PREMED OF COLOR QUESTION OF THE MONTH- What is the MCAT and AMCAS?

What’s the MCAT?

The MCAT is a standardized test that every medical school applicant must take. It’s an 8 hour examination that tests you on the basic science you learn in your premedical classes. Premeds usually take the test after they have finished their premed course load. For more detailed information on the MCAT check out the link below.

http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/start.htm

For information on how to excel at the MCAT check out the Finish Strong link at Premedofcolor.org.

What is the AMCAS?

The AMCAS is the medical school application for most medical schools in the U.S. It is also called your “primary” application. After you send in your “primary” application you will receive a “secondary” application from the schools that would like to learn more about you (You might not receive one. This means that your application has been denied). After you send in your secondary you start receiving invitations for interviews. For more detailed information on the AMCAS check out the link below.

http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/start.htm

For information on how to make a great application check out the finish strong link at Premedofcolor.org.

Summer Medical and Dental Education Program- FREE summer program for college freshman and sophomores.
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Sponsored by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP) is a new partnership of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) that will provide six weeks of FREE educational enrichment to pre-medical and pre-dental college freshmen and sophomores throughout the summer.

**The web application for the Summer 2006 will debut December 2005**

If you would like to be alerted when the official web site and application launches, please send an email to smdep@aamc.org with "SMDEP Launch" in the Subject line.

http://www.aamc.org/students/considering/smep/start.htm

Tropical Medicine and Health Care Rotation in South America- Medical Student
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There is space available for the following rotation and I'd like to extend this opportunity to as many medical students as possible. The rotation is available to medical students from any U.S. or Canadian Medical school. It's an excellent opportunity to learn about global health issues! Please pass this information on to anyone student who might be interested. There are already students from at least 14 other medical schools participating.

Rotation: Tropical Medicine and Health Care
Host/Sponsor: University of Guayaquil, School of Medicine
When: February 2 - 27 ,April 2 - April 29, 2006
Location: Guayaquil, Ecuador, South America
Capacity: 16 students per month
Requisites: third and fourth year medical students

Description: This four-week international rotation allows students to gain insight into the political, social, and economic factors that contribute to health care in a developing country and introduces them to the tropical diseases that are endemic to temperate climates. Furthermore, students will have the opportunity to rotate in rural clinics and local hospitals to gain experience in direct patient care. They will also travel throughout the country and experience the varied climates, geography, and cultural diversity that is the country of Ecuador. Lastly, the final objective of this rotation is to familiarize students with global health issues and how their skills may be put to use in helping the impoverished and less fortunate factions that exist in this world.
For more information visit tropicmedicine.org
If you are interested in going or have any questions just email me,

Nick Abram
Wayne State University
Rotation Coordinator
nabram@med.wayne.edu

Commonwealth Fund/Harvard University Fellowship in Minority Health Policy
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The Commonwealth Fund/Harvard University Fellowship in Minority Health Policy is designed to prepare physicians, particularly minority physicians, for leadership roles in formulating and implementing public health policy and practice on a national, state, and/or local level. Under the auspices of the Minority Faculty Development Program at Harvard Medical School, five one-year fellowships will be awarded per year.

Fellows will complete academic work leading to a master's level degree and, through additional program activities, gain exposure to, and understanding of, the major health issues facing minority and disadvantaged populations. It is expected that the Fellowship will support the development of a cadre of leaders in minority health, well-trained academically and professionally in public health, health policy, health management, and clinical medicine, as well as committed to pursuing careers in public service.

http://www.mfdp.med.harvard.edu/fellows_faculty/cfhuf/about/index.htm