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Are you a Non-Traditional Student?. Med school. ?. ?. ?. TIME OFF. NON-TRADITIONAL. COLLEGE. Non-traditional Paths to Medical School. Tarik Asmerom, MS1 Zia Okocha, MS1 Aida Bounama, MS4. Facts about the Non-Traditional Student.
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Are you a Non-Traditional Student? Med school ? ? ? TIME OFF NON-TRADITIONAL COLLEGE
Non-traditional Paths to Medical School Tarik Asmerom, MS1 Zia Okocha, MS1 Aida Bounama, MS4
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 one year off • Growing percentage of students entering medical school have taken one or more years off before matriculation • The 2011 Perelman School of Medicine entering first year class: • 60% are non-traditional students • Average age at matriculation is 23 (Range: 21-30)
Why take time off? • Pursue a passion • Improve credentials for application • Change career to medicine • Mature and grow as a person
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
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
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 • 19% of 2011 entering class completed Post-Bac programs • Types of Post-Bac programs: • Changing career to medicine • Completing science requirements • Enhancing academic record • Post Baccalaureate Website: • http//services.aamc.org/postbac/
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!
Time off during Medical School • Research • For competitive specialties • School funded grants • National grants • Mentor funded • Additional Degrees • International Clinical Experiences • Personal Time – Leave of Absence
Questions? Contact Us: • Tarik Asmerom: tarika@upenn.edu • Zia Okocha: eoko@upenn.edu • Aida Bounama: aidab@upenn.edu