Lewis Associates e-Newsletter
Volume 10 Issue 9
September 2011
Published by Lewis Associates. Dr. Cynthia Lewis, PhD., Editor
Email imaclewis@lewisassoc.com
with your comments. Enjoy!
September usually means "New Beginnings":
- Fall term with a clean slate
- Application secondaries and interviews
- New opportunities for clinical, service and leadership experiences
Where will September lead you?
Let us help you reach your potential.
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 26 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: "How do medical/health professions schools use short secondary answers?"
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
• Here come the 20-somethings
• Empathy Decline and Its Reasons: A Systematic Review of Studies With Medical Students and Residents
• Culturally competent practices can drive up good will -- and patient traffic
• Tips for Surviving Medical School
• Med schools seek right fit for rural practice
• Rural Doctor Shortage Prompts Opening of Medical School
• Med school's inaugural class trained as EMTs
• AMA asks NRMP to improve the Match process
• Study says health IT use led to 29.5% drop in ICU mortality
• Economy disrupts doctors' retirement plans
• Antidepressants increasingly prescribed for nonpsychiatric conditions
• Medicare pay cuts among tough choices for bipartisan debt panel
• California doctors back bill to prevent circumcision ban
• Massachusetts patients stay with safety net providers after reform
Useful Links
• Financial Aid Toolkit - provides a customized financial literacy and debt management program
• The Lancet Global Health Portal - free and unlimited access to all global health content in one location including Series, Regional Reports, multimedia content, and World Report and Perspectives sections
Alumni Update
• Darin, DDS, Entering Class of 1994, Baylor University School of Dentistry, Specialization Program in Orthodontics at the University of Colorado, Orthodontics Practice in Canada
• Harry, DO, Entering Class of 1997, Western University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Success Story of the Month
• Tana, Entering Class of 2011, George Washington University School of Medicine
Question of the Month
• Dr. Lewis' answer to this month's question: see our Facebook page, Advising Tips tab."How do medical/health professions schools use short secondary answers?"
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
|
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 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.
Here come the 20-somethings
Young adults are the first added to insurance rolls under health reform, but few know how the health system works. How do physicians manage these new patients?
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/08/08/bisa0808.htm
Empathy Decline and Its Reasons: A Systematic Review of Studies With Medical Students and Residents
Empathy is a key element of patient–physician communication; it is relevant to and positively influences patients' health.
http://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/Fulltext/2011/08000/Empathy_Decline_and_Its_Reasons__A_Systematic.24.aspx
Culturally competent practices can drive up good will -- and patient traffic
Experts point to the sheer numbers of minorities as a reason for physicians to be more conscious of the impact they will have on their practices.
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/08/15/bica0815.htm
Tips for Surviving Medical School
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/736773
Med schools seek right fit for rural practice
Programs emphasize drawing students from rural areas and offering practical clinical experience in small-town communities to steer them toward rural medicine.
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/08/08/prl20808.htm
Rural Doctor Shortage Prompts Opening of Medical School
A Kansas college hopes young doctors will be more willing to practice in small towns if they go to a medical school in a rural area.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/747314
Med school's inaugural class trained as EMTs
Students begin their medical training with a nine-week program that culminates in becoming emergency medical technicians.
http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?rtr=on&s=x8pbgr,mrd2,2kdo,8oqn,g16,d051,er0i
AMA asks NRMP to improve the Match process
AMA details concerns with the NRMP's newly adopted "all-in" policy and the potential impact it could have on medical student and international medical graduate applicants.
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/amawire/2011-august-17/2011-august-17-medical_student.shtml?P=S&C=S&G=F&M=T&I=F&W=T&Y=F&S=F
Study says health IT use led to 29.5% drop in ICU mortality
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/amawire/2011-august-17/2011-august-17.shtml
Economy disrupts doctors' retirement plans
A survey finds many altering their end-of-career scenarios because of flagging investments and a changing medical system.
http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?rtr=on&s=x8pbgr,mrd2,2kdo,52bi,jffy,d051,er0i
Antidepressants increasingly prescribed for nonpsychiatric conditions
Patients had gone to their doctors complaining of headaches, fatigue and ailments other than depression.
http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?rtr=on&s=x8pbgr,mrd2,2kdo,ln7p,jc98,d051,er0i
Medicare pay cuts among tough choices for bipartisan debt panel
Few expect members to agree on the minimum $1.2 trillion in reductions needed to prevent automatic across-the-board cuts beginning in 2013.
http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?rtr=on&s=x8pbgr,mrd2,2kdo,bgxi,gpl7,d051,er0i
California doctors back bill to prevent circumcision ban
The measure comes in response to a November ballot initiative to prohibit the procedure in San Francisco. A judge ordered the initiative off the ballot.
http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?rtr=on&s=x8pbgr,mrd2,2kdo,ckns,m5ow,d051,er0i
Massachusetts patients stay with safety net providers after reform
Although facilities worried they were the last choices for health care, patients kept going to save money and for the convenience, a study says.
http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?rtr=on&s=x8pbgr,mrd2,2kdo,h28o,av17,d051,er0i
Financial Aid Toolkit - provides a customized financial literacy and debt management program.
http://aamc.financialliteracy101.org/resources/list/
The Lancet Global Health Portal - free and unlimited access to all global health content in one location including Series, Regional Reports, multimedia content, and World Report and Perspectives sections
http://www.thelancet.com/global-health
Find these and other useful links on Lewisassoc.com's Links Page.
 Darin & his son Darin, DDS, Entering Class of 1994, Baylor University School of Dentistry, Specialization Program in Orthodontics at the University of Colorado, Orthodontics Practice in Canada Aug 9, 2011: "Hi Dr. Lewis, I am teaching a class in two weeks that I will be preparing for every waking moment until then- when that is over (beginning of Sept) I will share my Orthodontics experience so far as well as the Canadian health care system. One more month till hockey season. I've NEVER watched sports in my life until last year-got sucked into the hockey scene. Have been rowing 2x/day as summers are SHORT up here as you know. There are no Osteopaths up here in Calgary. I used to work with Osteos who did OMM alot in Oregon with TMJ patients, pain management etc....but up here its mostly Chiros (SOT and NUCA), and PT's (they call them physios!) Talk soon! Darin." |
 Harry Harry, DO, Entering Class of 1997, Western University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Residency at Children's Hospital of Michigan, Fellowship at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, practices Pediatric Pulmonology and Pediatrics in Riverside, CA Aug 4, 2011: "Hi Dr. Lewis, I am an AOA mentor for premed students trying to get into med school so every so often I have students contacting me. I'm currently at Kaiser Permanente in Riverside. I'd love to hear how you've been doing. Harry" |
Watch for Success Stories coming for some of these alumni!
success story
 Tana Tana, Entering Class of 2011, George Washington University School of Medicine While attending UC Irvine, I never thought I could make it into medical school and compete successfully with individuals from Stanford, Harvard, UCLA, and UC Berkeley. I started my college career completely lost and unmotivated to where I was going. Due to some poor choices, I ended up finishing my freshman year with barely over a 3.0 GPA. The medical career was a path that I did not know I wanted to do until after I studied abroad during the summer between my freshman and sophomore year. This was when I learned about Dr. Lewis’ kindness and openness to people in different situations. I heard about Dr. Lewis through my sister who also applied for medical school and is now completing the final stages of her residency. I never thought to look to Dr. Lewis for help, but after my Freshman year, I knew I needed it. Picking up the phone and speaking to Dr. Lewis for a personal assessment and interview was one of the most nerve-wracking experiences I have ever had. It may sound like I am exaggerating or it may make many people wonder why I was so nervous about getting help, but I thought that Dr. Lewis focused on only those students who were successful and motivated about a medical career since their beginning year of college. Of course, after my performance in freshman year that didn’t fit my description at all. Boy, was I wrong. I felt a sense of relief and belief in myself after speaking with Dr. Lewis. After ensuring her that medicine was what I truly wanted to do and that I was motivated from this point on, Dr. Lewis didn’t focus on my past and started teaching me how I could improve from this point on. I needed someone who could push me, believe in me, and show me that I had the potential, and Dr. Lewis was that person. I knew after our conversations that Dr. Lewis wasn’t just any Advisor, but an Advisor who truly cares and looks at the whole person, rather than just the numbers. The most valuable thing Dr. Lewis helped me with was not the medical school applications and personal statement, but it was her guidance and motivation. Of course Dr. Lewis’s help on my application process and personal statement was invaluable, but I personally needed someone who could push me and be blunt when I needed it, but also kind and able to bring out the best in me. I needed someone who could separate the facts from the myths that were being passed around by my peers. Dr. Lewis was all those things for me. Our daily emails and weekly phone appointments always kept Dr. Lewis and me updated with each other. Certain weeks when I needed to speak with her more, she would even increase our phone appointments to two to three times in a week, which was wonderful. She gave me advice about how to tackle exams for certain courses and helped me find opportunities for extracurricular activities that interested me. She even mailed me books about teaching methods when I told her that I was nervous about being a tutor for college students at UC Irvine. When I was nervous about the MCAT, she was there to calm me and give me advice. Dr. Lewis truly brought out the best in me, and she always made sure that I kept a close record of everything I did, so I could easily pull it out when the time for applications came. The smallest details ranging from my research, extracurricular activities, doctors I shadowed, my cultural background, and even past experiences I had from when I was a child that I didn’t think mattered, all seemed to be important parts of who I am. Sure enough, all these things became integral to my medical school application. She made sure I stayed on top of all my deadlines, too. Thanks to all of the help that Dr. Lewis has given me, I was accepted into 2 MD programs and waitlisted at another. I am proud of the person I have become today since those rocky times in my Freshman year of college and I could never thank Dr. Lewis and her team enough for all they have done for me. I am nervous to start medical school this coming fall, but I could also not be more thrilled. No matter what kind of person you are, I know that Dr. Lewis can help you, and will be key in helping you pave your path into a medical or other health professions program that you desire! I will definitely keep in touch with Dr. Lewis! Thank you so much for everything once again Dr. Lewis. Good luck to everyone going down the same path I went down, and congratulations to the medical school entering Class of 2011! |
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
"How do medical/health professions schools use short secondary answers?"
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
Copyright 2009, Lewis Associates. All rights reserved. Please do not repost on any website without direct permission from Lewis Associates.
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