Application Tips for Global Health

Application Tips: Showing a Global Health Focus

We previously discussed how study abroad opportunities could give future physicians better insights into global health challenges. Many health professions programs are specifically recruiting students who see their purpose as physicians as being global health ... Read more

Emil Chuck, PhD

Updated October 17, 2023 by Emil Chuck, PhD

Bob Rarig, Temple University Post-Bacc Program Director

Q&A: Bob Rarig, Temple CST Post Bacc Pre-Health Program

Bob Rarig, Ph.D. (he/him/his) is the Program Director for the Temple College of Science and Technology Post Bacc Program. He directs the admissions process for the various tracks within the program, including a Basic Sciences ... Read more

Emil Chuck, PhD

Updated October 12, 2023 by Emil Chuck, PhD

Advisor SJT concerns

Pre-Health Advisors Share Concerns About SJTs

The ascent of Situational Judgment Tests (SJTs) in admissions, including Casper and AAMC PREview, has spurred frustration and concern among health professional school applicants and their advisors. In June 2023, the National Association of Advisors ... Read more

Laura Turner

Updated April 17, 2025 by Laura Turner

Prehealth Committee Letters

Eight Questions About the Pre-Health “Committee Letter”

For over 40 years, medical and dental school applicants have been asked to provide an institutional “committee letter” packet of recommendations if their prehealth offices provide a supportive evaluation. SDN has fielded questions about committee ... Read more

Emil Chuck, PhD

Updated September 27, 2023 by Emil Chuck, PhD

Weather on your application journey

The Weather on Your Application Journey

In many literary epics, the protagonists’ journey is adversely affected by the weather or some force of nature. In Odysseus’s voyage home, Frodo’s quest, Dorothy’s journey down the yellow brick road, or Katniss Everdeen’s persistence ... Read more

Emil Chuck, PhD

Updated September 21, 2023 by Emil Chuck, PhD

Ali Thaler, Neurologist and Author

Q&A: Dr. Ali Thaler, Neurologist and Author

Dr. Alison “Ali” Thaler is an Assistant Professor of Neurology at Mount Sinai Hospital, where she specializes in treating stroke and headache patients. She is a co-author of The Only Neurology Book You’ll Ever Need, ... Read more

Laura Turner

Updated September 12, 2023 by Laura Turner

Global Health

Benefits of Global Health Education for Future Doctors

Many aspiring health professionals are attracted to opportunities that impact health outside the nation’s boundaries, but they find limited advice on preparing for a career in global health. In this article, Dr. Chris Kurian and ... Read more

Chris M. Kurian

Updated August 24, 2023 by Chris M. Kurian

Mission Fit

Mission Fit: Key to Your Success

Every application cycle, applicants request expert reviews on the Student Doctor Network to help them assess “What Are My Chances” (WAMC) at getting accepted to their desired health professional programs. While GPA and test metrics ... Read more

Emil Chuck, PhD

Updated July 27, 2023 by Emil Chuck, PhD

Pre-Health Conference

Why You Should Attend a Pre-Health Conference

Pre-health conferences offer invaluable opportunities to comprehensively understand the healthcare field and become a competitive applicant. What are Pre-Health Conferences? First, let’s start with a basic definition of pre-health conferences and what they consist of. ... Read more

Hafsa Awan and Kamal Padda

Updated July 27, 2023 by Hafsa Awan and Kamal Padda

Other Impactful Experiences essay

Other Impactful Experiences Essay: Exploring Your Unique Story

Beginning with the 2024 cycle, the AAMC allowed AMCAS and ERAS applicants an opportunity to describe Other Impactful Experiences (OIE) that have helped define their perspective on life. Replacing the “Disadvantaged” essay, the Other Impactful ... Read more

Emil Chuck, PhD

Updated June 18, 2023 by Emil Chuck, PhD

Summer Research Experiences

Maximizing Your Summer Research Experience​

Although undergraduate research experience is challenging to obtain for many students, it has arguably become a soft requirement for both health professional schools and research-based graduate programs. Even more challenging, however, is maximizing your experience ... Read more

Vineeth Amba, Shahriar Zamani, Dr. Ulrike Klenke

Updated June 7, 2023 by Vineeth Amba, Shahriar Zamani, Dr. Ulrike Klenke

Neil Saley

Interview: Neil Saley, MD and Author

The below interview with Dr. Neil Saley, author of Medical School: Experience the Journey has been lightly edited for clarity. Emil Chuck, PhD: My name is Emil Chuck. I’m the Director of Advising Services (for ... Read more

Emil Chuck, PhD

Updated May 23, 2023 by Emil Chuck, PhD

Non-Compete cartoon

A Ban on Non-Competes?

What changes are proposed to non-competes, how changes might affect physicians and other professionals, and what rules apply now In recent years, policymakers have shown increasing interest in limiting or eliminating non-competition/restrictive covenant clauses (known ... Read more

Greg Care

Updated May 2, 2023 by Greg Care

Michael Casteel

Q&A: Michael Casteel, DPM, FACPM, FAPWHc​

Dr. Michael Casteel, DPM, is a podiatry specialist in The Villages, FL. He currently practices at The Villages Health Care Center and is affiliated with UF Health The Villages Hospital. Dr. Casteel is board certified ... Read more

Chivas Owle

Updated April 19, 2023 by Chivas Owle