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One applicant shares her advice for getting accepted to medical schools, a Midwestern program targets underperforming professors, and students in the Southwest learn about LGBTQ health issues. Here’s a look at what’s happening in medical education news. Casting a wide net Meet 21-year-old Chelsea Batista of East New York, Brooklyn. She has a big decision to make over the next few weeks—namely, deciding which of the 11 medical schools where she got accepted will be the one she attends. She’s making the media rounds to inspire fellow pre-meds about how to get it done. Here are a few of her suggestions for improving your shot at medical school: “Figure out when your ideal time to study is, establish a pattern of always studying at that time.” “I am never afraid to ask questions. I am that girl that asks a million questions in a lecture. I don’t mind sounding dumb for asking because in those 10 seconds I may seem dumb for knowing nothing, but after asking, I will know it.” “My professors are resources I treasure. I am definitely one to take advantage of office hours in particularly difficult or interesting courses. … For some professors, I became a familiar face in their office and they were so helpful and supportive, and I was able to set up such a great rapport with them that I got recommendation letters from a few of them for medical school.” Editor’s note: As impressive as getting into 11 medical schools is, consider that pre-meds on average apply to 16. Of course, you should do scrupulous research into every one of them. We offer our congratulations to Chelsea and wish her the best of luck on this important decision. (CW – New York) Pricing private medical schools One of the great things about medical education is that regardless of whether a particular program is private or public, you’re just as likely to enroll in a terrific, well-funded program. But as with all U.S. graduate education, private programs, because they receive no state funding, are more expensive. Students will pay significantly more than they would at public medical schools. Cost of tuition and fees for the current academic year range from nearly $33,000 at Baylor College of Medicine to nearly $64,000 at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Other relatively inexpensive private medical school include Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine at $33,055, University of Miami (Miller) at $42,642, and University of Pikeville at $42,975. (U.S. News & World Report) Tenure takebacks As faithful Pulse readers may recall, over the past year or so we’ve been blogging about a serious situation at Wayne State University School of Medicine, located in Detroit. Last year, the administration sent a strongly worded letter to its faculty members, basically saying to work harder or face termination. Turns out they were serious. The administration has begun the process of revoking the tenure of five professors. “(They) are blatant examples of taking advantage of a tenure system, which is a privilege,” said WSU President M. Roy Wilson. “I value tenure. It’s important for universities. I have always protected tenure. … But when it’s abused so blatantly, it makes it very difficult for other people who are doing what they are supposed to do to come to work and do their jobs, because they see another person getting the same amount of money or more and not coming into work and not being accountable at all. You just can’t build a first-class university that way.” An organization for university professors is pushing back hard against the efforts, claiming that this is just the administration’s way of saving money. (The Detroit News) LGBTQ-focused medical education The University of New Mexico School of Medicine is launching a new program in its curriculum that focuses on issues specific to the LGBTQ community. “Safe Zone training provides learners with the ‘ABCs’ of the LGBTQ community, particularly as it relates to the healthcare setting,” explains Dr. Cameron Crandall, the director of HSC LGBTQ Diversity and Inclusion. “Learners will understand the common barriers to good patient care that LGBTQ patients often experience. The students will learn how to be an ally to LGBTQ patients and how to advocate on their behalf.” As you may be aware, medical schools around the country are increasingly adding cultural sensitivity training to their academic curricula as the nature of health care delivery changes and the importance of diversity gains recognition.