Lewis
Associates e-Newsletter
Volume 7 Issue 6
June 2008
Published by Lewis Associates. Dr. Cynthia Lewis, PhD., Editor
Email imaclewis@lewisassoc.com
with your comments. Enjoy!
San Diego State University Collegiate Union for Health Related Education, Classes 2008 and 2009-Celebration!
Some of the Classes of 2008 and 2009 gathered recently at Dr. Lewis' home for a gala dinner celebration of the 100% success of all its Class 2008 applicants! We look forward to the same success for the Class 2009!What's inside:
Welcome to Success Stories Newsletter!
Current Students' Progress
How to Communicate With Us
Changes in Services
Your journey to a health profession
Are You Ready for the Class of 2009?
Testimonials
Track Record
Be Competitive
Getting Started
Featured News:
Application services submission dates!
News:
Critiquing the MCAT
Presidential candidates answer questions on health care reform
Can Walmart Fix Healthcare?
Useful Links
Class 2009 Osteopathic College Information Book
Exam Krackers
Alumni Update
Dr. Adam Carewe (and wife Beth), graduated from New York Medical College, 2008
Dr. Robert Carpenter, D.O., Class 1996
Olga Rosito, MA Psychology, Pacific College of Psychology, 2004
Janelle Pieros, MSY 2, A. T. Still University, Mesa AZ
Success Story of the Month
Steven Ritter, D. O., Prison Medicine
Question of the Month
How do I categorize my engineering classes on the AACOMAS and the AMCAS…and does it make a difference?
Our Services
Contact
June is when applicants can begin to submit online in most of the
centralized application services! And, off we go, to the start of another
-- the Class of 2009 -- application year!!
Are you ready?
Current Students'
Progress
96% of Lewis Associates 2008 Applicants were accepted into medical,
dental, veterinary pharmacy and naturopathic medical schools; several
into their top choices! Congratulations!
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!
Dr. Lewis' note: Dr. Linson installed the newest, most advanced Radiation Surgery machine in the world in his Vista, California, medical office this year… a step up from the ones at Stanford and Harvard! Congratulations Dr. Linson. Click here for news video.
| Phone: 805-226-9669 | Fax: 805-226-9227 |
| Mailing Address: 1885 Laguna del Campo, Templeton, CA 93465 | |
Lewis Associates absorbs Long Distance Charges
All phone conferences are made from our office to you. Marcia, our Administrative Assistant, calls YOU at your appointment time.
Changes in Services
- After September 1, 2009, new Year-Long Packages will be not be available. If you are considering long-term advising, this is the year to lock in your Advising Agreement with us.
- After September 1, 2009, Applicants will still be able to select from our highly effective Assessment, Essay, Hourly, and Interview Packages.
- Current Advisees will continue working with Dr. Lewis until Matriculation.
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 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 2009?
How do you know?
Use our Personal Assessment--and you will be given
your personal strategy and path to your future!
Then, if you use our advising, we actually help you implement your
strategy!
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…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
Margaret Jolley, Accepted to UC San Diego School of
Medicine Class of 2008
"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!"
Ariel Chairez,
Scholarship Awardee, University of Wisconsin Medical School Class 2004
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, University Of Illinois at Chicago College
of Medicine Class of 2005
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 says: "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."
Thanks from Lily Marouf, Sackler University
Medical school (Tel Aviv) Class of 2007
"Dear Dr. Lewis, Thank you for all of your help the past year. It
was one of the most challenging years of my life, and I could not have been successful
without you. I appreciate all of your support and patience, and look forward
to sharing many memories with you when I come back to the States."
Track Record
CLASS OF 2008...96% acceptance
CLASS OF 2007...97% acceptance
Be Competitive
In order to be a competitive Class of 2009
or 2010 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 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.
Getting Started
Read about your Personal Assessment on
our website,
then phone or email us
to get started! Dr. Lewis spends, on average, 7 hours
developing an effective strategy of taking you from where you
are to where you want to be.
You may be like our other Lewis Associates Advisees--highly
motivated and intelligent, but needing focus, guidance and
specific technical expertise. Dr. Lewis solves problems for
her Advisees and finds opportunities for them. Or, you may
wish to use hourly advising to solve one specific problem.
Dr. Lewis is a trained Biologist, having taught and directed her own
research programs for many years at two universities. She earned two
postdoctoral fellowships (one at NIH), received the 1990 NACADA
Outstanding Institutional Advising Program in the U.S. and directed
her own Health Careers Opportunity Program grant for 6 years,
bringing $1 million to her university.
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 almost 800 alumni now practicing in medicine the last
23 years.
Dr. Lewis teaches Professionalism, Leadership, and Quality,
and sets high standards for her Advisees.
Lewis Associates will save you money and heartache on your
preparation and application process.
Contact the Health Career experts! For
more information email imaclewis@lewisassoc.com.
Call 805-226-9669 to set up your first appointment.
news
Featured News
Dates
services can submit:
AACOMAS - May 1, 2008
AADSAS - May 15, 2008
AMCAS - June 4, 2008CASPA - April 21, 2008
SOPHAS - April 2008
VMCAS - Early June, 2008
News
Critiquing the MCAT!
http://www.fairtest.org/healthy-medical-school-admissions
MCAT Test Prep--Exam Krackers
Faith Quenzer, former Director of a local EK office:
"EK has courses all over the country and are
particularly popular on the east coast. EK has an effective approach
in teaching the MCAT, focusing the material to what is most likely to
be covered on the MCAT. The books are not intimidating, and give students
opportunities to practice MCAT questions. There is rigorous teacher training,
and only the "best" teachers are chosen."
Presidential candidates answer questions on health care reform
A key objective of the AMA's "Voice for the Uninsured" campaign
has been to bring national attention to the issue of the uninsured. Each of
the 3 leading 2008 presidential candidates have made health care a top priority
in their respective campaigns.
In response to a set of 10 questions posed to the candidates about their heath care reform proposals, the AMA received responses from the campaigns of Sens. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., John McCain, R-Ariz., and Barack Obama, D-Ill. Review these questions and answers as they evaluate the proposals and platforms of presidential candidates.
Learn
more (PDF, KB) about each candidate's proposal on health care reform.
Teen blood donors have higher risk of donation-related complications
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/299/19/2279 Sixteen-
and 17-year olds who donate blood are significantly more likely to
experience donation-related complications such as fainting and bruising
than older blood donors, according to a study in
the May 21 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
Medical Education Online: Resident
physician attitudes about obesity treatment
A recent study (PDF,
668KB) of 101 internal medicine resident physicians at Temple University in
Philadelphia and Montefiore Medical Center in New York found that residents
recognize obesity is a serious medical condition, but they do not feel competent
in treating obesity, and have unrealistic weight-loss goals. Third-year residents
had more negative attitudes about obese patients compared to residents in their
first and second years of training. The study identified areas that could be
addressed in resident education about obesity management. Further study was
suggested to determine what factors contribute to the negative attitudes.
Let Wal-Mart fix US health care
The discount retailer already has made major inroads into accessible, affordable
care through lower drug prices, walk-in clinics and electronic record-keeping.
Why stop there? Read Full Article
links
Class 2009 Osteopathic College Information Book is
posted to the AACOM www site at
http://publish.aacom.org/resources/bookstore/cib/Pages/default.aspx.
Find these and other useful links on Lewisassoc.com's Links Page.
alumni updates
Please note that many of Dr. Lewis' alumni have been tracked down recently and we mention a few here.
  Drs. Adam and Beth Carewe Drs. Adam and Beth Carewe, graduating from New York Medical College at Carnegie Hall, Class of 2004 Recent graduation and marriage Drs. Adam and Beth Carewe wedding reception with Dr. Lewis near Denver Colorado. What a beautiful wedding and reception in the mountains near Denver! Dr. Lewis got to meet family and friends, and had an absolutely wonderful time!
|
 Cycling for AIDS Dr. Robert Carpenter, D.O. 5/10-08 In a general email: "Thank you to all of those who have sponsored me! Your donation will go to a wonderful cause! For those who have not yet pledged, PLEASE consider sponsorship; any amount is needed and appreciated! You can sponsor here: http://www.aidslifecycle.org/5392" |
 Dr. Olga Rosito Pacific College of Psychology, Class 2006 Clinical Psychology at the VA 5/10/08 Schoolwork is now complete; next year I will be working on my dissertation and another research project in addition to clinical practicum. Local internships are extremely competitive (usually around 300 applications for 1 or 2 slots). Michael and I are keeping very busy. Sophia just turned 3, she is talking, and is a very sweet and kind girl. She is attending a Russian daycare so her Russian is quite good, but she knows to speak to me in Russian and then translate for her father in English. Take care, Olga Rosito |
 Janelle Pieros Janelle Pieros Malawi Mission Trip
|
Watch for Success Stories coming for some of these alumni!
success story
Steve Ritter, D. O. Western University
Class of 1994.
Southern Region Medical Director, California
Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) -- Prison
Medicine
I completed my medical training at Western University of Health Sciences, then Family Residency program at Downey Regional Medical Center, in Downey, CA. I then took a position working for a physician who was interested in expanding his business into Northern County, San Diego. I started working there, and quickly realized that we had very different ideas about patients. He was concerned about the business, and me, the patient.
While in Residency, one of my patients happened to be a nurse working at the California Institute for Men, in Chino. She suggested that I apply to the Department of Corrections for a P&S position. I did, with no intent of working there.
As soon as I put in my notice (per contract, I needed to give a 3 month notice), I received a letter to interview at RJ Donovan, a prison, in San Diego. So I interviewed, was offered the position, and thought that this would allow me some time to find a "real"job.
Six years later, and now the Southern Region Medical Director, I am assisting with the revamping and development of a new heath care delivery system for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). About 8 years ago, there was a class action lawsuit filed against the State of California; the plaintiffs were the inmates. They argued and won that they were being denied access to care. The State was given 8 years to correct the problems, and they failed. So, a Receiver was established, and health care was removed from the CDCR.
Since then, we have been developing and implementing a new health care delivery system, and using the basic concepts derived from the Institute of Medicine (IOM).
In addition to this job, I have entered a Master's program: Leadership in Healthcare Organizations, at UCSD.
If you would have asked me 6 years ago where would I be today, it most certainly would not be what I am doing now.
Email to Dr. Lewis if you wish to communicate about medical schools or other issues or to contact those profiled in Success Stories: imaclewis@lewisassoc.com
question of the month
By
Dr. Cynthia Lewis, PhD
How do I categorize my
engineering or classes that may have science content
on the AACOMAS and the AMCAS…and does
it make a difference?
From Dr. Lewis:
All medical schools look at applicants by separating GPA into many categories. The
most important are undergraduate, graduate and post-baccalaureate science GPAs. To
determine whether or not a particular class is categorized as "science",
then, IS important.
AACOMAS:
First, math is NOT, I repeat, NOT, calculated into the science GPA.
Next, "other science" IS calculated into the science GPA. So,
any course that is primarily biology, chemistry, physics material AND
engineering will be included in the science GPA. If an engineering
class is ONLY math, it can be categorized as math
On the AACOMAS instructions, these courses are listed to be included as "Other Science":
|
|
AMCAS:
All courses that have more than half (arbitrary measure) of the
curriculum in biology, chemistry, math or physics are used in
calculating the science GPA. YOU decide!
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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