Chelsea Rule (she/her): Welcome everyone. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So glad that you're able to join us this evening at least evening for me. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Welcome Chelsea Rule (she/her): I know it's been a very complicated few months for all of us, and really glad to just be here with you on zoom talking about this important topic, getting ready to apply to medical or dental school Chelsea Rule (she/her): Looking forward to the next step in this process, maybe just exploring. So some of you may just be ways out looking ahead. Chelsea Rule (she/her): But I'm really looking forward to talking with you all tonight sharing some information. I'll share with you how this session is going to run Chelsea Rule (she/her): Briefly, just to introduce myself. I'm Dr. Chelsea rule. I'm the Director of the Health careers advising program and Cornell Career Services and Chelsea Rule (she/her): I lead a lot of the application specific type workshops for medical and dental school Chelsea Rule (she/her): I have a lot of workshops at Cornell. I also meet with students and I'm really excited to present this information to you all. I'm joined by my wonderful colleague on it and Melfi who is in arts and sciences, I'll let you introduce yourself briefly. Ana Adinolfi: Oh, everyone. I'm on ad copy and healthcare as advisors specifically for students and alumni and then College of Arts and Sciences, nice to be here today. Hey, thanks. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And so just logistics on it, it's going to be in the background, helping monitor the Q AMP. A and kind of keeping track of your questions as they come in. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And so I welcome you all to ask questions, use the Q AMP a box, not the chat and auto my type some responses for part of it. And we will also leave time at the end for your questions. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So the goal in the session. I'm going to be the presenter today. The goal of the session is for us to just empower you with information to help you decide on your specific application timeline. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So not necessarily going to tell you. Each as individuals. What is the best time to apply it, but I want to help put some information out in front of you about readiness and when my right time for you. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And then I welcome you to follow up with me afterwards, discuss this with me or with another health careers advisor and I will provide lots of resources on how to do that. The end. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So we'll talk about today is some of the factors that are involved in successful applications. Talk about some of the possible pitfalls to that could prevent writing this, this year and make you potentially. Think about a future here. Chelsea Rule (she/her): We'll talk about the broad application timeline. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Lot to think about in terms of the application timeline is they tend to be long and then I will give you all a preview. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Of a process that's new this year. It's just a little bit different. It's called the health careers advising application preparation process. Chelsea Rule (she/her): HCA shop for short with a mouthful, and I will discuss HCA app which replaces pre registration for the HCC so if anyone has heard of pre registration, it's now going to be called HCA app and I will describe that at the end of the talk today. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So generally, a Cornell me get y'all started early. We start by, you know, this is the first week of classes at Cornell. Welcome, everyone. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And we're already talking about applying potentially the spring for something that would be years out. So we do get you started early. So it's a long process and take a lot of thought. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So we'll go through a little bit of the specifics now and again, feel free to pose a question, anytime during session. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So briefly, Chelsea Rule (she/her): What is involved in an application to medical or dental school start there. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So there are several different components of course your academic piece and completion of prerequisite courses. The requirements for admission. Chelsea Rule (she/her): To sign know that includes completing any incomplete. If you were to have any incomplete say during the spring semester. We want to make sure that those were taking care of our time. You apply Chelsea Rule (she/her): And your standardized exam. The end cap or the da te depending on whether you're applying for medical or dental school, respectively. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Completion of application materials and there are many forms of these. So the primary application has a lot of different acronyms, depending on where you're applying Chelsea Rule (she/her): So if you're applying to MDS programs you're applying to em Cass do Osteopathic Medical School. A comas if you're applying to dental school you will use add sis Chelsea Rule (she/her): And if you're applying to medical or dental schools in Texas. Specifically, they have their own application service. It's called to MDS, as some of you may be applying to more than one of these services. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So you do need to complete a primary application to go out to all schools you're applying to. And then you complete secondary applications. Chelsea Rule (she/her): For most of these types of programs they if you apply to a particular school they send you a request to submit essays specific to that school Chelsea Rule (she/her): And there may be other things you have to do as part of the secondary application that's typically a lot of writing and it's very tailored on like the primary which goes to all your schools. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And then big part of the process is to gather letters of evaluation. And if you're using the HTC health careers Evaluation Committee, which is our committee letter process at Cornell. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Walk you through a little bit of how that works today, but we'll go through much greater depth in the HCA app process as well. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And how to gather letters of recommendation, who you should ask how all of that will be covered in great depth in HCA app starting next month. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So that's the lay of the land of what goes into an application very broadly. Let's talk a little bit about success factors. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And a question that I get a lot of if I'm thinking of applying. When do I apply. So timing of your application is important. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Note that there's a couple of things to be aware of the deadlines and you're sort of ideal timelines because deadlines and timelines that you should aim for don't always match perfectly sometimes deadlines are much later. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So your applications typically will be going out and I'll share a little bit of a timeline visual for all the visual learners out there typically be going out in the spring for not that next fall but the following fall. So it's about a year and a half process. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And just a note that many medical and dental schools use rolling admissions. So they encourage you to apply as early as you can. Chelsea Rule (she/her): caveat on that. There's always the notion of having quality over speed I really encourage you all to not rush it. And that's partially why we're all here today to make sure we're not just rushing into something we're making a really good decision. So quality overspeed Chelsea Rule (she/her): Think about how your encounter da timing might work. Because if you can get all the ducks in a row and everything's looking good for the application, but you can't get that standardized exam timing in there. Chelsea Rule (she/her): You know, then it's not necessarily the right time to apply. So there's just a lot of little factors. It's a lot of moving parts that go into when to apply. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Of course, you need to make sure that you're ready and then you're at your peak readiness and the year that you're planning to apply. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So make sure that you understand holistic review and I will talk about that today and what you need. What's required at all the schools that you're applying to Chelsea Rule (she/her): And just note that it's not necessarily a good idea to just throw something out there and see what sticks know it can be tempting. Sometimes it's just say I know I'm not quite as ready as I might be next year. But let's just see Chelsea Rule (she/her): But unfortunately, part of the admissions committees job is to judge your decision making ability. And so if you apply in a year. That doesn't seem like it's going to be your most competitive year Chelsea Rule (she/her): They are looking at that. So just know that a lot goes into this decision. There's so much behind that. And this is not something that we're necessarily going to come to a conclusion on today. Chelsea Rule (she/her): But I encourage you to follow up with helpers advisor for more depth on what we'll talk about today. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So let's look at a bird's eye view of the application timeline as a whole. Chelsea Rule (she/her): To begin with, obviously we're here. This is actually before this timeline even starts. So I'm so glad that so many of you are joining us today. Chelsea Rule (she/her): The first step in this process. It's the HCA app Canvas course and that will launch in October and it will really be able to have some deadlines for some assignments. Chelsea Rule (she/her): But in the deadline will be immediate. As soon as it opens will give you some time to complete assignments, but the HTC app is an invoicing process. Chelsea Rule (she/her): It is not part of the HTC. It is a requirement of the HTC because they think it's relevant, and we'll talk about what it does and why it's required Chelsea Rule (she/her): But it's an invoicing process so provides information and gives you reflection assignments. So you can prepare your application you're actually starting your application in October. Chelsea Rule (she/her): For you know this very long process you can begin to register with the HTC that committee letter process starting in December of this year, if you're going to apply this to Chelsea Rule (she/her): Your materials that you will write for the HTC. This will include a personal statement some writing on your, your background, what you've done extracurricular Lee. Chelsea Rule (she/her): All about sort of thing that will be doing February your students and alumni have a slightly different timeline where things will be doing, maybe a little bit later. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Your primary application will actually be submitted in May or June kind of depends on your which primary application you're looking at, so aim for that time in the spring right about the end of the semester. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And then after that, as I mentioned, secondary applications will be sent to you for all the schools that you would list in your primary application. Let's say you applied 25 schools. Chelsea Rule (she/her): You might get a set of about three essays per school times 25 schools. So a lot of writing goes in over that summer you can predict it. If you submit your application in May, June, July, August, are going to be pretty full with essay writing Chelsea Rule (she/her): And then after that interviews can land in a variety of times it's it's really hard to predict when exactly would get interviews, if you receive interviews for medical or dental schools. They can be anywhere between August and April. So it's quite a long span of time. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And then the hope is to matriculate or start medical or dental school in the fall and usually August or September of 2022 if you apply this year. So yeah, we're looking at, October, November to start this process of Chelsea Rule (she/her): All the way through the summer, fall of 22 Chelsea Rule (she/her): Because we have Ana Adinolfi: A couple of questions that pertain to the timeline. One is if we already completed pre registration. The last fall. Do we also still have to do the HCA pre AP Canvas course. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Great question. I really appreciate that. So you you can, and I would highly highly recommend it because the information there. I think will be even more thorough and more current because a lot has changed in our world. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So I really encourage you to still do it. If you have completed the workshops. I have that information, I can see that you've completed the workshops, you would still need to go into the HCA process and complete the assignments. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So I don't have any assignment data for last year. So that would still need to happen. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And in fact, the workshops are not going to take place this year where they're going to be replaced with all Canvas course material and with Canvas, whether you're on campus off campus, whether you're have classes to your hours. Chelsea Rule (she/her): You can engage with it at whatever time is the best for you. So I, it will still be a requirement. And again, I encourage everyone, even if it's not required because it's not required for alumni. Chelsea Rule (she/her): I encourage everyone who's here to engage with a full canvas and yes assignments will be still required Ana Adinolfi: Other question that relates is when are the CEC letters of recommendation do Chelsea Rule (she/her): One or the HTC. So you're asking for the individual letters of recommendation. I'm assuming central HTC query. So typically those are March. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And that is a due date, not necessarily a deadline. So there are a lot of really specific deadlines for the HTC gives you Chelsea Rule (she/her): But the letters are a little bit more out of your control. So it's not going to be as hard of a deadline typically much so it's not even too early. Now to start reaching out to letter writers, you feel pretty confident that you will apply this year. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Lots more in HCA app about that. So please tune into that way opens in October, I'll share with you all how to make sure you know when that launches. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So let's start talking about success factors. I don't know that we're ready and again in more depth coming in HCA app. But let's talk about some specifics. Now, Chelsea Rule (she/her): So academic readiness is certainly a piece that that is crucial. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So you will be entering in all of your grades from your transcripts from any university that you've attended. So let's say you're a transfer student, you would also send transcripts and entering your grades from, let's say, your first year somewhere else, too. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So I have Cornell GPA, but honestly, any undergraduate GPA and then post back or graduate GPA would be entered separately. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So you would have an undergraduate GPA for everyone in supplying and some folks might have post back Chelsea Rule (she/her): That's undergraduate courses. After you have a bachelor's or graduate UK is the Navy separate your GPA will also be calculated as cumulative Chelsea Rule (she/her): Science and non science. So you are actually going to have up to nine different GPS, depending on your situation. There are a lot of different calculations and that's just for him cast the empty schools, there are more for do and dental schools. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So you have a low GPA breakdowns that show what you've taken how well you've done and everything and you will be able to also show that alongside your standardized test scores. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So I will just say, typically the Cornell GPA A's are slightly lower than what we might see for applicants from other schools nationally Chelsea Rule (she/her): But the M cat do it tends to be a little higher. And that kind of reflects that. You know, Cornell is very rigorous University and what you're learning is very relevant for the exams. I will actually share data in a few slides. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So other readiness. It's not just academics that you need to have Chelsea Rule (she/her): As ducks in a row. You also need to be ready in terms of your activity to show actual data that this is the right path for you, and you've investigated it Chelsea Rule (she/her): So for example, you need to show that you have a dedication to serving others don't talk more about that you need to have community service experience and also lots of exposure and experience in the world of clinical health care. So for example, if you're looking at medical school. Chelsea Rule (she/her): It is really important that you have patient interaction experience, you may have some shadowing shadowing is great. It's not always required for medical school. Some schools really like it. Chelsea Rule (she/her): But more important than that is, have you tried interacting with patients. Seems like working with people who are not well in some way. How do you know Chelsea Rule (she/her): And so remember that this. I'm a trained scientist, I don't know folks saw a PhD behind my name, but I'm a microbiologist by training. So we're going to talk about this as science. Chelsea Rule (she/her): When you were doing by applying is saying, I think this is the right career path for me. That's your hypothesis, you're going to need to provide evidence Chelsea Rule (she/her): And so part of it is when you're going to show them and your activities that you've investigated this career path and you know it's a good fit. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So for example in dentistry. They want to know that you like having hands and mouths. Chelsea Rule (she/her): You're not actually going to put your hands on anyone's mouth before you apply to dental school, though not necessarily unless you're a dental system, but they do require that you have over 100 hours chattering typically Chelsea Rule (she/her): And they like to see things like you've exercised manual dexterity and you've done stuff with your hands. Maybe you make jewelry you're working woodcarving or something. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So there are all kinds of really specific kind of nuance things that the professions do or corner but they all make sense. Chelsea Rule (she/her): It makes sense that you would want to show them that you do like being in a clinical space. You know what the profession is like Chelsea Rule (she/her): And you've seen some of the big ups and downs of the profession and that you spend some time really investigating this path. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And you should also really have a strong sense of yourself. So not only apply this stuff. But who are you and what do you care about communicating that is very key. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So I'm the kind of qualitative reading as factors as I alluded to would be communication interpersonal skills. Can you tell them why medicine or dentistry very coherently and you have that ready Chelsea Rule (she/her): And if not, you might want to consider taking more time to think about that and health careers advisors can certainly help you formulate that Chelsea Rule (she/her): The. Luckily, since we're talking in September. There is also time to make sure that you have this ready to go. If this is your year Chelsea Rule (she/her): And of course letters of support from people who know you well are really key in your application. So if you're going through the HTC committee letter processes. I think nearly everyone here is Chelsea Rule (she/her): You will be required to obtain two to three individual letters of recommendation from professors supervisors, you know anyone who knows you really well. And we'll talk about what they need to know about you. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And then you will have that sent to the HTC committee as a question came up in roughly March. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And the committee will right there, over there, comprehensive overview letter that takes into account those two to three individual letters and then the committee's review of your candidacy. Chelsea Rule (she/her): The HTC letter is positive until it's written by a group of folks who are separate from the advisors here at Cornell so on and I are advisors. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And so the evaluators are separate. You can talk to us about any questions you have. That's not necessarily going in your letter. Chelsea Rule (she/her): HCA app material that I see is not necessarily going in your letter. It only goes to the HTC if you send it to them. Chelsea Rule (she/her): But your letters of recommendation will go straight to the HTC and we can talk more about how that works if folks have questions. But again, I have a whole module on HCA app about it. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So health professional competencies. I want to tell you all what medical and dental schools are actually looking for Chelsea Rule (she/her): I know it's tempting to think like, oh, I think there's a checklist. I have done this many hours this type of activity. I just want to throw that out the window right now. Chelsea Rule (she/her): It doesn't work like that. Yes, they need evidence that you want to go into this profession. Absolutely. There's not necessarily minimum number of hours, but they have actually developed a Rubik rubric, excuse me for developing Chelsea Rule (she/her): readiness for medical and dental school. These are called health professional competencies. So I'm going to show you all the medical school, AMC MD specific competencies today, just because they're very clear and then I'll also share the dental link. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Just below here. And anyone who registered for this session is going to receive the slides and click on that link. When you receive the slides for me. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So just know that what I'm about to show you is the rubric of how you know you're ready, but it's not necessarily a hard and fast number of hours at all. Chelsea Rule (she/her): That's good because you all have different backgrounds and interests that you can bring to this profession, but there are a set of skills and competencies that you need to possess to be ready. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So let's look at those competencies. These are broken down to three different categories pre professional thinking and reasoning and science. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So yeah, you had to take a number of science prerequisites and many of you are still taking those. Some of you are finished taking those. And you'll notice that this mirrors of the M cats. And again, this is empty specific competencies Chelsea Rule (she/her): Living systems biology, chemistry, physics, and then human behavior. So psychology and sociology. Chelsea Rule (she/her): But, of course, to really broaden what you need to be a good physician or or dentist. In fact, Chelsea Rule (she/her): You need to look a little bit deeper than just those academic prerequisites. So pre professional competencies include things like service orientation. Do you care about helping those around you, and especially those more vulnerable like yourself. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And I will elaborate on all of these, but I will say that you can find them and that I will share the slides with you all. But even things like your resilience. I know you all have dealt with so much over the past few months as coven 19 has impacted us all different ways. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And I know that you're all here right now. And so thinking about the next steps. So you have demonstrated resilience. How is going to be different for everyone. Chelsea Rule (she/her): But I just want to hone in on that one in particular because I think that we're going to need to be self advocates, when we talk about how we have dealt with this very difficult situation. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So how medical and dental schools actually look at your application. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So, MD specific again I'm taking this image from them, but really applies to all health professions. They take a holistic approach to review. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So I'm showing you this image called experiences attributes and metrics model of holistic review from the AMC Chelsea Rule (she/her): This takes into account metrics. Yes. And if you look at the smallest part of the circle for looking at your M cat your GPA and your trends for your grades. So things went up, they can see that resilience again. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And then attributes. So what makes you, you. They want to see diversity in medicine, that's really important, the profession needs to represent the population and it is not so at the moment. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And so they want to see what makes you you, and they also want to see your experiences. What do you care about. Have you looked at, you know, and again leadership. Chelsea Rule (she/her): has life been sometimes challenging for you, but you've bounced back. So I like to look at the distance travel box a lot if you've experienced hardship that you've bounced back. That's where that were fallen. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And so looking at the different types of experiences. There may be even more beyond that. But they all kind of fall into this wheel. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Of holistic review. So it's not just who you are, but also where you've been, what you've done and yes metrics will absolutely factor into that as well. But it's a big picture approach. Chelsea Rule (she/her): I'm going to try to simplify some things, but I just said this is holistic review. So keep this in mind. Chelsea Rule (she/her): There's not really a specific bar of, like, yes, you're ready because you have to score. No you're not, because you got this one. So I hesitate to even put numbers on a page. Chelsea Rule (she/her): But you will all our science minded individuals to. I know it's hard to not see number. So I'm going to really oversimplify bear with me. Talk to a health careers advisor. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So is there a metrics bar, not really. But let's just talk about comfort level for a second. So if your science GPA or your biology, chemistry, physics and math GPA. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Is above a 3.4 great and certainly talk with an advisor about your particular situation. If it's not might be time to initiate a conversation about how to get it to that place. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Or, you know, maybe you had a really strong upward trend. So it started, much lower. But you're, you're really doing very well right now. Where do you stand. This is just sort of a place to check in with one of us. And again, em, can't score above 510 is like comfort level. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So have people gotten them with them cats. Below that, yes, but I'm going to share some data about Cornell specifically because, as I mentioned, corn aliens tend to have slightly higher ups than the average medical school. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Applicant so I just want to put that into context. So I'm sharing a few numbers, but they're not heard in fast. So everything is nuanced and healthcare is advising talk to one of us. Chelsea Rule (she/her): But basically, can your timeline match up. So do you feel like metrics are in place. Do you think thing you would have the time to devote to the application because noting certain things like when that primary application needs to go out Chelsea Rule (she/her): And the secondaries are going to roll in and that wave, as I mentioned, could be hundred essays, we want to try to turn them in within about two weeks have received. So it's a busy moment in July and August of the area o'clock, just as an example. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And then do your metrics kind of metric goals. So start looking into schools and soon as and you get a chance Chelsea Rule (she/her): Think about, you know, what kind of schools, you might aim for What interests you. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And are you finding a set of schools that are sort of comfortably within your range because the comfort level I spoke of is is trying to be really, really big picture. Chelsea Rule (she/her): your comfort zone might be higher or lower, and then roles. So whenever anybody asked me, am I ready to apply. We have a long conversation. There's a lot that goes into this Chelsea Rule (she/her): And I will just share a little bit of data because I know that it's helpful, but I wanted to say Kenya. This doesn't the z this is means, this doesn't necessarily represent everyone and all of those holistic factors. Chelsea Rule (she/her): But just to look at the top, you can see the average Cornell applied GPA. It's about a 3.58 and 2019 that's just this last year that I have data for Chelsea Rule (she/her): And the science GPA, which is biology, chemistry, physics and math was about 3.48 roughly average of those who applied and cat was about 512 Chelsea Rule (she/her): So this is obviously just for the MD schools because I'm using am cast data. Chelsea Rule (she/her): In 2019 the average acceptance data was that folks on average and the mean had a 3.66 ish and then their science GPA was about 3.59 Chelsea Rule (she/her): And the cat was about a 514 so you'll see that yeah and the metrics were little bit higher, and those who are accepted versus those who are applied, not a huge, huge difference, especially in the cab, but Chelsea Rule (she/her): Nationally, and I don't have that data right here. There's definitely a few point difference in the M casts force. So again, reflecting Cornell's River and the average accepted GPA, it's really more like a 3.7 3.75 nationally. So we have slightly lower average GPA. Chelsea Rule (she/her): But still a slightly higher average and cats. So just try to help put things into context. And again, I will share this with you all, and I'm going to provide more data on HCA Chelsea Rule (she/her): Come and talk to us if you have any questions, because this is such a tiny snapshot of readiness. I just want to share that with you all. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So folks who are well prepared to apply this year will be able to provide Creek lighting backing up why you're ready. So you're gonna have your data. And you're also going to write it up in a compelling way. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And you're going to have great references from people who know you well and can speak on those competencies that we just talked about. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So maybe you have some people that can speak to your interpersonal skills, particularly well and some who can speak more to your science skills and quantitative skills. So you'll have a variety of people who can represent your capacities. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Make sure you know the HCM app is required for all undergraduate each CC registrants so if you're graduating in December 2020 you're considered alone. Chelsea Rule (she/her): By the HTC so technically HCA app is not required for you. I still highly highly recommend it. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And for any alumni who are tuning in today. Again he app. It's there to help you. So take advantage of it. And for those who are undergraduate registrants and the HTC it is required and it's meant to be helpful. Ana Adinolfi: Chelsea. Can you clarify for students who are planning to graduate in December, what their role would be as far as each day and etc. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Yeah, absolutely. So just to go back to that last point. Chelsea Rule (she/her): December 2020 graduates who are planning to apply to medical or dental school in Chelsea Rule (she/her): So this coming spring, they are not required to complete HCA app, the canvas site, but it's highly, highly recommended. So you'll be considered an alumni by the HTC Chelsea Rule (she/her): Coming this December, if you register with them. If you're graduating in December. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And alumni have a slightly different timeline from undergraduates. So if you're if you're wondering, like, what does that look like go to the HTC website and look at their process. Overview page and you can see timelines for each Chelsea Rule (she/her): And he will go through that, too. So again, just really highly recommend that everyone completes it was planning to apply. It's not a punishment. It's really a service to you. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And just make sure that you do follow any HTC deadlines and timelines that those are really key because a lot can change if you don't follow the deadlines. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Your letter just will come later in the process. And I know that causes a lot of stress for some folks. So just make sure that you're staying up to date. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Everyone who is here. I know you're excited about this or you're nervous or you're at least thinking about it. So just make sure that you know after you start HD and start putting some calendar reminders on there. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So let's talk a little bit about challenges to write us for a moment, because I know that I get tons of questions about like what tells me not re Chelsea Rule (she/her): Again, I am way over simplifying. So just as I know everyone's different trends matter, but I just want to say that if you do have a GPA and it's below 3.3 right now cumulatively Chelsea Rule (she/her): It's a good time to check in with a health careers advisor and just talk about your particular situation again not punishment. We are here to help. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So everyone has a different background different trajectory. So we need to talk with you about your particular situation doesn't necessarily mean we're going to say like, no, this isn't every year. Chelsea Rule (she/her): But we have a lot of experience in this. So it's helpful to touch base with us. Don't just go out there on your own and try to see what sticks again medical and dental schools are trusting of judgment. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So if you haven't um cabot's below 510 and again check with us for da teen targets to Chelsea Rule (she/her): Time to check in doesn't necessarily mean anything sleeping. But, and again if you feel like maybe your M carrier became a little higher, but you're still concerned about it, come talk to us. We're here to help. Chelsea Rule (she/her): If you don't think you can get your own category at by the time you would need it. That's obviously a challenge for us because that delays the whole application so that might make it worth waiting another year. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And here's the thing, one that I know is on all of our minds. This year, if you don't have as much clinical experience. You know, you need to be able to say, Yes, I'm ready. And I know what profession entails and I want to work with people who are not well in some way. Chelsea Rule (she/her): That's a bear here. Chelsea Rule (she/her): It has been complicated, to say the least, for the last several months. So clinical experiences have been some of the hardest things to find if at all. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And everyone is in that boat right now. So really, no one is getting shadowing, so no one is expecting you to have it right now. Chelsea Rule (she/her): But they also don't want you to be someone who's waiting to last minute to gain clinical experiences. So if you felt like I was just going to do it in the spring and applying and then it got canceled. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Now, it might be time to take a step back and think about when is the right time to apply. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Again, things will change all the time. I'm hopeful that soon there will be more and more opportunities. I'm already starting to see some really creative cool virtual shadowing. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Opportunities forming. I hope that more of that will come. And I think that eventually there will be volunteering in hospitals, but it's it's slow Chelsea Rule (she/her): Because of lots of safety concerns which is understandable, so be patient. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Please check in with a health career advisor about your specific situation because everything is now going to have this asterisk next to it for spring 2020 until who knows when right. So just check in with us if you have any concerns. Chelsea Rule (she/her): There are lots of ways to explore the profession, besides just shut away. I want to say to and as things change. And we get more and more information from medical and dental schools about their expectations will share that with you. So please be in touch. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Again challenges to readiness might be the lack of service. If you haven't volunteered, let's say, Chelsea Rule (she/her): That's something you can do. Now you can find a way to help them level individuals, whether it's health related or in a clinical space or not. That's really, really positive and more important than ever. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And it has always been a huge crux of the application. So if you don't have service experience. It's not something to tack on at the end, something to make sure you engage in for years. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And sidebar about institutional actions. If you have had any kind of institutional actions in this last year, let's say, or something that's recent Chelsea Rule (she/her): It can be good to let the dust settle and to make sure that you have shown some kind of improvement and that you can talk about it. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And you do need to disclose any and all institutional actions in your application. So it institutional action might be something like, you know, citation for bringing in the dorms. It could be plagiarism. Something like that. Anything that might be on your record at all. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So if you're not sure, please come and talk to a health careers advisor. And again, we're not part of the HTC we don't put that in your letter, it will just talk with you about that. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And you will need to disclose if there's anything that we can work with you to make sure that your timing makes sense and to help you with that. So, Chelsea Rule (she/her): Again in completes, just make sure anything that's incomplete is complete. By the time you apply Chelsea Rule (she/her): And if you've had a downward trajectory. If you've had some single semester GPA or below 3.0 again, you should leave plenty of space time to demonstrate improvement before you do apply Chelsea Rule (she/her): So it's not that like a C will keep you out of medical or dental school. I don't think it will. But you just need to bounce back and give yourself enough runway to demonstrate that improvement before you apply Chelsea Rule (she/her): So if this is not seeming like your year just note that is okay. There's no specific timeline that you have to apply by and I'll share a little bit more specific data. Chelsea Rule (she/her): But I just want to introduce the concept is you haven't already heard of it from a bridge year Chelsea Rule (she/her): So let's say you're a junior, and you're thinking like, Oh, I thought I was supposed to apply this year. Do I have to, you don't. And in fact, most don't. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So many people take a year, or sometimes multiple years between college and medical or dental school and we call those bridge years. You might have heard the name gap year that's last time I'm going to say that we're calling them bridge ears. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And the year they are increasingly more common. So I know a lot of folks worried that they may not be able to get back into school after they take a break. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And you have some people do take a break during that time you're out of school doing something different, you're usually working really hard and it can be rejuvenating to do something different and come back to school. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So a bridge here is really that bridges, one thing to another. Don't think about it as like a glide or anything like that, we're just hanging out on the couch watching Netflix, you're not going to be doing something productive. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So, this the chance to take a bridge year can actually be really positive. I really don't think that it ever does no harm that can we do good unless you're a Netflix. They all you Chelsea Rule (she/her): But if you if you decide to take a branch year or more. This could allow you more time for your application process. Chelsea Rule (she/her): It gives you more time to build experiences that you might need to be competitive more time to show improvement your grades potentially Chelsea Rule (she/her): And to attack addressing some of the other readiness factors like building professionalism, making sure you're ready to talk about yourself. It's a hard thing to do. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And just you're more mature, you have more perspective when you're a little older medical schools, especially kind of love the older applicants, so it's not going to do any harm. No one will judge you negatively. If you can take for two years. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And sidebar. The average age of entering medical students is actually I think this data is a little old it's more like 24.7 or something now. So most people actually, on average, take two brands years before MD schools. At least, that's me specific data. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And so what can you do really, the possibilities are endless. And we can will workshops on things like this to you could certainly address any potential shortcomings in your application, get more experiences. Chelsea Rule (she/her): It's your year. So some people will really want to engage in more research will find a job move somewhere else. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Work in a clinical space just develop professionally and some there are literally thousands of possibilities, and I encourage you to talk with health careers advisor. If you're thinking about what you might do during that time, because it's very individual to you and your situation. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So brief moment of myth busting Chelsea Rule (she/her): Just a note that for some reason pre health comes with a very substantial rumor mill. So you're going to hear some stuff. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Check it with us check it with helpers advisors and note that you'll see a lot of pre health forums online. Chelsea Rule (she/her): There. So things like that. I think they're okay for but to be honest, they spread misinformation that's that seems to be the primary thing that they do. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Take them with a grain of salt. People try to help each other. And I think that's fantastic. When you have those anonymous forums online and they do more harm than good. Chelsea Rule (she/her): There are some great pre health advising student orcs where you can get together with your peers and share information. I think those are great too. Chelsea Rule (she/her): But answers are always individual. So you notice that I'm often saying hey sidebar everyone this is not necessarily a hard and fast line. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And it's because healthcare is inviting is very, very nuanced. So if somebody asked me a question I always take a lot of time to gather information from you before I help you answer it. And notice and help you so I don't just answer it. I work with you to answer it. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So helpers advisors are the experts to absolutely use a support network as you make your decisions, but just keep in mind that rumor mill. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And make sure that you're always checking your information with experts and know that if you're interpreting data use that statistical brain of yours. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So what I showed you and that data chart was average means things like em SAR if you look at the medical school admissions requirements pages, they will give you medians. Those are different. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So just know what you're looking at, know what it means. Be very careful as you interpret data on readiness. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Again, I've said this 100 times to meet with us and I think you've heard it a billion times now HCA app. And their answer a lot of your questions. And the point is to inform you about this process. This workshops, just a teeny snapshot of that. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And to make sure that you know when this is going to launch HCA Apple watch next month. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Make sure that if you are a student you subscribe to handshake health careers certifications and if you're alone, we have a pre health lists are for alumni. Chelsea Rule (she/her): If you are not sure if you're on either of them then contact Christine Goggin and I will type that into the chat at the end. So you all can see that and in handshake, you can just go to your settings, your notification preferences for them. Ana Adinolfi: Step by step bullet point in the answered questions that was one of the chat questions. So it's sitting in there bullet by bullet. If you're curious. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Thank you so much on. I really appreciate them. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So go to the Q AMP. A folks to find out more. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And a little bit more about HGA app briefly and as our last couple of slides here before we take Q AMP a Chelsea Rule (she/her): So he has several modules. One of them is about readiness, which is really what we dive dove into a lot today. Chelsea Rule (she/her): It will also have a module in writing. So getting you started with personal statements writing about your activities, all that stuff. Chelsea Rule (she/her): It will give a lot of resources to how to connect with us and other folks around campus who can help and it will go through the HTC timeline and requirements and much more depth. Chelsea Rule (she/her): There are three assignments. And again, those assignments are required for anyone who is an undergraduate planning to register with the HTC Chelsea Rule (she/her): I recommend them for. Absolutely. Any of you. So the HTC is requiring that you do this as part of their process. If you're an undergraduate. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And the HTC really wants everyone to do it because it's just helpful to produce better material. If you've practiced. So think of it that way. Do you walk into an interview without practicing, probably not. So this is your chance to practice your writing and I highly recommend it for all Chelsea Rule (she/her): When it launches. I will share this with you on handshake healthcare certifications and the alumni listserv. So make sure that you've subscribed now and then by October when it launches you will see it. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And you might be frustrated, saying, well, what day. What day does it coming. And I hear you. Chelsea Rule (she/her): I don't know because there will be a process where I have other folks read and review my work because I'm developing it right now. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And this is a good thing, so bear with us. There are some steps that are a little out of my control, but it will be during the month of October, and as soon as it hits. I will share that with you all. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So just a last note before we close and take some Q AMP a Chelsea Rule (she/her): I will provide the slides for this to all those who registered and so you will be able to click the link and see who healthcare advisors are in your college or in your major or you can contact me there. And I do have weekly office hours that are open, I welcome you all to drop in Chelsea Rule (she/her): So that's a really long zoom link on that poster. But again, I'll provide this to everyone and I will attach the poster. So you can just copy and paste Chelsea Rule (she/her): And I also offer a 30 minute appointments, you can book in advance and 20 minutes same week appointments. So there are a lot of ways to get ahold of me. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And you have a ton of excellent hawkers advisors in your colleges and in some majors, so please take advantage of these resources to check in with us and make the decision together. Chelsea Rule (she/her): But I hope this helps to give you all a sense of what's kind of behind the picture of how how you might decide whether this year or a future year in your application. Chelsea Rule (she/her): But I want to take the next 11 minutes to answer some questions from the Q AMP. A and I'll let you chime in with those. I've been ignoring them for the moment. Ana Adinolfi: Yes, the first question is, is any of the data or information you shared for those interested in MD, PhD, what do MD PhD. People need to know. That's different. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So Fantastic question. I love that I haven't covered MD PhD data here, but please come and talk to us. I, I keep very careful data as you might think. Chelsea Rule (she/her): I do have data, but it's kind of small ends. So we don't have nearly as many folks applying to MD PhD programs. There's a little bit one nuance and what goes into that. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So I don't necessarily publish all the data on that, but I have it and we're happy to share more about what makes a competitive canvas. Chelsea Rule (she/her): If anything, as you might expect, little higher metrics quite a bit higher, but the specifics of that are really individualized. So I encourage you to have a conversation with us. Ana Adinolfi: For the gauge CEC letters of recommendation. How many science writers are advised and what counts as a science professor again about like nutrition professors, for instance. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So yeah, the HTC does not have a science professor requirement. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Their requirement is two to three individual letters of recommendation. One of them needs to be a Cornell affiliate Chelsea Rule (she/her): That's it. So science professors are preferred. And sometimes required by a variety of medical schools. So I recommend that you do get at least one science professor as part of your HTC individual letters recommendation. Chelsea Rule (she/her): But it's not actually a requirement. So again, there might be some folks applying to schools that don't require it. That's okay. But for the most part, having that is helpful. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And the science letter is typically not a PCI it's somebody who's taught you in a core science class, usually that means prerequisites for medical and dental school, not always. It could be an upper level. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Let's say an upper level biology might be fine too but something in life, the core science disciplines biology, chemistry, physics, math tend to be best. Ana Adinolfi: Are there any resources that can provide us with volunteer opportunity. Chelsea Rule (she/her): A great question. Um, so if you look at the Career Services website career dup Cornell edu I do actually have FAQs on there. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And some of the FAQs, or what to do right now during the pandemic. There's a question like what do I do right now. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So if you go to that FAQ page, you can see a link that share some of that with you. But that's actually national. It's not specific to Cornell. Chelsea Rule (she/her): I highly recommend going to the public service center at Cornell as well and go to their website, see what kind of volunteer opportunities they have that are local. And again, talk to a health careers advisor because it kind of depends on your interest in where you'd like to volunteer. Ana Adinolfi: Questions about an HTC letters can additional letters of recommendation be submitted your am cast separate from HP, etc. And if you want to ask for more how to do is get incorporated to the HCC package. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Yeah, so typically I cover those of the workshop in May. So just so you all know it's possible. I'll go through the specifics them were pretty early here. Chelsea Rule (she/her): If you do want additional letters of recommendation can obtain them. Just know that a lot of schools have maxima. So more is not always better. Chelsea Rule (she/her): The HTC letter is typically the comprehensive document that includes your two to three letters that's plenty. If you do need or want another letter, it is possible to upload them separately and I will go into detail on that in May. Ana Adinolfi: How do you calculate your BCP GPA. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Three questions. So you would just take any of the classes that fall clearly under the disciplines biology, chemistry, physics or math. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And what falls under those categories is going to be specific to the course content, not necessarily just the Department Chelsea Rule (she/her): So for example, you might see some nutrition classes that are clearly biology. Not all nutrition classes are those way. So there's a few that fall into the biology category, but it's very content specific Chelsea Rule (she/her): So again, you use your best judgment on what that is. Talk to a health careers advisor. If you have questions. So any of those courses calculate your GPA for just that set of courses average than among fat set and you'll calculate your vcpm GPA. Ana Adinolfi: When our HTC letters submitted to medical school. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Yeah, so that Chelsea Rule (she/her): depends on when you complete all of your HTC materials but assuming that you follow all the deadlines. I know you all will then typically those come a little bit late summer mentally summer typically and Chelsea Rule (she/her): That process certainly depends on a lot of different factors are not going to be an announcement of like what date. They're coming out. So some schools for me some all on one date the Cornell HTC does ongoing basis. So, it differs Ana Adinolfi: And a few questions about vcpm GPA. How do you calculate it does Cornell and calculated. Does he sees calculate it. What does that look like Chelsea Rule (she/her): Yeah, so none of the above. We don't calculate it for you. That's something you can do yourself. Chelsea Rule (she/her): When you apply Chelsea Rule (she/her): You will have that calculated for you by an cast a coma census TPS as but we don't necessarily calculated for you and how you would do that if you want to. If you could just set up a spreadsheet. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And just type in all of your GPA, like if you had a 3.0 in biology and then a 4.0 and chemistry right, you just type it all in. And then you can create a formula that was us average it so you can do that on your own. Ana Adinolfi: Sorry, I didn't hear me, I was on mute. Our alumni given preference for earlier submission of letters. Chelsea Rule (she/her): There is an optional or really alumni deadline from the HTC so if you're an alum, you've been out for a bit already have those letters and you can get everything done, including all of your writing by January. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Then there's an optional alumni deadline. That's early so mostly it's not done by December breads or anything like that. It's mostly people who've been out for a while. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And already have all that information figured out and are just ready to roll your letter will come out a little bit earlier, but it's not going to be much earlier, it ends up being a difference of like a month, maybe two months. Ana Adinolfi: Great if medical schools have specific letter of recommendation requirements. Do you have to follow these requirements if you use the HTC Chelsea Rule (she/her): Typically medical schools respect the committee letter, and that's what they want to see, first and foremost, Chelsea Rule (she/her): But I do recommend roughly following medical schools guidelines, like if they tend to like to see certain types of letter writers probably means that those are just the things that they do enjoy getting a perspective of so it can be helpful. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So some medical schools will require one non science one science professor or somebody who knows you outside of the classroom. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So that might be a good, kind of like last set of folks to look at. But that being said, you need to choose people who are going to be able to Chelsea Rule (she/her): You know, write on your behalf. Well, and will actually know you. So it's always best to make sure that you are finding good letter writers that you have a connection with Chelsea Rule (she/her): I don't remember it's September. So there's still time to build a connection with folks this fall, or maybe reignite something that you used to have somebody used to talk to and Chelsea Rule (she/her): Shoot them an email check in with them establish a dialogue, again, so it's not too early to start thinking about Ana Adinolfi: Talk about the key differences and the applications for allopathic school versus osteopathic schools. And what if any overlap there is between the two. Chelsea Rule (she/her): There's, there's tons of overlap between the two that applications as for roughly the same information just in slightly different ways. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And the difference is really that if you're applying for Osteopathic Medical School. They're not just a backup for MD school Chelsea Rule (she/her): They really want to make sure that you understand the mission of Moxie Pathak medicine. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And the conclusion stick lens that they take. And you have to write an essay that shows why osteopathic medicine so often that's slightly different Chelsea Rule (she/her): And they will ask some different questions. There are a few nuances. But overall, you prepare roughly the same materials. So you will write about your activities, your background, you'll write a personal statement. Chelsea Rule (she/her): You know, submit and cat all that seems stuff comes into play. So it's more logistical differences. Can we just sent transcripts to both services things with Ana Adinolfi: The last question unless there's any stragglers on am cast. Do you have to explain or provide syllabus for why you are marking a specific course as eCPM core now has courses with vague interesting names that are actually science that sound like they aren't Chelsea Rule (she/her): Yes, that's such a great question. Um, you impasse little just designate Chelsea Rule (she/her): The courses that you think are biology, let's say you'll you'll tag them, and cast may disagree with you. So you need to be ready to petition if they do disagree because it does happen sometimes. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So you are self identifying and then they are correcting the thing you don't want to do is list a whole slew of courses as science. Chelsea Rule (she/her): That are probably not really science. And by the way, I shouldn't use that term science it's vcpm because a lot of actual science classes are not be CPM so environmental science nutrition. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Engineering those all do not fall under vcpm but their science. So we really shouldn't use that term anymore. It's a hold over your vcpm GPA, it's going to be through self identify means and you just need to keep your syllabus to back yourself up if you do have to petition something Chelsea Rule (she/her): But also time am cast will just make the correction for you if they disagree. It's Ana Adinolfi: Also a question about research credits and 4994 eCPM GPA. Chelsea Rule (she/her): Yeah. Research again content dependent. So regardless of what department you're in. If your research is clearly falling under one of the vcpm categories. And again, be prepared to defend that if you listed that way, then you could list research under vcpm Chelsea Rule (she/her): So, um, you know, they also look at into nominator so if you're somebody who's majoring like outside the sciences and you have fewer courses they can see that too. So this is all way holistically, just so you know. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And and I appreciate the vcpm questions. I know everyone is dying to figure out what falls under that Chelsea Rule (she/her): I'll have some more information for you all throughout the process in future workshops to see you can get some more help with what constitutes that and encourage you to just drop in office hours to you want to chat about it. Chelsea Rule (she/her): And do not label something in the wrong category, just because you want to boost your GPA. It doesn't look great. Ana Adinolfi: Last question, do alumni often need to submit a letter of recommendation for a call from a Cornell affiliate Chelsea Rule (she/her): Yes, you do. If you're using the ECC if you've been out for a really long time and you really don't have a good Cornell affiliate, you don't have to use the HTC especially if it's been more than like three or four years since you graduated Chelsea Rule (she/her): But the issue you see as a great service, highly recommend using it and maybe you can go back and rekindle a relationship if it's been a little bit, but you would still need to have that requirement. So the HTC still requires one portal affiliate from anyone alumni or student Chelsea Rule (she/her): We're at zero question. There are several questions. Fantastic. Folks, you asked so many great questions and I, it looks like on it has Chelsea Rule (she/her): done an amazing job of answering a lot of these. So thank you so much. Honor for waiting. And throughout My pleasure. Chelsea Rule (she/her): So, just leave it here. We're at 6pm and with saying we welcome you to come and talk with us more about the information presented Chelsea Rule (she/her): And we'll announce HCA app. I will share that on handshake and the listserv with you all in that launches, make sure you subscribe and please be in touch, stay healthy and safe. Nice to talk with you all this evening. Take care.