med school

Letters of Recommendation for Medical, Dental or Veterinary School Applications

By Dr. Eaton | Published January 18th, 2011

Strong letters of recommendation can be a significant asset to an application, yet this is an aspect of the admissions process that too frequently gets treated as an afterthought by applicants who are in the midst of writing the personal statement and taking practice tests. In order to put together a set of letters that will help to convince the committee that you will be an asset to the program, you first need to familiarize yourself with the requirements for letters and determine whom you will ask to write them.

Start by finding out if your undergraduate institution offers a committee letter. If your school offers a committee letter, make sure that you know the process and time table for obtaining one. As part of the letter process, you may be asked to fill out a questionnaire, submit a draft of your personal statement and/or to attend an interview with the committee or your advisor.

If your school does not offer a committee option, do not worry, many schools do not and submitting individual letters is very acceptable. If you are obtaining individual letters, you will need to determine the requirements for letters set forth by the schools you are applying to. These vary from school to school, so make sure that you obtain letters that will meet the requirements for all of the schools you plan to apply to.

Although schools usually specify the minimum number of letters that they require, they frequently accept additional letters. For example, if a school asks for two letters from science faculty and one from a non-science faculty member, you may also be able to submit a letter or two from health professionals, researchers or others with whom you have worked. If the school sets a ceiling on the number of letters that you may submit, do not exceed it.

Once you have decided on your letter writers, keep the following in mind as you prepare to obtain the letters:

Ask early. Professors, researchers and clinicians are extremely busy and delaying until the last minute could mean that you are awaiting a letter in order for your application packet to be considered complete by the schools.
Arrange to meet with potential letter writers to ask if they would be willing to write a strong letter on your behalf. If the writer indicates any hesitation about writing you a letter, look elsewhere. A less than enthusiastic letter can be detrimental to your application.
Provide your recommenders with information to help them write a strong letter. A CV or list of activities, rough draft of your personal statement and list of achievements in the class, lab or clinical setting in which you worked with the recommender will help him or her to craft an effective letter.
Give the writer clear, written instructions about when and how to submit the letters.

Although obtaining letters may take some time and persistence, having a complete, strong set of letters submitted early in the cycle is worth the work since it will help to give you the best chance of admission to medical, dental or veterinary school.

No Medical School Interviews Yet?

By Dr. Eaton | Published January 3rd, 2011

Once January comes, med school applicants who do not yet have an interview often start to worry that it is “too late.” If you are in this position, here are the answers to some questions that you may have as you await an interview offer:

Is it really too late to be offered an interview?

Although much of the scheduling and actual interviewing take place in the fall, things are not over yet. Many interviews occur in January, February and even through early spring at some schools. The second half of December tends to be quiet as things slow down for the holidays and then the pace picks back up in January. However, if you sent in your application early and have not heard anything from the schools yet, your application may be on “pre-interview hold.” This usually means that the school has evaluated your application and did not find it competitive enough to offer you an interview immediately, but may do so later in the cycle.

Should I make a back-up plan?

While you certainly could still get an interview and acceptance at this point, it is a good idea to think about your options for next year early on, just in case. If you don’t end up utilizing these plans since you are safely ensconced in med school next fall, fine. If you do end up having to reapply though, you will not be left scrambling to figure out what to do next. The first step you should take is to determine any weaknesses in your application and to plan to address them in time for the next application cycle if you plan to reapply right away. That way, you can gain the additional clinical experiences you need, retake the MCAT or take other steps in time to have that new information be a part of your application by next summer. See my post here for ideas about how to spend a gap year. If your academic record needs significant work, consider a enrolling in a post-baccalaureate program. More information about these programs can be found here.
Is there anything I can do except wait?

Yes, you can send the schools an update letter and copies of your transcripts with your fall semester grades. This additional information may help the school to render a decision about your application. In your update letter, include any new volunteer work, awards, jobs, research or other activities that you have not already listed in your primary or secondary application. Also, briefly reiterate your reasons for applying to the school.

Hopefully, the coming weeks will bring you the interview invitation you have been waiting for. In the meantime, work on your update letters, start investigating the possibilities for next year and keep working to strengthen your application.

For experienced advising on your medical school application, contact Dr. Eaton at (626) 768-2154 or info@prehealthadvising.com for a free 20 minute phone consultation.

What to do during a “Gap Year” Prior to Medical School

By Dr. Eaton | Published December 18th, 2010

Balancing school, clinical and community service work and research is difficult enough. Throw in the MCAT, med school applications and interviews and the task can be truly overwhelming. A year spent working, volunteering or doing community service prior to applying to medical school, known as a “gap year,” can be a good option for some applicants caught in a time crunch. If you decide that taking a year off before med school is the best route for you, then spend that time addressing areas relevant to your application that you did not have a chance to explore during your undergraduate years. In addition, you can also earn money to finance your medical education and further develop outside interests.

My focus in this entry is on taking a year or more prior to medical school to spend on activities other than a post-bac program. For applicants who don’t have the necessary pre-requisites for medical school or who need to strengthen their academic credentials, a post-bac or special master’s program is a good route. You can read about these here.

Here are some of the major ways in which to spend a gap year:

Research – Working in a lab or volunteering in one on a part- or full- time basis is an excellent way to explore another facet of medicine and to enhance your application. Research jobs can be hard to come by for one year only, but a volunteer position can turn into a paid one. If basic research does not interest you, consider a position helping with a clinical study.
Clinical employment or volunteer work – Time spent in a clinical setting will give you more insight into the field of medicine. You will also have the chance to meet physicians; let them know that you are a pre-medical student and are interested in job shadowing them once or on an ongoing basis. If you end up working in a research lab or other non-clinical environment, then you should still volunteer in a clinical setting regularly. A year or more away from clinical experience could weaken your application.
Classes – Even if you have a strong academic record, consider taking a class or two to stay in the study mode for med school. Take a course that you did not have a chance to fit in during college but that will help you succeed in medical school, such as anatomy or physiology.
MPH or other degree program –If your plan is to get both an MD and an MPH at some point, you may choose to do the MPH first. Other options are a master’s in public policy or even a hard science degree. In general, an MPH won’t help your application as much as science course work will, so the reason to pursue such as degree should be career and personal interest, not just to improve your application.
Travel and other interests – Part of the point of taking time off is to enjoy yourself and do a few things that take you beyond the world of academics and medicine. Get deeper into a hobby or develop a new one or spend some time traveling.

Secondary applications often ask applicants to describe how an applicant has spent time while not a full-time student. You don’t need to have a nine to five job; however, you should be able to account for your time. A combination of part time employment, volunteering and classes works well. What committees generally don’t like to see is that an applicant spent a year doing little more than working on med school applications.

On a personal note, I took a year after college to spend working in a research lab prior to starting medical school. That year was a welcome breather from tests and studying and it was nice to get a glimpse of the “real world” before delving back into academia. This path is not for everyone, but if you choose to take it, plan ahead so that you can make the most of your time.

Need the help of an M.D. experienced with medical school applications? Contact Dr. Eaton at (626) 768-2154 or info@prehealthadvising.com for a free 20 minute phone consultation.

Waitlisted for Medical School

By Dr. Eaton | Published December 2nd, 2010

Applicants who have been waitlisted for medical school have two main questions:

What are my chances of acceptance from the waitlist?
What should I do now?

The answer to the first varies widely depending upon the school. Some schools fill much of their class with applicants from the waitlist, while for other schools, the chances of admission are slimmer. Complicating the situation is the fact that a school that dug deep into its waitlist one year may have another year during which there is little movement on the waitlist. In addition, some waitlists are ranked, with applicants assigned a number and receiving an offer in order as spots open up. Other lists however, are unranked, meaning that the committee has a list of alternates that they can choose from when a position opens up, but there is no pre-assigned ranking, or they may use a looser system consisting of groupings with more competitive applicants together in a “high hold” category. While some schools give specific information about an applicant’s position on the list, many do not reveal specific details regarding waitlists. You can inquire with the admissions office, but be prepared for the possibility that the school will not release information about the list.

While the very word “waitlist” implies that your role is limited to checking your e-mail and voicemail obsessively for word from the school, there are steps you can take in the coming weeks and months that may help your case. Specifically, keep the school apprised of your latest activities and achievements by sending an update letter and use that letter as an opportunity to reiterate your reasons for wanting to attend the school. A new shadowing experience, award, publication or research project are examples of information to give the school. You do not have to wait until you have a major achievement; you can focus on new developments that are part of existing activities, such as rotating through a different department in a volunteer position. The letter, in addition to apprising the school of your accomplishments, will help to demonstrate that you are actively interested in the school. While most schools accept such letters and may even encourage them, occasionally a school will state that they do not want to receive additional information. In that case, respect the school’s wishes and do not send a letter.

Since admissions offices are extremely busy, using written communication is often the most effective strategy and also helps ensure that the new information will end up in your file. However, there are times when a phone call to the office of admissions is appropriate, such as when you have a question that requires the type of immediate back and forth discussion that can be most easily achieved verbally. Try to limit your calls to no more than about once a month if you are calling only to check on your status.

If you are waitlisted early in the cycle, it can get discouraging as the months go by. However, keep in mind that there is often not much movement of the waitlist until May 15, at which time applicants are only supposed to be holding one acceptance. By that date, applicants with multiple acceptances need to relinquish additional spots they are holding, which frees up places in the class. Schools usually fill those spots from the waitlist and some waitlists continue to move until the day class begins. Not getting in immediately does not necessarily equate with not getting in at all. That call could come at anytime, so while you might need to make some plans for “just in case” don’t give up hope – after the seemingly endless waiting the good news may finally arrive.

For help with your medical school application from an M.D. and experienced admissions advisor contact Dr. Eaton at (626) 768-2154 or info@prehealthadvising.com to schedule a free 20 minute phone consultation.

2011-2012 Medical School Application Timeline

By Dr. Eaton | Published November 19th, 2010

If you are applying for entry starting fall 2013, you can find my 2012-2013 medical school application timeline here. For entry starting fall 2014, see the 2013-2014 timeline.

As you make your plan for the 2011-2012 medical school cycle, remember that most medical schools have rolling admissions. This means that the school does not wait until all of the applications are submitted to begin evaluating applications and that applying later in the cycle could place you at a disadvantage as spots in the class fill up.

There are three separate centralized application services for U.S. medical schools:

American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), which is used by most M.D. schools. https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/amcas/
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS) used by osteopathic medical schools. http://www.aacom.org/InfoFor/applicants/Pages/default.aspx#aacomas
Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMSDAS) for both M.D. and D.O. public medical schools in Texas. http://www.utsystem.edu/tmdsas/

To help you get started making your schedule, here is a timeline to follow for the 2011-2012 application cycle:

2010

September- December

Become familiar with the application process. Good sources of information are the application service websites above, medical school websites and a premedical advisor.
Gather information about medical schools. The Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR), available for purchase through the AAMC site, is an excellent resource. The Osteopathic College Information Book can be downloaded online or purchased at the AACOM site.
Find out if your undergraduate institution offers a committee letter of recommendation and the process for obtaining one.
Continue to gain clinical, research and community service experience throughout the next year.
Make sure that you are on track to complete the prerequisite course work for medical school.

2011

January-March

Request letters of recommendation from faculty and physicians individually or obtain a committee letter per your undergraduate institution’s protocol. Check with individual schools about their letter requirements.
Begin studying for the MCAT several months before you plan to take the test.
Request copies of your transcripts to ensure that there are no errors on them before you have official copies sent to the application services.
Register for the MCAT early in order to get your preferred date and site. Information regarding the MCAT can be found at https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/46412/mcat/
Take the MCAT in the spring if possible, but no later than early summer in order to have scores submitted to the schools early in the cycle.

April-June

Register for the MCAT if you have not done so already.
Prepare for and take the MCAT.
Fill out primary applications.
Arrange for a clinical, research or shadowing experience as part of your summer activities.

The AMCAS application may be submitted on or near June 1 and the ACOMAS application may be submitted starting June 1. Both applications become available a month or two prior to that so you can begin filling them out online, although you may not submit them until the application cycle opens.

The TMDSAS application becomes available in early May.

July-Sept

Retake the MCAT if needed.
Complete supplemental (secondary) applications. Some will come within days of submitting the primary application, others will take months. Return these to the schools as soon as possible.

September 2011 – spring 2012

Continue submitting secondaries in the fall.
Begin interviewing at medical schools. Interviews start in late August at the earliest schools and continue into the early spring.
Some schools begin notifying applicants of acceptances October 15. Notifications continue until the class is full.
By May 15, applicants to AMCAS schools should only be holding a spot at one school. They may remain on waitlists for other schools.

spring-summer 2012

Update schools you are waitlisted at about new activities and accomplishments.
Prepare to start medical school.

Fall 2012

Begin medical school!

Need the help of an M.D. experienced with medical school applications? Contact Dr. Eaton at (626) 768-2154 or info@prehealthadvising.com for a free 20 minute phone consultation.

Applying to Osteopathic Medical Schools

By Dr. Eaton | Published November 10th, 2010

The application process for osteopathic (D.O.) medical schools is in many ways similar to the application process for allopathic (M.D.) schools. However, D.O. schools use a separate application service (AACOMAS) and look for applicants who have demonstrated interest in osteopathic medicine. If you are planning to apply to D.O. schools, you can begin preparing by taking the following steps:

Become familiar with osteopathic medicine. Doing so will help you to decide if this option is right for you and will be important as you write your personal statement and eventually interview for D.O. schools. Start out with a visit The American Association of Osteopathic Colleges of Medicine (AACOM) site at http://aacom.org and then delve more deeply into the history and philosophy of osteopathic medicine.
Shadow or volunteer with an osteopathic physician. D.O. schools want to know that you have explored osteopathic medicine specifically and not just medicine in general. In addition, some osteopathic schools require letter of reference from a D.O. as part of the application process. Lining up a shadowing experience and getting to know an osteopathic physician well enough to obtain a strong letter of recommendation can take a while, so start with this step 6-12 months before you plan to apply.
Learn about the osteopathic school application process. Osteopathic schools require a primary application, supplemental/secondary application, letters of reference and, for most schools, an interview. The centralized application service for osteopathic schools is AACOMAS (American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service) and is found at https://aacomas.aacom.org/. The application cycle begins in May when AACOMAS starts accepting primary applications. Supplemental applications are usually submitted during the summer and fall and interview season begins in the late summer and can continue into the next spring.

Many applicants choose to apply to both allopathic and osteopathic schools. For some applicants, D.O. schools are the only focus. Either way, to ensure that your application is complete, timely and competitive, get started early taking the steps to prepare for the application cycle.

For experienced advising on your medical school application, contact Dr. Eaton at (626) 768-2154 or info@prehealthadvising.com for a free 20 minute phone consultation.

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Should I Take an MCAT Review Course?

By Dr. Eaton | Published November 2nd, 2010

As a premedical student you know that the MCAT is essential to med school admission: without a solid score admission is very unlikely, while a stellar score may place a top program within your grasp. When confronted with the sometimes daunting task of preparing for the MCAT, students have a difficult time choosing among the myriad of books, CD-ROMs, online banks of questions and courses available. Given the almost endless choices, I am frequently asked by applicants how to go about preparing for the test and if it is necessary for them to take an MCAT preparation course.

As a former MCAT instructor, I understand the value of an MCAT prep course, yet I have also worked with many applicants who did extremely well studying on their own. To decide the best route for you, you need to know exactly what it is a review course offers and make sure that you can provide these for yourself during your preparation if you choose to forgo a formal course.

Review courses provide students with three major benefits:

Structure – Having to attend class, either in a classroom or online, at certain days and times provides a framework for one’s studies. Homework assignments, lectures and scheduled tests keep students moving along and ensure that they cover all sections of the MCAT systematically.
Materials – Courses offer their students varying combinations of books, CDs and access to online materials.
An Instructor – By taking a course, you will have an instructor to interact with. He or she can answer questions as well as provide guidance and motivation along the way.

Studying independently means that you need to cover the three areas above through another means. If you are disciplined and organized, you can make your own study schedule, and by studying independently, you can formulate a study plan that allows you to focus on your weaknesses and cover the material in the order you prefer. For materials, invest in a good set of review books, questions and practice tests. Do not study from your textbooks. They are too detailed and cover areas that may not even be tested on the MCAT. Practicing is essential, so make sure that you do practice questions frequently and complete MCAT practice tests periodically.

An instructor is a bit harder to replace; however, if you are already comfortable with the subject matter and prefer to work out challenging material on your own, you won’t necessarily need an instructor. Form a study group with students with a mix of strengths and weaknesses. That way, if one of you gets stuck on a physics problem or a verbal reasoning passage, someone in the group can help you through it.

Either method you choose, make sure you begin studying well ahead of the exam. Give yourself several months to prepare and take a light course load that semester and cut back your work and other commitments. The investment of time cannot be replaced by a course or the most well-intentioned study plan. The MCAT is a major factor in med school admissions as the GPA and mastering the test will pay off at admissions time.

For experienced advising on your medical school application, contact Dr. Eaton at (626) 768-2154 or info@prehealthadvising.com for a free 20 minute phone consultation.

Preparing for an Osteopathic Medical School Interview

By Dr. Eaton | Published October 25th, 2010

Preparing for an interview at any medical school requires certain steps: familiarizing yourself with the school, honing your general interview skills and making sure that you can discuss any aspect of your application in depth. However, to be successful at an osteopathic medical school interview, you need to also ensure that you are ready for the unique questions often asked by these schools.

D.O. schools are seeking applicants who are familiar with the osteopathic approach and are genuinely interested in attending an osteopathic school. This is not to say that an applicant should not apply to both allopathic and osteopathic schools. However, any candidate for an osteopathic school, whether applying exclusively to D.O. schools or applying to both D.O. and M.D. schools, must demonstrate that he or she has explored osteopathic medicine in depth.

To get ready for an interview at an osteopathic school, make sure that you do the following

Learn about the history of osteopathic medicine. While you don’t need to be an expert on the topic, you should be familiar with the roots of the profession and understand how it evolved to its present form.

Know the philosophy of osteopathic medicine. Understand what OMM (Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine) is and its role in patient care. Osteopathic medicine also emphasizes holistic and preventive care as well as primary care medicine. The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine website http://www.aacom.org/Pages/default.aspx is a good starting point in learning about the profession.

Consider what makes you a good fit for an osteopathic medical school. Why do you want to become a D.O.? What aspects of your background demonstrate that you have qualities and interests that align with the osteopathic philosophy and mission? For example, you may have volunteered for a program that promotes nutrition and exercise for the prevention of obesity, thus demonstrating an interest in preventive care. A history of shadowing or volunteering with an osteopathic physician also shows that you have explored the profession and came to an informed decision about applying to D.O. schools. Integrate such examples and details into your response to questions about your interest in osteopathic medicine.

During the interview, you will very likely encounter typical interview questions as “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” While such a question can reveal some information about you as a person and as a future physician, it is the D.O. focused questions that give you the opportunity to show that not only will you be a great physician, but you will specifically be a superb osteopathic physician.

To schedule a mock interview for osteopathic medical school with an experienced admissions advisor contact Dr. Eaton at (626) 768-2154 or info@prehealthadvising.com for a free 20 minute phone consultation.

Mock Interview Package – Complete mock interview with experienced admissions advisor Dr. Eaton. Click for Details

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The Multiple Mini-Interview (MMI) for Medical School or Dental School

By Dr. Eaton | Published October 17th, 2010

In recent years, some medical and dental schools have switched to the Multiple Mini Interview format in lieu of traditional interviews. This approach was used initially by medical schools in Canada and Australia and has been adopted by a number of medical and dental schools in the U.S. in recent years.

During an MMI, the applicant rotates through a series of stations. Each station is timed and will require the applicant to evaluate a scenario or situation, answer a question or even take part in a hands-on task. For example, one station may describe a scenario in which a physician prescribes a placebo to a patient. The interviewee may then be asked to name and discuss the ethical dilemmas presented by such the situation and to describe under what circumstances it would be appropriate for a physician to prescribe a placebo. Other stations may ask more traditional interview questions such as “What qualities do you possess that would make you a good physician/dentist?” At dental schools in particular, some stations may require the applicant to perform a task that will demonstrate his or her manual dexterity. Finally, some stations may involve the applicant interacting with an actor. The interviewee is given some background information about the situation and then enters the scene to demonstrate how he or she would handle the situation.

In addition to providing a more standardized interview experience, MMIs help committees assess qualities such as communication skills, critical thinking, professionalism and even empathy. All of these are valuable skills in a future dentist or physician and may not be revealed during a traditional interview.

Preparing for such an interview is significantly different than getting ready for a traditional medical or dental school interview. An applicant who will be interviewing at a medical or dental school that uses MMIs should practice responding to ethical dilemmas and other scenarios under timed circumstances. The vast majority of applicants will not have encountered such an interview set-up previously and practice is essential in order to learn to respond quickly and effectively to each scenario, question or task. Performing well in an MMI will give you an excellent opportunity to show that you not only have the academic qualifications to become a doctor or dentist but also the interpersonal skills and real-world ability to handle difficult situations under stress. With targeted practice and preparation you will be ready to use this opportunity to increase your chance of admission to medical or dental school.

To schedule a mock interview for medical or dental school with an experienced admissions advisor contact Dr. Eaton at (626) 768-2154 or info@prehealthadvising.com for a free 20 minute phone consultation.

Mock Interview Package – Complete mock MMI interview with experienced admissions advisor Dr. Eaton. Click for Details

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After the Medical School Interview: Thank-You Letters

By Dr. Eaton | Published October 11th, 2010

Once your medical school interview is behind you, you may think that all you need to do is wait to hear the committee’s decision. However, there is another step you can take before you leave the decision in the hands of the admissions committee.

Your next task, and perhaps the last one you’ll have before you hear the decision, is to write letters to the interviewers.

The letter should include:

A sentence or two thanking the interviewer for taking the time to speak with you. You can personalize this by mentioning a topic you enjoyed discussing with the interviewer.
An update of your activities since you submitted your application
A brief summary of the reasons you are interested in attending the school.
A discussion about how your background and interests make you an excellent fit for the school.

Although e-mail is acceptable, a letter sent by regular mail written on actual paper is a bit more formal and personal.The letter should be brief; less than a page will generally suffice. If you do not have an e-mail or mailing address for the interviewers, send your correspondence to the recipient care of the admissions office. Also consider sending the Dean of Admissions a letter as well. Even if he or she did not interview you personally, they have a key role in the admissions process and expressing your appreciation for the opportunity to interview at the school and explaining why you would like to attend the school is appropriate.

Schools have varying policies on letters. Some medical schools encourage letters from interested students, others say nothing about the issue and finally, a few schools discourage letters. If the school asks that follow-up letters not be sent, then honor that.

I am sometimes asked about “Letters of Intent.” These letters differ from thank-you letters in that they express the applicant’s intention to attend the school if accepted. If you are absolutely sure that you will attend a particular medical school if accepted, then you may state this. However, if there is a chance that you may attend elsewhere, then do not make such a promise. The medical world is a surprisingly small one and you don’t want to start out your medical career making a statement that you do not follow through on.

Sending thank-you letters is an optional step in the application process. However, it is one that can make you more memorable to the interviewer and emphasize that you are truly interested in becoming a student at a particular medical school. After taking the MCAT, submitting primaries and secondaries and finally interviewing, the time investment to write a letter is minimal, but the payoff could be very significant.

Mock Interview Package – If you have more interviews and would like additional practice, schedule a mock interview with experienced admissions advisor Dr. Eaton. Click for Details

For expert advising on all aspects of your medical school application, contact Dr. Eaton at (626) 768-2154 or info@prehealthadvising.com for a free 20 minute phone consultation.

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123

Letters of Recommendation for Medical, Dental or Veterinary School Applications

No Medical School Interviews Yet?

What to do during a “Gap Year” Prior to Medical School

Waitlisted for Medical School

Applying to Osteopathic Medical Schools

Should I Take an MCAT Review Course?

Preparing for an Osteopathic Medical School Interview

The Multiple Mini-Interview (MMI) for Medical School or Dental School

After the Medical School Interview: Thank-You Letters

Getting into Medical School For Dummies

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