To Be...A Spartan MD

Transitioning back from winter break is never easy. I would even dare say it gets harder as the years of schooling accumulate. Coming back for my second semester of being an M2, there is a whole new level of fun that becomes increasingly real with each day: Step 1 *. Every M2 is enjoying the added stress that studying for "boards" brings, on top of the already-busy schedule of studying for domain exams and other classes. This is, of course, beyond other extracurricular activities we hope to incorporate, such as research, volunteering, exercise, and sleep. But the thing is, we all find our own ways to accomplish what is important to us. And while some days may be rough, it’s crazy to think about how far we have already come in just a year and a half. Despite the stress that comes from being in medical school, I have many fond memories at the CHM. There are so many opportunities to get involved, such as with student interest groups and electives. I explored Emergency Me...

There are five main steps to get through the entire medical school application process . Upon submitting your secondary application to the MSU College of Human Medicine (CHM), the Assistant Dean for Admissions will review select factors and applicants will either be deemed unsuccessful, placed on hold, or invited to interview. As part of the selection process , one of the outcomes from the committee on admissions after interviewing can be the waitlist . Schools may also refer to this as the alternate list. While it's not the ideal outcome you'd like to initially hear, there are steps you can take moving forward. Last year, we wrote a post entitled, " So You've Been Placed on the Waitlist: What's Next? ," that offers some good tidbits.   If you are placed on the alternate list, your file will remain under consideration for acceptance until we notify you of a change in your status. One of the actions you can take is to submit additional informatio...

The Michigan State University College of Human Medicine (CHM) will be this year's site for the Great Lakes Native American Medical School Applicant Workshop. The event will be held from April 1-3. The multi-day workshop will be hosted by CHM in partnership with the University of Minnesota Medical School Center of American Indian and Minority Health , University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences , University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine , and University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Native American Center for Health Professions (NACHP) .  With various representatives from each of the host institutions in attendance, this is an excellent opportunity for pre-health Native American students from across the region to meet faculty and staff. Students will be offered in-depth application tips regarding the MCAT, personal statement, interviews and more.  Workshops will also be dedicated to research, funding, and career de...

The Michigan State University College of Human Medicine (CHM) offers two special opportunities for early assurance of medical school admission to the college. Applicants who fit certain criteria may begin submitting their early assurance applications beginning on Monday, December 21st. The deadline to complete a no-cost online application is Friday, February 19th. Application is open to students in their junior year (or the year prior to completion of their undergraduate degree). Procedures for applying to the two programs slightly differ as each is intended for a different group. The Early Assurance Opportunity (EAO) is for MSU undergraduate students . Beginning this year, students from Bay College and Northwestern Michigan University can also apply to EAO via a special arrangement between the colleges. Along with submitting an application, students applying to EAO must also submit official transcripts directly to the CHM Office of Admissions. In addition, letters of ev...

A student knows well that once you reach the Thanksgiving holiday, winter break is not too far behind. Many students find winter break to be a welcome respite from college life. The winter break gives students time to relax — free time to unwind a bit should always be a priority. Whereas spring break is typically a week or two, winter break may be up to three or four weeks for many. So some students hoping to eventually apply to med school may wish to use this lengthy free time to strengthen their individual profile. Especially when it comes to preparing for the med school application process, free time is important. Here are five things you can do during winter break to help your med school application:   Volunteer Abroad: Alternative Winter Break Schools across the country offer various programs that will allow you to serve at locations across the globe. Volunteering abroad can go a long way when it comes to one's individual growth and experience. Independent organ...

MSU has officially announced a new agreement that will allow MSU medical students the chance to gain clinical experiences in Cuba. Come April 2016, future physicians from the College of Human Medicine as well as the College of Osteopathic Medicine will get an in-depth look at the Cuban health care system, largely regarded to be among one of the best in the hemisphere. Collaboration between MSU and Cuba isn't technically new as courses and experiences in Cuba have been offered for several years. However, this partnership is different in that MSU is the first collegiate institution to solidify medical elective in the Caribbean nation. “This is a first, though, for American medical students to be able to walk the halls of three of Cuba’s main hospitals in Havana and receive credit for the experience,” said William Cunningham, assistant dean for the College of Osteopathic Medicine in West Michigan. Read the official announcement here .

No one can better represent what it is like to be at the MSU College of Human Medicine (CHM) than our great students. From here on out, the CHM Office of Admissions will begin enlisting the help (and voices) of our students to periodically offer an inside look at what being in med school here is all about. Students at different levels and various backgrounds will touch on their experiences and ambitions.  We are glad to have second-year student, Sheri VanOmen, kick us off. Here, Sheri introduces herself and recounts her experience going through the application process.    *** As all medical students know, there was once a time when we thought of medical school as some far off, magical, smarty-pants place. Let me repeat: far off. It didn’t seem real that I might one day be learning medicine from some of the best physicians. The admissions process was motivating, stressful, intimidating, and inspiring all at the same time. But as I now reflect back, it was ...