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Summer 2006

Professional Professional Health SciencesHealth Sciences

Preparing for admission to Preparing for admission to professional schools and professional schools and

programsprogramspresented bypresented by

TRIO, MCS & BCC Science DivisionTRIO, MCS & BCC Science Division

Institute of Medicine 2004

US Population 2000 US Population 2000 CensusCensus

12.5%69.2%

12.1%

0.7%

3.6%

0.1%

0.2%

1.6%

Hispanic/Latino

White

Black/AA

American Indian &Alaska Native

Asian

Native Hawaiian &Other Pacific Islander

Other Race

Two or More Races

A Few StatisticsA Few Statistics

• 95% of veterinarians in practice in the US are 95% of veterinarians in practice in the US are white and fewer than 10% of current white and fewer than 10% of current veterinary medicine students are URM.veterinary medicine students are URM.

• Only 14% of practicing dentists are URM and Only 14% of practicing dentists are URM and only 11% entering dental schools are URM.only 11% entering dental schools are URM.

• Practicing URM physicians and surgeons Practicing URM physicians and surgeons make up only 10% of all doctors in the US.make up only 10% of all doctors in the US.

• Minorities make up approximately 30% of the Minorities make up approximately 30% of the US population and that is expected to be 50% US population and that is expected to be 50% by 2050.by 2050.

AACP Fall 2003 Profile of Pharmacy Students

2003 Pharmacy Students2003 Pharmacy Students

• 58.4% White58.4% White• 9.7% Black/African American9.7% Black/African American• 3.7% Latino3.7% Latino• 20.9% Asian20.9% Asian• 0.4% Native American or Alaska 0.4% Native American or Alaska

NativeNative• 4.7 % Other or unknown4.7 % Other or unknown• 2.2% Foreign2.2% Foreign

Professional Degree Professional Degree ProgramsPrograms

• Allopathic Medicine (UW)Allopathic Medicine (UW)• Naturopathic Medicine (Bastyr U)Naturopathic Medicine (Bastyr U)• Dentistry (UW)Dentistry (UW)• Pharmacy (UW and WSU)Pharmacy (UW and WSU)• Veterinary Medicine (WSU)Veterinary Medicine (WSU)• Physical Therapy (UW, EWU and UPS)Physical Therapy (UW, EWU and UPS)• Optometry (Pacific U, Forest Grove, OR)Optometry (Pacific U, Forest Grove, OR)• Chiropractic (Western States, Portland, Chiropractic (Western States, Portland,

OR)OR)

Master’s Degree Master’s Degree ProgramsPrograms

• Occupational Therapy (UW, EWU, Occupational Therapy (UW, EWU, UPS)UPS)

• Speech and Hearing Science (UW, Speech and Hearing Science (UW, WSU, WWU, EWU)WSU, WWU, EWU)

• Nutrition (Bastyr U, UW, WSU, CWU)Nutrition (Bastyr U, UW, WSU, CWU)• Nursing (UW, UWB, SPU, SU, WSU)Nursing (UW, UWB, SPU, SU, WSU)• Public Health (UW)Public Health (UW)• Engineering ( UW, WSU,SU)Engineering ( UW, WSU,SU)

Bachelor Degree Bachelor Degree ProgramsPrograms

• Nursing (UW,SPU,SU,WSU,NWU,PLU)Nursing (UW,SPU,SU,WSU,NWU,PLU)• Medical Technology Medical Technology

(UW,SU,CWU,WSU)(UW,SU,CWU,WSU)• Prosthetics & Orthotics (UW)Prosthetics & Orthotics (UW)• Environmental Health (UW)Environmental Health (UW)• Speech and Hearing Science (UW, Speech and Hearing Science (UW,

WSU, WWU, EWU)WSU, WWU, EWU)• Nutrition (Bastyr, SPU, CWU, WSU)Nutrition (Bastyr, SPU, CWU, WSU)• Engineering (UW, SU, SPU, WSU)Engineering (UW, SU, SPU, WSU)

Specialized ProgramsSpecialized Programs

• Physician’s Assistant (UW MEDEX NW)Physician’s Assistant (UW MEDEX NW)– This is a certificate program that can be This is a certificate program that can be

completed concurrently with a Bachelor of completed concurrently with a Bachelor of Clinical Health Sciences or a PharmD or a Clinical Health Sciences or a PharmD or a Extended Masters of Public HealthExtended Masters of Public Health

– It requires significant paid experience in a It requires significant paid experience in a health care field as a prerequisite in health care field as a prerequisite in addition to specific course prerequisitesaddition to specific course prerequisites

– Many accepted students already have a Many accepted students already have a bachelor’sbachelor’s

The Reality of The Reality of CompetitionCompetition

• Most of the health science programs Most of the health science programs have a competitive admission process.have a competitive admission process.

• Many more people apply than can ever Many more people apply than can ever be accommodated.be accommodated.

• You cannot rely on one factor alone to You cannot rely on one factor alone to make you a desirable candidate.make you a desirable candidate.

• You must assemble a “package” for You must assemble a “package” for application.application.

• You MUST believe in yourself!You MUST believe in yourself!

Academic PreparationAcademic Preparation

• A strong science background is essentialA strong science background is essential• Introductory courses are not a waste of timeIntroductory courses are not a waste of time• Regardless of the BCC policy on replaced grades, Regardless of the BCC policy on replaced grades,

the professional schools will average the professional schools will average ALLALL grades grades• English composition, humanities and social English composition, humanities and social

sciences are extremely important to success in sciences are extremely important to success in professional schools and to the admissions professional schools and to the admissions process including tests, applications and process including tests, applications and interviews.interviews.

• Admissions committees are looking for balance.Admissions committees are looking for balance.

Cultural AwarenessCultural Awareness

• Diversity is a fact of life in all areas of Diversity is a fact of life in all areas of professional health care, use it to your best professional health care, use it to your best advantage.advantage.

• You will be working with people of You will be working with people of different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, cultures, religions, sexual orientation and cultures, religions, sexual orientation and political beliefs.political beliefs.

• Your own background of experience should Your own background of experience should reflect your willingness to do so.reflect your willingness to do so.

• Take the time to learn another language or Take the time to learn another language or two.two.

Diversity/Cultural Diversity/Cultural CompetencyCompetency

Race Sexual Orientation

Faith

Age

Ethnicity

Gender

Culture

Marital Status

Ability

Socioeconomic Status

Cultivate Your Cultivate Your Recommenders!Recommenders!

• Letters of recommendation are crucial Letters of recommendation are crucial to professional school admissions.to professional school admissions.

• Letter writers need to take the time and Letter writers need to take the time and care to write a letter that reflects you.care to write a letter that reflects you.

• You need to make sure that you give the You need to make sure that you give the writer something to write about.writer something to write about.

• Develop relationships with the people Develop relationships with the people who will be instrumental in your who will be instrumental in your application process.application process.

Do Your Research!Do Your Research!

• Know about your field of interest.Know about your field of interest.• Read as much as you can about it.Read as much as you can about it.• Talk to people who are in the field now.Talk to people who are in the field now.• What excites you about this area?What excites you about this area?• What challenges are facing the What challenges are facing the

practitioners? practitioners? • What are some of the ethical issues?What are some of the ethical issues?• Is there anything about it that bothers Is there anything about it that bothers

you?you?

Consider Time and $$$$Consider Time and $$$$$$

• Most professional schools and master’s Most professional schools and master’s programs require an earned bachelor’s programs require an earned bachelor’s degree.degree.

• The professional school phase can last up to 4 The professional school phase can last up to 4 years, specialty training adds several more years, specialty training adds several more years.years.

• Professional school cannot be done on a part Professional school cannot be done on a part time basis and it is too intense to do with time basis and it is too intense to do with work.work.

• Most medical school students graduate with Most medical school students graduate with an average debt of $90,000 to $100,000.an average debt of $90,000 to $100,000.

• Apply for all financial aid and scholarships!Apply for all financial aid and scholarships!

Admissions FactorsAdmissions Factors

• Experience/exposure to the field is required.Experience/exposure to the field is required.• Grades and test scores are important.Grades and test scores are important.

– You do not have to be a 4.0 student, but you have You do not have to be a 4.0 student, but you have to demonstrate that you are serious about school.to demonstrate that you are serious about school.

– Avoid a “messy” transcript.Avoid a “messy” transcript.– Don’t take admissions tests until you are ready.Don’t take admissions tests until you are ready.

• Motivation is a key factor.Motivation is a key factor.– Why do you want to become a _____________?Why do you want to become a _____________?– Why do you think you would be a good one?Why do you think you would be a good one?– What have you done to prove it?What have you done to prove it?

Application Elements to Application Elements to ConsiderConsider

• Academic CourseworkAcademic Coursework• Undergraduate MajorUndergraduate Major• GPA - overall GPA - overall ANDAND in in

the sciencesthe sciences• Applications & Applications &

RecommendationsRecommendations• Personal StatementPersonal Statement• InterviewsInterviews• Test scoresTest scores• ResearchResearch

• Personal Personal CharacteristicsCharacteristics

• Diversity/Cross-Diversity/Cross-Cultural CompetencyCultural Competency

• FinancesFinances• Student organizationsStudent organizations• Leadership positionsLeadership positions• Health Care ExperienceHealth Care Experience• Community ServiceCommunity Service• MotivationMotivation• Knowledge of the fieldKnowledge of the field

Other Bits of WisdomOther Bits of Wisdom

• Quit worrying about looking better, Quit worrying about looking better, start worrying about BEING BETTER.start worrying about BEING BETTER.

• Do not undertake endeavors because Do not undertake endeavors because you think “they will like it” or “it will you think “they will like it” or “it will look good on the application”.look good on the application”.

• Compete with yourself, not everyone Compete with yourself, not everyone else and believe in yourself and your else and believe in yourself and your goals.goals.

• IGNORE RUMORS!!!IGNORE RUMORS!!!

Professional Professional Health SciencesHealth Sciences

Study Skills Best PracticesStudy Skills Best Practices

Student OneStudent One

• I spend too much time studying for what I spend too much time studying for what I am learning, spend hours cramming I am learning, spend hours cramming the night before an exam, and I have a the night before an exam, and I have a demanding social life.demanding social life.– What kind of problem does this student What kind of problem does this student

have? have? • (Time Management, Concentration, Listening & (Time Management, Concentration, Listening &

note taking, Text Book Reading, Comprehension, note taking, Text Book Reading, Comprehension, Writing, or Exam Taking)Writing, or Exam Taking)

– What suggestions would you have for this What suggestions would you have for this student?student?

How I Spend My TimeHow I Spend My TimeSuggestionsSuggestions

• This student may have time This student may have time management issues.management issues.

• Create a study schedule.Create a study schedule.• Divide study sessions into manageable Divide study sessions into manageable

blocks of time.blocks of time.• Set goals for each study session.Set goals for each study session.• Create or find a study space with little to no Create or find a study space with little to no

distractions.distractions.

Student TwoStudent Two

• I usually study with the radio or TV I usually study with the radio or TV turned on and can’t sit and study for turned on and can’t sit and study for long periods of time without becoming long periods of time without becoming tired or distracted. I go to class, but I tired or distracted. I go to class, but I usually doodle, daydream, or fall asleep.usually doodle, daydream, or fall asleep.– What kind of problem does this student What kind of problem does this student

have? have? • (Time Management, Concentration, Listening & (Time Management, Concentration, Listening &

note taking, Text Book Reading, Comprehension, note taking, Text Book Reading, Comprehension, Writing, or Exam Taking)Writing, or Exam Taking)

– What suggestions would you have for this What suggestions would you have for this student?student?

How I Concentrate How I Concentrate SuggestionsSuggestions

• This student may have issues related This student may have issues related to concentrating.to concentrating.

• Create a study routine and stick to it! Create a study routine and stick to it! – Prioritize your study tasksPrioritize your study tasks– Work through each step on your to do listWork through each step on your to do list– It a task is too long, break it up into smaller tasksIt a task is too long, break it up into smaller tasks– Take a short productive break (exercising, etc).Take a short productive break (exercising, etc).

• Routine MaintenanceRoutine Maintenance– Review notes and exercises from class and write Review notes and exercises from class and write

down questions you may have.down questions you may have.– Properly organize materials by date and put them Properly organize materials by date and put them

in a binder.in a binder.

Student ThreeStudent Three

• My class notes are sometimes difficult to My class notes are sometimes difficult to understand later and I usually seem to get understand later and I usually seem to get the wrong material into them. I don’t look the wrong material into them. I don’t look at my classroom notes after I’ve taken at my classroom notes after I’ve taken them.them.– What kind of problem does this student have? What kind of problem does this student have?

• (Time Management, Concentration, Listening & (Time Management, Concentration, Listening & note taking, Text Book Reading, Comprehension, note taking, Text Book Reading, Comprehension, Writing, or Exam Taking)Writing, or Exam Taking)

– What suggestions would you have for this What suggestions would you have for this student?student?

How I Listen and Take How I Listen and Take NotesNotes

• This student may have issues related to This student may have issues related to listening in class and taking notes.listening in class and taking notes.

• Organize your note taking materials (in a binder).Organize your note taking materials (in a binder).• Write your notes in point (or outline) form.Write your notes in point (or outline) form.• Skip lines to indicate a main point.Skip lines to indicate a main point.• Use abbreviations.Use abbreviations.• Write clearly.Write clearly.• Review your notes as soon as you can (after Review your notes as soon as you can (after

class).class).• Summarize the material you just learned.Summarize the material you just learned.• Cover the notes and try to recite the main points.Cover the notes and try to recite the main points.

Student FourStudent Four

• When I get to the end of the chapter, I When I get to the end of the chapter, I can’t remember what I have read and I can’t remember what I have read and I don’t know how to pick out what is don’t know how to pick out what is important in the text. I can’t keep up with important in the text. I can’t keep up with my reading assignments; I try to scan my reading assignments; I try to scan them before a test.them before a test.– What kind of problem does this student have? What kind of problem does this student have?

• (Time Management, Concentration, Listening & (Time Management, Concentration, Listening & note taking, Text Book Reading, Comprehension, note taking, Text Book Reading, Comprehension, Writing, or Exam Taking)Writing, or Exam Taking)

– What suggestions would you have for this What suggestions would you have for this student?student?

How I Read my TextbookHow I Read my Textbook

• This student may have issues related to This student may have issues related to how they engage their textbook.how they engage their textbook.

• Read actively (make questions, turn formulas into Read actively (make questions, turn formulas into verbal explanations).verbal explanations).

• Analyze example problems by asking yourself…Analyze example problems by asking yourself…– What concepts or rules were applied.What concepts or rules were applied.– What methods were used to solve the problem and why.What methods were used to solve the problem and why.– What was the first step and have any been combined.What was the first step and have any been combined.– What are the differences and similarities between the What are the differences and similarities between the

examples and homework problems.examples and homework problems.

• Practice each step.Practice each step.• Check to see how the material relates to previous Check to see how the material relates to previous

material.material.

Student FiveStudent Five

• I often get lost in the details of reading I often get lost in the details of reading and have trouble identifying the main and have trouble identifying the main idea. Also, I don’t usually change my idea. Also, I don’t usually change my reading speed when the text is difficult or reading speed when the text is difficult or unfamiliar. I often wish I could read unfamiliar. I often wish I could read faster.faster.– What kind of problem does this student have? What kind of problem does this student have?

• (Time Management, Concentration, Listening & (Time Management, Concentration, Listening & note taking, Text Book Reading, Comprehension, note taking, Text Book Reading, Comprehension, Writing, or Exam Taking)Writing, or Exam Taking)

– What suggestions would you have for this What suggestions would you have for this student?student?

How I Understand What I How I Understand What I ReadRead

• This student may have issues This student may have issues pertaining to reading comprehension.pertaining to reading comprehension.

• Choose a reading location with no distractions.Choose a reading location with no distractions.• If your reading assignment is too long, break it If your reading assignment is too long, break it

down.down.• Before you read, survey the material.Before you read, survey the material.• Scan for main points.Scan for main points.• Underline or highlight main points.Underline or highlight main points.• Skip unnecessary material.Skip unnecessary material.• Read the material rapidly and more than once.Read the material rapidly and more than once.

Student SixStudent Six

• When teachers assign essays and papers, When teachers assign essays and papers, I can’t seem to get started. Also, I usually I can’t seem to get started. Also, I usually write my essays and papers the day before write my essays and papers the day before they are due. I can’t seem to organize my they are due. I can’t seem to organize my thoughts into an essay or report that thoughts into an essay or report that makes sense.makes sense.– What kind of problem does this student have? What kind of problem does this student have?

• (Time Management, Concentration, Listening & (Time Management, Concentration, Listening & note taking, Text Book Reading, Comprehension, note taking, Text Book Reading, Comprehension, Writing, or Exam Taking)Writing, or Exam Taking)

– What suggestions would you have for this What suggestions would you have for this student?student?

How I Write Essays and How I Write Essays and ReportsReports

• As you guessed, this student may have As you guessed, this student may have issues related to report writing.issues related to report writing.

• Begin your paper well in advance of any Begin your paper well in advance of any deadlines.deadlines.

• Brainstorm the topic and refer to topics in your Brainstorm the topic and refer to topics in your book.book.

• Get clarification from your instructor about what Get clarification from your instructor about what her expectations are well before the paper is due.her expectations are well before the paper is due.

• Use outlines to organize your thoughts.Use outlines to organize your thoughts.• Write multiple drafts.Write multiple drafts.• Always have friend read each draft and make Always have friend read each draft and make

suggestions!suggestions!

Student SevenStudent Seven

• I often lose points on essay exams even when I often lose points on essay exams even when I know the material well. I feel that I study I know the material well. I feel that I study enough for my exam, but when I get to class enough for my exam, but when I get to class my mind goes blank. I don’t usually study in my mind goes blank. I don’t usually study in an organized way and I often worry about an organized way and I often worry about the next exam.the next exam.– What kind of problem does this student have? What kind of problem does this student have?

• (Time Management, Concentration, Listening & note (Time Management, Concentration, Listening & note taking, Text Book Reading, Comprehension, Writing, or taking, Text Book Reading, Comprehension, Writing, or Exam Taking)Exam Taking)

– What suggestions would you have for this What suggestions would you have for this student?student?

How I Do ExamsHow I Do Exams

• As you once again guessed, this student As you once again guessed, this student has issues surrounding exam taking.has issues surrounding exam taking.

• Use study groups often and come prepared with Use study groups often and come prepared with questions you have about the material.questions you have about the material.

• Review your homework, notes, and prior tests well in Review your homework, notes, and prior tests well in advance of the test date.advance of the test date.

• During the exam, glance over it quickly to assess it During the exam, glance over it quickly to assess it for question difficulty and points assigned.for question difficulty and points assigned.

• Start with the easiest questions.Start with the easiest questions.• Always show your work.Always show your work.• After the exam is return, analyze it! Did most of the After the exam is return, analyze it! Did most of the

questions come from lectures, the textbook, or questions come from lectures, the textbook, or homework? Were the problems different than those homework? Were the problems different than those in lectures, the textbook, or homework? What was in lectures, the textbook, or homework? What was my greatest source of errors?my greatest source of errors?