Applying in Two Specialties

Most residency candidates know that their lives will be made easier if they apply in only one specialty, but some apply to a competitive field with a backup, and others are still deciding between two at the time of ERAS submission. 

Here are some clarifications about what ERAS offers that will help you apply in two specialties:

1) Different personal statements can be assigned to different programs. This means you can assign your ob/gyn essay to ob/gyn programs and your internal medicine (IM) statement to IM residencies.
2) Different letters of recommendation (LORs) can be assigned to different residency programs as well. (A maximum of four letters may be assigned to each program.)

You will have only one MyERAS application. It will go to all of your programs. (Note that if you list your membership in multiple ob/gyn organizations, that will be viewed by your IM readers as well and might make them question your commitment to IM.)

If you are thinking of applying in three specialties, I'd say don't. Navigating the application and interview process while showing commitment to each field could be miserable. If you're at three, take a moment for some reflection, and pare your list to one or two.

How the New ERAS Schedule Might Relieve Your Stress

This year, in light of the COVID crisis, while ERAS will open on September 1, residency programs will not have access to applications until October 21, which is more than a month later than last year's date of September 15. At first glance, this alteration might seem minor: After all, if programs download applications in batches by chronological order, an applicant would still be better off submitting on September 1. However, all applications submitted September 1 through October 21 will appear to programs as being submitted on October 21. This affords residency applicants more time to get their applications in order. 

Having said that, ECFMG is still recommending that applicants submit by October 14 to be on the safe side, and I'd also suggest not waiting until the last minute. Good writing takes a long time, and you do not want to be behind the eight ball, submitting suboptimal written materials. 

For help with your residency written materials, contact me. 

"Why Our School" Secondary Essay: How to Get Started

Secondary essay prompts vary, but there are a few that are standard fare. See my recent blog entry for guidance on the familiar "diversity essay." "Why do you want to attend our school?" is also a common topic pre-meds will encounter.

Medical school admissions officers want to be assured that you know their institution, are seriously considering it, and will fit in well there. In approaching the "why-our-school" question, do your research on the institution and link something specific about you with the school's philosophy, curriculum, patient population, and/or extracurricular programs.

For instance, if you were a teaching assistant for chemistry in college, you might link your use of the Socratic method with a school's tutorial-based learning. In that way, you demonstrate knowledge of the school, show that you connect well with it, and showcase your accomplishment.  

The paradox here is that - although you are theoretically focusing your essay on one school - because so many institutions have overlapping philosophies, curricula, and objectives - you can oftentimes use the same essay framework for many different schools. 

That's one strategic way to cut down the overwhelming workload that secondary applications present. 

AAMC Fee Assistance Program Expands

In light of the COVID crisis, the AAMC has recently expanded its Fee Assistance Program income eligibility. Please take a look here for current requirements. For more information on the FAP, including an online webinar, see this AAMC page.  

To support those with financial need, l continue to offer a discount to those applicants who can demonstrate a current FAP. Contact me with questions.