In partnership with
2024, the AAMC will extend their Fee Assistance Program to residency applicants using the Electronic Residency Application Service®(ERAS®). This expansion will offer financial relief to medical students and demonstrates their ongoing commitment to supporting learners from premed through residency and beyond. Applications for the Fee Assistance Program still include assistance for the MCAT, MSAR online database, and AMCAS benefits. You may apply for the Fee Assistance Program once per calendar year and be awarded a maximum of five times during your lifetime.
How can you detemine the right time to take your MCAT exam? Utilize PrIMES MCAT resources View the ever-growing list of MCAT resources compiled by PrIMES Mentors in the spreadsheet linked here. Remember! AAMCAS offers 2 free practice tests. Make time at least once to use one of these test and schedule a day where you go through the timing and testing as if you are in the exam room on test day to best prepare for test duration.
We are pleased to announce that the fifth cohort of PrIMES Mentorship will begin in January 2024! Over 770 Mentee applications were received and our Leadership Team is working to review the applications, offer pre-assessments to eligible Mentee applicants, and confirm as many Mentors as possible to match. We hope to grow the program every year as we continue on our mission to increase diversity in medical school matriculation. Please continue to share about the program with classmates and colleagues, follow us on social media to network with the new Mentees and Mentors, and keep in touch as you continue on your journey to becoming a doctor!
Autumn 2023
Newsletter
Cycle 5 of PrIMES Mentorship Forming
Fee Assistance Program Extension
MCAT® Exam Registration is Open! Registration for January - June 2024 test dates opened on October 24-25
Incorporate Self Care in Your Daily Routine
Personal and professional wellness hinges on self-care. It is so important, even when you are busy, to include self-care in your daily routine. Make it mandatory to provide care for yourself so you can better care for others. Try to prioritize activities like taking long walks, eating balanced meals, getting a full night of sleep, doing things you love, and more. When you actively care for yourself, you are less likely to feel overwhelmed, anxious, stressed, or burnt out. According to this research article by Ayala, et. al. "U.S. medical students who engage in self-care report less stress and higher quality of life," the more students participated in various self-care activities, the less they reported physical and psychological stress. The 10 domains of self-care to be aware of and work on for your own self-care awareness and implementation are nourishment, hygiene, intellectual and creative health, physical activity, spiritual care, balance and relaxation, time for loved ones, big-picture goals, pleasure and outside activities, and hobbies.
Self-care, defined as actively attending to your own health, is highly individualized and will look different for each person. It can be physical, psychological, emotional, social, professional, environmental, spiritual, or financial. Don't let the pressures and time constraints of being a successful pre-med keep you from looking after your wellbeing, Developing and maintaining effective self-care habits early will continue to benefit you throughout medical school, residency, fellowship, and as a future doctor.
Financial Preparation
The Health Professions Advising Center at Cornell University has compiled this list of healthcare-related internships. For additional opportunities, check with your college or university pre-health advisors, search Handshake, network on LinkedIn, talk with your Mentor, and take a look at your local hospital job boards.
Where to begin?
Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) is a free summer program sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for students to explore their interests in medicine, develop healthcare skills, plan academic journeys, get clinical exposure, and network. Applications are open to those enrolled as a freshman or sophomore in college and are accepted through February 5, 2024 and the eligibility requirements listed via this link.
Brigham and Woman's Hospital offers an 8-week summer research experience in infectious diseases and global health for college students and recent college graduates from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine. The 2024 Brigham Research in Infectious Disease and Global Engagement (BRIDGE) Summer Fellowship Program Applications are now open and available for the 2024 BRIDGE Fellowship.
Summer Opportunities
FIRST’s financial tips can help When thinking about where to attend medical school, the topic of how to fund your education most likely comes to mind. Here are the top 10 questions you can ask financial aid office professionals at the medical schools you are considering attending. This tip is brought to you by FIRST (Financial Information, Resources, Services, and Tools)
Volunteering not only showcases your commitment to serving others but also provides you with invaluable experiences and skills that will help you on your journey to become a well-rounded and compassionate medical professional. Sharing your talents with others is a wonderful way to demonstrate your dedication to the well-being of your community and beyond. Gain hands on experience in patient care by volunteering in a healthcare setting, such as a hospital, clinic, or hospice. This exposure allows you to gain understanding of the healthcare environment, foster personal growth, and build a foundation for clinical aspects of medicine. Medical school admissions are highly competitive, and volunteer experiences can set you apart from other applicants. Volunteering allows you to enhance these soft skills by interacting with a variety of individuals, from patients to healthcare professionals. You'll learn critical skills including how to listen, empathize, and effectively communicate. Volunteer work often involves challenging situations, emotionally demanding scenarios, and exposure to patients who may be facing life-altering circumstances. These experiences help you develop resilience, adaptability, and a deeper understanding of the human condition, all of which are crucial for medical professionals. It's not just about fulfilling an application requirement; it's about shaping yourself into a more compassionate, well-rounded, and capable future physician. Your volunteer experiences can set you on a path towards a fulfilling career in medicine and help you make a positive impact on the lives of countless members of your community.
The Value of Volunteer Work
@PrIMESMentorsh1 primes_for_premeds @PrIMESmentorship linkedin.com/in/primes-mentorship
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Get ready to take the MCAT
UPDATED Premed Competencies for Entering Medical Students
7 Tips for Nurturing Resilience on Your Journey: 1. Maintain a Support System: Surround yourself with friends, family, mentors, and peers who provide emotional support and seek advice from those who care most about you. 2. Develop Coping Strategies: Identify healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with stress and adversity. This might include exercise, mindfulness, meditation, or seeking professional help when needed. 3. Set Realistic Goals: While it's essential to have ambitious goals, make sure they are realistic and achievable. Unrealistic expectations can lead to burnout and diminish resilience. 4. Learn from Failure: The journey to medical school can be unpredictable. Rather than viewing setbacks as insurmountable, view them as opportunities for growth. Analyze what went wrong, learn from your mistakes, and apply those lessons to future endeavors. Stay adaptable! 5. Maintain Work-Life Balance: It's easy to become consumed by pre-medical studies, but balance is key. Allocate time for relaxation, hobbies, and social activities to recharge and reduce stress. 6. Seek Professional Guidance: If you find yourself struggling with stress, anxiety, or mental health concerns, it's okay to seek professional help. Mental health professionals can provide valuable tools to enhance your resilience. 7. Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may seem, to boost your confidence and motivation. Positive steps toward your big goal. Remember, resilience is not something you either have or don't have. It's a skill that can be cultivated and strengthened over time. By intentionally working on your resilience, you'll not only thrive in your pre-medical journey but also prepare yourself for the challenges you'll face as a medical student and, eventually, as a future doctor!
AMCAS updates for 2024 Applications
Medical Career Paths and the Premed Calendar
Khan Academy will retain their FREE MCAT course until 2026 with the support of AAMCC
Nurture Your Resilience
Dealing with Pre-Med Stress
Benjamin Hartley, M.D.
Stay Motivated and Connected
brh9058@nyp.org
For more information, please contact primesmentorship@gmail.com or reach out to:
cds4001@med.cornell.edu
Christin Smith
Diversity in medicine is not just about representation; it's about innovation, empathy, and ensuring that healthcare truly reflects the rich tapestry of human experiences.
5 Things I wish I knew before starting medical school : Leana from MD_Diaries is a 3rd year medical school student from Ghana studying in the US
Chinakwu Odenigbo, MD: Residency Interview Advice for Medical Students
CAITlin Hoffman, M.D.
ceh2003@med.cornell.edu