Resources

Resources Available

The road to medical school can be challenging, but there are plenty of resources available to you!  Please look through the categories below.

Cal State LA Academic Support Services

  • Career Development Center - This office offers a lot of fantastic services, including interview techniques and resume and cover letter writing that will help you both for your medical school application, but also when preparing to interview for shadowing opportunities, volunteer opportunities, as well as internships.
  • Center for Student Involvement - Admissions committees want to see active and engaged students on campus and/or the community. This office houses many ways for students to get involved.
  • NSS Academic Advisement Center - Academic advisors can help guide you in selecting and planning your academic coursework for your major, allowing you to graduate in a timely manner. They can also help in clarifying policies and procedures that might pertain to your degree.
  • University Tutorial Center - This office offers both tutoring services in a wide variety of subjects, as well as workshops on study skills, time management, and other valuable skills that help you to be successful during your undergraduate career. Learning these skills is not only essential to earn a high GPA for your application packet, but also to develop good skills critical to do well in health profession schools.
  • University Writing Center - This center is a valuable resource when putting together your personal statements! Stop by, and have them do a review.

 

Other Resources

  • Writing Professional Emails - the way that you communicate with your professors, professional staff, academic advisors, and other members of the campus community can say a lot about your professionalism and what kind of student you are.  Throughout your pre-health journey, you will find yourself emailing a lot of different people in a professional manner both regarding school, as well as for things such as internships, shadowing, volunteer opportunities, and to request letters of recommendation. Remember, this can often be your first impression. Below are various resources that might help you start thinking about your own email practices!

    • Youtube videos can illustrate examples of ways to improve basic emails to professors. 

    • Wellesley College has a nice list of recommendations to follow, provided through their Netiquette project

    • LaVerne has also provided a simple list of recommendations

    • Insider Higher Ed has a great article with their own recommendations

  • How to Study Science - The ability to study science is critical as you prepare and take the prerequisite coursework for your intended health career.  In addition to the Cal State LA Academic Support Services listed above, we have listed some online resources that might help.

    • Khan Academy (Includes specific science and math topics, as well as MCAT Resources). These free videos that may help you as you review and study.

    • Doc Ossareh YouTube Videos - a series of videos created by Doc Ossareh geared toward pre-medical and medical students. He has quite a few topics created! This particular video helps students study for any science course in college.

    • Studying/Prepping for MCAT and DAT - John Hopkins University has a comprehensive site with great resources and information on both national exams.

  • Scholarships, Resources, and Support Services for Public Health Students: https://www.publicservicedegrees.org/online-degrees/public-health-programs/scholarships-and-resources/
  • Guide to Online Public Health Degree Programs: https://www.publicservicedegrees.org/online-degrees/public-health-programs/

Professional Organizations

Below is a list of the national organizations for the major health professional schools. They are filled with a wealth of information, and are a good place to start searching for resources, opportunities, and ways to get involved.

  • Allopathic Medicine (M.D.): The Association of American Medical Colleges ( AAMC)
    • Aspiring Docs is a service provided by AAMC to give students resources and inspiration as they prepare for medical school (top resources include facts sheet for preparing to apply, post-baccalaureate premed programs, medical school admissions requirements, and inspiring stories).
  • Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.): The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM)
  • Physician Assistant: American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)
  • Dentistry: American Dental Education Association (ADEA)
  • Pharmacy: The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)
  • Optometry: The American Optometric Association (AOA)
  • Physical Therapy: The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
  • Veterinary: Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC)

 

Financial Resources

  • National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarships:  Pays tuition, fees, other educational costs, and provides a living stipend in return for a commitment to work at least 2 years at an NHSC-approved site in a medically underserved community. Clink on the link for full details.
  • AAMC Fee Assistance Program: assists those who, without financial assistance, would be unable to take the MCAT, apply to medical schools that use the AMCAS application system, and more! Click on the link to learn more.