rhi' Battalion A GGIELIFE Page 5 ♦ Tuesday, JLily 6, 1999 ft Illumination for higher education Pre-professional programs help students gain skills needed for professional school J BY BRIAN FLEMING The Battalion ■l yrany professional schools say they like Aggies. ■V/I According to Dr. Ann Blum, director for the ■.V JLoffice of Professional Advising, Texas A&M hfis be en known to offer a challenging undergradu- aje curriculum in an atmosphere that fosters person al growth, both socially and academically. I For students seeking help in crafting their future, «e Office of Professional School Advising (O.P.S.A.) ■available. I Blum said all students have the opportunity to pur sue a professional degree. I “We work with any student from any major that c<j)uld possibly be interested in going on to any pro- ftjssional school, whether it be in the health profes sions or law,†Blum said. I “We start working with students as early as fresh- ■an conferences before they are even here on cam pus. I “Then we work with students from their freshman l?ar onto their matriculation in medical or law school.†I Blum said students who take advantage of the ad- lising, success is usually high. I “For the past two years we have been the top feed- Ir university in Texas for Texas medical and dental Ichools,†Blum said. I “We are also one of the few top feeder universities for Texas law schools.†I O.P.S.A. said these schools include the University If Texas School of Law and its medical branches, Bay lor, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and South Texas College If Law. I In 1998, Aggies held 20 percent of all Texas dental Ichool seats. I In 1997, 161 Aggies attended Texas medical schools. |n 1998, that number increased by 15 percent to 185. O.P.S.A. said that outside of Texas, it is no surprise :hat other schools where Aggies have been successful nclude Harvard, Yale, University of Chicago, Duke University and Columbia University. Blum said what ensures Aggies’ success in profes- ional school is the curriculum at A&M. It gives the students an advantage. “The professional schools in Texas, as well as around the country, know the rigor of our science and math curriculum,†Blum said. “Any student that can come to A&M and does well in these areas will do well.†Blum said what professional schools look for also is a record of community-service. For A&M students, this is usually high. “Aggies have a tradition of community service,†Blum said. “This is what professional schools look for — the caring compassionate type of person.†Blum said students should volunteer their time be cause they want to not because it will look good on a resume. “Volunteering is very important,†Blum said. “We really want students to do this; one, for [application] reasons but two, because that’s what they like to do.†Blum said many organizations exist on campus for students looking into these areas. “We have one organization, the Executive Council, which includes 10 pre-health groups on campus,†Blum said. “We also have the Student Law Council, which is basically the same setup and includes the law soci eties.†David Jimenez, president of the Pre-Law Society and a junior international studies and political science major, said he feels A&M has benefited him greatly in his preparation for law school. “There are many classes that stress analytical skills and others that require you do a lot more writing,†Jimenez said. “It is really what you make of the class itself no matter what your major, so long as you are able to en hance your skills.†Jimenez said A&M provides education valuable to every professional program. “In law school, you learn law, but at the under graduate level at A&M, all colleges and departments do an exceptional job in teaching students many good skills,†Jimenez said. Jimenez said certain areas can also help in prepa ration for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). “There are many classes to help you for the LSAT in general,†Jimenez said. “Through my experience, one of the classes that benefited me most was Philosophy 240 (Introduction to Logic). It is a class that makes you think. For stu MIKE WAGENER/The Battalion dents taking the LSAT, it would be in your best inter ests to take it.†Overall, Jimenez said the entire A&M experience teaches graduates other intangible skills that ensure success. “Whether it be through directivity, the Corps, MSC or other student activities, they all really teach you how to be a leader,†Jimenez said. “In society today, there is a great need for that.†Kevin Libby, a junior economics major who plans to apply to law school, said he found his undergradu ate curriculum at A&M beneficial. “I have taken Victorian literature, Shakespeare and mythology all to help my ability to read and under stand language,†Libby said. “I believe that they will broaden my horizons and better prepare me to go on and study in law school.†Libby said a diverse education can help students who seek admission to professional schools. “I feel that as long as I continue to study a wide va riety of areas at A&M, whether they be history, eng- lish, economics or finance, I will become more well- rounded and much more prepared for the curriculum law school will offer,†Libby said. Inf ram u ra I s Fifness/Wellnes L! Fitness/Wellness Program • Karate Every Mon. and Wed. from 5:15 to 6:1 5 in room 303. Classes start on Wednesday, july 7. The cost is $20 for 5 weeks. • Personal Training—Let one of our Certified Personal Trainers design an Exercise program to meet your individual needs. Sign up at the Member Services Desk in the Rec Center. • Personal Fitness Profile—Get a comprehensive fitness analysis at the Rec Center. $10 if purchased with Personal Training or $20 if purchased separately. Register at the Member Services Desk in the Rec Center. • Unlimited Fitness Pass—On sale now for $25. Good for the sec ond summer session. Contact DeAun Woosley at 862-3995 for more information. • Massages—$35 for Rec Members and $45 for non Rec Members. Appointments can be made at the Rec Center Member Services Desk. Contact Paula Opal at 845-3076 for more information. jRec SPORTS For Information call 845-7826 or Visit our Homepage http://recsports.tamu.edu Check out our flyers for more details on our pro grams. For Information call 845-7826 s Aq u aL ics Golf Course Intramurals Registration 3 on 3 Basketball July 5-12 Slow Pitch Softball July 5-12 Sand Volleyball July 5-12 Indoor Soccer (Half Court) July 5-12 Racquetball July 5-12 Golf July 5-13 Tennis July 5-13 TAMU Outdoors Event Date Registration Rock Climbing Day Trip July 10 June 21-July 7 Horseback/Hiking Day Trip July 17 June 28-July 1 3 Caving Day Trip July 17 June 28-July 1 3 Kayak Roll Clinic July 20 July 5-19 Intro to Rock Climbing July 24 July 5-20 Windsurfing FUNdamentals July 22 & 28 July 5-20 Kayak Roll Clinic July 27 July 5-26 Kayak Practice Session July 27 July 5-26 Rafting Day Trip July 31 July 5-27 TAMU Outdoors Sport Clubs Healthy Living Lecture Series free! The Race is On: How to Prepare for the 5K, 10K, and Marathon Race—July 7 in room 281 at 5:30. Susan Haven, Personal Trainer and Certified United States Track and Field specialist will guide you through the process for preparing for these races. Lose 10 lbs. in the First Week: Promises or Profit—July 14 in room 281 at 5:30. Get the facts straight on fad diets and food choices from Genevieve Connors, Valerie Henry and Dr. Jane Cohen, R.D., Beutel Health Education Department and Nutrition Specialist. Smoothies and Supplements: The Real Scoop—july 21 in room 281 at 5:30. Are smoothies meal replacements or healthy snacks? What about those additives? Find out from nutrition specialists, Genevieve Connor, Valerie Henry and Dr. Jane Cohen, R.D., Buetel Health Education Department. Golf Course Green Charges Weekdays Weekends Cart Rentals Penberthy Driving Range Large bucket: Small bucket: STUDENTS $9 $12 $11 for 9 holes Affiliated $5 $3 faculty/staff $11 $14 $18 for 1 8 holes Nonaffiliated $6 $3.50