A conference for high school and college students at Cal State Northridge on Saturday, Oct. 26, will give aspiring physicians a look into the life of a doctor as well as advice on how to get into medical school.

CSUN's second annual "Pre-Medical Conference" will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Grand Salon of the University Student Union on the east side of the campus off Zelzah Street.

"The information we give out is invaluable for aspiring physicians," said Kenneth Osorio, a senior majoring in biology and one of the event's organizers. " We want to give them as much information and the best information we can ahead of time so they can make the right choices on their way to medical school."

The conference is open to high school, community college and university students and is free to those who register at csunconference2002@hotmail.com. Those who do not pre-register will be charged $5 on the day of the event.

The day will offer participants a glimpse at a day in the life of a physician as well as an opportunity to hear from people who have overcome obstacles to achieve their medical degrees.

Workshops will cover all the necessary steps to get into medical school, including the medical school application process, the medical college acceptance test and writing personal statements.

"This conference is a real opportunity for CSUN students to showcase their efforts in raising awareness of what it takes to go to medical school starting from a dream in high school," said Edward Carroll, dean of Northridge's College of Science and Mathematics. "It's completely organized and staffed by our students who want to convey the message that dreams can be attained."

The student organizations putting together the event are the American Medical Student Association, Biology Club, Black Pre-Health and Chicanos for Community Medicine."

Osorio said last year's conference culminated with a panel discussion by medical students from different backgrounds who talked frankly about how difficult it was to get into medical school, and then how hard their studies were.

"At the same time, panelists expressed how medical school has been one of the best choices in their lives," he said.

For more information, e-mail csunconference2002@hotmail.com.