Lewis Associates e-Newsletter
Volume 10 Issue 7
July 2011
Published by Lewis Associates. Dr. Cynthia Lewis, PhD., Editor
Email imaclewis@lewisassoc.com
with your comments. Enjoy!
By July, applications for the entering class 2012 are (or should be) in full swing! You are "LATE" if you have not prepared for entry exams (DAT, MCAT, GRE, etc) and been drafting entry essays (known as the infamous "Personal Statement")
If you submitted an application in June, by July, you may begin to receive secondaries, i.e. requests for fees, essays specific to each school where requested, and letters. This process continues for many months. Be prepared!
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 25 years, and "has heard it all". Why don't you let her help you?
805-226-9669
imaclewis@lewisassoc.com
This month's question on Dr. Lewis' Facebook page is: "I scored a 24 total on my MCAT. How many more questions would I need to answer correctly to earn a 30 total?"
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 2013?
Testimonials
Track Record
Be Competitive
Getting Started
• Healthy med students tend to say exercise counseling will play a role in their future practice
• Life expectancy in the U.S. varies widely by region; in some places is decreasing
• State-Level Trends in Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance, A State-By-State Analysis
• AMA supports East Indian physicians in hospital discrimination case
• Doctors confront burst of mental health problems after disasters like the Joplin tornado
• First Addiction Medicine residencies begin in July, 2011
• Comparative Effectiveness Research and Patients with Multiple Chronic Conditions
• The Implications of Comparative Effectiveness Research for Academic Medicine
• Employer-Sponsored Insurance: Past, Present and Future
Useful Links
• Association of American Medical College's Careers in Medicine
• Amgen Scholars Summer Research
• Vida Volunteer and Travel
Alumni Update
• Liana, MD, Entering Class of 2003, University of Hawaii Medical School, Family Practice Residency at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center
• Todd, MD, Entering Class of 2003, George Washington University, Orthopedics Residency at Forth Worth, TX
Success Story of the Month
• Christina, Entering Class of 2011, New York Medical College
Question of the Month
• Dr. Lewis' answer to this month's question: see our Facebook page, Advising Tips tab."I scored a 24 total on my MCAT. How many more questions would I need to answer correctly to earn a 30 total?"
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 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
We have restructured our Advising package so you can become competitive during the entire application process!
Our one year package addresses Your preparation and application activities. 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.
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 2013 or 2014?
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 2013 or 2014 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 26 years.
Dr. Lewis teaches Professionalism, Leadership, and Quality, and
sets high standards for her Advisees.
Lewis Associates will save you money and heartache on your preparation
and application process.
Contact the Health Career experts! For more
information email imaclewis@lewisassoc.com.
Call 805-226-9669 to set up your first appointment.
Healthy med students tend to say exercise counseling will play a role in their future practice
Researchers found that medical students who had normal cholesterol levels and who met the current U.S. physical activity guidelines often felt strongly that being active themselves would set a better example for the people they were treating.
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/managing-your-healthcare/healthcare/articles/2011/06/03/fit-doctors-more-likely-to-prescribe-exercise-study
Life expectancy in the U.S. varies widely by region; in some places is decreasing
Large swaths of the United States are showing decreasing or stagnating life expectancy even as the nation’s overall longevity trend has continued upwards, according to a county-by-county study of life expectancy over two decades.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/life-expectancy-in-the-us-varies-widely-by-region-and-in-some-places-is-decreasing/2011/06/13/AGdHuZVH_print.html?nl_most
State-Level Trends in Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance, A State-By-State Analysis
The report from the State Health Access Data Assistance Center (SHADAC) at the University of Minnesota shows the percentage of non-elderly Americans who get their health insurance through their jobs declined 8 percentage points in a decade.
http://www.rwjf.org/coverage/product.jsp?id=72528#additionalreading
AMA supports East Indian physicians in hospital discrimination case
Physicians are rallying around three cardiologists of Indian descent who allege that a hospital in Victoria, Texas, terminated their medical staff privileges because of their ethnic background.
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/amawire/2011-june-15/2011-june-15-general_news1.shtml
Doctors confront burst of mental health problems after disasters like the Joplin tornado
In the first 24 hours, survivors such as those in Joplin, Mo., often exhibit confusion, despair, disbelief and disorientation. Physicians need to know how to respond.
http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?rtr=on&s=x8pbgr,jb0a,2kdo,kk96,cm2p,d051,er0i
First Addiction Medicine residencies begin in July, 2011
Ten programs accredited by the American Board of Addiction Medicine aim to train physicians from a variety of medical specialties.
http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?rtr=on&s=x8pbgr,jb0a,2kdo,ga6w,j11t,d051,er0i
Comparative Effectiveness Research and Patients with Multiple Chronic Conditions
The aim of comparative effectiveness research (CER) is to improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of health care and to help patients, health care professionals, and purchasers make informed decisions.
http://healthpolicyandreform.nejm.org/?p=14794
The Implications of Comparative Effectiveness Research for Academic Medicine
With growing constraints on government spending, policy makers are investing in comparative effectiveness research (CER) to attempt to bring the power of science to bear on the problems of suboptimal outcomes and high cost in the U.S. health care system.
http://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/Fulltext/2011/06000/The_Implications_of_Comparative_Effectiveness.14.aspx
Employer-Sponsored Insurance: Past, Present and Future
http://www.rwjf.org/coverage/product.jsp?id=72508
Association of American Medical College's Careers in Medicine
Career-planning program to help medical students choose a medical specialty
https://www.aamc.org/students/medstudents/cim/
Amgen Scholars Summer Research
Provides hundreds of undergraduate students with the opportunity to engage in a hands-on summer research experience at some of the world's leading institutions.
http://www.amgenscholars.com
Vida Volunteer and Travel
VIDA aims to make basic medical, dental, and veterinary care available to people in need in Central America.
http://www.vidavolunteertravel.org
Find these and other useful links on Lewisassoc.com's Links Page.
 Liana & Family Liana, MD, Entering Class of 2003, University of Hawaii Medical School, Family Practice Residency at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center May 1, 2011: "Aloha friends and family! Happy spring! We just wanted to update you on our lives. Kalani just graduated from BYU last week & was accepted at the Utah College of Dental Hygiene and will be starting this month. His program will be 2 years and he is excited. He is serving as the Young Men 2nd counselor in our ward and has a lot of fun with the boys. He enjoys cycling, and is currently training for a half-triatholon. I will be graduating from Family Medicine Residency at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in June. I was fortunate to be hired as a Family Practice Physician at the BYU Health Center starting in July and am really excited about my new job. Zion will be starting Kindergarten this fall and is growing up so fast! He enjoys swimming, basketball and playing legos with his Dad. Elijah will be turning 2 this year and is such a sweet boy. He loves his big brother, stuffed animals and playing outside. We are planning on staying in Provo for a while, then eventually making our way back to Hawaii. We have come to love the people, environment, the variety and seasons here. But there's no place like home and we want to go back home to Hawaii to be with our family someday. We love and miss you all and hope you are all well." |
 Todd's sons Todd, MD, Entering Class of 2003, George Washington University, Orthopedics Residency at Forth Worth, TX June 1, 2011: " Hello Dr. Lewis, It has been a really long time and I hope this letter finds you well. I thought you were considering retirement? I know your continued guidance is benefiting many applicants. I am about to begin my Chief year in Orthopedics down here in Fort Worth. I recently found out I matched to a Spine Fellowship at UC Davis beginning August 2012. Alexis and I are very excited and look forward to experiencing northern California. We had our second son (Aiden) in December and he is a real blessing. We enjoy your yearly updates and hope you and your family are well. I hope you know how much we appreciate all you did to launch this journey into full swing. Best Regards, Todd." |
Watch for Success Stories coming for some of these alumni!
success story
 Christina Christina, Entering Class of 2011, New York Medical College As a pre-med student at UC Berkeley, I attended one of Dr. Lewis’ workshops through the Pre-Med Honor Society. I did not seek her help right away because I didn’t know much about the application process at that point, and naively thought that I could handle everything on my own. When I began to write my personal statement, however, I felt overwhelmed and lost. I wasn’t sure how to present my background and motivation for medicine in a short, compelling essay. As I found out more about secondary applications and interviews, I realized that applying to medical school is an extremely complicated and arduous process. I remembered Dr. Lewis from her workshop and contacted her about getting a personal assessment. With Dr. Lewis, I received a very insightful Personal Assessment about my weaknesses and strengths as an applicant. I was thankful for that. I was also absolutely amazed by Dr. Lewis’s effort to get to know me on a personal level. In addition to my academic and extracurricular history, I spoke to her about my childhood in South Korea, experiences as a first generation immigrant in the States, the lessons that I learned from competing in TaeKwonDo tournaments in high school, etc. Speaking to her about my background on this deeper level encouraged me to reflect about how my life experiences have fostered and strengthened my motivation for becoming a physician. At the end of our phone call for my personal assessment, I felt that Dr. Lewis is an Advisor who truly cares about the success of her students. I also knew that her knowledge and expertise in the medical school application process surpasses any help I could get from other sources. At that point, I decided to seek her guidance on my entire application process. I am so glad I made that decision. Dr. Lewis’s direction about my personal statement was so helpful. Using her tips about how to organize and present my extracurricular activities and personal qualities, I was able to write a compelling Personal Statement that painted the person behind my statistics. With weekly phone appointments and daily emails with Dr. Lewis, I completed secondary applications in a timely manner and acquired important interview skills through our mock interviews. One of the most difficult parts of the application process for me was waiting for interviews. In the beginning of the cycle, I felt very anxious about not getting enough interviews. When I spoke to Dr. Lewis about this on our weekly phone appointment, she calmly told me to be patient and encouraged me to write update letters to my top choice schools. I was granted 7 interviews and was accepted to 2 MD programs so far, one of which is my top choice, and waitlisted at 3 more schools. I am so thrilled to start medical school this fall. I cannot thank Dr. Lewis enough for all of her hard work and support. Thank you! |
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
By Dr. Cynthia Lewis, PhD
"I scored a 24 total on my MCAT. How many more questions would I need to answer correctly to earn a 30 total?"
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.comwith '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
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