Category Archives: Medical School

Senior seeks advice from alums who took several years off before MD/PhD program.

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Hi!  I’ve always wanted to do a MD/PhD program and go into clinical research, but I’m planning to take a few years off first so that I can have some experience with clinical research and know that’s what I want to do.  I’d like to talk to someone who’s been down this path before, about how to pursue short-term research jobs (I’m just starting my search) and who to make the most of this time before pursing graduate school.

Name: Leila “Rubi” Fettig
Email: lfettig@brandeis.edu
Major: Biochemistry
Hometown: Worcester, MA
View Leila’s LinkedIn profile.

Archived Ad: Advice on temporary jobs before med school

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I’m a senior pre-med student majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry. I’ve always known that I want to be a doctor and my experiences during my years at Brandeis have only reinforced that desire. In the last 10 years or so, it has become clear that taking a year or two off between being an undergraduate student and enrolling in a medical school is a path that these institutions prefer to see their applicants take. Therefore, I have recently begun a job search for gap year opportunities in clinical research or public health service projects. However, I have found the process of searching for a job that I know I will likely only hold for a short period of time to be somewhat awkward and difficult to approach. It has been challenging to express my interest in potential jobs while being perfectly honest about my intended path in life because most employers don’t want to hire someone who they know is there temporarily. That being said, does anyone have advice for an appropriate way that pre-med students can earnestly express interest in jobs they plan on holding for only a year or two?

Name: Alex Landau ’17
Major: Biology
Hometown: Fairfield, CT

Archived Ad: Still undecided about med school

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I am currently a sophomore on the pre-med track with an intended double major in biology and HSSP, and an interest in neuroscience. I am interested but still unsure about pursuing medical school, and would appreciate any advice from anyone who might have been in a similar position. I would love to gain insight on why you chose to go to medical school or pursue an alternative career in the health field. If you are a recent grad, I would love to learn about your post-graduate/current medical school experience.

Name: Maytal Babajanian ’19
Majors: Biology, HSSP
Hometown: Roslyn Heights, NY

Archived Ad: Gap year advice for graduating pre-med senior

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I am a senior on the pre-med track, but before medical school I will be taking a gap year to enhance my academic and clinical experience. Since coming to Brandeis I have not had the chance to explore all of my interests in healthcare, and this is where I am seeking advice. I have a keen interest in public health, and specifically increasing access to mental health education in minority communities. Within my gap year, I would love to explore the public health sector but I am having some difficulty figuring out how to do that. I would be extremely appreciative if anyone could offer advice on their gap year before medical school and what opportunities there are for students like me. Thank you!

Name: Megan Boateng ’17
Majors: Neuroscience and Biology
Hometown: Worcester, MA

Archived Ad: Pre-Health Advising Staff Seeks Brandeis Alumni for Mentor List

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The Brandeis pre-health advising team is compiling a list of Brandeis alumni who are currently enrolled or have graduated from medical, dental or veterinary school to connect with current undergraduate and post-bac Brandeis students embarking on the application process. While pre-health staff members function as the primary advisors, we are looking to connect students with an additional resource in the health care field. If you are interested in serving as a mentor (primarily over email), please email phaalumni@brandeis.edu for more information.

Archived Ad: Searching for Clinical Research Advice Before Med School

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I am currently looking for jobs in clinical research. In the future, I want to go to medical school and I believe that a job in the clinical field would be a great bridge between college and medical school. If alums have any advice on the best way to maximize my search and future position experience I would greatly appreciate it.

 

Archived Ad: Senior Seeking Advice on Gap Year Research

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I’m a graduating senior majoring in Health: Science, Society, and Policy and Biology. Eventually I would like to go to med school but for the moment I’m interested in research positions in the South Florida area. If any alums have advice on how to make the most of research during a gap year or what I should try to look for during my search I would greatly appreciate it.

 

Archived Ad: Junior Looking to Integrate Medicine with Public Policy

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Hello, my name is Shaoleen Khaled and I am hoping to seek advice about the medical profession and public policy profession because I hope to integrate my career in medicine and utilize it as a tool to create reforms in public policy. Any and all perspectives from alumni would be greatly appreciated.

 

Archived Ad: Pre-Med Senior Looking for Gap Year Recommendations

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As a senior on the pre-med track, I am excited to pursue research opportunities in the medical field during my upcoming gap year. I am passionate about patient care, in particular the field of pediatrics. I have been looking for positions in the Philadelphia area, but am struggling to find opportunities appropriate for recent graduates. Ideally, I hope to build on my clinical and research experience before entering medical school. I would greatly appreciate any guidance or advice about how best to find a valuable experience for next year. Thank you!

Archived Ad: Med School Bound Junior Seeks Application Advice

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I am currently applying to medical school a as a Junior. I feel that my all the components of my application are strong except for my MCAT score (it is below the national average). That said, I have still decided to apply this cycle to schools that have accepted applicants with an MCAT score in my range. I was hoping to hear from alumni that have perhaps been in the same position as me and how they went about selecting schools. Knowing that my MCAT score is bringing my application down, are there any other ways I can enhance my application? I look forward to hearing any advice!

Archived Ad: Aspiring Doctor/Researcher Seeks Advice

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I am a Brandeis University senior. I have future plans to become a bio-medical researcher and doctor. I am hoping to find a position as a clinical research assistant or a related research assistant. I would also be interested in shadowing doctors of various specialties, as I have always enjoyed the atmosphere in a hospital. In a hospital, the atmosphere feels very supportive and hopeful even in the face of serious maladies. Any recommendations for places or people that may align with my interests would be greatly appreciated.

 

Archived Ad: Seeking Advice on MD/PhD Programs & Gaining Experience in Food Science

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I have been interested in the science of nutrition and food since middle school and hope to incorporate those passions into my career. I have worked at Dr. Hayes’ diabetes lab for 1.5 years studying dietary influences of various foods and compounds on development and prevention of dyslipidemia and Type 2 Diabetes. It was the most rewarding and enjoyable job I have ever had, but was unable to return to work after studying abroad in Thailand. Originally, I was thinking of going into research, but now I am also considering medicine. An MD/PhD focusing on nutrition science and preventative medicine seems like the best of both worlds, but I don’t know if I’m qualified enough or if it is possible to do research and practice medicine because of grant competition. For those in medicine and research, do MD/PhD programs have any advantages over other degrees? What else should I consider when deciding on a post-graduate program? What should I do now to prepare? Are there any particular graduate programs I should consider – medical or research based? I have emailed many PIs at universities and hospitals for research positions and opportunities, but everyone said they were full. How can I get into a lab and gain more research experience?

Archived Ad: Clinical Research / Gap Year Ideas Before Med School

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Biology and business double major seeks advice on gap year between graduation and medical school. I am graduating in May and would like advice on clinical research opportunities close to home in Southern California. I have done research for a semester at Brandeis in a project lab course and would love to have more experience in clinical research before applying to medical school. Any advice ranging from clinical research opportunities to general gap year advice would be much appreciated!

Name: Jessica Jiwon Yang ’14
Major(s): Biology & Business
Hometown: Corona, CA
View Jessica’s LinkedIn profile.