Pre-Health Resource Guide for Academic Support

Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture

924 Westwood Blvd., Suite 200-Q

Los Angeles, CA 90024

Office: (310) 794-0663

Fax: (310) 794-2862

[email protected]

Navigating UCLA

as a Pre-Health/Pre-Medical Student

A Quick Resource Guide

By Anabel Alcaraz Vargas

Letter From the Editor 4

Health Careers 5

Community Programs Office 5

Student Association (CPOSA)

Health Projects

Pre-Health Clubs 6

STEM Clubs 7

Transfer Student Resources 7

Pre-Health/STEM Programs 7

Clinical 7

Mentorship Opportunity 8

Interesting Minors 8

Research 9

Pre-Health Conferences 10

Summer Opportunities 10

Scholarships 11

Frequently Asked Questions 12-14

Useful Websites 14

Additional On-Campus Resources 14

Closing Remarks 15

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Table of Contents

2 | Pre-Health Resource Guide

The Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture (CESLAC) provides

data for policy makers, program planners and the general public so they can

make better informed decisions about how to address these issues. Under the

leadership of Dr. David E. Hayes-Bautista and with support from generous

sponsors, CESLAC is the leading research institution in:

Pioneering medical education, including notable efforts in creating the

first courses at UCLA in which medical and public health students focus

on Latino health

Deconstructing myths and stereotypes about Latinos in California

Providing reliable data on Latino health

Emphasizing the positive contributions of Latinos to the state's economy

and society

Administering MEDPEP, a medical preparation and education pipeline

program working to reverse the underrepresentation of Latino and other

minorities in the health professions

Médicos, Enfermeros, y Dentistas Para El Pueblo (MEDPEP) is a medical

preparation and Education Pipeline program designed to support low-income

Latino and underrepresented minority (URM) students through their communi-

ty college experience and transition to four-year universities and health profes-

sional programs.

Interested in learning more about MEDPEP?

Email us at [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MEDPEP

Awareness of Culture and History.

Education. Health. Empowering and

strengthening our communities.

Cinco De Mayo.

Letter From the Editor

Hello, and welcome,

My name is Anabel Alcaraz Vargas. After taking a fifth year, I

graduated from UCLA in June 2014, with a double major in biology and

Chicana/o Studies. I came to UCLA directly from high school, knowing

I was interested in the field of medicine, but I did not know of any re-

sources or opportunities available to me. As a result, I had a

difficult time making the transition. Fortunately, during my second year,

I heard about Chicanos/Latinos for Community Medicine (CCM), a

student-led pre-health organization, and I became involved. This group

provided me with the support I needed and engaged my interests.

As I have gone through my undergraduate career, I learned to be proac-

tive about my education and discovered the power of reaching out and

developing support groups. I created this pamphlet as a way of making

information accessible to all pre-health/pre-med students. Inside you will

find information about student-led organizations, minors, scholarships,

summer opportunities and more! Please be advised that this is only a

brief overview of resources and opportunities; use this as a starting

point, and make sure to keep searching for additional information. I wish

you all the best on your journey. Remember to be an advocate for your

education and always ask for help when you need it.

Best,

Anabel Alcaraz Vargas

Disclaimer: Although this guide is catered to UCLA admits, please note that other campuses

may have similar resources. This guide is intended to be a reference point and by no means

highlights all the resources available at UCLA. Please refer to the UCLA website for more

information.

4 | Pre-Health Resource Guide

Community Programs Office

Student Association (CPOSA)

CPOSA, located in the Student Activities Center, houses

various service groups focused on health, education, and

social justice. Their projects are student-led. Joining al-

lows you to become a student leader and gain experience in your field of

interest. Below are different health projects within CPOSA. Please note

that while some groups focus on specific communities, membership is

open to anyone interested in volunteering.

Health Projects Asian Pacific Health Corps

Black Hypertension Project

Black Latino Aids Project

Dental Education Outreach

Donation of Tissues and Organs

Flying Samaritans

Inglewood Clinic Group

Latino Student Health Project

Medical Experience Through Service in Healthcare

University Muslim Medical Association Volunteer Project

For more information please visit SAC 106E

or http://www.uclacommunityprograms.org/

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Health Careers Remember to keep an open mind, as there are many ways to get

involved in health care. Provided is a list of various careers to

consider as you explore your interests.

Dentistry Optometry

Health Administration Physical Therapy

Medicine Physician Assistant

Nursing Pharmacy

Occupational Therapy Podiatric Medicine

Public Health

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American Medical Student Association

American Medical Women's Association

Asian American Mental Health Initiative

Black Pre-Health Organization

Bioethics Brigades

Bruins Fighting Pediatric Cancer

Bruins Public Health Club

CAHPSA

Chicanos/Latinos for Community Medicine

Community Medicine in Koreatown

Doctors At Reach

FACE AIDS

FISH

Foundation Fighting Blindness-LA Chapter

Global Dental Brigades

Happy Feet Clinic

Health, Education, Advocacy and Lifestyle

Health Guardians of America

Health Outreach and Pre-Med Experience

Korean-American Missions Health Council

Maternal Infant Health

Medical Experience through Service in

Healthcare

Medical Friends at UCLA

Medical Literature Society

MEMO

Medication Assistance Program

National Alliance on Mental Illness

Nursing Students at UCLA

Operation Smile Student Club

PANGAEA

Peer Health Exchange

Physical and Occupational Therapy

Club

Pilipinos for Community Health

Pre-Dental Student Outreach Program

Pre-Medical Asian Pacific American

Medical Student Association

Pre-Medical Peer Association

Pre-Optometry Society

Pre-Pharmacy Society

Pre-Veterinary Society

Project Nicaragua

Students for Community Outreach,

Promotion and Education

Student Stroke Team

Students for Integrative Medicine

Together Educating and Advocating

Community Health Transcultural

Dental Club

UCLA Mobile Clinic Project

Vietnamese Community Health Project

at UCLA

Pre-Health Clubs

Listed are more pre-health student groups on campus. For additional infor-

mation, please visit http://www.studentgroups.ucla.edu/home/

STEM Clubs

If your interest lies in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics

(STEM), check out the following on-campus student groups.

American Indian Science and Engineering Society

Biological Anthropology Society

National Society of Black Engineers

Pilipinos in Engineering

Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers

Society of Latino Engineers and Scientists

Society of Women Engineers

Transfer Student Resources

If you are a transfer student, please note that there are several

organizations which focus on your needs:

Bruin Resource Center

http://www.transfers.ucla.edu/

transfer_resources.html

Center for Community College Partnerships

http://www.cccp.ucla.edu/

Student Transfer Undergraduate Development

Pre-Health/STEM Programs

High Achievement in Math and Sciences

http://aapucla.com/mentoring/high-aims/

Pathway for Students into Health Professions Program

http://medpeds.med.ucla.edu/pshp.html

Clinical

UCLA Care Extender Program

https://www.uclahealth.org/volunteer/Pages/our-

programs/care-extender-program.aspx

UCLA School of Dentistry General Clinic Volunteer Program

https://www.dentistry.ucla.edu/learning/

volunteer-opportunities

Venice Family Clinic

http://www.venicefamilyclinic.org/volunteers/

volunteer-opportunities

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Research

UCLA has several programs and groups whose focus is recruiting

students interested in research. Take advantage of these opportunities, and

learn more by visiting websites and/or offices.

CARE Fellows/Scholars

http://www.ugresearchsci.ucla.edu/care.htm

Collaboration in Undergraduate Research Enrichment

Community Development and Social Justice (CDSJ)

Scholars Program

http://aap.ucla.edu/#/mentoring/community-development-

and-social-justice-program-cdsj/

Howard Hughes Undergraduate Research Program

http://www.ugresearchsci.ucla.edu/howardhughes.htm

McNair Research Scholars Program

http://aapucla.com/mentoring/mcnair-research-

scholars-program/

Minority Access to Research Careers

http://www.ugresearchsci.ucla.edu/marc.htm

Program for Excellence in Education and Research in the Sciences

http://www.ugresearchsci.ucla.edu/progpeers.htm

Research Rookies

Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans

in Science (SACNAS)

http://www.sacnasatucla.com/

Undergraduate Research Center for Science,

Engineering and Mathematics (URC)/

Interesting Minors Minors are a great way to learn about additional topics and only

require a few classes. For the entire list of minors, please visit

http://www.admission.ucla.edu/prospect/Majors/lsminor.htm

Applied Developmental Psychology

Biomedical Research

Civic Engagement

Cognitive Science

Conservation Biology

Disability Studies

Education Studies

Environmental Engineering

Environmental Systems and Society

Evolutionary Medicine

Gender Studies

Gerontology

History of Science and Medicine

Labor and Workplace Studies

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies

Neuroscience

Public Affairs

Public Health

Science Education

Society and Genetics

Structural Biology

Systems Biology

Urban and Regional Planning

Mentorship Opportunity

Alliance in Mentorship provides you with

opportunities to connect and network with other

pre-health students, medical students, and health

professionals. For details, please visit

http://mimentor.org/

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Scholarships

First-years:

Delson Scholarship

Don R. Shepherd Scholarship

D. Lewis and Lynn Bosley Mingori Scholarship

Edward Scott Morrison Scholarhip

Gertrude Pomish Scholarship

Leah Bettleman Scholarship

MacDougal Scholarship for UCLA Undergraduates

Miller/Shigemura Scholarship

Myrtle Hickey De Luce Scholarship

Ola Zuckerman Class of 1934 Scholarship

Virginia Frey Scholarship Application

Transfer students (apply as Juniors):

Bernard Osher Foundation Reentry Scholarship

Edward Scott Morrison Scholarship

Helen Matthewson Club (HMC) Memorial Scholarship

John Ringlbauer UCLA Veterans Scholarship

Jo-Belle Wolf Undergraduate Scholarship

Los Angeles Links Scholarship

Transfer Alliance Program Scholarship

AB 540 students:

California South Area (CASA) 2

http://ltacasa2.webs.com/scholarships.htm

Mexican-American Dream Scholarship

http://cofem.org/about-cofem

SALEF’s “Fulfilling Our Dreams” Scholarship

http://www.salef.org/programs#!__programs

Univision’s “Es El Momento” Scholarship

https://www.scholarshipaid.net/app/univision/

AB 540 students: For more scholarships, please visit

http://www.e4fc.org/resources/scholarshiplists.html

Pre-Health/Pre-Medical Conferences

January

Pre-Medical & Pre-Health Conference, hosted at

California State University, San Bernardino

February

Stanford University Minority Medical Alliance

(SUMMA) Conference

March

Chicanos/Latinos for Community Medicine at UCLA

Pre-Health Conference

August

UCLA MEDPEP Pre-Health Conference

October

UC Davis Pre-Health Student Alliance Pre-Medical and Pre-

Health Professions Conference

Also check out LMSA/SNMA Pre-Health Conferences!

Summer Opportunities

Be proactive during your summers. Learn about different health fields by

participating in summer programs or internships.

Albert Einstein College of Medicine Diversity Student

Summer Research Opportunity Program

City of New York Department of Health & Mental

Hygiene Health Research Training Programs

Diversity Summer Internship Program

John Hopkins, Bloomberg School of Public Health

Health Career Connections

Internship positions available throughout United States

Harbor-UCLA Summer Urban Fellowship

Pre-medical/Pre-dental Summer Enrichment Program at UCLA

Summer Medical and Dental Education Program

UCLA Spur

UCSF Summer Research

10 | Pre-Health Resource Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I study for my classes?

Every class differs in regards to demand and difficulty. Use the different

learning strategies (auditory, visual, and kinesthetic) to adapt to each class.

Some classes may be more be problem-based while others may rely more on

lecture slides. Remember that repeated exposure to course material is im-

portant. Take time to preview class notes (if available), pay attention during

lecture and review notes after class. Attending office hours can help you

gauge the professor/teaching assistant’s teaching style and can prepare you

for upcoming exams. Forming study groups may also be beneficial as it

keeps you accountable for completing work in appropriate timeframe.

How do I meet with my departmental counselor?

Most departments have drop-in hours when you can stop by and talk to your

counselor to have all your questions answered. Find out when your depart-

ment holds them. If you need more time, go to your department’s office and

schedule an appointment.

How do I learn about the requirements for professional/graduate

school?

The UCLA Career Center and AAP host various workshops about the re-

quirements for professional/graduate schools. Also, student-led pre-health

organizations often have speakers or presentations in which this information

is made available. Finally, pre-health conferences are an excellent way to

learn and network. Remember that some activities are recommended, and

that your experiences will differ from those of other students. Participate in

activities that interest you.

Should I attend my professor’s or TA’s office hours?

UCLA is a large institution. Attending office hours can help make your edu-

cation more personal. Moreover, office hours provide a great opportunity to

ask additional questions or get clarification. They can help you understand

material better and can also establish a relationship with a professor or

teaching assistant. Keep in mind that graduate/professional schools ask for

letters of recommendation, and you can use office hours as a way of devel-

oping relationships so it will be easier to ask for those letters when you need

them.

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What resources are available to undocumented students interested in the

medical or health field?

A student network exists called Pre-Health Dreamers, where members share in-

formation, experiences, and opportunities. If you are undocumented and want to

go into any health field, please visit http://www.phdreamers.org/ You may also

find IDEAS at UCLA a powerful support group.

Does UCLA offer tutoring?

Yes. The Academic Advancement Program (AAP), located in Campbell Hall,

offers FREE peer learning (tutoring) for students. Subjects include Spanish,

English, math, chemistry, and biology. Please take advantage of this opportunity

to learn with fellow students.

What other services does AAP provide?

AAP offers both peer and professional counseling. In addition AAP has a Gradu-

ate Mentoring and Research Program, which provides students with opportunities

to connect with a graduate student who can provide advising and guidance. AAP

also offers research opportunities, STEM programs, and community events.

Where do I go to find more information about scholarships?

You can go online, http://www.ugeducation.ucla.edu/src/ , or visit the Scholar-

ship Resource Center (SRC), located in 233 Covel Commons (the building across

from Bruin Café). Be sure to ask their personnel if they know of any additional

scholarships. The SRC is also available for meetings to learn about writing per-

sonal statements and scholarship applications.

How do you choose which classes to take?

Since UCLA is on the quarter system, you need to be strategic about what cours-

es to take. Learn to create a balance. If you know certain classes are difficult,

spread them out through the year, this ensures that you will have adequate time

to spend on each class and you can obtain the grades you want. Also remember

to check how work and/or other responsibilities fit into your schedule. The pur-

pose of creating a plan is to avoid stressful situations. If you need guidance, talk

to your counselor or peer mentor.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Closing Remarks

You do NOT have to be a science major to be

pre-health/pre-med. As long as you complete all the

prerequisites for the field you are interested in, you are free to

choose any major.

Do not let a hardship define you. Learn from the

situation and move on.

Be proactive about your education.

Ask for help. The journey you are embarking on is

challenging, but having adequate support and resources will

definitely make this experience easier.

Be true to yourself. Do not try to fit the mold of what you think

or hear a pre-health student should be. Your individuality and

experiences make you unique. Embrace your story.

“We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about

progress and prosperity for our community...Our ambitions must be

broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their

sakes and for our own”

-Cesar Chavez

“Liberating education consists in acts of cognition, not transferals of

information.”

-Paulo Freire

Wish you all the best!

If you have additional questions, please feel free to email

me at [email protected]

14 | Pre-Health Resource Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Useful Websites

Does UCLA have a pre-health/pre-med counselor?

Although UCLA does not have a counselor specifically to advise

pre-health/pre-med students, other counselors are available to help. In addition,

there are a lot of programs and opportunities to obtain guidance. Keep in mind

that peers and upperclassmen can be great resources and mentors.

I am interested in community service. How do I start?

UCLA has an array of organizations whose focus is community service. In partic-

ular, the Community Programs Office Student Association (CPOSA), located in

the Student Activities Center (SAC), has community service-oriented groups.

Their three caucuses are education, health, and social justice. All student groups

are a conscious effort to work in community with people of color.

https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/amcas/

http://www.aap.ucla.edu/mentoring/mentoring_handouts.html

http://www.adea.org/dental_education_pathways/aadsas/Applicants/Pages/

default.aspx

http://www.fao.ucla.edu/

http://www.nursingcas.org/

http://www.pharmcas.org/

https://portal.caspaonline.org/

http://www.sophas.org/

Additional On-Campus Resources

Bruin Readmission Program

Center for Community Learning

Campus Assault Resource and Education

Counseling and Psychological Services

IDEAS at UCLA

LGBT Resource Center

Office for Student with Disabilities

UCLA Career Center

Writing Success Program

14 | Pre-Health Resource Guide