Franklin & Marshall College

As encouragement to all, I have two main things to say:  Yes, there are people out there who read these letters of recommendation (in fact, it's part of their job).  Thus, your work is significant and worthwhile.  And remember, an individual letter writer is but one voice among several singing in support of an applicant.  Therefore, each letter need not describe its subject completely; rather, it need only give an informed perspective from within the context that the author and applicant know each other.

Last Friday, I attended a one-day conference hosted by Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, the new allopathic medical school in Camden.  We Philly-area pre-health advisers like to get together every January at a different health professional school, engaging in dialogue about timely professional topics, hearing updates from Admissions deans, and generally comparing notes . . .  

I can’t say I’ve ever participated in a “speed dating” exercise.  I intentionally call it an “exercise” instead of a “game,” since to me it sounds painful, an activity akin to Karaoke Night or watching reality TV.  The idea of people lining up in a gym to present themselves to strangers in five-minute sound bites seems a little forced, even superficial...

Whether or not to take a class next summer is a common question among pre-health students this time of year.  You're looking at your current workload as well as the demands of next year, including requirements for your major (and maybe minor).  You're also looking at, perhaps fixedly, your grades in the pre-health curriculum thus far . . .  Is doing one of the required courses for health professional school over the summer a "Way Out"?  Is it advisable?

Our sophomore preceptorship program at LGH is up and running for another year . . .  Some of you have secured volunteer hours at one of our local healthcare facilities . . .  Some of you are volunteering with F&M EMS or another rescue squad . . .  All of you, we hope, have heard by now that gaining “clinical” experience, meaning experience interacting with patients and staff in a healthcare setting, is crucial to your life as a pre-health student.

Earlier this week I had the honor of welcoming the seventeen new members of the Benjamin Rush Honor Society at a simple but powerful induction ceremony in Ware College House.  I said a few words at the top of the hour before turning the spotlight over to officers Dylan Smith ‘13 and Jennifer Gay ‘13, who spoke eloquently about the role the Society plays on campus, encouraging academic excellence while fostering community among F&M’s population of pre-health students.