Lewis Associates e-Newsletter
Volume 11 Issue 6
June 2012
Published by Lewis Associates. Dr. Cynthia Lewis, PhD., Editor
Email imaclewis@lewisassoc.com with your comments. Enjoy!

Here we are in June.

School is out for most of us, and those who applied are hopefully accepted!

100% of OUR Class of 2012 is accepted!

Although some remain on waitlists, 56% of applicants were NOT accepted in 2011. We will know in fall 2012 the percent who were successful for this year's Class of 2012.

That waitlists are not moving is instructive: fewer students may have multiple acceptances this year, or are happy with their one acceptance. Combined with the fact that the applicant pool continues to increase in numbers and "quality" in all the health professions, successful applicants need to be "better" to become successful.

What does "better" mean?

So ... Do you really want to be competitive?

1. Plan ... ahead!

2. Address your weaknesses. What are they?

• Science GPA?
• Test (MCAT, DAT) scores, or do you need to take the test for the first time?
• Clinical experiences? How meaningful are they?
• Service? What did you do to help others?
• No close relationships with faculty?

And, how long will it take to really improve? One term? 2 years? Be realistic!

So, whatever quest you have, or issue you want to discuss, Dr. Lewis is the best person to use for personal and academic advice. She's been doing it for 27 years, and "has heard it all". Why don't you let her help you?

805-226-9669
imaclewis@lewisassoc.com

This month's question on Dr. Lewis' Facebook page is: "Waitlists: What are they and how do they work?"

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
Your journey to a health profession
Are You Ready for the Class of 2013 or 2014?
Testimonials
Track Record
Be Competitive
What Are Your Chances?
Getting Started

News:
• Women entering med school declining since peak enrollment in 2003
• Different MCAT, different physician? New med school admissions test to debut in 2015
• Med school enrollment on the rise, close to AAMC goal
• Med school on the fast track: A 3-year degree
• Healthcare access to erode if law struck down
• Is college too easy? As study time falls, debate rises
• Prices for doctor services lag behind inflation
• Many young doctors worried about future of medicine
• Patients want to use social media tools to manage health care
• LCME taking more severe actions against medical schools
• Religious Premeds Plan to Have Faithful Bedside Manner
• Primary care docs, public health pros should unite to improve health
• Doctors pressured to write prescriptions for OTC drugs
• Health disparities persist as overall care quality slowly improves
• How to talk to patients about genetic testing
• Nearly every state showed health access declines in 2010
• Innovative ways to slash ED overuse
• Stressed physicians reluctant to seek support

Useful Links
• Succeeding from Medical School to Practice - AMA resource explains how to prepare for success in the profession

Alumni Update
• Katie, Entering Class of 2008, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
• Ashley, Entering Class of 2008, Purdue University Veterinary School
• Julia, Entering Class of 2005, Harvard Dental School

Success Story of the Month
• Nina, Entering Class of 2012, Western University of Health Sciences, Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies

Question of the Month
• Dr. Lewis' answer to this month's question: "Waitlists: What are they and how do they work?"

See our Facebook page, Advising Tips tab.

Our Services

Contact

Welcome to Lewis Associates!

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 2012...100% acceptance
Entering Class of 2011...100% acceptance
Entering Class of 2010...86% acceptance
Entering Class of 2009...96% acceptance
Entering Class of 2008...96% acceptance
Entering Class of 2007...97% acceptance
Entering Class of 2006...89% acceptance
Entering Class of 2005...100% acceptance
Entering Class of 2004...100% acceptance

If you are interested in personalized advising from “The Best in the Business,” (quote by Dr. Patrick Linson, Harvard Medical School Alum who is the only Native American Radiation Oncologist on the planet!), call Lewis Associates today to schedule YOUR personal assessment. Dr. Lewis invests in you, so you may live up to your potential to be the best applicant you can be!

How to Communicate With Us

Phone: 805-226-9669 Fax: 805-226-9227	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.

news

Women entering med school declining since peak enrollment in 2003
The number and proportion of female applicants to U.S. medical schools increased from less than 25 percent in the mid-1970s to just over 50 percent in the early 2000s.
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/meded/2012-may/2012-may-top_stories3.shtml

Different MCAT, different physician? New med school admissions test to debut in 2015
The new MCAT holds out promise to help our nation's medical schools select those applicants best suited to meet the demands of health care in the practice settings of tomorrow.
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/meded/2012-may/2012-may.shtml

"Third-year theory": Making rotations patient-centered and restoring empathy
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/meded/2012-may/2012-may-top_stories1.shtml

Med school enrollment on the rise, close to AAMC goal
Enrollment at the nation's allopathic medical schools is expected to expand by 30 percent during a 15-year period ending in 2016.
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/amawire/2012-may-23/2012-may-23-medical_student.shtml?P=S&C=A&G=T&M=T&I=T&W=T&Y=T&S=F

Med school on the fast track: A 3-year degree
Some schools offer an accelerated approach to a medical degree by adjusting curricula and training, a move that could boost primary care.
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/05/07/prl20507.htm

Healthcare access to erode if law struck down
Most Americans have seen a decade-long erosion in access to medical services that is likely to continue if President Barack Obama's healthcare law is struck down by the Supreme Court or repealed in Congress, a study shows.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-05-07/news/sns-rt-us-usa-healthcare-accessbre8460zs-20120507_1_healthcare-law-health-insurance-health-coverage

Is college too easy? As study time falls, debate rises
Over the past half-century, the amount of time college students actually study — read, write and otherwise prepare for class — has dwindled from 24 hours a week to about 15, survey data show.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/is-college-too-easy-as-study-time-falls-debate-rises/2012/05/21/gIQAp7uUgU_story.html?wpisrc=emailtoafriend

Prices for doctor services lag behind inflation
Economists cite downward pressure on pay rates from Medicare and commercial payers.
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/04/30/bil20430.htm

Many young doctors worried about future of medicine
A Physician Foundation survey notes that a majority of physicians younger than 40 are personally optimistic but professionally pessimistic about the health care system. http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/04/30/bisb0430.htm

Patients want to use social media tools to manage health care
Two reports say more people seek services and health information delivered through social media, and that physicians are in most demand to share them. http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/04/30/bisa0430.htm

LCME taking more severe actions against medical schools
Accreditation officials have stepped up citations for deficiencies in educational programs and student services, a study says.
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/04/23/prsd0427.htm

Religious Premeds Plan to Have Faithful Bedside Manner
New research shows doctors told not to wear their faith on their white coat sleeves are less effective.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-201204170945usnewsusnwr201204160416relig.medapr17,0,3538898.story

Primary care docs, public health pros should unite to improve health
A new Institute of Medicine report calls for primary care physicians and public health professionals to overcome the traditional gap separating their respective disciplines as a means of ensuring the health of populations.
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/meded/2012-may/2012-may-top_stories2.shtml

Doctors pressured to write prescriptions for OTC drugs
Lawmakers are being asked to rescind a health reform provision that prevents patients from using flexible spending account money on medications without a doctor’s order.
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/05/07/gvl10507.htm

Health disparities persist as overall care quality slowly improves
A report shows blacks get worse quality care than whites on 41% of quality measures, while Hispanics often receive worse care than whites.
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/05/07/prsa0507.htm

How to talk to patients about genetic testing
What is the primary care doctor’s role in direct-to-consumer genetic testing?
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/05/07/prca0507.htm

Nearly every state showed health access declines in 2010
The share of adults younger than 65 with unmet medical needs due to cost rose to nearly 20% during the last decade, a new study says.
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/05/21/gvsb0521.htm

Innovative ways to slash ED overuse
Intensive efforts addressing problems that again and again send the same patients to the emergency department are showing promise.
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/04/30/prsa0430.htm

Stressed physicians reluctant to seek support
They cite lack of time and fear of hurting their careers as reasons to avoid employee-assistance programs.
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/04/30/prsb0430.htm

links

Succeeding from Medical School to Practice - AMA resource explains how to prepare for success in the profession
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/about-ama/our-people/member-groups-sections/resident-fellow-section/succeeding-medical-school-practice.page

Find these and other useful links on Lewisassoc.com's Links Page.

alumni updates

Katie Katie, Entering Class of 2008, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University Mar 7, 2012: " The President, Trustees, Faculty and Graduating Class of Midwestern University are honored to announce Kathryn is a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine at Commencement Exercises Friday, June first, Two thousand and twelve at nine-thirty in the morning. Following graduation Dr. Kathryn will begin a four-year Obstetrics and Gynecology residency program with Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Odessa, Texas."

Ashley Ashley, Entering Class of 2008, Purdue University Veterinary School May 5, 2012: " Hi Dr. Lewis, glad to hear all is well with you. My internship is at UPenn (small animal rotating internship) starting in late June.  The pay is inexcusably poor for living in a large city (literally barely enough to pay rent).  Purdue's cost is comparable to any other school, but the out-of-state tuition is the tough part. I'm still in Indiana as I just finished school yesterday.  I'll be here until I move to Philadelphia. My internship is only one year.  I'm planning to apply for residencies next year, but am not 100% decided on what yet.  I had intended to pursue internal medicine until recently, but now I think emergency and critical care is more what I'm looking for. Penn has a very high emergency caseload, so hopefully I'll figure it out fairly quickly. In terms of how I liked Purdue's vet school... From what I have heard from others, Purdue has the most rigorous program (and the best).  Purdue graduates are considered the best of the best (all hearsay of course).  I loved it.  The first three years were dry, as I'd expect from any vet school... but this past year in clinics has been unbelievable.  I have learned so much and feel prepared to be a veterinarian.  From what I've heard from students at other vet schools, the requirements are less strict and expectations of students are relatively low (i.e. they will not fail any student on a rotation if expectations are not met). They expect the world of us, and in turn, try to teach us as much as they possibly can.   I wouldn't trade my education here for anywhere else. Recommend Purdue to your advisees! Good to hear from you! Ashley"

Julia Julia, Entering Class of 2005, Harvard University Dental School Apr 30, 2012: "Hi Dr. Lewis, I am working at a practice in New Jersey now.  My first year out I worked for a very busy practice in Pennsylvania with 10 dentists and about 10 locations.  I work at a smaller practice now that gives me more time with patients.  I work with a lot of special needs patients, which is why the practice is involved with autism speaks. Thanks again and hope to hear from you soon! Julia"

Nina Nina, Entering Class of 2012, Western University of Health Sciences, Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies I have always known I wanted to do something in medicine, but I wasn’t sure what. In high school, some family friends told me I should become pharmacist because it is a great career. After researching the occupation, I believed it would be a perfect match. I entered college determined to become a pharmacist. I was recommended to Dr. Lewis by a classmate my junior year, which changed my life. Dr. Lewis made me realize I had based my lifetime career without fully understanding what that occupation encompassed. She urged me to shadow a pharmacist to experience what it would be like. After working with a pharmacist for one month, I realized it was not what I wanted. I began to panic because I was already halfway through my junior year. I didn’t know what I wanted anymore, and the pressure from my parents to apply to pharmacy school was weighing heavily on me. Dr. Lewis advised that I needed time to discover what career I was passionate about. She even spoke to my parents to tell them why it was so important for me to wait and apply when I was ready. Dr. Lewis spent a lot of time getting to know me as a person. She helped me explore career choices I considered seriously and even connected me with her personal optometrist, Dr. Hixson. At the end of my senior year, I still did not know what I wanted. There were times when I lost focus and motivation because I was unsure of my future, However Dr. Lewis kept me on the right track and continued advising me after I graduated from San Diego State University. The summer I graduated, Dr. Lewis mentioned I should look into becoming a physician assistant. Once I began researching this profession, I contacted a PA right away. I knew after my first day of shadowing, it was what I wanted to do. I started interning at Palomar Pomerado Hospital establishing patient care hours and continued to work with that PA that summer. My plan was to apply the following year when I had enough patient care hours, time to write my personal statement, and get a well-written letter of recommendation. However, my parents wanted me to apply to PA school in that fall for the entering Class of 2012. Even though Dr. Lewis and I felt this would not provide enough time for me to develop my clinical experiences well, Dr. Lewis still helped me establish everything I needed to apply this year. She helped me enroll in a Kaplan GRE course, gave me a full scholarship for it, worked with me weekly on my personal statement, my CASPA application, how to study for the GRE and much more. I submitted my application in November and interviewed at 4 schools in New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and California. Dr. Lewis helped me prepare for my interviews, and I ws accepted to my number 1 school, Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California. I could not have done this without the guidance of Dr. Lewis, and I am so grateful for everything she has done for me.

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

"Waitlists: What are they and how do they work?"

We will feature an important question each month. Please submit one that interests you for Dr. Lewis to answer. Send your questions to imaclewis@lewisassoc.com with 'Newsletter Question' in the subject line.

Lewis Associates 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.

"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

Please feel free to forward this newsletter to any friends, classmates, or colleagues you feel would find its contents beneficial.