Biomedicine graduate programs tend to cater to two main audiences: the seasoned pre-med students and the career changers. When I was researching programs that could meet my specific pre-professional health career goals, I found that I didn’t neatly fit into either category.�� In some programs, I would need to complete several years’ worth of additional courses for a post-baccalaureate certificate, let alone a Master’s degree. I searched far and wide for a pre-medicine program that accepted my undergraduate work and wouldn’t make me feel as if I was completely starting over. At the same time, I hoped to earn a Master’s degree from somewhere that took into consideration that I had never been on a pre-med track before. As the first candidate for ����Vlog’s Premedicine Master of Science, I can tell you that this is where ����Vlog stands out from the rest!

The Premedicine curriculum recognizes where you are, is flexible enough to fit your needs, and allows you to graduate with a Master’s degree in only two years. To top it off, ����Vlog has articulation agreements with numerous professional health schools that MS in Premedicine students can qualify for. You are still very much a part of a larger Biomedicine program, and you’ll often take classes (and socialize) with the MS in Biomedicine students. One of the great benefits of this is that you can learn from your peers who have already gone through some of the course work you are being introduced to. Likewise, you have the opportunity to provide insight on subjects that you are well-versed in, but may be less familiar concepts to them.

 In addition to sharing classes with other Biomed students, you will be spending time with undergraduates. I have found that many of them are also pre-professional health students who are highly motivated and welcoming of the diversity our programs bring. There are students of a variety of backgrounds at ����Vlog who contribute to a rich academic experience that is inclusive of our individual and cultural differences. The ����Vlog students (both undergraduate and graduate) I have personally encountered are often driven, yet have a tendency to lean towards support and encouragement in contrast to the unhealthy level of competition that can too frequently be seen in our discipline.

Core classes you share with Biomed students include Interdisciplinary Seminar I and II, Practicum, and Cross Cultural Health Care. Depending on your interests, you may also share classes such as Anatomy and Physiology, Organic Chemistry I and II, Infectious Disease, and more. The plan of study on our MS in Premedicine page provides a helpful outline of which courses you’ll take and when, but if what you’re seeing doesn’t address the prerequisites you’re looking for, no worries! I entered fresh out of undergrad with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Philosophy, and I’m on the pre-physician assistant track. We were able to make adjustments accordingly. In case you’d like a preview of another kind of route you could take, here’s how my schedule was initially laid out (some adjustments were made due to COVID-19):

First semester 

• Animal Form and Function
• General Chemistry I
• Interdisciplinary Seminar I

Second Semester 

• Molecules, Genes, and Cells
• General Chemistry II
• The Healthcare Delivery System

Summer

• Practicum
• Cross Cultural Health Care
• Infectious Disease

Third Semester

• Organic Chemistry I
• Cell Biology
• Human Gross and Microscopic Anatomy
• Interdisciplinary Seminar II

Fourth Semester

• Molecular Genetics
• Medical Microbiology
• Human Physiology

It’s certainly an individual process to decide whether the MS in Premedicine at ����Vlog is the right fit for you, but what I will say is that this program is formatted with you in mind. We value holistic approaches to health care, which lends itself to valuing perspectives from other areas of study. There is a place for you here regardless of what your undergraduate major was or at what stage of education you became interested in the medical profession. This is a program where you can transition into the healthcare field on a schedule that is tailored to your needs, alongside people who appreciate your unique strengths.

1. When do you suggest students begin exploring medical programs?

As soon as you have made the decision to pursue the medical field, you need to begin exploring programs.�� This can be done in a variety of ways such as attending graduate fairs, presentations, open house events, and even contacting the program itself for a tour and individual meeting. Spending time on campus and speaking to those involved with a program can show you what the campus culture and facilities are really like, versus looking at a view book or information online.�� It’s also important to develop and maintain relationships with programs you are most interested in as this can put a face with a name when they begin reviewing applications

2. When reviewing applications, what attributes stand out besides GPA and MCAT scores?

Schools can vary on this, but for our school, we are looking for individuals that match our mission statement.�� During the review of an applicant, we look for activities and examples that show an alignment with our goals as an institution.�� This includes excellent clinical experiences (scribing, EMT, nursing, etc.), community involvement (especially in rural locations), and instances where an applicant is in a leadership role.�� We also look for a strong personal statement that gives us better insight into why you want to become a physician.

3. When writing personal statements, what tips can provide for a strong statement?

Personal Statements can be hard to write.�� Be sure that you use every character you can and that it is your voice coming through.�� Stay away from using famous quotes as this can detract from your overall message.�� This is a time not to think outside of the box and try to do something different.�� Write about your journey and why you have chosen this career path.�� Try to stay away from sensitive material that you are not comfortable sharing in a setting such as an interview without causing you to become emotional. Finally, if you present information in your statement that is medically related about a person you worked with, do not identify the person you are discussing; instead, give them a different name or refer to them as “Patient J” for example.��

4. On interview day, what suggestions do you have for students?

On interview day, present your best self. You want to come into the interview dressed professionally and groomed appropriately.�� Remember that the entire time you are visiting that campus, eyes are on you.�� Stay interactive throughout the entire process.�� This includes speaking to other applicants, admissions staff, and those you come in contact with throughout the day. Interview day is not just about a program interviewing you; you are also interviewing the program to see if it is a fit for you, so come prepared with questions. If you are interviewing in a small town, know that the community is also watching you and will report to the school if you participate in any inappropriate behavior.�� This should go without saying, but put down your phone.�� Your interview day is extremely important and spending your time texting or paying attention to what is going on through your phone makes you come across as uninterested.��

5. How can students convey a stronger and improved��academic record to admissions committees?

��Students can best convey an improved academic by discussing it within their application.�� Seeing students that struggled and then began performing well in later undergraduate work on in to graduate study is not uncommon.�� It actually can work to your advantage as it shows that you dealt with failing or some sort of adversity and you used it to seek out help, change study habits, or fix what was not working for you.�� Professional school programs are looking for an “upward trend” in regards to academics, so be sure that you record reflects this.�� You can attempt to reach out to program individual; however, not all programs will take the time to discuss your application.��

When should you apply to medical school?�� Dr.Halterman recommends applying after completing the 2 year M.A. in Biomedicine program.�� Once you complete your degree, you will be a well-rounded applicant. ��On your application, you will be able to talk about the cross cultural experience as well as the guided research experience. �� Also, after the completion of the program, you would have completed all necessary coursework needed to prepare for and take the MCAT.

The MD school application opens in May and completed applications may be submitted the first week of June. ��The DO��school application opens in April��and completed applications may be submitted the first week of June. Dr.Halterman also pointed out that applying and submitting your medical school application early is beneficial. �� So, try submitting your application between June to August.�� Before applying, be sure to complete the��25 core competencies!

When should you take the MCAT? ��Dr.Halterman suggests that a student should take the MCAT right before they apply to medical school. ��In other words, a student should start preparing for the MCAT in the spring semester before applying to schools. ��The ideal testing dates would be��in late May/early June. �� In terms of multiple test scores, she points out that some schools look at your latest score, some look at the your best score, and some schools look at the combination of scores.

Does the M.A. in Biomedicine program offer a MCAT prep course? ��Yes! ��It will be offered this spring�� at a price of $50-75. �� What encompasses the prep class? ��You will have a suggested study schedule, a reserved space in the Rutt House and annexes on Mondays and Wednesdays between 5-9 p.m., 3 proctored practice exams(it will have the feeling of taking the test in the real testing environment and will cost $25-50 per test), 5 Q&A sessions with ����Vlog faculty from the biology, chemistry, physics, math, and psychology departments, 2-3 sessions filled with MCAT test taking skills, as well as discussions with former Biomedicine students who took the 2015 MCAT. ��If interested, please contact��Cheryl Doss by Decemeber 1st to reserve your spot! �� Dr.Halterman also suggests Khan Academy videos, Kaplan books, and Exam Kracker books��as MCAT preparatory ��materials.

Besides GPA and MCAT scores, what else makes a competitive applicant? ��To be competitive, one should have completed 40 hours of shadowing. ��If applying to MD schools, shadow an MD whereas shadow a DO if applying to DO school; if applying to both types of medical schools, it will be beneficial to shadow both. ��During the first summer semester of the Biomedicine program, students will have the opportunity to complete this requirement during practicum. �� Completing 100 hours of clinical and community service volunteer hours also makes a competitive applicant. ��Biomedicine students will be able to obtain these hours during the cross cultural experience in the summer. �� ��Recommendation letters�� are also important! ��Ideally, you should have 3-4 letters; 1 from the ����Vlog Pre-health committe, 1 from a MD/DO/both, and 1 from a professor in a different department/undergrad or someone from the medical field/research mentor. ��Overall, it should be someone��who knows you well. ���� The M.A. Biomedicine also organizes mock interviews, which is comprised of 3 faculty members. �� Also, contact ����Vlog Career Services for assistance in writing a personal statement.

Dr.Halterman also mentioned the agreement �� This agreement states that 5 students, per application cycle year, from the Biomedicine program will be guaranteed an interview if they maintain an overall GPA of a 3.2, science GPA of 3.4, completed 100 hours of volunteer work, and have a competitive MCAT score.

Dr.Halterman also provided us with the ��as well as important information regarding the .

Overall, it was a very informative session! ��I liked Dr.Halterman’s last piece of advice when studying for the MCAT: “Mentally prepare your mind by picking a [MCAT] date and time.” ��

***For more information on the application process and medical school preparation, click ***

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