COVID Responses, Pre-health Opportunities
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Prehealth
Newsletter
April 17, 2020
Welcome!
Dear Readers,
COVID-19 has thrown a fair amount of uncertainty into the current and upcoming application seasons. We will endeavor to keep you updated on changes/updates that might affect your application.
MCAT Updates from AAMC
We are actively working to identify and add new test appointments as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds and national, state, and local health authorities release updated guidance. We know how difficult this uncertain time is for medical school applicants, and we are working as quickly as possible to finalize the reopening of the testing calendar.
Below is an update on our progress:
- We are adding 3 new dates to the 2020 MCAT testing calendar.
- We will be adding morning and afternoon testing sessions on exam days and will provide more details in future updates.
- We will implement health and safety measures at the test centers when testing resumes, including social distancing practices.
- We will expedite MCAT score reporting for some test dates to reduce the impact of delayed score delivery on students’ applications to medical schools.
- The MCAT Registration System is unavailable for scheduling while new dates are added. We will announce in advance plans to reopen the system.
We want to remain as transparent as possible as we implement response plans in this rapidly evolving situation. We will provide regular communications to examinees and anticipate the next update on April 24.
Please know that the AAMC and the nation’s medical schools are very sensitive to the impact of COVID-19 on MCAT administrations, and schools will be flexible in their application review processes to ensure equity and mitigate the effects of delayed score delivery in their admissions processes.
Thank you so much for your patience as we work to build the new testing calendar and reopen the registration system. This update, which we have also shared with examinees today, is available on the MCAT Coronavirus page along with FAQs.
Sincerely,
The MCAT Program
Please continue reading below for some more lighthearted news—many schools and associations are taking their activities online and there are still opportunities to engage with fellow students, admissions representatives, and current med/dent/PA students!
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Wellness Resources
Less than 2.5 weeks of classes remain! Here are some great wellness resources to help students prepare for finals week and the end of semester.
These virtual events and programs have become quite popular!
Tour for Diversity in Medicine
Tour for Diversity in Medicine (T4D) educates, inspires, and cultivates the future generation of minority physicians, dentists, and pharmacists.
The April 2020 Virtual Tour for Diversity in Medicine (#VirtualT4D) is in partnership with the HMS Office for Diversity Inclusion and Community Partnership and the Biomedical Science Careers Program.
The History of Dentistry Webinar
Consider the history of dentistry: What were the earliest signs of tooth restoration? Why did barbers extract teeth? How did our profession impact a presidential inaugural address?
The origins of the dental profession span the earliest signs of tooth restoration (13,000 years ago!) through the opening of the first dental school in 1840 and many discoveries in between. As dentistry moves into the 21st century, it is critical that we acknowledge the past―designing a future of relevancy.
Salary Negotiations
Sokolov-Miller Family
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
12:00 PM-1:00 PM
https://psu.zoom.us/j/3845004052
Ways to get involved from afar
UPDATED TODAY
Looking for ways to continue developing your candidacy for health professional school? We have suggestions for you to keep busy when you can't leave your house!
Virtual Study Smarter Sessions
Tired of ineffective study techniques? Want to learn how to be a more effective online student? Attend one of the online Study Smarter sessions hosted by Penn State Learning this semester.
U.S. Army Health Professions Scholarship Program
For students interested in or inquiring about ways to finance medical or dental schools, contact the Army today!
News from the Office of Science Engagement
Great new jobs, internships, co-ops, virtual sessions and more!
Wondering how COVID-19 may be affecting your application?
Follow our blog for updates regarding COVID19 policies and responses.
UPDATED TODAY
This page is updated regularly and allows you to see individual school decisions that can help you migrate through these challenging times.
Virtual Fairs & Open Houses
-MANY NEW EVENTS!-
Feel like you are missing out by staying at home? Want to learn more about osteopathic medicine, medical school in the Caribbean, or postbacc opportunities? Visit and connect with these and other programs virtually at these live events!
Eberly College of Science
225 Ritenour Building
Penn State University
University Park, PA 16802
The newsletter will be sent out approximately once per week during the school year. During summer, newsletters will be sent once per month or on an as-needed basis. As always, please feel free to send announcements relevant to science/prehealth/premedicine students to prehealthadvising@psu.edu.
