Match Violations

This WSJ article refers to a PGY-1's experience last year with Match violations.

I was asked multiple inappropriate (and illegal) questions when I was interviewing. (I was later told that one of my interviewers was taken off the roster because of his routine practice of asking unprofessional questions.) One thing I review with my clients in residency mock interviews is how to best answers these questions. I am currently scheduling mock interviews into the end of October, so please contact me soon if you are interested in my assistance.

Business School Applications

There's a recent NYT article on the lessening interest in business school compared to years past. The decline is not severe, but I suspect that competitive candidates who considered business school in the past may now consider medical school, as being a physician is seen as a stable career choice in these uneasy times. As I've mentioned before, I think the poor economy may make medical school admissions rougher.

Medical Students Posting Profanity

Check out the recent article in the NYT regarding a JAMA study that demonstrates a surprisingly high number of medical students who post profanity online. It's kind of a strange research question, but makes for some good conversation.

Law School Admissions

My friend and colleague Ann Levine recently published a comprehensive book called The Law School Admission Game: Play Like an Expert. Although the book targets a different applicant pool, medical school, residency and fellowship candidates may find the sections on writing an excellent personal statement and getting the best letters of recommendation helpful. Check out Ann's book here.

Interview Strategies: Why Did You Interview at this Time?

Most medical school, residency and fellowship applicants schedule their interviews according to convenience and cost, but you may be asked why you arranged your interview so early or so late in the season. The real concern behind this question is that you are interviewing early because you are using the institution for a practice session or that you are interviewing late because you had considered leaving the institution to the end in case you wanted to cancel.

Reassure the interviewer that you are serious about the program. If you are interviewing early you might say, "As soon as I was offered an invitation I took the opportunity to visit because I am very enthused about this institution." If late, you might say, "I wanted to maximally prepare for this interview because I am very interested in being here."

Contact me soon for mock interview assistance. I am scheduling two to three weeks in advance.

Updated Web Site

Please take a look at the latest updates to my testimonials page. As usual, for help with your medical school, residency, fellowship or post bacc application contact me here or email me at insidermedical@gmail.com .

Secondary Essays: A Blessing and a Curse

The number of secondaries some medical school applicants receive can be overwhelming. Some institutions send out secondaries to almost all of their applicants; remember that the process is a money-maker for schools. To lessen the time sink, try to use the same essay for several secondaries. With some small changes an essay may be used for multiple purposes.

Contact me for editing help.

Scheduling Mock Interviews

For those of you who will be seeking mock interviews please email me as soon as you receive your first invitation so that we can schedule a slot. Although it is early in the season, I am already booking two to three weeks in advance. Giving me as much notice as possible is really helpful. My email: insidermedical@gmail.com .

Nursing Home Life for Medical Students

There's a charming article in the NYT on University of New England medical students who temporarily live in a nursing home to experience what their patients do. About three-quarters down the first page there are statistics on geriatric fellowships. (Please see my other blog entry on this topic.) Geriatrics is a field that has traditionally been unpopular; but I think that will change as the population continues to age.

Contact me now for help with your fellowship application.

Appropriate Letters of Recommendation

For residency applicants, remember that beyond getting strong letters of recommendation, you want to get appropriate ones. You need at the very least one letter in your field and other letters from associated specialties; a psychiatry letter for a general surgery residency is going to be almost worthless.

For help with your residency application please contact me as soon as possible.

Personal Statement for the Preliminary Year

Candidates who apply to certain fields - Radiology, Dermatology, in some case Emergency Medicine - need a preliminary year of training before initiating their specialty residency. I've been asked about submitting the same personal statement for both the desired specialty and the prelim year.

It is appropriate to use the same essay with modifications. Ensure you explicitly address why a prelim year in - let's say Internal Medicine - will advance the rest of your career. Of course, you can be honest about what your professional goals are; the reader knows you are applying for a one -year position, but it is important to include a paragraph that focuses on how the prelim program will help you.

The season is in full swing. Contact me asap if you would like editing services.

Personal Statement: Avoiding Writers' Block

A few years ago a client told me she had more trepidation about writing her residency personal statement than taking her USMLE boards. Writers' block - experienced either before starting the essay or before working on a revision - is normal but aggravating.

I recommend two tactics:

1. Make an outline. This advice might sound like something your fourth-grade teacher would tell you, but it works. Start with a five-paragraph template (which can be changed but is a nice place to begin) and jot down each paragraph's thesis (or main point).

2. Give yourself enough time to work on the PS. The season is already progressing, so this is something to note. Writing an excellent essay in a few days is difficult. Sometimes you'll need a few days' break between revisions just to get yourself back on track.

Please contact me for help with your medical school, residency, fellowship or post bacc essays. The sooner the better. Here are updated comments about my work.

The Early Bird

Most medical school admissions are rolling, and there is an advantage to early application to residency and fellowship programs as well. If you are interested in my editing services, please consider submitting your written materials to me as soon as possible. The season has heated up already and will get even busier.

Safety Schools

Whether you call me a pessimist or a realist, I am an advocate of having a large number of safety schools on your list when applying to medical school.

I have some clients with good GPAs and mediocre MCATs and vice versa. Ensure that your safety schools include those whose averages are the same and lower than your weakest numbers. In other words, if you have a strong MCAT but a weaker GPA, pick safety schools that reflect the GPA.

Remember: You can always decline a medical school's offer of admission; you do not want to be without options.

Letters of Recommendation: Mediocre = Bad

I've been advising a lot of clients lately regarding letters of recommendation both for medical school and residency. Remember that your letters have a big impact on your application, and a mediocre letter can bomb your candidacy. Always ask your potential letter writers if they will write you a "strong letter" of recommendation. If they say no, hesitate or tell you they are too busy think of their negative responses as a favor.

For help with application strategy please contact me. The earlier in the season the better.

CNN article

Cnnmoney.com published this article on the dearth of medical students committed to primary care. I'm quoted about half-way through the piece. Enjoy!

Optimally Wording Your Non-Academic Time

I've noticed a few medical school and residency applicants using the term "year off" in their personal statements when, in fact, they've spent their time completing research, international community service or other worthwhile endeavors. Saying you "took a year off" belittles your accomplishments. Ensure you avoid language that inadvertently subtracts from your application.

Letters of Recommendation: Applying in More than One Specialty

For pre-residency candidates who are applying in more than one specialty, I recommend being up front with your letter of recommendation writers. A few clients have asked me if they should ask recommenders to compose letters for different specialties or one letter that's more generic. The former is your better bet. First, your letter writers will be appreciative if you are honest with them. Second, you'll get more appropriate, and thus stronger, letters.

Applying to more than one field - especially if one of them is competitive - is not that uncommon. There's no reason to be embarrassed.

Contact me for help with your application. 'Tis the season.

AMCAS questions? Call AAMC

For those applying to medical school who have general questions about the AMCAS, I strongly recommend calling AAMC, as I've had a lot of success with rapid responses from them. I've had less success with email but perhaps that's because of my spam filter. Here's their info:

Association of American Medical Colleges
2450 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037-1123

E-mail: amcas@aamc.org

Phone: 202-828-0600

Hours of Operation

Monday-Friday:
9 a.m. - 7 p.m. ET

Please note:
AMCAS representatives will be unavailable on Thursdays from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. ET for staff meetings.

Personal Statement: Show. Don't Tell.

Compare the following:

"I am a compassionate person with a lot of resolve who wants to help people through medicine."

"My four years of clinical work in a low-income clinic, taking vital signs and translating for Spanish-speaking patients, has strengthen my resolve to become a physician."

See the difference?

A quick reminder: In your personal statement it's critical to demonstrate your points with examples, rather than just state your thoughts. Show. Don't just tell because anyone can say s/he is good with patients, kind-hearted and hard-working. Only a few excellent candidates can prove that.

For help with your personal statement for medical school, residency, fellowship or post bacc programs contact me.

Medical School Reapplicant Advice

The number one mistake I see in clients who come to me for help as re-applicants to medical school is that their original list of schools is not congruent with their GPAs and MCATs.

In choosing schools for reapplication (or for first-time submission) ensure that you have at least ten to twenty schools whose average MCAT scores and GPAs are lower than or the same as your numbers are. Having no "safety schools" is - as it were - not safe. Check out this summary of the MSAR for a quick reference. Consider international schools if your numbers are lower than those on the MSAR summary.

Step 2 Deadline

I recently received a notification from the Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates regarding the step 2 deadline. For those planning to apply for the 2010 Match please note the following testing deadline information per ECFMG:

...As indicated in the 2009 Schedule for Reporting Step 2 CS Results, if you do not take Step 2 CS
by December 31, 2009, your result will not be available in time to
participate in the 2010 Match.

At the time of this writing, the earliest available test date at any
test center was in September 2009. Demand for the Step 2 CS examination
is already heavy for test dates in the latter part of 2009.
Additionally, test sessions at all test centers may be subject to
scheduling restrictions that limit the number of test dates available to
you.

All test sessions for the remainder of 2009 have been opened and no new
test sessions will be added through the end of the year. To maximize
your chances of obtaining a 2009 test date,

- Apply for Step 2 CS now, provided you meet the eligibility
requirements.

- Once registered, schedule your testing appointment immediately.

- If you cannot obtain a testing appointment at your preferred test
center, check for availability at other test centers.

Registering and scheduling now offer a number of benefits:

- Applicants registered for Step 2 CS can schedule immediately if a
preferred testing appointment is available.

- Applicants who schedule a testing appointment can change the testing
appointment without cost, provided they give more than 14 days' notice.
See Rescheduling in the ECFMG Information Booklet.

If you are planning to take Step 2 CS but are not planning to
participate in the 2010 Match, please consider scheduling a Step 2 CS
testing appointment that is after December 31, 2009. This will maximize
the number of testing appointments available for those who must take
Step 2 CS by December 31, 2009 to obtain their results in time to
participate in the 2010 Match.

Updated information on Step 2 CS scheduling will be posted to the ECFMG
website as it becomes available. Individuals planning to take Step 2 CS
should monitor the ECFMG and USMLE websites for the latest information.

Physician-in-Training Wellness

There's an article by Pauline Chen, M.D. in the NYT regarding the need for doctors-in-training to take better care of themselves. The piece is touching, but I think a major point is missed. A good part of the caregiver burnout that Chen talks about is related to lack of sleep,which is not addressed in the article. Take a look.

AMCAS Sequencing Activities: My Error

I want to apologize for a large error I made. The AMCAS cannot be sequenced in a preferred order despite the - apparently outdated - information I gave in a previous entry. If the applicant attempts to reorder, AMCAS will force a chronological order. I spoke to AMCAS and they indicate there is no way around this. Great apologies for my error.

Alternatives to Overscheduling the Doctor

There's an interesting NYT article on the lack of time doctors have to see their patients and alternative systems to alleviate the problem. These systems may be the wave of the future for physicians.

AMCAS: Brevity is the Soul of Wit

The AMCAS application consists of a maximum of fifteen work/activity descriptions, all of which must be maintained within a 1325 character requirement (including spaces). Do not fall into the trap of trying to fill the space. A brief, streamlined AMCAS is much more likely to be read - not scanned.

Imagine yourself as an admissions committee member who has scores - maybe hundreds - of AMCAS to review. You start to review an AMCAS that fills all of the allotted space. You are not going to look upon this favorably! You are seeking well-written, brief summaries of applicants' accomplishments.

For help with your AMCAS descriptors please contact me. Showcasing your accomplishments optimally is essential.

NRMP 2009 Data

The NRMP has published data from the 2009 Match, including "PGY-1 Match Rates" and "Number of PGY-1 Positions Offered and Filled for Selected Specialties." It's almost too much information for future residency applicants, but candidates can look through the doc to see what interests them most.

Here's it is: "Results and Data: 2009 Main Residency Match."

Physician Work Hours - Maybe Not So Bad... Eventually

Check out this comforting article about work-life balance. I've only had a label for my posts called "physician dissatisfaction," but now I'm adding "physician satisfaction." This article begs the question, though, of how much more competitive medical school admissions will become as bright students flee business.

Personal Statement - What Makes You Distinctive?

I have been receiving a lot of med school and post bacc personal statements lately and with them a lot of questions about how to best write a medical application essay. Here is a listing of all of my PS blog entries. Remember: The key is to write about what makes you a distinctive applicant and how your accomplishments have afforded you skills that make you an exceptional candidate.

IMGs: 2009 NRMP Results

The ECFMG has published stats about this year's Match for IMGs. The data is not significantly different from 2008, which means it's still not great news: In 2009 only 47.8% of U.S. citizen IMGs obtained first year positions through the Match. Of those IMGs who were not U.S. citizens, only 41.6% matched. Of course, high board scores and excellent LORs are extremely helpful. It's also important to ensure your ERAS and personal statement are optimal for submission. Contact me for help earlier rather than later please, so I can assist you best.

Mama's Rules

I strongly recommend a charming piece recently published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine written by Emergency Physician Arthur Kellermann. Most of us go into medicine for the right reasons, but it's amazing how quickly we get bogged down by exhaustion, especially during residency.

Medical School Financial Aid Options

I've have several clients who were admitted to medical school this season and may not be able to go secondary to difficulty securing tuition. Remember that getting a Federal GradPlus or other type of loan is difficult now, and that will likely continue at least through next year. Start to think now about how you will finance your education and whether you are a good risk for a loan. If not, consider what family member might co-sign a medical school tuition loan for you. The AAMC has a section on their site called Financing Your Medical Education, which is a good starting point in considering these issues.

Post Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Application Help

I've been offering help to post bacc applicants informally (with great success; my last client got into Penn). But now I've added a post baccalaureate page with a list of my services for clients. Take a look at my first blog entry on searching post baccaluareate programs for help deciding where to apply.

Physician Shortage

Here's an interesting NYT article focusing on the predicted U.S. physician shortage. It's worth a read particularly because it describes how residency slots are funded, something many people don't understand.

Calculating your GPA

I have found this document very helpful for applicants who are computing their GPAs for AMCAS. And once you've calculated your numbers, take a look at my blog entries on deciding where to apply to medical school.

Contact me for application help at Insider Medical Admissions.

Quick Tip: Step 2

I was just advising a client about when he should take his Step 2. The answer to this question is different depending on a medical students' step 1 scores, how competitive her/his specialty choice is, etc. I can make one suggestion to everyone, though:

On the ERAS form you can check a box to ensure that your Step 2 scores are not automatically released to residency programs. I recommend this. If your score is poor, you can hold it from programs to which you are applying indefinitely. If it is good, you can choose then to release it with very little delay. This move keeps your options open.

Contact me for a strategy session now - before the application season starts. I can assist with decisions about rotation scheduling, the need for research, letters of recommendation, etc.

Quick tips: Sub-i Success

Now is the time that many third year medical students are starting their sub-internships. Here are some quick tips on how to succeed:

1. Read before starting your rotation. You don't have to be ready for board-certification but knowing something about the field from the beginning will impress.
2. Be on time and eager.
3. Don't be annoying. No one likes a gunner.
4. Consider teaming up with an attending to write a case report if you're involved in an interesting case.
5. Don't complain at the hospital. At home you can punch your pillow or cry to your significant other, but at the hospital be cheerful.
6. Attend optional events (if invited) - conferences, morbidity and mortality, luncheons, grand rounds.
7. Be nice to everyone a) because it's the right thing to do and b) because you never know if you might run into someone again.

Contact me for strategy session help now. It's much better to get on top of things early. Also, check out my updated testimonials page.

Quick tip: CVs

Don't assume your CV (curriculum vitae) is being read just because you submitted it to letter of recommendation writers, admissions committees or professional recruiters. There are several pitfalls that can turn a reader off, so here are some quick tips to get your foot in the door:

1. Ensure the formatting is simple. This is one of the biggest mistakes I see: No need for multiple font changes, etc. Half the battle is readability.
2. Ensure the CV is streamlined. (This is where I help the most.)
3. Ensure you briefly describe any activity that will not be familiar to the reader so you get "full credit." For example if you won a local award, list how you were selected and out of how many other candidates. This way the reader will understand the weightiness of the honor.

Contact me for help with your CV. Having an excellent CV early is useful - not only for current needs. It also allows you to simply add accomplishments as they come throughout your medical career.

Getting Clinical Experience

How can a pre-med get clinical experience that demonstrates to admissions officers that the applicant knows what being a practicing doctor entails? Here are three ideas:

1. Work in an Emergency Department, particularly one that is academically-associated. (Doing so can offer the opportunity to get a letter of recommendation from a better-known physician. See my blog entry called "Selecting Your Letter of Recommendation Writers.")
2. Volunteer at a clinic. Volunteering at a low-income clinic often affords the opportunity to take vital signs and patient histories and assist those in need.
3. Work at a veterinarian's office (a client's great idea): This is an excellent way to get real hands-on experience that you cannot get with humans as a pre-med.

Please consider contacting me early for your med school applications. Remember the admissions are rolling at most institutions.

Interview Strategies: Advice from the Non-Medical World

There's a column in the NYTs written about interviewing for the many Americans who are currently seeking employment. I found part of it useful for medical school, residency and fellowship interviews and thought I would share that section below. Ms. Safani to whom the journalist refers is Barbara Safani, owner of Career Solvers, a career management firm.

Some people “believe that talking in generalities is the way to go,” Ms. Safani said, but hiring managers usually prefer specifics — especially examples of how you executed a project or solved a problem. Otherwise, you don’t differentiate yourself and you become a mere blur, she said.

In addition to these “stories of success,” candidates need to be able “to communicate in 30 seconds what they’re all about and how they’re going to add value to that organization,” Ms. Safani said.

If you are questioned about your weaknesses, “be authentic without being damaging,” Ms. Safani said. Be ready with an example of a weakness that is not centered on the core competencies of the job you are seeking, she said.

And, of course, be prepared to ask questions yourself — ones that show you have done research about the company. Ms. Safani recommends asking some questions that go beyond the particular job you are applying for, and that cover the direction of the company as a whole.

All of the above points are topics I discuss with my clients during their one-on-one mock interviews.

Get started early on your application for this coming season: www.InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com .

Who is fit to become a doctor?

There's a weird situation that's created a storm in Sweden: A convicted murderer was accepted to medical school. The NYT's article about the episode is worth a read, bringing up issues about what kind of person is fit to be a physician and how bad doctors can harm the reputation of the entire profession.

Contacting programs

I recommend that if you have not heard from a medical school, residency or fellowship program to which you applied that you contact the institution to inquire about your status. (The Match has passed, so, of course, this will no longer work for residency applicants for this year.)

This week I received an email from a client who told me that this technique served her well in getting a fellowship interview. The applicant had not been invited to interview at a particular program, and I suggested she call to ask about her status. By phone she was offered an interview. Two medical school applicant clients told me about similar experiences when they called schools.

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

Check me out: www.InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com . I am already assisting applicants for next year.

Match Results: Good News

I haven't heard back from all of my residency applicants yet, but so far the news looks very good with many of my clients matching to their top first or second choices. These include clients who applied in competitive specialties like orthopedics and ophthalmology. Congratulations!

What factors are most important in your residency application?

The results of the 2008 NRMP Program Director Survey are currently available on-line. According to the NRMP website, data are reported for nineteen specialties and include: (1) factors used for granting interviews and ranking applicants, (2) use of USMLE exam scores and (3) the percentage of interview slots filled prior to the November 1 release date of the MSPE (medical student performance evaluation).

Many applicants will find this information valuable in determining what program directors are currently using to evaluate applicants. Note that personal statement and interview performance are highly valued even in surgical fields. This demonstrates how important it is a) to submit excellent written materials and b) to be well-prepared for residency interviews.

This is - in part - why my application assistance has such a high impact for my clients. Contact me for assistance: InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com .

Match Day

Today is Match Day. Results are available at 1 pm EST.

Resident Work Hours

I was pretty disappointed with the responses Dr. Thomas J. Nasca, the executive director of the ACGME (Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education), made in a recent interview with Pauline Chen from the New York Times about resident work hours.

Dr. Nasca's point is that physicians in training need to put their patients' needs over their own, being prepared to suffer extended work hours. Of course professionalism dictates that the patient's well being is paramount but not at the expense of the doctor's safety. Doctors' incidence of needle sticks and motor vehicle accidents increase after extended work hours.

Furthermore, we know that someone who is excessively tired cannot make good judgments, and lack of sleep has been likened in psychological studies to intoxication. Yes, pass offs are a high risk time, but two alert physicians can communicate clearly with one another. If I were a patient, I would always prefer a new physician who had slept well over an original one who was debilitated with fatigue.

Dr. Nasca highlights a resident who was put in the position to either leave her dying patient or stay and lie about the hours she had worked. From my experience, the lies have been in the other direction: One friend at a New York program told me that one resident schedule was created for public consumption (demonstrating that the residents were working within the work hour limitation guidelines) while the real schedule was followed.

Furthermore, Dr. Nasca reports that teaching hospitals have been shown to give better care than private hospitals, but that is in spite of the long resident hours, not because of them. I recall a surgical resident who told me that on his service, after being on call, the residents were rewarded by being allowed to operate the next day. Would you want your family member to be a reward for an exhausted doctor?

A surgical colleague told me of the time she left work after extended hours, was driving home during daylight and next found herself on the side of the freeway in the dark. Apparently, she had fallen asleep at the wheel, but not before she drove her car to a safer spot. Pretty creepy.

Ooops

I want to apologize for the erroneous blog entry that went out today about Match Day. I had prewritten the notice and had scheduled it to go out appropriately, but I guess there was a glitch with blogger.com . Match Day is Thursday, March 19 (next week).

I've deleted the mistaken blog entry.

Pharmaceutical Companies and HMS

There's a provocative debate going on at my alma mater Harvard Med (HMS). A group of students is leading the fight against pharmaceutical influences on HMS teaching faculty. Another group of students says that drug company money is necessary for the vitality of Harvard.

I can say that as a student at HMS in the 90's, I was rather oblivious to the influences that are delineated in a recent NYT article on the topic. The NYT piece is worth a read.


Michelle
www.InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com

The Scramble

The Scramble starts this year on Tuesday, March 17 at noon EST. The Scramble represents the two-day period, ending when Match results are published on March 19 at noon EST, in which unmatched applicants and unfilled programs "find each other." During the Scramble, unmatched candidates can send up to thirty applications to ACGME-accredited programs to which they have not applied previously and up to fifteen to those to which they have applied.

Here are two links to more detailed descriptions of the Scramble process: The ERAS Preparing for the Scramble page and an on-line document called Post-Match Scramble Information for ERAS 2009 IMG Participants .

There are companies that will fax applicants' materials to unfilled programs. If you think you may need to participate in the Scramble, I recommend researching the quality and professionalism of those companies now - prior to the chaos of the Scramble period.

Although I can assist candidates who want to enhance their written materials for the Scramble, I do not offer services to fax applicants' paperwork to unfilled programs. If you think you may need to participate in the Scramble and need to improve your written materials, please contact me right away: www.InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com .

Post Baccalaureate Premedical Programs

For those considering an application to post baccalaureate premedical programs, I'd recommend the AAMC searchable database. The search options are comprehensive, including degree type and special program focus.

With regard to program focus, it's important to consider the courses you've completed before applying to a post baccalaureate program because some are intended to offer science curriculum to those who have not had it, while others act as academic-record enhancers. Along those lines, remember that not all courses in a program may be classified as BCPM (biology, chemistry, physics and math) by AMCAS so ensure you review a post bacc program's classes and their classification before applying.

Most post baccalaureate programs require an updated resume and essay. I've had experience editing written materials for post bacc applicants and am happy to help more candidates: InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com .

Being a physician: A recession-proof job?

According to a recent study, despite the recession, physician salaries increased by 4.4% for specialists and 4% for primary care physicians in 2008. Sullivan, Cotter and Associates is a compensation and human resource management firm that utilized surveys of 257 health care organizations employing more than 41,000 physicians to publish their findings.

Nursing and other health care jobs (physician assistant, home health aide) are also being seen as good careers in this economy. Newsweek.com listed these in their recent photo montage called "Recession-proof jobs."



Check me out at www.InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com .

Thank you notes: Goofy but gracious

My feeling about post-interview thank you notes is that they can't hurt. In theory it seems a little funny that a candidate would thank a faculty member in writing for an obligatory interview. But when I was interviewing candidates at Harvard, it really was nice to receive a note from an applicant.

My suggestions regarding thank you notes:

1. Hand write - no emails.
2. Send the note in a timely manner (the next day).
3. Keep it brief.
4. If there was something particularly noteworthy about the interview (a common interest) mention it.
5. Be formal in your tone.

Good luck,
Michelle
www.InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com

Away rotations

Some medical schools are currently requiring their students to plan their spring and summer rotations. The question I am asked is what my thoughts are on the utility of away rotations. Here we go:

1. They are either really good or really bad. Never in between. If you think you are going to shine then consider being away. If you are just revving up then don't go. The last thing you want is to spend a month away only to have the institution rule you out early. (If you have a strong application that is even more reason not to go away.)
2. Consider the financial cost. Unless you have free housing, being away can get very expensive.

I have a few clients who are strategically contacting me early - now during their third years - for strategy sessions. It's a good idea to get professional advice now and not be blindsided later about weaknesses you could have improved.

Early Bird Special

I'm using this blog entry to alert my blog readers that effective February 13 at noon PST, I will be implementing a price increase in some editing services. In gratitude for your blog reading patronage, I am alerting you as a courtesy to allow you or any friends you wish to refer the opportunity to purchase services at the current "Early Bird" rates. Please see my payment page for details regarding the changes.

My pricing reflects my commitment as an experienced admissions officer to helping my clients get ahead. Every applicant gets my personal attention. Every edit is done solely by me. With my services my clients can feel confident that they get what they pay for.

Thank you! Michelle

Letters of Intent: What They Should Include

A few applicants have emailed me asking me how to write a letter of intent (LOI), whose goal is to get the attention of a medical school and get off the wait list. Here are my recommendations:

1. Keep it short. More than one page will very likely be left unread.
2. Keep it formal.
3. Clarify your enthusiasm. If the school is your number choice say so.
4. Summarize your accomplishments (briefly) and what makes you a distinctive candidate.
5. Update your application.

I have helped numerous clients with LOIs and am, of course, always available for editing assistance: InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com .

The recession hits AMSA

Bad news: I got word this week that AMSA is being forced to cancel my lecture at the national convention for lack of funding.

Per my contact, the poor economy affected several groups that would typically support a medical student professional advancement lecture. It's unfortunate but I look forward to giving my lecture in the future.

The blog will take a brief break while I am on vacation!

What if I haven't heard about my status?

My recommendation for applicants who haven't heard from institutions is to get on the phone and ask. I've had two clients who have done this and have consequently been invited for interviews at those institutions. One applicant was told she was missing a letter of recommendation (which doesn't really make sense since the process is computerized). The other was invited on the spot on the phone. Additional tips:

1. Be polite. Do not be pushy.
2. Advise the person who answers the phone that you have been offered other interviews (if you have) and that you are trying to make travel plans. (This is honest, and most people are sympathetic to the aggravation and cost involved with organizing travel.)
3. Do no call institutions if their web sites or other materials directly advise you not to call regarding your status.

For help with mock interviews please contact me at insidermedical@gmail.com . After we had practiced together, one of my clients was recently offered a medical school spot by phone within 24 hours of her interview!

Your favorite institution

A few people have asked me whether it's wise during the interview, in thank you notes or in letters of intent to tell an institution that it's your favorite. I say, "Sure, if it's true." On the other hand, it's not wise - as some applicants do - to tell all institutions that they're your first choice. I can assure you from experience that admissions committee members across the country speak to one another. And you may see these selection committee members again.

I remember an applicant who told our institution that we were his first choice. He was ranked to match but didn't because he had ranked another residency over us. After that, my colleagues were pretty clear that they wouldn't forget this deceptive behavior if they interacted with him professionally in the future (seeking a job, seeking a committee position).

Check me out: InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com .

GI physician shortage predicted

For my blog-followers who are either currently applying to an Internal Medicine (IM) residency or who are already in their first year of an IM training program, there's an interesting article on a predicted GI physician shortage. The GI folks I have talked to seem to enjoy their work, feel they are mostly fairly remunerated but have worries about how technologies (like CT imaging) might infringe on their subspecialty. This article may diminish some of those worries about GI's future.

Scheduling Interview Practice: Think Early

For those of you who are planning to contact me for mock interviews please think early. I have had a few clients requesting emergency sessions. Giving me as much notice as possible is really helpful. My email: insidermedical@gmail.com .

The East Coast - West Coast Conundrum

If you are from either coast and are interviewing on the opposite side of the country, it's really important that you make clear that you are willing to move. There is a prejudice - especially in the West Coast to East Coast direction - that applicants may not be serious about a cross-country institution.

Don't be afraid to come out and tell your interviewer that you would like to try the other coast - experience something new. Or if you have family in the institution's area mention that. Institutions want to know that you are serious about them before making an offer.

For help with your interviews contact me through InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com .

MCAT: More Timeline Questions

As a follow up to my last blog, another question that often comes up is how far back schools recognize and credit MCAT scores. There's not a definitive answer. Most schools require that scores not be more than two to three years old, but this time frame varies from school to school. If you have concerns it's worth contacting the institution.

Check me out: www.InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com

MCAT scores: How far back can schools see?

I've had a few nontraditional candidates ask me whether med schools can see very old MCAT scores. Here's the scoop: The Medical College Admission Test folks follow what they call their Full Disclosure policy, which means all scores from exams taken since April 2003 are automatically released to AMCAS and the schools that the applicant specifies. If the applicant tested prior to April 2003, s/he has the choice of whether to send those scores.

For help with your application please contact me via www.InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com . I am scheduling mock interviews up to four weeks in advance so email me soon.

Happy new year!

Medical School Costs

Here's a short downer of an article on medical school debt. Per the NEJM, The median cost of attending medical school for one year (including fees) is $62,243 at private schools and $44,390 for state residents at public schools. The graph - following the trends in cost and reimbursements over the past ten years - is particularly grave.

Interviews: What are they really looking for anyway?

It helps to prepare for your interviews by considering what the questions are really asking. There are several reassurances medical school, residency and fellowship interviewers are seeking:

1. Are you sure you know what you're doing? If you're applying to medical school, can you demonstrate that you are familiar with what being a doctor entails? (Giving examples of clinical experience helps.) If you are applying for residency or fellowship, are you confident you want to be a [insert specialty or subspecialty here]? Institutions do not want to accept someone who later quits. It looks bad and can be very inconvenient, especially for residency and fellowship schedules!

2. Are you crazy? Is there anything that tips the interviewer off to some problem personality? Are you going to harass your colleagues, commit a crime or do anything that will cause the institution extra work and embarrassment? (A colleague told me about an applicant who started his interview by putting his feet on her desk and ended it by winking at her. Needless to say, he was not ranked to match.)

3. Are you really interested in this institution? If we send you an acceptance/ put you high on our match list will you really come here? You can try to convince them by knowing the institution and the city it's in.

For individualized help on your interviews give me a jingle: insidermedical@gmail. I have excellent feedback from my clients on my personalized mock interviews: http://insidermedicaladmissions.com/about/testimonials.shtml .

The blog will take a short break over the Christmas holiday.

Offers outside of the match

One of my clients emailed me to say she was already offered a residency position outside of the match but had a short deadline by which to make her decision or the offer was off the table. (This was the first program at which she had interviewed.) She asked me what to do. I'd love to say I had a great answer.

Taking a position outside of the match (before you have time to interview at other places) is safe and very understandable. But some people are risk-takers and would rather wait it out and see what happens in the Match. I don't think one or the other is the right way to go: It really depends on your risk tolerance. I recommend relying on your family and your gut to make a decision like this one because it is so individual.

But such a conundrum is a nice problem to have, huh?


For help practicing for your interviews (as the client above had done) contact me at insidermedical@gmail.com or check out InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com .

Napping on the job?

The saga continues. Read this editorial on resident (and medical student) fatigue. I agree that mandating a nap is impossible to enforce. And can you imagine the chutzpah a resident would have to have to demand his/her nap in the current hierarchical medical training system?

How to be a good doctor

Anyone who reads my blog knows I am a big New York Times fan. There was another good article recently (even my mom pointed it out to me) regarding hubris in physicians. Just like in a good Greek tragedy, being arrogant can hurt you and your patients. Take a look at the article and remember my advice: If a nurse ever asks you to come see a patient do it. You'd be surprised how many times they can save the patient... and you.

Medical Training: Long and Dangerous Hours

Check out this NYT's article on residency training hours. What the author doesn't mention is that - despite the mandatory maximum 80-hour work week - many residents are working more. The residents have no incentive to report this to the Residency Review Committee (RRC) because they don't want to find themselves in unaccredited programs. The incentives are misaligned, leaving the residents without recourse.

Interesting feedback

A client emailed me to tell me that during one of his visits for residency interviews, a faculty member asked the group of applicants if anyone had hired a professional for mock interviews. My client was the only one to raise his hand. (I give him a lot of credit for his bravery.) The faculty member praised him publicly, and my client thinks he had a particularly good interaction with the faculty member later during their interview session.

I think it's interesting that professional admissions services are being viewed so positively by some faculty and programs.

For help with your interviews please contact me at InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com . I am booking 2 weeks in advance so email me soon.

How to evaluate an institution: Notes and vibe

A few applicants have asked me how to keep track of the institutions at which they interview. I do think taking notes immediately after your visit is worthwhile. Writing down your initial thoughts can be very helpful when you have to make decisions months later.

But I have to emphasize that I'm a firm believer in "vibe." Once you've narrowed down your list by geography and quality and once you review your notes, the decision you'll be making will be based primarily on how you felt about an institution. If this sounds too touchy-feely remember that intuition is not a magical assessment; it's based on major and minor facts that you consciously and subconsciously analyze.

For individualized help with your interviews contact me at InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com .

The blog will take a short hiatus over the holiday and the beginning of next week. Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Health care costs: Causes

There's an interesting article by economist Reinhardt that was published last week in the New York Times about what factors drive up health care costs. You'll notice that doctors' salaries are not mentioned; please see Reinhardt's 2007 article for the reason for this intentional omission.

Interview Strategies: Don't be intimidated

I've had two med students recently tell me that they felt intimidated after reading postings from other applicants on the student doctor sites. In general these web sites can be very helpful; but please don't take other people's braggadocio to heart. If you think the comments are affecting your confidence take a break from reading them. You want to approach your interviews with self-assurance.



For help building confidence for your interviews through practice with an experienced professional, contact me at insidermedical@gmail.com or InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com .

How to handle illegal interview questions

When I was interviewing for residency, a committee member asked me, “Do you have a boyfriend?” I found out after my session that he had asked the same question to all of the women interviewing at the program that day. (Apparently, soon thereafter he was disinvited from the admissions committee.)

Unfortunately, the occasional medical school, residency and fellowship interviewer will pose illegal questions about a candidate’s personal life. If you do not want to answer such a question (as most people do not) this is my suggestion:

Most interviewers do not really care about your personal life. They are asking you inappropriate questions (“Do you plan to have children in the next few years?”) because they are attempting to assess the likelihood of their accepting you to their program only to have you quit to manage personal obligations. Therefore I recommend allaying their underlying concern. Here’s an idea for an answer:

“What I think you’re gauging is whether I might leave my training. Let me assure you that if I were accepted at this institution I would absolutely complete my full tenure because I am very enthused about training here and pursuing my career.”

Wala! You’ve avoiding answering the question, calmed the interviewer and... not lost your temper.


For one-on-one interview practice contact me through InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com or at insidermedical@gmail.com. A comment from a client about her recent mock interview, “Highly recommend it. Well worth the money.”

Positive reinforcement in medical training: A very novel concept

Here's another Pauline Chen MD article worth reading. This one concerns the predominance of punishment over positive reinforcement in medical training and one researcher's novel approach to counter this phenomenon. It's another bittersweet essay but worth a read.

Quick tip: Be nice on the interview trail

It can be super stressful on the interview trail: You're worried about your performance and your travel details. Perhaps you haven't slept much. But I would recommend being at your best with two groups of people you might not have considered:

1. Secretaries/administrative assistants. These people often have tremendous power. When the administrative assistant used to tell us someone was rude to her on the phone we listened and it affected that person's candidacy. In fact, I even recommend sending thank you notes after interviews to the secretaries, assuming they helped you directly.

2. Other applicants. You will see some of these people again. It may be immediately or in a few years, but remember that one day the candidate who is sitting next to you might be able to help you when you have a scheduling emergency or family issue.

For one-on-one practice for your interviews contact me through InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com . Remember that I am scheduling two to three weeks in advance.

Interview Strategies: What (not) to wear

A lot of clients ask me what to wear to medical interviews: Your principal goal is not to get noticed for your clothing at your interview. I would generally recommend avoiding the following:

1. Clothes that are casual. Semi-formal attire is appropriate.
2. Clothes that are goofy. Avoid cartoon ties, outlandish stockings, silly hats.
3. Clothes that are revealing. (Enough said.)
4. Clothes that are uncomfortable. It's not smart to wear heels that will keep you from focusing on the hospital tour. Avoid the temptation despite the cosmetic appeal.
5. Clothes that don't fit the weather. Your interviews will be inside, but you may have to travel outside to get from one interviewer to the next.

For individualized help with your interviews please check out http://www.insidermedicaladmissions.com/. See testimonials from my clients' regarding their enthusiasm with the interview assistance I offer.

Don't forget to vote!

Med school: A real downer

Granted, my work here is to help candidates get into medical school (and residency and fellowship), but I still think I should point out a heartfelt piece by Pauline Chen, MD in the New York Times about depression and isolation in medical school. It's worth a look, but be forewarned that it is a downer. I think a lot of MDs - including myself - will agree with her assessment of medical school.

(Happy Halloween!)

Quick tip: Social events on the interview trail

Sometimes applicants are invited to a dinner the night before interviews or optional drinks after. I strongly recommend attending these social engagements if you are able. This is your opportunity to demonstrate interest in the institution, gather information you might not get otherwise and highlight your social skills. One caveat: Even if you are told you can say/ask anything at these events without effect on your candidacy keep your guard up and watch what you say and do.

For one-on-one mock interviews contact me at http://www.insidermedicaladmissions.com/ . I am scheduling up to two weeks in advance so please get in touch with me soon.

Interview Strategies: Go Carry-On

Here's another blog entry on interview strategies. Today's topic is luggage. As boring as it sounds, I want to make the case for going carry-on for two reasons:

1. Cost (on some airlines).

2. You do not want to show up to your interview in shorts. Your interview clothes should be with you at all times. I know of a true story of a residency applicant who came to his interview in jeans and a t-shirt because his luggage was lost. He arrived by plane the morning of the interview (a poor idea), had packed his clothes and - rather than be late - he showed up casual. Although you can explain the dilemma, being flustered and in flip flops is not going to instill confidence in your candidacy. If you were on the committee wouldn't you worry about this person's organizational skills and common sense?


For one-on-one mock interviews with copious verbal and written feedback please contact me at insidermedical@gmail.com or see my website www.InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com .

Interview Strategies: Cutting Costs

This is my first of many blog entries about interview strategies. I want to start by exploring ways to decrease costs, especially considering current sky high air fares. Here are several suggestions:

1. If you are ambivalent about an institution, schedule your interview later. By January you may decide not to interview there at all, saving you some money.

2. Group your interviews geographically. If you think this is impossible, consider this: There is nothing wrong with calling an institution and letting the assistant know you have been invited to interview at a nearby school/program, you can only afford to fly out to the area once and consequently, might the admissions committee be willing to let you know as soon as possible if their institution will be offering you an interview as well? As long as you are polite about your request, this is completely appropriate and won't harm your candidacy.

3. Check out travel web sites daily. Occasionally, a low price is available only if you catch it quickly.

4. Consider staying with students/residents if the institution offers. Hotels can be expensive, and sometimes you can gather useful information about the school/program this way. Just beware that anything you do or say may be repeated to the admissions committee. (Make sure to write a thank you note.)

For one-on-one interview practice please contact me via InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com . I am scheduling mock interviews up to two weeks in advance so email me as soon as possible.

Quick tip: Nontraditional medical school applicants

Many nontraditional medical school candidates have impressive accomplishments on their resumes. However, it's important for these candidates to ensure that their successes don't paradoxically harm their applications: Candidates who have thriving careers in other fields need to go the extra mile to prove their interest in leaving what they have for medical school. No admissions committee wants to accept a candidate who then quits school to resume his or her original field. You need to convince the committee that you won't be that person.

Having a lot of clinical experience is a good way of doing this. Also, conveying clearly in your application and interviews an interest in your current field (don't be negative) but a much stronger drive to become a doctor - despite the difficult training - is important. (Acknowledging the long road ahead shows you've had a reality check.)

Nontraditional candidates who want personalized assistance should check me out at www.InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com .

The recession and medical school

A friend was asking me how I thought the current recession was going to affect medical school applicants.

Historically, when the economy has worsened medical school applications have increased. Presumably, this is because medicine is a stable field; it's rare to find a doctor who wants to work who's unemployed. Furthermore, with the credit crunch, it's probable that medical schools will have poorer financial packages available for potential students.

All in all, the financial situation makes things harder for medical school applicants in more ways than one. Because the application season already got underway prior to the most recent financial downturns, I'm hoping the changes won't be felt until next year (or later).

For help optimizing your application to medical school please see www.InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com .

Personal statement and secondary essay pitfalls

Here's an oldie-but-goodie blog entry written by my colleague Ann Levine who is a law school admissions consultant. I have found these same errors in medical application essays, especially Ann's number four "I believe" (and its corollary "I feel"). Along these same lines, please see my blog entry about the importance of brevity in essay writing.

For one-on-one help with your statement please contact me at insidermedical@gmail.com or see www.InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com .

Quick tip: ERAS and AMCAS pitfalls

Here are a few errors to avoid in composing your ERAS and AMCAS:

1. Use full sentences. Some applicants erroneously use phrases in their activity descriptors. You're submitting a formal application, and full sentences are appropriate.
2. Avoid abbreviations. Again, we're talking about a formal application here so let's treat it as such. Also, abbreviations you think are common might be unintelligible to the reader.
3. Ensure the email address you offer has a spam detector that is set low. You don't want to miss important emails.
4. Do a spell and grammar check. Don't submit only to be embarrassed by a simple error.
5. Get help. Do not send your application without having it reviewed. You cannot afford to submit suboptimal materials.

For professional, individually-tailored assistance with your AMCAS or ERAS please check me out at www.InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com . My testimonials page is growing!

IMGs and J-1 visa waivers

As many international medical graduates know, the J-1 exchange visa is restrictive and its corresponding waiver is highly coveted.

There was an interesting article in the New York Times this week regarding the symbiotic relationship that can develop between medically-needy, non-urban areas and IMGs who want their J-1 waiver. Because medical school costs are so high, many American graduates focus their job hunting on urban centers, leaving the needy rural areas without adequate physician penetration.

The article is a good, short read, especially for IMGs considering their future options.

Quick tip: ERAS and AMCAS content

Here's an important tip for those who have not yet submitted their applications to medical school or residency:

If your reader does not understand an activity (or activities) on your application you will not get "credit" for what you've done. Although you are very familiar with your accomplishments you need to spell them out in your application as though you are speaking to a lay person.

I read an interesting observation once that when small children do not understand something they don't cry or get agitated; they simply look away and focus elsewhere. Imagine that this applies to your adult admissions committee member as well. You must explain your research, clinical experience, volunteer work, etc. in the simplest terms if you want your reader to concentrate on it.

For help with your ERAS, AMCAS or secondaries check me out at www.InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com .

Catchy personal statements

I've blogged before about the importance of starting your essay with a "clincher," something that will convince the reader your statement is worth reading: I found this short piece in the Stanford Magazine worth a read. The author compiled a list of first lines from the application essays of Stanford's newest college class.

Some of my favorites:

Unlike many mathematicians, I live in an irrational world; I feel that my life is defined by a certain amount of irrationalities that bloom too frequently, such as my brief foray in front of 400 people without my pants.

When I was 8 years old, I shocked my family and a local archaeologist by discovering artifacts dating back almost 3,500 years.

As an Indian-American, I am forever bound to the hyphen.



For help with your medical school, residency or secondary essays contact me: www.InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com .

Quick tip: Personal statement content

On September 8th I wrote an entry on the number one mistake I see in personal statements (wordiness). Today I'm writing about the number two mistake I see.

Writing an essay that is not distinctive to you is a waste of a chance to sell yourself. If any sentence in your essay could have been written by someone else the phrase should be omitted.

The goal of your essay is to highlight your accomplishments and activities and demonstrate how the qualities you have garnered from them will make you a good [insert doctor or specialist here]. So if you say, "Internal medicine is an excellent specialty because it encompasses clinical medicine, research, technology and preventive care" you are not writing a personal essay. You are simply writing an essay... and a dull one at that. This concept is valid for medical school secondary essays as well.


For help making your essay distinctive and increasing your admissions appeal contact me at
http://www.insidermedicaladmissions.com/ .

Secondary essay dilemma

Many of my med school applicant clients have been emailing me about their frustration over the number of secondary essays they have to complete. It might sound like a nice problem to have but remember that many schools send out secondaries indiscriminately - to all applicants from whom they received primary applications. It's cynical but true: Secondaries are a way for schools to make a little cash.

I recommend the following to keep your workload to a manageable level:

1. Start to prioritize where you want to attend school. If you've applied to fifty schools (some people do) and have received an equivalent number of secondaries, this is the time to consider which schools you want to eliminate. Don't be flattered by the fact that you were asked to complete secondary (especially because, as mentioned above, some schools send them out to all applicants).


2. Try to use the same essay for several secondaries. With some small changes (or better yet, none at all) an essay may be versatile.


3. Get help from a professional. I edit scores of essays every month. I offer secondary essay editing as part of my services.


For individualized help on your secondary essays, go to http://www.insidermedicaladmissions.com/applicants/medapplicant.shtml .

Competitiveness of a specialty's match is related to projected income

Mark Ebell, MD (University of Georgia) just published an article indicating that a higher salary in a particular specialty tends to mean more U.S. med students fill residencies in that specialty at academic hospitals.

For example, family medicine had the lowest average salary last year at $186,000; it also had the lowest share of residency slots filled by U.S. students (42%). Orthopedics, on the other hand, paid $436,000, and 94 percent of residency slots were filled by U.S students.

I think it's hard to blame U.S. med students for this trend: the Association of American Medical Colleges reports that the average graduate last year had $140,000 in student debt (up nearly 8 percent from the previous year). Yikes!

For help getting into that better-paying :) and hopefully, personally-satisfying specialty get help from me at http://www.insidermedicaladmissions.com/ .

Study shows waning med student interest in primary care

Hauer, et al published an interesting study in the recent issue of JAMA demonstrating that only two percent of nearly 1,200 fourth-year medical students surveyed plan to work in primary care internal medicine. (Click here to view the abstract.) Factors likely include lower insurance reimbursements for primary care visits (Medicare's fee schedule pays less for office visits than for simple procedures) and associated lower salaries.

Interestingly, 19.4% of the med students studied responded that their core IM clerkship made a career in general IM seem more attractive, whereas 48.8% responded that it made a career in subspecialty IM more attractive.

For help with your residency application check out http://www.insidermedicaladmsisions.com/ .

Quick tip: Personal statement length

The number one mistake I see with personal statements is wordiness. Remember to keep your essay at a single-spaced page or under (forget the word count) and avoid flowery language. As my colleague Dr. Presser says (see the bottom of this blog for his credentials), a writer should imagine s/he is being charged for each word.

So when you read your PS draft say to yourself, "If I had to pay $5 for each word how would I save myself some bucks?"

For one-on-one help with your personal statement editing please see http://www.InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com .

How important is applying early?

Because yesterday was the day when students could start applying to residency programs through ERAS, I've had a lot of clients recently ask me about the importance of getting their applications in now. These are my thoughts:

1. Yes, getting your ERAS in early helps. At the beginning of the season there weren't many ERASes to review so I recall giving more time and attention to the early applications. I was also impressed by students who could get their materials in promptly.

2. On the other hand, if your application is not in its best shape then submitting early is a huge mistake. Waiting a few weeks is absolutely preferable to submitting a suboptimal ERAS that will be tossed into the "do not invite" pile.

For personalized help on your residency application check me out at Insider Medical Admissions.

Geriatrics Fellowship Training in the News

Geriatrics as a subspecialty has been somewhat unpopular in part because of poor reimbursements. As we know, procedure-based subspecialties are best remunerated. Having said that, as the elderly population grows and the government offers some loan forgiveness programs, the field is having a bit of a resurgence. Most Geriatric Medicine fellowship programs are available to candidates from both Internal Medicine and Family Medicine backgrounds and use ERAS. Click here for a list of ERAS-participating specialties and programs, including Geriatrics. There was a short piece on NPR that is now posted on their site about Geriatrics that is worth a listen.

For one-on-one help from me with your fellowship application please see the Insider Fellowship Page for a detailed list of my admission services.

AMSA 2009 Annual Convention Speaker!

Great news! I've been invited to be a featured speaker at AMSA's 59th Annual Convention to be held in Washington, DC March 11-15, 2009. In the past the American Medical Student Association's national meetings have been the largest annual gatherings of medical students in the United States. I'll be offering an interactive lecture on insider tips for optimizing residency applications.



For one-on-one help with your application to medical school, residency or fellowship please see http://www.insidermedicaladmissions.com/ .

Tips for how to improve the likelihood of training in a city you enjoy

Please see my July 12 blog entry about the importance of prioritizing a nice place to live for your medical training, if possible. As I pointed out, not everyone gets the opportunity to go to medical school or train in a residency and fellowship program in a city that is fun and populated by a personal support system. However there are a few things that can be done to increase your chances:

1. For residents, tailor your personal statements. (ERAS allows you to do this.) I have advised people who are desperate to be in a particular city to make that clear with an extra sentence in their essays. (Just make sure, via ERAS, that you send the correct personal statement to the correct program.)
2. For medical school, residency and fellowship applicants, tell all the important individuals you encounter at your interviews. Some programs may not believe, for example, a Californian will move to the East Coast. (As a devote Californian, I hardly believe it.) If you want to move let them know and tell them why so that you are convincing.
3. For all applicants, when you write thank you notes tell the receivers.
4. For all applicants, choose accordingly. Don’t box yourself in by pursuing schools/programs in cities you cannot stomach. You may feel you need to apply broadly because of weaknesses in your application or because of how competitive medical school admissions or your specialty is. This is reasonable for many candidates. But if you have some options, explicitly consider geography as well as school/program reputation. This is particularly important for residency and some fellowship applicants who are bound to their match lists.

As I said in my July 12 entry, where you live for your medical training is as important (or more so) than the quality of your training program. For one-on-one help from me with your application please see www.InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com .

Might there be an easier way?

I can't help myself. Here's another interesting NYT article. This one chronicles the growth of the physician assistant and nurse practitioner roles.

As anyone reading (and writing) this blog knows, becoming a physician requires a tremendous financial and time commitment. According to the article, the average total income for physician assistants in full-time clinical practice is about $86,000, and the average total income for nurse practitioners is $92,000. Considering how many fewer years of training (and thus tuition) one needs, being a physician assistant or nurse practitioner is an interesting alternative for those who want to be clinicians.

Here's the link.

Controversy in New York

Here's another great NYT article. This piece discusses the controversial move by New York City’s Health and Hospitals Corporation to provide clinical training for St. George's University medical students at the city’s public hospitals. The Corporation has signed a 10-year, $100 million contract with St. George's.

Students in New York are understandably concerned that their training might be suboptimal with the influx of new students. (A problem we had at Harvard Med was the rare ability to practice procedures because of the high numbers of fellows, residents and medical students vying for experience in the Harvard hospitals).

Here's the link to the article.

For residency applicants: Where to apply

Assuming you’ve chosen your specialty (or at least have a couple in mind), a good way to get started in considering where to apply to residency is to check out FREIDA. This service is provided by the American Medical Association and is available on line: http://www.ama-assn.org/vapp/freida/srch/ . FREIDA allows you to define your search by specialty, location (see my previous blog entries on the importance of geography) and program size, amongst other specifics. It then provides all programs that meet your criteria and their details – program director, program coordinator, web site address, etc.

With this information you can pick programs initially and then contact residencies for information including application requirements; accreditation status; ERAS use; special requirements for personal statement and letters of recommendation; unique deadlines and, as necessary, if they IMG-friendly.

For one-on-one help applying to residency – strategy sessions, assistance with your ERAS, personal statement and interviews – please see http://www.insidermedicaladmissions.com/applicants/residencyapplicant.shtml .