i play with retarded yeast. maybe it will cure cancer someday.

i spent 3 years of my undergraduate college summers learning how to make yeast retarded.

for you science nerds i am interested in genes, chromosomes, and genomes: how they contribute to the traits of an organism, how they are transmitted during cell division, and how they can change from generation to generation.

my research made use of the brewer's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model eukaryotic organism.

i was attempting to understand how a common mistake in cell division--resulting in an extra chromosome--affects phenotype, genome stability, and ultimately, fitness.

i used a variety of methods, including recombinant DNA techniques, microbial genetics, and whole-genome microarrays.

i know.

i'm a huge nerd.

instead of wakeboarding and working on my tan, i worked on making yeast retarded.

hopefully it pays off :)

http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=06b36600854dd110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=002392d79e557110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD

Common Pre-Med Requirements

1 year of Biology + Lab
1 year of Physics + Lab
1 year of Organic Chemistry + Lab
1 year of Inorganic Chemistry + Lab
1 year of Math (calculus preferred)
1 year of English

these are the classes most commonly required by most medical schools in the country.

each medical school, however, has additional requirements beyond these which include but are not limited to: biochemistry, psychology, and also some non-science related coursework.

be sure to check each schools individual requirements.

study smarter, not harder!

‘Scrubs’ Near the D Train

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/11/nyregion/thecity/11hosp.html?_r=1&ex=1211169600&en=0ebbacd789d3b1c1&ei=5070&emc=eta1&oref=slogin

Writing Your Personal Statement

The term "Personal Statement" brings a shiver to the spine of many a potential medical student.

You should think of the personal statement, however, as an opportunity to show admissions officers what you're made of.

They want to know why you want to attend their medical school and this is your chance to tell them as clearly and compellingly as you can.


Two Basic Purposes

Personal statements can serve two basic purposes.

First, they show whether or not you can write a clear, coherent essay that's logically and grammatically correct.

Second, they provide you with the opportunity to present the admissions committee with more of a "three-dimensional" portrait of yourself as a deserving candidate than GPA and MCAT numbers possibly can.

What you choose to write sends clear signals about what's important to you and what your values are.

You can explain why you really want to pursue grad work and the career path it will enable you to follow.

Your essay also enables you explain things like a bad grade or term in an otherwise creditable record.

Read more about writing your personal statement here:

http://www.kaptest.com/Kaplan/Article/Pre-Med/Medical-School/Apply-to-Medical-School/Plan/PM_admiss_essays.html?cid=677E&pid=180540904

Medical School Spotlight: Jefferson Medical College

Location: Philadelphia, PA

U.S. News Rank (research): 57

Average GPA: 3.57

Average MCAT score (composite): 10.4

Acceptance rate: 6.7%

Tuition: $38,316

Required fees: $0

Room and board: $15,609

Website: http://www.tju.edu/

Founded in 1824, Jefferson Medical College has awarded more than 27,000 medical degrees and has more living graduates than any other medical school in the nation.

It offers both traditional medical education programs and innovative joint degree programs to its enrollment of approximately 900 students each year.

Jefferson Medical College is situated on a thirteen-acre urban campus in Center City, Philadelphia.

Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is one of the area's largest medical centers with 701 beds.

Recent renovations resulted in a state-of-the-art emergency and trauma center with its own operating room.

Jefferson students and Jefferson residents perform well as judged by the United States Medical Licensing Examination, residency positions obtained, and subsequent academic appointments.

The personal contact between students and faculty, an integral part of all programs, is especially important during clinical rotations where there is often a one-to-one relationship.

Excellent opportunities are available for basic and clinical research at Jefferson Medical College and at both University and Affiliated Hospitals.

MCAT Verbal Strategy: Cross-Outs

Your graders know that the writing samples they are looking at are first-draft essays.

You don't have time (and shouldn't try to make time) to recopy your essay.

Legibility is important, but it's perfectly all right to cross items out or make corrections.

You should write your essay on every line, however, because of the very limited space to write in the test booklet.

Prerequisites for Med School

The key to medical school admissions success is planning based on correct information.

Research the schools in which you are interested.

What are their admissions requirements?

And, keep in close contact with your pre-med advisor.

Are you taking the proper classes now?

By knowing all of the information beforehand, you will avoid the extra scrambling and aggravation upon finding out that you did not meet all of the necessary prerequisites.


Par for the Courses

During your pre-medical education, you will be required to fulfill certain coursework prerequisites.

In addition, you should think about taking some additional courses to supplement this core curriculum, enhancing your education and your application to medical school.


Specific Course Requirements

Most schools agree on the basic elements for pre-medical education.

Minimum course requirements for most U.S. medical schools include one year each of biology, general (inorganic) chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and related lab work for each science course.

In addition, about two-thirds require English and about 25 percent require calculus. A small number of schools have no specific course requirements.

Bear in mind that since the MCAT covers material from the commonly required courses, you will need to include those courses in your program of study whether they are required by medical schools or not.

Nevertheless, many students are surprised to learn that the list of courses required by medical schools is so small.

The best sources for admissions requirements for specific medical schools are the Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR) and the College Information Booklet.