1.  Are you a Non-Traditional Student?

2. Non-Traditional Paths to Medical School

3. Facts about the Non-Traditional Student  A definition: any student who does not go straight to medical school after graduating from college  Growing percentage of students entering medical school have taken one or more years off before matriculation  The 2008 University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine entering first year class:  52% are non-traditional students  Average age at matriculation is 23 (Range: 21-29)  A definition: any student who does not go straight to medical school after graduating from college  Growing percentage of students entering medical school have taken one or more years off before matriculation  The 2008 University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine entering first year class:  52% are non-traditional students  Average age at matriculation is 23 (Range: 21-29)

4. Why take time off?  Pursue a passion  Improve credentials for application  Change career to medicine  Mature and grow as a person  Pursue a passion  Improve credentials for application  Change career to medicine  Mature and grow as a person

5. What can I do before applying to medical school? A few examples:  Research  NIH http://www.training.nih.gov/student/ preirta/preirta/previewpostbac.asp  Travel/ Global Experiences  Unite for Sight http://www.uniteforsight.org  Community Service Work in the US  Teach for America http:///teachforamerica.org  Other Types of Employment  Academic Enhancement, i.e. post baccalaureate program, another degree  Research  NIH http://www.training.nih.gov/student/ preirta/preirta/previewpostbac.asp  Travel/ Global Experiences  Unite for Sight http://www.uniteforsight.org  Community Service Work in the US  Teach for America http:///teachforamerica.org  Other Types of Employment  Academic Enhancement, i.e. post baccalaureate program, another degree

6. What should I keep in mind while taking time off before medical school?  Get letters of recommendation:  Stay in touch with professors to ensure they have submitted (or are in the process of submitting) their letters for you  Get recommendations from Post Baccalaureate program, graduate degree professors/administrators, supervisor/research advisor after graduation  Describe worthwhile experiences after graduation in your application  Be aware of deadlines:  Take MCAT on time  Apply early in the application season  Get letters of recommendation:  Stay in touch with professors to ensure they have submitted (or are in the process of submitting) their letters for you  Get recommendations from Post Baccalaureate program, graduate degree professors/administrators, supervisor/research advisor after graduation  Describe worthwhile experiences after graduation in your application  Be aware of deadlines:  Take MCAT on time  Apply early in the application season

7. Are there programs which can help me become a competitive medical school applicant?  Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Programs assist students prepare for medical school after having received their bachelor’s degrees Types of Post-Bac programs: 1. Changing career to medicine 2. Completing science requirements 3. Enhancing academic record Post Baccalaureate Web Site: http:///services.aamc.org/postbac/  Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Programs assist students prepare for medical school after having received their bachelor’s degrees Types of Post-Bac programs: 1. Changing career to medicine 2. Completing science requirements 3. Enhancing academic record Post Baccalaureate Web Site: http:///services.aamc.org/postbac/

8. In addition to the Post Bac programs are there others?  Graduate degree programs might be another alternative.  Make sure the degree program has biomedical science courses, because admissions committees want to see if you can handle a lot of these types of subjects  MPH might also be a path, but first discuss this type of degree with your pre-health advisor and/or medical school admissions directors, because it’s important that you can demonstrate your facility with biomedical science.  Attempt to earn as many A’s and B’s as possible!  Graduate degree programs might be another alternative.  Make sure the degree program has biomedical science courses, because admissions committees want to see if you can handle a lot of these types of subjects  MPH might also be a path, but first discuss this type of degree with your pre-health advisor and/or medical school admissions directors, because it’s important that you can demonstrate your facility with biomedical science.  Attempt to earn as many A’s and B’s as possible!

9. Questions? Contact Us:  Aida Bounama: aidab@mail.med.upenn.eduaidab@mail.med.upenn.edu  Lauren Mathews: malau@mail.med.upenn.edu malau@mail.med.upenn.edu  Michael Rey: mrey@mail.med.upenn.edumrey@mail.med.upenn.edu  Atu Agawu: aagawu@mail.med.upenn.eduaagawu@mail.med.upenn.edu Contact Us:  Aida Bounama: aidab@mail.med.upenn.eduaidab@mail.med.upenn.edu  Lauren Mathews: malau@mail.med.upenn.edu malau@mail.med.upenn.edu  Michael Rey: mrey@mail.med.upenn.edumrey@mail.med.upenn.edu  Atu Agawu: aagawu@mail.med.upenn.eduaagawu@mail.med.upenn.edu