Med school: A real downer

Granted, my work here is to help candidates get into medical school (and residency and fellowship), but I still think I should point out a heartfelt piece by Pauline Chen, MD in the New York Times about depression and isolation in medical school. It's worth a look, but be forewarned that it is a downer. I think a lot of MDs - including myself - will agree with her assessment of medical school.

(Happy Halloween!)

Quick tip: Social events on the interview trail

Sometimes applicants are invited to a dinner the night before interviews or optional drinks after. I strongly recommend attending these social engagements if you are able. This is your opportunity to demonstrate interest in the institution, gather information you might not get otherwise and highlight your social skills. One caveat: Even if you are told you can say/ask anything at these events without effect on your candidacy keep your guard up and watch what you say and do.

For one-on-one mock interviews contact me at http://www.insidermedicaladmissions.com/ . I am scheduling up to two weeks in advance so please get in touch with me soon.

Interview Strategies: Go Carry-On

Here's another blog entry on interview strategies. Today's topic is luggage. As boring as it sounds, I want to make the case for going carry-on for two reasons:

1. Cost (on some airlines).

2. You do not want to show up to your interview in shorts. Your interview clothes should be with you at all times. I know of a true story of a residency applicant who came to his interview in jeans and a t-shirt because his luggage was lost. He arrived by plane the morning of the interview (a poor idea), had packed his clothes and - rather than be late - he showed up casual. Although you can explain the dilemma, being flustered and in flip flops is not going to instill confidence in your candidacy. If you were on the committee wouldn't you worry about this person's organizational skills and common sense?


For one-on-one mock interviews with copious verbal and written feedback please contact me at insidermedical@gmail.com or see my website www.InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com .

Interview Strategies: Cutting Costs

This is my first of many blog entries about interview strategies. I want to start by exploring ways to decrease costs, especially considering current sky high air fares. Here are several suggestions:

1. If you are ambivalent about an institution, schedule your interview later. By January you may decide not to interview there at all, saving you some money.

2. Group your interviews geographically. If you think this is impossible, consider this: There is nothing wrong with calling an institution and letting the assistant know you have been invited to interview at a nearby school/program, you can only afford to fly out to the area once and consequently, might the admissions committee be willing to let you know as soon as possible if their institution will be offering you an interview as well? As long as you are polite about your request, this is completely appropriate and won't harm your candidacy.

3. Check out travel web sites daily. Occasionally, a low price is available only if you catch it quickly.

4. Consider staying with students/residents if the institution offers. Hotels can be expensive, and sometimes you can gather useful information about the school/program this way. Just beware that anything you do or say may be repeated to the admissions committee. (Make sure to write a thank you note.)

For one-on-one interview practice please contact me via InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com . I am scheduling mock interviews up to two weeks in advance so email me as soon as possible.

Quick tip: Nontraditional medical school applicants

Many nontraditional medical school candidates have impressive accomplishments on their resumes. However, it's important for these candidates to ensure that their successes don't paradoxically harm their applications: Candidates who have thriving careers in other fields need to go the extra mile to prove their interest in leaving what they have for medical school. No admissions committee wants to accept a candidate who then quits school to resume his or her original field. You need to convince the committee that you won't be that person.

Having a lot of clinical experience is a good way of doing this. Also, conveying clearly in your application and interviews an interest in your current field (don't be negative) but a much stronger drive to become a doctor - despite the difficult training - is important. (Acknowledging the long road ahead shows you've had a reality check.)

Nontraditional candidates who want personalized assistance should check me out at www.InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com .

The recession and medical school

A friend was asking me how I thought the current recession was going to affect medical school applicants.

Historically, when the economy has worsened medical school applications have increased. Presumably, this is because medicine is a stable field; it's rare to find a doctor who wants to work who's unemployed. Furthermore, with the credit crunch, it's probable that medical schools will have poorer financial packages available for potential students.

All in all, the financial situation makes things harder for medical school applicants in more ways than one. Because the application season already got underway prior to the most recent financial downturns, I'm hoping the changes won't be felt until next year (or later).

For help optimizing your application to medical school please see www.InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com .

Personal statement and secondary essay pitfalls

Here's an oldie-but-goodie blog entry written by my colleague Ann Levine who is a law school admissions consultant. I have found these same errors in medical application essays, especially Ann's number four "I believe" (and its corollary "I feel"). Along these same lines, please see my blog entry about the importance of brevity in essay writing.

For one-on-one help with your statement please contact me at insidermedical@gmail.com or see www.InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com .

Quick tip: ERAS and AMCAS pitfalls

Here are a few errors to avoid in composing your ERAS and AMCAS:

1. Use full sentences. Some applicants erroneously use phrases in their activity descriptors. You're submitting a formal application, and full sentences are appropriate.
2. Avoid abbreviations. Again, we're talking about a formal application here so let's treat it as such. Also, abbreviations you think are common might be unintelligible to the reader.
3. Ensure the email address you offer has a spam detector that is set low. You don't want to miss important emails.
4. Do a spell and grammar check. Don't submit only to be embarrassed by a simple error.
5. Get help. Do not send your application without having it reviewed. You cannot afford to submit suboptimal materials.

For professional, individually-tailored assistance with your AMCAS or ERAS please check me out at www.InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com . My testimonials page is growing!

IMGs and J-1 visa waivers

As many international medical graduates know, the J-1 exchange visa is restrictive and its corresponding waiver is highly coveted.

There was an interesting article in the New York Times this week regarding the symbiotic relationship that can develop between medically-needy, non-urban areas and IMGs who want their J-1 waiver. Because medical school costs are so high, many American graduates focus their job hunting on urban centers, leaving the needy rural areas without adequate physician penetration.

The article is a good, short read, especially for IMGs considering their future options.

Quick tip: ERAS and AMCAS content

Here's an important tip for those who have not yet submitted their applications to medical school or residency:

If your reader does not understand an activity (or activities) on your application you will not get "credit" for what you've done. Although you are very familiar with your accomplishments you need to spell them out in your application as though you are speaking to a lay person.

I read an interesting observation once that when small children do not understand something they don't cry or get agitated; they simply look away and focus elsewhere. Imagine that this applies to your adult admissions committee member as well. You must explain your research, clinical experience, volunteer work, etc. in the simplest terms if you want your reader to concentrate on it.

For help with your ERAS, AMCAS or secondaries check me out at www.InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com .