This document provides information about a prehealth convocation event at George Mason University. It begins with the event details, including a resource fair at 5pm and student organization introductions at 7:30pm, followed by a convocation address. The rest of the document discusses various topics related to becoming a physician, including the usual requirements for medical school admission, how admissions are viewed by the public and advisors, statistics on GPAs and MCAT scores, developing competencies, and resources available to prehealth students.
The Competency Manifesto (Prehealth Convocation 2010): AUDIO EMBEDDED
1. Picture Your Future in Medicine PrehealthConvocation Thursday September 2 Research I first floor 5pm resource fair 7:30pmStudent Organizations introductions 7:45pm Convocation address by Dr. Chuck Mandatory for new and competitiveprehealth/premeds. prehealth.gmu.edu Summer 2009 Fall 2009 Spring 2010 Summer 2010 Fall 2010 Spring 2011 Summer 2011 Fall 2011 Spring 2012 Summer 2012 Sponsored by the Health Professions Advising Office (Student Academic Affairs & Advising), and the Office of University Life.
3. The usual “getting into medical school content” Prerequisite classes and grades Entrance exam performance Volunteering and shadowing Community service
5. How “the public” views admissions “Peter Allen applied to 30 medical schools after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh last year. Twenty-eight said no. … “His pre-med adviser told him that with his 3.3 grade-point average, he should apply only to osteopathic schools, but he persisted, and was admitted to The Commonwealth and New York Medical College in Valhalla, N.Y.” “Expecting a surge in U.S. medical schools” by AnemonaHartocollis (Feb 14, 2010 NYT) Peter Allen and Jessica Sidari, first-year students at The Commonwealth Medical College, a first-year school in Scranton, Pa Credit: Niko J. Kallianiotis for The New York Times
6. How prehealth advisors(?) view admissions Comment #184: “I must laugh at the credentials that this white student has. As an advisor for pre-med students at an Ivy-league school, my Asian students with 3.7-3.8 GPAs in the sciences have a rough time even getting interviews. A 3.3 GPA is a laughable GPA and even more laughable coming from a school like Pitt.” “Expecting a surge in U.S. medical schools” by AnemonaHartocollis (Feb 14, 2010 NYT) Peter Allen and Jessica Sidari, first-year students at The Commonwealth Medical College, a first-year school in Scranton, Pa Credit: Niko J. Kallianiotis for The New York Times
19. Competencies and Learning April 5, 2003, UNC ballroom dance club practice with RobertasMaleckis, Credit: Emil Chuck (personal)
20. Attributes of professionalism Subordinate one's self-interest to the interest of others Adhere to high ethical and moral standards Evince core humanistic values, including honesty and integrity, caring and compassion, altruism and empathy, respect for others, and trustworthiness Incorporate self-reflection about one’s actions and decisions Exercise accountability for oneself and for others Deal with high levels of complexity and uncertainty
23. Evaluation applicant characteristics Members of the MR5 Innovation Lab Working Group (ILWG) described a survey it administered to the Associate or Senior Deans of Admissions for medical schools about the importance of the following characteristics to medical students' success: Integrity and ethics: behaves in an honest and ethical manner; adheres to ethical principles and follows rules and procedures; resists peer pressure to engage in unethical behavior and encourages others to behave in honest and ethical ways Reliability and dependability: Consistently fulfills obligations in a timely and satisfactory manner; takes responsibility for personal actions and performance; has a service orientation; Demonstrates a desire to help others and a sensitivity to others' needs and feelings; demonstrates a desire to alleviate others' distress Social and interpersonal skills: Demonstrates an awareness of others' needs, goals, feelings, and the ways that social and behavioral cues affect peoples' interactions and behaviors; adjusts behaviors appropriately in response to these cues and treats others with respect Desire to learn: Sets goals for continuous self-improvement and for learning new concepts and skills; assesses own strengths and weaknesses; solicits and responds appropriately to feedback Resilience and adaptability: Demonstrates tolerance of stressful or changing environments or situations and adapts effectively to them; is persistent, even under difficult situations, recovers from setbacks
24. Goals of competency-based evaluation Criteria should align with articulated technical standards of admissions (based on multiple personality theory). “Legal compliance” arguments tend to have more resistance to acceptance. Criteria should be transparent and independent of professional degree pursued by applicant to should reflect qualities desired for an interprofessional health care workforce. Can compare pools of applicants in the same year for different paths. Applicants should become familiar with competency-based evaluations as it will be a facet of their professional training and practice. Criteria should assist students with self-evaluation and references with confirmatory evaluation (360-evaluation) Quantitative measures should inform advising, program evaluation, and admissions outcomes.
25. GMU Prehealth Evaluation Rubric Compare to technical standards of admissions Academic foundation (science and non-science breadth/rigor) Scholarship and lifelong learning (problem-solving, research, entrepreneurship) Social intelligence (interpersonal, teamwork, mentors) Personal awareness (maturity, ethics, resiliency) Managerial experience (time, financial, project, leadership) Aesthetic or observational skills (art, music, literature) Kinesthetic dexterity (lab methods, sculpture, electronics) Communications skills (written/oral English, other) Knowledge of the profession and health care system Evaluators usually cannot comment on specific fitwith institutional mission and culture!
26. Competencies and Recommendations Newcomer: just starting out. Novice: follows instructions without questioning. Intermediate: memorizes steps, needs more practice. Proficient: can perform the tasks satisfactorily (minor difficulties). Competent: fluent; can improve the task/outcome by making minor adjustments. Expert: tests improvements to tasks in a systematic manner. Master: honored for exceptional skill development. No/Concern: general newcomer/novice to competency concepts. General: generally satisfactory/proficient in competencies Strong: shows additional development (competent) with competencies Enthusiastic: generally expert in competencies Highly: consistently honored (especially by peer review processes) to be exceptional
27. How do you rate yourself? Annual survey 2010/2011 self-assessment
33. Competencies and Recommendations Newcomer: just starting out. Novice: follows instructions without questioning. Intermediate: memorizes steps, needs more practice. Proficient: can perform the tasks satisfactorily (minor difficulties). Competent: fluent; can improve the task/outcome by making minor adjustments. Expert: tests improvements to tasks in a systematic manner. Master: honored for exceptional skill development. No/Concern: general newcomer/novice to competency concepts. General: generally satisfactory/proficient in competencies Strong: shows additional development (competent) with competencies Enthusiastic: generally expert in competencies Highly: consistently honored (especially by peer review processes) to be exceptional
34. Average GPA’s (EY 2010 applicants) PRELIMINARY admissions decisions (GMU) as of August 29, 2010
35. Average GPA’s (AADSAS EY 2010) PRELIMINARY AADSAS 2010 admissions decisions (GMU) as of August 29, 2010
36. Average GPA’s (AMCAS EY 2010) PRELIMINARY AMCAS 2010 admissions decisions (GMU) as of August 29, 2010
39. Required reading AAMC Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR) Chapters 1-14. AACOM College Information Book ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools Chapters 1-5. Health Professions Admissions Guide On reserve in JC library
40. Typical communications I get… Hi, Dr. Chuck. I’m a premed at Mason and I wanted to know what classes I needed to take. Should I really major in biology? When should I take the MCAT/DAT/PCAT/OAT? Where should I volunteer? How many hours? Where/When/What is prehealth convocation?
41. Prehealth Advising Website is the online “handbook” for all prehealth advisees and alumni who intend to apply. Updated occasionally Advisees (those who have not completed prerequisites) Preapplicants (those preparing applications; need committee letters) Applicants (those who submitted applications and pursue interviews/offers)
42. Comments by preapplicants The Pre-Health Advising site is an under viewed gem. It is a resource that has the potential to make or break your acceptance into medical school. All of the links under Advisees are very useful in providing information or sources of additional information. The "Advisees" section of the Mason Prehealth website had a great amount of valuable information regarding professionalism, careers, volunteering, etc.
45. Prehealth Website This page outlines all the initial steps new advisees must take to begin their prehealth journey. Advisees > Orientation
46. If you have questions: Undecided majors or adding minors: Academic Advising Center Allied health careers: Academic Advising Center Declared majors on coursework: Department major advisors Academic study skills: Academic Skills Center, Counseling Services Mathematics skills: Mathematics Tutoring Center Writing skills: Writing Center Scientific research, volunteering, postbaccalauareate opportunities: Health professions advisor (MasonWiki) Sophomore entry programs: Health professions advisor (Prehealth website) This information is on the Advisees Orientation page on the website.
49. Science Foundation: It’s NOT about taking the prerequisites! It’s about applying the knowledge from your classes.
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52. Prehealth.gmu.edu website Applicants Steps Before Applying (Timeline) Entrance Exams (Test Prep Options) Sophomore Entry Programs George Washington University Early Selection Virginia Commonwealth University Guaranteed Admission Centralized Application Processes
53. New “reapplicants” page. Based on popular questions asked, a page on the questions most reapplicants ask about the committee evaluation process has been created.
68. Favorite iTunesU tracks Accepted Students Panels EY2009, NEAAHP 2007, AACOM 2010 Application Services Presentations Convocation Addresses The First Lecture (2008) Great Expectations (2009)
69. iTunesU site If you logged into podcasts.gmu.edu: iTunesU site will show a “GMU-only files” tab. EY2010 Accepted Students Panel (4/30/2010). This recording will move over to “Others’ presentations” in October/November. AED/VCU Consortium discussion (4/13/2010). This recording will move over to “Others’ presentations” in October/November.
71. Central Admissions Officers presentations (Chicago 2008) Presentations to advisors from administrators representing PharmCAS, VMCAS, AACPMAS, and PTCAS.
72. Favorite iTunesU tracks Interviewing Skills Career Services Workshop Presentations Insights from Medical Sciences Advisory Committee Tell Me About Yourself: The One Minute Biosketch
73. On reserve (JC library) Test Prep sample textbooks Admissions guides Writing Sample guides Interviewing Prep Admissions brochures & DVD’s Career guides Recommended books to read NEW: DVD of Kaplan Medical School Insider Webinar (2010)
81. Radio Rounds webcast and podcast Student-produced at the Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University Episode 402: About the White Coat Ceremony. http://www.radiorounds.org/
96. Erich Jarvis presentation (2007) NSF Waterman Award recipient, HHMI Associate Professor of Neurobiology Erich Jarvis gives a presentation at GMU.
97. HHMI Dialogues of Discovery lecture (2008) Nobel laureate and then-outgoing HHMI president Tom Cech discusses his research.
98. Gerstner Sloan Kettering PhD advisor visit 2009 Nobel laureate and GSK program president Harold Varmus (former NIH director) May 2010: named to direct the National Cancer Institute. “Varmus majored in English Literature at Amherst College, earned a master's degree in English at Harvard University, received his medical degree from Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons, and was trained in internal medicine at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center.” (New York Academy of Sciences).
99. Virginia GovernorBob McDonnell Town Hall meeting at Center for Innovative Technology, Herndon, Virginia (August 24, 2010)
102. How to get great science LOR’s Krasnow Institute seminars Mondays at 4pm (Fairfax campus) Chemistry/Biochemistry seminars Thursdays at 4:30 pm Molecular/Microbiology seminars Fridays at noon (Prince William campus)
103. Other opportunities to grow NYCDC AIDS Ride (September 23-26) We’re supporting Dr. Yuntao Wu and his research lab by raising $200,000 to accelerate their work to decode how the AIDS virus destroys T cells. http://www.nycdc.org/ Science, Medicine, and Islam (October 20) USA Science & Engineering Festival “The Elephant Man” by Bernard Pomerance GMU players (March 31 to April 10)
109. Public Health & Policy at Mason Global and Community Health Information Sessions: Sep 22 (eve) and Oct 2 (morn). Global Health Students Beyond Borders MPH Health Administration and Policy MS in Health and Medical Policy Center for Health Policy Research & Ethics chpre.gmu.edu
110. Evaluation applicant characteristics Members of the MR5 Innovation Lab Working Group (ILWG) described a survey it administered to the Associate or Senior Deans of Admissions for medical schools about the importance of the following characteristics to medical students' success: Integrity and ethics: behaves in an honest and ethical manner; adheres to ethical principles and follows rules and procedures; resists peer pressure to engage in unethical behavior and encourages others to behave in honest and ethical ways Reliability and dependability: Consistently fulfills obligations in a timely and satisfactory manner; takes responsibility for personal actions and performance; has a service orientation; Demonstrates a desire to help others and a sensitivity to others' needs and feelings; demonstrates a desire to alleviate others' distress Social and interpersonal skills: Demonstrates an awareness of others' needs, goals, feelings, and the ways that social and behavioral cues affect peoples' interactions and behaviors; adjusts behaviors appropriately in response to these cues and treats others with respect Desire to learn: Sets goals for continuous self-improvement and for learning new concepts and skills; assesses own strengths and weaknesses; solicits and responds appropriately to feedback Resilience and adaptability: Demonstrates tolerance of stressful or changing environments or situations and adapts effectively to them; is persistent, even under difficult situations, recovers from setbacks
112. Prehealth Ally Safe Zone Training Fall 2010 sessions: Sep 21 (Tues), Oct 13 (Wed), Nov 16 (Tue), Dec 03 (Fri) Prehealth training session to be determined.
113. Service Leadership Opportunities http://clce.gmu.edu/ Leadership Mason Conference (Sep 25) Mason Volunteers Program AIDS Walk (Oct 2) Volunteer OpportunitiesPetsDC This organization assists pet-owning people with AIDS or HIV to keep their pets healthy and with them as long a possible.
116. Gotta know the rules, or ask for help Dustin Johnson, 18th hole, Sunday, PGA Championship 2010 Was ahead by 1 shot when he grounded his club in a bunker. He was penalized 2 shots to become ineligible to playoff for championship (August 15, 2010).
117. Deadlines are important. Take responsibility for not knowing the rules or deadlines. Don’t whine for more points, for extra credit, for deadline extensions UNLESS it is really warranted.
118. Find a mentor,be a mentor. How are you perceived as a community leader? A spokesperson for George Mason University?
119. Accepted Students Panel 2010 GMU applicants who successfully received offers of admission from medical, dental, and pharmacy reflect on the past year.
Wirtzberg quote: http://www.aamc.org/opi/holisticreview/resources/witzburg.pdf Taken from www.creid.ed.ac.uk/events/disabledlearners.../LTA_healey_roberts.ppt .
April 5, 2003, UNC ballroom dance club practice with RobertasMaleckis (personal copy: Emil Chuck)
Title: Assessment of Medical Student Professionalism Development,MedEdPORTAL ID#: 1091Nowacek G , Blue A, Swick H, Crandall S, Luecht R, Eldridge C, et al. Assessment of Medical Student Professionalism Development. MedEdPORTAL; 2010. Available from: http://services.aamc.org/30/mededportal/servlet/s/segment/mededportal/?subid=1091
Title: Assessment of Medical Student Professionalism Development,MedEdPORTAL ID#: 1091Nowacek G , Blue A, Swick H, Crandall S, Luecht R, Eldridge C, et al. Assessment of Medical Student Professionalism Development. MedEdPORTAL; 2010. Available from: http://services.aamc.org/30/mededportal/servlet/s/segment/mededportal/?subid=1091
Multiple intelligence theory
Those students have mentioned what they have done for the interviews, what they wore, what types of questions the deans were asking and other types of information which I found very useful.The panel of accepted applicants was my favorite, because it allowed me to see the process more realistically in light of others who had already successfully passed through it. It was encouraging for me to see students from Mason getting into their dream schools. Most of the panelists highlighted the importance of other strengths aside from those that are academic in order to show oneself as a well-rounded individual.It enlightened me on some of the things I should do during pre and post application to medical student.
Career Services Workshops1) I found the podcast about interviewing skills very helpful as it discussed different strategies on how to prepare and what to do during and after the interview.2) I use the information to brush up on interviewing skills while practicing interview questions.MSAC InsightsI found the conversation with the prehealth committee interviewers to be most helpful. I already understood the importance of this interview but I did not realize the preparation that should go into it. I found it interesting that some of the interviewers come into the interview knowing your background and others choose to do a blind interview such as those done for residency programs. This changes my attitude towards the interview because not only do I have to justify my candidacy I also have to be an advocate for myself. Using this information I will research more about interview topics and make sure I have a good idea of how to answer these questions. Also I will setup mock interviews before my actual interview so I can refine my communication skills and make sure that I am clear and concise in my answers.Tell Me About YourselfThis track teaches how to summarize every important aspect of yourself in one minute. I will use this helpful information in my future presentations in research. Before I begin my presentation, I can concisely state my biosketch before going into my presentation. Thus, giving the audience some sort of familiarity with me.The track showed me ways to cut down my otherwise long resume in to something that I can share with others in one-minute. I often participate in seminars in which I present my research interests. Sometimes I find it difficult to say everything about me to fellow researchers within such a time frame, and I found the exercises and techniques on this track to be quite helpful in improving my one-minute biosketch.