Los Angeles Pediatric Society 36th Annual
Eve and Gene Black Summer Medical Career Program

July 7-August 1, 2008 (4 weeks)

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions
about the Eve and Gene Black Summer Medical Career Program

If you do not find the answer to your question(s) below, email Program Coordinator Robyn Hallsten at rhallsten@lapedsoc.org or call 310-503-1527 during business hours of 9am-5pm. You may also email Mary Ellen Osborne at meosborne@lapedsoc.org or call 310-328-2036 during the same hours. When leaving a message, please speak clearly and slowly.

CLICK HERE FOR FAQs IN PDF FORMAT

CLICK HERE FOR STUDENT APPLICATION (PDF)

SECTION I - GENERAL PROGRAM QUESTIONS
1. What is the Eve and Gene Black Summer Medical Career Program? The Eve and Gene Black Summer Medical Career Program is in its 39th year and nearly 2000 students have been involved. This program is best described as a medical shadow program. Students work under the supervision of a health care professional, the hospital counselor and get a realistic view of what it is really like to be a doctor, nurse, etc. Students selected will receive a stipend of $75.00 at the end of each week in the program. This is for bus, gas, food and any other expenses incurred while you participate.

2. When is the new application posted online? The application is updated and posted on the website no later January 1 for the program that will take place in July of that year.

3. How many applications does the program receive? Over 300 applications are received every year.

4. How many applicants are chosen to participate in the program? The number varies based on the number of participating hospitals. This number can range from 40 to 55.

5. What dates does the program run? The program runs for 4 weeks in the month of July ONLY, it is not run during any other time of year. If you can not participate during July, we suggest you look for other similar opportunities in your local area; we do not have this information to give you.

6. I am going in vacation for a few days during the program; can I still participate if I am chosen? No. As positions are in high demand, you must commit for the entire four weeks.

7. Who can apply to the Program? Any high school student of any ethnicity who is at least 16 years of age by the start of the program and currently in grades 10, 11 or 12. Please note the hospitals on the application which require students to be 18 years of age by the start of their program. NO current college students can apply.

8. What days and times does the program run in the month of July? The program runs Monday through Friday, NO nights, NO weekends for 8 hours a day. Starting and ending times vary by hospital but most start at 8:30 to 9am and end from 4 to 5pm.

SECTION II - APPLICATION QUESTIONS
1. How do I get an application?
No matter how you secure an application always print or copy it on WHITE PAPER ONLY, as colored paper looses clarity when you copy, scan or fax.
• Download one from our website www.lapedsoc.org. However it is a PDF so you must have Acrobat Reader in order to do this. (You may download this program online for free.)
• Email Program Coordinator, Robyn Hallsten at rhallsten@lapedsoc.org and receive the application as a Word doc.
• Contact Program Coordinator by email (see above) fax 310-533-1315 or phone 310-503-1527 and one can be mailed to you. If leaving a phone message containing address information, speak clearly and slowly. Spell any unusual names and places.
• Get one from your high school Career or Counselor's office as most schools in the LA metro area are mailed several applications in early January.
2. I just found out about the program and the application deadline has already passed, can I still apply?
No, with so many applications to process in a short period of time, we can not extend the deadline.

3. I will be 16 by the start date of the program, may I apply?
Yes, for all hospitals on the application except those where it is noted that you must be 18.

4. I am 17 now, but I will be 18 by the start of the programs that require 18 years olds, can I still apply to those programs?
Yes, as long as you are 18 by the start of the program you may apply.

5. Other than the hospitals listed on the application, are there any other hospitals that participate in the Eve and Gene Black Summer Medical Career Program?
No, only the hospitals listed on the applications participate. Other hospitals may have similar programs but you must inquire directly with them. We do not have information on any other medical career programs, summer or otherwise

6. Who should I get to write my letter of recommendation? Should I have more than one?
Any person that knows you and can write about you and your character. This can be a teacher, counselor, principal, employer or supervisor of a paying or volunteer job, neighbor or your family physician. This can NOT be a relative. While the application only requires one letter you may include an addition letter.

7. My application is complete but my letter of recommendation or transcript (Transcripts are not required, they are optional) is missing, can those documents be sent separately at a later time?
No, do not send any documents separately; send a complete application only. With the high number of applications we receive, we are not able to match various documents to applications.

8. The application asks that I chose a first and second choice hospital that I wish to participate in.
Will my application also be considered by my first and second choice hospital? No, normally it will only be considered by your first choice hospital; though there are a few exceptions. The exceptions are:
• If you are only 16 and your first choice hospital was one that required that you be 18 to participate.
• If your first choice hospital unexpectedly withdraws from the program. (This is a rare occurrence.)

9. How should I send my application? You may mail, fax or email your COMPLETE application to the addresses and numbers on the application. If you
• Mail - Please send two complete copies. You may open any sealed letter of recommendation to copy or ask your school to give you two sealed copies.
• Fax - 310-533-1315 Do NOT wait until the final due date or you most likely find the number busy. You may open any sealed letter of recommendation to fax. If your application is double sided, do NOT forget to fax the Consent Form, which is found on the back side of the application. When you fax, follow immediately with a mailed or emailed copy because fax machines give varying degrees of print clarity. This copy may reach us shortly after the deadline.
• Email - Scan your application and your letter(s) of recommendation into a PDF or similar doc. You may email me at rhallsten@lapedsoc.org for an application in Word; this will allow you to type your application and then just attach it along with your essay and scanned letter(s) of recommendation. Email all these documents to the address above. Please also mail a hardcopy of your application as some scanners do not produce clear copies.

10. How do I know if you have received my application?
Due to the high number of applications received on and before the deadline, we can not send confirmation that we have received each one. If you wish to confirm receipt of your application, we suggest that you email us. We prefer that you do NOT phone, as our line is very busy as the application due date nears. Please when communicating with us, always give your name as it appears on the application and the 1st hospital you requested that your application be sent to. Applications are filed by hospital request. Other suggestions for tracking your applications are:
• If you mail - You may wish to pay for the "Delivery Confirmation," option which will allow you to track online when it was delivered. We do NOT recommend that you send your application to our PO Box by Express or "Certified" mail as both these methods require a signature and this slows the receipt of your application. If you feel you must send your application "Express" or "Certified," please call for a street address.
• If you fax - If possible email us or you may call if you can not email.
• If you email - We will email you back.

SECTION III - STUDENT SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION
1. Who decides who will participate in this program? Each hospital that hosts an Eve and Gene Black Summer Medical Career Program is run by a counselor. Our counselors VOLUNTEER their time to set-up the activities and supervise the students in their program. Each counselor receives the applications of all the students who chose that hospital as their first choice. They review and select their participants.

2. How many students does each hospital choose for their program? The number of students participating in the program at each hospital varies from hospital to hospital and from year to year depending on what that counselor is able to handle at their location. Each hospital receives anywhere from 10-60 applications. Most choose 2-4 students to participate.

3. If I send my application in advance of the submission deadline, does this improve my chances of getting into the program? No.

4. When will I find out if I have been accepted (or not) into the Program? You will be contacted by the Los Angeles Pediatric Society on or before the notification date listed on the application.

5. How will I find out if I have been accepted or not? You will be contacted by mail, email or phone by the Program Coordinator, not your counselor. Therefore it is important that you PRINT legibly/clearly or type your application so that we can read your contact information. You may receive an application in Word which will allow you to type your application by emailing rhallsten@lapedsoc.org

6. I was not accepted into the program this year, may I apply again next year? Yes, if you are still in high school.

7. I am or my child is an AP student and I/he/she was not accepted into the Program; why? Grades are only one part of what each hospital counselor looks at and transcripts are not required, though they can be included with your application. The essay and letter(s) of recommendation also factor into the decision process. The program strives to mirror the diversity of the Los Angeles student population. Therefore its chosen participants are a representative cross section of the society of the greater Los Angeles area.

8. There's always been a student from my high school in this Summer Medical Career Program. This year several applied but no one was accepted; why? Counselors do not chose participants by what high school they attend but by the many factors mentioned in question #7. The number of positions is small, 40-55 and the number of applications is high, over 300; the competition is steep and we are unable to place many talented, qualified students. If you are not a senior, we highly recommend that you apply again.

SECTION IV - PROGRAM INFORMATION IF YOU ARE ACCEPTED
1. What will I do in this program? Specific activities vary from hospital to hospital, based on what each counselor is able to set up at their location. An orientation is held by the Los Angeles Pediatric Society in mid to late May and specifics are given to the students by their counselors at that time. An invitation will be mailed or emailed to you. Due to the distance of the orientation location to some hospitals, certain program counselors will hold their own orientation, which they will arrange with their chosen participants.

2. How do I get to this hospital? Every participant is responsible for their own transportation to and from the hospital that they are participating in.

3. The application says that I will receive a $75 stipend check. How will I receive this? Do I need to turn-in receipts? The stipend check is given to assist participants with transportation, parking and other expenses incurred while participating in this summer medical career program; it is given so that all can afford to participate. In order to receive your weekly $75 stipend, you do not need to produce any receipts of your expenses. Your hospital counselor will give you these stipends at the end of the first and third weeks of the program. The check will be made out to you.

4. What immunizations will I be required to have in order to participate? Though the extent of this list can vary for each hospital program, it is best to have your immunizations current and a copy on hand. All hospital programs require proof of a recent TB test, no more than 6 months to one year old by the start of the program. If a program has other specific requirements, they will let you know at orientation.