6th Annual FIU Pre-Medical

Informational Forum

Welcome to the

Joshua Sixon, B.S. Biological Sciences FIU 2014, President Alpha Epsilon Delta,

Medical School Applicant 2013

Sixth Annual FIU Pre-Medical Informational Forum

2014 Program The Path to Medical School: High School & Undergraduate Education

FIU Admissions Information

The Medical School Application Process

The FIU QBIC Program

FIU’s Pre-Medical Student Organizations

Perspectives on the Medical School Application Process

The FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine

Financing a Medical Education

The Medical School Experience

Medical School from a Physician’s Perspective

High School

(4 years)

University

Bachelor’s Degree

(4 years)

(2 years with A.A.)

Graduate School

Master’s Degree

M.S. or Ph.D.

Medical School

Medical Degree

M.D. or D.O.

(4 years, USMLE)

(8 years for M.D. PhD)

Specialization (3-8 years)

Community College

Associate of Arts (A.A.)

(2 years)

The Path to Medicine

MCAT

SAT ACT

Steps to a Four Year University

High School Academics • Maintain a challenging curriculum

• Mathematics – preferably through Calculus

• Science – Chemistry, Physics, and Biology

• Behavioral Sciences – Psychology and Sociology

• AP and IB Courses – English, Humanities, Social Sciences, U.S. History, Language, Psychology

• Develop strong verbal skills

• Acquire knowledge in the Social Sciences and Humanities

• Perform well on the ACT or SAT

Steps to a Four Year University

Leadership Roles

Community Service

Physician Shadowing

Steps to a Four Year University

Transfer Students

Complete A.A. or A.S. Degree

Shadow and volunteer

Know medical school requirements

Seek advising

Anticipate additional semesters to fulfill

degree and medical school requirements

Undergraduate Admissions

Brett Hartnagel, B.S. Assistant Director of Admissions, FIU

• Submit online application starting July 1st

•Official high school transcripts

•Official college transcripts (Dual

Enrollment)

• SAT and/or ACT scores

• Submit $30 application fee or a College

Board/ ACT fee waiver

*Complete admissions files submitted by

November 1st will receive priority

consideration for merit based scholarships.

Applying to as a Freshman

Undergraduate Merit Scholarships

Selecting a Major

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

% o

f S

tud

en

ts

Common Pre-Medical Majors

Choose a major that interests you and that you will enjoy!

Required Courses

General Biology I & II (1 year)

General Chemistry I & II (1 year)

Physics I & II (1 year)

Organic Chemistry I & II (1 year)

College Algebra & Trigonometry (1 year)

Calculus & Statistics (varies)

Biochemistry (1 semester)

Sociology & Social Psychology (1 year)

Recommended Courses

Physiology (1 semester)

Cellular/ Molecular Biology (1 semester)

Genetics (1 semester)

General Microbiology (1 semester)

Pre-Medical Curriculum

Qualities of a Successful Applicant

Biology

Chemistry

Physics

Math

All

Other

Medical

College

Admission

Test

Academics

• BCPM & AO GPA’s > 3.5 • Strong Performance on the MCAT Exam

The 2015 MCAT Exam

MCAT

~7 Hours Long

~328 Questions

Biological and Biochemical

Foundations of Living Systems

Chemical and Physical

Foundations of Biological Systems

Psychological, Social, and Biological

Foundations of Behavior

Critical Analysis and Reasoning

Skills

Successful Medical School Application Evidence of Qualities Essential for a

• Leadership Qualities • Team Player, Collaborative • Strong Motivation

• Well-Rounded • Trustworthy • Reliable

Personal Characteristics (Central Application & Letters of Recommendation)

Additional Components of a

• Essay Writing (Personal Statement, Activities Descriptions)

• Strong Command of Vocabulary, Grammar, and Spelling

• Well-Organized, Clear, and Concise

• Communication Skills (Interview)

• Great Interpersonal Skills

• Ability to Clearly Articulate Thoughts

• Good Enunciation

• Faculty and Professional Letters of Recommendation

• Strong and Personal

Successful Medical School Application

Strengthening Your Application

Community Service

Clinical Experience

Research

Shadowing

Leadership

Collaboration

GPA > 3.5

MCAT Score

Physician Shadowing

Research

Essay Writing

Faculty Letters

Qualities of a Medical School Applicant

Communication Skills

Extracurricular Activities

•Application •Personal Statement

• Interview

•BCPM & AO > 3.5 •Large Course Load

•Sports/ Music •Student

Organizations •Community

Service •Hobbies

The Medical School Application AMCAS or AACOMAS Primary Application

Extracurricular Activities

Personal Statement

Letters of Recommendation University Faculty Members

Physicians (from your shadowing experiences)

Research Mentors

Secondary Applications

Transcripts of ALL credits taken after high school And Remember…

Grade Point Averages:

BCPM GPA > 3.5

AO GPA > 3.5

Strong Performance on the MCAT Exam

Student Support

• Pre-Medical Curriculum Guidance

• Alternative Career Options Student Advising

• Weekly Bulletin with upcoming opportunities for pre-medical students inside and outside of FIU

Support of Student

Organizations

• Review of Personal Statement

• Committee Interview

• Faculty and Committee Letter Submission

• Mock Multiple Mini Interviews

Medical School Application

Support

Student Support

Mr. Gregory Thomas Coordinator of Pre-Medical Programs,

Advisor, FIU Pre-Health Professions Advising Center

Mrs. Christina Callahan Advisor, FIU Pre-Health Professions

Advising Center

Opportunities at Well-Rounded

Curriculum • FIU offers intellectually challenging courses and

majors taught by experts in the discipline

Research Experiences

• Participate in original research

• Attend national and international scientific conferences

• Co-Author presentations/publications

Science Programs

• ChemPal Tutoring

• Peer Led Team Learning (PLTL)

• Quantifying Biology in the Classroom (QBIC)

Variety of Extracurricular

Activities

• Clubs and Honor Societies

• Fraternities and Sororities

• Student Government

Genetics

Forensic Chemistry

Biophysics

Molecular & Cellular

Biology

Microbiology Chemistry

Research Opportunities

Health Pre-Professional Honor Society

The largest pre-health honor society in the world.

Shadowing & Clinical Experience

Affiliations with Baptist Hospital

Professional School Presentations

Meet representatives from different programs

Volunteer Opportunities

Project Downtown, Relay for Life, etc.

Pre-Medical Mentoring

Networking

• Medical School Presentations • Physician Shadowing • Community Service Projects

• Medical Mission Program • Social Events • CPR Classes

AMSA involves its members in the social, moral and ethical obligations of the medical profession, assisting in the improvement and understanding of world health problems and

contributing to the welfare of medical students, premedical students, interns, residents and post-MD/DO trainees.

Lectures

Seminars

Shadowing

Research

CPR Certification

Hands-On Learning

Community Service

Leadership Positions

The purpose of this organization shall

be to offer advancement in clinically

relevant education, research and

skills for pre-medical and nursing

students, to better prepare us in the

understanding of the technical points

of health care, and to offer practical

experience in safe manner alongside

their constantly evolving practices.

Facta Non Verba,

Deeds Not Words

Member Opportunities:

• Shadowing – Doctors and FIU Medical

Students

• Research

• Community Service and Philanthropy

• Retreats and Medical School Tours

• Guest Speakers

• National Conventions and Networking

• Leadership Positions

• Lifetime of Friendships

Phi Delta Epsilon PhiDEFLAlphaChapter PhiDE_FLAlpha PhiDE_FLAlpha

The Application Process: Current Applicants

Carolina Chiou, B.S. Biological Sciences FIU 2012,

B.A. Chemistry FIU 2013

Daniel Garrido, B.S. Nursing FIU 2011

Janelis Gonzalez, B.S. Biological Sciences FIU 2013

Dr. Barbra Roller, Ph.D. Assistant Dean for Admissions

APPLY TO MEDICAL SCHOOL

Letters of Recommendation

GPA MCAT Volunteer/Clinical Experiences/Research

Application essays

Algebra

Professors Physicians

BCPM AO

Verbal/ Critical

Reading

Sciences BS and PS

Social/Behavioral Sciences

Upper Division

Physiology, Genetics, Cell Bio, Biochemistry,

Microbiology, etc.

Develop Reading Skills

Develop Writing Skills

HS Chemistry/ Honors/AP/IB

HS Physics/ Honors/AP/IB

HS Biology/ Honors/AP/IB

High School English

HS English Lower Division

Bio 1,2

Chemistry 1,2

Organic Chemistry 1,2

Physics 1,2 with or w/o Calculus

Calculus HS Math

Algebra + Trig or Precalc

File Review: AMCAS Application

Secondary Application Recommendation letters

Application File to include: AMCAS Application

Secondary Application Recommendation letters

Interviewer Results

Interview scheduled

Not Accepted Accepted

Wait Listed

The Admissions Process from the Point of View of the Medical School

Applications are presented to Admissions Committee

The FIU Medical School Curriculum

• Medical School is a full-time four year program

• The curriculum integrates basic sciences with clinical experiences

• Instruction includes varied educational formats: lecture, case-based, team based, and problem based

• At the end of 4 years of medical school - Students have earned the MD degree and then enter residency programs

• To enable students to gain an understanding of factors that affect personal and community health care; to improve health in the communities in which they study

• Experience is gained in multi-professional health care delivery.

• Integrated groups of students from medicine, social work, public health, allied health and nursing follow families

Special Focus on Medicine and Society

Green Family Foundation NeighborhoodHELP™ A unique interdisciplinary four-year curriculum

Medicine

Law

Household

Public Health & Social Work

Allied Health

Nursing

FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine White Coat Ceremony

Financing a Medical Education

Maria Jose Araya, MPA Senior Financial Aid Coordinator

Medical School Application Fees

• Allopathic (MD) AMCAS application fee:

• $160 + $35 each additional application

• Osteopathic (DO) AACOMAS application fee:

• $195 + $35 each additional application

Estimated Cost of Applying to 10 (Allopathic-MD) Schools

• AMCAS Fee $160

• Additional school application fees $315 (9 additional)

• MCAT $270 (Increasing for new exam)

• MCAT Prep course $2299

• Secondary application fees $500 (10 schools, $50 average)

• Total Expenses ~$3544

Not included: travel expenses for interviews, cost of professional attire, seat deposit once admitted, etc.

Suggested budget: $5,000

“…acceptance into medical school…priceless!”

• Scholarships

• Institutional and/or Private

• Service commitment (National Health Service Corps, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard)

• GI Bill

• Grants

• No federal grants available; only institutional grants

• Loans

• Federal Student Loans – Stafford, Graduate PLUS, Perkins

• Health & Human Services Loans

• Private Student Loans

• Loan Forgiveness/Repayment Programs

Resources Available to Medical Students

The Medical School Experience

Laura Florez FIU HWCOM 1st Year Medical Student,

B.S. Biological Sciences FIU 2011

Andrew Quinn FIU HWCOM 1st Year Medical Student,

B.S. Biological Sciences FIU 2013, B.A. Psychology FIU 2013

Jenesis Negron FIU HWCOM 2nd Year Medical Student,

B.S. Biological Sciences FIU 2010

Yilien Alonso FIU HWCOM 4th Year Medical Student,

B.S. Biological Sciences FIU 2009

Medical School from a Physician’s Perspective

Beatriz Cunill-DeSautu, M.D. FAAP Pediatric Residency Program Director

Miami Children’s Hospital

Patricio Lau, M.D. General Surgery Resident

Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery M.D. HWCOM 2013

B.S. Biological Sciences FIU 2009 B.A. Chemistry FIU 2009

Thank you!

FIU Pre-Health Advising Group

The Office of Pre-Health Professions Advising

FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine

@PreHealthFIU

@PreHealthFIU

http://prehealthadvise.fiu.edu

FIU Wertheim College of Medicine

@FIUMedicine

@FIUMedicine

http://medicine.fiu.edu