Pre-Health Handbook

Timetable for Preparing To Enter Professional Schools

First year

• Choose an Academic Major
• Work closely with your professors and academic advisors!
• Your professors need to get to know you well so that they will be able to write valid letters of evaluation for you. Get to know them- Interact with them.
• Take the beginning Biology and Chemistry Courses required by Health Professions Schools.
• Identify the course requirements for entry to Health Careers of interest to you and decide how best to fit them into your long term schedule of courses..

Second Year

• Organic Chemistry and Physics must be completed before taking the MCAT in April of the Junior Year.
• Take one or both of these courses in your Sophomore year.
• Work or volunteer part time in the summer at a health related facility to learn if you are suited to the field, and to acquaint yourself with what is required of professionals in medical fields.
• Join scientific and/or service organizations on campus and/or in the community to develop interpersonal skills. Health fields are PEOPLE ORIENTED.

Third Year

• Contact the HPB chair to arrange for faculty recommendations to professional schools in early November.
• Submit completed applications for LUHPB’s recommendation – March 1, 2008.
• Prepare for the professional school admissions exam by taking a review course or completing your own in depth review for the test.
• Register for and take the MCAT in the spring semester.
• Complete AMCAS and other application forms.
• Apply to the Health Professional Schools beginning June 1, 2008.
• Submit secondary applications to medical schools.

Fourth Year

• Applications to Health Professions Schools continue.
• Prepare well and practice for interviews held at health professions schools for student applicants.
• Visit the admissions directors of schools of interest to establish a personal bond with them.

BE SURE TO READ THE PREHEALTH STUDENT INFOR MATION POSTED WEEKLY ON THE SPECIAL BULLETIN BOARD NEXT TO MO317.

Members of the Loyola University Health Professions Board (LUHPB) for 2007-2008:

• Kurt Brdwhistell, Ph. D. Professors of Chemistry
• Gary Herbert, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy
• Armin Kargol, Ph.D., Chair and Associate Professor of Physics
• Maureen Shuh, Ph. D, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences
• Evan L Zucker, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology
• E. Letirtia Beard, Ph.D., Professor of Biological Sciences, LUHBP Chair

I. Introduction.

Pre Health Science Undergraduate Curricula at Loyola University prepare students to enter:

• Professional Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Optometry, Pharmacy, Podiatry, Veterinary Medicine, Allied Health Fields including Physical Therapy, Public Health Fields, and Chiropractic.

2) Doctoral Programs in Anatomy, Biochemistry, Epidemiology, Human Genetics, Immunology, Microbiology, Neurosciences, Parasitology, Pathology, Pharmacology, Physiology, and Physiological Psychology.

Careers in health sciences are open to students from any major providing the student completes the courses required for entry into the professional school and performs in the acceptance range on the qualifying National Examination required by that school. At Loyola, the Departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Psychology offer an integrated curriculum to premedical and pre-health professions students, which prepare them to enter Professional and Graduate Schools in Medical Fields. Medical Schools and the Graduate Health Sciences Programs welcome students who major in other disciplines as diverse as music, the humanities and business. They strongly encourage students to become broadly educated in non-science disciplines when they are university undergraduates rather than to overspecialize in science courses. Courses in religious studies, English, philosophy, sociology, history, political sciences, modern foreign languages and other liberal arts disciplines, provide the breadth of knowledge needed to enrich the life of the student and ultimately the lives in his care.

II. Loyola Health Professions Board (LUHPB)

• The Loyola Health Professions Board assists Loyola students in entering careers in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and allied health science professions.

• The LUHPB advises Loyola students on the application procedures to health professions programs.

• The LUHPB writes Board or Committee recommendations for qualified student applicants to medical, dental, osteopathic or other health professional school from all majors and colleges at Loyola University.

• Students requesting a Board recommendation must submit their applications to the HPB

By Febrauary 1, 2008.

Student applicants to medical school having a total MCAT score of 25 and a GPA of 3.4 are eligible to be recommended by the Loyola University Health Professions Board. Students with MCAT scores below 25 should retake the MCAT after thorough preparation. The LUHPB letters of recommendation for a student with an MCAT score below 25 and / or a GPA below 3.4 will state that the recommendation is made with the reservation that the score is below the norm for acceptance to medical school. Students also have the option of asking individual faculty members to write letters of evaluation to professional schools for them.

Loyola Faculty and Academic Advising

1. The Loyola University Health Professions Board members serve as advisors to students on graduate programs in health professions. Students majoring in any discipline may obtain advice from members of the

Loyola Health Professions Board :

• Gary Herbert, Ph. D. Philosophy
• Armin Kargol, Ph.D., Physics
• Maureen Shuh, Ph. D, Biological Sciences
• Kurt Birdwhistell, Ph. D. Chemistry
• Evan L Zucker, Ph.D., Psychology
• E. L. Beard, Ph.D., LUHPB CHAIR, Biological Sciences

2. Science faculty are generally experienced in pre-medical and pre-health professional education.

3. Support services for health professional school applicants are also available at the Loyola University Career Development Center, and the Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) program.

IV. Required and Recommended Undergraduate Courses

Minimal science course requirements for entering many medical schools follow:

General Chemistry-8 hrs. Organic Chemistry-8 hrs.

General Physics-8 hrs. General Biology-8 hrs.

Contact each Professional School and Graduate School of interest to learn of their requirements for courses in Math, English, Psychology, the Humanities and Sciences. These requirements, and a wealth of information on the cost, entrance requirements, curriculum, and admissions statistics for the medical schools, are in the Medical School Admissions Requirements. This book, updated annually, is an essential resource for the premedical applicant. It is available through Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble bookstores. It may be ordered from Membership and Publications, Association of American Medical Colleges, 2450 N St., NW, Washington, D.C.,20037-1129. Tel: 202-828-0416.

Additional Highly Recommended Courses include Anatomy and Physiology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Comparative Anatomy, Embryology, Histology, Microbiology, Molecular Genetics, and Physiology. Humanities courses in economics, English composition, ethics, foreign languages, history, philosophy, psychology, public speaking, sociology and religious studies are also very valuable.

The following Loyola courses are usually taken to meet the minimal medical school science course requirements:

General Chemistry Lecture. & Laboratory I and II (CHEM 105,107,106 and 108)

Organic Chemistry Lecture I and II (CHEM 300 and CHEM 301)

Organic Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 302 or 305)

General Physics-II Lecture & Lab (PHYS 116)

Cells and Heredity (BIOL 106)

Biology of Organisms Lecture, Recitation and Lab (BIOL 108, 109 and 110)

V. Admissions Tests

In addition to the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), the Dental Admissions Test (DAT), the Veterinary Admissions Test (VAT) and the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) required for entry to most Medical, Dental Veterinary and Optometry schools, other health-science programs may require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), the Miller Analogies Test (MAT), or others. These examinations are best completed in the spring semester of the junior year. The MCAT is given at frequent intervals on line in spring and summer. Registration should be at the earliest moment allowed to find an open site at which to take the eam. The MCAT consists of four sections: Verbal Reasoning, Physical Sciences (Physics and General Chemistry), Writing Sample, and Biological Sciences (Biology and Organic Chemistry). MCAT registration is online on the AMCAS website and opens months prior to the MCAT Exam date. MCAT exam registration costs about $180. The fee is reduced for eligible students.

MCAT Preparation

Study manuals, practice tests, and review tests from AMCAS are available in the bookstore and by mail order. Instructive videos are available in Loyola's Media Center. Formal instructional courses are available from many medical schools and undergraduate institutions. Content based and test taking skills based MCAT review courses preparing students for the MCAT Exam are offered in New Orleans by Stanley Kaplan (800/527-8378) and The Princeton Review (800/995-5565) and are readily available to Loyola students. Most premedical students take one of these MCAT review courses. Both offer free diagnostic testing to assess weaknesses. Take advantage of these services. These review courses charge $800-$1200, but may offer discounts for students receiving financial aid or are members of student organizations such as the Minority Pre-Health Professions Society of . Good performance on the MCAT is a major in determinant in gaining acceptance to medical school. Poor MCAT scores (7 or below in any one section) typically is cause for rejection of the applicant, no matter how good the GPA is. If you don't have the MCAT scores of 25 or above, prepare in depth and repeat the test. Some students improve their MCAT scores by repeated testing and some receive lower grades on retakes.

TAKING THE MCAT IN THE SPRING SEMESTER OF THE JUNIOR YEAR PLACES YOU IN THE FIRST APPLICANT POOL TO BE CONSIDERED FOR ACCEPTANCE TO THE FRESHMEN MEDICAL CLASS OF 2009. THIS IS THE BEST COMPETITIVE POSITION TO BE IN.

TAKING THE SUMMER MCAT DELAYS CONSIDERATION OF YOUR APPLICATION, PLACING YOU AT A COMPETITIVE DIASADVANTAGE.

VI. The Application Process

STUDENTS MEET WITH LUHPB CHAIR:

In the first week of November, junior students applying to health professional schools need to meet with the Chair of the LUHPB individually to discuss the LUHPB evaluation of the student. Faculty evaluation of applicants is required to enter professional schools. At that time the student will obtain the LUHPB HEALTH PROFESSIONS APPLICATION PACKET. Complete and return the forms in this packet to the LUHPB CHAIR by FEBRUARY 1. The LUHPB evaluation of the student applicant is required to complete the Stage-2 application to the medical schools (see below).

1. AMCAS

The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) is a centralized application processing service which provides student applicants information to member medical schools. AMCAS will process, duplicate, and send your AMCAS application, transcript, and MCAT scores to all member schools that you list on the official "AMCAS Designation Form." All but 16 of the USLCME-accredited medical schools participate in AMCAS. AMCAS applications need to be submitted online to AMCAS starting in the first week of June for entry to medical school in the year following the submission of the application.

DO NOT DELAY IN SUBMITTING THE AMCAS APPLICATION. EARLY APPLICATION TO AMCAS PLACES THE APPLICANT IN THE BEST COMPETITIVE POSITION FOR ACCEPTANCE.

2. Non-AMCAS

Non-AMCAS schools provide their own application forms on request and on the Internet. The 16 non-AMCAS schools include: Baylor, Texas Medical School System, Brown, Columbia, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, NYU, Missouri-KC, North Dakota, Rochester, and Yale.

1. DO NOT send a copy of your AMCAS application to a Non-AMCAS school.

2. Have official transcripts sent directly to each Non-AMCAS school.

3.Send copies of your MCAT scores to individual Non-AMCAS schools.
On MCAT test day you may designate Non-AMCAS schools to receive your MCAT scores. Take advantage of this opportunity since there will be added charges for this service at a later date.

3. Stage-1 (Primary) Applications

1. The Stage 1 AMCAS application forms request biographical information, a personal statement (essay), and your academic record.

2. The AMCAS application is made on line. Download AMCAS-E from the AAMC's home page on the World Wide Web (http://www.aamc.org).

3. The earliest submission date for the AMCAS is June 1.

4. Submit the application in June even if you plan to take the MCAT later in the summer.

5. Medical schools usually begin the interview and acceptance processes in September.

6. The final deadline for submitting medical applications is typically in November.

THE IMPORTANCE OF AN EARLY APPLICATION FOR ACCEPTANCE CANNOT BE OVEREMPHASIZED.

4. The AMCAS Application -

The AMCAS instruction booklet should be followed exactly.

A. Personal Statement Essay: The essay must be typographically and grammatically perfect.

1. The one-page Personal Statement section needs to represent your best effort to explain what motivates you to enter the health field of your choice. Make it interesting, be creative, be honest, be serious, and make it flawless.

2. The Medical School Admissions Boards will carefully scrutinize it. Let the statement reveal your real personality.

3. Do not a rehash your biographical information.

4. Don't simply tell them you are a compassionate person; show them with an example or experience.

5. Avoid controversial topics.

6. Edit you personal statement to perfection and have the Chair of the HPB read and edit it. Melanie McKay, director of Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC), offers the services of the WAC lab staff (Bobet 100, by appointment) to assist students in preparing these essays, including help in editing for grammatical correctness.

7. Many non-medical health science programs also require an essay as part of the application process. Make additional photocopies of your applications for other uses. Turn one copy into the Chair of the HPB.

Stage-2 (Secondary) Applications with Letters of Recommendation

1. The medical schools will process the student’s Stage-1 application to AMCAS and then request a Stage-2 application from the student or reject the application. Stage-2 applications typically require supplemental information, a recent photograph, the university letters of recommendation and an application fee.

2. Usually the student has the option of independently gathering letters of recommendation from individual faculty members, or providing a composite letter of recommendation from the university prehealth board.

3. Medical schools prefer and many require a board recommendation. At Loyola recommendations are provided by the Health Professions Board. Generating this recommendation requires that the student meet with the HPB Chair in the first week of November of the junior year to obtain an application packet which contains faculty evaluation forms.

4. The composite HPB recommendation letter will include evaluations from FOUR FACULTY EACH OF WHOM HAS TAUGHT THE STUDENT A COURSE/COURSES IN ONE Of THE STUDENTS’ PRIMARY ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES. These are academic recommendations exclusively so that letters from counselors, ministers, special studies personnel, research and job supervisors are not included in LUHPB evaluations.

5. Faculty evaluators are chosen by the student in consultation with the HPB Chair. The evaluators need to be as familiar as possible with the academic performance and character of the student. One evaluator should be from the major department; two from a science department (Biological Sciences, Chemistry, or Physics), and the fourth may be from any other department. Students need to ask the faculty from whom they are requesting evaluations if they will write them a favorable evaluation in a period of two to three weeks. If the professor's answer is positive, the student should provide an evaluation form and a biographical outline of his/her life activities or a copy of the completed AMCAS application. The completed evaluation form is returned by the evaluator directly to the Chair of the HPB by February 1. Recommendations prepared by LUHPB are written by its Chair in consultation with another member of the board, if possible, one who belongs to the same department as the student's major. The recommendations are sent by the HPB Chair directly to each school designated by the student who completes the Stage 2 applications to medical professional schools.

VII. Waiving the Right to View Evaluations.

Medical School Admissions Boards put the highest value on letters of recommendation for which the student has waived the right to view it.

The Board recommends that students select faculty evaluators with great care and then WAIVE their right to see their evaluations.

VIII. Practical Experience.

1. Work and Volunteer experience

Students wishing to enter health-sciences careers need to obtain practical experience by working in health facilities in the undergraduate years. Some health professions (e.g., Veterinary Medicine, Physical Therapy) require that practical experience be documented before they will consider an applicant. Other professional programs (e.g., Rehabilitation Counseling) clearly state preferences for applicants who have relevant experience. In general, the best experiences you are ones that place you in a medical setting as: working in an emergency room, a clinical laboratory, caring for a patient as an aide, working in a nursing home or working for a physician during the summers.

2. Independent Research

Independent research allows the student to learn analytical investigative laboratory techniques, to expand and deepen scientific thought processes, to gain practical scientific experience in a unique manner and to become closely aquatinted with professional scientists. Such experiences may substantially strengthen the merit of the student's application to health professions schools.

3. Summer Programs

Some medical schools offer summer medical enrichment programs which provide undergraduates with medical lectures and laboratories, research opportunities, MCAT preparation, medical specialty rotations, and insight into application and admissions procedures. Some medical enrichment programs will accept rising sophomores into their programs. Information on summer programs can be accessed as follows: MMEP (Minority Medical Education Programs). Email: MMEP@aamc.org and request program list; NIH Programs via website http://helix.nih.gov: 8001/oe/; NSF Programs via website: http: //www.nsf.gov/ftp/M PS/letters/reulist.txt

IX. Medical School Selection Interviews

1. Be Prepared!

Interviews are the primary means by which medical schools assess applicants' non-cognitive skills. The characteristics most often measured in the interviews are: motivation and interest in medical school, interpersonal skills and character, maturity, evidence of extracurricular activities, communication skills, empathy and concern for others, social awareness, and self-awareness. The interview is also often the medical school's attempt to provide a realistic preview of what medical school is like and to "sell" potential students on attending the school. In terms of relative importance, the interview ranks as the most important preadmission variable. For applicants who have reached this stage in the selection process, the interview will decide who is finally accepted at that school. Mock Interviews are highly recommended and available through the Loyola Career Development Center (x3835)

2. Current Events

1. More often than not, the interviewer will base his/her questions on your Personal Statement and your application but on occasion, an interviewer may ask an applicant to comment on a medically related current event or ethical issue. The applicant is not expected to be an expert on these topics, just to show that he/she has thought about them and have something reasonably intelligent to share.

2. Read the newspaper and news magazines to keep up on current events.

3. Common Interview Questions

In addition to medically related questions, the applicant should review other classic interview questions. A partial list of such questions is provided below. It is wise to jot down some notes (on index cards) on each. Some Classic questions:

Tell me about yourself? What do you do for fun? Why have you decided to pursue medicine as a career? What is your greatest strength/weakness? Success/failure? If you don't get into medical school, what will you do? What is your favorite book? What are you reading now? Where do you see yourself in 10 year's time? Give me the sales pitch on why you should be admitted here. What leadership roles have you assumed? What clinical experience have you had? Do you have an opinion on fetal-tissue research? How would you feel about treating a patient infected with HIV? Do you agree with Dr. Kevorkian's actions? How do you feel about treating uninsured or indigent patients? You are treating a terminally ill patient who is being kept alive by life support. You feel that he should be taken off the machines. What do you do? A pregnant teenager comes to you to discuss her options. She hasn't told her parents about her pregnancy. What do you do? What is the biggest problem facing medicine today? What do you think the role of the government should be in health care? Do you think health care is a right or a privilege? Have you been following the health care debates? Where do you stand? How do you feel about socialized medicine? The Canadian and British health systems? Do you know what an HMO is? A PPO?

4. Interview Dress

Conservative apparel is appropriate. A candidate's physical appearance will be the first impression he/she makes on the interviewers. Men should wear a suit and tie and women should wear a MODEST suit or dress.

5. The Interview

It is recommended to arrive early and alone. The candidate should review as well as bring a copy of his/her application and Personal Statement. It is wise to review the school catalog prior to arrival. One should be polite and courteous to anyone encountered upon arrival, including support staff and receptionist. In the actual interview, the candidate should greet the interviewer by name, introduce him/herself and shake hands firmly. General reminders include: maintain eye contact; refrain from fidgeting, crossing arms, or handling items on the interviewers desk; avoid speaking too quickly or too slowly; think before speaking; avoid being arrogant and dogmatic; be firm, confident, but flexible; don't answer in-kind if the interviewer is being antagonistic; simply answering "I don't know" is okay if the answer is not known. When the interview is finished, the candidate should shake hands and say, "thank you" and "good-bye”. It is wise for the interviewee to send a thank-you letter (personal letterhead, if possible) to the individual interviewers. It should be brief, specific, and gracious, mentioning one or two things the candidate liked about the school or interview. Included should be a reiteration of interest in attending the institution.

X. Financial Aid and Scholarships

1. Direct scholarships:

Exceptional Financial Need scholarships, Financial Aid for Disadvantaged Health Professions Students scholarships, Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students, Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program, National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program.

2. State and federal loan programs:

Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Stafford Loan, Federal Supplemental Loans for Students, Health Education and Assistance Loan Program, Loans for Disadvantaged Students, Primary Care Loan.

3. Work-study programs and employment opportunities:

Contact the Financial Aid Office at the medical schools to which you apply. The Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Program provides full payment of tuition and fees, reimbursement for books and supplies, and a monthly stipend, in exchange for a 1½-month active duty tour each year and a minimum three-year term of service after graduation. The Health Professions Recruiter may be reached at: Air Force 833-8966. The current copy of Medical School Admissions Requirements contains a chapter (Chapter 7) on financing your medical school education.

1. Early Acceptance Program at Tulane University Medical School

A. Loyola University and Tulane University School of Medicine have entered into an agreement through which a special selection committee may nominate a small number of qualified Loyola students for early acceptance into the Tulane University School of Medicine. The Loyola selection committee will evaluate students in May, at the end of the students' second undergraduate year. To be eligible for consideration, Loyola students must have met the following criteria by the end of the spring semester of their second undergraduate year:

1. Completion of at least 60 credits at Loyola, with an overall grade point average of 3.5.

2. Completion at Loyola of the following science courses with a minimum GPA of 3.5:

Two Biology courses with labs (8 hrs.), from: BIOL A106, A108, A109 and AA110.
General Chemistry with labs (8 hrs.):| CHEM A105, A106, A107, A108.
OrganicChemistry with lab (8 hrs.): CHEM A300, A301, and A302 or A303.
General Physics with labs (8 hrs.): PHYS A115 and A116.

3. Completion of ENGL T122 (or A205 or H233), plus one other English course (except ENGL A100).

B. By May 1st of the second undergraduate year the applicant must submit a completed application for the program. Three letters of recommendation from Loyola teaching faculty and an official transcript are required. Application forms are available from the Dean of Arts and Sciences, Bobet 202. This program is limited to students who enter Loyola as freshmen or who transfer in with not more than 12 hours of transfer credit. Students admitted into the Early Acceptance Program will be expected to complete their undergraduate degree at Loyola prior to matriculation at Tulane University School of Medicine, and to maintain satisfactory academic progress and a good behavioral record, as judged by the Loyola nominating committee. Nominations will be made by the Loyola nominating committee to the Tulane School of Medicine in June. Nominated students will be interviewed by Tulane School of Medicine in August or September. By November 1 of the nomination year, Tulane will make its decision to accept or reject each applicant, and Tulane will notify applicants by November 15. Accepted nominees must submit by December 15 of their final year at Loyola an AMCAS application, a Tulane Addendum, and an updated letter of evaluation by the Loyola committee. Accepted students are required to take the MCAT as a prerequisite for early acceptance. Accepted nominees may apply to other medical schools of their choice. Acceptance into the Early Acceptance Program does not bind a student to attendance at Tulane University School of Medicine.

2. LSU Early Decision Program

A little more than half of the medical schools in the U.S. offer Early Decision Programs. The LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans offers an Early Decision Program (EDP). Applications must be made between June 1 and August 1. Applicants will be informed of the admission decision on or before October 1 of their senior year. To be considered, an applicant must ordinarily have a 3.5 GPA in the sciences and a 10 on each category of the MCAT (with a "Q" in the writing sample). The applicant may apply only to the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans and may not apply to any other schools prior to being informed of LSU's decision. If the applicant is accepted, the applicant must accept and he/she may not apply to any other school. The down side to applying to an EDP is if the applicant is rejected or placed on hold, then he/she is at a disadvantage in the application process at other schools (except at the school to which the applicant applied for Early Decision). If the applicant who is accepted violates the terms of the acceptance, he/she is considered to have committed an irregularity and other schools to which he/she applies will be informed.

3. Medical School Enrollments

Field/Degree	U.S. Schools	Enrollment
Medical Schools (MD)	126	66,970
Osteopathic Medicine (DO)	17	8,100
Podiatric Medicine (DPM)	7	2,438
Dentistry (DDS)	54	16,250
Veterinary Medicine DVM)	27	10,050
Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)	66	6,840
Optometry	17	5,312
Chiropractic Medicine (DC)	14	N.A.

Many medical schools also offer opportunities to earn graduate degrees alone or with the M.D. degree. There are combined M.D./Ph.D. degree programs at 30 schools, and combined M.D./law programs at six medical schools.

4. Foreign Medical Schools

If unsuccessful in gaining admission to one of the U.S. medical schools, foreign medical schools may be considered. The major Caribbean schools include: St. George's University Medical School, Grenada, West Indies; Ross University School of Medicine, Dominican Republic; American University of the Caribbean, Montserrat; Spartan Health Sciences University School of Medicine, St. Lucia; Universidad Central del Este, Dominican Republic; Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra, Dominican Republic and Universidad Mundial Dominicana, Dominican Republic. Generally these schools are operating for profit and therefore the tuition can be comparable to out-of-state tuition in the US. It is difficult to measure the effectiveness of these schools. The uniform certifying exam, called the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), is a two-part competency test taken by both foreign and domestic medical school graduates. The pass rate for domestic graduates is often in the area of 92% and for foreign graduates, 55% for Step 1. For Step 2 the pass rates are generally in the range of 92% and 38% respectively. Obtaining domestic clerkships has often been a challenge for foreign-trained US medical students. A number of schools, such as St. George's and Ross, have established ties with various state officials allowing their students to perform clerkships. The Fifth Pathway Program was developed by the Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association to expedite the return of citizens studying medicine abroad to the United States. Under this program, students who have completed the academic curriculum at a foreign medical school may substitute a year of supervised clinical training at a US medical school for the internship or social service obligation required by the foreign medical. For information on schools in this program contact; The Council on Medical Education, American Medical Association, 515 N. State St., Chicago, IL. 60610. Tel: 312-464-4662. Almost 40,000 doctors practicing in the U.S. (i.e., 6% of the total physician population) are U.S. citizens with foreign medical degrees. Other foreign medical schools popular with U.S. citizens outside the Caribbean include Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, Mexico, and Tel Aviv University, Israel.

XI. Additional Medical Career Options

1. Osteopathic Medicine

Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine are physicians trained to diagnose illness, prescribe medications, and perform surgery. The American Medical Association and the Federal Government recognize MDs and DOs as equals, and both are fully licensed to provide comprehensive medical care in all 50 states. Osteopathic physicians differ from allopathic physicians in their approach to medicine. Osteopaths view medicine more holistically—seeing the human body as a single organism with all body systems interrelated and using manipulative techniques in the diagnosis and treatment of their patients. Applicants must complete the MCAT and its academic prerequisites. The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) provides centralized application service similar to AMCAS, called AACOMAS, that forwards applicant information to each of the 16 osteopathic schools designated by the applicant. For more information and application material, contact: American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, 6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 405, Rockville, MD 20852. TEL: 301-468-0990.

2. Podiatry

The Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of foot disorders resulting from injury or disease. The admission requirements include the science courses that are required by medical schools and the MCAT. The American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine provides centralized application service, called AACPMAS, that forwards applicant information to any of the six AACPMAS Podiatric schools designated by the applicant. For more information and application material, contact: American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine, 1350 Piecard Dr., Suite 322, Rockville, MD 20850-4307. TEL: 800-922-9266

3. Dentistry

The Dental Admission Test (DAT), which is administered in April and October, is required by most schools (including LSU) and is a critical factor in the admissions process. Hands-on experience in a dental setting is a big plus.
For more information and application material contact AADS: American Association of Dental Schools 1625 Massachusetts Ave., NW Washington, D.C. 20036-2212
TEL: 202/667-9433 aads@umab.umd.edu

4. Veterinary Medicine

Veterinarians are physicians that care for pets, livestock, zoo, aquarium, and lab animals. A Doctor in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) is available at 27 accredited schools in the United States. Admissions tests that may be required include the Veterinary College Admission Test (VCAT-administered in January, October, and November), the GRE, or the MCAT. The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine requires the MCAT or GRE. For most schools, successful applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.00. Work experience at a veterinary clinic or research laboratory is important. At least one reference should come from a veterinarian. For more information contact AAVMC; Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges1101 Vermont Ave. NW., Suite 710, Washington, D.C. 20005-3521
TEL: 202/371 -9195

5. Pharmacy

Typically students apply to pharmacy school after two years of college courses. Schools have varying prerequisites. Xavier University College of Pharmacy requires 8 hours of biology, 20 hours of chemistry, pre-calculus, statistics, 3 hours of physics, social science, theology, speech, and 6 hours of philosophy. Forty-two colleges require the applicant to take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (P-CAT) administered in February, April, and October (not required by Xavier). There are 79 accredited Colleges of Pharmacy in the US. Sixty-one offer either a Master of Science degree or the Pharm.D. degree (including Xavier) and 18 offer only a B.S. in Pharmacy.

For more information, contact AACP: American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy 1426 Prince St. Alexandria, VA 22314 TEL: 703/739-2330

6. Optometry

A Doctor of Optometry is a primary health care provider who examines, diagnoses, treats, and manages diseases and disorders of the visual system. Mainly, they are involved in prescribing glasses and contact lenses and rehabilitation of the visually impaired. The requirements for admission to the 16 US schools and colleges of optometry vary, but for the most part follow the prerequisites for medical schools. All optometry schools and colleges also require applicants to take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT) administered in February and October. For more information: Rockville, MD 20852
TEL: 301/231 -5944

TEL: 301/231 -5944

7. Chiropractic Practice

The chiropractic approach to health care is holistic, stressing the patient's overall well being. It recognizes that many factors affect health including exercise, diet, rest, environment, and heredity. Chiropractors generally address health problems associated with the body's muscular, nervous, and skeletal systems, especially the spine. The chiropractor develops a diagnosis using the patient's history, conducting physical, neurological, and orthopedic exams using lab tests, X-rays, and other diagnostic imaging tools. Treatment may include manual manipulation, water, light, ultrasound, massage, or heat therapy. He/She may counsel patients about nutrition, exercise, and stress management, but may not prescribe drugs nor perform surgery. Typically students apply to chiropractic school after two years of college courses. Fifteen of the 17 chiropractic colleges in the US were accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education in 1994. A11 require courses in English, social sciences, humanities, inorganic and organic chemistry, biology, physics, and psychology. Most schools do not require an admissions test. For more information contact CCE: Council on Chiropractic Education 7975 North Hayden Rd., Suite A-210 Scottsdale, AZ 85258
TEL: 602/443-8877

8. Physical Therapy

The role of the physical therapist (PT) is to improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. The PT develops a treatment plan, often based on a physician's order, using medical history and tests to measure a patient's strength, range of motion, and ability to function. According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), there were 145 accredited and 39 developing professional physical therapy programs as of June 1995. Of the established programs, 65 offer bachelor's degrees and 80 offer master's degree programs. Despite the large number of programs, competition for entry is very intense. The Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) offered in the School of Allied Health at LSU requires a bachelor's degree including completion of the basic sciences as well as Anatomy & Physiology, an advanced Biology, Statistics, Psychology (6 hrs.), Computer Science, and Speech. Additional requirements include completion of at least 50 hours of practical experience in physical therapy under direct supervision of a licensed PT; and a minimum composite score of 3600, which is derived by multiplying the science/math GPA by the total GRE (verbal, quantitative, and analytical) score. The Allied Health Professions Admissions Test (AHPAT), administered in January, April, September, and November, is currently not required for admission to the LSU program. For more information contact APTA: American Physical Therapy Association1111 North Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314-1488
TEL: 703/684-2782

9. Physician Assistant

The physician assistant (PA) is a health care professional who is academically and clinically prepared to provide health and medical services with and under the supervision of a doctor of medicine who is responsible for the performance of that assistant. The functions of the PA include performing diagnostic, therapeutic, preventive, and health maintenance services in any setting in which the physician renders care, thus allowing more effective and focused application of the physician's particular knowledge and skills. Almost all states require that new PAs complete an accredited formal education program. In 1995, there were 61 such programs for physician assistants, including three programs for surgeon assistants. Thirty-seven of these programs offered a baccalaureate degree or degree option. The rest offered either a certificate, an associate degree, or a master's degree. Admission requirements vary. The School of Allied Health Professions at LSU in Shreveport offers a Physician Assistant Bachelor of Science Degree. Admission to this program requires: completion of 60 semester hours including art, computer science, English (6 hrs.), humanities (9 hrs.), psychology (6 hrs.), social science, math (6 hrs.), general chemistry (8 hrs.), physics (4 hrs.), anatomy (or physiology) (4 hrs.), biology (4 hrs.), and microbiology (4 hrs.); and completion of a minimum of 1000 documented hours of direct patient contact medical experience. For more information contact AAPA: American Academy of Physician Assistants 950 North Washington St. Alexandria, VA 22314 TEL:703/836-2272 http://www.aspa.org/aapa@aapa.org

10. Registered Nurse

1.Registered nurses (RNs) care for the sick and injured and help in "wellness" care. They provide for the physical, mental, and emotional needs of their patients. They observe, assist, and record symptoms, reactions, and progress; assist physicians during treatments and examinations; administer medication; and assist in convalescence and rehabilitation. RNs also develop and manage nursing care plans; instruct patients and their families in proper care of individuals. There are three major educational paths to nursing: nursing diploma, associate degree (A.D.N.), and Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.N.). The nursing diploma is only recommended for the high school graduate. It offers little opportunity for advancement. Admission into most associate degree programs requires one-two years of college credit. For admission into the A.D.N. program in the LSU New Orleans School of Nursing the applicant must complete Anatomy and Physiology (8 hrs.), college algebra, psychology, English, and general chemistry (3 hrs.); must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5; and complete the National League for Nursing (NLN) Pre-admission Examination (PAX-RN). Entry into the B.S.N. program normally requires an A.D.N. The B.S.N. program is offered by Loyola City College as well as LSU School of Nursing. For more information on the City College B.S.N. program, contact Dr. Billie Ann Wilson, 121 Stallings Hall, 865-3142. Contact NLN or AACN: Communications Department National League for Nursing 350 Hudson St. New York, NY 10014 TEL: 212/989-9393. American Association of Colleges of Nursing 1 Dupont Circle, Suite 530 Washington, D.C. 20036 TEL: 202/463-6930

2. Accelerated Nursing Programs: for students who have a B.A. or B.S.
Accelerated nursing programs are available in the country to allow university graduates from a variety of fields to become registered nurses. The Our Lady of the Lake Nursing Program supported by Tulane University Hospital has offered an Accelerated Nursing Curriculum operative in New Orleans and an independent one in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Students complete the program in 10 months time. They then are eligible to enter a Master’s Degree in Nursing Program given at Loyola University in the evening. The Loyola Graduate Nursing program educates Nurse Practitioners and other Nurse Specialists.

11. Other Options

Other health-related occupations include: Activity Therapist, Art Therapist, Audiologist, Biostatistician, Dental Hygienist, Dietitian/Nutritionist, Environmental Health Specialist, Epidemiologist, Health Services Administrator, Licensed Practical Nurse, Music Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Paramedic, Psychologist, Public Health Professional, Radiology Technologist, Recreation Therapist, Rehabilitation Counselor, Respiratory Therapist, Speech Pathologist, Surgical Technologist, and many other fields traditionally identified as the allied health professions. The national trend is for education and training in these fields to be at the graduate (master's) level. In many instances, these fields may offer alternative career paths for students interested in health science careers.
Sources: http://stats.bls.gov/ocohome.htm)
Dr. E.L. Beard: Preparing for Careers in Science and Health
(1994 pamphlet)

Helpful Websites:

1. American Dental School Application Service- AADSAS- http://www.adea.org.

2. American Medical Colleges Application Service - AMCAS- http://www.aamc.org

3. American Association Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service - http:/www.aacom.org

4. American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine Application Service - For all but the New York CPM - http://www.apma.org

5. LSU School of Allied Health : Audiology, Speech Therapy, Medical Technology, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Therapy - http://www.allied health.lsuhsc.edu

6. LSU School of Medicine - http:// www.admissions.lsuhsc.edu

7. LSU School of Nursing - http://www.lsuhsc.edu

8. Tulane University School of Public Health: Biostatistics, Community Health Sciences, Environmental Health Sciences, Epidemiology, Health Systems Management, International Health and Tropical Medicine. - http://www.Tulane.edu

9. Post Baccalaureate Premedical Programs : http://services.aamc.org/postbac/index.cbm

10. MD/PhD Programs: http://www.aamc.org/research/dbr/mdphd/programs.htmhttp://www.aamc.org/research/dbr/mdphd/applicantfaq.pdf

11. Funded Enrichment Programs for Pre Health and Pre Dental Students:
http://www.smed.org/start.htm

12.Medical Student’s Resource Guide “ Student Doc”.
Awesome Information on MCAT preparation, admissions, competitiveness- etc.
http://www.studentdoc.com/medfind.html

11. For helpful links check on line at http://www.loyno.edu/counsel.career/graduateschool/prehealthmemu.htm