Read the Fine Print

Several years ago, a medical school applicant told me the following story:

This pre-med decided to write follow up notes to all the schools at which he had interviewed, usually a very good idea. However, he was upset to receive a brusque note from one of the institutions telling him that a) he should have read their policies; they do not allow post-interview contact and b) he was rejected from the school.

I found the school's note pretty severe, and I strongly suspect the post-interview contact was not related to his rejection. (As an aside, he successfully and happily matriculated at another school.) But this story is a reminder that it's important to read institutions' policies about post-interview contact. Most places welcome written updates, but it's essential to confirm before you send.

The Rank Order List Access Opening Soon: Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself

On February 1 at 12 noon EST, Rank Order List (ROL) access opens, meaning applicants and programs may begin entering their rank lists at this time. Start now to think about your priorities and specifically, where you will be happiest. Waiting until the last minute and making impulsive changes to your list is not a great idea.

Please make sure to avoid simple missteps in creating your rank order list. Improving written materials and interview skills is important, but all of that work can go down the drain if applicants do not understand basic strategies for the Match. In November 2015, the NRMP published an article called, "Understanding the Interview and Ranking Behaviors of Unmatched International Medical Students and Graduates in the 2013 Main Residency Match" in the Journal of Graduate Medical Education. The data is especially important for IMGs who represented the majority of unmatched candidates.

Sadly, the authors found that some applicants made strategic errors including the below:

- Not attending all interviews, thus failing to capitalize on every opportunity to market themselves.

- Declining to rank all programs at which they interviewed or not ranking all programs they would be willing to attend.

- Misunderstanding the Match and ranking programs at which applicants did not interview.

- Failing to rank programs based on true preferences or ranking programs based on the perceived likelihood of matching.

Here is a video explanation of the Match algorithm. If you do not understand how the Match works, it is absolutely critical that you learn about it to avoid destructive errors.

It’s Not Personal

When I was in my second year of medical school, a third-year student came to speak to our class about being on the wards. (The student is now a vice chair in emergency medicine here in California.) He gave an animated talk about how important it was to recognize that when residents, attendings, or nurses hollered at us on our clinical rotations, 99% of the time, it wasn't personal; they were just experiencing stress associated with patient care. He likened the situation to Boston traffic - how drivers lean on their horns for little cause because they are simply frustrated about their days.

It's not personal, he said. What great advice.

I say the same to my clients. I've had applicants complain that faculty were wholly unprepared - reading their applications for the first time during the interview itself. Remember: It's not personal. This process is arduous, and most candidates, faculty, deans, and program coordinators are tired and doing their best, especially in a pandemic. When things are rough, give others the benefit of the doubt. It will help you get through this anxiety-producing process with your sanity intact.

New Year's Resolution: Ten Ways for Pre-Meds to Improve their Medical School Applications

It's the beginning of the year and, therefore, a great time for pre-meds to redouble their efforts toward their medical school goals. This year applications to medical school increased 18%, so the process has gotten even more competitive.

As always, I recommend a very focused approach that allows you to do more of what you want and less of what you don't. Think research will help your candidacy but don't like being in the lab? Consider public health or clinical investigations. Think volunteerism will bolster your application but don't like being one of a crowd in a group project? Start your own social justice initiative.

There are definitely necessary elements to any robust medical school candidacy (clinical experience, strong grades), but being a pre-med can also be fun, mind-broadening, and career-affirming.

Here are ten ways to improve your medical school application that will give you direction but also leeway to be a happy applicant - not just a strong one.