Thursday, April 30, 2020

Emory PA Open House


Emory University School of Medicine Physician Assistant program invites you to join us online to learn more about Admissions and the application process, curriculum, the student experience, and much more during our virtual Open House.

Our next Open House is May 1, 2020 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Register at this link: https://tinyurl.com/emorypaoh51

Find more information about virtual open houses, virtual campus tour, and other resources at the bottom of the Emory PA Program page here: https://med.emory.edu/departments/family-preventive/divisions-programs/physician-assistant-program/admissions/index.html

Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the MCAT Exam

2020 MCAT TESTING CALENDAR (MAY 29 -- SEPTEMBER 28, 2020)
We know how disruptive the COVID-19 pandemic has been to MCAT examinees during these critical weeks and months as they prepare for their journey to medical school. The AAMC is expanding the testing calendar to help students impacted by recent cancellations as a result of COVID-19. Three new dates have been added to the calendar (June 28, September 28, and September 29) and three test appointments will be held per date. The AAMC has temporarily shortened the MCAT exam to increase capacity and follow social distancing practices in all test centers.
Registration will open on May 7 for the updated MCAT Testing Calendar. This update is based upon current information, as of April 24, 2020, about the spread of COVID-19 and the anticipated ability for in-person testing. The AAMC will provide further updates should circumstances change.

SHORTENED EXAM FOR MAY 29 – SEPTEMBER 28 ADMINISTRATIONS
A shortened exam will be administered from May 29 to September 28 to accommodate three test appointments per test date at test centers. The exam will be 5 hours and 45 minutes. Examinees will be tested on content from all four sections of the exam and are responsible for knowing the same concepts and skills that are tested on the full-length exam.
Scores will not change. You will receive five scores from the shortened version of the exam: one from each of the four sections and one combined total score, just like examinees who took the full-length test. Learn more.

TEST RESCHEDULING AND CANCELLATIONS
All rescheduling fees for all exam dates have been waived until further notice to provide examinees with the flexibility to prepare for their new exam date and follow health and safety guidance in their local communities. If your exam was canceled due to COVID-19, you may elect to reschedule or receive a refund. Please submit an Emergency Refund Request. See the FAQs on Cancellations and Rescheduling for more information.

HEALTH AND SAFETY
Your health and safety are our top priority. When testing resumes, robust health and safety measures will be in place at all test centers, and examinee workstations will be six feet (2 meters) apart. Please see Pearson VUE’s website for more information.

ACCOMMODATIONS
For information on COVID-19 and MCAT Accommodation Services, please visit the Accommodations Homepage.

SUPPORTING STUDENTS DURING COVID-19
The AAMC is committed to supporting examinees throughout the MCAT testing and application process.

  • We have waived all MCAT rescheduling fees so you can adjust your test date to accommodate your preparation and health and safety needs. See FAQs on Cancellations and Rescheduling.
  • We have extended all subscriptions to MCAT preparation products through the end of the year to provide access to materials to support your adjusted exam date. Visit www.aamc.org/mcatprep.
  • As of April 20, 2020, the AAMC Fee Assistance Program has expanded its eligibility guidelines to help more students with financial need qualify for benefits. Visit www.aamc.org/fap.
  • MSAR is updating medical school admissions policies with COVID-19 information readily available to students without a subscription. Visit www.aamc.org/msar

Thursday, April 23, 2020

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Information Session


Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Information Session
Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Time: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.    

Public Health is more important now than ever. Join Lauren Black, the Assistant Director of Recruitment and Events from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health for a virtual session to learn more about how you can be part of the mission of saving lives—millions at a time. Learn about the degree program options, how to apply & alumni career outcomes. Questions before the session? Contact Lauren Black at laurenblack@Jhu.edu.

Loma Linda University Upcoming Info Sessions



Loma Linda University is offering Virtual Information Sessions at its various health professional schools.  

You can find more information about their Info Sessions and Contact Information of an enrollment counselor/counselors for each school.  If you have questions regarding finances, applying, if courses will transfer, or general program information, please feel free to reach out through email or sign up for the info session. 

School of Allied Health Professions

Chuck Dart                       cdart@llu.edu
Karen Westphal             kwestphal@llu.edu
Yvonne Wren                   ywren@llu.edu

Info Session                 

Session 1- All Programs Zoom, Wednesday, April 29 at 3PM, PST
Session 2- All Programs Zoom, Friday, May 1 at 10PM, PST


School of Dentistry

Marlise Perry                   mdperry@llu.edu

Info Session                

Individual sessions available Mon-Thurs and scheduled via email
Group Sessions not offered at this time


School of Nursing

Brianna Bolanos             bbolanos@llu.edu

Info Session              

Undergraduate Zoom Link: Monday, April 27 at 4 PM, PST
Graduate Zoom Link: Wednesday, Apr 29 at 4 PM, PST
 


School of Pharmacy

Nelky Rodriguez             nrodriguez01@llu.edu

Info Session                 

Registration link and Zoom link: Tuesdays at 4 PM, PST


School of Public Health

Bobby Brown                   babrown@llu.edu

Info Session                

Doctorate programs: Sunday, May 24 at 10:30 AM, PST
Master's programs: Sunday, June 28 at 10:00 AM PST
Please contact Bobby Brown to register for a Info Session.

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

VMCAS 2021 Application Overview

Join the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS) for an overview of the 2021 application. During the webinar, attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions about the application, troubleshoot, and generally learn about the application process.

Date/Time: Wednesday, April 29 at 1:00pm EST
Register: https://aavmc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6NSSoTdMQCiqc9OMpPxnFQ

Monday, April 20, 2020

Global Health Virtual Hackathon






The Emory Global Health Institute is hosting a virtual hackathon focused on developing solutions for specific COVID-19 problems. The virtual hackathon is a partnership withthe Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech & EmoryGeorgia Tech’s CREATE X Startup Launch accelerator program, and the Emory University School of Medicine

The virtual hackathon will take place May 8-16. Teams comprised of Emory University and Georgia Tech students will attempt to hack problems around COVID-19 screening, prevention, treatment, monitoring,and recovery efforts. The winning teams will each receive $10,000, the opportunity to take their solution to market through Georgia Tech’s CREATE-X, and other potential investment opportunities. All Emory students, including 2020 graduates, are eligible to participate.

Visit https://eghigt-hackcovid19.devpost.com/ for more details and to register. Apply by April 30 to form teams and gain early access to the problems you’ll be tackling. Registration will remain open until the event.

Register now! If you have any questions, please email eghi.gt.hack@gmail.com.

Sunday, April 19, 2020

Wy'east Pathway Application Open




The Wy’east Pathway was created for American Indian and Alaska Native students to prepare them to excel as medical students and physicians and is intended for individuals who were not accepted to medical school or who do not possess a qualifying MCAT score for admission. The pathway is nine months long, over the course of which the scholars take courses on the foundations of biomedical science, academic skills and wellness, a MCAT preparation course, clinic observation, community-based research projects, and engage in cultural activities. If the scholars complete the pathway successfully and receive a qualifying score on the MCAT they earn conditional acceptance to the OHSU School of Medicine or the Washington State University College of Medicine for matriculation in fall of 2021. The primary application for next year’s cohort opened April 1st and secondary applications are due May 31st

Click the following links to see a brief Wy’east overview and pathway application.


Rutgers Virtual Open House





Saturday, April 18, 2020

Gift of Life Bone Marrow Registry

Looking for a way to volunteer virtually?  Add yourself to the bone marrow registry with Gift of Life.


University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine Virtual Events

Join upcoming virtual events hosted by University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNE COM). 






Event Date
UNE COM Live Event
Event Time
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Drop-in Chat Session with COM Recruitment Team
12:15 - 1:15pm (EST)
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
National Osteopathic Medicine (NOM) Week Virtual Event – Celebrate and Discuss Osteopathic Medicine with
Matched (!!!) 4th Year Students
12:15 - 1:15pm (EST)
Thursday, April 23, 2020
Drop-in Chat Session with COM Recruitment Team & the Office of Graduate Admissions
12:15 - 1:15pm (EST)
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Chat with Current UNE COM Students
12:15 - 1:15pm (EST)
Thursday, May 07, 2020
Tips for Applying to UNE COM
12:15 - 1:15pm (EST)

Prior registration is required for all virtual events.

To register for a UNE COM Live event, click here

Friday, April 17, 2020

Humans of Pre-Health Emory (HOPHE): Julian Rodriguez


Julian Rodriguez (17C, 20R), is a College alum and a current student at Rollins School of Public Health. 

We had a chance to sit down with Julian and ask him a few questions about his pre-health journey. 



1.      What helped guide you to where you are now?
I have had several formative experiences throughout my academic and professional career, and in each of these experiences, the presence of a mentor was essential to my path. Having the opportunity to join the Lab of Vector Ecology as an undergraduate and travel for research made me realize that public health was a very enriching and viable way to be involved in health. My mentor and advisor helped me create a path where I could turn those skills into practice. Taking a gap year to work after graduation was also a significant experience. On the one hand, I thoroughly enjoyed working with communities and being able to advance public health efforts in my home. On the other, it made me realize that I needed an MPH in order to increase my footprint. Which is why I am here a few weeks away from graduation. In all, it is important to be present and mindful throughout your journey; to use every experience as a steppingstone, learning just as much from the negatives than from the positives.

2.      What do you wish you knew 5 years ago?
I wish I knew how wide the world of health actually is. I grew up with the idea that my only option for having an impactful career in healthcare was being a doctor. However, there are a many paths people can take when interested in making a career in health.

3.       If you could start over, what would you change?
However cliché this may sound, I would not change a thing. Not because it has been a perfect path (it has not), but because every challenge I overcame and every mistake I made was instrumental to getting where I am today. The important thing is not to think about what you would change, but learn to appreciate how every moment has helped shaped who you are and who you will become.

4.      Did you have a specific mentor that inspired you to get to where you are now?
Definitely. Finding and fostering a strong relationship with a mentor is so important in the process of defining your career. It is also not just one mentor; throughout every phase of your life and every experience, identify someone whom you can share your thoughts, bounce ideas, and simply serve as a supporter and advocate of your goals.

5.      What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
 When switching gears and paths you will find yourself in unknown and perhaps uncomfortable situations. This can be daunting. When you are in an environment where the everything seems unknown, it can be difficult to feel comfortable contributing and asking questions. You may start to question whether you fit in with this group of people at all. However, it is in these moments where we stand to grow the most. Whenever I start feeling overwhelmed by an unfamiliar situation or environment, I remember that I made it this far for a reason, and being here is a testament to my drive and hard work.

6.      What is the best advice you could give someone pursuing the same track as you?

The best advice I can give is to not compare yourself with others. It is very easy to fall into this habit, especially given the amount of exposure we have to others’ activities and successes. Everyone has their own path and moves at their own pace. Just because one person met certain goals earlier does not mean you are behind.

Trinity School of Medicine Webinar


Webinars are a unique and powerful way to research your future medical school. At Trinity, our admissions directors provide these online information sessions so you can take part from the comfort of your home, while also enjoying a free-form Q&A session with admissions directors and a mix of alumni and current students as guests.

Trinity's webinars are an excellent way to get to know the administration and student body, getting the answers you need to proceed with confidence on the next step towards a career as a physician
.


Register at the following link:

Thursday, April 16, 2020

Volunteer Surge


The COVID-19 epidemic is pushing the American healthcare system to the breaking point—and leaving frontline medical providers overwhelmed and exhausted.

Many of the most basic caretaking tasks can be performed by volunteer assistants, so the professionals can focus on tending to the most acute needs.

VolunteerSurge was formed to rapidly train one million volunteer Community Health Workers. The training is based on “Ready CNA,” a video-based online course which can be completed in about 30 hours. It’s hosted on Absorb LMS and produced in cooperation with General George Casey (US Army Ret.) and the Yale School of Public Health. VolunteerSurge has partnered with a leading Health Care NGO, ADP Workmarket and Salesforce.com to match graduates with volunteer opportunities in communities all across the country.

When you join their network, you will build a profile that includes your special skills and areas of interest, and they can pair you with a volunteer assignment that fits your needs.


Learn more and sign up at https://volunteersurge.com/

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Humans of Pre-Health Emory (HOPHE): Amanda Delgado


Amanda Delgado (19C), is a current first-year medical student at Medical College of Georgia. She graduated from Emory with majors in Biology and Music, and was a former Pre-Health Peer Mentor.

We had a chance to sit down with Amanda and ask her a few questions about her pre-health journey. 


1.What is the best advice you could give someone pursuing the same track as you? 
I would encourage anyone else on the pre-med track to not lose sight of what they are passionate about. The best way to do this is by continuing to make time for what  and who is most important to you. For example, I have continued to play piano in medical school and talk to my family on the phone each night.
What was the most difficult part of your pre-health career? 
The biggest challenge I faced during my pre-med journey was balancing school life and personal life. While my ambition pushed me to study hard and dedicate myself to my extracurricular activities, it was also hard to battle when it came to making time for self-care. For me, learning to say "no" and create time for myself each day was a big hurdle to overcome. 
3. What moments have solidified your path to pursue medicine? 
For me, patient interaction has been key to solidifying my path in medicine. As an undergraduate, it peaked my initial interest in medicine and in medical school, it continues to drive my studies. While the hours dedicated to studying may be dense at times, I draw motivation from my most recent volunteer or clinical experience to keep me going. 
4. What have you learned since entering medical school? 

Since entering medical school, I have been surprised by the strong connection between teaching and medicine. I have been fortunate to have some excellent mentors since starting medical school, and I have actually found a passion for teaching and leadership that I hope to one day apply to academic medicine. 

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Pre-health Opportunities during Spring 2020

On the lookout for opportunities this semester? See below for ideas from the NAAHP!

Focus Locally 

  • Be an active, helpful member of your home community. Volunteer to cover childcare needs for neighbors or to check in (by phone/from a distance) on the elderly. If you’re part of a religious community, see if there are ways that you can provide support through them. Check with organizations where you have volunteered in the past to see if you can step back into previous roles. 
  • Use idealist.org or volunteermatch.org to seek other local options, but be ready for slow responses. 
  • Idealist article: Nine ways to help others during the coronavirus pandemic (https://www.idealist.org/en/careers/help-others-coronavirus)
  • Look into the volunteer National Medical Reserves Corps branch near you
  • Donate blood and volunteer to help the Red Cross address blood delivery and donation support needs in your community. (Remote volunteering options exist for those at high risk.)
  • Check to see if Meals on Wheels needs more volunteers in your community. Inquire whether other local organizations focused on supporting the elderly need volunteers; for example, Caring Connections is asking for volunteers willing to deliver groceries in NJ/PA counties to step forward. 
Volunteer Virtually
  • Operation Warm has a list of 25 ways to volunteer virtually
  • Paper-airplanes.org invites volunteers to provide online tutoring to “bridge gaps in language, higher education, and professional skills training for conflict-affected individuals”
  • Dosomething.org’s nine places to volunteer online and make a real impact
Network with Local Health Professionals
  • Once the current situation has stabilized: Contact alum physicians near your home by searching by location in your school’s Alum Directory and on LinkedIn. It will be interesting to talk with them about their experiences as physicians, especially during this time. Of course, they may be far too busy to connect with you for quite a while. Consider seeking out retired physicians who are watching this unfold, or medical students who are currently not allowed on the wards. Shadowing is unlikely to be possible in the near future.  
Research Professional Schools

Engage in free online learning opportunities

Do some pre-health reflection and journaling

Read & Listen & Watch


Participate in Virtual Seminars, Fairs, and Info Sessions
Work on Life/“Adulting” Skills
  • Do you know how to cook? Offer to cook and deliver a meal to neighbors trying to manage childcare and work obligations at home.
  • Develop an at-home exercise routine (this is also good self-care!)
  • Take up or revisit a craft or hobby -- origami, bike repair, gardening, the instrument or art supplies you put down at the end of high school…
  • If you’ve never tracked your budget and expenses before, analyze your spending from the last year and develop a budget moving forward (see Nerdwallet tips)
Engage in Self-Care 

News Stories Highlighting Prehealth/Professional School Student Efforts

This list was created cooperatively by members of the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions.

Pass / Fail Guidance Document from Medical Schools


Student Version 

Medical schools are trying to respond to the changing landscape regarding grades. Not all medical schools have filled out this Google Sheet, but here is a consultation document available for students to review about how medical schools are responding and considering pass/fail grades for this semester.


Please understand that the COVID-19 crisis is a fluid situation and procedures and processes may continue to evolve. We are doing our best to provide the most up-to-date information that we have at this time, but answers to questions may change in response to the circumstances. The attached information is accurate as of March 31, 2020. If process or procedures change, we will alert you.