Lewis
Associates e-Newsletter
Volume 8 Issue 3
March 2009
Published by Lewis Associates. Dr. Cynthia Lewis, PhD., Editor
Email imaclewis@lewisassoc.com
with your comments. Enjoy!
The
new Obama Administration budget proposal came out this week. It
creates a $634 Billion Health Care Reserve Fund to
partially pay for a vast expansion of the health system.
Note: link is on our homepage, too.
As a pre- health student, you must, I repeat, MUST engage yourself in understanding what is happening in health policy as it unfolds in 2009. Read a daily or weekly online or print national news source. Have an opinion and be ready to back it up with facts! "I am too busy" is not an option for serious pre- health students!
Weekly - American Medical News
Daily - The Washington Post
Daily - The New York Times
See Dr. Lewis' answer to this month's question on Facebook: What is Holistic Admissions Review?" This is a hot topic for Allopathic Medical Schools. Are they just giving it lip service?
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 information 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
Changes in Services
Your journey to a health profession
Are You Ready for the Class of 2010?
Testimonials
Track Record
Be Competitive
Getting StartedBreaking News:
• Medicaid, Health IT to see Billions from Stimulus Package Signed by ObamaNews:
• Application Services Opening Dates 2009
• Osteopathic Medical School Applications Reach 12,448, Setting Record High for Third Straight Year
• Health Care Reform and Why Inter-professional Education Makes Sense
• Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) Approves New Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (Western U/COMP) Site in Lebanon, OR
• Medicare advisory agency to back 1.1% physician pay raise for 2010
• Congress reauthorizes SCHIP, expands program's eligibility
• Federal appeals court clarifies when doctor conduct is reportable
• Doctor quits prison job over execution
• Osteopathic Medical School Forum
Useful Links
• Minority Premedical Fellowships
• Summer Research Opportunities Across the US
Alumni Update
• Yassar Arain, Entering Class of 2008, Oregon Health and Science University
• Cris Sherman, MD, Entering Class of 2001, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University; 4th year in Orthopedic Surgical Residency at Riverside County Regional Medical CenterSuccess Story of the Month
• Matthew Landon, Entering Class of 2009, The Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesQuestion of the Month
• "What is Holistic Admissions Review?" This is a hot topic for Allopathic Medical Schools. Are they just giving it lip service?
Our Services
Contact
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 2008...96%
acceptance
Entering Class of 2007...97% acceptance
Entering Class of 2006...89% acceptance, 2 waitlisted
Entering Class of 2005...100% acceptance
Entering Class of 2004...100% acceptance
We have restructured our Advising package so you can become competitive during the entire application process!
Our one year addresses ALL preparation and application activities, no matter when they occur for you. We advise all applicants to begin preparation for their application process at least 18 months prior to expected matriculation . But, real preparation to become a strong, competitive applicant starts when you enter college (and even before!) So, get started NOW!
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 | Fax: 805-226-9227 |
| 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.
Changes in Services
- New Services: PHARMCAS and SOPHAS personal statement.
- New Service: Resume development.
- New preparation and application package: Ultimate Commitment package covers all advising.
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 2010 or 2011?
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
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, Entering Class 2011 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 2010 or 2011 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 23 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.
Medicaid, Health IT to see Billions from Stimulus Package Signed
by Obama
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/02/23/gvl20223.htm
The law offers bonuses for health IT adoption but will penalize physicians who don't have adequate systems by 2015.
Application Services Opening Dates 2009
AACOMAS - First Week of June
AADSAS - June 1
AMCAS - First Week of May
CASPA - April 15
PHARMCAS - June 1
SOPHAS - End of August
VMCAS - End of May, early June
Osteopathic Medical School Applications Reach 12,448, Setting Record
High for Third Straight Year
Applications reflect an increase of 6.9 percent over last year, and
the applications cycle is not yet over.
http://www.aacom.org/resources/ome/2009-02/Pages/applications.aspx
Health Care Reform and Why Inter-professional Education Makes Sense http://www.aacom.org/resources/ome/2009-02/Pages/president.aspx
Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) Approves
New Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic
Medicine of the Pacific (Western U/COMP) Site in Lebanon, OR
Each year, up to 100 students enrolled in the school’s Northwest
Track Osteopathic Medical Student Program will receive their first
two years of education at the new location.
http://www.nwosteo.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=207
Medicare advisory agency to back 1.1% physician pay raise for 2010
MedPAC members also vote to recommend shifting more physician dollars
toward primary care.
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/02/09/gvl10209.htm
Congress reauthorizes SCHIP, expands program's eligibility
The House adopted the Senate version of the bill, which does not
ban new or expanded physician-owned hospitals.
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/02/09/gvsb0209.htm
Federal appeals court clarifies when doctor conduct is reportable
The decision sets a precedent experts say can help steer the disciplinary
process.
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/02/09/prsb0209.htm
Doctor quits prison job over execution
Citing AMA and other professional ethics policies, the Washington state
physician says he was obligated to refuse even indirect supervision of
capital punishment procedures.
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/02/09/prsc0209.htm
Osteopathic Medical School Forum
The Forum happens in conjunction with the 5h Annual Confluence of Northwest States,
sponsored by the Northwest Osteopathic Medical Foundation
http://www.nwosteo.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=204
Minority Premedical Fellowships
New program to assist prospective dental and medical students with the financial
expense associated with the dental/medical school application process
http://www.colormedicine.org/apply
Summer Research Opportunities Across the US
http://prehealth.gmu.edu/research/srp.html
http://masonwiki.wetpaint.com/page/Summer+Research+Opportunities?t=anon
Find these and other useful links on Lewisassoc.com's Links Page.
alumni updates
 Yassar Arain. Yassar Arain, Entering Class of 2008, Oregon Health and Science University. "Hi Dr. Lewis, |
 Cris Sherman Cris Sherman, MD, Entering Class of 2001, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University, 4th year Orthopedic Surgical Residency at Riverside County Regional Medical Center "Dr. Lewis,
|
Watch for Success Stories coming for some of these alumni!
success story
MATTHEW LANDON, ENTERING CLASS OF 2009, THE UNIFORMED SERVICES UNIVERSITY OF THE HEALTH SCIENCES
 |
Matthew
Landon |
At age 14, I was diagnosed with scoliosis, and I’ve known ever since then that I wanted to be a doctor. Throughout the eighth grade I spent a fair amount of time in the hospital getting x-rays and checkups, and this exposure to the health care system made me realize that I what I wanted to do with my life was help other people by providing great health care. When I entered high school, I began taking more science classes than required, and I jumped at the chance to observe real surgeries. All of these opportunities cultivated my fascination with medicine, and I decided to major in Biology and go to medical school even before finishing my senior year of high school.
As a naïve young freshman at the University of Southern California, I went into college-level science classes with unreal expectations regarding the quantity and difficulty of the material, the caliber of work expected of me, and the time required to prepare for classes and exams. It took me considerable time to develop reliable study techniques, and that, coupled with the demands of pledging a fraternity, did not reflect well on my first semester GPA. I barely scraped by with a 3.0, owing a boost to a good grade in my Spanish class. By sophomore year, I had a better understanding of time management and study skills, but I was still only earning Bs in science classes. After a semester abroad in Spain, I came back ready to focus myself on earning grades up to med school standards.
I started volunteering at a local hospital in a poor region of Los Angeles, where a great deal of patients came from low-income families. It was while working with so many disadvantaged but deserving patients, that I realized how much I enjoyed helping the disadvantaged. After my junior year, I came across an opportunity to travel to Honduras with the Global Medical Brigades. I signed up, and had an amazing and incredibly rewarding experience setting up clinics in the villages surrounding the city of Tegucigalpa. One afternoon, we had to close up our clinic before we had seen every patient because it was dangerous to travel at night. While trying to think of what we could do for the 200 people we wouldn’t get to treat, I came up with an idea. I gathered people together to make up bags with vitamins and Tylenol for each patient. Because they hadn’t been seen by a doctor, we unfortunately couldn’t give them antiparasite medication or antibacterials. Although the patients expressed a desire for those medications, they were grateful that we did all we could with what we had. After such amazing experiences, I decided to return to Honduras the following winter.
Even with my clinical service and improving grades, I still felt like I needed more help getting into medical school. I found Dr. Lewis in the fall of my junior year after hearing great things about her past successes. We worked out a plan of action to boost my GPA and volunteer resumé. Together, we worked hard on joining additional leadership positions and working with the disadvantaged. I came back to school and went to work. By the end of my senior year, I had improved my overall GPA to 3.6 and my science GPA to 3.3. Though these are not numbers that would have gotten me into America’s most elite medical schools, they were, with Dr. Lewis’s help, more than enough to get me into my top choice school. This fall, I will be attending The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD.
It has been a tough journey these last 5 years, and while I didn’t believe in myself the whole way, Dr. Lewis did. She helped me keep my eyes on my goal, and without her invaluable help, I don’t think I would be in the graduating USUHS Class of 2013.
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
By
Dr. Cynthia Lewis, PhD
What is Holistic Admissions Review?
This is a hot topic for Allopathic Medical Schools. Are they just giving it lip service? See Facebook Advising Tips Section for the answer.
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.
The Association of International
Graduate Admissions Consultants' (AIGAC) Stamp of Excellence is issued based
on education, professional experience as a graduate admissions consultant, and
commitment to the AIGAC's principles of good practices. AIGAC exists to define
and promote professional excellence in serving graduate and professional school
applicants worldwide.
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.
Please feel free to forward this newsletter to any friends, classmates, or colleagues you feel would find its contents beneficial.