In partnership with
Pilot PrIMES Lite Program
The AAMC has developed a fact sheet in collaboration with Vot-ER, a nonpartisan organization that works to integrate voter education and registration into health care settings. During Civic Health Month in August, medical schools and teaching hospitals are invited to participate in Vot-ER’s 2023 Healthy Democracy Campaign, which brings together schools and students across the country to increase civic engagement and voter access. Last year, health professions students across the country helped more than 8,000 fellow students, colleagues, and community members get ready to vote. Read More
PrIMES Lite welcomed 12 NYC High School students into an immersive program this July, exposing participants to medicine and neurosurgery. Students spent time in the operating room, clinic, and laboratory settings in person on the NewYork Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine campus and followed along a PrIMES curriculum with a Mentor for guidance. This program was made possible by grants awarded to WCM Resident Physician and PrIMES Lite Director Dr. Larsen from the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and NewYork Presbyterian's Health Justice in Action (HJA) Fund.
This summer the team at PrIMES offered a pilot version of our PrIMES Lite program, a hybrid mentorship experience for URiM NYC based high school students who are extremely interested in a career in medicine. Concurrently, the fourth cycle of PrIMES Mentorship is coming to a close, with the virtual Completion Ceremony scheduled for Monday, August 28th at 6:00pm EDT. Applications for cycle five of Mentorship are now open through September 30th, or until program capacity is reached. Please share about our program with your networks - encourage peers and colleagues to apply to be a Mentee or Mentor if they are interested. Together we will continue to increase diversity in medicine! www.primesmentorship.org/apply
Summer 2023
Newsletter
Mentorship Programming Continues to Grow
Resources for Nonpartisan Voter Registration at Health Care Institutions
AMCAS application changes
Medical School Application Components
Check out these alternatives to shadowings, and the more ways to get experience here.
Those who completed the 2024 AMCAS application may have noticed a few new components of the application. Begin to prepare now for these changes and more in future applicaion cycles. Want more info? Check out this article. Changes include: The Work/Activities section has a new experience type called Social Justice/Advocacy. The self-reported Disadvantaged Status question has been replaced with Other Impactful Experiences along with new corresponding help text. The "Other" labels for Pronoun and Gender Identity have been updated.
Medical school applications include various interviews and now have added assessments to evaluate applicants' suitability for medical education. Two such assessments new to the medical school application process, are the CASPer (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics), and the AAMC PREview® Professional Readiness Exam. These are standardized exams designed to assess effective pre-professional behavior and evaluate applicants' non-cognitive skills and personal characteristics. CASPer is computer based and designed to assess your interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, empathy, professionalism, ethics, and bedside manner. PREview® provides insight into your knowledge of effective and ineffective behaviors across eight core pre-professional competencies for entering medical students: service orientation, social skills, cultural competence, teamwork, ethical responsibility to self and others, resilience and adaptability, reliability and dependability, and capacity for improvement. To find out if these Situational Judgment Tests (SJT) are required at schools where you are submiting applications, check the list here.
Asssesments: PREview® and CASPer
Medical School Application Steps - Transcripts
@PrIMESMentorsh1 primes_for_premeds @PrIMESmentorship linkedin.com/in/primes-mentorship
Requesting transcripts for your medical school application is a crucial step, and avoiding delays is important to ensure that your application is processed on time. Follow these steps to request transcripts and minimize potential delays: Know the Requirements: Before requesting transcripts, familiarize yourself with the specific requirements of each medical school application. Some schools may have specific instructions or preferred methods for transcript submission. Plan Ahead: Start the process early to so you have ample time to handle any unexpected delays. Contact Your Registrar's Office: Typically, via online request systems or by a physical form. Order Multiple Copies: If you're applying to multiple medical schools, consider ordering multiple copies of your transcripts at once. Electronic Delivery: Opt for electronic transcript delivery services if available, as it can expedite the process significantly. Follow Up: After placing your transcript request, follow up with your registrar's office to ensure that they have received your request and it is in processing. Express or Priority Mail: If electronic delivery is not available, consider using express or priority mail services to send your transcripts to medical schools. These services can reduce delivery time and minimize delays. Confirm Receipt: Some medical schools may have a portal or confirmation system where you can check if your transcripts have been received. Stay Organized: Keep track of all your transcript requests, including dates, methods of delivery, and any relevant correspondence. This way, you can easily troubleshoot if there are any issues. Remember to start early, stay organized, and be proactive in communicating with both your registrar's office and the medical schools where you're submitting applications for a smooth and efficient transcript request process.
Be Social With
MCAT Preparation
The Importance of Volunteering Volunteering in healthcare settings allows you to showcase your commitment to helping others. Admissions committees look for applicants who display compassion and empathy, as these qualities are essential for future physicians. You gain valuable hands-on experience and exposure to the challenges and rewards of working in the medical profession. It also helps you develop essential interpersonal skills, such as communication, teamwork, and cultural sensitivity, which are crucial for future medical practitioners. Sharing about these meaningful experiences makes for a memorable and compelling application, offering space to illustrate your dedication, values and character.
PrIMES MCAT Resource Collection
Learn how others prepared for the MCAT >>
Mentors in Cycle 4 shared resources that helped them prepare for the MCAT exam. This spreadsheet lists a compilation of resources, and we encourage you to add items to the collection that have helped you successfuly study and prep for the MCAT!
Where to begin?
Attention, future medical professionals! Kahn Academy is happy to announce they will retain their FREE MCAT course until 2026 with the support of AAMCC!
View the ever-growing list of MCAT resources compiled by PrIMES Mentors in this spreadsheet
Wondering how to begin preparing for the MCAT exam? Listen to some suggestions in this video, "Preparing for the MCAT Exam: A Conversation with a Medical Student" from the AAMC. Explore more MCAT preparation tips from first year medical students in this linked article.
Read More. Read Wide. Read DifficulT.
Reading offers numerous benefits that can significantly contribute to your success in medical school and your future career as a doctor. Engaging in leisure reading or exploring medical literature outside of your curriculum can stimulate your mind and reduce stress. Additionally, reading widely will improve your critical thinking skills, empathy and understanding, enhance vocabulary and language skills and increase open mindedness. Continue to enjoy summer reading and pick a recommended tome from this list of must reads from former president Barack Obama.
Share about PrIMES Upcoming Cycle 5
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 improves ALL patient outcomes and quality of life.
Medical School | Pre-Matriculation Program : Jasmyne E. McCoy goes reviews her experience Getting Started, Anki and Resources
Dr. Maya Shankar: Why Change Is So Scary -- and How to Unlock Its Potential | TED | A Slight Change of Plans
CAITlin Hoffman, M.D.
ceh2003@med.cornell.edu