A UCSF/UC Berkeley Joint DeCal

      



 

Spring 2010

Location: 2040 VLSB

Time: Wed. 5:00-7:00P

CCN (Lower Div): 57889

CCN (Upper Div): 59176

 

Welcome to PreMed 101, UC Berkeley's premiere premedical decal. PreMed 101 is a course designed and operated by a group of UCSF & UC Berkeley students with one goal: to offer those who intend to pursue a life as a medical professional a taste of that life and to arm them with the information necessary for success at the undergraduate level.

PreMed 101 was founded in the Fall of 2003 by several students who felt that UC Berkeley premed students , for various reasons, were severely disadvantaged in the medical school application process. Furthermore, they were concerned that many students had unrealistic expectations about careers in healthcare.

Now into its 13th semester, PreMed 101 has become a collaborative effort between UCSF & UC Berkeley students. Over the years, PreMed 101 has not only offered premeds the information they need to succeed, but has also secured for its students shadowing opportunities with physicians, jobs in emergency rooms, and even basic science research positions at Lawrence Berkeley Labs.

 

 

Lecture Notes
Comment: notes are designed to supplement lecture. As such, the notes will only be useful if you've attended lecture (i.e. notes may not make much sense unless you've attended lecture).

2/17/2010

Dr.Hartwig's Presentation Handout

2/3/2010
Medical Schools, Part 1: Getting In

Things to Keep in Mind: Plot a course that works for you, develop a solid, realistic Plan B, take courses you want to take, validate your interest in medicine…continuously

Choosing a Major: Myth -PreMeds must be science majors, Truth - False. Medical schools don’t care what your major is as long as you take the basic requirements

Basic Requirements:
1 year Physics with lab (Physics 8A/8B: Non-engineering majors, Physics 7A/7B: (Bio)engineering majors)
1 year Biology with lab (Bio 1A/1AL, Bio 1B)
2 years Chemistry with lab (Inorganic: Chem 1A, Chem 3A/3AL and Organic: Chem 3B/3BL, MCB 100 or 102)
1 year College Math (Math 16A, Math 16B are acceptable but Math 1A, Math 1B is better. More advanced math courses are even better. Statistics required for some schools)
1 year College English (R&C Requirement: R1A/R1B Series)
Humanities (Not required for every school. Check with the specific school)

"PreMed" Majors:
 College of Chemistry
• Chemical Biology: The Chemical Biology major is intended to provide a solid background in chemistry as it impacts on areas like biochemistry, molecular biology, bioengineering, structural biology, drug design, pharmacology and medicine.
College of Natural Resources
• Nutritional Sciences (3 tracks): Physiology & Metabolism (focuses on biochemical and physiological study of nutrient utilization and study of food properties and processing food materials), Dietetics (prepares students for a career as a Registered Dietitian (RD)), Toxicology (focuses on the biochemical and physiological study of the adverse effects of nutrients and non-nutrients in the diet).
• Molecular Toxicology: Focuses on hazardous effects of toxic agents, from industrially produced environmental contaminants and designer drugs to naturally occurring herbs and food products.
• Molecular Environmental Biology (MEB): Exposes students to organization and function of biological organisms at molecular, cellular, organismal and ecological levels.
• Microbial Biology: For students interested in studying microbes in various biomass.
College of Letters and Sciences
• Public Health: Studies promotion and protection of the health and human population, giving consideration to human rights and cultural perspectives.
• Integrative Biology: Offers a program of instruction that focuses on the integration of structure and function in the evolution of diverse biological systems.
• Molecular & Cell Biology: The MCB major involves the molecular structures and processes of cellular life and their roles in the function, reproduction, and development of living organisms.
• Social Welfare: Social welfare introduces students to problems, policies, and methods in the social welfare field through core social welfare courses and elective field work.
• Sociology: The sociology major is the scientific study of human society and social behavior, from the level of interpersonal interaction through large categories of people to entire nations.
• Interdisciplinary Studies: This major is designed to allow students to develop their own course of study, drawing on offerings in both the humanities and the social sciences. Students choose their courses for the major on the basis of a unifying principle, theme, or topic of research that is called the area of concentration.

Program profiles
Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.)
• Medical philosophy follows a holistic or “whole person” approach.
• Preventative care is emphasized as is training in the musculoskeletal system.
• In the United States, a D.O. has all the rights and privileges of an M.D.
Joint Programs
• MD/PhD, MD/MPH, MD/MBA, MD/JD
• Oftentimes geared towards medical research, hospital administration, or medical policy.
• Downside: You can be in school for a long time (8 years or more).
• Upside: It may be paid for!
Traditional M.D.
• Medical Doctorate: certain Medical Schools are oriented towards research, while others focus on primary patient care. (Hence the distinction in US News and World ratings)
• Either type prepares you for a career as a practicing physician.

Interviews
• If a school likes what they see in both of your applications…then you might get an interview!
• An interview is the chance to tour the school, meet other applicants and current students, be wined and dined(maybe), and let your personality shine!
• Interview questions vary by school (insert horror story here), typical questions cover aspects of your application, ethics, why you want to be a doctor, etc.
• Even MORE Money - clothes, airfare, hotels, transportation

Costs
Cheapest: MCAT Prep = $0, MCAT Exam = $200 , Primary Application(1 school) = $160, Secondary Application(1 school) = $50, Interview (drive: $60, hotel: $120, clothes: $0, food/misc: $40) = $220
Total: $630

Most Expensive: MCAT Prep = $1500, MCAT Exam = $200, Primary Application (35 schools) = $1180), Secondary Application = $1750, Interview (flight x 10: $4000, hotel: $1200, clothes/accessories: $100, food/misc. x 10: $600) = $5900
Total: $10530

Realistic Range: $3000 to $10000

So What do Medical Schools Want From Me?
Strong MCAT, Strong GPA, Proof of Commitment, Talent, Passionate, Firm and Clearly Motivated, Well-rounded, Accomplished


Medical Schools, Part II: You're In

MSI & MSII:
Topics Include: Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology, Pathology, Genetics, Histology, Embryology, Biochemistry, Clinical Diagnosis

Not difficult, but voluminous. Most schools will allow you to start seeing patients. You then take the USMLE Step 1 at the end of 2nd year.

MSIII & MSIV:
Begin Rotations: blocks of time spent on a specific hospital service
Required Rotations: internal medicine, psychiatry, surgery, pediatrics, OB/Gyn, family medicine, neurology
Elective Rotations: cardiology, radiology, emergency, etc.
USMLE Step II at the end of 3rd year.
Apply to residencies: National Residency Match Program (NRMP)

 

 


On/Off Campus Opportunities: Contacts

PAHC: pahc.berkeley.edu
Bear EMS: email - bems.recruit@gmail.com
AMSA: amsa.berkeley.edu
URAP: research.berkeley.edu/urap
KGD: ucbkgd.org
PDE: sites.google.com/site/berkeleyphide
HMAP: hmap.berkeley.edu
CKI: ucbcki.org
TobaccNo: tobaccno.berkeley.edu
DMC ER: Email/Talk to Max
PreMed 101 TA: Talk to one of the TAs

 

9/23/09
PreMed Workshop: Letters of Recommendation, Personal Statement, Interviews

Letters of Recommendation: 3 letters required - 2 science letters 1 non-science letter
Science Letters: Generally speaking, belong to the field of math, physics, chemistry, & biology
Timing: Start getting them NOW. At the latest, ask for the letters before the spring break of the year you wish to apply
Professor vs. GSI Letters: Either is acceptable. Each is associated with certain advantages and disadvantages. A co-signed letter may circumvent the disadvantages of both. The professor/GSI is expected to assess your intellectual readiness, motivation for medicine, maturity, the difficulty of the course you have taken, how you compare to other students, & any admirable attributes or skills you may possess.
Career Center Letter Service: Sign up for the letter service. This is where your letter writers will send the written letters. This service requires a small fee. You can do this in person or online <career.berkeley.edu>
The Right to See Your Letter: You have the right to see your letter. However, you should void/sign away this right. The letters will be worthless if you do not do so.
The Kit: Items you should give to your prospective letter writers when you ask them to write your letters:
1.) Cover Letter/Letter of Intent/Personal Statement
2.) Resume
3.) Unofficial Transcript
4.) Coursework from your letter writer's class
5.) Letter of recommendation form with Ranking Grid (found at Career Center Website)
6.) Form that waives your right to see the letter (found at Career Center Website)
7.) Stamped envelope addressed to the Career Center

Personal Statement
Profile: Length - 5300 characters, Prompt - "Why do you want to the M.D.?"
Entirely valid but (for varying reasons) problematic responses for this prompt:
1.) "I want to help people"
2.) "I want an intellectually challenging career"
3.) "(so-and-so) inspired me to become a doctor"
4.) "(someone very near and dear to me) died and since then I've only wanted to save lives"
5.) "I want to make money"
Hidden Prompt (that you must also address): Why would you be a great doctor?
There is no recipe for writing the perfect personal statement but here's some things to avoid:
1.) Writing what you think admissions committees want to read
2.) Writing in purple prose (i.e. fancy, smart-sounding style)
3.) Re-summarizing your resume
4.) Mentioning famous people, organizations, etc. without any other purpose except to say that you are somehow loosely associated with them.
5.) Stating experiences & goals without reflecting upon what you learned or how it affected you.
6.) Writing the personal statement at the last second
7.) Arrogance
Goal of the personal statement: To show a side of you & your achievements not covered by other parts of your application; to show how the events & choices in your life have shaped your intellect, ethics, & personality.

Interviews
The Interview Day: Welcome/Introduction, Financial Aid Session, Lunch, Campus Tour by Medical Student, Down Time, Interview (1 or 2)
What to Wear/What to Bring:
1.) Dress conservatively (suits for guys, pantsuits for girls (long skirts i.e. past knees are also okay))
2.) Comfortable shoes
3.) Copy of your AMCAS, personal statement, secondary essays, resume
4.) Travel light
The Interview: 1 or 2 interviews. May be with faculty, doctors, or medical students
Format: 1 on 1, 1 on 3, 3 on 1, 3 on 3
Types of Questions (4 P's): Personal (questions about you), Policy (questions about healthcare & ethics), Personal Statement (questions about your application), Problem-Solving (solve a random problem e.g. fix the war in Afghanistan)
Goal of the Interview: to determine if you are a good fit for the school (You're already academically qualified. That's how you got the interview in the first place)

 

10/7/09
Problem-Based Learning
Download Handout