Here’s a NYT op-ed piece about learning to write concisely, an important skill in the admissions process.
Blog Archives
What Would Your Mother Say?
I had a sweet client recently tell me that, although she will feel uncomfortable showcasing her accomplishments throughout her upcoming application process, she thinks her mom might be able to help her learn to speak about them fluidly.
If you have a supportive mother (father, grandparent), and you are having trouble highlighting your achievements in your personal statement, application, interview, even letter of intent, consider channeling your inner mother.
Remember: You must distinguish yourself from the other competitive candidates, and the best way to do that is with explicit examples of your accomplishments.
Optimizing your Medical School Application: AMCAS
The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS®) is a centralized application processing program for medical school candidates. AMCAS’ application has multiple sections, including demographics, academic record, experience and personal statement. The experience, or activities, section is where applicants describe their accomplishments – research, clinical, volunteer, teaching, paid work. The AMCAS experience section allows the applicant to demonstrate his or her distinctiveness as a candidate. Read more ›
Clarifying Your Honors
A word to the wise: Be explicit about the honors you have earned. Although you may be aware that a position you garnered was competitive, the reader may not. For example, you could write
As an intern at the American Nonexistent Foundation, I completed two research projects.
Or you could write
Out of a pool of ninety applicants, I was awarded the selective American Nonexistent Foundation’s annual internship, where I completed two research projects.
See the difference?
Contact me for AMCAS and ERAS help. I do all of my own work (no outside, anonymous editors) and expedite my clients’ edits.
Tags: July 2010
Update Letters
Recently I’ve helped a few clients who want to submit their AMCAS now, but are starting compelling extracurricular activities this summer. I do not recommend describing an activity in your AMCAS that you have not yet started. Doing so can make the reader think you feel your candidacy is weak – that you are grasping at straws. One thing you can do is send an update letter later. You cannot, however, submit one through AMCAS; it has to be sent individually to each institution.
Contact me for editing help. I complete all of my own work quickly and effectively.
Tags: June 2010
Dr. Finkel is a graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Medical School. On completing her residency at Harvard, she was asked to
stay on as faculty at Harvard Medical School and spent five years teaching at the world-renowned Massachusetts General Hospital.
She was appointed to the Assistant Residency Director position for the Harvard Affiliated
Emergency Medicine Residency where she reviewed countless applications, personal statements and resumes. Read more
