Matching to a fellowship program is a competitive endeavor. Even strong residents can have difficulty getting fellowship positions in certain sub specialties. Those candidates that do match may not get their first or second choices, leaving them in suboptimal locations or programs. Consequently, professional fellowship admissions consulting has become increasingly important in optimizing fellowship applications, improving candidates’ chances of being admitted into the sub specialty programs they desire.
Fellowship admissions consulting companies come in a variety of forms. Some are larger companies that focus on admissions to several types of graduate programs – not just medicine. Others are smaller companies that provide a medical focus, but have a pool of consultants of varying quality. Finally, elite companies offer both the medical focus and a highly experienced consultant who works one-on-one with clients. These professionals are ex-admissions officers from respected medical institutions. They have the inside knowledge of how fellowship admissions work, providing personalized guidance to optimize candidates’ personal statements, fellowship ERAS® and interview skills.
Because applicants can unknowingly undermine their chances of success with poorly compiled materials, underdeveloped fellowship application personal statements and inadequate interview skills, a qualified, personalized fellowship admissions consultant provides a great advantage.
An expert consultant can offer a variety of services to improve a fellowship application:
- Fellowship ERAS® (or alternative application) editing. The Electronic Residency Application Service is a centralized program that transmits applications and other supporting credentials from the applicant to program directors using the Internet. Many fellowship programs now use ERAS®, although some still have individual applications. ERAS® and other applications include a section for describing all of an applicant’s accomplishments. Ensuring that a candidate’s activity descriptions are optimally-worded is essential for showcasing the applicant’s accomplishments to fellowship admissions officers.
- Fellowship personal statement. The ERAS® essay allows the applicant to demonstrate his or her distinctiveness as a candidate. Excellent organization, format, syntax, grammar and spelling are essential.
- Curriculum vitae (C.V.). The C.V. is a standardized medical resume that is offered to faculty to improve candidates’ letters of recommendation (LORs), highly important factors in the fellowship application process. The C.V. can also be used for the rest of the applicant’s professional career.
- Mock interviews. Few people would take the Boards without practicing first. But many applicants mistakenly arrive at their fellowship interviews unprepared. Being coached by an experienced professional makes an enormous difference in an applicant’s confidence and presentation to program directors and fellowship admissions committees.
When choosing a fellowship admissions consulting company, an applicant should verify the company’s references and research its consultants. Elite companies that offer both the medical focus and a highly experienced consultant who works one-on-one with clients offer a large advantage for fellowship applicants, especially during these competitive times.
