Early Acceptances

Great news!  Insider clients have already been accepted to Georgetown Medical School, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Virginia Tech Carillion, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, University of Arizona-Tucson, and UMass Medical School. 

Current clients, please make sure to email me with your updates!

Haven't Heard Back from a Medical School or Residency Program? Here's What to Do.

One of the more frustrating aspects of the medical school and residency admissions processes is the lack of response from some institutions. There is no obligation for medical schools or residency programs to reply to a candidate, which leaves applicants in limbo.

If you have not heard back from medical schools or residency programs to which you've applied, I recommend that you start contacting institutions to inquire about your status. After I offered that advice to some residency applicants I was advising this year, several recently emailed me to say they obtained interviews after sending emails. 

I've seen this strategy work for medical school interviews as well: Several years ago I helped a strong applicant who had been rejected by a top medical school. He thought he was a very good fit for this particular institution, so he called the school to make his case. Surprisingly, after the applicant's phone call, the school granted him an interview, reversing their original rejection. Ultimately, after being initially rejected, this applicant was admitted to that top school. Of course, this is an exceedingly rare occurrence. But to me, the moral of this story is that it is worth being assertive in the application process. 

Now, if the school or program explicitly asks in written materials that you don't contact them about your status, then calling is not a good idea.

An additional strong option is to send an effective update letter or letter of recommendation from an influential writer (alumus, for example. I do edit letters of update/interest for medical school and residency applicants, but even if you choose not to use my services, I recommend sending a well-written, strategic note in many cases).

This process is an uncertain one, but asserting some small bit of control can be useful (and comforting).

Residency and Medical School Interviews: Moving Past Impostor Syndrome

First described by psychologists Drs. Suzanne Imes and Pauline Rose Clance in the 1970s, impostor phenomenon occurs among high achievers who cannot easily internalize their successes. They often externally attribute their accomplishments to luck and worry that others will eventually realize they are frauds.

Recognize this phenomenon of self-doubt?

You are not alone. Although many people suffer in silence (as they do not want to be revealed for what they perceive to be major deficiencies), the syndrome is quite common, especially in medical school. According to one 2016 study, almost a quarter of male medical students and nearly half of female students surveyed suffered with impostor syndrome. The phenomenon can be associated with depression, burn out, and anxiety.

The American Psychological Association offers a few tips for overcoming impostor syndrome including speaking to mentors, recognizing what you excel at, and talking to a professional if necessary. Here is a fun piece in Emergency Medicine News for more information.

Check out My Interview on the Hippocratic Hustle

Thanks so much to Carrie Reynolds, MD who kindly interviewed me for the Hippocratic Hustle, her podcast about women physician entrepreneurs, career options for doctors, and financial independence. Check out my interview and show notes here. 

Register to Vote

I'm deviating from admissions topics today for a quick plug to encourage you to register to vote if you have not already. Many medical school and residency applicants have worked in other countries in clinical and teaching capacities and know how lucky we are to have the opportunity to advance our opinions here in the US. Enjoy this privilege. Here is information about how to register in your state; you can also confirm you are registered on the site.