There's an interesting article in the NYT regarding doctors' seeking salaried jobs over private practice ones. It covers differences in attitudes between established doctors and those newly in the field.
On another note, I just spoke with a first-year medical student who had the foresight to seek help now regarding how her next few years of medical school can be optimized to improved a future residency application. We discussed this year's summer opportunities, the USMLE, her research and leadership opportunities, amongst other topics.
Contact me early for admissions assistance for a long-term plan.
Insights, Ideas, News From Insider Medical Admissions
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
For "Junior" Medical Students: What You Can Do Now to Improve Your Chances of Matching
by Michelle A. Finkel MD, InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com
What can you do early in your medical school career to improve your chances of matching well? First, it’s important to show early and strong commitment to your chosen specialty. The NRMP surveyed Residency Directors in 2008, asking them which factors they use in selecting applicants to interview. Sixty-six percent of respondents listed “perceived commitment to the specialty” as a factor. Commitment can be demonstrated easily through membership in a medical school’s specialty interest group. If no club exists, a candidate can start one, demonstrating dedication to the field and leadership. Another almost effortless way to demonstrate commitment is to become a member in a specialty’s national organization.
More important, however, is demonstrating real commitment through accomplishments. These may include research, international work and community service in the field, and honors in multiple rotations in the specialty. It’s difficult to find the time for these activities during medical school. But as can be seen from the NRMP Residency Director survey, they are important.
To improve your residency candidacy fully and thus improve your chances of matching, contact me when it’s time to apply. Because applicants can unknowingly undermine their chances of success with poorly compiled application materials and underdeveloped residency personal statements, a qualified, personalized residency admissions consultant provides a great advantage. I do all of my own work, never farming my clients' materials to outside editors.
What can you do early in your medical school career to improve your chances of matching well? First, it’s important to show early and strong commitment to your chosen specialty. The NRMP surveyed Residency Directors in 2008, asking them which factors they use in selecting applicants to interview. Sixty-six percent of respondents listed “perceived commitment to the specialty” as a factor. Commitment can be demonstrated easily through membership in a medical school’s specialty interest group. If no club exists, a candidate can start one, demonstrating dedication to the field and leadership. Another almost effortless way to demonstrate commitment is to become a member in a specialty’s national organization.
More important, however, is demonstrating real commitment through accomplishments. These may include research, international work and community service in the field, and honors in multiple rotations in the specialty. It’s difficult to find the time for these activities during medical school. But as can be seen from the NRMP Residency Director survey, they are important.
To improve your residency candidacy fully and thus improve your chances of matching, contact me when it’s time to apply. Because applicants can unknowingly undermine their chances of success with poorly compiled application materials and underdeveloped residency personal statements, a qualified, personalized residency admissions consultant provides a great advantage. I do all of my own work, never farming my clients' materials to outside editors.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Match Success!
by Michelle Finkel MD, www.InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com
My clients have had noteworthy successes with the Match this year. Thus far, I've heard about #1 choice matches in Ortho, Derm, Radiology, Neurology, Urology and Family Medicine to name a few. Congratulations!
Contact me now to start preparing for next year's application cycle.
My clients have had noteworthy successes with the Match this year. Thus far, I've heard about #1 choice matches in Ortho, Derm, Radiology, Neurology, Urology and Family Medicine to name a few. Congratulations!
Contact me now to start preparing for next year's application cycle.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
AMSA Conference Success
by Michelle A. Finkel MD, InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com
Thanks to everyone who attended my lecture "Getting Into Residency: An Insider's Tips." We had a huge turn out and consequently ran out of hand outs. If anyone would like a PDF version, please contact me.
Thanks to everyone who attended my lecture "Getting Into Residency: An Insider's Tips." We had a huge turn out and consequently ran out of hand outs. If anyone would like a PDF version, please contact me.
Friday, March 12, 2010
AMSA lecture
by Michelle Finkel MD, InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com
I'll be speaking tomorrow at the 60th Annual AMSA National Conference at the Disney Hotel. The lecture "Getting Into Residency: An Insider's Tips" will begin at 11:30am and will be held in the North Ballroom A, Magic Tower. I hope to see some of you there!
Contact me with questions.
I'll be speaking tomorrow at the 60th Annual AMSA National Conference at the Disney Hotel. The lecture "Getting Into Residency: An Insider's Tips" will begin at 11:30am and will be held in the North Ballroom A, Magic Tower. I hope to see some of you there!
Contact me with questions.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Causes of the PCP Shortage
by Michelle A. Finkel MD, InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com
Here's a basic but useful article in Newsweek on the causes of the primary care doctor shortage. I think the way specialists are portrayed at the end is unfair, but it's still worth a read.
Contact me for assistance.
Here's a basic but useful article in Newsweek on the causes of the primary care doctor shortage. I think the way specialists are portrayed at the end is unfair, but it's still worth a read.
Contact me for assistance.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Letters of Intent: Timing
by Michelle Finkel, MD at InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com
I've received some questions about the timing of letters of intent (LOI) for medical school and residency. I recommend the following:
Send the letter as soon as you complete your interview. That way you can knowledgeably discuss your impressions of the institution, while attempting to positively affect your candidacy before being evaluated by the committee. (As you usually don't know when your application will be discussed, sending immediately after your interview is important.)
Although I recommend sending hard-copy LOIs, if the institution has not prohibited sending emails to the admissions committee/residency administration, there is no harm in emailing your LOI in addition to sending the hard copy.
Contact me for help editing your LOIs.
I've received some questions about the timing of letters of intent (LOI) for medical school and residency. I recommend the following:
Send the letter as soon as you complete your interview. That way you can knowledgeably discuss your impressions of the institution, while attempting to positively affect your candidacy before being evaluated by the committee. (As you usually don't know when your application will be discussed, sending immediately after your interview is important.)
Although I recommend sending hard-copy LOIs, if the institution has not prohibited sending emails to the admissions committee/residency administration, there is no harm in emailing your LOI in addition to sending the hard copy.
Contact me for help editing your LOIs.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Open General Surgery Residency Slots
by Michelle A. Finkel, MD, InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com
I just received a tip that the General Surgery Department at Kaiser Permanente Fontana Medical Center (Southern California) was just approved for a residency program to start this July. The institution is seeking to fill four spots for each year, PGY 1-5. Although new programs have drawbacks, this might be a good opportunity for those who are late in the process or have deficiencies that would typically limit their candidacy.
Contact me for assistance.
I just received a tip that the General Surgery Department at Kaiser Permanente Fontana Medical Center (Southern California) was just approved for a residency program to start this July. The institution is seeking to fill four spots for each year, PGY 1-5. Although new programs have drawbacks, this might be a good opportunity for those who are late in the process or have deficiencies that would typically limit their candidacy.
Contact me for assistance.
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