Meeting Minutes-9/24/18
Officers Present: Chad, Nubia, Nina, Xavier, Ana, Justin, Kevin
(Cancelled) Presentation: MARC program, UT Southwestern MD/ Ph.D., speaker-Nancy Street; Rescheduling-In Progress.
Elections-finance officer (VP of Finance)
a. Speeches for officers
Meeting Minutes-9/17/18
Officers Present: Chad, Kevin, Xavier, Justin
Presentation: Program Director-Memorial Hospital, Dr. John Andazola; Dr. Mary Alice Scott; first-year resident-Las Cruces native (w/ handout ‘The Road to Becoming a Doctor’); Dr. Gomez
Residency:
Life experience; separate application process
Guided through med school.
Choose family medicine for personal reasons
“match”- ranking system for residencies, the algorithm that favors student, USA
-obligation no matter the choice
i. Match: 1 centralized application
ii. Pay fee for school
iii. Based on residency you pick
iv. Apply nationwide
v. Extra funds to fly anywhere to interview
vi. Can apply to more than one type of residency
vii. Look out for your best interest
viii. 2nd year after a match, less options
ix. Competitive-selection
x. Match-some schools based on P/F system for 1st-2years
xi. 3rd yr. based on school rotations
xii. Shelf exam based on rotations
xiii. Most part, cohort, unless graduating with honors.
3-7 years after med school pending on specialty (surgery 5-7 years)
After residency, they can become board certified to practice
Some states allow for partial training (2 years post-doc certified)
MCAT: evolved, general skills, social sciences addition
“Make a difference in the world, being a doctor isn’t enough.” Dr. Andazola
Q & A:
i. Multiple residencies are possible; $50 billion goes to residencies programs from the U.S. Govt. (partially paid); struggle for subsidized payment if you are trying to convert residencies programs and time of contract is terminated
Residency then fellowship occurs (1-5 years pending on specialty)
Residents generate revenue through faculty (blurred topic)
ii. Advice- “dude, I’m like the worst”, plan each course, foundational science and retaining, practice questions, aamc.org hosts free materials
iii. (96-98%) US students match; Caribbean schools-pay private rates, low match rates
Ross-well-known Caribbean school, decent-rep
California list- medical school list achieving at standard
iv. Dual programs- usually apply without any issues
v. MD vs. DO: muscular-skeletal theories, other beliefs of disease, pretty similar
All residency under the same accreditation pathway-same setting
vi. DO-focus on primary care, a trend is shifting towards MD; holistic approach, osteopathic manipulation is the only difference (5-7 years, almost no difference)
vii. “Medicine is very apprentice. . . never let the youngest guy figure it out by itself.”
“If you see a chair sit in it if you see a bed lay in it, if you see a donut, eat it. . . You are not a doctor until you finish your residency.”
viii. The coolest part of being a doctor: take care of everything as Primary Care doctor
Community emphasis
Doctors don’t do as much policy work as needed
Do it for the right reason, not for the check.
Step 1: get good grades and good MCAT
Step 2: mission-driven stuff, maturity
ix. If failed a course in Phase I or II, (fast pace/tempo) some schools offer remediation exam to continue. If one fails more than one class, then have to repeat year as a whole.
Same with shelves for rotations.
USMLE Steps-ranking to apply for residency after Phase I & II
1 and 2 during medical school, then 3 for residency.
x. A science background is not needed, other majors are somewhat favored at times.
Interviews-public health issues and awareness
How not to just treat symptoms, but to find the problem’s source.
“You can be normal, brown, and from Las Cruces.”
Be relatable to your community. “It’s not always a straight path.”
Resilience and facing adversity displays were human.
xi. Medical Anthropology, social psychology, and/or psychology recommended.
~7:05~
PMC Meeting Minutes (8/27/18)
Officers Present: Chad, Justin, Rawan, Nina, Nubia, Xavier, Ana, Nef, Kevin
Skype interview with UNM Academic Advisement Specialist-Cindy Garcia
PowerPoint w/ Skype:
103 students: 28 BA/MD program, 1 MD/ Ph.D., 7 PrEP (Prep program-5 yr.), Delayed/Deferred (4 next year, for medical emergency)
1200-1800 applications each cycle, 225-300 applicants receive interviews
At 900 applications now***
Meeting minimum application screening, usually receiving interviews
Native American/American Indian-with Documentation-allowed
Montana & Wyoming set seats for medical school
Preference to NM high school grads and NM residency
MCAT 494, increased from last year 491, still accepting older MCAT version (22)
Average MCAT 30/503-recent class, min GPA-3.0
Increasing MCAT and GPA for the entering class, recent GPA 3.75
Does not require a degree; Encouraged to complete degree, “Matriculate”
Pre-requisites: 2 semesters Biology (211 and 311 with labs), General Chemistry with labs (111 & 112), Organic Chemistry with labs (313, 314, & 315), Physics-no lab required (211 & 212, or 221 & 222), Biochemistry (BCHE 395) required
Need grades at application time-besides Biochemistry or Organic Chemistry lab
Pre-requisite higher than C-, Pass/Fail not accepted,
Pre-requisites accepted at community colleges
Non-degree students accepted, does not affect the application
Recommended courses: A&P, microbiology, immunology, genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, developmental biology (human biology and upper division biology courses)
Online courses: no labs accepted, 2 lectures of pre-requisites acceptable
Early decision (EDP): secure spot 10/1, limited to only 1 EDP, deadline 8/1, interviews
August/September, acceptance notification sent 10/1, not accepted-regular MD program is still considered for March applicant pool & can apply to other schools
Regular MD program (90% apply through): deadline 11/1, interviews September-February, acceptance status-3/15
MD/ Ph.D.: 5-10 applicants (highly competitive), 7-8-year program, first 2 years Phase 1 med school, 3-4 years-research, Phase 2 & 3-med school curriculum, same requirements as regular MD program, apply through AMCAS
Undergraduate Pipeline Network (UPN) application deadline February
https://www.usc.unm.edu/research/upn/
MD/MPH: 5 yr., apply through AMCAS, deadline 12/15, need to be accepted to both MD & MPH, MPH fcm.unm.edu/education/public-health-program/admissions.html
2. Timeline
AMCAS opens April
May-application opens (1-2 weeks for AMCAS to verify app., 2-3 weeks for pre-screening)
June-available to submit applications; 3rd week of June, the application may be received
14 days to complete secondary application-sent in late July
Interviews: August (late)-February (early) [Rolling Admissions-weekly basis]
Admission decision 3/15, Deadline 4/30 to select school
Mid-July: Med School Starts (finally)
3. Committee focus
Academic profile: pre-requisite strength, additional upper courses in Biology
Lower GPA-below 3.5
Maximizing MCAT score-planning, 3 months in advance, check reading speed (250 words per minute-ideal), consider different MCAT prep courses and scholarships to such programs, practice test=study guides
aamc.org/mcat/preparing aamc.org/mcat2015sampletest aamc.org/mcat2015exam khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat www.drflowersmcat.com
Sample test on AAMC’s website: 230 questions/4 section ($25)
MCAT+ program: Kaplan hired, HSC Office of Diversity, 6-week program, deadline May
Interest in Medicine: Clinical Experience: paid or volunteer, community, national, international experience; knowledge of medical/healthcare issues at state/national/international levels; nytimes.com, cnn.com, who.int/en/, cdc.gov, health.state.nm.us/
Community Service: shows compassion, willing
Ex.’s: Big Brothers Big Sisters, church-related events, Habitat for Humanity, International Programs
Clinal Education Program: basic training, shadow physician, eligibility-NM resident, College Junior, Senior, Graduate student
Letters of Recommendation: 3-min, 4-highly; 2 from course professors, 1 clinician, 1 community service (supervisor), research director, send through AMCAS
Admissions Process overview: 38 members (medical students, community physicians, SOM faculty); each applicant interviewed by 2 community members; 30-50 minutes; single blind interview
50% cognitive by computer; 50% non-cognitive, personal statement, interview, clinical experience, recommendation letters’ quality
2 interviews submit, then app. Open to the committee, score on a scale of 4.0 (by .25), 2 days after meeting, scores finalize, scores averaged, 50 spots available~ some accepted, some added on the alternate list
Criminal Background Check: minor traffic violations do not need to be disclosed, misdemeanors/felonies need to be disclosed
Advisement: monthly workshops, individual available over the phone, prehealthprofessions@unm.edu 505-277-2027
Dr. James McKinnell (Pre-med club advisor)
MSAR: https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/requirements/msar/ ($20) online database
BE CAREFUL OF OUTSIDE ADVICE-the process is different for everyone, refer to medical school websites for accurate and current information
Class of 2022 Curriculum Map: Phase I-primarily classroom, sciences, shadowing, pre-clinical, rural area; Phase II-rotations (4 weeks each-2 exceptions), Phase III-4 additional electives (specialty), interviewing for residencies, finishing step 2 board
Q & A:
Residency appeals don’t get approved often, required 12 consecutive months older than 23 yrs. to establish residency.
Post-Grad research: situationally dependent upon interest
Emotional Maturity evaluated during interview-realistic understanding, relatable life experience within the healthcare spectrum.
Announcements-Group Volunteering Events: weekends (1 Saturday, 1 Sunday)
a. Zero Gravity (9/9 8-12): janitorial duties within the gym
b. Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary (10/14, 8-12)
c. El Caldito Soup Kitchen (11/11, 8-12)
d. Keep State Great (9/29, 8-12)
Club Requirements: 7 hrs. in/7 hrs. out of chapter volunteering hours, per semester
28 hours per school year (consecutive semesters)
~7:19 p.m.~
Pre-Med Meeting Minutes, 8/20/18, 1st meeting of the semester
Officers Present: Chad, Nina, Rawan, Nefretiri, Ana, Nubia, Xavier, Justin, Allison, Katrina, Kevin
Officers’ introduction:
Chad-network within university, volunteer efforts “as a club”, establish a standing club
Nina-connections, club opportunities
Nubia-medical school admissions, communications, courses, cost, requirements
Justin-importance of shadowing, medical connection
Kevin-volunteering opportunities, kitchen
Allison-research opportunities
Rawan-fundraising, donations
Xavier-website/social media activity
Ana-ASNMSU connection
Katrina-scholarships
Nefretiri-social media presence
Guest Appearances:
Dr. Maio: club advisor (“legit”), resource
Pre-Med degree plans/track, formulate aggregate data according to medical school requirements, create community, “transmit information/digits”, scheduling post(s)
Mariam Chaiken: Dean of Honors College; MCAT prep course sponsored by Honors College, reduced cost MCAT prep alternative by Kaplan, a well-rounded emphasis of Academia, 1-credit shadowing course mchaiken@nmsu.edu
Q&A: $250 ASNMSU provides Pre-Med club per semester, sponsor bills
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9N9S2w2 Aggregate Date from new members
Overview of upcoming meetings for the semester
Receive data from Pre-Med graduates, follow former tracks/degree plans
Next meeting, Skype interview with UNM program coordinator for Medical Admissions -with Q&A, club requirements
“Medicine follows humility.” -President Chad
nmpremedicalclub.blogspot.com
~6:53 p.m.~