In this episode of the Jack Westin MCAT Podcast, Phil Hawkins, Lead Instructor and Director of MCAT Prep and Alexis Bowder M.D. to discuss Dr. Bowder's experience in surgery and leading the charge in global health, how to have a family during residency, and how travel plays an important role in being a doctor. About Jack Westin - The team at Jack Westin is dedicated to a single goal: giving students the highest quality learning resources. Jack Westin understands that students can’t crush the MCA...
Aug 10, 2022•40 min•Ep. 59
In this episode of the Jack Westin MCAT Podcast, Phil Hawkins, Lead Instructor and Director of MCAT Prep and Harvard Medical Student Azaii Calderón Muñiz discuss the cytoskeleton. You will learn a few ways that the AAMC will test your knowledge on test day and how you can best prepare for the MCAT. About Jack Westin - The team at Jack Westin is dedicated to a single goal: giving students the highest quality learning resources. Jack Westin understands that students can’t crush the MCAT without th...
Jul 28, 2022•42 min
In this episode of the Jack Westin MCAT Podcast, Phil Hawkins, Lead Instructor and Director of MCAT Prep and Harvard Medical Student Azaii Calderón Muñiz discuss the respiratory system. You will learn a few ways that the AAMC will test your knowledge on test day and how you can best prepare for the MCAT. About Jack Westin - The team at Jack Westin is dedicated to a single goal: giving students the highest quality learning resources. Jack Westin understands that students can’t crush the MCAT with...
Jul 21, 2022•1 hr 9 min
In this episode of the Jack Westin MCAT Podcast, Phil Hawkins, Lead Instructor and Director of MCAT Prep and Harvard Medical Student Azaii Calderón Muñiz discuss cell replication. More specifically, Azaii and Phil discuss cancer. In this episode you will learn how cells replicate, how cancer bypasses normal genetic barriers, and what you need to know for the MCAT. 0:00 Intro 5:43 Cell Cycle 13:51 The MCAT and Cancer 16:00 Replicating DNA 20:45 Genes in Cancer 38:15 What Cancer Cells Actually Do ...
Jul 14, 2022•1 hr 2 min
In this episode of the Jack Westin MCAT Podcast, Phil Hawkins, Lead Instructor and Director of MCAT Prep and Harvard Medical Student Azaii Calderón Muñiz discuss immunology. Take a deep dive into understanding the difference between the innate immune system, the adaptive immune system, and what you need to know for the MCAT. 0:00 Intro 2:16 The Innate Immune System 11:10 The Adaptive Immune System 24:30 Immunology and the MCAT 27:06 B-Cells 32:36 Vaccines and the MCAT 37:56 The Different Kind of...
Jul 07, 2022•1 hr 7 min
In this episode of the Jack Westin MCAT Podcast, Phil Hawkins, Lead Instructor and Director of MCAT Prep, and Harvard Medical Student Azaii Calderón Muñiz discuss how important the skeletal system is in medicine. In this episode you will learn how the MCAT will test your knowledge of the skeletal system and how it relates to physics, how vitamin D plays a vital role in calcium absorption, and how the skeletal system and the endocrine system are intrinsically linked. 0:00 Introduction 2:32 The St...
Jun 30, 2022•43 min•Ep. 54
In this episode of the Jack Westin MCAT Podcast, Phil Hawkins, Lead Instructor and Director of MCAT Prep, Harvard Medical Student Azaii Calderón Muñiz, and Director of Tutoring Taylor Nicholls discuss how studying for the MCAT is different than anything else in undergraduate. The MCAT is a critical thinking exam, which means that rote memorization simply does not work. Tune in to this podcast where Taylor, Azaii, and Phil dive deep into the learning process and how you should go about your MCAT ...
Jun 23, 2022•52 min
In this episode of the Jack Westin MCAT Podcast, Phil Hawkins, Lead Instructor and Director of MCAT Prep, and Harvard Medical Student Azaii Calderón Muñiz discuss how to deal with anxiety. From test day anxiety to MCAT preparation, every student will deal with some form of stress, which is why it is essential to understand how to deal with it before it becomes a major problem. 0:00 Intro 2:14 What Goes Into Anxiety 5:56 Test Day Anxiety 11:24 How to Deal with Anxiety 13:18 Engaging Your 5 Senses...
Jun 16, 2022•52 min•Ep. 52
It's our 50th episode! In this special episode of the Jack Westin MCAT Podcast, Phil Hawkins, Lead Instructor and Director of MCAT Prep and Harvard Medical Student Azaii Calderón Muñiz discuss their top 10 MCAT mnemonic devices. These top ten MCAT mnemonics are essential to know going into the MCAT. 0:00 Intro 1:45 Red Cat An Ox (Electrochemistry) 3:33 Leo Says Ger (Oxidation and Reduction) 6:10 FLAT PeG (Hormones) 9:49 CUT The Pie (Molecular Genetics) 12:11 UGA "U Go Away" (Amino Acids) 13:01 U...
Jun 09, 2022•36 min•Ep. 50
In this episode Phil Hawkins, Lead Instructor and Director of MCAT Prep and Harvard Medical Student Azaii Calderón Muñiz discuss Personal Statements. In this episode you will learn what to include in your Personal Statement, How to think about your Personal Statement, and most importantly, what medical schools are looking for. About Jack Westin - The team at Jack Westin is dedicated to a single goal: giving students the highest quality learning resources. Jack Westin understands that students ca...
Jun 02, 2022•49 min•Ep. 50
Dive deep into the complex field of the cardiovascular system of the human body with MCAT tutor Phil Hawkins and Harvard Medical Student Azaii Calerón Muñiz. Explore the relationship between veins and arteries and how blood flows differently through both. You'll even come out with a deeper understanding of portals and anastomotic loops, which often trick students on the MCAT. The heart has many chambers and valves which all serve unique purposes. Learn how the human heart is compared to water fl...
May 19, 2022•45 min•Ep. 49
Hosts Phil Hawkins and Azaii Calderon Muniz dive into the concept of evolution and how it relates to the MCAT. In this episode, you will learn, what you should know about evolution for the MCAT, how you may be tested on the MCAT, and the key concepts that you should know. Key terms for this topic include Convergent Evolution, Analylugus Evolution, Homologous Evolution, and Coevolution. Plus learn how avocados are completely dependent on humans to survive, how feathers decrease survivability, but...
May 12, 2022•41 min•Ep. 48
In this episode, Phil and Azaii jump back into the science topics that matter most for the MCAT. This week, the discussion centers around diabetes, how it works, how shifting demographics are making it essential to understand, and what you need to know for the MCAT exam. Get more content by following us on instagram! instagram.com/jackwestinmcat Free MCAT Prep: https://jackwestin.com/...
May 05, 2022•39 min•Ep. 47
Phil and Azaii walk through Phil's time in medical school, the trials, tribulations, and why leaving medical school was the right decision for him. - Following Jack Westin on instagram! instagram.com/jackwestinmcat - Free MCAT Prep: jackwestin.com
Apr 26, 2022•48 min•Ep. 46
Join Phil and Azaii as they tackle one of the toughest and most important topics for premed and medical students beyond the MCAT: mental and psychiatric illness. If you have mental health concerns, or know someone who does, you are not alone and do not need to suffer alone. Below are resources to reach out for help should what we talked about resonate with you or someone you love. We are not health professionals and encourage you to connect with one as you need. Trigger warning: mental illness, ...
Apr 14, 2022•39 min
Phil and Azaii take a tour through the digestive system. What type of taco are you, and where does your filling get digested? Proteins, carbohydrates and lipids, we break it all down! If you want to talk to an academic advisor, feel free to call or text: 415-805-6292
Apr 07, 2022•33 min
Azaii and Phil discuss the neuromuscular junction and some of the diseases related. We talk about two toxins from similar bacteria that have opposite affects. One paralyzes, and the other will give you Lockjaw. Get more content by following us on instagram! instagram.com/jackwestinmcat Free MCAT Prep: https://jackwestin.com/
Apr 01, 2022•35 min•Ep. 43
Join Azaii and Phil as they talk to their special guest Robert Greenleaf. We discuss everything from how to stay motivated, when you should get help, and why you should be skeptical of social media. If you want to talk to an academic advisor, feel free to call or text: 415-805-6292 Get more content by following us on instagram! instagram.com/jackwestinmcat Free MCAT Prep: https://jackwestin.com/...
Mar 24, 2022•48 min•Ep. 42
Did you know that there are over a 100 strains of herpes and 8 that affect humans? Join Azaii and Phil as they discuss the non-living yet often annoying mystery that are viruses. Get more content by following us on instagram! instagram.com/jackwestinmcat Free MCAT Prep: https://jackwestin.com/
Mar 17, 2022•47 min•Ep. 41
What do monkeys, sugar and blood types have to do with one another? Phil and Azaii talk about codominance, blood transfusions and pregnancy as they continue the conversation on genetics. Get more content by following us on instagram! instagram.com/jackwestinmcat Free MCAT Prep: https://jackwestin.com/
Mar 10, 2022•18 min•Ep. 40
Keeping it going from last week, Azaii and Phil discuss the some weird cases in genetics that don't follow the normal rules of genetics. We discuss a mutation that ended an NBA career, and how even with genetic testing, you may not know if a mutation is fatal. Get more content by following us on instagram! instagram.com/jackwestinmcat Free MCAT Prep: https://jackwestin.com/
Mar 03, 2022•24 min•Ep. 38
Phil and Azaii discuss the very highest yield MCAT topic. You don't want to miss this. We do a deep dive into some interesting cases with amino acids that the MCAT is very likely to test. They also discuss why burnt hair stinks, and how certain mutations can cause Parkinson's and Huntington's disease. Get more content by following us on instagram! instagram.com/jackwestinmcat Free MCAT Prep: https://jackwestin.com/...
Feb 24, 2022•35 min•Ep. 38
Tune in to this special podcast as we celebrate Black and African American excellence in medicine during Black History Month. From plasma storage to the first successful heart surgery, there's so much to admire! Get more content by following us on instagram! www.instagram.com/jackwestinmcat Free MCAT Prep: https://jackwestin.com/
Feb 17, 2022•19 min•Ep. 37
Join Azaii and Phil as they wrap up the AAMC MCAT Psych outline. We discuss what it means to have false consciousness, as well as how there are disparities in health and healthcare throughout the world. Get more content by following us on instagram! www.instagram.com/jackwestinmcat Free MCAT Prep: https://jackwestin.com/
Feb 10, 2022•43 min•Ep. 36
In this episode, we touch on Malthusian theory, suburbanization and gentrification. So tune in and find out, are we actually headed towards a population-level catastrophe? Get more content by following us on instagram! www.instagram.com/jackwestinmcat Free MCAT Prep: https://jackwestin.com/
Feb 07, 2022•41 min•Ep. 34
There were so many great questions that we couldn't stop at one episode... Should you include research experiences in your application even without publications, when should you retest and does Le Chatelier's principle apply to catalyzed reactions? Join for the answers, stay for the stories. Get more content by following us on instagram! www.instagram.com/jackwestinmcat
Feb 03, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 35
We asked for your questions and you sent us great ones! Azaii and Phil respond to what YOU want to know. We talk about time management, standing out in your medical school application, memory palaces and more! Get more content by following us on instagram! www.instagram.com/jackwestinmcat
Jan 27, 2022•52 min•Ep. 34
In this podcast, we'll talk a walk through Karl Marx's Conflict Theory, add in some symbolic interactionism and do some cost-benefit analysis as we decide whether or not to discuss Exchange-Rational Choice and Social Exchange Theory. Can you afford to miss this episode? Don't forget to submit your questions for our upcoming "Ask Me Anything: https://bit.ly/3JUuxL0 Get more content by following us on instagram! www.instagram.com/jackwestinmcat...
Jan 21, 2022•42 min•Ep. 33
Did you miss the live announcement? Find out about the newest ways to prep for the MCAT as Azaii and Phil talk about the FASTEST way to improve your MCAT score. Don't forget to submit your questions for our upcoming "Ask Me Anything: https://bit.ly/3JUuxL0 Get more content by following us on instagram! www.instagram.com/jackwestinmcat https://jackwestin.com/mcat-diagnostic...
Jan 13, 2022•40 min•Ep. 33
Join in as we take a step back and look at society at the macro level. We talk about functionalism, social constructionism, and hidden curriculums. Don't forget to submit your questions for our upcoming "Ask Me Anything." Link here: https://bit.ly/3JUuxL0 to submit questions!...
Jan 12, 2022•26 min•Ep. 32
