Are you a Non-Traditional Student?

1. Are you a Non-Traditional Student? Med school ? ? ? TIME OFF NON-TRADITIONAL COLLEGE

2. Non-traditional Paths to Medical School 2009 Presenters: Lauren Mathews, MS2 Michael Rey, MS2 Chrystal Webb, MS2 2010 Presenters: Atu Agawu, MS1 Victor Alcalde, MS2 Lauren Mathews,MS3 Michael Rey, MS3

3. Facts about the Non-Traditional Student • Definition: any student who does not go straight to medical school after graduating from college • Usually takes at least two years off • Growing percentage of students entering medical school have taken one or more years off before matriculation • The 2010 University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine entering first year class: • 68% are non-traditional students • Average age at matriculation is 23 (Range: 20-33)

4. Why take time off? • Pursue a passion • Improve credentials for application • Change career to medicine • Mature and grow as a person

5. What can I do before applying to medical school?A few examples: • Research • NIHhttp://www.training.nih.gov/student/pre-irta/previewpostbac.asp • Travel/ Global Experiences • Unite for Sight http://www.uniteforsight.org • Community Service Work in the US • Teach for America http:///teachforamerica.org • Other Types of Employment • Academic Enhancement • Post baccalaureate program • Another degree

6. What should I keep in mind while taking time off before medical school? • Get letters of recommendation: • Stay in touch with professors to ensure they have submitted (or are in the process of submitting) their letters for you • Get recommendations from Post Baccalaureate program, graduate degree professors/administrators, supervisor/research advisor after graduation • Describe worthwhile experiences after graduation in your application • Be aware of deadlines: • Take MCAT on time • Apply early in the application season

7. Are there programs which can help me become a competitive medical school applicant? • Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Programs assist students prepare for medical school after having received their bachelor’s degrees • Types of Post-Bac programs: 1. Changing career to medicine 2. Completing science requirements 3. Enhancing academic record • Post Baccalaureate Web Site: • http://services.aamc.org/postbac/

8. In addition to the Post Bac programs are there others? • Graduate degree programs might be another alternative. • Make sure the degree program has biomedical science courses, because admissions committees want to see if you can handle a lot of these types of subjects • MPH might also be a path, but first discuss this type of degree with your pre-health advisor and/or medical school admissions directors, because it’s important that you can demonstrate your facility with biomedical science. • Attempt to earn as many A’s and B’s as possible!

9. Questions? Contact Us: • Atu Agawu, MS1:aaguwu@mail.med.upenn.edu • Victor Alcalde, MS2: valcalde@mail.med.upenn.edu • Lauren Mathews, MS3: malau@mail.med.upenn.edu • Michael Rey, MS3: mrey@mail.med.upenn.edu • Chrystal Webb, MS3: cwebb@mail.med.upenn.edu