Re-Applicants, A Daunting Task Lies Ahead

Re-applying to medical school, residency, or any other medical program is painful. I saw "Secret Ingredient for Success," a New York Times piece about self-examination, a few weeks ago and thought of those candidates who will face re-application in the next few months. In re-approaching the admissions process, it helps to have someone with expertise, experience and perspective to assess candidates' weaknesses and to propose new approaches.

A few years ago, I successfully assisted a medical school applicant who had previously been wait listed four years in a row! Here's her remark to me about her successful year after getting my input:

"Every...interview that I attended... offered [me] a spot in next year's class- including my number one school! And, remember, I had interviewed and was wait listed four times in previous application cycles!"
HD, medical school applicant

Consider contacting me for a Strategy Session and for editing assistance to avoid repeating mistakes during your next application cycle.

Who Says You Can't Have It All?

Pre-meds and 2014 ERAS applicants: Who says you can't have it all?

Every winter applicants contact me asking if I can work with them throughout the medical school and residency admissions processes. In the past, my help has been through a la carte services, but now I've created two packages (each with a $430 discount) for those applicants seeking my assistance from the beginning to the end of the admissions process.

The Complete Package for medical students covers a one-on-one Medical School Strategy Session, Editing Services (including the Medical School Personal Statement, AMCAS®, Medical School Secondary Essays, and a Letter of Intent) and Medical School Mock Interviews. Check it out here on my website!

The Complete Package for residency applicants (including IMGs) includes a one-on-one Residency Strategy Session, Editing Services (including the Residency Personal Statement, ERAS®, Curriculum Vitae, and a Letter of Intent) and Residency Mock Interviews. Check it out here on my website!

As always, feel free to email me with questions: insidermedical@gmail.com

New! Guru On the Go© Stop-Motion Video Series

Make sure to watch the first of the Insider Medical Admissions Guru on the Go© stop motion video series. These under-one-minute videos give you professional admissions tips for free... and they are cool to watch! The first one is geared toward residency applicants, but the graphics are so fun, it's worth seeing even if you aren't applying to residency. Check out the video below and subscribe to my Youtube channel to see more in the coming weeks.

Check me out at www.InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com

Interview Like a Ninja

In addition to my Friday, March 15th featured lecture, "Getting Into Residency: An Insider's Tips" at the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) Annual Convention, I'll be leading "Interview Like a Ninja" sessions that Friday before my talk. The Ninja program allows interview practice in a one-on-one speed dating format. Take a look at this cool program and register here to get expert assistance from me.


Check me out at www.InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com

When Your Debt Affects Your Dates Part 2

The New York Times recently ran Perfect 10? Never Mind That. Ask Her for Her Credit Score, an article that might worry some single pre-meds.

Along those lines, here's an interesting piece by guest blogger David Z. Presser MD MPH that specifically addresses medical school debt and romance.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Check me out at www.insidermedicaladmissions.com

Accelerated Medical School Programs: Great Opportunity or Impending Mess?

I'm sure many of you read last week's news that NYU and other medical schools will be offering a three-year, accelerated medical school program to eligible applicants.

I greeted this news with both encouragement and concern. On the one hand, it's reassuring that low- and medium-income students who cannot afford the exorbitant costs of a medical education will have the option to pursue their career dreams with less (although still significant) financial burden. Shaving off $20 to $50,000 of tuition and living costs can mean opening up the medical career to those who are understandably terrified of decades of loan repayment.

On the other hand, the NYU accelerated medical students will need to choose their specialties when they apply to medical school. In return, they will be guaranteed a residency slot when they graduate, but presumably, these applicants would have matched successfully to a residency position if they had been in a traditional program. After all, they are being accepted to a strong medical school and are competitive applicants. (NYU expects these students to stay in the top half of their class academically in order to continue in the accelerated program.)

Asking students to pick a specialty prior to even completing one day of clinical rotations begs the question of whether these future physicians will be satisfied in their fields. Studies have shown that doctors who are more dissatisfied provide lesser patient care and are more likely to leave medicine, which will worsen the accelerating doctor dearth.

Take a look here to read the NYT's article regarding NYU's new program, and make your own conclusions.

Check me out at www.insidermedicaladmissions.com

Medical School Applicants: Avoid Missteps in the Admissions Process

Check out my recent, featured interview on the Varsity Tutor blog. Note some of the biggest mistakes candidates make in applying to medical school, the single most important thing medical school applicants should focus on, and why mediocre letters of recommendation are actually bad ones.



Check me out at www.insidermedicaladmissions.com

Check Out My Latest Piece in PreMedLife Magazine

Please take a look at my recent, featured piece "Shhh...Interview Tips from a Medical School Insider" in PreMedLife Magazine.

Check me out at www.insidermedicaladmissions.com.

Medical School and Residency Interview Social Events: Dine but Don't Whine

In an effort to attract desirable applicants, some medical schools and residency programs invite candidates to social events immediately before or during the interview day. The events usually include dinner, lunch, or even drinks with the students or residents.

It's in your interest to attend these events: They show institutions that you are serious about their programs, afford you the opportunity to score social points, and allow you to gain valuable information about the students' or residents' satisfaction.

One insider piece of advice, however: Ensure you act professionally even if you are told that what you say will not affect your candidacy or get back to admissions. Even if everyone has good intentions, information garnered from these events can make its way to decision-makers. If you had a bad experience at the interview day, have a significant other who doesn't want to move, or know your first choice is a different program, these social events are not the time to reveal that information.

For insider help with medical school or residency interviews, contact me.

Check me out at www.insidermedicaladmissions.com

Medical Interview Questions: Is that Kosher?

The medical interview - whether for med school, residency, or fellowship - is subject to basic legal rules. Admissions officers should refrain from asking questions that are irrelevant to the position the interviewee is seeking. Questions about race, religion, and marital/family status are no-nos.

When I was interviewing for residency, I was asked about my dating status. Very awkward.

If you are asked these types of questions, you can simply answer (if it's not distasteful to you) or respond by addressing the intent of the question without revealing personal information. You can also refuse to answer the question; of course, this last tactic might cost you the position you are seeking.

For help responding to sticky medical interview questions, contact me.

Check me out at www.insidermedicaladmissions.com

Think Before You Post

Before you tweet that racy comment or post a picture of yourself partying on Facebook, I recommend you pause. A recent study "Social Network Activity May Affect Medical School Acceptance" from the Postgraduate Medical Journal indicates that social networking is affecting medical school and residency admissions.  Nine percent of the medical school and residency program survey participants acknowledged routine use of social networking sites as part of the selection process.

The American Medical Association has advised doctors that social network content can adversely affect physicians' reputations. That advice seems straightforward. However, what troubles me is that admissions officers can intentionally or subconsciously form negatively judgments about applicants based on the candidates' family situations (e.g. a woman applicant with a new baby), political leanings, or romantic relationships.

Contact me for help with your residency application and medical school candidacy.

Check me out at www.insidermedicaladmissions.com

Residency Application Help: AMSA National Convention

I have been asked to be a featured speaker at the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) Annual Convention for the fourth year in a row. I'm grateful for the opportunity to interact with AMSA members again. 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 called, "Getting Into Residency: An Insider's Tips" on Friday, March 13 at 3pm in Washington, DC. Last year, we had a standing-room only crowd. More on the talk as we approach the date.

In the meantime, for those applying to residency programs this year or next, contact me for help with your residency application, the residency interview, and personal statement writing.

Check me out at www.insidermedicaladmissions.com

Power Positioning

I have gotten such good feedback about my blog "How Amy Cuddy Can Help You" that I thought I would post the TED talk that Professor Cuddy gave: "Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are." I've forwarded this link to a few of my clients to help them prepare - physically - for their medical school and residency interviews. The talk is both entertaining and moving. Enjoy!

Check me out at www.insidermedicaladmissions.com

Doctorectomy

One of my former emergency medicine residents Christine Tsien Silvers wrote this provocative piece, "Doctorectomy: Why One EP Stopped Practicing Medicine." The article is charming and insightful, and it provides useful perspective on how your current career choices might clash with your future priorities. 

Check me out at www.insidermedicaladmissions.com.

Create an Elevator Pitch to Help You Stand Out

Many of you have heard the term "elevator pitch," the short summary a business person might use to describe and - hopefully - sell her product or service. In preparing for interviews, you, too, should create an elevator pitch to sell - you!

Create a 1-2 minute "summary statement" that recaps your resume. If you have this elevator pitch at the tip of your tongue, you'll be at a great advantage, ready to answer questions like "Why do you think we chose to interview you?" and prepared to showcase your accomplishment in other answers throughout the session.

For personalized help with interviews, contact me.

Check me out at www.insidermedicaladmissions.com

The Nobel Prize and the Match

Some of you may have heard about last week's economics Nobel Prize announcements, but you may not know that one of the Nobel winners created the current Match algorithm. Previously, residency applicants would try to game the Match because of an algorithm flaw, but now the system is much fairer. See this interesting NYT article for details.

Check me out at www.insidermedicaladmissions.com

How Amy Cuddy Can Help You

I recently discovered the work of Dr. Amy Cuddy, a social psychologist who teaches at Harvard Business School. Her research is really fascinating, including evidence that body language can directly affect interviewers' perceptions of candidates. For those of you who are not yet familiar with her work, it is worth examining.

Check me out at www.insidermedicaladmissions.com

Specialty Blues?

For residency applicants, picking a specialty can be a very stressful process. I remember feeling the weight of my future career on my shoulders before I selected emergency medicine.

This "most-emailed" New York Times article "Follow a Career Passion? Let it Follow You" should make residency applicants feel better about the decision-making process.

Check me out at www.insidermedicaladmissions.com

MSPE Releases Today

Just a reminder that the ERAS Medical School Performance Evaluation (MSPE) release is scheduled for today - October 1st  - instead of November 1st, as in years past. Likely this will lead to earlier interview invitations at many residency programs.

If you are interested in mock interview assistance, please consider contacting me early, so you are not caught with a surprisingly early interview without professionally-guided practice.

Check me out at www.insidermedicaladmissions.com

What do Residency Directors Really Want?

The 2012 NRMP Program Director Survey results are out, and they are very instructive. The NRMP sends questionnaires every two years to residency directors who have participated in the previous Match in an attempt to determine what factors program directors use to decide whom to interview and then whom to Match.

The overall response rate this year was 44.8% - down from 2010's survey - but the results are as useful as ever. Of note, the personal statement is one of the top factors in deciding whom to interview - more than Step 2 scores! (See page 3 for details.) Furthermore, interactions with faculty and house staff and interpersonal skills are more important than Step 1 scores and honors in clinical clerkships in ranking applicants. (See page 5 for details.)

What this means: Your personal statement and your interview skills are critical for success in the application process! Some candidates spend months studying for the Boards, yet they rush through their application written materials and don't practice before their interviews. Don't be one of those misguided people! Contact me for assistance.

Check me out at www.insidermedicaladmissions.com

Important ERAS Date

This is just a quick reminder that residency applicants can begin applying to Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) residency programs tomorrow, September 15.

NRMP Data Worth Viewing

The National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) does an excellent job of collecting and publishing Match statistics. One of their latest publications is "Results and Data: 2012 Main Residency Match," which includes valuable information like how many positions were matched in each specialty in 2012. Here is the report.

Check me out at www.insidermedicaladmissions.com

Take a Lesson from Google

I recently read this article in the New York Times regarding recruiting and keeping women at Google. Toward the bottom of the piece is something that is relevant to those applying to medical school, residency, fellowship, and dental school. Here’s the excerpt:

Google’s spreadsheets, for example, showed that some women who applied for jobs did not make it past the phone interview. The reason was that the women did not flaunt their achievements, so interviewers judged them unaccomplished.

My Mock Interview clients know that I reinforce that applicants must showcase their accomplishments fully. In the almost ten years I’ve conducted real and practice interviews, I’ve noticed that women and non-U.S. born candidates are more likely to be “overly modest” in interviews. Although modesty is an excellent trait, one doesn’t want to be overlooked because s/he is not highlighting important achievements. If you feel that it’s rude to “brag,” consider that you are really just stating facts when you speak to an interviewer about what you’ve done. Remember, too, that by understating your achievements you may be overlooked when others are skillfully showcasing successes.

For Mock Interview help, contact me. Please note: I am currently booking 2 to 3 weeks in advance.

Check me out at www.insidermedicaladmissions.com

Quick Tip: Be Too Proud to Beg

In writing their personal statements, some candidates end their essays
with a plea like "I hope your residency program will see me as a
valuable candidate who is eager to learn and work."

Remember that if you are writing an effective, persuasive document
with explicit examples of what makes you a distinctive applicant, you
won't need to make a second person appeal because your accomplishments
will make your case for you.

Imagine that you are a lawyer in front of a judge. How can you best
argue the case that you will be an excellent resident? With examples!
Keeping that idea in mind will help you show – not tell.

Check me out at www.insidermedicaladmissions.com

Medical School Secondary Essay Tip

I receive a lot of questions about the "why-our-school" secondary essay prompt. Although it's a lot of work, the goal here is to research each school and then link your qualities or interests with the school's.

The mistake I see made is that applicants tend to use generalities, e.g. "XX University is an excellent match for me because I am seeking a medical school with an outstanding faculty and a focus on research." That sentence does not afford the admissions committee members a sense that the applicant is interested in their institution. On the contrary, it sounds like something anyone could have written about any school.

Say your interests and accomplishments are linked to the underserved. Look into the school's commitment to that community - a free clinic at which the medical students volunteer, a medical student program to teach sex education in a struggling public high school, etc. Then, in your essay, specifically mention your achievements and the school's associated opportunities.

Remember: Schools want to see that you like them!

For those who need some guidance, here's information about my secondary essay service.

Check me out at www.insidermedicaladmissions.com

The AMCAS Verification Process - Longer than Expected

I'm getting feedback from some medical school applicants that this year's AMCAS verification process is taking longer than many candidates had hoped. According to the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC), applicants should expect a wait of up to six weeks from the initial "Ready to Review" status post-submission to complete processing. To check on your AMCAS status, you can go to the Main screen of the application and click on the "Status" link on the left hand side. 

You can send questions to AMCAS@aamc.org. I've found the response time to be quite fast.

Check me out at www.insidermedicaladmissions.com

MyERAS Residency User Guide

For those of you feeling lost in the logistics of ERAS, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) offers the 2013 MyERAS Residency User Guide in PDF format. It's 32 pages of detailed, step-by-step instructions to help navigate the application process. Here it is.


Check me out at www.insidermedicaladmissions.com

Earlier Release Date for Medical School Performance Evaluations (MSPEs)

This year the MyERAS PostOffice will release MSPEs to U.S. residency
programs on October 1, one month earlier than last year. (Remember:
The MSPE is a close equivalent to a dean's letter.)

U.S. medical students' designated deans' offices will attach the MSPE
(and the medical school transcript) to applicants' electronic files;
the documents are then automatically sent to all the programs to which
a candidate applies.

International applicants must ensure that their MSPEs are submitted to
ERAS Support Services at ECFMG. The documents are then processed and
transmitted to the ERAS PostOffice. (For more information on
submitting documents - including the MSPE - see the ERAS Support
Services for Applicants section of the ECFMG website at
http://www.ecfmg.org/eras/applicants-index.html.)

As always, please ensure your supporting documents are ready early in
order to avoid harmful delays in your application.


Check me out at insidermedicaladmissions.com

Keeping Your Contact Information Up-To-Date

Quick tip: Ensure that the email and mailing addresses you provide to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) are up-to-date, and once the interview season starts, check your spam box regularly. Many medical schools and residencies contact applicants through email, and you would not want to miss an important notification or invitation because of a simple oversight.


Please check me out at www.insidermedicaladmissions.com.

MyERAS Opens Two Weeks Later This Year

The MyERAS Post Office opens September 15 this year, two weeks later than last year. On the 15th, residency applicants can officially begin applying to residency programs, and the programs can begin downloading ERAS applications and supporting documents. 

Here is a link to the  ERAS 2013 Timeline.


Please check me out at www.insidermedicaladmissions.com.

Sadly, Medicine is Not an Exception

For those of us who have worked in academic medicine, the findings of Gender Differences in the Salaries of Physician Researchers, a recent JAMA publication, was not a surprise. Still, it's worth reading the commentary at the end of the article, especially for those who will be choosing specialties in the not so distant future.

Every Emergency Medicine Spot Filled in the 2012 Match

In the 2012 NRMP Match, all 1668 of the available Match positions in Emergency Medicine were filled. The fierce competition likely stems from a variety of factors - popularity of the field and the fact that currently, medical students apply to more residency spots than they had in years past.  Either way medical students need to understand that matching into EM is not easy. Having an early strategy, submitting optimal written materials, and interviewing well are critical. 

Here's is an article in the Annals of Emergency Medicine regarding last year's Emergency match.


Please check me out at www.insidermedicaladmissions.com.

The Craft of Writing

Two weeks ago I blogged about the importance of using your personal statement to showcase your accomplishments, while ensuring your essay does not become a resume in prose. In the "The Sound of a Sentence," Constance Hale reviews techniques a writer can use to invigorate his or her compositions. 


During my medical school admissions process, I introduced myself to my Duke interviewer who said, "Ever since reading your secondary essay, I've been looking forward to meeting you!" I had made a favorable impression and distinguished myself through my writing - the goal of my essay. I find some applicants are simply slogging through the process of writing their personal statements. Remember that you only have a small piece of geography to catch the admission reader's attention. Use the personal statement space to your advantage, and don't lose a great opportunity to make a positive impression!


Contact me for help with your written materials - AMCAS, ERAS, personal statements, secondary essays, CVs, letters of intent, etc.


Check me out at Insidermedicaladmissions.com.

Happy Customers

“Your turnaround speed is amazing!”

“I hope that all is well, and that your clients are all as happy as I am!”

“Your edits really helped me think deeper about this process.”

The above are comments I’ve received from clients this month. If you are hitting a wall with your AMCAS, consider hiring me.

Please check me out at www.insidermedicaladmissions.com.

Showcasing your Accomplishments without Creating a Resume in Prose

Recently, an applicant asked me how to write a personal statement that distinguished him without regurgitating his resume. 

Although highlighting your achievements is critical to make you stand out as a distinctive applicant, you can avoid simply repeating your curriculum vitae by giving a sense of your motivation, dedication, and personality with your choice of words and details. You can also express yourself through the weight you place on your varied accomplishments.

Writing a persuasive - yet personal and nuanced - essay is not easy. It takes a lot of work and multiple drafts and edits. Contact me for expert help.

Please check me out at InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com.

Expert (Goofy) Writing Tips

This entertaining list of writing don'ts offers a comic break for applicants who are working feverishly on their medical school personal statements. The rules are based on the wit and wisdom of the late New York Times' William Safire and the copywriter Frank LaPosta Visco. Enjoy!

1. A writer must not shift your point of view.
2. Always pick on the correct idiom.
3. Analogies in writing are like feathers on a snake.
4. Always be sure to finish what
5. Avoid alliteration. Always.
6. Avoid archaeic spellings.
7. Avoid clichés like the plague. (They're old hat.)
8. Avoid trendy locutions that sound flaky.
9. Be more or less specific.
10. Comparisons are as bad as clichés.
11. Contractions aren't necessary.
12. Do not use hyperbole; not one in a million can do it effectively.
13. Don't indulge in sesquipedalian lexicological constructions.
14. Don't never use no double negatives.
15. Don't overuse exclamation marks!!
16. Don't repeat yourself, or say again what you have said before.
17. Don't use commas, that, are not, necessary.
18. Don't be redundant; don't use more words than necessary; it's highly superfluous.
19. Eliminate quotations. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "I hate quotations. Tell me what you know."
20. Employ the vernacular.
21. Eschew ampersands & abbreviations, etc.
22. Eschew obfuscation.
23. Even if a mixed metaphor sings, it should be derailed.
24. Everyone should be careful to use a singular pronoun with singular nouns in their writing.
25. Exaggeration is a billion times worse than understatement.
26. Foreign words and phrases are not apropos.
27. Go around the barn at high noon to avoid colloquialisms.
28. Hopefully, you will use words correctly, irregardless of how others use them.
29. If any word is improper at the end of a sentence, a linking verb is.
30. If you reread your work, you can find on rereading a great deal of repetition can be avoided by rereading and editing.
31. It behooves you to avoid archaic expressions.
32. It is wrong to ever split an infinitive.
33. Never use a big word when a diminutive alternative would suffice.
34. No sentence fragments.
35. One should never generalize.
36. One-word sentences? Eliminate.
37. Parenthetical remarks (however relevant) are unnecessary.
38. Parenthetical words however must be enclosed in commas.
39. Place pronouns as close as possible, especially in long sentences, as of ten or more words, to their antecedents.
40. Placing a comma between subject and predicate, is not correct.
41. Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.
42. Prepositions are not words to end sentences with.
43. Profanity sucks.
44. Subject and verb always has to agree.
45. Take the bull by the hand and avoid mixing metaphors.
46. The adverb always follows the verb.
47. The passive voice is to be avoided.
48. Understatement is always best.
49. Use the apostrophe in it's proper place and omit it when its not needed.
50. Use youre spell chekker to avoid mispeling and to catch typograhpical errers.
51. Who needs rhetorical questions?
52. Writing carefully, dangling participles must be avoided.

Please check me out at InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com.

Start with a Clincher…

Advisees routinely tell me how they struggle with crafting their personal statement introductions. My advice: Start with a clincher (and end with a zinger). But how can you avoid writing about accompanying your grandmother to the emergency department/ realizing your calling? (FYI: If you are considering this tactic, it’s worth noting that I’ve seen it scores of times.)

Here is a great piece from my alma mater’s The Stanford Magazine. I originally read this short article way back in 2008, but it stuck with me.

Let the examples you read open your eyes to the opportunity you have to distinguish yourself in the eyes of medical school admissions committees and residency directors.

If you are interested in my editing assistance, please consider hiring me soon. My volume is already increasing tremendously as the summer approaches.

Please check me out at InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com.

Insider’s New Approach to Helping Applicants

Most of you have probably already noticed that I’ve just rolled out a new format here on my blogspot blog, which includes improved searchability and a video bar. 

The “search this blog” option (on the right, midscreen) can be especially helpful for applicants who are about to starting their personal statements, ERAS or AMCAS, and thus, need strategic application writing tips ASAP.

Please be sure to check out my website at InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com.

Waiting and Waiting and Waiting on the Wait List…

Good news for wait list candidates: May 15 has traditionally been that “turning-point” date that medical school wait lists start to show movement. At many U.S. medical schools, the fifteenth is the deadline on which accepted applicants must commit to matriculate. (The registration deposit makes the decision firmer.)

Although not ideal, some wait listed students even get acceptances into the summer. So, don’t give up yet.

Please check out InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com.

Wall Street versus Medical School?

This NYT article regarding college students' recruitment to Wall Street is compelling. The author highlights the financial incentives that direct students to financial careers  - and away from graduate degrees like medicine.

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.

Cool Things Med Students Do

I wanted to put in a plug for a charity that does great work in the battle against the spread of HIV. Little Travellers, an organization started by a Canadian medical student, sells beaded dolls and necklaces made by South African women infected with or affected by HIV in a community with a 45% HIV rate.

Not only does the project help with hospice care, education and medical facilities, but it also employs the bead artists who make the dolls and jewelry. If you'd like more information or you'd like to get involved, please contact Erin at erin@littletravellers.net.

The Match

Congratulations to my residency applicant clients on your great success in the Match! Special kudos goes to those who applied successfully in very competitive fields.

I was also thrilled that even those with significant weaknesses in their candidacies presented themselves effectively in their written materials and interviews such that they matched well.

Now, go out and celebrate!

AMSA Success

Thanks to everyone who attended my AMSA lecture. We had a standing-room only crowd. Your support is appreciated!

Letters of Intent

Medical school letters of intent (or what some applicants jokingly call "love letters") can be used for several types of applicants:

1) Those who have been wait listed
2) Those who have been interviewed but have not yet been accepted or rejected
3) Those who have not yet been invited to interview

When writing your letters of intent (LOIs), you should have the following principal goals:

1) Restating your interest in the institution
2) Positioning yourself as a distinctive candidate

The biggest error I see in LOIs is too much content about a specific institution's advantages. There is no reason to spend a paragraph or more telling medical school admissions members what makes their institution special. They already know! Using your precious space this way is an opportunity cost, keeping you from fully showcasing what makes you a compelling applicant.

For those of you interested in LOI assistance, please contact me. I do offer a popular LOI editing service.

AMSA Conference Update

Just an update that last week the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) secured the Honorable Kathleen Sebelius, the twenty-first Secretary of Health and Human Services, to give the AMSA National Conference's keynote address on Friday, March 9th from 1:00pm-1:50pm. Her speech will bump my talk - previously at 2:30pm - to 3pm.

I look forward to seeing many of you there.

NRMP Rank Order List Certification Deadline

Just a reminder that applicants and programs must certify their rank order lists before February 22 at 9pm EST.

Please see my previous blog entry on creating a rank list. Don't make the error of changing your rank order last minute based on panic! Your list should be a considered decision.

It Gets Better

In honor of the Dan Savage's "It Gets Better" campaign, I thought I would dedicate this blog entry to those who are in medical training and are struggling. (And who isn't?!)

Despite the relatively warm winter many of us are experiencing, this time of year can be particularly rough for medical students and residents trying to get through classes and rotations. As a practicing MD, I want to let you know that it gets better! For every medical student, resident or fellow who has heard an attending physician say, "If you think training is hard, wait until you're done," I say, "Don't believe that silly doctor!" Once you get through this tough time, you can look forward to more autonomy and a happier lifestyle.

I wish someone had told me all of this when I was going through training. It really gets better!

Making Your Match List

That time of year is quickly approaching, and I've already been asked how to optimally create a Match list. The algorithm for the Match is relatively simple; you can look at the details on this NRMP page.

The bottom line:

1. Rank programs so that they represent your true preferences. Your first choice should be first. Your second should be second and so on. Do not try to "outthink" the system, as it will only be to your disadvantage.

2. If you would rather not match than be at a specific program, then that program should not be on your Match list. Do think carefully, however, about the prospect of not matching, trying to scramble, and possibly having to reapply next year :(.

3. If you are applying to a competitive field, consider having many programs on your rank list to increase your chances of success. How many is many? See this excellent document for evidence-based assistance in how many programs you need, depending on your specialty choice.

Promises, Promises

As we approach the Match, I want to remind applicants that - although residency directors (RDs) are permitted to express strong interest in candidates - RDs' comments should not be interpreted as promises regarding rank.

Here is the NRMP's Statement of Professionalism that reviews violations and "misleading communications." The document is clearly written with examples of problematic interactions between RDs and applicants.

Pre-Match Offers

I received an urgent request from an applicant last week. He wanted to discuss a pre-match offer he had received that had a Friday deadline. The pre-match program was an academic institution, which was appealing, but the interview day had left the applicant underwhelmed for a number of reasons.

On the one hand, this offer was a sure thing. On the other, the applicant had noted what he considered to be red flags. He asked me what to do.

As usual, in life there is no right answer :). But here are a few suggestions if offered a pre-match:

1. Ask for more time. In the worst case scenario, the program director says no. Nothing lost.
2. Try to move up any interviews you have not yet attended.
3. Contact the other program directors and let them know you have a pre-match offer and give them the deadline date. They may offer you a pre-match in return. Or - on the contrary - they may let you know they are not interested. Either would be helpful in making your decision.
4. Speak to residents who are at the pre-match program. Trainees will often readily tell you the weaknesses of their institution :). This information will help you make an informed decision.
5. Assess a) your risk-taking comfort zone and b) the strength of your candidacy. This step is probably the hardest, yet most important.

In the end, the applicant did not accept the pre-match offer and is crossing his fingers he'll end up at another program he likes better. He is so relieved that - with the information he has now - the decision seems to have been the right one for him.

Outside of the Box

Now that the new year is here, many pre-meds, medical students and residents will be asked to finalize their schedules for the next year or more. Although it's easy to get wrapped up in it all, I wanted to put in a plug for something a bit unconventional - time away from the field entirely.

When I was in medical school, I took almost a year away to travel and explore journalism, a career that had always interested me. I obtained a small grant to conduct research in Mexico and then backpacked with some friends through Mexico and Guatemala. I also spent a month in Thailand. Additionally, I was awarded an American Association for the Advancement of Science Mass Media Fellowship in Science Writing, so I worked in Portland at the Oregonian writing articles for the paper.

Taking time away from medicine is not an option for everyone: Some institutions do not encourage it, and there is usually a financial opportunity cost. I will say, though, that being away from medicine made me appreciate it more and helped me improve several useful skills, including foreign language and writing.

If taking a scheduled break from the norm is a viable choice for you, I would strongly encourage it. The experiences I had have long-reaching effects that continue to help me as a physician today.

Step 2 CS Changes

In 2004, a team was created to initiate a multi-year, comprehensive review of the USMLE program. This team, called the Composite Committee, is comprised of the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) and the American public.

Last month this team announced some "enhancements" to Step 2 CS that are scheduled to start the middle of this year. Here is a summary of those changes. Updated practice materials for Step 2 CS will be posted to the USMLE website in March 2012.

An Excellent Question

I recently read a NYT piece called, "Why Would Anyone Choose to Become a Doctor?" by Dr. Danielle Ofri. It's a sweet essay written by a physician who describes being perplexed by the large number of medical school applicants yearly, considering her profession's numerous annoyances.

As the author considers alternatives to her career, however, she comes to the conclusion that her clinical encounters make it all worthwhile. The essay is a nice pick-me-up.

Interview Tips from an Entrepreneur

This article is currently at the top of the New York Times' most emailed list. It's written for those entering the work force, but it is very pertinent for applicants to medical school, residency, fellowship, and post bacc programs.

I hope everyone has a happy holiday season!

A Daring Journey Into Medical Anthropology

A few weeks ago, I recommended reading This is a Soul: The Mission of Rick Hodes, and today I want to highlight another must-read for the physician or doctor-to-be. The Spirit Catches you and You Fall Down was published in 1997 and promptly won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction, among other accolades.

The book chronicles the U.S. medical experience of a Hmong family, showcasing the twisted miscommunications between the two groups. It's an excellent story and strong reminder to all medical caregivers as to how - although everyone may be aiming for the patient's best - cultural differences can spoil the doctor-patient relationship.

Happiness: Be All That You Can Be

Medical school and residency training usually decrease one's happiness for several reasons. Happiness researchers have demonstrated that a feeling of control and the amount of spare time one has both correlate with happiness. Both of those factors are limited during med school and residency. Relationships are also correlated with happiness, and those can be squashed during medical training as well.

I'm not trying to be a downer here! I want to encourage applicants to consider this happiness quotient when selecting an institution and training program. If you are able, maximizing your contentment by choosing an institution that fosters your greatest happiness is key. Geography; proximity to family, friends and community; and a location that provides an opportunity to enjoy hobbies during limited free time is significant.

Excellent training is important, but, in the end, many programs turn out equally qualified clinicians. At least consider your well-being as a factor in selecting where you might be for the next three plus years of your life.

This Is a Soul

I wanted to put in a plug for a book I'm reading called, "This is a Soul: The Mission of Rick Hodes" by Marilyn Berger. The book chronicles the work of Dr. Hodes, an American doctor who has lived in Ethiopia for over three decades assisting children with horribly severe - oftentimes lethal - spinal problems (frequently tuberculosis-related). Dr. Hodes himself has adopted several sick Ethiopian children.

During his emergency medicine training, my husband worked with Dr. Hodes and was tremendously impressed with his dedication. Here is more information about Rick Hodes and the work he does.

Mocking Optimally

This time of year I'm commonly asked when the best time to set up a mock interview with me is.

I would recommend arranging your practice session(s) with me in the month prior to your first interview. Whether you complete the mock interview(s) weeks in advance or the day before depends on how you best retain information.

More important than when you practice is that you simply do. The NRMP Program Directors' Survey, my experience at Harvard, and my work with hundreds of Insider clients all reinforce the critical nature of the interview in assessing an applicant's candidacy.

If you are planning to hire me, please do so as soon as you get that first interview invitation. My slots go very quickly, and although I try to accommodate everyone I can, I am currently scheduling several weeks in advance because of high demand.

Here is a link to my services page.

Acceptances

It's early in the season, but some of my clients have already been accepted to

UCSD
University of Chicago
Vanderbilt
Case Western
USC (Keck)
Mayo
UCI
Rosalind Franklin and
Wake Forest!

Most medical school applicants are still early in the interview process. Consider hiring me for mock interviews to improve your chances of success.

Thank You Notes: A Plug for the US Postal Service

I was recently asked by a client about the best way to send post-interview thank you notes - email versus snail mail. This client said he had read conflicting advice online.

As a former Harvard admissions decision-maker who used to receive thank you notes, I can tell you that I strongly advise sending your thank you notes by good old USPS. The reasons are twofold:

1) Email may be viewed as lazy. Hand-written thank you notes take more time, which shows.
2) To put an email thank you note in your file, the receiver needs to take the time to print out your email. You don’t want any barriers between you and your good impression.

I do recommend getting those handwritten thank you notes in quickly. The night after you’ve completed your interview or the next day is a good time to write and send.

You Never Get a Second Chance to Blow a First Impression

I receive a lot of questions about interview attire; I have two rules to guide applicants:

1. Do not be noticed for your clothes. You want to be remembered for your accomplishments, not your attire. Years later, I still remember the applicant who arrived in a Bugs Bunny tie. (This might fly for a pediatrics interview, but even then, I wouldn't recommend it.) I also recall the applicant who arrived in jeans. (He packed his interview clothes, checked his luggage, his bags were lost, and he had nothing else to wear for his early morning interview.)

2. Be comfortable. No heels that are so high you are in too much pain to take the tour. No coat so light - but stylish! - that you can't walk out of the building.

What you wear is really much less important than how you present yourself in interviews. For help, contact me. I've recently added some mock interview slots to my online calendar because of high demand.

Being the Squeaky Wheel

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.

It was at this time when I met the applicant; we conducted a mock interview so he would be well-prepared.

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 (not aggressive!) in the medical school and residency admissions processes: Send an update letter, call institutions (politely) to inquire about your status (if they do not expressly prohibit phone calls), and be proactive during your interviews.

You need to advocate for yourself in order to be noticed.

Physician Dissatisfaction in the News

Those of you who have worked with me know that I am a realist. (That term may be a euphemism for a pessimist, but hey, I'm an emergency physician.)

It's worth reading this article in the NYT, "Young Doctors Worry About Career Choices." Although job prospects are good for new doctors, there is still a lot that makes the newbies worry.

Coaching and Mentorship

Here's an article worth reading: Personal Best by Atul Gawande, MD in the October 3 New Yorker. The piece reviews the advantages of using a coach to break down performances and improve outcomes. Gawande starts by pointing out the obvious utility of coaches for certain professionals, like athletes, and then asks why we don't use them more widely in other fields - like teaching and even medicine.

Facebook and Twitter

I have re-launched my social media networks to better share relevant information with applicants. Please stay connected with me on Facebook and Twitter!

Do Interviews Matter?

There's an interesting NYT's article from this past week called "Do College Admissions Interviews Matter?" Although the article makes a convincing argument that undergraduate interviews may not matter in many cases, it does point out that many graduate school interviews do. It also recommends doing mock interviews.

The NRMP Program Directors' Survey makes it quite clear that residency interviews matter a lot, which was also my experience as Assistant Residency Director at Harvard. I remember very robust conversations about even small comments that candidates had made in their interviews that adversely affected their ranking on our Match list.

NRMP Stats

The NRMP does a really great job of collecting and distributing useful statistics about the Match. Many of you know that a document I refer to often is the NRMP Program Directors' Survey. Recently, the NRMP has published several more documents, including "Charting Outcomes of the Match - Characteristics of Applicants Who Matched to Their Preferred Specialty in the 2011 Main Residency Match." I know clever applicants who have used the data in this document to strategically apply to residency this year.

The NRMP comments as follows regarding their analysis:

"The data in this report support the following straightforward
advice one should give to an applicant.

- Rank all of the programs you really want, without regard to
your estimate of your chances with those programs.
-Include a mix of both highly competitive and less
competitive programs within your preferred specialty.
-Include all of the programs on your list where the program
has expressed an interest in you and where you would accept
a position.
-If you are applying to a competitive specialty and you would
want to have a residency position in the event you are
unsuccessful in matching to a program in your preferred
specialty, also rank your most preferred programs in an
alternate specialty.
-Include all of your qualifications in your application, but
know that you do not have to be AOA, to have the highest
USMLE scores, to have publications, or to have participated
in research projects to match successfully."

I Wish I Had Known...

I was recently speaking to a colleague who graduated with his MD from UCSF and his MPH from Harvard. He's a successful, practicing physician, and we were discussing some advice he had offered an undergraduate acquaintance who is pursuing medicine.

My colleague had advised the college student to ensure she gets to know faculty: During his undergraduate years at Stanford, my colleague had gotten acquainted with a few professors by inviting them to lunch. He had to call one or two several times before they met with him! But once they did, my colleague's opportunities really expanded. One of the professors in particular realized my colleague's potential and good nature and offered him a position on an honor committee and a strong medical school recommendation.

I wish someone had advised me early to get to know faculty. It turned out okay for me but not without having to do some hard thinking about whom I was going to ask for faculty recommendations. Acquainting yourself with faculty early in your academic career can afford you research and leadership opportunities. Of course, it can also help you with those much-needed letters of recommendation.

MD/MBAs

Here's a recent NYT article on joint MD/MBA programs. Currently 65 MD/MBA programs exist. I have several colleagues and friends who obtained their MBAs years after obtaining their medical degrees - another option for interested physicians.

ERAS: September 1

Just a reminder that today is the day applicants can start applying to ACGME-accredited programs through the AAMC’s MyERAS website.

There are several advantages to an early application: 1) You look organized, a good quality for a future resident. 2) Admissions readers may have more time to review your application thoroughly. Later in the season, the volume can get overwhelming.

ERAS Support Services at ECFMG to Start Live Chat Option

I have found the ERAS support services at ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) to be very helpful. The representatives respond to my questions quickly via email. On September 1 ERAS support services at ECFMG is launching a live chat option to answer questions about ERAS.

Representatives will be available to live chat M-F 8a-5p EST. You will be able to access the Live Chat service here. Starting September 1, you will find a link to the Live Chat service on every associated web page.

Decision Fatigue

This recent NYC article ("Do you Suffer from Decision Fatigue?") is really interesting, especially when you think how decision fatigue might affect your medical school or residency application. It's worth having the insight this article provides as you make decisions that will affect your future (where to apply, where to send secondaries, where to interview, how you make your match list or decide what school to accept).

Being Repetitive… Again and Again and Again

In writing their personal statements, many applicants ask me if it’s okay to include their accomplishments. After all, they say, their achievements have already been noted in the application, dean’s letter, and letters of recommendation.

Think of the medical admissions process as an onion. Your application (AMCAS, ERAS, post bacc CV, AADSAS) and letters serve as one layer of that onion, albeit a thin one. In other words, your accomplishments are conveyed simply and succinctly there. The personal statement is your opportunity to apply a thicker layer, one in which you flesh out your achievements, thus persuading the reader of your distinctiveness. Finally, the interview is your chance to add on the thickest peel. Discussing your accomplishments in detail can seal the interviewer’s positive impression of you.

So yes, you are going to be redundant throughout the application process, but each part serves a different and additive purpose. If you do not include your achievements in your personal statement, how will you be viewed as distinctive? Remember: Who you are is what you’ve done... and what traits and skills you’ve gained accordingly.

Applying in Two Specialties

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 statement to internal medicine 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.)
3) You will have only one MyEras application. It will go to all of your programs.

Thus, when you select a program to apply to, you will be able to choose which documents (personal statement, LORs) you would like send to that program. ERAS, in this way, allows you to keep your options open.

Ordering Your AMCAS Activities and ERAS Experiences

I've recently received a few questions about how best to order the AMCAS activities and the ERAS experiences. You do not have a choice in how you list your accomplishments. The computer will arrange them chronologically. This is one less thing to worry about!

Be a Minimalist

Just a reminder that AMCAS activities character limits are 700 (with up to 15 activities total) and ERAS experience character limits are 1020 (with a limitless number of activities). (The ERAS "reason for leaving" is 510.)

You do not need to write up to the character limit! In fact, brief, streamlined writing makes a much bigger impact. Your written materials are critical to your application; ensure you submit your best work.

Optional Secondary Essays: Are They Really Optional?

I've recently received several questions about optional secondary essays and their necessity. I would recommend completing these essays if you have something new or important to say. Writing these essays just to have more "stuff" on your application won't further your candidacy.

Another tip on secondaries: Start early. Although there is overlap among schools, you may have twenty to thirty of these to write, depending on the number of applications you send.

California Licensure for IMGs

Today I have a guest blogger. Daniel Louvet worked in my hospital's emergency department before he left to go to medical school. Daniel is super talented, smart and an all-around nice guy :).

Below is some very helpful and detailed information for IMGs interested in the requirements for California licensure.

As a native California resident and a recent IMG from Ross University
School of Medicine, I have often been asked by my fellow colleagues
about the process of becoming a licensed physician in the state of
California. The answer is as follows:

(A) First, the international medical school MUST be recognized by the
state of California and MUST be listed on their website PRIOR to starting medical school. NO EXCEPTIONS.

(B) Second, the student's United States clinical rotations MUST fulfill these requirements:

1) A total of 70 weeks of Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) clinical rotations MUST be completed by the time the application for licensure in California is submitted.

2) Of the 70 weeks of ACGME clinical rotations, 40 weeks of the 70 weeks MUST come from CORE rotations. The minimum number of weeks for each of the respective CORE rotations are as follows:

Internal medicine - 8 weeks
General surgery - 8 weeks
Ob/Gyn - 6 weeks
Pediatrics - 6 weeks
Family medicine - 4 weeks
Psychiatry - 4 weeks

While these CORE rotations only add up to a total of 36 weeks, an additional 4 weeks to complete the total of 40 weeks MUST come from any of the CORE rotations listed.

3) Of the 70 weeks of ACGME clinical rotations, 30 weeks of the 70 weeks MUST come from ELECTIVE rotations.

4) At the end of each ACGME clinical rotation, an L6 form must be completed PER clinical rotation as part of the application process for California licensure. The L6 form can be found here.

In the event that some of the requirements are not fulfilled by your medical school graduation date, it is highly recommended you complete these rotations after graduation and prior to starting residency, through your medical school.

If you happen to do a residency outside of California and have yet to fulfill all the requirements, it is possible to count the respective rotations done while in residency towards obtaining California licensure through a petition by contacting the California medical boards at (916) 263-2382. For instance, if you had a non-approved/non-ACGME Family Medicine rotation during medical school, and you matched into a Family Medicine residency, it is possible to count the Family Medicine rotation completed during residency to obtaining California licensure in the future.

IMGs: Your ERAS Tokens are Here

Just a quick note to International Medical Graduates: Residency Tokens for ERAS 2012 are now available. You can use the token to register with AAMC's MyERAS starting on July 1.

Visit the ECFMG ERAS Support Services website for instructions on how to get your token.

Formal Attire Required

In crafting your AMCAS or ERAS activity descriptors, make sure you write formally. By that I mean write in full sentences and avoid contractions and colloquialisms. The AMCAS and ERAS are important documents that deserve respect!

Also, ensure your descriptors - without going over the character limit - can stand alone from the activity title in case the reader skims through the latter. In other words, assume the reader has not read the organization and title before your prose.

Contact me for editing help.

Scribes

Here's a short Los Angeles Times article on scribes. The article points out what a good experience scribing is for pre-meds. (And it pays!)

Application Support for IMGs

Starting July 1 IMG residency applicants can reach ERAS Support Services through extended hours Monday through Thursday 8a-6p EST and Friday 8a-5p at 215-966-3520. Remember too that applicants can get some questions answered by e-mail at eras-support@ecfmg.org. I've emailed the ERAS Support Services before, and they respond relatively quickly. If they don't have your answers, they'll point you in the right direction.

That Foreigner Song

As soon as June 1 hits, I have a multitude of medical school candidates panicking about the urgency of their application submissions. Plan ahead! Good writing takes a long time.

Even if you have a super-fast editor like me on your side :), you should expect that you will revise your materials multiple times and that each revision will take you many days or weeks.

Residency applicants: Take note. Start working on your written materials now, as some of my organized clients have already done.

"You say it's urgent
Make it fast, make it urgent
Do it quick, do it urgent
Gotta rush, make it urgent
Want it quick
Urgent, urgent, emergency
Urgent, urgent, emergency
Urgent, urgent, emergency
Urgent, urgent, emergency
So urgent, emergency
Emer... emer... emer...
It's urgent" :)

New AMCAS Certification

I received an email recently from an applicant who was interested in hiring me and wanted to know my thoughts on AMCAS' new certification requirement. The phrasing is as follows:


“I certify that all written passages, such as the personal
statement, essays required from M.D./Ph.D. applicants, and
descriptions of work/activities, are my own and have not been written,
in part or in whole, by a third party. Quotations are permitted if the
source is cited.”


I want to remind applicants that I provide only editorial services; I do not generate content. This has been my policy since starting Insider, so the new certification is not a problem for me, my business or my clients.

Let me give you an example: In aggressively editing a personal statement, I will help with syntax, organization, etc., but I will not write any section for the applicant. I might make an explicit suggestion like "Another example of clinical work here that emphasizes your ability to communicate clearly will make this paragraph more robust. Can you think of something to add?" But I will not write a section for the applicant.

Throughout my website - home page, medical school applicant page, terms and conditions - I explicitly state that I do not generate content. I have turned down clients who have asked me to do so well before AMCAS required the new certification.

AMCAS 2012 Change

This year a significant new addition has appeared on the AMCAS. Applicants are being asked to identify their most significant extracurricular experiences (up to three) and support their choices.

Here's the prompt:

"This is your opportunity to summarize why you have selected this experience as one of your most meaningful. In your remarks, you might consider the transformative nature of the experience, the impact you made while engaging in the experience and the personal growth you experienced as a result of your participation. 1325 max characters."

This new section will add to the prose a candidate must craft, so if you are hoping to apply early (beginning of June), make sure to plan accordingly.

The Good News and The Bad News... and Then More Bad News

There is a clearly-written article by Jan Greene in the current issue of the Annals of Emergency Medicine about fifteen new, US medical schools that are currently being accredited and slated to open. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) estimates that this increase will lead to an additional seven thousand medical school graduates every year throughout the next decade.

Sounds great, right? More chances of getting into a US medical school!

Well, no so fast.

The idea behind opening these new schools was to preempt the impending doctor shortage, but, as Greene points out, the new medical school openings will not solve the scarcity because there are no plans to increase the number of residency spots. In fact, in fourteen years, the number of teaching hospital residency spots for which Medicare pays a share (about thirty percent) has not increased. With Medicare cuts in the works, it's unlikely residency positions will expand or that hospitals will have extra funds for unsupported spots.

Unfortunately, this means more competition for residency spots for everyone, especially International Medical Graduates. (The domestic graduates will likely be prioritized by residency directors.) And it means no solution to the doctor shortage. Unless funding for training programs increases, which seems unlikely, future doctors should expect a bottleneck at the post-graduate level. Bad news for doctors and the American medical system.

Featured Interview

I was recently featured on Medical MasterMind Community, a website for pre-medical professionals. Here's my twenty-minute interview with explicit essay-writing tips and techniques.