Lewis Associates e-Newsletter
Volume 9 Issue 9
September 2010
Published by Lewis Associates. Dr. Cynthia Lewis, PhD., Editor
Email imaclewis@lewisassoc.com
with your comments. Enjoy!
Class of 2011 applicants now interviewing!
August is the time for class of 2010 applicants on waitlists to either come off and be accepted, or to be rejected. I always have applicants on waitlists. There are a few proactive approaches to help one be accepted, but with a very competitive applicant pool, the best approach is to apply only with the strongest application you can submit, which may mean waiting a year to improve a science GPA or MCAT score, or get those meaningful clinical service or experiences with the disadvantaged.
Don't apply until you are ready to be competitive!
For those contemplating a future application, the work you do now is significant, because it is on this academic and experiential base that you currently build, and on that base that your future application will be successful ... or not!
Many times, students seek me out "when they believe they are ready to apply". A good proportion have not really prepared appropriately, and have mis-identified how to prepare. I determine your strengths and weaknesses via my Personal Assessment process, providing you not only with this significant and crucial information, but also with a Strategy of how to get from where you are to where you want to be. This is your "Road Map to the Promised Land" (as one of my medical school Dean friends calls it). This strategy may not be the easy road to follow, but it can yield great dividends.
I hope you will contact me about your specific situation. We will likely begin with your Personal Assessment, where your specific strategy will be discussed about how to get to where YOU want to be.
NOW is the right time!
This month's question (on Dr. Lewis' Facebook page) is: Many secondary applications have questions designed to make you think. For example, "Describe personal attributes you possess or life experiences you have had that will enable you to better understand and care for patients who are culturally diverse. (1000 Character limit)"
Getting into medical, dental, pharmacy and the other health professions schools is getting HARDER!
As usually happens in an economic downturn, more people are attracted to stable careers like the health professions…competition is fierce!
How are YOU going to stand out from thousands of applicants?
Warning about student-run websites from Cornell Medical School Admissions
staff:
"PLEASE do not encourage students to get information from web sites
administered by other students. From time to time, I look up the studentdoctor.net
site (for interview ratings) and I am appalled at the amount of misinformation
there. Most of the information given there will hurt students more than
help them."
Sick of rumors and false reports? Lewis Associates website has factual information that you can trust.
What's inside:
Welcome to Success Stories Newsletter!
How to Communicate With Us
Changes in Services
Your journey to a health profession
Are You Ready for the Class of 2012?
Testimonials
Track Record
Be Competitive
Getting Started
News:
• A unique solution to solve the pending medical school tuition crisis
• Health Care Reform and Cost Control
• Med students open to learning via new media
• Quality Of Care Provided By Graduates Of International Medical Schools
• Challenging Traditional Premedical Requirements as Predictors of Success in Medical School: The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Humanities and Medicine Program
• Physician smartphone popularity shifts health IT focus to mobile use
• New pharmacy school set to open in Georgia
• Innovative Programs Help Blunt Problems Caused By Primary Care Shortage
• Accountability Measures — Using Measurement to Promote Quality Improvement
• Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Duty-Hour Recommendations
• 5-day pill moves emergency contraception back to doctor's office
Useful Links
• Medscape: Medical news, and Journal Articles
• Association of Schools of Public Health
• Go Dental: useful information for current and future dental students
• Data about osteopathic medical college applicants, students and graduates, medical education financing, tuition and curriculum
Alumni Update
• Laura, Entering Class of 2009, Touro University - NV
• Matthew, Entering Class of 2010, University of Southern California School of MedicineSuccess Story of the Month
• Caitlin, Entering Class of 2010, Michigan State University College of Human MedicineQuestion of the Month
• Dr. Lewis' answer to this month's question: see Facebook.Many secondary applications have questions designed to make you think. For example, "Describe personal attributes you possess or life experiences you have had that will enable you to better understand and care for patients who are culturally diverse. (1000 Character limit)"
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 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
We have restructured our Advising package so you can become competitive during the entire application process!
Our one year package 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
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| 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 2012 or 2013?
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! And if you start the ultimate Commitement Package within
6 months, we subtract your Personal Assesment Fee from the total. 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 2012 or 2013 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. Added Benefit: We will subtract
the cost of your Personal Assesment from an Ultimate Commitment Package
if you choose it within 6 months.
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 25 years.
Dr. Lewis teaches Professionalism, Leadership, and Quality, and
sets high standards for her Advisees.
Lewis Associates will save you money and heartache on your preparation
and application process.
Contact the Health Career experts! For more
information email imaclewis@lewisassoc.com.
Call 805-226-9669 to set up your first appointment.
news
A unique solution to solve the pending medical school tuition crisis
The increasing cost of undergraduate medical education and the decreasing availability of financial aid have resulted in the accumulation of a large debt for medical students that requires a reasonable solution.
http://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378%2809%2902139-5/fulltext
Health Care Reform and Cost Control
After nearly a century of failed attempts, comprehensive health care reform was enacted on March 23, 2010, when President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In attempting to modernize and improve a large part of the health care system, it may be one of the most ambitious and consequential pieces of legislation in U.S. history.
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1006571
Med students open to learning via new media
However, their differing opinions about the games they would like to use and their effectiveness present obstacles.
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2010/08/30/bisa0830.htm
Quality Of Care Provided By Graduates Of International Medical Schools
One-quarter of practicing physicians in the United States are graduates of international medical schools. The quality of care provided by doctors educated abroad has been the subject of ongoing concern. You will be surprised by this study.
http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/content/full/29/8/1461
Challenging Traditional Premedical Requirements as Predictors of Success in Medical School: The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Humanities and Medicine Program
Medical school performance of humanities and social science majors who omitted organic chemistry, physics, and calculus, and did not take the MCAT.
http://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/Fulltext/2010/08000/Challenging_Traditional_Premedical_Requirements_as.26.aspx
Physician smartphone popularity shifts health IT focus to mobile use
Doctors' embrace of such devices puts them at a disconnect with hospitals that rely on desktop-based health technology.
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2010/08/23/bil10823.htm
New pharmacy school set to open in Georgia
Officials from the Georgia campus of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine made the announcement shortly after receiving written approval from the national pharmacy education accrediting body.
http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/education/headlines/98180769.html
Innovative Programs Help Blunt Problems Caused By Primary Care Shortage
Some physician offices offer innovative options to counter primary care shortages. In addition, nursing shortages loom.
http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Daily-Reports/2010/August/16/Workforce-Issues.aspx
Accountability Measures — Using Measurement to Promote Quality Improvement
Measuring the quality of health care and using those measurements to promote improvements in the delivery of care, to influence payment for services, and to increase transparency are now commonplace.
http://healthpolicyandreform.nejm.org/?p=3580
Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Duty-Hour Recommendations
Taking into consideration the Institute of Medicine’s 2008 recommendations regarding residents’ duty hours, the 16-member Duty Hour Task Force of the ACGME recently published proposed new recommendations, which, as eventually approved, would go into effect in July 2011.
http://healthpolicyandreform.nejm.org/?p=10443
5-day pill moves emergency contraception back to doctor's office
When ella is available later this year, physicians will have to decide if prescribing the drug is right for them and their patients.
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2010/08/30/prl10830.htm
links
Medscape: Medical news, and Journal Articles
http://www.medscape.com/
Association of Schools of Public Health
http://www.asph.org/advisors
Go Dental: useful information for current and future dental students
http://www.adea.org/GoDental/Pages/default.aspx
Data about osteopathic medical college applicants, students and graduates, medical education financing, tuition and curriculum
http://www.aacom.org/data/Pages/default.aspx
Find these and other useful links on Lewisassoc.com's Links Page.
 Laura Laura, Entering Class of 2009, Touro University - NV Aug 4, 2010: “Hi Dr. Lewis, I haven't been in contact in quite awhile and thought I should give you an update. Touro - Nevada is a great school. I've been very happy with the faculty and location. Being a Minnesota water baby, I adjusted to life in the desert well. At least we're in class most of the day when it's 110 degrees. I just had to adapt to running at 9/10 pm during those months, but it works. I would love the chance to hear from you if you have the time. I've gotten passionate learning about wine the past 2 years and often think about your vineyard and wonder how your grapes are doing. I'm sure this is a busy time for you with application edits and mock interviews. Thinking back to that process, I realize how difficult it would have been without your advice, assistance and support! Say hello to Marcia for me and I hope you'll soon be making wine, if you haven't already! Sincerely, Laura.”
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 Matthew & Family Matthew, Entering Class of 2010, University of Southern California School of Medicine
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Watch for Success Stories coming for some of these alumni!
success story
 Caitlin Caitlin, Entering Class of 2010, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine I have known since I can remember that I wanted to be a physician, and with the help of Dr. Lewis, I’m attending my first choice medical school this fall. Beginning from our very first meeting, Dr. Lewis helped me stay on-track, be productive, focused, and dedicated to the application process, and manage my stress by staying informed and on top of all aspects of my applications. I experienced a significant traumatic personal experience just as my secondary applications began coming in. Dr. Lewis was truly instrumental in helping me compartmentalize my emotions, and by taking small steps, accomplish what I needed to during a time when I felt that I didn’t have any emotional or mental capacity to deal with my applications. I spent the majority of the summer in an ICU waiting room as my boyfriend recovered from a nearly life-ending brain injury. As my secondary applications were requested from schools, I felt them pile up on me while mentally and emotionally unable to dive in. Spending my days in the waiting room, I waited for doctors’ reports, and my once-per-hour 5-minute visits, and found it impossible to work on applications. Dr. Lewis assisted me by daily emails and aided me to take small steps and prioritize each task. I was able to be motivated by the progress I saw I was making: finishing one essay or filling in one page of an application made me feel less anxious and able to make more progress. I truly don’t know how I would have been able to complete my secondary applications from a hospital waiting room without Dr. Lewis. She encouraged me to apply to a broad range of schools, and I realize our interview practice was essential, as I felt prepared and much less nervous when I interviewed at my first choice school, Michigan State University. After being waitlisted, I used the skills I had learned from Dr. Lewis to continue to update my file with this program and collect additional letters of recommendation for my file. After gaining admission to this program, I know all my hard work with Dr. Lewis over the last almost 2 years was absolutely worth it. I was able to remain focused and dedicated to the application process under Dr. Lewis’ guidance, and am so grateful as I go off to medical school this fall.
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Email to Dr. Lewis if you wish to communicate about medical schools or other issues or to contact those profiled in Success Stories: imaclewis@lewisassoc.com
question of the month...see
Facebook, Advising Tips tab (link)
By Dr. Cynthia Lewis, PhD
Many secondary applications have questions designed to make you think. For example, "Describe personal attributes you possess or life experiences you have had that will enable you to better understand and care for patients who are culturally diverse. (1000 Character limit)"
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 23 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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