Summer Programs for Pre-Med/Health Students Jumpstart

Thursday, November 14TH, 2013

Krisztina Kecskei & Sanaz NabatiCareer Counselors, UCLA

AGENDA

4pm – 4.05pm: Welcome and Agenda4.05pm – 4.20pm Princeton Review, Kaplan Test Prep, U.S. Army Health Scholarships4.20pm – 5pm: Career Center Services and Personal Statement Presentation (Krisztina Kecskei) 5pm – 5.45pm: Program Representatives Panel Discussion (Q&A – moderated by Sanaz Nabati)5.45pm – 6.15pm: Student Panel Discussion (Q&A – moderated by Krisztina Kecskei)6.15pm – 7pm: Networking

Test Preparation Advice & Army Scholarship Information

• Heather Owen (Princeton Review)

• Meredith Nay (Kaplan Test Prep)

• Carmen Lozano SSG(U.S. Army Health Scholarships)

Career Center Services

Counseling and Workshops (BruinView):

• Same-Day Counseling– (Mondays-Thursdays, 10am-4pm, Fridays, 11am-3pm)

• Career counseling by appointment

• Career planning workshops

Additional Services and Resources: • Internship and employment opportunities locally and abroad (Opportunity Lists,

BruinView search)

• Graduate or professional school preparation

• Online services at career.ucla.edu

Career Center Services

Pre-Health Services

Workshops:• Writing a Winning Personal

Statement (December 3rd, 2-3pm)

• Asking for Letters of Recommendations (November 26th, 2-3pm)

Related Services:• Personal Statement Critiques• Mock Interviews• Letters of Reference Service

Go to BruinView to sign up!We can help you get there!

Career Center Services

Career Library Resources• Graduate &Professional

Schools (Medical, Pharmacy, Optometry, Dentistry, etc.)

• Test Preparation • Career Exploration• Internship Zone

(Opportunity Lists)

Library HoursMonday – Friday (9AM to 5PM)

Upcoming Events

Jumpstart SeriesWinter Quarter (2014)• Internship Search (January 7th)• Public Health (February 6th)• Allied Health (Dentistry,

Optometry, Physical Therapy, Audiology, Occupational Therapy) (February 18th)

• Nursing (February 20th)• Pharmacy (March 5th)• Psychology (March 6th)

Jumpstart Series

Spring Quarter (2014)• Post-Bac/Gap Year (April 22nd)• Physician Assistant (May 14th)• Medicine (May 20th)• Osteopathic Medicine (May 22nd)

Writing a Winning Personal Statement

Krisztina KecskeiCareer Counselor, UCLA

Why do you need a personal statement???

• To communicate a clear sense of purpose • To determine if your goals are

complementary with the program you are applying for

• To show your ability to express yourself clearly in writing

• To share additional information regarding admissibility

The Personal Statement is your opportunity to…

• Present yourself as having desirable personal attributes, abilities, background, interests, and plans

• Describe the significance of your relevant experiences

• Explain your interest in a particular program• Tell them WHO YOU ARE, not just what you’ve

done• Focus on the WHY and HOW, not just the WHAT

It should be “Personal”It is appropriate and expected to include material that is personal in nature:Accomplishments, experiences and true potentialAcademic record Family backgroundSocioeconomic challengesPersonal struggles and successesHow your experiences helped develop you into the

person you are and hope to becomeAbove all else – Help the reader get to know you as a person (not just a student)

Questions to PonderBefore Writing

What is most unusual, distinctive, unique and/or impressive about you to share with the committee?

Examples:• A medical school applicant

who spent time in a clinic in India

• A pharmacy school applicant who completed a research internship at a pharmaceutical company

Have you overcome any obstacles or hardships?

Examples:• Parents fled Cuba to escape

an oppressive regime and came to U.S. as non-English speakers

• Diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder during first year in college

• Family struggles with poverty and homelessness after bankruptcy

Additional QuestionsBefore Writing

• Are there any events or experiences that might be of interest to the committee?

• Are there any special qualities that I possess that set me apart from other applicants?

• What makes me a strong applicant?

Additional QuestionsBefore Writing

• How have relevant experiences (internships, volunteer, shadowing, etc.) contributed to your personal growth?

• What are the most compelling reasons the committee should be interested in you?

What critical skills do you possess (leadership, communication, analytical)?

Ideas of what to include

• Interpersonal Talents• Entrepreneurial Skills• Ability to Perform

Under Stress• Unusual Background• Life Lessons Learned• Genuine Commitment

to a Worthy Cause

Discuss Adversity:• Overcoming obstacles• Do not complain• Do not place blame • Never present a

difficulty unless you discuss how it shaped your character and helped you grow

AVOID…

• Spelling and grammar errors

• Rambling or lack of focus

• Analytical essay• Describing all relevant

experiences• Complaining or blaming

Proof read again and again!

Drafts, Drafts & More Drafts

• Write a first draft• Put it away• Edit and re-write the

draft• Have it reviewed at the

Career Center (Personal Statement Critique Sessions, Same-Day Appointments)

• Pay attention to details!

Start the Process Early

• You never know what might be the deciding factor!

• We’re here for you

“Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that

you are capable of becoming.”-John Wooden

Questions???

• Any questions?

Summer Program RepresentativesQ & A Session

Moderated bySanaz Nabati

Career Counselor, UCLA

Summer Programs Representatives

Poornima Bajwa Site Manager Clinical Care Extender Program St. Francis Medical Center Marcie Jackson PREP Program David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA

Jessica Montano Program Representative Summer Medical & Dental Education Program, UCLA Jennifer Yoohanna, MS Student Services Advisor Master of Science in Global Medicine Program Keck School of Medicine of USC

Student PanelQ & A Session

Moderated by Krisztina Kecskei

Career Counselor, UCLA

Student Representatives

Edgar Corona (PREP Program)Rezoana Rashid (Care Extenders Internship)Christina W. Chung (Global Medical Brigades)Ngoc Bui (HIGH Achievement in Math and Science)Rithika Mathias (Global Health Corps)

Thank You!

to ALL our GUEST SPEAKERS for joining us today!

Thank You!

THANK YOU to KAPLAN TEST PREP for the delicious

Raffles!!! (Kaplan Test Prep & Princeton Review)

Networking

Enjoy the NETWORKING portion of the program!

Please fill out the SURVEY regarding this event (You will qualify to win a free Jumpstart of you choice!)