Pre-Med Life...

So Long Sweet Summer

2010-08-11T17:10:00.001-07:00

School is just a couple of weeks away, and I can proudly say that I've made the most of my time away from school. I have started the admissions process for medical school by signing up for an AMCAS account and filling out as much of the application as I can. Since I still have a few semesters of undergrad (three including this fall), I haven't gathered transcripts or anything, but I have picked five referee's for letters of recommendation. Since my last post (way back in June), I was accepted by K.U.'s JayDoc Clinic to serve as a volunteer in Social Services and Front Desk departments. I have worked about five or six times since being accepted and I absolutely love it! The exposure to patients and residents is invaluable, and I learn essential skills like chart building and patient referral protocols. I have also continued training with the Free Eye Clinic and have participated in one event that required me to give visual acuity exams and glaucoma screenings to patients coming from an underserved community. I have been selected to work as an Ophthamologist technician at the Sojourner Free Health Clinic, opening in late August or early September, so I can put my new Ophtho knowledge to use!

As for the rest of my life, work has been dominating for the past few weeks, but it's great because I need the money before school starts. I'm taking a relatively heavy load this semester, 17 hours to be exact. Here's the line-up:

Human Biochem I
Cell Bio
Analytical Chemistry
Italian III
Physics II
Physics II Lab

Not to mention I will still be volunteering at JayDoc and the Free Eye Clinic, possibly tutoring, working 20 hours/week and staying active in the Pre-Med Society at school.

Thank god starbucks has free wi-fi now, because I'm pretty much going to be living there for the next five months. With a busy semester ahead, I plan on maintaining a low-stress lifestyle. That means getting plenty of rest (being in bed by 9:30pm on weekdays), eating balanced meals, working out, and drinking tons of water. It's amazing how taking care of yourself can translate into more energy and better grades.

Well that's all for now, I'll do better at updating this thing once the semester begins!

Summer Lovin'

2010-06-02T19:06:00.000-07:00

Ah, summer how I've missed thee. Now that the glorious month of June is upon us, I have created a detailed itinerary of productive endeavors that will not only boost the ol' resume but serve as invaluable student experiences. The best advice I can give to any student that is on the pre-med track is to make use of your time wisely! Now, that may have gone in one ear and out the other, but it's absolutely critical to your resume (and your character) that you stay involved curricular and extra curricular activities. First and foremost, volunteer! It may sound redundant, but volunteering your time (especially in a medical environment) is not only a philanthropic life choice, but it will score you major points with medical school admissions panels. Secondly, shadow! Find a doctor to shadow, as this will truly give you insight into the life of a physician. I would recommend contacting a doctor that you have a close relationship with, such as a family doctor or a dermatologist. From making rounds to working in the operating room, the schedule of a physician can be quite hectic. But shadowing will not only confirm your own interest in medicine, but more importantly it will show medical schools that you have been exposed to doc life. If you follow my advice, I assure you that regardless of which medical school you apply to, a well rounded resume will transform you from just another applicant, to a student of interest.

Since I'm not taking any classes this summer, here's a list of my summer activities:

1. Study for the MCAT. I've set a strict schedule for my self (that I'm still adjusting to) in order to maintain the structure I need to comprehensively and successfully study for this test.
2. Volunteer. I will be volunteering with my local Free Eye Clinic, which is run by the Opthamology residents at a local teaching hospital in my city. I will also be volunteering with the American Diabetes Association for the "Tour de Cure" marathon coming up this month. I will potentially be a camp counselor at a diabetes camp during the month of July for a few days. I have also applied to volunteer with University of Kansas Hospital Program "JayDoc," which is a program run by K.U. residents that serves an underprivaledged community with medical exams free of cost.
3. Shadow. I have already shadowed my OBGYN/Oncologist for a full day at the hospital. We made rounds and spent about 6 hours in the Operating Room, where I got the chance to observe two robot-assisted hystorectamies. Here's a link to the Da Vinci Robot website, to learn more about this cool method of performing surgery. My first shadow experience was such a success, and I can't wait to live the life of a physician! I plan to shadow my dermatologist, family doctor as well as my endocrinologist during the span of this summer.
4. Work. Not much to say about working...we all must do it (well, not everyone) to pay the bills. I usually only work about two or three days a week, as I still live at home and don't need to pay for rent or utilities. Another tip* Pre-med kids, if you have the opportunity to live at home, milk it! Medical School is expensive and rigorous, you literally will not have time to work once you're in.
5. When I'm not doing numbers 1-4, I will be relaxing and spending time with friends and family. Definitley enjoying all that summer has to offer!

THE OFFICE Medschool Edition

2010-06-02T17:39:00.000-07:00