What to Look For in Your Medical School Search

What to Look For in Your Medical School Search The following piece was written by Anubodh Sunny Varshney. He is a Dallas Fort Worth tutor for Varsity Tutors and current medical student at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. Attending interviews at multiple medical schools isnt just for you to sell yourself; its also a valuable opportunity for you to gather some key information about different institutions all across the country. Below are some factors to think about when youre comparing these medical schools. Class size The size of your classes can range from the 50s up to the 250s each year. Small classes tend to build a more cohesive group and may allow for more personal interactions with faculty. However, large classes may bring the opportunity to make more friends who are similar to yourself, and in no way rule out the ability to build relationships with faculty. Think about whether or not you want to be in a more intimate environment versus a more traditional academic setting. Location The location of a school will affect your personal life, finances, clinical exposure, and many other factors. Be sure to weigh this heavily and think about your personal preference for an urban vs. suburban vs. rural location. Pre-Clinical Curriculum Many schools use a pre-clinical curriculum that falls somewhere on a spectrum between problem-based learning (PBL) and traditional lectures. PBL involves working through patient cases in a small group setting with faculty. This requires significant background reading and research to learn all of the aspects of the case. Evaluations usually involve a component of participation assessed by small group faculty as well as exams, though this can vary. This is considered a more active learning style, and suits many students well. In contrast, a lecture-based curriculum involves what most students are used to in college. Lectures are delivered and students are expected to take notes and do outside reading as necessary in order to better understand the material. Evaluations are usually via written exams. This style suits students who excel at comprehending and understanding material more passively. In reality, most schools now have a component of both PBL and lectures in varying fractions. Its important to understand that no matter what the curriculum, all schools must cover the minimum amount of material you need to take the USMLE Step 1 after your pre-clinical years. Also, realize that your score on this exam is one of the most significant factors taken into account when evaluating your residency application. So, be sure to look for a curriculum that will help you learn the best, not a curriculum that claims to be less rigorous. In the end, youll have to learn all of the material needed to move into your clinical years, so there are no shortcuts regardless of the curriculum. Hospital system During your clinical years, your goal will be to build the foundation of skills and knowledge you need to be a physician. In addition, you must have a wide exposure to medicine so you can decide your future career path. So, be sure to look out for schools where you will be provided with ample volume, autonomy, and variety in patient care. As a general rule, schools affiliated with more types of hospitals (private, public, government, etc.) tend to give students a broader exposure to medicine. Also, higher volume hospitals tend to allow students greater autonomy in evaluating patients. Student life This encompasses things like facilities, opportunities to be involved in extracurricular activities, and overall student well-being. Be sure to look at schools student centers and see what they offer (gyms, multipurpose rooms, study areas, etc.). Also, most schools will have numerous student groups. Be sure to look for schools that already have groups that align with your interests, or that are flexible in having students start new groups. Most importantly, be sure to speak with several current students on your visit and ask them how they like their medical school experience. Their opinions are your most valuable tool in getting an insider view at a particular school. Check out Sunnys tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Becoming a Photographer Analysing the Different Types of Photography

Becoming a Photographer Analysing the Different Types of Photography A Career as a Photographer: Different Types of Photography ChaptersWedding PhotographyWildlife PhotographyAdvertising PhotographyFashion PhotographyPortrait PhotographySports Photography“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.” -Aaron SiskindSome children dream of becoming astronauts to explore the deepest parts of space, others want to become veterinarians to save sick animals, and some wish to train to become firemen to protect people from harm.What about photography? Do people want to become photographers?  According to many statistics and reputable resources, amateur photography is on the rise. There have never been so many photographs taken as there have been in the past few years.Why is that?  Social media outlets such as Instagram has inspired people of all ages to take and post stylish pictures to impress others. While some people should find another talent, others are remarkably good. For tho se who possess the raw ability of photo taking, there are many distinct types of photography that aspiring photographers can specialise in.Such as?  In today's article, we will discuss how a photographer can launch a career in distinct types of photography.The wedding photography business is quite competitive, and only the best get booked. Amateurs wedding photographers need to work hard to prove themselves up to the task of taking breathtaking wedding photos.How does a beginner commence in the wedding photography business?  There are a few steps, such as creating a presence on social media, getting second shooter experience, using your networking skills, and frequent advertising that helps aspiring photographers gain professional knowledge.Also, it is worth mentioning information about what is needed on the day of a wedding shoot. Expert nuptial photographers suggest bringing backups of all gear such as cameras, flashes, and lenses in case things get damaged. Extra batteries and me mory cards are not a bad idea either.Did you know that wearing comfortable footwear and eating frequent snacks makes the day more enjoyable?Becoming a wedding photographer is a dream for many that can be achieved through hard work and determination.Wildlife Photography Becoming a successful photographer means becoming familiar with your camera and its distinct functions. (Source: Unsplash)Do like the natural world? Do you want to take more pictures? Would you appreciate spending hours, days, and weeks observing distinct animal and plant species in their natural habitat?If you answered yes to the previously mentioned questions, you are destined for a career as a wildlife photographer! Wildlife photography is a specific niche of picture taking that combines a person's love for the wild and passion for photography. It is important to mention that it is not for the faint-hearted; harsh conditions have to be endured to take the million-dollar shot.How do I become a wildlife photographer? It is essential to mention that no previous training is required to become a professional wildlife photographer. However, the following are specific steps or characteristics that make becoming skilled in wildlife photography more attainable:Learn multiple techniques to become a photography expert,Make the great outdoors your best friend,Network yourself by creating a website and using social media to acquire the best jobs.Also, since wildlife photographers regularly work outside the studio, there is specific gear that needs to be purchased to make life easier.Such as?  For example, wildlife photographers need to buy binoculars, telephoto lens, tripods, and camera bags, among other things.While it is true that talent is responsible for taking beautiful pictures, there is specific gear that helps advertising photographers hone their skills such as a DSLR camera, a professional lens, lighting equipment, and a camera bag.  Fashion Photography The best photographers make their models feel at ease. (Source: Unsplash)Strike a pose the camera loves you and your gorgeous. The work of fashion photographers is to make the beautiful model feel comfortable and perform at his or her best. Fashion designers spend millions of pounds creating new styles and trends; therefore, they trust in professional fashion photographers to take stellar pictures that will inspire everyday people to buy new fabrics and threads.Famous fashion photographers such as Annie Leibovitz, Peter Lindbergh, Helmut Newton, Mario Testino, and Patrick Demarchelier have taken some of the 20th and 21st centuries most magnificent photographs.  Becoming a fashion photographer is hard work that requires time and continuous effort. For example, amateur fashion photographers would be wise to follow the subsequent steps to make it big in the world of fashion and photography:  Create a stunning portfolio with your best shots featured,Work for free at first to develop a cl ientele and show others that you mean business,Use social media as your platform to find new jobs or contracts,Ask the permission of art gallery owners to feature your work on their walls.A high-quality DSLR camera is recommended, a few types of professional lenses, lighting gear, and editing tools are needed to become equipped for any type of fashion shoot.  Portrait PhotographyA picture is worth a thousands words.  Portrait photographers specialise in bringing the raw human emotion to the surface with beautiful photographs that tell us a story.Did you know that there are many distinct types of portrait photography?The following list demonstrates to all the many different sectors of portrait photography that aspiring photographers can specialise in:Couples, family or group,Self-portraits,Surreal portraits,Environmental portraits,Lifestyle portraits,Traditional portraits.By choosing one of the previously mentioned photographies to specialise in, a portrait photographer becomes skill ed in their domain. However, it is essential to state that becoming a professional portrait photographer is no easy task. Getting enough contracts and jobs to pay the rent and a bit more takes time.What can be done?  The following steps demonstrate how a career in portrait photography can be started:Become skilled in all aspects of portrait photography; study, study, study,Decide between your career options: 1) Working for an established portrait photography studio, 2) Open your own studio,Build your portfolio by working with friends and family. Also, promote yourself on social media outlets such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter,Work on your people skills. Why? No one likes to work with a grump on a photoshoot!Typical equipment of portrait photographers working outside the studio may include a high-quality camera, a few different lenses, a tripod, and a camera bag.  Sports Photography Depending on the type of photography, different gear is needed. (Source: Unsplash)Sports are adored by people all over the world. Whether it's football, basketball, tennis, golf, or swimming, individuals love to cheer on their favourite athletes in the comfort of their own home or at sporting events.Some individuals have combined their love for sports and a passion for photography into a brilliant career as a sports photographer.  Is it easy to find work as a sports photographer? Like many different sectors of photography, sports photography is very competitive and quite challenging to break into. Nevertheless, it isn't impossible. The following are some helpful tips to commence a successful career in sports photography:Learn the rules of the game you are shooting; this will help you plan your shots by becoming familiar with regulations, the characteristics of the players, and knowing where to place yourself,Become a student of photography to acquire helpful tips that will set you ap art from the rest,Volunteer to take pictures of smaller sports events to gain experience,Start an interactive blog highlighting your work and talent as a photographer,Apply for different jobs on magazine websites,Become a master editor and familiarise yourself with Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom.Also, it is essential to mention that sports photographers need specialised equipment to take masterful shots. Essential gear to excel in sports photography includes a DSLR or mirrorless camera, a couple of lenses, many SD or memory cards, and a monopod.By becoming familiar with all distinct types of photography, aspiring photographers can make an educated decision as to what sector is worthy of their talent. Are you ready for a magnificent career?