Student Profile: Glenn Goodwin

Glenn Goodwin is originally from sunny Ft. Lauderdale, FL and is current member of our 2014-2015 Postbac Premed class. He earned his B.A. In Nursing Science from Purdue University and also holds an A.S. in Emergency Medical Services. 

1) Tell us a bit about your educational/career path and what inspired you to make the shift into medicine? 

In my quest to become a firefighter, I was required to become a paramedic as well. I was dreading paramedic school because growing up, I never liked medicine or science. After a week of paramedic courses, my life changed, and by the end of paramedic school, I chose to pursue a career in medicine. After chipping away at school while working as a paramedic in the Miami-metro area, I became a registered nurse and gained employment in a pediatric emergency department. Once I was exposed to upper level medicine, and what the job of a physician truly entails, I knew that I had found my new dream. I have been chasing this dream ever since.

2) Why did you choose the Bar-Ilan Postbac Premed program? 

I am not religious, nor am I especially Zionistic; I chose this program simply because it is, by far, the best option for those trying to gain acceptance into medical school. The program length (less than a year), coupled with the relatively inexpensive tuition cost, made the decision a “no brainer”. Now that I’ve embarked on my classes, I am 100% sure that I made the right decision. This is the most academically challenging pursuit I’ve ever undertaken but the quality of education that I’m receiving is nothing short of excellent. I quit a magnificent and promising career and made many sacrifices to be in this program; I couldn’t be happier with my decision.

3) What are four words you would use to describe you? 

Focused, kind, open-minded and loyal.

4) What's your favorite thing about being in Israel thus far? 

There are a few things that I love about being here but my favorite would have to be the food. The Mediterranean diet is not only healthier, but more delectable as well!

5) What's one item from home you couldn't live without (and brought with you to Israel)? 

My basketball; I am so thankful that basketball is a popular sport here!

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To learn more about the Bar-Ilan postbac premed experience, including applying to be a part of our 2015-2016 class, visit: BarIlanPremed.com

Resource Roundup: Which Healthcare Career is Right for Me?

If you're looking into postbac programs, chances are you are already pretty certain that you want to pursue a career in some sort of medicine, but it may not be obvious to you which type of healthcare career is the best fit for you. You may be asking yourself: should I be an MD? DO? DDS? DPT? NP? It can be an overwhelming and daunting task to zero in on exactly what you want to do.

While there's no substitute for speaking with current professionals in these various careers and seeing, first-hand the work they do in different healthcare settings, here are a few resources to help you get started:

1) Explorehealthcareers.org: This site offers a large array of resources regarding  virtually every type of health career, including salary statistics, education requirements and professional profiles. 

2) Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC): Aspiring Docs: Learn about the med school application process and decide if medical school is right for you. Be sure to check out the career options page, in particular. 

3)  American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine: Great resources on becoming an Osteopathic Physician. 

4) American Dental Education Association- Go Dental: Everything you need to know about potentially becoming a dentist. 

5) American Physical Therapy Association: Their section on information for prospective students helps you learn all about careers in physical therapy.

6) Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges: The student portal contains a plethora of information on pursuing veterinary medicine.

Are there other resources that helped you with your decision to pursue a a particular career in healthcare? Please include them in the comments section!

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Want to make 2015 the year you start pursuing your dream career in medicine? Applications for our 2015-2016 postbac premed class are still being accepted on a rolling basis. Apply early for your best chance at securing one of our limited spots.

New blog, coming soon!

We are excited to announce that in January 2015, we'll be launching our new blog, right here!

What content can you look forward to from us? Check back after the first of the year for resources on making the transition to a career in healthcare, highlights of the Bar-Ilan postbac experience, life as a student in Israel and the occasional organic chemistry joke. 

Until then, to stay up to date on our latest happenings, check us out on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. To learn more about the program and admissions for the 2015-2016 school year, please visit BarIlanPremed.com.