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Medical School Secondary Essays

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I’ve received several emails asking how to best answer the secondary essay question, “Why do you want to attend our school?”

Medical schools want to be assured that you know their institution, are seriously considering it and will fit in well there. I recommend doing your research on the school and linking something specific about you with the institution.

For example, if you tutored high school students in math, you might link your use of the Socratic method with the school’s tutorial-based learning. In that way, you demonstrate a knowledge of the school, show that you connect with it and showcase an accomplishment.

Contact me for secondary essay help.

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Plagiarism

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In a recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, investigators report finding “evidence of plagiarism” in personal statements in 5.2% of residency applicants to Brigham and Women’s anesthesiology, general surgery, internal medicine, OB-GYN and emergency medicine residency programs between Sept. 2005 and March 2007.

Applicants should be aware of this type of scrutiny. (I hope that candidates won’t consider plagiarizing material for obvious ethical reasons!)

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MSAR Update

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I’ve been searching for a more updated summary of the MSAR; I still regularly use the one noted in this blog entry, but it is not this year’s version. I have a summary that’s more current but less clear; email me (insidermedical@gmail.com) if you’re interested in it.

Bottom line: The numbers are virtually the same – only a bit higher, meaning it’s gotten a little harder to get into medical school (no surprise).

Contact me for secondary essay editing.

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Good Writing Means Never Having to Say, “I Want to be a Doctor”

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It’s important to express to medical school admissions officers why you want to be a physician, but the key – as always – is to show, rather than tell. The content of your accomplishments and the skills and insight you have gained from them are compelling. Stating that you really, really want to be a doctor is not. (This is true for post bacc, residency and fellowship applicants too.)

Contact me for help with your medical school personal statement and secondary essays. Unlike other consultants, I do all of my own work – while maintaining quick turn around times. Here are copious testimonials about my work.

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Clarifying Your Honors

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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.

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About Dr. Michelle Finkel

Dr. Michelle Finkel

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

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