Pre-Health Group Advising Sessions

Throughout the fall and spring semesters, our advisers offer a series of prehealth advising sessions. Students considering medical, dental, podiatry, and physician assistant professions must attend a Foundations Session to schedule appointments with the Pre-Health Advising Office.

Join our Prehealth Group Advising Canvas Course to get the direct links* to the sessions and access the recordings. 

Direct links to live session can also be found on our website. 

We apologize to anyone who was unable to enter our session yesterday evening. We experienced some technical difficulties during the session. If you attempted to enter the session, but were unable to join us, please consider joining the canvas course above and reaching out to a prehealth adviser directly for more info. 

NEXT WEEK:

Anatomy of an Applicant - Oct 7 @ 12P   Zoom link Password: 449959

Penn State College of Medicine Primary Care Day

Saturday, October 31

Don't miss this opportunity to hear from Hershey professors, clinicians, and students, while getting a deeper sense of this particular specialty and the important role it plays in medicine and our society.  Take note--Primary Care often includes other specialties such as family medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, and sometimes obstetrics and gynecology and thus might be of interest to a great many of you!

Registration closes Friday, Oct 23.

Register today!

UC Davis Virtual Conference Prep Workshop

September 30th from 7:10 pm - 8 pm EDT, two student coordinators will be hosting a virtual workshop on how to make the most of our virtual event. They will be going over why the Conference is beneficial for anyone, no matter what stage of their pre -heath journey they are on, and tips and tricks for maximizing this online experience. The link to the Facebook event can be found here, which has the Zoom link for the workshop. The Zoom link can also be found here. Please note that Zoom may require you to download their app in order to view content.

You can still register for the Virtual Conference here! The UC Davis Pre-Health Conference is Saturday October 17, 2020 from 11:30am - 8:00pm EDT.

News from the Office of Science Engagement

The Office of Science Engagement has many resources and ways for you to get involved with internships and jobs!

Explore the Opportunities! 

Call for Tutors for Morgan Academic Center

The Morgan Academic Center (MAC) at Penn State is currently hiring tutors for the 2020-21 academic year. The MAC is specifically seeking candidates from all departments and students from any major/program are encouraged to apply. Tutors are paid hourly based upon status (e.g., undergraduate versus graduate student). This part-time position offers a variety of work options (days/times/hours) which fits nicely around academic schedules and other commitments of Penn State students.  Anyone who is hired this fall is eligible to continue employment as a tutor during future semesters. If interested, please visit hr.psu.edu/careers  to view the job description and apply (REQ_0000001197). If you have any questions, feel free to email morgancenter@psu.edu or call 814-865-0407.

Penn State College of Medicine University Park Curriculum Track's "Closer Look" Information Sessions

Join Penn State College of Medicine virtually to get a closer look at a curriculum that combines community engagement with health systems science and innovative educational strategies to empower you to thrive in your learning and professional growth. Penn State College of Medicine University Park Curriculum Track will prepare you for limitless career opportunities and the practice of medicine in a rapidly changing health care environment.

Pre-registration is required for each Zoom session. You may register for multiple sessions.

Dates

• 6 p.m. Oct. 6, 2020: UPC track admissions/selection process
• Noon Oct. 15, 2020: Year 1 - an in-depth look
• 6 p.m. Oct. 20, 2020: Year 2 - clerkships
• 6 p.m. Nov. 3, 2020: Year 3 - return to foundational sciences
• Noon Nov. 11, 2020: USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 study prep
• 6 p.m. Nov. 17, 2020: Year 4 and residency prep
• 6 p.m. Dec. 1, 2020: Life in and around State College, Pa.
• 6 p.m. Dec. 3, 2020: Student meet-and-greet
• 6 p.m. Dec. 8, 2020: Faculty meet-and-greet

Register now to learn more!

Metta Meditation  and Creative Activities for Life in Pandemic Times

Thursday, Nov 12, 12:00 -1:00 pm EST

In an effort to reinforce a sense of community, provide a space for a bit of self-care, and offer some creative activities for centering in these pandemic times, the following Zoom sessions have been planned for Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. (EST), starting in October (10/7) and running through the rest of the semester.

Most sessions will be guided meditation sessions to help us connect with ourselves and others, and find a sense of wellbeing.  However, on Wednesday, October 28, we’ll have Pandemic Poetry Slam, so if you’re interested, bring a poem (any format) that you’ve written about the pandemic experience and share it—or just come listen to the work of others.  On Wednesday, November 11, we’ll have an erasure/found/black-out poetry session, so bring a page from a book (you’re willing to destroy), a magazine, a newspaper, or a piece of junk mail, as well as pens/markers/pencils, and create a poetic masterpiece from something pre-existing.  Other sessions will be added as we go along, but our default will be guided meditation.

Time: Oct 7, 2020 07:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://psu.zoom.us/j/95772397354

Preparing For The MCAT Part I: Study Tips and Test-Taking Strategies

Oct 01, 2020 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm EDT

Speaker: Kristen Zukosky, PhD, Director, HiSTEP, College and Curriculum Advisor, NIH OITE

Event Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2022917086494174734

You have taken a practice section of the MCAT.  How do you analyze your results and make a plan for studying?  This workshop will discuss what to do in the months before you take the MCAT: how to analyze your errors, understand the different question types, and practice a variety of strategies.  We also will provide information on how to gather resources, create a study plan, and practice effectively.

Preparing for the MCAT Part II: MCAT Essentials and Test Day Preparation

Oct 15, 2020 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Speaker(s): Kristen Zukosky, PhD, Director, HiSTEP, College and Curriculum Advisor, OITE
 

Event Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5610627925973793038

This workshop will discuss MCAT logistics/policies, how and when to schedule full rehearsals, and when to use various resources.  Additionally, we will discuss test-day specifics, and tips and advice about how to best prepare in the days just prior to the test.

Succeeding on standardized tests often depends on more than knowing the material. Test takers must be able to remain calm and carefully consider different approaches to the test, including using strategies for managing emotions and physiology to maximize test performance.

MD AND MD/PHD APPLICATION Q&A SESSION

DISCUSSION GROUP/BROWN BAG: PROFESSIONAL (MEDICAL/DENTAL) SCHOOL

Oct 02, 2020 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Speaker(s): Elena Hernandez-Ramon, MD/PhD, Director, Pre-medical Program, OITE. Kristen Zukosky, Pre-med advisor
This event is recommended for: Postbacs.

During these virtual Q&A sessions the pre-medical team will answer questions about the medical school application, AMCAS and MCAT updates, and other general questions. We are going to be meeting every other week. Personal These sessions are not consecutive, so you can attend one or more, and as many as you want. 

If you are interested, please register in advance, as we will be sending the zoom link to all people registered an hour before the session. 

Register now!

Free MCAT Prep App by MedSchoolCoach

MedSchoolCoach has created an all-encompassing solution built specifically for the MCAT. MCAT Prep is jam-packed with features including:

• Video Tutorials – 80 hours of high-yield content across all AAMC sections and topics.
• Study Scheduling & Progress Tracking – Plan what you need to do each day during MCAT prep and track your completion through the entire MCAT journey.
•  Flashcards – 1,000+ flashcards presenting a term or concept for you to define.
• Practice Questions – More than 1,000 questions, paired with detailed explanations, that allows you to check your comprehension.

MCAT Prep by MedSchoolCoach has leveled the playing field by making the app completely free. Premium features will be introduced in the future, but the app will always be an affordable way to study for the MCAT.

Public Health Virtual Grad Fairs .

It's not too late to register for one of the many virtual fairs happening this fall!

Thursday, October 1, 11am-2pm ET

• Florida International, Harvard, Louisville, NYMC, NYU GPH, Rutgers, and Stony Brook

Thursday, October 1, 11am-2pm CT

• DMU MPH, St. Ambrose, St. Louis, UND MPH Program, UNMC, WashU, and UIUC

Thursday, October 1, 11am-2pm PT

• Colorado, Columbia, Loma Linda, Oregon State, UCLA, UC Davis, and UMiami

For a full list of events, or to register, visit: thisispublichealth.org/events

Virtual Podiatric Medical School Fair

Do you like trivia?  Are you financially savvy? Come have fun and play financial literacy trivia, hosted by the staff of Penn State’s Sokolov-Miller Family Financial & Life Skills Center via Zoom & Kahoot. 

Trivia questions and discussion will address managing your finances while living off-campus, as well as budgeting. Having a budget isn't about not spending any money--it's about prioritizing your spending to account for your needs and plan for your passions!

Please join us!  To play, you'll need a screen (like a computer or iPad) and your cell phone handy. 

Thursday, October 1, 2020    

4:00 PM-5:00 PM EST   

https://psu.zoom.us/j/493258891   

  Should you experience any trouble using the above ZOOM link, please use the Zoom link provided on the website page, https://financialliteracy.psu.edu/moneycounts/. Scroll down to “Special Events - Trivia Games” and click on the Zoom link provided.

EPPIC Workshops

This upcoming month, EPPIC will offer eight workshops for students and scholars on a variety of skills related to pronunciation, presentations, academic reading, and writing (full list below). This semester, all of our programming is online via Zoom!  

In October, EPPIC will also offer individual consultations on spoken and written academic English, sessions of Let’s Talk (a weekly speaking group designed specifically for J-1 visiting scholars), and our final three sessions of  Speak UP (a speaking group for students, postdocs, and fellows that meets 2x a week).

Registration for EPPIC Individual Consultations is ongoing, and it's still not too late for students/scholars to sign up for an EPPIC Advising session to create a personalized schedule. 

Art, Design, Health and Student Well-being Panel Discussion

You are invited to attend a panel discussion where faculty and staff will explore potential innovations and collaborations around the intersection of art, design, health and student well-being at Penn State.  The Arts & Design Research Incubator (ADRI) along with Health Promotion and Wellness will be co-hosting this event on Monday, October 12, from 3:00p.m. to 4:30p.m.  We encourage Penn State faculty, staff, and students interested in the intersection of these topics to attend.  Follow the below link to learn more and register for the upcoming event.

https://adri.psu.edu/event/think-tank-exploring-intersection-art-design-student-well-being 

Articles to Consider 

Articles to consider during this difficult time in our nation.

Read some now!

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!