AMCAS

Here’s a reminder that the 2013 AMCAS application is scheduled to open tomorrow, Tuesday, May 1; you will be able to submit your application as early as June 5.

The first day that AMCAS will begin transmitting application data to medical schools is June 29, which means an applicant who is really on top of things could receive secondary applications as early as the 29th!

I recommend watching the AAMC’s video for details about dates and changes to this year’s AMCAS.

Please contact me early for assistance. Last year some of my most organized clients were admitted to medical school as early as October.

Changing Medical School Curriculum

Here's a NYT piece by Pauline Chen, MD regarding changes in medical school training at Harvard, Columbia, and the University of Minnesota, among other institutions. I'll also add to Dr. Chen's point: Not only does the current system of third-year rotation blocks reinforce fragmented care, but it also does not allow students adequate time to make informed decisions about their future specialties.

Friendly Reminder...

Just a tip: If you are applying to residency or medical school (especially the latter) during the upcoming cycle, now is the time to get working on your personal statement. Good writing takes a long time.

Also, although my editing turn around time is always very fast (see my testimonials page regarding this topic), sending me your draft now will help you (and me :)) avoid the summer rush.

Open Emergency Medicine Positions

I recently heard about two open EM positions – one PGY-2 and one PGY-3 – at the University of Michigan and Harbor-UCLA, respectively, starting July. (The positions were open at the time or this writing, but I cannot guarantee how long they will be available, of course.) The information I have is public, but I suspect some candidates might have trouble accessing it.

For Michigan, the administration will consider both EM trainees who have completed a year of residency or trainees from other disciplines at ACGME accredited residencies. Contact is bkulp@med.umich.edu.

For UCLA-Harbor, candidates must have completed their PGY2 year in a 1-3 program or their third year in a 1-4 program or 2-4 program before July 1. Contact is fernandez@emedharbor.edu.

Insider's Evidence-Based Advising Strategy

As those of you who have worked with me or have heard me lecture know, I use Evidence-Based Advising in mentoring my clients. Just like we use data to drive good clinical practice, I have developed the concept of Evidence-Based Advising to use facts to drive strong application decisions.

In previous blog entries, I've discussed the utility of the NRMP Program Director Survey and the NRMP's Charting Outcomes in the Match in helping to make solid, informed application decisions.

The Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates' (ECFMG) data on Match results is another piece of information that can be helpful. For those contemplating applying to an international medical school or for those International Medical Graduates (IMGs) approaching this year's application cycle, understanding IMGs' performance in the Match is important. The current data just came out and is available here.

Of course, basing your decisions only on numbers is not adequate. When we provide excellent clinical care, we use experience, as well as the literature, to make our decisions. (This necessary combination is what makes managing patients during medical school and residency so hard.) For those of you interested in strategy based on years of admissions experience, coupled with Evidence-Based Advising, please contact me for one-on-one help.

I'll continue to publicize useful sources of data for applicants.