Taylor Keisler is a senior Health Science major at Clemson University who has been working towards her career aspiration of becoming a pediatric oncologist. She has begun the application process for medical school, including reviewing for the MCAT and submitting recommendation letters. Keisler hopes to further her education by attending a credible South Carolina medical school to pursue pediatric oncology.

1. Taylor Keisler
Hlth 419
May 15, 2015
CAREER ASPIRATIONS

2. At the age of 13 I found it incredible that one day I could have
an occupation that allowed me to continue my love for
interacting and helping children while being part of the medical
field. Today, as a young adult I am working towards my
aspirations of obtaining this career. I am a senior Health
Science major at Clemson University. I have begun the
application process for medical school and have been reviewing
for the MCAT, medical admissions test.

3. Medical University of South
Carolina College of Medicine
96 Jonathan Lucas Street
MSC 617
Charleston, SC 29425
Phone: (843) 792-2081
Fax: (843) 792-2967
University of South Carolina
School of Medicine
6311 Garners Ferry Road
Columbia, SC 29206
Phone: (803) 216-3300
Fax: (803) 216-3330
MEDICAL SCHOOL CHOICES

4. 1. AMCAS application opens
 May 5
2. Submit AMCAS application and MCAT scores
 May 15 – November 3
- Recommendation Letters are submitted to AMCAS as well – 3 college
professors
3. Submit MUSC Secondary Application
 July 1 – December 15
- Nonrefundable $95 application fee
(4 weeks after AMCAS application is submitted an email is sent
directing applicant to do secondary application)
4. Applicant Interviews (Invitation Only)
 Early September – Mid-March
- Three personal interviews with and Admissions committee member, a
MUSC faculty member, a South Carolina private physician
5. Final Admission Decisions
 October 1 – March 15
APPLICATION PROCESS TO MUSC

5. Fall 2014
Number of Applicants:
3820
Number Accepted: 171
In-state: 148
Out-of-state: 23
Male: 59%
Female: 41%
15 Students of the Fall
2014 incoming class
will be training in
Pediatrics
GPA
Mean: 3.6
Range: 3.24 – 3.98
MCAT
Mean: 30
Range: 25 - 36
Tuition for In-state:
$35,665
MUSC STATISTICS

6. 1. AMCAS Application Opens
 May 5
2. Submission of AMCAS Application
 June 5 – December 1
3. Submission of supplementary materials
 June 5 – January 15
- Evaluations and nonrefundable $95 processing fee
4. Applicant Interviews (Invitation Only)
5. Decision notice to applicants
 October 15 until class is filled
6. Applicant’s response to acceptance offer
 Maximum of two weeks
- $250 deposit to hold place in class
APPLICATION PROCESS FOR USCM

7. Fall 2014
Number Accepted: 96
In-state:
Out-of-state:
Male: 65
Female: 31
10% of the graduates
from USCM choose
pediatrics
GPA
Mean: 3.7
Range: 3.24 – 3.98
MCAT
Mean: 31
Range: 25 – 36
Tuition for In-state:
$36,598
USCM STATISTICS

8. Pediatric oncologists are certified physicians who treat and
diagnose children under the age of 18, with cancer or blood
disorders. The job also includes counseling of the parents while
caring for their young children. Medication and chemotherapy
are most commonly prescribed for treatment by these
specialists. Many pediatric oncologists work on medical school
faculties or are based in hospitals.
PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY-HEMATOLOGY
SPECIALIST

9.  4 years of medical school
 3 years residency training in pediatrics
 Certification from the American Board of Pediatrics
 3 years of fellowship training in Pediatric
Hematology-Oncology
 Certification in Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
CONTINUATION OF EDUCATION

10. Pediatric oncology-hematology emerged from the study of the
unique blood values of infancy and childhood. With the
establishment of normal values, blood disease and relating
syndromes of children began to be explained. Pediatric
oncology-hematology is a broad and complex area of specialty.
The American Board of Pediatrics has recently recognized the
subspecialty of pediatric oncology-hematology. With this,
training programs for the subspecialty have been given
accreditation. Advances in the area have flourished in the last
50 years.
HISTORY

11. An estimated 1,365 pediatric hematology-oncology
specialists currently practice in the United States.
There is a constant need for physicians trained to
diagnose and treat children with cancer and
hematologic disorders. The incidence of these
diseases are not decreasing. Expansion of the
healthcare industry is expected to produce an increase
in job opportunities in the health field by 18%.
JOB GROWTH

12. Primary duties vary from day to day and are often unpredictable.
 Diagnosing
 Caring for children with blood diseases and cancer
 Teaching medical students, residents, fellows, and other
healthcare professionals
 Conducting clinical research
 Counseling family
NATURE OF THE WORK

13. Salary is similar to those of other specialists.
Positions in private practice typically have higher
salary.
~$195,250
SALARY

14.  Top interest results:
 Social
 Investigative
 Enterprising
As a pediatric oncologist one must have the ability to listen to
others without interruption, communicate in both a kid and
common adult friendly way, and notice a problem and figure
out the best way to work through it. This job requires much
empathy while presenting a positive and supportive state of
mind. The physician works with not only the children, but
concerned parents.
O*NET

15. I believe my love for children will benefit me in this profession.
I have had the opportunity to work with varying ages of children
through volunteering, my jobs, and shadowing. My positions
have allowed me to learn how to communicate with not only
children, but also parents/guardians on a professional level. I
have also had the opportunity to strengthen my potential as a
provider in the health field. The certifications I have obtained,
such as phlebotomist, give me accreditation that will allow me
to further my knowledge in a health career position.
MY SKILLS

16. Through the acceptance at a credible South Carolina
medical school, I hope to further my education in pediatric
oncology. The profession continues to develop as further
research in the field is accomplished. I have the drive and
compassion to become a pediatric oncologist.

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"CoPS." CoPS. Council of Pediatric Subspecialties, 06 Oct. 2014.
Web. 16 May 2015.
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WORKS CITED