by Michelle A. Finkel MD, Insider Medical Admissions
I've received several emails asking how to best answer the secondary essay question, "Why do you want to attend our school?"
Medical schools want to be assured that you know their institution, are seriously considering it and will fit in well there. I recommend doing your research on the school and linking something specific about you with the institution.
For example, if you tutored high school students in math, you might link your use of the Socratic method with the school's tutorial-based learning. In that way, you demonstrate a knowledge of the school, show that you connect with it and showcase an accomplishment.
Contact me for secondary essay help.
Insights, Ideas, News From Insider Medical Admissions
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
IMG Observership Letters of Recommendation
IMGs, be aware that working in a physician's office getting hands-on experience may be viewed as illegal. The Medical Board of California July newsletter has an interesting article on page five warning physicians that allowing IMGs to work in offices treating patients is "only lawful if the scope of the work is no more than a medical assistant would perform."
The article goes on to focus on letters of recommendation for residency written by physicians who work with IMGs. "While the Board understands the desire to assist the international graduate, letters written by physicians that indicate they have allowed the unlicensed international graduate to perform examinations and assist with patient care activities in their offices can result in a charge of aiding and abetting the unlicensed practice of medicine."
The article never explicitly defines a "medical assistant" but refers to the fact that this role only requires a high school diploma.
The article goes on to focus on letters of recommendation for residency written by physicians who work with IMGs. "While the Board understands the desire to assist the international graduate, letters written by physicians that indicate they have allowed the unlicensed international graduate to perform examinations and assist with patient care activities in their offices can result in a charge of aiding and abetting the unlicensed practice of medicine."
The article never explicitly defines a "medical assistant" but refers to the fact that this role only requires a high school diploma.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Plagiarism
by Michelle A. Finkel MD, InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com
In a recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, investigators report finding “evidence of plagiarism” in personal statements in 5.2% of residency applicants to Brigham and Women’s anesthesiology, general surgery, internal medicine, OB-GYN and emergency medicine residency programs between Sept. 2005 and March 2007.
Applicants should be aware of this type of scrutiny. (I hope that candidates won't consider plagiarizing material for obvious ethical reasons!)
In a recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, investigators report finding “evidence of plagiarism” in personal statements in 5.2% of residency applicants to Brigham and Women’s anesthesiology, general surgery, internal medicine, OB-GYN and emergency medicine residency programs between Sept. 2005 and March 2007.
Applicants should be aware of this type of scrutiny. (I hope that candidates won't consider plagiarizing material for obvious ethical reasons!)
Thursday, July 15, 2010
ECFMG ERAS Tutorials
by Michelle A. Finkel MD, InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com
The Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) has developed four tutorials to assist international medical graduates (IMGs) with the ERAS 2011 application process. Topics covered include
a) requesting a 2011 ERAS Token,
b) uploading a digital photograph,
c) completing an on-line Document Submission Form and
d) re-using letters of recommendation for Repeat Applicants.
You can access the tutorials here.
.
The Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) has developed four tutorials to assist international medical graduates (IMGs) with the ERAS 2011 application process. Topics covered include
a) requesting a 2011 ERAS Token,
b) uploading a digital photograph,
c) completing an on-line Document Submission Form and
d) re-using letters of recommendation for Repeat Applicants.
You can access the tutorials here.
.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
MSAR Update
by Michelle A Finkel MD, InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com
I've been searching for a more updated summary of the MSAR; I still regularly use the one noted in this blog entry, but it is not this year's version. I have a summary that's more current but less clear; email me (insidermedical@gmail.com) if you're interested in it.
Bottom line: The numbers are virtually the same - only a bit higher, meaning it's gotten a little harder to get into medical school (no surprise).
Contact me for secondary essay editing.
I've been searching for a more updated summary of the MSAR; I still regularly use the one noted in this blog entry, but it is not this year's version. I have a summary that's more current but less clear; email me (insidermedical@gmail.com) if you're interested in it.
Bottom line: The numbers are virtually the same - only a bit higher, meaning it's gotten a little harder to get into medical school (no surprise).
Contact me for secondary essay editing.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Good Writing Means Never Having to Say, "I Want to be a Doctor"
by Michelle A. Finkel MD, Insider Medical Admissions
It's important to express to medical school admissions officers why you want to be a physician, but the key - as always - is to show, rather than tell. The content of your accomplishments and the skills and insight you have gained from them are compelling. Stating that you really, really want to be a doctor is not. (This is true for post bacc, residency and fellowship applicants too.)
Contact me for help with your medical school personal statement and secondary essays. Unlike other consultants, I do all of my own work - while maintaining quick turn around times. Here are copious testimonials about my work.
It's important to express to medical school admissions officers why you want to be a physician, but the key - as always - is to show, rather than tell. The content of your accomplishments and the skills and insight you have gained from them are compelling. Stating that you really, really want to be a doctor is not. (This is true for post bacc, residency and fellowship applicants too.)
Contact me for help with your medical school personal statement and secondary essays. Unlike other consultants, I do all of my own work - while maintaining quick turn around times. Here are copious testimonials about my work.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Clarifying Your Honors
By Michelle A. Finkel MD, InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com
A word to the wise: Be explicit about the honors you have earned. Although you may be aware that a position you garnered was competitive, the reader may not. For example, you could write
As an intern at the American Nonexistent Foundation, I completed two research projects.
Or you could write
Out of a pool of ninety applicants, I was awarded the selective American Nonexistent Foundation’s annual internship, where I completed two research projects.
See the difference?
Contact me for AMCAS and ERAS help. I do all of my own work (no outside, anonymous editors) and expedite my clients’ edits.
A word to the wise: Be explicit about the honors you have earned. Although you may be aware that a position you garnered was competitive, the reader may not. For example, you could write
As an intern at the American Nonexistent Foundation, I completed two research projects.
Or you could write
Out of a pool of ninety applicants, I was awarded the selective American Nonexistent Foundation’s annual internship, where I completed two research projects.
See the difference?
Contact me for AMCAS and ERAS help. I do all of my own work (no outside, anonymous editors) and expedite my clients’ edits.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
New ACGME Recommendations for Work Hours
By Michelle A. Finkel MD, InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com
The New England Journal of Medicine released last week the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)'s latest duty hour recommendations. They are more stringent, providing more compassionate training for doctors and, hopefully, better care for patients. This table may be an easier way to visualize the changes.
I recall very clearly the week I worked one hundred and thirty-eight hours during my surgical rotation. I am still recovering :(.
The New England Journal of Medicine released last week the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)'s latest duty hour recommendations. They are more stringent, providing more compassionate training for doctors and, hopefully, better care for patients. This table may be an easier way to visualize the changes.
I recall very clearly the week I worked one hundred and thirty-eight hours during my surgical rotation. I am still recovering :(.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)