Lewis Associates e-Newsletter
Volume 14 Issue 5
May 2014
Published by Lewis Associates. Dr. Cynthia Lewis, PhD., Editor
Email imaclewis@lewisassoc.com
with your comments. Enjoy!
May brings terror into the hearts of many medical school applicants because in the first week of May the AMCAS (MD) and AACOMAS (DO) application services open.
IF you have been diligently working on personal statements, work and activities/post-secondary experiences, disadvantaged or legal essays for several months, you are probably less panicked.
IF you are just beginning to think about these now, you probably ARE panicked.
Let us know how we can assist you during this busy application season!
Changes at Lewis Associates
Beginning June 1, 2014, Dr. Lewis will no longer be offering the Personal Assessment packages.
If you or anyone you know is interested in this service, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can schedule an appointment.
Dr. Lewis will continue offering the other services listed on our website (hourly advising, AND AMCAS, AACOMAS, etc., packages)
Please contact us if you have any 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: "I am currently a high school senior deciding which undergraduate college to attend. My choice is between universities A and B. School B has offered me a full scholarship, which comes with other benefits. Since my goal is to get into medical school, I am wondering if the undergraduate school name matters to medical school admission committees?”
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
• Not Enough Doctors? How The Medical Education System Is Contributing To The Shortage
• If Being A Doctor Is So Horrible, Why Are Med School Applications At A Record High?
• Kinder Med Schools: Students Learn More, Less Depressed
• How Med Schools Are Preparing Students for Team-Based Care
• How Google Glass Can Be Used by Medical Schools in Anatomy Lab
• Medical Schools Discuss How to Adapt to Affordable Care Act
• Local High Schools Host Medical Residencies
• Poverty simulation helps Marshall students reach a new level of empathy
• Yale New Haven Health System Resident Targets Debt
• Serious Reading Takes a Hit from Online Scanning and Skimming
• More College Students Battle Hunger as Education and Living Costs Rise
• Med Schools Push Forward with Competency-Based Programs
• 5 Competencies of the 21st-Century Physician
• For Minorities, Road to Medical School a Leaky Pipeline
• How A Nobel Economist Ruined The Residency Matching System For Newly Minted M.D.'s
• Med Schools Should Focus on Things that Actually Matter
• Creating the Academic Medical Center of the Future
• Medical School: From the Beginning
• Graduating Students Reflect on the 2014 Match–“Do what’s best for you”
• White House Issues Report on Steps to Prevent Sexual Assaults on College Campuses
Useful Links
• How Americans Die
• How Do I... Transition Into Med School?
• Aspiring Docs Diaries, A year in the life of a medical student
Alumni Update
• Adam, MD, Entering Class 2004, New York Medical College, Family Medicine Residency at Exempla St. Joseph Hospital in Denver, CO, Practicing at Kaiser in Denver
• Brad Douglas, MD, MPH, Entering Class of 1993, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Medical School
Success Story of the Month
• Nathan, Entering Class of 2014, Western University of Health Sciences - Pomona
Question of the Month
• Dr. Lewis' answer to this month's question: "I am currently a high school senior deciding which undergraduate college to attend. My choice is between universities A and B. School B has offered me a full scholarship, which comes with other benefits. Since my goal is to get into medical school, I am wondering if the undergraduate school name matters to medical school admission committees?"
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.
Not Enough Doctors? How The Medical Education System Is Contributing To The Shortage
It is a great time to become a physician in the U.S. There is a growing need for doctors of all kinds, so if you invest in medical school, chances are, you will find a job.
If Being A Doctor Is So Horrible, Why Are Med School Applications At A Record High?
Kinder Med Schools: Students Learn More, Less Depressed
Removing pressure from medical school while teaching students skills to manage stress and bounce back from adversity improves their mental health and boosts their academic achievement, Saint Louis University research finds.
How Med Schools Are Preparing Students for Team-Based Care
Medical residents today must demonstrate that they can successfully participate as contributing members of inter-professional teams, so medical schools are working to incorporate inter-professional education (IPE) into their curricula.
How Google Glass Can Be Used by Medical Schools in Anatomy Lab
Gender differences in parenting and household labor persist among physician-researchers, even those in the early stages of their careers.
Medical Schools Discuss How to Adapt to Affordable Care Act
11 schools across the nation will meet at the University of Michigan to brainstorm how to adapt to the new health care environment taking shape under the Affordable Care Act.
Local High Schools Host Medical Residencies
Medical students will work in high school clinics to gain experience with adolescents.
Poverty simulation helps Marshall students reach a new level of empathy
Yale New Haven Health System Resident Targets Debt
As student debt continues to dominate the higher education debate, one resident is launching a company to curb medical student loan payments.
Serious Reading Takes a Hit from Online Scanning and Skimming
Human beings “seem to be developing digital brains with new circuits for skimming through the torrent of information online.” Unfortunately, “this alternative way of reading is competing with traditional deep reading circuitry developed over several millennia.”
More College Students Battle Hunger as Education and Living Costs Rise
When Paul Vaughn was in his third year at George Mason University, he decided to save money by moving off campus. He figured skipping the basic campus meal plan, $1,575 for 10 meals a week, and buying his own food would make life easier.
Med Schools Push Forward with Competency-Based Programs
Physician educators made strides in redesigning medical education this week during a special consortium meeting, where 11 AMA grant recipients discussed how they’re moving from planning to execution.
5 Competencies of the 21st-Century Physician
What does the doctor of the future look like? Physician educators have some idea, but medical education doesn’t yet broadly reflect what 21st century physicians will need to learn.
For Minorities, Road to Medical School a Leaky Pipeline
Minority students trying to pursue a career in medicine are rapidly leaving the “medical school pipeline,” a recent analysis of data by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) shows.
How A Nobel Economist Ruined The Residency Matching System For Newly Minted M.D.'s.
Becoming a doctor takes time, but those outside medicine do not always realize how convoluted the process can be. Central to the perversion is the National Resident Matching Program (or “the Match”).
Med Schools Should Focus on Things that Actually Matter
Plastic surgeon Dr. Vik Reddy reflects on the arcane knowledge he learned in medical school more than a decade ago versus the knowledge he has to use in his work today. He suggests that medical schools should focus more on payment systems, behavioral medicine and end-of-life care.
Creating the Academic Medical Center of the Future
Academic medical centers are evaluating their futures, seeking to understand how to leverage their size, unique services and market prominence.
Medical School: From the Beginning
Rui Dai, an M.D./Ph.D. candidate at Duke University School of Medicine, compares life in medical school to the drama in fictional medicine.
Graduating Students Reflect on the 2014 Match–“Do what’s best for you”
94.4 % of U.S. allopathic seniors placed into residency positions.
White House Issues Report on Steps to Prevent Sexual Assaults on College Campuses
President Obama named task force to address an issue that has gained prominence in higher education.
How Do I... Transition Into Med School?
Aspiring Docs Diaries, A year in the life of a medical student
Find these and other useful links on Lewisassoc.com's Links Page.
 Adam & his wife Adam, MD, Entering Class 2004, New York Medical College, Family Medicine Residency at Exempla St. Joseph Hospital in Denver, CO, Practicing at Kaiser in Denver April 23, 2014: “Hello Dr. Lewis, time flies but life is sure fun! We are coming up on our 6th year wedding anniversary. Hard to believe it was that long ago we got married in Lyons, CO. Speaking of Colorado, we love it out here. The weather, the people and our medical group. Huge changes are among us in healthcare and the future will likely only continue to morph. I split my time as a family physician seeing full age spectrum primary care, and in our medical informatics department. I have always been a geek when it comes to tech and new tech advances, and being able to lead the change in our electronic health record to continue to improve both patient care and provider satisfaction made informatics a natural fit for me. I plan to get board certified in Medical Informatics within the next few years (since I can be grandfathered in with my experience and just take the board exam without having to complete a fellowship) so I can further this aspect of my medical career. We will send pictures when our home is complete (should be able to move in Nov/Dec time frame). We are very excited. Adam” |
 Brad Brad Douglas, MD, MPH, Entering Class of 1993, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Medical School April 23, 2014: "Hi Dr. Lewis, I'm working at EVMS part time until I retire from the Navy which is in 2 months, and then I start full time there as Faculty in the Ob/Gyn Department on July 1st. They are community orientated, and have great residency programs, a wonderful medical school, and a lot of fellowships too. The position I took was created for me because they actually were looking for someone like me - and last week as my first week there was absolutely wonderful - I really felt at home.I have lived in this area now for 17 years and to stay here after the military is great. |
success story
 Nathan Nathan, Entering Class of 2014, Western University of Health Sciences - Pomona As an avid athlete growing up, I experienced and witnessed many injuries while playing a variety of sports. The body’s ability to heal itself and recover from injury was always a fascinating phenomenon. Learning to prevent injuries before they occurred was even more interesting, and I continued to use some methods of prevention leading up to playing Division I soccer at SDSU. I never saw myself pursuing medicine as an undergraduate due to the long term schooling involved, so I majored in Finance because I thought I would be happy working in business. However, after doing financial advising internships and working for a litigation consulting firm that specialized in forensic accounting, I started to realize I wanted a more rewarding career; one where I could have a personal and direct impact on lives. The first time I spoke with Dr. Lewis, I had not yet made up my mind to pursue medicine. I was sitting at a near-by coffee shop across from the high-rise building I worked at in the Financial District of San Francisco. After spending countless nights awake and pondering the possibility of becoming a doctor at 27 years old, I decided to begin my journey by contacting friends who worked in medicine to gain some insight to the “non-traditional” route of becoming a doctor. I spent hours on the internet, spoke to physicians I knew, and called friends in med school. After speaking to Paul, a medical student at the time, and past teammate on our soccer team at SDSU, he encouraged me to follow my intuition of becoming a physician and also recommended I speak to Dr. Lewis, who had advised him. After giving it some thought, I decided to give her a call and receive a personal assessment. I figured I had nothing to lose and everything to gain from at least assessing the possibility of becoming a doctor. After our initial informational gathering in which Dr. Lewis thoroughly asked about many aspects of my life, I received my personal assessment a few days later. She told me becoming a physician was possible, but would take strong dedication and commitment; a journey she would help me pursue every step of the way. This was the reassurance and motivation I needed to begin my journey. A month later I quit my job, moved back with my parents, and began taking my pre-requisite science classes at a local junior college. Dr. Lewis was instrumental during my entire process, from that initial phone call to the point at which I received my second acceptance letter. I knew early on that I wanted to become an Osteopathic Physician. I was fascinated by the philosophy because it reflects my personal views on health and well-being; encompassing fitness, nutrition, and most of all, prevention. For over 3 years, she helped me decide which classes to take, how to prepare for tests, and how to improve in my classes when things didn’t go as planned. She gave me advice about where to do my clinical volunteering, and put me in contact with physicians to shadow. From my personal statement to all of the secondary application essays that I wrote, she helped me structure my thoughts and convey them concisely (I’m thinking about how to improve being concise even while I write this success story!). Most importantly, she helped me stay on target the entire journey. I experienced several rough patches along the road, some of which made me question my decision to change careers. However, Dr. Lewis was there at every corner to assure me that things would be fine. She helped me overcome the hurdles I encountered and coached me through the challenging times that every pre-med student will undoubtedly experience. I was accepted to 2 out of the 3 schools where I interviewed, and have made my decision to attend Western University of Pomona IN their incoming Class of 2014! |
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
"I am currently a high school senior deciding which undergraduate college to attend. My choice is between universities A and B. School B has offered me a full scholarship, which comes with other benefits. Since my goal is to get into medical school, I am wondering if the undergraduate school name matters to medical school admission committees?"
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 29 years of a successful
track record.
Call or email today to set your first appointment!
Copyright 2014, Lewis Associates. All rights reserved. Please do not repost on any website without direct permission from Lewis Associates.
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