The Prehealth Podcast at Penn State

What are the ethics and implications of Brain-Computer Interfaces? This technology can completely change the way that we think about the treatment of things like nerve damage, loss of limb, neurological conditions, and even mental health disorders. In this episode, we explore what Neuralink is, how it works, and other big questions surrounding the technology. Thanks for joining us!

This is a rebroadcast of a previous episode. What is required to be a competitive applicant starts with your preparation years. In the past, students with great grades and good MCAT scores were shoe-ins for admission. We know that the admissions process now in 2023 is far more complex and competitive for even the most incredible students to navigate. This episode breaks apart some of the common, m...

Gun Violence and Mass Shootings, while not unique to the United States, is a uniquely US American problem in how it is viewed and treated. In this week's episode, we are once again joined by Dr. Mekel to discuss this ethical concern, its impact on healthcare, and what future providers should be thinking about and considering to positively influence this issue in their future work - especially for...

In this episode, we discuss semaglutides, more commonly referred to by their brand names (Wegovy, Ozempic, etc.) have grown significantly in popularity. Originally designed and intended for managing diabetes in a more efficient and effective manner, they have begun to be prescribed for weight loss and have been heralded as a miracle cure for obesity. As with all miracle cures, the other side isn't...

The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine joined the podcast this week to discuss their school, curriculum, community engagement, longitudinal research project, and more. Clayton Steup, Director of Special Programs & Recruitment, joins us to share his perspective and help all applicants understand how they may find their fit or home at Pitt Med. AUDIO: INTRO Song is This Science by Coma-...

In this week's episode, we welcome back Dr. Michele Mekel to discuss CRISPR-Cas9 which enables scientists to edit parts of the genetic material of living organisms. This discussion focuses on the ethical, anthropological, and biological implications of this technology. For future healthcare providers, we talk about things to think about as this technology begins to be used in applications never be...

In another entry in our STUDENT STORIES series, we welcome a Penn State student who will be attending the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. We talk to him about his journey to dentistry, what he has done along the way to prepare, and what he has done to feel ready. AUDIO: INTRO Song is This Science by Coma-Media OUTRO Song is Screening by Coma-Media ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: The PreHealth...

SHPEP is a free summer enrichment program focused on improving access to information and resources for college students interested in the health professions. SHPEP’s goal is to strengthen the academic proficiency and career development of students from economically or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds and those with demonstrated interest in issues affecting underserved populations to prepare...

This week, we welcome back a friend of The Prehealth Podcast at Penn State, Michele Mekel to talk with us about the ethical concerns of Long Covid. As future care providers, all prehealth students should be thinking about what these bigger health issues mean for their future patients, practices, and the healthcare industry as a whole.

For students developing their school lists, starting their journey to their future health profession, or wanting to make a personal connection to admissions officers at schools that you may be interested in the Penn State Health Professions Expo can be a useful tool. This episode will talk about what the expo is, how to prepare for it, and make the most out of this exciting opportunity. The 2024 E...

Nick DeMario, a current M1 at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University sits down with us to talk about his journey to medicine, the help he received along the way, and how he found the right place for him with Sidney Kimmel. AUDIO: INTRO Song is This Science by Coma-Media OUTRO Song is Screening by Coma-Media ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: The PreHealth Podcast at Penn State is a production...

For most applicants, their worst case scenario is a cycle that does not result in an acceptance. It is hard to experience a "failed" application. It can feel dehumanizing, like you aren't a good applicant, or that you won't ever get an acceptance. However, there is power in learning what went wrong and taking the steps to improve yourself and what you can offer to a health professions program. Thi...

This is a rebroadcast of an earlier episode being re-released because of its timely relevance for the upcoming application cycle. In the admissions cycle for the Health Professions, there is no part of the application that a student has more control over than the personal statement. And, it is essential to get right if you want to move through the admissions process and get an interview invitation...

This week's episode is geared toward our students at Penn State. In this episode, we give advice for those working toward completing a comprehensive review this semester in preparation for the upcoming admissions cycle. The Comprehensive Review is a process that Penn State uses to help students feel more ready for their application and to put forth the best possible version of themselves in the co...

For applicants in the current application cycle, January can be a difficult time. Some of you may have not heard from schools at all, some of you may be waiting on decisions post-interview, and some of you may be on waitlists possibly even at your dream program. This week's episode talks about reasons students may be communicating with Admissions Offices during this time of the cycle, what the nat...

This week we are thrilled to welcome back Dave Cassiday to walk you through a guided writing exercise focused on the reflection of your experiences in your pursuit of your intended health profession. How students communicate their thoughts, insights, and ideas through their application can make or break their candidacy regardless of their metrics. This exercise will give students the space and tim...

One part of your application process that has the greatest influence on your success, is selecting a great school list. In this week's episode, we talk about the important aspects to consider when crafting your school list and the ways in which this list can impact the success or failure of a cycle. AUDIO: INTRO Song was Fun Life by FASSounds OUTRO Song was Best Time by FASSounds ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:...

Sometimes viewed as the "resume" section, the Work & Activities (or Experiences and Achievements section depending on your application service) couldn't be further from a simple resumer. In this section, we discuss the anatomy and physiology of the work and activities section and how this section is used by Admissions officers to make decisions and better understand an applicant. We also provi...

One of the largest changes over the past decade in admissions for health professional training programs has been the widespread adoption of holistic review. In this episode, we dive deeply into the history of admissions, how holistic review became more and more commonplace in admissions over time, and also how holistic review MAY come in to place when reviewing and evaluating a student's applicati...

This section can be EXTREMELY tedious. But, it is important to do right. This week, we discuss the grade entry and standardized test portions of the application. These items "open the doors" for schools to want to look more deeply at your application and can influence how schools interpret you as an applicant. AUDIO: INTRO Song was Fun Life by FASSounds OUTRO Song was Best Time by FASSounds ACKNOW...

Penn State Research Links: URFM Database for PSU Research: https://urfm.psu.edu/research/undergraduate-research-opportunities-database Searching for Research at Penn State (comprehensive all campuses): https://pure.psu.edu/en/ Life Science Research through the Huck Institute of Life Sciences (go to the faculty pages): https://www.huck.psu.edu/graduate-programs Psychology Research Opportunities: ht...

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Tiffany Matthews to help students get these influential and impactful experiential learning opportunities. Links mentioned in today's podcast: Penn State Research Links: URFM Database for PSU Research: https://urfm.psu.edu/research/undergraduate-research-opportunities-database Searching for Research at Penn State (comprehensive all campuses): https://pure.psu.edu/en...

YES! The rumor is true. You CAN study abroad as a student tracking toward a health profession. In this week's episode, we are joined by our colleague from the Office of Science Engagement whose focus is on global experiences. We discuss all things study abroad, opportunities for students at Penn State, share some personal stories from our own trips abroad as students, and how you can make this exc...

You have recently arrived on campus, you have started your prerequisites, and have started to get adjusted to the college lifestyle. You may be thinking... what in the world should I be doing to be a competitive future applicant? This episode overviews where we feel students should be starting, what they should be prioritizing, and how to use these early experiences to build a strong future applic...

[This is a rebroadcast of a previous episode but is being rereleased since the content is timely for students working toward their Comprehensive Review or working on their portfolio.] Most students barely give the Biographical Section much thought and for most students, it makes a lot of sense. The section is mostly data entry and includes some pretty routine, standard information. But understandi...