<p>Can any current student that is premed at Pitt tell me what it is like? Can you tell me how helpful the advisors are and what type of help can you get for the MCAT? Also, can you tell me about the research and internship opportunities that you have participated in or that you friends have participated in? What do you need to do to start your own research or help with a professors research? What do you need to do to get opportunities in the UPMC and will the school help you to find positions in the UPMC? Also, what kind of Honors society or organizations do you have for students preparing to go to med school?</p>
<p>I am also interested in this thread because my D is interested in becoming a Physician Assistant. One of the things that is very appealing about Pitt is its proximity to the hospital. If she chooses Pitt it will be because of of the opportunities that are available for clinical experience. I’m curious to find out how easy it is to get that experience and internships, research, etc.</p>
<p>There is one pre-med/pre-health advisor, Andrea Abt, and she is helpful. To be completely honest with you, you are mostly on your own in terms of seeking out research/volunteer opportunities, but there are plenty of opportunities available, and you should have no trouble finding something that piques your interest.</p>
<p>Here is a helpful document that you may want to check out: <a href=“http://www.placement.pitt.edu/resources/pdf/Pre-medPlanner.pdf[/url]”>http://www.placement.pitt.edu/resources/pdf/Pre-medPlanner.pdf</a>.</p>
<p>Some students elect to take a Kaplan course for the MCAT. Conveniently, there is a Kaplan Test Prep Center in Oakland, so it is accessible for students; however, the course is quite expensive. </p>
<p>I’ve done both clinical and lab-based research – paid and unpaid. Many of my friends have lab-based research jobs. I’d recommend asking your science professors if they have any positions available in their labs, checking each science department’s website and looking at the faculty members to see if they are accepting undergrads, etc. I used the following website to find one of my lab research jobs: [University</a> of Pittsburgh Interdisciplinary Biomedical Graduate Program - Faculty Members](<a href=“http://www.gradbiomed.pitt.edu/faculty.aspx]University”>http://www.gradbiomed.pitt.edu/faculty.aspx). You can search by program based on your interests. Once you find something that appeals to you, just e-mail the faculty member and let them know that you’re interested in their work and that you’d like to assist in their lab. Also include a copy of your resume.</p>
<p>Personally, I volunteer with the HELP (Hospital Elder Life Program) at UPMC Shadyside. It’s an awesome program that is heavily focused on volunteer-patient interaction. There are a whole host of other volunteer programs available, too. Many pre-med students volunteer at UPMC Presby because it is conveniently located right in Oakland. Some of my friends volunteer at Children’s Hospital and at the Hillman Cancer Center. My best advice is to just be aggressive about seeking out these research/volunteer opportunities – they will not just conveniently fall into your lap. There are lots of volunteer/research jobs available, though, so you will not be scrounging to find them.</p>
<p>There are various pre-med clubs/honor societies on campus. Some of which include
AED: The Health Pre-Professional Honors Society, SLIM (Student Leaders in International Medicine), POMS: Premedical Organization for Minority Students, etc.</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>