Lewis Associates e-Newsletter
Volume 13 Issue 7
July 2013
Published by Lewis Associates. Dr. Cynthia Lewis, PhD., Editor
Email imaclewis@lewisassoc.com
with your comments. Enjoy!
Here we are, smack dab into summer. Whether you are a Class of 2014 applicant, or a Postbaccalaureate, or an undergraduate student, summer will be a busy time.
So, what are your plans?
MCAT or DAT or other test preparation?
Direct patient care or doctor shadowing clinical experience?
Study abroad?
Working to save money?
Taking classes
… maybe more than one of these!
Medical (and other health professions) schools expect serious candidates to be busy and productive. You do NOT need to do 10 activities, but you should do at least one very well and be committed to it. You should be able to discuss what you learned from this activity, whether it is MCAT prep, and you improved a cognitive skill, like “finding the main idea”, or worked as a waitress and learned how to work with “difficult” people! If you cannot find important new skills to learn, then you are not being productive.
Use your summer productively! And, enjoy it!
Watch for new videos to be posted each month on our Facebook page, including helpful hints for the application process.
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: "My Letter writers’ told me they would submit their letters in May. It is now the end of June and none are submitted. What can I do?"
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!
News:
How to Communicate With Us
Your journey to a health profession
Are You Ready for the Class of 2015 or 2016?
Testimonials
Track Record
Be Competitive
What Are Your Chances?
Getting Started
• Implementation of healthcare reform means more job openings for physicians
• Program teaches med students bedside manner
• Are medical students ethically illiterate?
• Interns spend more time with computers than patients
• Serious work put into making primary care fun again
• Medical school enrollment will be up 30%
• School enrollments up; can residency slots keep pace?
• Doctors, patients have yet to fully figure out the Affordable Care Act
• Closing Racial And Ethnic Disparity Gaps: Implications Of The Affordable Care Act
• Med school training key to health reform, panel says
• Innovation is Key to Success in Alleviating U.S. Physician Workforce Shortage
• AMA awards $11 million to transform American medical education
• Genes safe from patents, but industry finds hope in ruling
• Residents Attend Neurosurgery Boot Camp at VCOM
• Medical Residents, Like Doctors, Use Google to Diagnose, Treat and Care for Patients
• 7 Steps to Develop a Patient-Centered Culture
• What's more difficult: Medical school or motherhood?
• Immigration bill addressing physician issues advances in Senate
Useful Links
• Global Health Internship – Health Screening in Rural China
• The National Alliance of Research Associates Programs - Chief Research Associates
Alumni Update
• Darin, DDS, Entering Class of 1994, Baylor University School of Dentistry, Specialization Program in Orthodontics at the University of Colorado, Orthodontics Practice in Canada
Success Story of the Month
• Jonathan, Entering Class of 2013
Question of the Month
• Dr. Lewis' answer to this month's question: "My Letter writers’ told me they would submit their letters in May. It is now the end of June and none are submitted. What can I do?"
See our Facebook page, Notes tab.
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!
Phone: 805-226-9669
|
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 2015 or 2016?
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 2015 or 2016 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.
Implementation of healthcare reform means more job openings for physicians
The basic principles of economics are creeping into healthcare—supply and demand.
http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/medical-economics/news/implementation-us-health-care-reform-means-more-job-openings-physicians
Program teaches med students bedside manner
Good bedside manner can make all the difference when you're sick, but it doesn't come naturally or easily for every doctor.
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/health/your_health&id=9117702
Are medical students ethically illiterate?
A recent study has indicated that medical students are not retaining the ethical terms taught to them in ethics classes
http://www.bioedge.org/index.php/bioethics/bioethics_article/10539l
Interns spend more time with computers than patients
A new study found that the time medical interns spend directly caring for patients is continuing its downward trend, now accounting for just 12 percent of working hours.
http://www.ama-assn.org/ams/pub/meded/2013-june/2013-june-gme.shtml
Serious work put into making primary care fun again
Innovative clinics say redesigning the flow of care and freeing doctors from administrative hassles may boost physician satisfaction.
http://www.amednews.com/article/20130603/profession/130609976/1/?utm_source=nwltr&utm_medium=heds-htm&utm_campaign=20130603
Medical school enrollment will be up 30%
It’s an important milestone as impending shortages of medical professionals, especially those that deal with patients at the primary care level, have been well-publicized.
http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2013/05/28/college-group-medical-school.html
School enrollments up; can residency slots keep pace?
United States medical schools are on track to increase their enrollment 30 percent by 2017, according to new data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).
http://www.ama-assn.org/ams/pub/meded/2013-june/2013-june-ms.shtml
Doctors, patients have yet to fully figure out the Affordable Care Act
Connected coverage — selected articles on trends, challenges and controversies in the changing world of medicine.
http://www.amednews.com/article/20130624/opinion/130629982/4/?utm_source=nwltr&utm_medium=heds-htm&utm_campaign=20130624
Closing Racial And Ethnic Disparity Gaps: Implications Of The Affordable Care Act
http://www.forbes.com/sites/theapothecary/2013/05/28/closing-racial-and-ethnic-disparity-gaps-implications-of-the-affordable-care-act/
Med school training key to health reform, panel says
Fundamental changes in U.S. medical education are critical for successful health care reform, a panel of health care leaders told physicians at a recent Harvard Medical School alumni event.
http://www.ama-assn.org/ams/pub/amawire/2013-june-12/2013-june-12-medical_student.shtml?P=S&C=S&G=F&M=T&I=F&W=T&Y=F&S=F
Innovation is Key to Success in Alleviating U.S. Physician Workforce Shortage
As Congress debates various approaches to deal with the federal deficit and the fiscal year (FY) 2014 budget, AACOM continues to aggressively advocate for the investment in and preservation of Medicare-funded graduate medical education (GME) as well as support for other critical and innovative GME programs.
http://www.aacom.org/resources/e-news/ome/2013-06/Pages/president.aspx
AMA awards $11 million to transform American medical education
Nearly a dozen medical schools named Friday by the AMA will receive funding to implement bold innovations in medical education over the next five years.
http://www.ama-assn.org/sub/accelerating-change/index.shtml
Genes safe from patents, but industry finds hope in ruling
The U.S. Supreme Court rejects patents on naturally occurring genes but preserves market protections for certain synthetic sequences or applications of genetic material.
http://www.amednews.com/article/20130624/government/130629962/4/?utm_source=nwltr&utm_medium=heds-htm&utm_campaign=20130624
Residents Attend Neurosurgery Boot Camp at VCOM
Osteopathic neurosurgery residents attended Osteopathic Neurosurgery Residents Boot Camp, a 2013 DePuy Synthes Spine Future Leaders Workshop which was held at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) – Virginia Campus.
http://www.vcom.vt.edu/news/062513-VC-neurobootcamp.html
Medical Residents, Like Doctors, Use Google to Diagnose, Treat and Care for Patients
A new survey published in Academic Medicine shows that 68 percent of residents use Google for locating Web sites and general information about diseases and Google Scholar to help treat and manage decisions or locating a journal article
http://www.premedlife.com/1/post/2013/06/medical-residents-like-doctors-use-google-to-diagnose-treat-and-care-for-patients-survey-finds.html
7 Steps to Develop a Patient-Centered Culture
Patient experience is about more than customer service and a hotel-like atmosphere — it's about addressing all factors of patient suffering, including the physical, psychological and social challenges patients face.
http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/7-steps-to-develop-a-patient-centered-culture.html
What's more difficult: Medical school or motherhood?
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/jun/18/one-on-one-pritha-workman/
Immigration bill addressing physician issues advances in Senate
A bipartisan immigration bill that takes up several physician-related issues is under consideration by the full U.S. Senate, following its advancement from the Senate Judiciary Committee at the end of May.
http://www.ama-assn.org/ams/pub/amawire/2013-june-26/2013-june-26-general_news3.shtml?P=S&C=S&G=F&M=T&I=F&W=T&Y=F&S=F
Global Health Internship – Health Screening in Rural China
http://www.chinacal.org
The National Alliance of Research Associates Programs - Chief Research Associates
http://www.thenarap.org/chief_research_associates
Find these and other useful links on Lewisassoc.com's Links Page.
 Darin Darin, DDS, Entering Class of 1994, Baylor University School of Dentistry, Specialization Program in Orthodontics at the University of Colorado, Orthodontics Practice in Canada http://bbemaildelivery.com/bbext/?p=land&id=DF18CCB954438F2EE0401E0AFB976839 |
Watch for Success Stories coming for some of these alumni!
success story
 Jon Jonathan, Entering Class of 2013, When I began college, I studied business, and really enjoyed the communication, analysis and teamwork aspects, which were the hallmark of a business education. However, after a course on ethics, I quickly switched my major to philosophy, and made the decision to become a physician and a bioethicist. Alongside my philosophy education, I began studying for a degree in biology, as well. I was fascinated with the fundamentals of both disciplines, and employed my creative side to work out problems at the intersection of philosophy and medicine. During my undergraduate years, I sought resources at other universities to begin my training in bioethics. I traveled to Costa Rica to take a course on bioethics through Case Western Reserve University. While there, I learned about the health care system of a country that had decided to provide universal access to all its citizens. After Costa Rica, my passion for bioethics took me to Yale University to study bioethics at their Bioethics Center. I was exposed to an interdisciplinary approach to bioethics, which sought the academic work of several disciplines in order to approach problems in bioethics through a legal, medical and social lens. During college, I was also fortunate enough to travel to Taiwan to learn about Buddhism, and lived at a monastery for over a month. After graduating from college, my desire to become a doctor was met with a number of challenges that, with the help of Dr. Lewis, I met, in order to realize my dream of becoming a doctor so I can provide patient care. Dr. Lewis was invaluable, and her insight was instrumental throughout, not only the application cycle, but also the pre-planning and follow-up phases. Her worksheets and timelines allowed me to focus on studying and preparing for interviews, instead of all of the logistics that went into the application process. Dr. Lewis was an amazing resource for me, since I had graduated from college and moved across the country, where I did not have access to a college advisor’s office or its resources. After struggling with the MCAT, Dr. Lewis advised me to retake it and worked with me to tease out some of my problem areas with the test. We worked through the problems by speaking to each other once a week and focusing attention on test-taking strategy and time management. While working through the problems identified in my application, I began graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania and completed my graduate degree in the department of medical ethics and health policy. Dr. Lewis worked with me weekly to improve my application and meticulously edited each of my essays in order to help my candidacy. When I think of an ideal hybrid model between a coach, adviser, consultant and strategist...I think of Dr. Lewis. My pursuit of becoming a doctor was a series of twists and turns as I navigated the medical school admissions process through college, graduate school and a short-lived professional career in research. Nevertheless, Dr. Lewis' years of experience and insight helped me achieve my dream. I am very grateful to have had at my disposal a professional like Dr. Lewis, whose processes for every aspect of application planning were invaluable. Thank you to Dr. Lewis and her wonderful team!!! |
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, Notes tab
By Dr. Cynthia Lewis, PhD
"My Letter writers’ told me they would submit their letters in May. It is now the end of June and none are submitted. What can I do?"
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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