Lewis Associates e-Newsletter
Volume 10 Issue 12
December 2011
Published by Lewis Associates. Dr. Cynthia Lewis, PhD., Editor
Email imaclewis@lewisassoc.com
with your comments. Enjoy!
December is the time for final exams and holidays - a mix of hard work and commitment to study, followed by fun. If you are a college student, you have been through this cycle every term for years. And, it doesn't stop in medical or in other health professions schools. But, how do you live up to your potential at such times? Studying effectively for final exams, especially if they are cumulative, requires planning for several weeks prior to the exam. "Cramming" is neither learning anything useful nor using your mind productively. It is simply "fighting fires". Planning requires you to be honest with yourself about how much time you "really" spend or need to spend studying organic chemistry or whatever subjects you currently have - including a study group and faculty office visits weekly (not just the day before your final exam), making and using flash cards, doing lots of practice problems, etc. And, how much time are you working, doing research and clinical or other service volunteering, spending with your girl/boyfriend or family, and socializing, watching TV, playing video games?
Be honest and plan accordingly for finals!
Do you really want to be competitive?
1. Plan ... ahead!
2. Address your weaknesses. What are they?
- Science GPA?
- Test (MCAT, DAT) scores, or do you need to take the test for the first time?
- Clinical experiences? How meaningful are they?
- Service? What did you do to help others?
- No close relationships with faculty?
And, how long will it take to really improve? One term? 2 years? Be realistic!
So, whatever quest you have, or issue you want to discuss, Dr. Lewis is the best person to use for personal and academic advice. She's been doing it for 26 years, and "has heard it all". Why don't you let her help you?
805-226-9669
imaclewis@lewisassoc.com
This month's question on Dr. Lewis' Facebook page is: "I am applying this year for the entering Class of 2012 and wonder what medical schools know about my application at other schools?"
Getting into medical, dental, pharmacy and the other health professions schools is getting HARDER!
As usually happens in an economic downturn, more people are attracted to stable careers like the health professions…competition is fierce!
How are YOU going to stand out from thousands of applicants?
Warning about student-run websites from Cornell Medical School Admissions staff:
"PLEASE do not encourage students to get information from web sites
administered by other students. From time to time, I look up the studentdoctor.net
site (for interview ratings) and I am appalled at the amount of misinformation
there. Most of the information given there will hurt students more than
help them."
Sick of rumors and false reports? Lewis Associates website has factual information that you can trust.
What's inside:
Welcome to Success Stories Newsletter!
News:
How to Communicate With Us
Your journey to a health profession
Are You Ready for the Class of 2013 or 2014?
Testimonials
Track Record
Be Competitive
What Are Your Chances
Getting Started
• Medical school applications reach new high
• Obama administration to announce effort to expand health-care workforce
• Costs prompting sicker patients to avoid medical care
• Decline in doctor office visits could be permanent
• Health care work force report questions how to plan for future
• Physician texting provides quick communication -- and an easy way to violate HIPAA
• Accreditation Matters: How to Be a Smart Consumer of Academic Programs in Health Care
• Accreditation Matters: Consequences of Attending a Non-Accredited School
• Personal Responsibility: Financing Your Health Sciences Education
• Social media increasingly used to gauge public health
• Federally Qualified Health Centers Poised for Significant Role in Reform
• Medicare 27.4% doctor pay cut set for 2012 unless Congress acts
• How learning to cook is helping doctors give nutritional advice
• Supreme Court to hear challenge to Obama’s health-care overhaul
• Young doctors apt to question use of vaccines
• OSHA rejects petition to regulate resident work hours
Useful Links
• ADHD MD on Facebook - dedicated to providing resources and information for medical students with ADHD.
• ADHD MD - blog - A Distracted Med Student's Guide To Medical School
• LD PhD - blog - A site dedicated to inspiring people with learning disabilities and ADHD to succeed.
Alumni Update
• Cameron, Entering Class of 2011, Rush Medical College
• K. O. MD, Entering Class of 2000, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Psychiatry Residency Tucson, AZ
• Zai, Entering class 2007, Rosalind Franklin School of Medicine
Success Story of the Month
•Ralph, Entering Class of 2012, New York School of Podiatric Medicine
Question of the Month
• Dr. Lewis' answer to this month's question: "I am applying this year for the entering Class of 2012 and wonder what medical schools know about my application at other schools?"
See our Facebook page, Advising Tips tab.
Nearly one in ten Americans ages 20 to 24 is unemployed. But, health
care jobs remain an economic bright spot. The U.S. Department of
Labor expects the health sector to add more than 1.4 million workers over
the next ten years. Students in college and even high school can start
preparing now for a rewarding health career.
Are you ready?
Our Track Record
Entering Class of 2011...100% acceptance
Entering Class of 2010...86% acceptance
Entering Class of 2009...96% acceptance
Entering Class of 2008...96% acceptance
Entering Class of 2007...97% acceptance
Entering Class of 2006...89% acceptance
Entering Class of 2005...100% acceptance
Entering Class of 2004...100% acceptance
We have restructured our Advising package so you can become competitive during the entire application process!
Our one year package addresses Your preparation and application activities. We advise all applicants to begin preparation for their application process at least 18 MONTHS prior to expected matriculation . But, real preparation to become a strong, competitive applicant starts when you enter college (and even before!) So, get started NOW!
If you are interested in personalized advising from “The Best in the Business,” (quote by Dr. Patrick Linson, Harvard Medical School Alum who is the only Native American Radiation Oncologist on the planet!), call Lewis Associates today to schedule YOUR personal assessment. Dr. Lewis invests in you, so you may live up to your potential to be the best applicant you can be!
Phone: 805-226-9669
|
Email: imaclewis@lewisassoc.com |
| Mailing Address: 1885 Laguna del Campo, Templeton, CA 93465 | |
Lewis Associates absorbs Long Distance Charges
All phone conferences are made from our office to you. Marcia, our Administrative Assistant, calls YOU at your appointment time.
Where are you
in your journey to a health profession?
In high school? Yes, we advise high school students,
particularly, those interested in BA-MD programs!
Just starting college? This is a scary time. Everything
is new…how do I meet all those new expectations?
Moving into your difficult upper division sciences as a college
junior? Possibly, the "dreaded organic chemistry"…
Re-entering as an "older" non-traditional student?
Re-establishing academic discipline…
We help prepare those of you submitting applications for medical
and dental Residency programs, too!
Whatever niche you fit, we advise students just like you.
Are you REALLY ready to apply for the Class of 2013 or 2014?
How do you know?
Use our Personal
Assessment--and you will be given your individual strategy
and path to your future! Then, if you use our advising, we help implement
your strategy! And if you start the ultimate Commitement Package within
6 months, we subtract your Personal Assesment Fee from the total. If it
were easy to do, all applicants would be accepted...and, that is not the
case.
Many whom we advise may not yet be ready, and need to develop some aspect
of their background to become competitive. Best to apply when
you are ready, be competitive, and do it ONLY ONCE!
Let's work together to make that one-time application successful…contacting
us earlier is better so we can develop your strategy and address all those
difficult problems…months or years prior to application.
Why not set yourself up for success, rather than toy with the proposition
of failure?
Testimonials
Gail Ruth, mother of Todd Ruth, Entering Class of
2010, Jefferson University Medical School
Just a short note here to let you know how appreciative we are
of all the wonderful help you gave to our son, Todd. He just received
his first 2 acceptances from his top choices, so we couldn't be more pleased.!
You were instrumental in guiding him as to which courses to take and gave
him invaluable help with his essays. Thanks once again for all your help
and guidance.
David and Maureen Lee, parents of Eric Lee, Entering Class of
2009, Saint Louis University School of Medicine
June, 2009: "Dr. Lewis, We just wanted to drop you a quick
note to say thank you for all of your strategic guidance, wise counsel,
encouragement, and mentoring to our son Eric on his journey to get into
medical school. That is quite a process!! Eric definitely took the "road
less traveled", majoring in philosophy, but he worked really hard
to get his science prerequisites under his belt. He benefited so much
from your experience, insight, and when needed, "tough love".
You kept him on track, and we thank you. We think he will be an excellent
physician. Perhaps some day we will meet. Again with gratitude, David
and Maureen Lee."
Michael Nevarez, Entering Class of 2006, Harvard University School
of Medicine, his first choice school
"Dr. Lewis was a wonderful guide and mentor as I embarked
on a medical career a number of years after graduating from Cal Poly (graduated
2001, applied to med school in 2006). She gave an honest assessment of
the strengths and weaknesses of my profile, and more importantly provided
specific and personalized ways in which I could address
my application and the process going forward. Her advice and experience
was invaluable and I am very happy to have worked with her."
Margaret Jolley, Entering Class of 2008, UC San Diego School of
Medicine, her first choice school
"I never would've made it without my weekly conference with the calm,
experienced Dr. Lewis. She kept me sane. I am so grateful for her guidance,
for her editing help, and for the confidence she instilled in me. She
is a genuinely caring committed Mentor who takes pride in helping our
dreams happen. I have urged every fellow student I know to call her. Let
her help you, too!"
Austin Yoder, Entering Class of 2009, Accepted to Uniformed
Services University for Health Sciences, Philadelphia Osteopathic-GA,
West Virginia Osteopathic, Tennessee Osteopathic, and
Kansas City Osteopathic
"I am utterly grateful to Dr. Lewis for all her help, guidance and
mentorship through the application process. I owe a great deal of my success
to date to her team."
Ariel Chairez, Entering Class 2004, Scholarship Awardee, University
of Wisconsin Medical School
"Dr. Lewis, I would like to thank you for all of your help.
Without your guidance, I would not have been accepted
into medical school this year. I am extremely happy to have been accepted
to one of the top medical schools in the country, and to have received
a scholarship of $130,000. For any student who questions the value
of your services, I can say that you have saved me $130,000 in tuition!
Thank you."
John Fiszer (Lawyer), Entering Class of 2005,
University Of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine
Dr. Lewis' note: John was an Assistant State's Prosecuting Attorney in
Chicago, Illinois, when he contacted me in 2004. Finishing his 4th year
of medical school, he said: "I am really enjoying med school, and
I am thankful to Dr. Lewis for her help. Her methodical, disciplined approach
to the med school application process, as well as her insight into the
transition to med school were right on target."
Ali Warrick, Advisee
"Dear Dr. Lewis,
I appreciate your help in my transfer process to UC Berkeley. You have
been an integral part of the transition, and I would like to thank you
for your time and efforts. I know that your work is very thorough
and well thought out. In addition, I believe that you really care about
your students, and believe in each student's "right fit" in
a school. You lead many people toward a brighter future, and I would like
to say, 'Thank You!' for your contribution toward my academic goals. This
process has been much more enjoyable with your guidance. Thank you for
being so good at what you do."
S, Entering Class 2008, accepted with full scholarship
to Mayo Medical School
"I cannot thank Dr. Lewis enough for her support and invaluable advice.
When I came to her, I was apprehensive about the formidable task of applying
to medical school especially with my past academic and personal hardships.
She helped me see that overcoming these difficulties was a testament to
my strength, dedication, and diligence. One of the most surprising outcomes
of our relationship was that she was effective in helping me develop a
more positive self-image and conquer many of my insecurities. Without
her guidance and letter of evaluation, I would not have been able to earn
an acceptance to Mayo Medical School, which granted me a merit scholarship
that covers almost all of my tuition. I truly appreciate all of her help.
She went above and beyond her role as an Advisor by becoming a Mentor
to me. She is absolutely the best in the business!"
Be Competitive
In order to be a competitive Class of 2013 or 2014 applicant,
you need to submit a quality application as evaluated by your clinical,
service and other experiences and your GPA-MCAT/DAT/GRE, etc. profile
in a timely fashion. This requires a well thought-out strategy to carry
you through the difficult year-long application process. If you use Dr.
Lewis' advising, we begin preparation early in the year BEFORE submission
of your application!
EARLY is always better, removes much of the pressure, and allows time to solve unforeseen problems and challenges.
What are your chances?
If you want to change your career, or reach your present career goal,
but do not know how to begin, or how to jump over all those hurdles, Lewis
Associates will advise you and implement strategies to change your life.
Dr. Lewis is thorough and professional.
Getting Started
Read on our website about
getting your Personal
Assessment done, then phone or email
us to get started! Dr. Lewis spends, on average, 7 hours developing
an effective strategy of taking you from where you are to where you want
to be. Added Benefit: We will subtract
the cost of your Personal Assesment from an Ultimate Commitment Package
if you choose it within 6 months.
You may be like our other Lewis Associates Advisees -- highly motivated
and intelligent -- but needing focus, guidance and specific technical
expertise. Dr. Lewis solves problems for her Advisees and finds opportunities
for them. Or, you may wish to use hourly advising to solve one specific
problem.
Dr. Lewis is a trained Biologist, having taught and directed her own research
programs for many years at two universities. She earned two postdoctoral
fellowships (one at NIH), received the 1990 NACADA Outstanding
Institutional Advising Program in the U.S. and directed her own Health
Careers Opportunity Program grant for 6 years, bringing $1 million to
her university while helping hundreds of disadvantaged
students enter health professions.
If you are serious about making your dreams to become a physician,
dentist, physician assistant, veterinarian, optometrist, podiatrist, naturopathic
physician, or pharmacist a reality--Dr. Lewis can help you.
We have made the difference for more than 800 alumni now training or practicing
in medicine over the last 26 years.
Dr. Lewis teaches Professionalism, Leadership, and Quality, and
sets high standards for her Advisees.
Lewis Associates will save you money and heartache on your preparation
and application process.
Contact the Health Career experts! For more
information email imaclewis@lewisassoc.com.
Call 805-226-9669 to set up your first appointment.
Medical school applications reach new high
A shortage of 91,500 physicians by 2020 will be difficult to avoid without expanded funding for residency training.
http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?rtr=on&s=x8pbgr,qs6z,2kdo,hzxv,lby9,d051,er0i
Obama administration to announce effort to expand health-care workforce
The Obama administration will announce as much as $1 billion in funding to hire, train and deploy health-care workers, part of the White House’s broader “We Can’t Wait” agenda to bolster the economy after President Obama’s jobs bill stalled in Congress.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/obama-administration-to-announce-effort-to-expand-health-care-workforce/2011/11/11/gIQAxXfpIN_story.html?
Costs prompting sicker patients to avoid medical care
Physicians are urged to talk about cost when discussing care options and develop ways to attract patients who should come in but don't.
http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?rtr=on&s=x8pbgr,rnq2,2kdo,cooc,abme,d051,er0i
Decline in doctor office visits could be permanent
Studies suggest that recent declines reflect cost-conscious patients training themselves to avoid making an appointment unless they believe it's absolutely necessary.
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/10/31/bil21031.htm
Health care work force report questions how to plan for future
A bipartisan policy center finds that inconsistent data and a lack of forward-thinking pose obstacles to meeting the demand for professionals.
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/10/31/gvsb1031.htm
Physician texting provides quick communication -- and an easy way to violate HIPAA
After years of using pagers, and constantly waiting on return calls, physicians now consider texting to be an efficient and fast way to connect with colleagues.
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/10/31/bica1031.htm
Accreditation Matters: How to Be a Smart Consumer of Academic Programs in Health Care
http://explorehealthcareers.org/en/issues/news/Article/257/Accreditation_Matters_Part_I?pub=1&issue=
Accreditation Matters: Consequences of Attending a Non-Accredited School
http://explorehealthcareers.org/en/Article/260/Accreditation_Matters_Part_II_Consequences_of_Attending_a_NonAccredited_School?pub=1&issue=
Personal Responsibility: Financing Your Health Sciences Education
http://explorehealthcareers.org/en/issues/news/Article/255/Personal_Responsibility_Financing_Your_Health_Sciences_Education?pub=1&issue=
Social media increasingly used to gauge public health
The real-time data allow for quick dissemination of information to a global audience, health officials say.
http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?rtr=on&s=x8pbgr,qs6z,2kdo,8mb7,iioe,d051,er0i
Federally Qualified Health Centers Poised for Significant Role in Reform
Centers Evolve as Key Providers of Efficient, High-Quality Primary Care for Low-Income People
http://www.hschange.org/CONTENT/1258/
Medicare 27.4% doctor pay cut set for 2012 unless Congress acts
CMS says its hands are tied on the pay formula but agrees to scale back additional pay reductions planned for interpreting imaging scans.
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/11/14/gvl11114.htm
How learning to cook is helping doctors give nutritional advice
Programs in a handful of medical settings are teaching how healthy foods actually can be tasty and how to get patients to change their eating habits.
http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?rtr=on&s=x8pbgr,rnq2,2kdo,g9t9,4y65,d051,er0i
Supreme Court to hear challenge to Obama’s health-care overhaul
The Supreme Court decided to review President Obama’s 2010 health-care overhaul, promising a high-profile hearing on the question dominating American politics: the constitutional limits of the federal government’s power.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/supreme-court-to-hear-challenge-to-obamas-health-care-overhaul/2011/11/11/gIQALTvrKN_story.html
Young doctors apt to question use of vaccines
Recent medical school graduates are less likely to believe that immunizations are safe and effective compared with their older practicing counterparts, a new study shows.
http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?rtr=on&s=x8pbgr,qs6z,2kdo,dzb4,d75t,d051,er0i
OSHA rejects petition to regulate resident work hours
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has turned down a request from Public Citizen Health Research Group, the American Medical Student Association and the Committee of Intern and Residents to take over regulation of resident work hours.
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/amawire/2011-november-09/2011-november-09-medical_student.shtml?P=S&C=A&G=T&M=T&I=T&W=T&Y=T&S=F
ADHD MD on Facebook
We are dedicated to providing resources and information for medical students with ADHD.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/ADHD-MD/124078140962278?sk=wall
ADHD MD - blog
A Distracted Med Student's Guide To Medical School
http://adhd-md.blogspot.com/
LD PhD - blog
A site dedicated to inspiring people with learning disabilities and ADHD to succeed
http://ldphd.org/
Find these and other useful links on Lewisassoc.com's Links Page.
 Cameron Cameron, Entering Class of 2011, Rush Medical College Nov 16, 2011: " Hello Dr. Lewis, I just wanted to send you a quick update on everything. I am loving medical school and Rush. I have really found Rush to be a community and family environment that truly wants us to succeed. While we do have a lot of work and studying, I have been able to have a life as well! We have finished two blocks so far: cell and molecular biology and immunology/hematology. We just started our musculoskeletal block on Monday and began anatomy today! I have settled into Chicago fairly well and starting to get my bearings around the area. Downtown Chicago is really nice and there is so much to do (wish we had more time to explore). We just had our white coat ceremony this past weekend and I wanted to send you a few photos from them. I hope all is well with you and your family. Cameron" |
 K.O. K. O., MD, Entering Class of 2000, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Psychiatry Residency Tucson, AZ Nov 9, 2011: " Hello Dr. Lewis, long time no hear/see, hope you are well. I am finishing up psychiatry residency in Tucson Arizona. I am now Chief! It's weird being in my last year of school, finally. Life is good in Tucson. No idea what I'll do next, considering Locum Tenens work in Australia. Look forward to hearing from you. Let's keep in touch. Warmly, K. O." |
 Zai Zai, Entering class 2007, Rosalind Franklin School of Medicine Nov 2, 2011: " Hi Dr. Lewis, I've been meaning to check in with you for a while. Finally a nice elective with downtime. I matched at Providence Sacred Heart in Spokane, WA for my transitional intern year, and USC for Radiology. My intern year is wonderful. It is a mix of hard and easy rotations, with great flexibility. So I get to see a nice variety of patients. And USC will be perfect for both me and Chris, since all of his clients are down in southern California. Zai" |
Watch for Success Stories coming for some of these alumni!
success story
 Ralph Ralph, Entering Class of 2012, New York School of Podiatric Medicine Like many, I longed to be a medical professional since I was young. I fantasized that as a doctor I could really help people with medical needs, applying clinical knowledge and experience to perform the diagnosis, and if necessary, challenge my dexterity by performing corrective surgeries using exotic and expensive tools, not to mention the respect I would get from wearing a white coat. |
Email to Dr. Lewis if you wish to communicate about medical schools or other issues or to contact those profiled in Success Stories: imaclewis@lewisassoc.com
question of the month... see Facebook, Advising Tips tab
By Dr. Cynthia Lewis, PhD
"I am applying this year for the entering Class of 2012 and wonder what medical schools know about my application at other schools?"
We will feature an important question each month. Please submit one that interests you for Dr. Lewis to answer. Send your questions to imaclewis@lewisassoc.comwith 'Newsletter Question' in the subject line.
lewis associates advising services
Lewis Associates specializes in personal, effective and professional
premedical advising and placement for traditional and non-traditional
applicants. Often, non-traditional students are older than 21 years
of age, career changers, international applicants or second-round applicants
for admission to health professions school.
Lewis Associates' services meet the needs of all types of students from
pre-applicants to applicants, including hourly advising support for
specific needs. Click
here.
contact
"It's never too late to be who you might have been."
If this is how YOU feel, then, maybe Lewis Associates is the place
for you. Lewis Associates provides Mentoring and Coaching through
the rigorous and often circuitous pre-health preparation and application
process. Other consultants may support programs like Law and Business
or graduate school -- not Lewis Associates. We are the experts in
Health Professions based on 26 years of a successful
track record.
Call or email today to set your first appointment!
805.226.9669 imaclewis@lewisassoc.com
Copyright 2009, Lewis Associates. All rights reserved. Please do not repost on any website without direct permission from Lewis Associates.
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