about the various areas of medicine (and the differing roles) then shadowing can help.

Finding opportunities is generally the same across all areas of medicine and health. You’ll want to contact departments (and physicians) directly and see if they can put you in contact with specialist healthcare workers in areas you may be interested in.

Final Thoughts

A physician or clinical-based shadowing program is important for any student interested in allied health careers. Not just future doctors but nurses, physician assistants, and anyone in between!

Hopefully, the programs above can help give you an introduction as to what life in healthcare is all about.

Looking for shadowing programs elsewhere? Check out or other physician shadowing guides. We cover all major U.S. cities!

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