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[XYF]

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I'm going to be a sophomore and I am looking for clinical experience in the area. Where did you get yours? Would you recommend that I do the same?

Thanks....

 

[Haybrant]

I'm going to be a sophomore and I am looking for clinical experience in the area. Where did you get yours? Would you recommend that I do the same?

Thanks....

Best bet is to go through FSI (first take ids 130). If that doesnt work out well just email docs directly (or their nurses). Alot of wiling doc's at UCSF since it is an academic institution. This will allow you to shadow in an area you are interested in (take mcb163 then shadow a neurosurgeon; wish i had done that). Or try the Alta Bates Er.

 

[sfbear]

check out the berkeley free clinic

as far as getting to know professors (even though you didn't ask), try taking multiple classes from one if you don't plan on doing research. Prof. Beatty in immuno is really open to helping students, and from what I heard (it's been a while since I've been there) his mcb50 class is much easier now, so that could help your science gpa and give you a good contact. Just make sure that whatever you do, you're doing it because you like it, not because you think it'll look good on your resume.

 

[exmike]

berkeley free clinic and alta bates ER. Thats seems to be the cookie cutter berkeley premed clinical experiences.

If you have the transportation, try SFGeneral ER, they are a level 1 trauma center.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

CHO has some pediatrics stuff and more, and UCSF is only a BART/Muni ride away.

 

[sunflower79]

Suitcase Clinic! 😍 absolutely fabulous. Tons of client interaction. Like BFC, except student-run. You have to take HMS 98/198 first, I think.

 

[tic112]

For those that don't get accepted to Berkeley Free Clinic, or don't want to make such a huge time commitment, or don't want to fill out a long application, The Lifelong Clinic is an excellent option.

 

[jlee9531]

i will forever stand by CHO.
but there are plenty of other options that others have mentioned with the suitcase etc...

 

[i77ac]

All good ideas...

Go bears.

 

[Bear1220]

Go bears.

Right on, Go Bears

 

[XYF]

Thanks a bunch everyone!

I attended the Berkeley Free Clinic orientation, but they don't really have openings right now...and Lifelong wont answer my calls or return my messages. I have an Alta Bates application on hand though.

How involved is the ER program at Alta Bates? A lot of patient interaction or mostly paperwork/errands?

The HMS 198 website says that "The course and Suitcase Clinic are geared toward students with an interest in public health and social welfare and are not intended for students interested in extensive pre-medical clinical exposure." Should I ignore this? Do pre-meds get exposure there anyways?

 

[Haybrant]

Thanks a bunch everyone!

I attended the Berkeley Free Clinic orientation, but they don't really have openings right now...and Lifelong wont answer my calls or return my messages. I have an Alta Bates application on hand though.

How involved is the ER program at Alta Bates? A lot of patient interaction or mostly paperwork/errands?

The HMS 198 website says that "The course and Suitcase Clinic are geared toward students with an interest in public health and social welfare and are not intended for students interested in extensive pre-medical clinical exposure." Should I ignore this? Do pre-meds get exposure there anyways?

i didnt like alta bates er much but you really have to put yourself out there and talk to the nurses/docs if you want to see anything; im sure others had good experiences but mine wasnt that good....

 

[shanddallar]

If you want something low commitment you can check out the tang center. You can go to the volunteer counter and fill out an application during the beginning of the semester (the earlier the better). They have a lot of clerical stuff but they also have clinical stuff. I volunteered at the monday specialty clinic (orthopedics clinic) for 2hrs/week (but you can do more i think) and it was really cool. I got to take patient history, help with putting on cast, etc. This alone may not be enough but it's something extra to do if you are really busy and don't have a car.

 

[sunflower79]

Try the SFGH ER if you don't mind the bart ride. You can get shifts round the clock and there's lots of action. That and I just love the General 😍

HMS 198 says that because you take social histories rather than medical histories, and most clients are there not to use the medical services. So it's true that you won't get a lot of medical exposure per se. But it's just such an awesome model of "whole person" care that I think it's worthwhile anyway.

best,
~sunflower

 

[somekevinguy]

i know someone has already mentioned it, but id definitely check out FSI...in terms of the most worthwhile clinical experiences I had at Cal, FSI is at the top of the list...followed by footwashing at suitcase.....cho floor volunteering is nice in that you get to play with kids but i really did not like the ER at alta bates..you dont see much, you dont have much interaction AND you're not much help, at least in my experience.

 

[tofurious]

All the UCSF sites have lots of action for Berkeley undergrads (Moffit, SF General, Mt Zion). There are way too many Berkeley pre-meds at the free clinic and so forth, that's why you are required to take a course before jumping in to cut down the number (and again, how do you really make yourself stand out from the other Cal pre-meds who do well in MCB and also work at the Free Clinic?)

As for Tang center, that's a sorry excuse of a health center.

 

[souljah1]

I recommend volunteering at SFGH or some other ED. You'll get exposed to lots of action, procedures, and physician team dynamics. I'd also do the suitcase clinic, though most of your time will be spent collecting social histories.

 

[XYF]

How selective is the FSI? Do I almost automatically get in if I take IDS 130?

Did you guys work at multiple places during one time period or just one at a time?

 

[yenuwine]

Hi, I'm also a Berkeley student, gonna be a third year. Since I'm an engineering major I didn't have to take any english classes, but now that I decided to pursue med school, I was wondering if I have to take R1A, R1B stuff or do courses that just have a lot of papers (like humanities, poli sci...) also fulfill the english requirement at most med schools? Sorry for getting off topic, Thanks.

 

[Nakhrewali]

The SHE (Sex Health Peer Educator) Program through the Tang Center is AWESOME! The application deadline has passed for the upcoming year. It's usually in the Spring semester. They accept mostly females and a few males. You have one-on-one clinics with females who make appointments at the Tang Center for Paps/Pelvics or just have some questions they want answered confidentially. You also do a certain number of health outreaches about STDs, Birth control, Safer Sex, etc to the Berkeley community. You enroll in a class (PH 104 A & B) that meets every Tuesday night, which is a lot of fun. The first semester you get to hear a ton of really cool speakers and the second semester you help work on Condom Day and classes consist of Student-run presentations. And there's always a ton of really good potlucks. The year-long commitment is worth it and you meet some really wonderful people. It looks AMAZING on a resume and the coordinator, Michael Paquette is super cool. I'd like to give a shout out to the Class of 2004. Woo woo!

 

[bobdogsam43]

How are students viewed by adcoms with Regents' Scholarships, Alumni scholarships, etc....

Thanks

 

[somekevinguy]

To the person who asked about FSI competitiveness, the answer is that no, just because you take IDS 130 doesnt mean you get to do FSI. FSI is actually fairly competitive as we get from 80-100+ applications for 24 spots. There is a separate application and interview proccess for FSI.

How are students viewed by adcoms with Regents' Scholarships, Alumni scholarships, etc....

Thanks

huh?...does this question mean..."how do adcoms view students who are regents'/alumni scholars?"......

if it does..then, im sure it can only help. as far as how much, i would guess not very much, since a decent number of folks out there have similar credentials. Also, i'd guess most adcoms are going to take a 3.8 student who isn't a regents' scholar over the 3.7 student who is a regents, all else being equal..hopefully i didnt just answer the wrong question

 

[Bear1220]

How are students viewed by adcoms with Regents' Scholarships, Alumni scholarships, etc....

Thanks

Much of the decision that goes into getting a Regents' or Alumni Scholarship is based on what you did on high school (except for perhaps the Alumni Scholarship for your 3rd and 4th years). Although at my UCLA interview I was asked about some volunteering I did in high school, the vast majority of schools and interviewers don't know what you did in high school and don't care. Having one of these scholarships would only show that you were on the ball in high school (if you adequately explain the scholarship's criteria). My guess is that it can only help you, but probably not by very much.

 

[wxl31]

I recommend The LifeLong Clinic. I was a medical assistant there and did tons of clinical stuff.

 

[Haybrant]

they get quite a few apps and do an interview but lets be honest if you put some time in the questions (alot of people dont) and are coherent in the interview you'll get a spot

To the person who asked about FSI competitiveness, the answer is that no, just because you take IDS 130 doesnt mean you get to do FSI. FSI is actually fairly competitive as we get from 80-100+ applications for 24 spots. There is a separate application and interview proccess for FSI.



huh?...does this question mean..."how do adcoms view students who are regents'/alumni scholars?"......

if it does..then, im sure it can only help. as far as how much, i would guess not very much, since a decent number of folks out there have similar credentials. Also, i'd guess most adcoms are going to take a 3.8 student who isn't a regents' scholar over the 3.7 student who is a regents, all else being equal..hopefully i didnt just answer the wrong question

 

[Haybrant]

Do schools understand the difference b.t the one classes and the plan 2? I was neuro b.c i liked it but the classes were easier than say biochem/genetics. Do they care or even know?

 

[Haybrant]

you should take a language/literature class. But beware, these are very intensive classes if you want to get something out of it and do well. I would recommend them tho as they taught me a new way of thinking about the world

Hi, I'm also a Berkeley student, gonna be a third year. Since I'm an engineering major I didn't have to take any english classes, but now that I decided to pursue med school, I was wondering if I have to take R1A, R1B stuff or do courses that just have a lot of papers (like humanities, poli sci...) also fulfill the english requirement at most med schools? Sorry for getting off topic, Thanks.

 

[ajnak182]

...
The HMS 198 website says that "The course and Suitcase Clinic are geared toward students with an interest in public health and social welfare and are not intended for students interested in extensive pre-medical clinical exposure." Should I ignore this? Do pre-meds get exposure there anyways?

Yeah, ignore it. Suitcase Clinic trys to get the most committed volunteers it can, and those folks are the ones who have a sincere interest in being there. Some premeds who come through look to build their med resume and are not really into working with low/no income populations, and thus they tend to make poor volunteers. I think that statement is just looking to discourage that type of premed from volunteering at the clinics. For your info, the SC is completely composed of volunteers, is operated by undergrads (which is very rare), offers a ton of different services, such as legal, optometric, chiro, etc., and is the largest clinic (and one of the oldest) of its type in the U.S. It's been used as a model for several other clinics in the U.S. If you have an interest in underprivileged care, it is a definite must in terms of volunteering. That place kicks SERIOUS ass, it's a really positive environment with a lot of cool, compassionate folks hanging out. 👍

AJ

 

[premed786]

lifelong medical clinic with alta bates...its awesome..its free clinic ( only thurs. nights and sat's)...its the MOST patient doctor contact I've ever had and I just love it! 😀

 

[Bear1220]

On a side note, it's nice to see a thread for Berkeley premeds especially since Berkeley's notorious for being very/over competitive for premeds.

 

[sunflower79]

On a side note, it's nice to see a thread for Berkeley premeds especially since Berkeley's notorious for being very/over competitive for premeds.

you said it. I think it's one reason my best friends were never pre-meds applying the same year. Did anyone else feel like they were on their own with this pre-med thing? I'd love for there to have been some sort of support group, but God knows all we'd talk about is, "how did you find out about that activity? how was that professor?" 😛

 

[biobossx99]

For R1A and R1B I recommend taking ENglish N1A and N1B. They are 3 unit classes over the summer that are twice a week for two hours. Hard, but not as hard as like Rhetoric or the 5 unit western civilization (with is a "L&S" College class, and is meant to be extremely intellectually challenging)

you should take a language/literature class. But beware, these are very intensive classes if you want to get something out of it and do well. I would recommend them tho as they taught me a new way of thinking about the world

 

[biobossx99]

oh yea IDS130 and HMS98 fill up sooooooooooo quickly. I think u have to have one lucky Telebears appointment or just have a junior or senior standing.

 

[masalachica]

Do schools understand the difference b.t the one classes and the plan 2? I was neuro b.c i liked it but the classes were easier than say biochem/genetics. Do they care or even know?

I don't think schools really know which emphasis in MCB was easier/harder. I did what everyone calls the "easiest" emphasis--CDB (Plan 1)--and I never got any questions about it during my interviews. Apparently UCLA didn't seem to place importance on that because I am going there for med school. So I'm sure they won't even think about the fact that neuro classes might be easier than biochem/genetics.

 

[jlee9531]

other schools dont really know the difference between the two different plans. the people within berkeley obviously know, but not really outside.

go BMB!
go Bears!

 

[sfbear]

I graduated a few years ago and am now applying to med school. I was an mcb major and so it didn't even cross my mind that I might not have completed all the science reqs for med school. However, it seems everywhere I look, 1 year of gen chem is required. Is anyone else running into this? Any chance I can use biochem in place of a second semester of gen chem?

 

[Pinkertinkle]

People do this
Gen Chem 1 yr = Chem 1A, 3A
O Chem 1 yr = Chem 3B, MCB 100/102 (if lab needed then whatever lab your emphasis has)

 

[sfbear]

People do this
Gen Chem 1 yr = Chem 1A, 3A
O Chem 1 yr = Chem 3B, MCB 100/102 (if lab needed then whatever lab your emphasis has)

Thanks!

 

[Bear1220]

go BMB!
go Bears!

👍 👍

 

[tic112]

BMB all the way

 

[Pinkertinkle]

Immuno!!

 

[sunflower79]

sheesh, all you mcb nerds. IB let's represent!

 

[splat2000]

cannot resist the temptation!

go CDB!!!

to echo the earlier folks...The LifeLong Clinic is a great place to get experience. Just try to contact the director, Maggie.

 

[Nakhrewali]

CDB fo LIFE! 😛

 

[lakersfan]

lol...haas and cdb


I wanted to ask u guys something...for us to get into a lower uc med school like davis or uci, what mcat and gpa do we need from cal? Like i looked at hte career centers website and those stats are so high (like in the 3.8,3.9 range with a 35) and I really don't think it is accurade if you go and check out mdapplicants.com and see what cal students listed as their gpas and mcats. Thanks. Oh yeah and if someone is willing to let me know hwo my chances are for the UC med schools, i have a 3.55 and 33. Any out of state schools that us cal students should consider because they like us?

 

[jlee9531]

BMB 4 life!

 

[jlee9531]

lol...haas and cdb


I wanted to ask u guys something...for us to get into a lower uc med school like davis or uci, what mcat and gpa do we need from cal? Like i looked at hte career centers website and those stats are so high (like in the 3.8,3.9 range with a 35) and I really don't think it is accurade if you go and check out mdapplicants.com and see what cal students listed as their gpas and mcats. Thanks. Oh yeah and if someone is willing to let me know hwo my chances are for the UC med schools, i have a 3.55 and 33. Any out of state schools that us cal students should consider because they like us?

haha...calling davis and irvine "lower" UCs makes them sound not very good but of course we all know that isnt the case. 😉

at least the people that i knew that got into irvine had pretty high numbers. (higher than yours) but i dont know too many, so my sample size is limited.

davis, i think has more of a balanced GPA spread relative to the other UCs. but in my opinion i think they tend to focus in on the entire application...and you can see this from their massive secondary. they want to get to know you as best they can through text.

but i think that you have good numbers to be competitive for UC med schools. your solid mcat, obviously supports the fact that your GPA was a result of cal's tough program.

now basically it all depends on how good the rest of your app is. if it is strong, then i dont think you have to worry all that much about getting a chance at least.

out of state schools will definitely like those numbers you have.

 

[bakedlay]

BMB 4 life!

i'm not looking forward to 110L though... 👎

 

[lakersfan]

haha...calling davis and irvine "lower" UCs makes them sound not very good but of course we all know that isnt the case. 😉

at least the people that i knew that got into irvine had pretty high numbers. (higher than yours) but i dont know too many, so my sample size is limited.

davis, i think has more of a balanced GPA spread relative to the other UCs. but in my opinion i think they tend to focus in on the entire application...and you can see this from their massive secondary. they want to get to know you as best they can through text.

but i think that you have good numbers to be competitive for UC med schools. your solid mcat, obviously supports the fact that your GPA was a result of cal's tough program.

now basically it all depends on how good the rest of your app is. if it is strong, then i dont think you have to worry all that much about getting a chance at least.

out of state schools will definitely like those numbers you have.

Sorry, in no way did I intend on referring to davis and irvine as lower schools...i would be more than ecstatic to go to one of those 2.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

Come on, everyone knows CDB is the stereotypical premed easy route to a high GPA. No Chem 130A, no MCB 100 or 110. I shoulda gone CDB, ah too late.