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Lewis Associates e-Newsletter
Volume 11 Issue 12
December 2012

Published by Lewis Associates. Dr. Cynthia Lewis, PhD., Editor
Email imaclewis@lewisassoc.com with your comments. Enjoy!

During the December holidays, most people spend more time with friends and family. Our office will be closed December 14th to January 6th so we can do the same. Also use your time to be productive for yourself to grow personally.

For example, do you manage stress well, or not?

What interpersonal skills could you improve?

Can you see the point of view of someone else - from a different culture, religion, political party? The recent November election points out how divided Americans are about how to solve "big" problems. Wise people attempt to understand multiple perspectives. And, as a doctor you will likely have a very diverse patient clientele. If you do not know how to "connect" with them, you can find yourself misdiagnosing and ineffectively treating them!

What will you do to use your holiday time wisely?


Do you really want to be competitive?

1. Plan ... ahead!

2. Address your weaknesses. What are they?

  • Science GPA?
  • Test (MCAT, DAT) scores, or do you need to take the test for the first time?
  • Clinical experiences? How meaningful are they?
  • Service? What did you do to help others?
  • No close relationships with faculty?

And, how long will it take to really improve? One term? 2 years? Be realistic!

So, whatever quest you have, or issue you want to discuss, Dr. Lewis is the best person to use for personal and academic advice. She's been doing it for 27 years, and "has heard it all". Why don't you let her help you?

805-226-9669
imaclewis@lewisassoc.com

This month's question on Dr. Lewis' Facebook page is: "How do I ask someone to write a letter for my medical school application?"


Getting into medical, dental, pharmacy and the other health professions schools is getting HARDER!

As usually happens in an economic downturn, more people are attracted to stable careers like the health professions…competition is fierce!

How are YOU going to stand out from thousands of applicants?

Warning about student-run websites from Cornell Medical School Admissions staff:
"PLEASE do not encourage students to get information from web sites administered by other students. From time to time, I look up the studentdoctor.net site (for interview ratings) and I am appalled at the amount of misinformation there. Most of the information given there will hurt students more than help them."

Sick of rumors and false reports? Lewis Associates website has factual information that you can trust.

What's inside:

Welcome to Success Stories Newsletter!
How to Communicate With Us
Your journey to a health profession
Are You Ready for the Class of 2014 or 2015?
Testimonials
Track Record
Be Competitive

What Are Your Chances?
Getting Started

News:
• Health care law’s new regulations set soon
• Many Americans unaware of health-care law changes
• Medical Schools Admissions Officials Optimistic About New MCAT
• College Transfer Students May Have Trouble Getting Into Med School
• Criminal Background Check? But, I’m Not A Criminal!
• Residency accreditation groups reach landmark agreement
• GME bottleneck could jeopardize access to care
• Physicians pay a major unknown despite health reform certainty
• Doctors describe pressures driving them from independent practice
• More primary care residency slots sought in new bill

Useful Links
• Podiatric Schools Admission Requirements
• Pharmacy Schools Pre-Professional Course Requirements (pdf)

Alumni Update
• Katie, Entering Class of 2012, University of California San Diego School of Medicine

Success Story of the Month
• Eddie, Entering Class of 2011, Case Western University Medical School

Question of the Month
• Dr. Lewis' answer to this month's question: "How do I ask someone to write a letter for my medical school application?"
See our Facebook page, Advising Tips tab.

Our Services

Contact


Welcome to Lewis Associates!

Nearly one in ten Americans ages 20 to 24 is unemployed. But, health care jobs remain an economic bright spot. The U.S. Department of Labor expects the health sector to add more than 1.4 million workers over the next ten years. Students in college and even high school can start preparing now for a rewarding health career.

Are you ready?

Our Track Record
Entering Class of 2012...100% acceptance
Entering Class of 2011...100% acceptance
Entering Class of 2010...86% acceptance
Entering Class of 2009...96% acceptance
Entering Class of 2008...96% acceptance
Entering Class of 2007...97% acceptance
Entering Class of 2006...89% acceptance
Entering Class of 2005...100% acceptance
Entering Class of 2004...100% acceptance

If you are interested in personalized advising from “The Best in the Business,” (quote by Dr. Patrick Linson, Harvard Medical School Alum who is the only Native American Radiation Oncologist on the planet!), call Lewis Associates today to schedule YOUR personal assessment. Dr. Lewis invests in you, so you may live up to your potential to be the best applicant you can be!

How to Communicate With Us

Phone: 805-226-9669
Fax: 805-226-9227

Email: imaclewis@lewisassoc.com
 

Mailing Address: 1885 Laguna del Campo, Templeton, CA 93465

Lewis Associates absorbs Long Distance Charges

All phone conferences are made from our office to you. Marcia, our Administrative Assistant, calls YOU at your appointment time.


Where are you in your journey to a health profession?
In high school? Yes, we advise high school students, particularly, those interested in BA-MD programs!

Just starting college?
This is a scary time.  Everything is new…how do I meet all those new expectations?

Moving into your difficult upper division sciences as a college junior? Possibly, the "dreaded organic chemistry"…

Re-entering as an "older" non-traditional student? Re-establishing academic discipline…

We help prepare those of you submitting applications for medical and dental Residency programs, too!

Whatever niche you fit, we advise students just like you.

Are you REALLY ready to apply for the Class of 2014 or 2015?
How do you know?

Use our Personal Assessment--and you will be given your individual strategy and path to your future! Then, if you use our advising, we help implement your strategy! If it were easy to do, all applicants would be accepted...and, that is not the case.

Many whom we advise may not yet be ready, and need to develop some aspect of their background to become competitive. Best to apply when you are ready, be competitive, and do it ONLY ONCE!

Let's work together to make that one-time application successful…contacting us earlier is better so we can develop your strategy and address all those difficult problems…months or years prior to application. Why not set yourself up for success, rather than toy with the proposition of failure?

Testimonials
Gail Ruth, mother of Todd Ruth, Entering Class of 2010, Jefferson University Medical School
Just a short note here to let you know how appreciative we are of all the wonderful help you gave to our son, Todd. He just received his first 2 acceptances from his top choices, so we couldn't be more pleased.! You were instrumental in guiding him as to which courses to take and gave him invaluable help with his essays. Thanks once again for all your help and guidance.

David and Maureen Lee, parents of Eric Lee, Entering Class of 2009, Saint Louis University School of Medicine
June, 2009: "Dr. Lewis, We just wanted to drop you a quick note to say thank you for all of your strategic guidance, wise counsel, encouragement, and mentoring to our son Eric on his journey to get into medical school. That is quite a process!! Eric definitely took the "road less traveled", majoring in philosophy, but he worked really hard to get his science prerequisites under his belt. He benefited so much from your experience, insight, and when needed, "tough love". You kept him on track, and we thank you. We think he will be an excellent physician. Perhaps some day we will meet. Again with gratitude, David and Maureen Lee."

Michael Nevarez, Entering Class of 2006, Harvard University School of Medicine, his first choice school
"Dr. Lewis was a wonderful guide and mentor as I embarked on a medical career a number of years after graduating from Cal Poly (graduated 2001, applied to med school in 2006). She gave an honest assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of my profile, and more importantly provided specific and personalized ways in which I could address my application and the process going forward. Her advice and experience was invaluable and I am very happy to have worked with her."

Margaret Jolley, Entering Class of 2008, UC San Diego School of Medicine, her first choice school
"I never would've made it without my weekly conference with the calm, experienced Dr. Lewis. She kept me sane. I am so grateful for her guidance, for her editing help, and for the confidence she instilled in me. She is a genuinely caring committed Mentor who takes pride in helping our dreams happen. I have urged every fellow student I know to call her. Let her help you, too!"

Austin Yoder, Entering Class of 2009, Accepted to Uniformed Services University for Health Sciences, Philadelphia Osteopathic-GA, West Virginia Osteopathic, Tennessee Osteopathic, and Kansas City Osteopathic
"I am utterly grateful to Dr. Lewis for all her help, guidance and mentorship through the application process. I owe a great deal of my success to date to her team."

Ariel Chairez, Entering Class 2004, Scholarship Awardee, University of Wisconsin Medical School
"Dr. Lewis, I would like to thank you for all of your help. Without your guidance, I would not have been accepted into medical school this year. I am extremely happy to have been accepted to one of the top medical schools in the country, and to have received a scholarship of $130,000. For any student who questions the value of your services, I can say that you have saved me $130,000 in tuition!  Thank you."

John Fiszer (Lawyer), Entering Class of 2005, University Of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine
Dr. Lewis' note: John was an Assistant State's Prosecuting Attorney in Chicago, Illinois, when he contacted me in 2004. Finishing his 4th year of medical school, he said: "I am really enjoying med school, and I am thankful to Dr. Lewis for her help. Her methodical, disciplined approach to the med school application process, as well as her insight into the transition to med school were right on target."

Ali Warrick, Advisee
"Dear Dr. Lewis,
I appreciate your help in my transfer process to UC Berkeley. You have been an integral part of the transition, and I would like to thank you for your time and efforts.  I know that your work is very thorough and well thought out. In addition, I believe that you really care about your students, and believe in each student's "right fit" in a school. You lead many people toward a brighter future, and I would like to say, 'Thank You!' for your contribution toward my academic goals. This process has been much more enjoyable with your guidance. Thank you for being so good at what you do."

S, Entering Class 2008, accepted with full scholarship to Mayo Medical School
"I cannot thank Dr. Lewis enough for her support and invaluable advice. When I came to her, I was apprehensive about the formidable task of applying to medical school especially with my past academic and personal hardships. She helped me see that overcoming these difficulties was a testament to my strength, dedication, and diligence. One of the most surprising outcomes of our relationship was that she was effective in helping me develop a more positive self-image and conquer many of my insecurities. Without her guidance and letter of evaluation, I would not have been able to earn an acceptance to Mayo Medical School, which granted me a merit scholarship that covers almost all of my tuition. I truly appreciate all of her help. She went above and beyond her role as an Advisor by becoming a Mentor to me. She is absolutely the best in the business!"

Be Competitive
In order to be a competitive Class of 2014 or 2015 applicant, you need to submit a quality application as evaluated by your clinical, service and other experiences and your GPA-MCAT/DAT/GRE, etc. profile in a timely fashion. This requires a well thought-out strategy to carry you through the difficult year-long application process. If you use Dr. Lewis' advising, we begin preparation early in the year BEFORE submission of your application!

EARLY is always better, removes much of the pressure, and allows time to solve unforeseen problems and challenges.

What are your chances?
If you want to change your career, or reach your present career goal, but do not know how to begin, or how to jump over all those hurdles, Lewis Associates will advise you and implement strategies to change your life. Dr. Lewis is thorough and professional.

Getting Started

Read on our website about getting your Personal Assessment done, then phone or email us to get started!
Dr. Lewis spends, on average, 7 hours developing an effective strategy of taking you from where you are to where you want to be.

You may be like our other Lewis Associates Advisees -- highly motivated and intelligent -- but needing focus, guidance and specific technical expertise. Dr. Lewis solves problems for her Advisees and finds opportunities for them. Or, you may wish to use hourly advising to solve one specific problem.

Dr. Lewis is a trained Biologist, having taught and directed her own research programs for many years at two universities. She earned two postdoctoral fellowships (one at NIH), received the 1990 NACADA Outstanding Institutional Advising Program in the U.S. and directed her own Health Careers Opportunity Program grant for 6 years, bringing $1 million to her university
while helping hundreds of disadvantaged students enter health professions.

If you are serious about making your dreams to become a physician, dentist, physician assistant, veterinarian, optometrist, podiatrist, naturopathic physician, or pharmacist a reality--Dr. Lewis can help you. We have made the difference for more than 800 alumni now training or practicing in medicine over the last 26 years.

Dr. Lewis teaches Professionalism, Leadership, and Quality, and sets high standards for her Advisees.

Lewis Associates will save you money and heartache on your preparation and application process.

Contact the Health Career experts! For more information email imaclewis@lewisassoc.com. Call 805-226-9669 to set up your first appointment.

 


news

Health care law’s new regulations set soon
With the national health law’s political future now entrenched, a deluge of new rules is expected in the coming days and weeks as the Obama administration fleshes out the law’s complex components.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/health-care-laws-new-regulations-set-soon/2012/11/18/5bc8d52e-3000-11e2-9f50-0308e1e75445_story.html?wpisrc=emailtoafriend

Many Americans unaware of health-care law changes
After surviving a Supreme Court decision and a presidential election, the Obama administration’s health-care law faces another challenge: a public largely unaware of major changes that will roll out in the coming months.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/many-americans-unaware-of-health-care-law-changes/2012/11/20/ee02b0bc-3272-11e2-9cfa-e41bac906cc9_story.html?wpisrc=nl_cuzheads

Medical Schools Admissions Officials Optimistic About New MCAT
http://www.usnewsuniversitydirectory.com/articles/medical-schools-admissions-officials-optimistic-ab_12745.aspx#.UKwH7IWx6kK

College Transfer Students May Have Trouble Getting Into Med School
But if done right, transferring undergrad schools may help in the M.D. application process.
http://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools/articles/2012/11/01/study-college-transfer-students-may-have-trouble-getting-into-med-school

Criminal Background Check? But, I’m Not A Criminal!
Whether you’re applying to dental school, or another school or program in the health professions that requires a Criminal Background Check, reading this is a must.
http://explorehealthcareers.org/en/issues/news/Article/274/Criminal_Background_Check__But_Im_Not_A_Criminal?pub=1&issue=

Residency accreditation groups reach landmark agreement
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education will be responsible for accrediting all U.S. allopathic and osteopathic GME programs starting in 2015.
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/11/12/prsb1112.htm?utm_source=nwltr&utm_medium=heds-txt&utm_campaign=20121112

GME bottleneck could jeopardize access to care
How the AMA is addressing the problem
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/meded/2012-october/2012-october.shtml

Physicians pay a major unknown despite health reform certainty
Obama’s re-election eliminates chances of ACA repeal but renews questions about implementation of coverage expansions and payment reforms.
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/11/19/gvl11119.htm?utm_source=nwltr&utm_medium=heds-htm&utm_campaign=20121119

Doctors describe pressures driving them from independent practice
Some physicians, facing daunting business costs, decide the price of autonomy isn’t worth it. Only about one in three is expected to hold a practice ownership stake in 2013.
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/11/19/bil21119.htm?utm_source=nwltr&utm_medium=heds-htm&utm_campaign=20121119

More primary care residency slots sought in new bill
AMA-supported legislation that would expand the cap on Medicare-supported training slots for doctors by 15,000 positions was introduced last month in the U.S. House of Representatives.
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/amawire/2012-october-31/2012-october-31-medical_student.shtml?P=S&C=S&G=F&M=T&I=F&W=T&Y=F&S=F

links

Podiatric Schools Admission Requirements
http://www.aacpm.org/html/careerzone/require.asp

Pharmacy Schools Pre-Professional Course Requirements (pdf)
http://www.aacp.org/career/grants/Documents/2012-13%20PharmacyPre-RequisiteInformation.pdf

Find these and other useful links on Lewisassoc.com's Links Page.


alumni updates

Katie
Katie

Katie, Entering Class of 2012, University of California San Diego School of Medicine

November 26, 2012: "Hi Dr. Lewis! I'm loving school and am so happy that I'm here. My classmates, faculty, staff, the curriculum are all wonderful, and it has been so great to have family, friends, and my favorite beaches close by. It's definitely hard, and the first two months were pretty stressful. But I'm starting to feel like I'm getting into the swing of things and I'm really enjoying it. Thanks again for you help! Katie"


Watch for Success Stories coming for some of these alumni!


success story


Eddie
Eddie

Eddie, Entering Class of 2011, Case Western University Medical School

I remember volunteering at the Adventist Hospital in Southern California. I was only an escort, wheeling patients in and out of the hospital. It was then that I realized the stark difference in the happiness and health of those being admitted and those going back home to their families. I realized I wanted to be a part of this transition.

I attended the University of California, Berkeley, where I began taking my science classes and made sure to take advantage of the opportunities that were available to me, conducting research, participating in pre-medical organizations, and more. In my later years at Cal, I attempted to serve the school that had given me so much through student government, research forums, and other avenues.

In my year after college graduation, I had the privilege of traveling to Armenia and participating in a Reconstructive Surgery internship. Not only did I learn about surgery, but also enjoyed immersing myself in the culture.

Shortly after I returned I began medical school, and it has, thus far, been one of the greatest experiences of my life. The material is as exciting as the interactions and relationships I am able to form with patients. I become more and more confident that I am in the right place with each passing day.

Email to Dr. Lewis if you wish to communicate about medical schools or other issues or to contact those profiled in Success Stories: imaclewis@lewisassoc.com


question of the month... see Facebook, Advising Tips tab
By Dr. Cynthia Lewis, PhD

"How do I ask someone to write a letter for my medical school application?"

We will feature an important question each month. Please submit one that interests you for Dr. Lewis to answer. Send your questions to imaclewis@lewisassoc.com with 'Newsletter Question' in the subject line.



lewis associates advising services

Lewis Associates specializes in personal, effective and professional premedical advising and placement for traditional and non-traditional applicants. Often, non-traditional students are older than 21 years of age, career changers, international applicants or second-round applicants for admission to health professions school.

Lewis Associates' services meet the needs of all types of students from pre-applicants to applicants, including hourly advising support for specific needs. Click here.


contact

"It's never too late to be who you might have been."

If this is how YOU feel, then, maybe Lewis Associates is the place for you. Lewis Associates provides Mentoring and Coaching through the rigorous and often circuitous pre-health preparation and application process. Other consultants may support programs like Law and Business or graduate school -- not Lewis Associates. We are the experts in Health Professions based on 26 years of a successful track record.

Call or email today to set your first appointment!

805.226.9669 imaclewis@lewisassoc.com


Copyright 2009, Lewis Associates. All rights reserved. Please do not repost on any website without direct permission from Lewis Associates.

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