<p>^ really? I thought everyone in my generation had the varicella vaccine.</p>
<p>dhedreth,
I am really sorry to hear about your D. Several kids in my D’s Medical School class had shingles while preparing for the Step 1 (which is several folds much more than MCAT). She said that (you are correct!!!) it was brought by stress.<br>
No shingle vaccination is offerred for the younger people. Primary care physicians are suggesting (and prescirbing) it to people over 65.
I really wish her the best. MCAT is physically hard to sit thru even for healthy person. But it is only 4 hours. Step 1 was 8 hours (not to scare you, but be psychologically prepared)</p>
<p>Plumazul–Nope. Neither of my kids have the varicella vaccine since DS1 got chicken pox in kindergarten and gave it to DS2. Neither was offered it as part of their required vaccines (I’m guessing it was optional at the beginning??).</p>
<p>Like VAMom, older sister brought home the chicken pox when younger D was 6 months old. She got the antiviral meds and is in pretty good spirits. I told her if she gets a decent score, it will make a good story some day. She’s not convinced. MiamiDAP, I do worry about med school, since from what I read re-eruptions can occur due to chronic stress. Here’s hoping she is “one and done” on the MCAT even with the shingles!</p>
<p>^Maybe she needs to talk to health proffessionals to suggest her how (if possible at all) to avoid having shingles in a future under stressful situations. The stress level at Med. School goes up considerably in comparison to UG. My D. mentioned that academic level cannot even be compared, she said, it is like referencing different universe. But that was in her first 2 years. In her 3rd year when she started rotations, she said, that she remembers her first 2 years at Med. School as vacation in comparison to the 3rd year.<br>
I do not want to put additional pressure, and I feel that I am doing it now. But maybe you and your D. could learn something based on her current experience with shingles.</p>
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<p>That would be totally dependent on what it was you were doing in UG.</p>
<p>For those looking to take the MCAT this summer AAMC posted this on Facebook today: MCAT Registration will open February 11 for the June-September 2014 dates AND on February 13 for the October 2014-January 2015 dates. Stay tuned for more updates via Facebook, @AAMCPreMed, and AAMC_MCAT.</p>
<p>Where are these applicants and parents?</p>
<p>I haven’t visited the site as much since the change, though I am now able to see this page if I use firefox.</p>
<p>Daughter made it through the MCAT, shingles and all. She felt good about the Biology and Verbal Reasoning, but not so sure about the Physical sciences section, so we’ll see. I hope her score is good enough to be done. </p>
<p>Good luck to your DD dheldreth! Please come back when you get the score. This waiting time is a bit unnerving. I think it’s preparation for the waiting period after submitting an application.</p>
<p>PS, I bookmarked this thread. Much, much easier to find that way.</p>
<p>I still can only access this page on my computer and only with chrome-- I am not going to try and figure it out either-- have too much better stuff to do. </p>
<p>Anyway, MCAT registration for June- Sept. is available today if anyone needs to schedule one of those dates. </p>
<p>I’m looking for input from veterans out there. My son will be applying in the 2014-15 cycle and has scheduled his committee interview for early March. A couple of questions – </p>
<p>Dress code for the committee interview? We’re assuming that it would be the same as what he would wear to a med school interview. BUT…he didn’t own a suit…just a blazer and khakis…so we bought a suit for him while he was home during his break in December. Unfortunately, there wasn’t time to have alterations done (slacks hemmed!) while he was home, so we decided that he could take care of it during his spring break. Unfortunately, the committee interview falls before his spring break, so the suit is at home…unaltered. Recommendations as to what he should plan to wear?</p>
<p>Next question…what types of things are covered at the committee interview? What should he be prepared to discuss? Do they ask the types of questions that med schools ask at interviews? What types of questions are appropriate for him to ask the committee?</p>
<p>Dress for the committee interview as if it were for an actual med school interview unless the advisor/committee suggests “casual” (which means business casual, in which case sports jacket and khakis will be OK). </p>
<p>Can you ask your son to measure the inseam on a pair of good slacks–maybe the khakis?-- that fit him well and then tack up his suit pants to the correct length? </p>
<p>I say tack meaning a temporarily sewn hem with a light press without cutting off any fabric in case the length isn’t quite right. Use a light press only so you don’t set the hem crease—though a permanent crease can usually be removed with lots & lots of club soda and steam pressing. Unless you’re sure about the length I would be loathe to permanently shorten slacks. It’s easier to shorten than to lengthen, though I’ve done both with my own dress slacks and those of both my daughters. In a real pinch, you can use duct tape to tack up a hem, but don’t EVER press over tape. The adhesive will permanently stain the fabric. If you do use duct tape, remove tape as soon as the interview is over–again so the adhesive doesn’t stain the fabric. (Experienced seamstress with tailoring training speaking here.)</p>
<p>Committee interviewers will ask the same kinds of questions that actual committee will ask:
–Why medicine?
–Your biggest flaw/failing/failure/success/achievement?
–Explain your research/volunteer activity/community service.
–Current healthcare issues in the news</p>
<p>Mostly the questions will be softball questions that cover the things in your son’s CV and personal statement. </p>
<p>Thanks WOWMom! I considered tacking the hem in the slacks but since they came unfinished there is LOTS of extra length and I wouldn’t be able to do it without cutting some off. (I’m an experienced seamstress but don’t have any tailoring experience and was afraid to ruin these.) I googled tailors in the area and checked yelp to get reviews. I called to ascertain that they would hem them in less than a week and they said yes. I gave him the contact info for the tailor, so he should be in good shape once the suit arrives. </p>
<p>Thanks, too, for the committee interview information. I’ll pass along to him that he should probably read through the lists of common med school interview questions and be prepared with some answers.</p>
<p>Your son may already have a list of questions from his advisor. I know my son has. I’m glad you asked the question about what to wear, because I would not have thought of that.</p>
<p>Treat the committee interview as a full on dress rehearsal for the real thing. </p>
<p>
I see this discussed (not just here, in guide books and stuff too) as a topic to be prepared for but I have yet to hear of anyone actually being asked about it. Can anyone prove me wrong?</p>
<p>My daughter was not asked about that once in 13 interviews.</p>
<p>Our in-state school asks all applicants about current state healthcare issues in both the secondary and again at interview. True for both kids and for everyone else I know who interviewed here. It’s a staple of the interview from year-to-year and from interviewer-to-interviewer. (At least 1 of the in state public colleges offers a 1 credit class on state healthcare issues that most pre meds take to help prepare for the questions.)</p>
<p>But D2 was asked about a healthcare issue (that had nothing to do with the ACA) at one school besides instate. Probably because her interests and ECs on the issue nicely overlapped with those of her interviewer. YMMV.</p>