Lewis Associates e-Newsletter
Volume 13 Issue 11
November 2013
Published by Lewis Associates. Dr. Cynthia Lewis, PhD., Editor
Email imaclewis@lewisassoc.com
with your comments. Enjoy!
November is a time for midterm exams and the beginning of holidays. If you are an applicant, you are, hopefully, beginning to interview. Beyond learning about the Affordable Care Act (ACA, Obamacare), how do you prepare?
The most important thing is to practice doing mock interviews where someone asks you hard questions and you treat this mock interview seriously. You have to “think on your feet”. So, write 5 questions you do NOT want to be asked, and make yourself answer them – calmly, clearly, and fully. Then, you will develop more confidence in real interviews about how to handle difficult questions.
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?
imaclewis@lewisassoc.com
This month's question on Dr. Lewis' Facebook page is: "What is the “best” way to study for the MCAT?"
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
• State bets loan forgiveness will keep grads from leaving
• Doctors Use Social Media For Continuous Medical Education
• Flipping Med Ed
• Three Americans win Nobel Prize in medicine for work on traffic control system of cells
• USC, Stanford, Harvard scientists share Nobel Prize in chemistry
• Why do doctors abuse prescription drugs? 'Self-medication' is key reason
• For Med Students, Love From the Drug Rep
• NRMP unveils iPhone app for residency interviews
• Academic leaders, innovators discuss future of medical education
• How do residents rank programs in the Match?
• Your residency/fellowship search now easier with FREIDA Online relaunch
• Tips for a Successful Medical School Admissions Interview
• Cleveland Clinic Names Top 10 Medical Innovations For 2014
• Care Team Redesign: High Plains Community Health Center
Useful Links
• FREIDA Online
Alumni Update
• Steven, Entering Class of 2008, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, PGY1 Family Medicine Resident at St. Joseph's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ
Success Story of the Month
• Tina, Entering Class of 2013, Touro University-CA School of Osteopathic Medicine
Question of the Month
• Dr. Lewis' answer to this month's question: "What is the “best” way to study for the MCAT?"
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 2013...88% acceptance
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!
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.
State bets loan forgiveness will keep grads from leaving
New Jersey's Senate Education Committee recently passed a bill that would forgive student loans for physicians who work in underserved areas of the state for at least 10 years.
http://www.ama-assn.org/ams/pub/amawire/2013-october-02/2013-october-02-medical_student.shtml?P=S&C=S&G=F&M=T&I=F&W=T&Y=F&S=F
Doctors Use Social Media For Continuous Medical Education
By rebranding what they do on blogs and Twitter, advocates of Free Open Access Medical Education, or FOAMed, seek to accelerate medical knowledge sharing.
http://www.informationweek.com/healthcare/leadership/doctors-use-social-for-continuous-medica/240161471
Flipping Med Ed
To help medical students progress faster and find their calling in the field, two educators suggest moving content delivery out of the classroom may be the way to bring the students back in.
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/09/09/stanford-university-and-khan-academy-use-flipped-classroom-medical-education
Three Americans win Nobel Prize in medicine for work on traffic control system of cells
Two Americans and a German-American won the Nobel Prize in medicine on Monday for discovering how key substances are transported within cells, a process involved in such important activities as brain cell communication and the release of insulin.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/three-americans-win-nobel-prize-in-medicine-for-work-on-traffic-control-system-of-cells/2013/10/07/6e415ca4-2f68-11e3-8906-3daa2bcde110_story.html
USC, Stanford, Harvard scientists share Nobel Prize in chemistry
Scientists Martin Karplus, Michael Levitt and Arieh Warshel have won this year’s Nobel Prize in chemistry “for the development of the multiscale models for complex chemical systems.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/martin-karplus-michael-levitt-and-arieh-warshel-win-nobel-in-chemistry/2013/10/09/aff211a4-30ec-11e3-8627-c5d7de0a046b_story.html
Why do doctors abuse prescription drugs? 'Self-medication' is key reason
But recreational use and withdrawal are still important, reports study in Journal of Addiction Medicine.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-10/wkh-wdd100413.php
For Med Students, Love From the Drug Rep
Have stricter policies on pharmaceutical marketing to medical students had an effect on the sales reps’ influence? The author of a new study finds that though students report less interaction with the industry, almost half had received some kind of gift.
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/03/for-med-students-love-from-the-drug-rep/?ref=health&_r=1
NRMP unveils iPhone app for residency interviews
The National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) has released an iPhone app to help potential residents and fellows track programs during the interview process and create program ratings that can be used to generate a rank order list in the NRMP's Web system.
http://www.ama-assn.org/ams/pub/amawire/2013-october-09/2013-october-09-medical_student.shtml?P=S&C=S&G=F&M=T&I=F&W=T&Y=F&S=F
Academic leaders, innovators discuss future of medical education
Thinkers and leaders at the forefront of medical education last week gathered in Chicago to explore ideas and innovations that can propel the educational system for physicians into the next century of medicine.
http://www.ama-assn.org/ams/pub/amawire/2013-october-09/2013-october-09-general_news2.shtml
How do residents rank programs in the Match?
New data from the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) offer insight into the motivations resident physicians consider when ranking programs.
http://www.ama-assn.org/ams/pub/meded/2013-october/2013-october-gme.shtml
Your residency/fellowship search now easier with FREIDA Online relaunch
AMA's No. 1 resource for medical students and residents has been updated and re-launched to better serve those searching and applying for residency and fellowship programs.
http://www.ama-assn.org/ams/pub/meded/2013-october/2013-october-top_stories1.shtml?P=S&C=S&G=F&M=T&I=F&W=T&Y=F&S=F
Tips for a Successful Medical School Admissions Interview
http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/medical-school-admissions-doctor/2013/10/15/tips-for-a-successful-medical-school-admissions-interview
Cleveland Clinic Names Top 10 Medical Innovations For 2014
Bionic Eye for Restoring Sight in Patients with Inherited Retina Disease Ranks No. 1 on the Annual List.
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/10/16/5826294/cleveland-clinic-names-top-10.html
Care Team Redesign: High Plains Community Health Center
How a rural clinic in Colorado might just be the model for health care reform.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tom-strong/care-team-redesign-high-plains_b_4077190.html?utm_source=October+2013+Center+Newsletter&utm_campaign=October+2013+Newsletter&utm_medium=email
FREIDA Online
AMA database with over 9,400 graduate medical education programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, as well as over 100 combined specialty programs.
https://login.ama-assn.org/account/login
Find these and other useful links on Lewisassoc.com's Links Page.
 Steven and fiancé Steven, Entering Class of 2008, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, PGY1 Family Medicine Resident at St. Joseph's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ October 8, 2013: “Hi Dr. Lewis, You are more than welcome to use the wedding announcement and photo in the alumni updates. I saw your last email and was going to respond in detail later on. In short, I am doing residency at St. Joseph's Hospital Family Medicine Residency in Phoenix, AZ. I'll update you more on my life later. Take care for now. Sincerely, Steven" |
success story
 Tina Tina, Entering Class of 2013, Touro University-CA School of Osteopathic Medicine Medicine and the human body always fascinated me. However, I never imagined myself in the medical field until I participated in a summer internship at a reproductive clinic serving local underserved teens in San Francisco. I worked with clinicians implementing electronic medical records as well as educating patients on basic reproductive care in a safe environment. I was inspired by the clinicians to care for patients in a nonjudgmental and empowering them through health education. However, the medical school application process intimidated me. I was also unsure how to differentiate myself from the other candidates. My friend referred Dr. Lewis to me. During our first assessment meeting, it was a nerve-wracking hearing Dr. Lewis’s honest feedback on my strengths and weaknesses, and what I needed to do to strengthen my application. My goal was a successful first cycle. My application was not perfect, and I had a lot of catch-up work to accomplish, but Dr. Lewis was able to work with my goals and keep me grounded and realistic with my goals. As I progressed through my application cycle, I realized that I made the best decision to work with Dr. Lewis. There were many minute details in the application process I would have missed without her guidance. After a stressful and hectic application cycle, I can proudly say I am entering the class of 2017 at Touro University, and working towards my dream of becoming the first doctor in my family. Through working with Dr. Lewis this past year, I have grown professionally and personally. I am grateful to Dr. Lewis for her tough love, encouragement, wisdom, and for always setting high standards. I look forward to continue growing professionally and personally through my journey in medicine. Thank you Dr. Lewis and Marcia for all your guidance and support! |
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
"What is the “best” way to study for the MCAT?"
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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