1. Clark University’s Medical Careers Advising Program
Dr. Denis A. Larochelle
Director of the Program
Chair of the Premedical and Predental Advising Committee:
E. Krygier D. Merrill N. Meyer R. Drewell

2. Dr. David Thurlow

3. Humanism Academics Application Process Medical Schools Curriculum
Campus,
Community,
and Clinical
Extracurricular
Activities
GPA
Research
MCAT
Faculty Letters
Humanism
Academics
Committee Letter
AMCAS Application
Essay
Experience descriptions
Application
Process
Secondary Applications
Interview
Medical
Schools
Choosing Schools

4. Clark University Undergraduates:
Health Professions Entering Class of 2018
David Berry, 2018
Robert DuBois, 2017
Iva Hoxha, 2017
Yadana Khin, 2015
Are you interested in medicine? Contact Wendy Praisner at Sackler, S228, to be put on our mailing
list and check out our website:
Please contact Dr. Denis Larochelle at Lasry, 334 to talk about your plans and the best way to find the path that is right for you towards a career in one of the many health-related fields.
Lincoln Memorial U-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Med.
University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine
New England College
of Optometry
Georgetown U. School of Med.
Ying Ge Wang, 2016
Ethan Wainblat, 2016
Vladislav Kiveliyk, 2017
Valeria Maldonado, 2013
University of Connecticut
School of Dental Medicine
Cooper Medical School of Rowan University
U. of North Carolina
School of Medicine
Ohio U. Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

5. What we can provide for you:
1. Curriculum
2. MCAT
Invited Speakers
Letters of Recommendation and
Committee Letter of Evaluation
5. Extracurricular and volunteering activities
(ER volunteering program at St. Vincent and UMass Memorial Hospitals)
AMCAS Application: Timing, Basic information,
List of experiences, and Personal statement
Secondary applications
8. Mock Interviews
9. Where to apply: appropriate tier, compatible programs, suitable geography
10. Networking: contacts with Clark alumni, conferences, open houses

6. Choices of Professions in Medicine:
Human medicine:
Allopathy (MD)
Osteopathy (DO)
Dentistry (DDS or DD)
Optometry (OD)
Podiatry (DPM)
Animal medicine: Veterinary (DVM)
Other related professions:
Nursing
Chiropractic
Physician Assistant
Nutrition
Sports Medicine
Public Health
Genetic Counseling
Pharmacy
Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy

7. Undergraduate required prerequisite courses
(Beware: these may change in the near future)
Different schools have somewhat different prerequisites (especially regarding Math).
Medical, dental and veterinary are generally similar: 1 year of English, Math, General Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Physics; plus at least 1 semester of Biochemistry*, Psychology*, and Sociology*. *Recently required by increasing numbers of schools.
Allied health fields such as nursing and PA do not generally require Physics. However, they, as well as pharmacy, PT, and others, may have additional requirements such as Microbiology, Statistics, Human Anatomy and Human Physiology.
Please see Clark’s website for more information ( )

8. Undergraduate required prerequisite courses
(Beware: these may change in the near future)
Different schools have somewhat different prerequisites (especially regarding Math).
Medical, dental and veterinary are generally similar: 1 year of English, Math, General Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Physics; plus at least 1 semester of Biochemistry*, Psychology*, and Sociology*. *Recently required by increasing numbers of schools.
Allied health fields such as nursing and PA do not generally require Physics. However, they, as well as pharmacy, PT, and others, may have additional requirements such as Microbiology, Statistics, Human Anatomy and Human Physiology.
Please see Clark’s website for more information ( )

9. Undergraduate required prerequisite courses
(Beware: these may change in the near future)
Different schools have somewhat different prerequisites (especially regarding Math).
Medical, dental and veterinary are generally similar: 1 year of English, Math, General Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Physics; plus at least 1 semester of Biochemistry*, Psychology*, and Sociology*. *Recently required by increasing numbers of schools.
Allied health fields such as nursing and PA do not generally require Physics. However, they, as well as pharmacy, PT, and others, may have additional requirements such as Microbiology, Statistics, Human Anatomy and Human Physiology.
Please see Clark’s website for more information ( )

10. (http://www.clarku.edu/departments/prehealth/exploring/careers.cfm )

11. Planning for a career in medicine: e.g., allopathic (MD)
What does it take to get into medical school?
Medical schools will ask three questions:
1. Can you do the work in medical school?
Numbers and NCVs
2. Do you know what you are getting in for?
“Clinical” (usually volunteer) experiences
3. Will you make a good doctor?
Letters, applications, interviews, and NCVs

12. 1. Can you do the work in medical school?
Data medical schools will use to try to answer this question:
1. Undergraduate GPA (overall and science):
~ 3.5
2. MCAT scores:
~> 70th percentile on each of 4 sections: Biology/Biochem, Chemistry/Physics, Behavioral, and Critical Reasoning
3. Non-cognitive variables (NCVs) as predictors of success:
Sense of self
Realistic self appraisal
Leadership
Role models
Balance in recognizing and dealing with “discrimination”
Ability to identify and thrive in a community
Nontraditional (experience based) learning
Setting goals and receiving rewards

13. 2. Do you know what you are getting in for?
Have you seen patients in distress?
Will you faint at the sight of blood?
Did you learn about medicine from watching Grey’s Anatomy?
Have you ever changed a bedpan?
Have you witnessed health care providers act professionally?
Information medical schools will use to try to answer this question:
Experiences in a “clinical” environment - since you cannot treat patients without certification (CNA, LPN, RN, PA, MD, etc .), this is usually obtained as a volunteer in a hospital, nursing home, or health clinic. Also, shadowing physicians.
Service on an Emergency Medical Squad (EMS); e.g., CUEMS
3. Training/experience as an EMT

14. 3. Will you make a good doctor?
i.e., are you the type of person someone on a medical school’s admissions committee would identify as the type of person they would want as their own doctor?
Data medical schools will use to try to answer this question:
1. Positive letter of evaluation from Committee:
Based primarily on letters of reference from Clark faculty
2. AMCAS application: personal essay and list of experiences
3. Answers to questions on secondary applications
4. Interview
5. NCVs in all of the above

16. Highest tier

17. Middle tier

18. Lowest tier

19. PREHEALTH SOCIETY
GET INVOLVED!

20. Invited Speakers Program
Workshops and lectures by invited speakers: provide insight into how to prepare for the challenges of the medical profession and how to take advantage of the rewards.
Clark hosts workshops and lectures.
Below are some examples from previous years:
1) September – MCAT 1) September – MCAT
2) October – Ob/Gyn 2) October – Family
3) November – Pediatrics 3) November – End of Life
4) February – Emergency 4) February – Surgery
5) March – Medical School Admissions 5) March – Medical School Admissions
6) April – AMCAS 6) April – AMCAS

23. What is the best way to approach your college career?
Explore
Courses
Majors
Campus activities
Community
2. Enjoy
All of the above
Find your passion
Make time for you
3. Focus
Grades
Standardized tests (MCAT, GRE, etc.)
Service
Application process

24. Medical School Requirements (bold)
It is possible to complete them in 3 years
Year 1
Fall Spring
Intro Chem I Intro Chem II
Intro Biol I Intro Biol II
xxx xxx
xxx Math/Statistics*
Year 2
Fall Spring
Organic I Organic II
(Math)* Psychology* *not all schools
xxx (Cell) XXX (Genetics)
xxx xxx
Year 3
Fall Spring
Intro Physics I Intro Physics II
Biochemistry I xxx (Physiology)
English (any) English (any)
xxx Sociology*
Other desirable courses: Spanish, computer literacy

25. Final Thoughts The health profession is one of the most rewarding
careers one can choose.
Medicine may be one of the most demanding
professions one can choose.
Start the process of becoming the type of individual to whom you would trust your own health and well being now.
There are many fields. You will have plenty of time to decide which is most attractive to you.
We are here to help. Please come see and talk with us soon and often.

26. Emergency Room Volunteer and Shadowing Program
Clark University and both St. Vincent and UMass Memorial Hospitals are partners in programs that provides the following opportunity for Clark premeds:
Applicants are recommended by Clark's Premedical Advisor, or may apply directly at the Volunteer Office.
Participants make a commitment of at least 50 hours over the year.
At the completion of the program, the volunteer coordinator may be asked for a letter of recommendation to be incorporated into Clark’s committee letter.
In addition, the Dept. of Surgery at UMass Memorial Hospital and the Newton-Wellesley Hospital have shadowing programs to which Clark students may apply.

27. New Articulation Agreements with MCPHS: nursing, PA, & PharmD
Qualified Clark graduates will be offered assured admission to MCPHS programs leading to the following degrees: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Master of Physician Assistant Studies (PA), and Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD).
Eligibility:
Major in Biology or related field
GPA - Overall & prerequisites: 3.2, BSN; 3.4, PA and PharmD
Prerequisite courses (no grades below a C)
Notify MCPHS by Feb. 1 of senior year
Application must be complete and received by
Oct. 1 (BSN and PA - Jan. matriculation)
or Feb. 1 (PharmD – Sept. matriculation)

28. Prerequisite courses for transfer to MCPHS: BSN
BSN prerequisite Clark courses:
Chemistry I: CHEM 101
Chemistry II: CHEM 102
*Human Anatomy: BIOL 111
*Human Physiology: BIOL 240
*Microbiology: BIOL 109
*Statistics: MATH 217 (ECON 260) or MATH 218 or ECON 160 or BIOL 106 or GEOG 110
*Human Development: PSYC 150 and PSYC 151 and PSYC 152
*requires additional Clark prerequisite (e.g., BIOL 101, PSYC 101)

29. Prerequisite courses for transfer to MCPHS: PA
PA prerequisite Clark courses:
*Human Anatomy: BIOL 111
*Human Physiology: BIOL 240
Chemistry I: CHEM 101
*Organic Chemistry I: CHEM 131
*Biochemistry I: CHEM 271
*Microbiology: BIOL 109
*Statistics: MATH 217 (ECON 260) or MATH 218 or ECON 160 or BIOL 106 or GEOG 110
General Psychology: PSYC 101
*requires additional Clark prerequisite (e.g., BIOL 101)

30. Prerequisite courses for transfer to MCPHS: PharmD
Pharm D prerequisite Clark courses:
Biology I: BIOL 101 or BIOL 100
Biology II: BIOL 102
Microbiology: BIOL 109
Chemistry I: CHEM 101 or CHEM 103
Chemistry II: CHEM 102
Organic Chemistry I: CHEM 131
Organic Chemistry II: CHEM 132 or CHEM 134
Calculus I: MATH 120 or MATH 124
Probability & Statistics: MATH 217 (ECON 260) or MATH 218 or ECON 160
or BIOL 106 or GEOG 110
Physics: Any PHYS course 110 or higher
Mathematics or Computer Science Elective: Any MATH course 113 or higher, or any CSCI course 115 or higher (in addition to Calculus requirement and Statistics requirement)