Prehealth

Newsletter

February 10, 2021

Welcome!

Please tune in weekly to see the many prehealth related resources and events. And as always, check in with your prehealth adviser if you have any questions! Prehealth advisers will meet over zoom with students from across the Commonwealth as well as alumni. Upcoming group advising sessions can be found on our website.

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Last minute reminder!

Please join us tonight for February 10, 6:00pm for a group advising session on "School Choice: Where Do I Apply?"

Mr. John Moses will present different perspectives and approaches to choosing a medical/dental/PA school.

Zoom ID: 998 6520 3029 Passcode: 449959

Prehealth Comprehensive Interviewing: Open for 2021 applicants

We will review your application materials and help you determine how to best present yourself to admissions committees. Interview requests operate on a rolling basis through the summer. Please see more detail here.

As application cycles for health professional programs approach, please note the following details on letters of recommendation:

MD/DO/Dent students requesting a comprehensive interview with a prehealth adviser will need to collect at least 3 letters before making such a request. Letter's will not be submitted to your application until you have 1.) submitted your application (late May for MD applications) and 2.) requested we upload them to your application.

Students generally submit a total of 4-6 LOR with their completed application. 3 letters will come from professors (2 science, 1 non-science), and additional letters come from PIs, supervisors, and professionals (physicians, dentists, Pas, etc.).

The earliest that letters can be submitted to AMCAS/ AACOMAS/ADSAS/CASPA applications is when you submit your application. Application systems “open” for several weeks before you can submit your application for review. Please see the “open” timeline below:

Timelines for Application Systems

April 30 – CASPA opens

May 11 – AADSAS opens

May TBD—AMCAS opens

May TBD—AACOMAS opens

June TBD– OPTOMCAS Opens

July TBD– AACPMAS Opens

Upcoming Group Advising and Guest Speakers:

New England School of Osteopathic Medicine: Feb. 15, 7-8pm*, Zoom ID: 998 6520 3029 Passcode: 449959

Demystifying the Application Cycle and Accepted Student Panel: Feb. 18, 6-7:15pm, Zoom ID: 998 6520 3029 Passcode: 449959

*this was previously advertised at an earlier time, we will be meeting at 7pm

Apply for Healthworks

HealthWorks, a peer health education outreach program in Health Promotion and Wellness, is currently recruiting student volunteers to become Peer Health Educators for the 2021 – 2022 academic year.

The deadline for applications is March 5, 2021. Students from all majors are encouraged to apply.

Students who apply and are accepted will receive training through a 3-credit course offered through the Department of Biobehavioral Health in Fall 2021. The course is designed to train peer health educators on health issues and health promotion theories and strategies for college students.

Volunteering in HealthWorks helps prepare students for careers in public health, allied health fields, nursing, nutrition, medicine, advertising and public relations.

International Health Humanities Conference

The 10th Annual International Health Humanities Conference is coming up on March 25-28. It is being held online and the student rate is $25.

Registration is available at: https://ce.med.psu.edu/health-humanities/#register

ShaDOw Day with ICOM

ICOM's Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) Chapter will host its second annual ShaDOw Day virtual event on Saturday, Feb. 27 beginning at 9 a.m. MST via WebEx.

Schedule (MST)

9 am: Welcome

9:10 am: SOMA and Osteopathic Medicine Introduction

9:30 am: Admissions Presentation

10:00 am: OMM Demonstration

10:25 am: Student Panel

12:30 pm: Wrap up & Last Questions

Click here to RSVP. Once you've submitted your RSVP, you will receive an email from Webex with a link to join.

MCAT/DAT Study Materials:

Please consider donating your MCAT/DAT study materials. If you have books you would like to donate, please be in touch with Kimberly Johnson (kej5244@psu.edu) so we can arrange a contactless exchange.

Opportunities from the Office of Science Engagement

>Check back weekly<

Please check here for announcements from the Office of Science Engagement.

Food for Thought

Catch up on some of new articles to help you think about a future in healthcare.

Gap Year Ideas and Opportunities

Thinking of taking a gap year and not sure what to do? Chat with a Prehealth Adviser, and visit this list to get some ideas!

Including a call from a dermatologist looking for a pre-med intern.

Check it out now!

Summer Opportunities

-Check back often-

Want to learn more about opportunities available in the summer?

Click here to learn more!

Virtual Fairs & Open Houses

-Check back often-

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!