MCAT 2021 Registration OPEN for Jan-March dates

ATTENTION: Registration for January and March 2021 MCAT exam dates is now open! To select a test date and location, go to http://ow.ly/ra6Q50CgNvN (Links to an external site.).

MCAT has also posted 2 informational videos to walk you step by step through the process.

As you know, more examinees register on opening day of MCAT registration than on any other day, especially in the first few hours. Students can expect a longer line with wait times of an hour or more if they enter the system soon after it opens.  

To improve the opening day registration experience, we’ve set up a waiting room that will show students their place in line and how long until it’s their turn to register. They also do not need to wait by their computers. Students can sign up for email notifications and be contacted when it’s their turn to register without losing their place in line. If there is no wait time, they will be automatically redirected to the registration system. 

As a reminder, we will hold separate registration days for the remaining 2021 exam dates:

• February 2021: Register for April-June exams.
• May 2021: Register for July-September exams. 

New and Interesting Spring Courses

Looking for something to take this spring? Check our list of new and interesting courses offered in 2021.

Explore the options!

2021-2022 FAFSA Open!

Interested in applying for AMCAS, AACOMAS, MCAT, DAT, OAT fee waivers? Complete your FAFSA now.

WVSOM Information Session with Penn State

THURS, NOV 19, 1-2PM EST

Join Penn State Prehealth Advising as we host WVSOM for a virtual information session. This is a great time for current or future applicants to learn more about WVSOM and to ask any questions you may have about their program. 

Join the meeting!

News from the Office of Science Engagement

Check out these opportunities shared by the Office of Science Engagement!

Choose DO Medical School Virtual Expo

NOV 12, 12 - 6PM EST

Ready to explore your medical school options?

Please join us at the Choose DO Medical School Virtual Expo on November 12, 2020 from 12:00 PM-6:00 PM ET. You’ll be able to have your questions answered from admissions representatives, learn more about life in medical school and more, all from your home.   

Register Today

Registration is free, but required to attend this event. Spaces are limited - reserve your spot now!

Upcoming APSA Applicant Interactive Session

THURS, 11/12 @ 7PM EST

MD-PhD and DO-PhD Applicant Interactive Series session this week. This will be a check-in session covering interviews, update letters, choosing schools, or any other questions on your mind at this stage in the application season.

Registration link:  bit.ly/SupportApplicants1112

US Army Healthcare Scholarship Information Webinar

Nov 12, 7-8 pm EST 
Zoom ID: 160 107 7009

Colonel Douglas Maurer, Deputy Director for Army Graduate Medical Education at the Office of the Surgeon General & Major Britt Geisler, OBGYN and Physician Medical Recruiting, will be discussing the Health Professions Scholarship Program. Colonel Maurer advises the selection committee for the scholarship so the information will be coming from a primary source. They will cover the following:
 
• GPA and MCAT Qualifications
• Medical School Tuition (Covers 100% of tuition!)
• Monthly Stipend (over $2,400 every month during Medical School)
• Benefits
• GME/Residency Application
• Specialty Match Rates
• Army Specialty Board Pass Rates
• Commissioning
• Residency Locations/Training Opportunities
• Fellowships
• Career progression
• Q&A

Explore Osteopathic Medical Schools in the Pacific Northwest

Nov 17 @ 6 - 8PM EST

Join us as ICOM, PNWU and WesternU COMP-Northwest host a combined information session and presentation on osteopathic medicine. Learn about what each school has to offer, experience a live (virtual) demonstration of osteopathic manipulative medicine and stay for a Q&A session with a panel of medical students representing all three schools.

The schedule is as follows:

3:00-3:30 PM  Individual School Presentations

3:30-4:00 PM OMM Demonstration by ICOM

4:00-5:00 PM Q&A Panel with Osteopathic Medical Students

  To register for this event, please fill out the registration form.

 Native American Heritage Month

The HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) is proud to celebrate the rich history and traditions of American Indian and Alaska Natives (AIAN). This month, OMH will focus on the health disparities that continue to challenge the health of AIAN populations, especially as they continue to confront the COVID-19 pandemic and influenza season.

In addition to persistent health disparities, AIAN populations also face the following issues when seeking medical care:

• Cultural barriers
• Geographic isolation
• Inadequate sewage disposal
• Low income.

Last month, OMH announced the grantees for the State/Tribal/Territorial Partnership Initiative to Document and Sustain Disparity-Reducing Interventions. This initiative aims to address these health disparities and help improve health outcomes for AIAN populations and other racial and ethnic minority populations. Visit our Native American Heritage Month observance page for more information, downloadable materials and health resources.

Learn more!

State College Volunteer Opportunity

PACKHOPE Centre County is hosting a meal packing event once again – this year’s will be modified for safety and social distancing.

This is happening next week on both Monday, November 16 and Tuesday, November 17.

Sign up to volunteer and/or donate: https://packhopecentrecounty.com/

City Semester Pittsburgh

The Penn State Center Pittsburgh invites you to our virtual City Semester Open House event!

Join Penn State students, university leaders, community partners, and more to hear from students about their City Semester experience this fall.

Five students across several majors will each make a video presentation on their internships, what they learned about sustainability, and how this experience will prepare them for the future.

WHEN: Tuesday, December  8, 2020 at 4-6 p.m.

WHERE: Online. A Zoom link will follow.

Please RSVP here.

Fellowship Programs Open in November

View opportunities available to apply this month!

Naturopathic Approaches to Diabetes

Join the AANMC and Dr. Mona Morstein on November 12, 2020 at 12pm Eastern Time to learn how powerful naturopathic medicine can be for Type 2 Diabetes!  In this educational presentation, attendees will understand how NDs comprehensively manage patients with Type 2 Diabetes, including ordering labs/imaging, and prescribing evidence informed therapies like diet, supplementation, exercise, sleep, and stress management. Dr. Morstein will also touch upon management of diabetic complications.

*Webinar does not qualify for CE

Register Now!

DART Summer Research Fellowship Program

DART is now accepting applications for the 2021 NIDA-sponsored Drug Abuse Research Training (DART) Summer Program at the Medical University of South Carolina! Undergraduate, graduate, and medical students are eligible to apply for this 10-week mentored research training program.

For additional information, please visit medicine.musc.edu/DART and click Summer Program or contact Emily Bristol, Program Coordinator.

Applications are due by February 1, 2021.

Hear Your Song — Information for New Campus-Based Chapters

Join Hear Your Song and Help Launch Your Own Campus Chapter!

Hear Your Song is a non-profit organization that empowers children with serious illnesses and complex health needs to make their voices heard through collaborative songwriting. Hear Your Song volunteers work with kids (virtually and/or in person) to help them write their own song lyrics which are then set to music and professionally recorded based on the child's requests for musical genre, tempo, instrumentation, etc. Hear Your Song maintains a central corps of volunteers as well as supporting campus-based chapters at Yale University, Smith College, and Hunter College High School. Over the past six years, Hear Your Song has recorded over 100 songs written by kids at a variety of children's hospitals, pediatric nursing homes, and school and camp programs that serve kids with chronic illnesses.

As we continue to expand, Hear Your Song hopes to launch new campus-based chapters around the country. We're looking to connect with students who are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with extraordinary kids while creating a community of musicians across genres, instruments, and experiences on campus.

Visit this Google Form to learn more about our campus-based chapters, hear our music, and share your interest! Email hys@hearyoursong.org with any questions!

DSHREP Application Open

The Diversity Summer Health-related Research Education Program (DSHREP) is a competitive program designed to provide research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students from backgrounds that are historically underrepresented in biomedical science.

Individuals from underrepresented cultural and ethnic groups, disadvantaged backgrounds, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Learn more here!

Personal Statement Workshop

Weds. Dec 2, 6P - 7:15P

A workshop on Personal Statements
For Health Profession Programs
Learn actively by: 

• Reviewing actual personal statements from previous cycles
• Engaging in a short writing exercise that shows you already have good stories to tell

 https://psu.zoom.us/j/6795723537

Election Aftermath: Public Health in the World

WEDS, NOV 11, 1 to 2 pm EST

In this discussion we will take a closer look at how the US election will impact international relations, and how we navigate the changing landscape of global health.

This event is co-sponsored by the School of Public Health and the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs.

Register today!

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!

 Check it out today!

Miss an issue of the newsletter? 

Head over to our website for an archive of past issues to see what you missed!