Welcome to the 6 th Annual FIU Pre-Medical Informational Forum
Joshua Sixon, B.S. Biological Sciences FIU 2014, President Alpha Epsilon Delta, Medical School Applicant 2013
Sixth Annual FIU Pre-Medical Informational Forum 2014 Program The Path to Medical School: High School & Undergraduate Education FIU Admissions Information The Medical School Application Process The FIU QBIC Program FIU s Pre-Medical Student Organizations Perspectives on the Medical School Application Process The FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine Financing a Medical Education The Medical School Experience Medical School from a Physician s Perspective
The Path to Medicine Community College Associate of Arts (A.A.) (2 years) Graduate School Master s Degree M.S. or Ph.D. High School (4 years) SAT ACT University Bachelor s Degree (4 years) (2 years with A.A.) MCAT Medical School Medical Degree M.D. or D.O. (4 years, USMLE) (8 years for M.D. PhD) Specialization (3-8 years)
Steps to a Four Year University High School Academics Maintain a challenging curriculum Mathematics preferably through Calculus Science Chemistry, Physics, and Biology Behavioral Sciences Psychology and Sociology AP and IB Courses English, Humanities, Social Sciences, U.S. History, Language, Psychology Develop strong verbal skills Acquire knowledge in the Social Sciences and Humanities Perform well on the ACT or SAT
Steps to a Four Year University Leadership Roles Community Service Physician Shadowing
Steps to a Four Year University Transfer Students Complete A.A. or A.S. Degree Shadow and volunteer Know medical school requirements Seek advising Anticipate additional semesters to fulfill degree and medical school requirements
Undergraduate Admissions Brett Hartnagel, B.S. Assistant Director of Admissions, FIU
Applying to as a Freshman Submit online application starting July 1st Official high school transcripts Official college transcripts (Dual Enrollment) SAT and/or ACT scores Submit $30 application fee or a College Board/ ACT fee waiver *Complete admissions files submitted by November 1 st will receive priority consideration for merit based scholarships.
Undergraduate Merit Scholarships
% of Students Selecting a Major 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Common Pre-Medical Majors Choose a major that interests you and that you will enjoy!
Pre-Medical Curriculum Required Courses General Biology I & II (1 year) General Chemistry I & II (1 year) Physics I & II (1 year) Organic Chemistry I & II (1 year) Recommended Courses Physiology (1 semester) Cellular/ Molecular Biology (1 semester) Genetics (1 semester) General Microbiology (1 semester) College Algebra & Trigonometry (1 year) Calculus & Statistics (varies) Biochemistry (1 semester) Sociology & Social Psychology (1 year)
Qualities of a Successful Applicant Academics BCPM & AO GPA s > 3.5 Strong Performance on the MCAT Exam Biology Chemistry Physics Math All Other Medical College Admission Test
The 2015 MCAT Exam Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems MCAT ~7 Hours Long ~328 Questions Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
Evidence of Qualities Essential for a Successful Medical School Application Personal Characteristics (Central Application & Letters of Recommendation) Leadership Qualities Team Player, Collaborative Strong Motivation Well-Rounded Trustworthy Reliable
Additional Components of a Successful Medical School Application Essay Writing (Personal Statement, Activities Descriptions) Strong Command of Vocabulary, Grammar, and Spelling Well-Organized, Clear, and Concise Communication Skills (Interview) Great Interpersonal Skills Ability to Clearly Articulate Thoughts Good Enunciation Faculty and Professional Letters of Recommendation Strong and Personal
Strengthening Your Application Community Service Shadowing Clinical Experience Leadership Research Collaboration
Qualities of a Medical School Applicant BCPM & AO > 3.5 Large Course Load Faculty Letters GPA > 3.5 MCAT Score Interview Communication Skills Essay Writing Extracurricular Activities Physician Shadowing Sports/ Music Student Organizations Community Service Hobbies Application Personal Statement Research
The Medical School Application AMCAS or AACOMAS Primary Application Extracurricular Activities Personal Statement Letters of Recommendation University Faculty Members Physicians (from your shadowing experiences) Research Mentors Secondary Applications Transcripts of ALL credits taken after high school And Remember Grade Point Averages: BCPM GPA > 3.5 AO GPA > 3.5 Strong Performance on the MCAT Exam
Student Support Student Advising Pre-Medical Curriculum Guidance Alternative Career Options Support of Student Organizations Medical School Application Support Weekly Bulletin with upcoming opportunities for pre-medical students inside and outside of FIU Review of Personal Statement Committee Interview Faculty and Committee Letter Submission Mock Multiple Mini Interviews
Student Support Mrs. Christina Callahan Advisor, FIU Pre-Health Professions Advising Center Mr. Gregory Thomas Coordinator of Pre-Medical Programs, Advisor, FIU Pre-Health Professions Advising Center
Opportunities at Well-Rounded Curriculum Research Experiences Science Programs Variety of Extracurricular Activities FIU offers intellectually challenging courses and majors taught by experts in the discipline Participate in original research Attend national and international scientific conferences Co-Author presentations/publications ChemPal Tutoring Peer Led Team Learning (PLTL) Quantifying Biology in the Classroom (QBIC) Clubs and Honor Societies Fraternities and Sororities Student Government
Research Opportunities Chemistry Microbiology Forensic Chemistry Molecular & Cellular Biology Genetics Biophysics
Health Pre-Professional Honor Society The largest pre-health honor society in the world. Shadowing & Clinical Experience Affiliations with Baptist Hospital Professional School Presentations Meet representatives from different programs Volunteer Opportunities Project Downtown, Relay for Life, etc. Pre-Medical Mentoring Networking
AMSA involves its members in the social, moral and ethical obligations of the medical profession, assisting in the improvement and understanding of world health problems and contributing to the welfare of medical students, premedical students, interns, residents and post-md/do trainees. Medical School Presentations Physician Shadowing Community Service Projects Medical Mission Program Social Events CPR Classes
Lectures Seminars The purpose of this organization shall be to offer advancement in clinically relevant education, research and skills for pre-medical and nursing students, to better prepare us in the understanding of the technical points of health care, and to offer practical experience in safe manner alongside their constantly evolving practices. Shadowing Research CPR Certification Hands-On Learning Community Service Leadership Positions
Facta Non Verba, Deeds Not Words Member Opportunities: Shadowing Doctors and FIU Medical Students Research Community Service and Philanthropy Retreats and Medical School Tours Guest Speakers National Conventions and Networking Leadership Positions Lifetime of Friendships Phi Delta Epsilon PhiDEFLAlphaChapter PhiDE_FLAlpha PhiDE_FLAlpha
The Application Process: Current Applicants Janelis Gonzalez, B.S. Biological Sciences FIU 2013 Carolina Chiou, B.S. Biological Sciences FIU 2012, B.A. Chemistry FIU 2013 Daniel Garrido, B.S. Nursing FIU 2011
Dr. Barbra Roller, Ph.D. Assistant Dean for Admissions
APPLY TO MEDICAL SCHOOL Letters of Recommendation GPA MCAT Volunteer/Clinical BCPM AO Experiences/Research Application essays Professors Physicians Verbal/ Critical Reading Sciences BS and PS Social/Behavioral Sciences Develop Writing Skills Develop Reading Skills Upper Division Lower Division HS English High School English Physiology, Genetics, Cell Bio, Biochemistry, Microbiology, etc. Bio 1,2 HS Biology/ Honors/AP/IB Chemistry 1,2 Algebra HS Chemistry/ Honors/AP/IB Organic Chemistry 1,2 HS Physics/ Honors/AP/IB HS Math Physics 1,2 with or w/o Calculus Calculus Algebra + Trig or Precalc
The Admissions Process from the Point of View of the Medical School File Review: AMCAS Application Secondary Application Recommendation letters Interview scheduled Application File to include: AMCAS Application Secondary Application Recommendation letters Interviewer Results Not Accepted Applications are presented to Admissions Committee Accepted Wait Listed
The FIU Medical School Curriculum Medical School is a full-time four year program The curriculum integrates basic sciences with clinical experiences Instruction includes varied educational formats: lecture, case-based, team based, and problem based At the end of 4 years of medical school - Students have earned the MD degree and then enter residency programs
Special Focus on Medicine and Society To enable students to gain an understanding of factors that affect personal and community health care; to improve health in the communities in which they study Experience is gained in multi-professional health care delivery. Integrated groups of students from medicine, social work, public health, allied health and nursing follow families
Green Family Foundation NeighborhoodHELP A unique interdisciplinary four-year curriculum Household Medicine Public Health & Social Work Law Nursing Allied Health
FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine White Coat Ceremony
Financing a Medical Education Maria Jose Araya, MPA Senior Financial Aid Coordinator
Medical School Application Fees Allopathic (MD) AMCAS application fee: $160 + $35 each additional application Osteopathic (DO) AACOMAS application fee: $195 + $35 each additional application
Estimated Cost of Applying to 10 (Allopathic-MD) Schools AMCAS Fee $160 Additional school application fees $315 (9 additional) MCAT $270 (Increasing for new exam) MCAT Prep course $2299 Secondary application fees $500 (10 schools, $50 average) Total Expenses ~$3544 Not included: travel expenses for interviews, cost of professional attire, seat deposit once admitted, etc. Suggested budget: $5,000 acceptance into medical school priceless!
Scholarships Institutional and/or Private Service commitment (National Health Service Corps, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard) GI Bill Grants No federal grants available; only institutional grants Loans Resources Available to Medical Federal Student Loans Stafford, Graduate PLUS, Perkins Health & Human Services Loans Private Student Loans Students Loan Forgiveness/Repayment Programs
The Medical School Experience Laura Florez FIU HWCOM 1 st Year Medical Student, B.S. Biological Sciences FIU 2011 Andrew Quinn FIU HWCOM 1 st Year Medical Student, B.S. Biological Sciences FIU 2013, B.A. Psychology FIU 2013 Jenesis Negron FIU HWCOM 2 nd Year Medical Student, B.S. Biological Sciences FIU 2010 Yilien Alonso FIU HWCOM 4 th Year Medical Student, B.S. Biological Sciences FIU 2009
Medical School from a Physician s Perspective Beatriz Cunill-DeSautu, M.D. FAAP Pediatric Residency Program Director Miami Children s Hospital Patricio Lau, M.D. General Surgery Resident Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery M.D. HWCOM 2013 B.S. Biological Sciences FIU 2009 B.A. Chemistry FIU 2009
Thank you!
The Office of Pre-Health Professions Advising FIU Pre-Health Advising Group @PreHealthFIU @PreHealthFIU http://prehealthadvise.fiu.edu FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine FIU Wertheim College of Medicine @FIUMedicine @FIUMedicine http://medicine.fiu.edu