Med School Applications-Are they on the Rise?
For the past six years, medical schools across the country have experienced a decline in applications. In 1996, applications reached a record number of almost 47,000 applicants compared with the 33,501 that applied this year. Experts now are predicting a possible 4-6% increase in applications, possibly due in part to recent hardships in the economy.
Jordan Cohen, MD, president of the Assn. of American Medical Colleges states, “It’s speculative, but it is reasonable to attribute some of the [projected medical school applicant] turnaround to the business cycle.” He also remarked that “a lot of students are finishing college, and they see the economic winds are blowing harshly.”
Male applicants declined sharply last year with 16,999 applying compared with 18,142 in 2001. Fewer females also applied last year with 16,454 applicants compared with 16,717 in 2001.
American Medical News, Nov. 18, 2002, vol. 45.
“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has
reached in life as by the obstacles he has overcome trying to succeed”
Booker T. Washington
MCAT Information
Test Dates:
April 26, 2003
Application Deadline: March 21, 2003
August 16, 2003
Application Deadline: July 12,
2003
How to Register:
Registration
packets will be available after February 1, 2003. Obtain a registration packet
from the Premed Office (213 Whitmore), or write: MCAT Program Office P.O. Box 4056 Iowa City, IA 52243
You should also contact this office in Iowa if you have questions regarding test registration and administration.
(319) 337-1357.
MCAT Website:
http://www.aamc.org/
New Minor in Biology
As of the summer of 2002, the Biology department has implemented a new minor in Biology The minor is designed for students who desire to obtain an in-depth and well-rounded knowledge of Biology—the science of life and living organisms. After taking an introductory survey course which exposes students to the basics of Biology including the chemistry of life, cell structure, genetics, mechanisms of evolution and evolutionary history of biological diversity, plant and animal form and function, and ecology, students select additional courses based on their biological emphasis to account for a total of 18-20 credits. In conjunction with the student’s major, the minor prepares students for entry to graduate school or professional school programs, as well as for technical or research careers with governmental agencies or industry. Majors complemented by this minor would include but not be limited to other life and physical sciences, engineering, business, and liberal arts. This is a very easy minor for Science and Premedicine majors to pick up.
For the minor, students must take BIOL 110 (4); select 7-8 credits from BIOL 220W (4), 222 (3), 230W (4), and 240W (4); and select 6-9 credits from 400-level Biology courses (BIOL 400, 496 and SC 495 credits may not be used to fulfill this requirement). A total of 18-21 credits are required for the minor. For successful completion of the minor, a candidate must receive a grade of C or better in all courses
WALK-IN ADVISING SCHEDULE SP ‘03
Mondays 1:30-3:00 pm
Fridays 9:00-11:00 am
All other times are by appointment (865-7620)
MCAT Update Announcement
The broad structure of the current MCAT will be maintained, but with the following changes:
Content
Three questions on DNA and genetics will be added to the Biological
Sciences section. In the biology portion of Biological Sciences, one new topic,
"Molecular Biology: Eukaryotes," has been added. Note that this topic
falls within the content typically covered in undergraduate introductory
science courses. The three additional questions on DNA and genetics will be
included under the topics, " Molecular Biology: Eukaryotes" and
"Molecular Biology: DNA and Protein Synthesis."
List of Topics
In the organic chemistry portion of Biological Sciences, the topics, "Oxygen Containing Compounds" and "Hydrocarbons" will be reduced by a total of three questions. Questions on Alkenes, Benzene, Phenols and Ethers will no longer be included on the test.
Structure
To reduce speededness, the Verbal Reasoning section will be reduced by five questions.
The total number of test passages will remain the same, with the reduction
occurring within some of the passages on the test. The current time limit will
also be retained.
The administration order will be reversed for the Verbal Reasoning and Physical
Sciences sections, so that Physical Sciences will be the first section of the
morning.
Scoring
Scores of 14 and 15 on Verbal Reasoning will be re-instituted (replacing
the current top score of "13-15".)
A "Total" will be reported for the multiple-choice sections (Verbal
Reasoning + Biological Sciences + Physical Sciences) conjoined with the Writing
Sample score, e.g., 42T, in addition to the individual section scores.
MCAT Registration and
Fees
In 2003 the MCAT Registration Fee will be $185, an increase of only $5 from
2002. MCAT Registration will be online only. There will be no charge for MCAT
Testing History (THx) Reports to be sent to schools. An unofficial score report
can be printed from the THx site. There will be no charge for online retrieval
of MCAT scores, even before the arrival of the paper score reports. A new MCAT Essentials registration booklet
will be available online in January, 2003. The THx system will be available
online before April, 2003 scores are reported in June.
Score Reporting
The MCAT is moving to the concept of "FULL DISCLOSURE," where an
examinee's testing history, rather than specific sets of scores, will be
reported. All 2003 and later MCAT scores will automatically be released to
AMCAS and included in the MCAT Testing History Reports (THx Reports - formerly
known as Additional Score Reports) sent to other medical and professional
schools at the examinee's request. Scores from 1991-2002 will be sent (or
included in an AMCAS application) if requested (or released) by the examinee.
Those scores can still be withheld.
MCAT THx Reports will show the dates of all of an examinee's 1991-2002 MCATs, however, even if the scores are not reported. The THx system will be an online system, as is the current Additional Score Report system. There will be some important differences. First, THx Reports will be free. Second, the THx system will show scores - not just test dates. That way, students can find out their scores as soon as the information is available to the AAMC. Early Scores Online will be available for free. Due to the free THx reports, there will be no need for the "six free score reports" option on test day.
AAMC WEB SITE http://www. AAMC.org
Current PSU
Medical School Stats
The average accept rate for Penn State students applying to M.D. schools over the past few years has been at about 65%, with the national accept rate for the same period being at 45%. It is important to point out that Penn State does not pre-screen PSU applicants who apply to any of the health professions schools. In fact, if you consider only our applicants who have at least a 3.5 GPA, and at least a total score of 30 on MCATs, the accept rate is closer to 85%. Most of the students who are not accepted are students with poorer academic records and/or low MCAT scores
With regard to numbers, we have been averaging about 125 students per year who matriculate to M.D. schools. At present, we have slightly over 500 Penn State alums studying at about 70 different M.D. schools. (About 65% of our students will attend a Pennsylvania medical school, but we are also represented at most of the highly selective medical schools like Harvard, Columbia and Johns Hopkins.)
In addition to these numbers, we also send about 40 students per year to study at osteopathic (D.O.) medical schools (Robert Mitchell, 2002)
Peer Mentors Wanted
Peer Mentors are wanted to assist freshmen premedicine and science students in the Eberly College of Science. Peer Mentors help the freshmen students in their academic, social and personal adjustment to Penn State.
Qualifications for the program include:
* enrolled in the Eberly College of Science for at least two semesters.
* at least 60 credits completed by Summer 2003.
*satisfactory academic performance.
*interest in helping others
*and completion of two training sessions to be held in late spring semester.
Applications will be available in February in 213 Whitmore. For more information, contact Amy Leddy at 865-7620
Minor in Health Policy Administration
Students interested in the administration and business side of health care may be interested in pursuing a minor in Health Policy and Administration. This is an 18 credit minor which requires 6 credits at the 400 level. The required courses for the minor include HPA 057, Consumer Choice in Health Care, and HPA 101, Introduction to Health Services Organization. For more information about this new minor, contact the HPA office in 116 Henderson Building.
Quote
“I feel the greatest opportunity for doing is the opportunity to do more.” Jonas Salk
Interested in Dental School Join the PSU Pre-Dental Society
If you have an interest in pursuing dental school or may just want to learn more about the dental profession, then you may want to consider joining the pre-dental society. The club meets several times a semester and brings in speakers that have included practicing dentists and dental students. If interested in this club please email Amy Leddy at abl1@psu.edu and you will be put on the listserve.
Trends in Dentistry
Dr. Richard Carr, Jr. Deputy Executive Director of the American Dental Education Association cited at a recent conference the following highlights and trends in the field of dentistry:
*Dentistry is not generally subject to the effects of managed care as has been observed in other health care professions.
*The closure of seven dental school and substantial reductions in class sizes in the 1980’s and 90’s has reduced the number of graduating dentist by over 40%.
*Net average incomes for dentists in private practice have increased by over 50% since 1990.
DAT- The Dental Admission Test is now administered through the Sylvan Test Centers across the country.
Dental Specialties
1.Dental Public Health
2. Endodontics
3. Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
4. Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
5. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 6. Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
7. Pediatric Dentistry
8. Periodontics
9. Prosthodontics
PSU Offers Minor in Neuroscience
For students interested in the brain and/or neurophysiology, a new minor in neuroscience has been established. This minor has been intended to complement a wide variety of students and is open to all majors.
To complete this minor, a minimum of 18 credits of coursework is required with a “C” grade or better. Required courses consist of PSY 203, BIOL/BBH 469, and BIOL/BBH 470. The choice of at least 9 elective credits is flexible and may be individually tailored. Examples of elective courses include: BIOL 471, BIOL 472, BIOL 473, BIOL 479, BBH 410, BBH 451, BBH 432, KINES 450, KINES 484, and AN SCI 455.
For more information, contact Dr. Byron Jones at 863-0167 or e-mail him at bcj1@psu.edu.
Interested in Rural Family Medicine?
If you are interested in rural family medicine and were raised in a rural area or small town, Jefferson Medical College offers a special admission program that could give you preferential admissions to that school.
The program is called PSAP, which stands for Physician Shortage Area Program. It has been created to help recruit physicians to practice in rural areas, preferably in Pennsylvania.
Penn State is a member of this cooperative program along with five other undergraduate institutions in Pennsylvania. To qualify for the PSAP at Jefferson, applicants must be academically qualified, meet Jefferson’s admissions standards, and have a non-urban background and strong intent to practice medicine in a rural area.
If accepted, students will be required to take the family medicine curriculum and upon graduation commit themselves to taking a three-year family residency-training program before practicing medicine in a rural area. For more information, contact a premed advisor in 213 Whitmore lab.
“Things do not change, we change.”
Henry David Thoreau
Penn State Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Many students in the Eberly College of Science are interested in pursuing research opportunities. If a student is interested in pursuing research opportunities for credit (i.e. BIOL 296, BIOL 496), the following steps should be considered:
· Become familiar with the research that is currently being conducted by faculty at Penn State. One can start this process by obtaining lists of current faculty research located in the various departmental offices. One might also be able to access current faculty research activities thru the department web site.
2) Prepare a prioritized list of about 4-6 faculty members whose research activities are close to your interests.
3) Schedule appointments to speak with the faculty you have selected to determine such things as
a) available lab space,
b) faculty time,
c) available funding,
d) how many hours/week of your time needed for research effort,
e) the number of additional semesters you can give to the research, and
f) the number of credits for which you should register.
4) Be aware that you do not register for 296/496 through telephone registration. Registration for 296/496 is under department control, which means you must fill out a drop/add form signed by the professor you are enrolling for research credit, and take the form to that department offering the research so that they can add the course to your schedule.
Go to Undergraduate Research Information Page at the following website:
http://www.psu.edu/dept/oue/research/research.html
Medical
Specialty Training - How
Many Years are Required?
Students looking ahead to their future in medical school and residency programs need to count on four years for the formal medical school plus another 4-8 years, depending on the type of specialty training. The following is an alphabetized list of the areas of medicine and years of training:
1. Allergy and Immunology
Years of Study: 5
2. Anesthesiology
Years of Study: 4
3. Colon and Rectal Surgery
Years of Study: 6
4. Dermatology
Years of Study: 4
5. Emergency Medicine
Years of Study: 3
6. Family Practice
Years of Study: 3
7. Internal Medicine
Years of Study: 3
8. Neurological Surgery
Years of Study: 8
9. Neurology
Years of Study: 4
10. Nuclear Medicine
Years of Study: 4
11. Obstetrics and Gynecology
Years of Study: 6
12. Ophthalmology
Years of Study: 4
13. Orthopaedic Surgery
Years of Study: 7
14. Otolaryngology
Years of Study: 5
15. Pathology
Years of Study: 4
16. Pediatrics
Years of Study: 3
17. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Years of Study: 5
18. Plastic Surgery
Years of Study: 7
19. Preventative Medicine
Years of Study: 4
20. Psychiatry
Years of Study: 4
21. Radiology
Years of Study: 4
22. Surgery
Years of Study: 5
23. Thoracic Surgery
Years of Study: 7
24. Urology
Years of Study: 6-7
English 202C Option for ECoS
Co-op Students
Students enrolled in the ECoS (and jointly enrolled in the Co-op program) may participate in the English 202 C by portfolio option. Students must be registered for SC 495 (third co-op rotation) and must be at least 5th semester standing. Students using this option will submit a portfolio of technical writing samples created over the course of their co op experiences. The portfolio is then reviewed and graded by a PSU English Instructor. Students who submit an acceptable portfolio will be awarded credit for ENGL 202C but no grade.
Reasons
For any Major, Including Premeds, to Consider a Science Co-Op
· Gain one year or more of career related experience prior to graduation.
· Enhance technical education through practical application of classroom theory.
· Offset educational expenses by earning a competitive salary. (and earn an average of almost $13 an hour)
· Explore career opportunities without commitment to a full time job.
· Develop job search skills and experience with resume writing, interviewing techniques, and career assessment.
· Learn professional skills such as business ethics and etiquette.
· Enhance written and oral communication skills.
· Network with professionals who can advise you on graduate and professional school.
· Dramatically increase your marketability for a full time job.
For more information on the co-op program and its many opportunities visit the Co-Op office in 520 Thomas (865-5000) or visit the web site at www.science.psu.edu/coop
(Co-op Newsletter)
Updates in Osteopathic Medicine (D.O)
As with allopathic medical schools, osteopathic schools have also faced a decline in applicants. Currently there are 20 schools of osteopathic medicine. In 2001, 6,898 students applied to D.O schools, compared to the year 2000 when 7,708 students applied.
The average GPA and MCAT scores of matriculants to osteopathic schools have increased. In 2000, the average overall GPA was 3.43, with the science GPA being 3.36. The average MCAT scores for matriculants were 8.11 for Verbal, 8.18 for Physical and 8.69 for Biological.
Students applying to osteopathic school are required to have the same prerequisites as those for allopathic medicine. It is helpful if one applies to an osteopathic school has a letter from an osteopathic physician.
For more information about osteopathic medicine, visit the official osteopathic web site at
http://www.aacom.org/
or speak with an advisor in 213 Whitmore.
From the 2001
Annual Report on Osteopathic Medical Education
