Safety Schools

Whether you call me a pessimist or a realist, I am an advocate of having a large number of safety schools on your list when applying to medical school.

I have some clients with good GPAs and mediocre MCATs and vice versa. Ensure that your safety schools include those whose averages are the same and lower than your weakest numbers. In other words, if you have a strong MCAT but a weaker GPA, pick safety schools that reflect the GPA.

Remember: You can always decline a medical school's offer of admission; you do not want to be without options.

Letters of Recommendation: Mediocre = Bad

I've been advising a lot of clients lately regarding letters of recommendation both for medical school and residency. Remember that your letters have a big impact on your application, and a mediocre letter can bomb your candidacy. Always ask your potential letter writers if they will write you a "strong letter" of recommendation. If they say no, hesitate or tell you they are too busy think of their negative responses as a favor.

For help with application strategy please contact me. The earlier in the season the better.

CNN article

Cnnmoney.com published this article on the dearth of medical students committed to primary care. I'm quoted about half-way through the piece. Enjoy!

Optimally Wording Your Non-Academic Time

I've noticed a few medical school and residency applicants using the term "year off" in their personal statements when, in fact, they've spent their time completing research, international community service or other worthwhile endeavors. Saying you "took a year off" belittles your accomplishments. Ensure you avoid language that inadvertently subtracts from your application.

Letters of Recommendation: Applying in More than One Specialty

For pre-residency candidates who are applying in more than one specialty, I recommend being up front with your letter of recommendation writers. A few clients have asked me if they should ask recommenders to compose letters for different specialties or one letter that's more generic. The former is your better bet. First, your letter writers will be appreciative if you are honest with them. Second, you'll get more appropriate, and thus stronger, letters.

Applying to more than one field - especially if one of them is competitive - is not that uncommon. There's no reason to be embarrassed.

Contact me for help with your application. 'Tis the season.

AMCAS questions? Call AAMC

For those applying to medical school who have general questions about the AMCAS, I strongly recommend calling AAMC, as I've had a lot of success with rapid responses from them. I've had less success with email but perhaps that's because of my spam filter. Here's their info:

Association of American Medical Colleges
2450 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037-1123

E-mail: amcas@aamc.org

Phone: 202-828-0600

Hours of Operation

Monday-Friday:
9 a.m. - 7 p.m. ET

Please note:
AMCAS representatives will be unavailable on Thursdays from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. ET for staff meetings.

Personal Statement: Show. Don't Tell.

Compare the following:

"I am a compassionate person with a lot of resolve who wants to help people through medicine."

"My four years of clinical work in a low-income clinic, taking vital signs and translating for Spanish-speaking patients, has strengthen my resolve to become a physician."

See the difference?

A quick reminder: In your personal statement it's critical to demonstrate your points with examples, rather than just state your thoughts. Show. Don't just tell because anyone can say s/he is good with patients, kind-hearted and hard-working. Only a few excellent candidates can prove that.

For help with your personal statement for medical school, residency, fellowship or post bacc programs contact me.