Blog Archives

Getting Into Medical School: Medical School Interview Advice

Getting into medical school has become increasingly difficult, in part, because of the poor economy: Competitive candidates who used to target other graduate schools are turning toward medicine, a less volatile field. Consequently, stronger candidates are now pursuing a medical career, making the medical school interview critical.

But what are medical schools looking for during the interview process?

First, they are seeking someone distinctive. Your goal is to distinguish yourself from all of the other applicants by showcasing your accomplishments. Anyone can say s/he wants to help people or is hard working. Fewer candidates can prove it. Read more ›

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The Medical School Interview: Quick Tips

Once your AMCAS and secondary essays have been submitted, getting into medical school kicks into high gear with the interview season. Because medical school admissions have become so competitive of late – especially in this weaker economy –
the medical school interview has become critical.

Here are a few quick tips – medical school interview advice – that I offer my clients: Read more ›

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The Medical School Interview: Writing Thank You Notes

Once your AMCAS and secondary essays have been submitted, getting into medical school kicks into high gear with the interview season. Because medical school admissions have become so competitive of late – especially in this weaker economy –
the medical school interview has become critical.

Thank you notes can be good ways to alert institutions of your interest. They can also serve as reminders to your candidacy. Read more ›

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Medical School Admissions: Avoiding Common Essay Pitfalls

Picture, if you will, a medical school admissions committee member beneath a halo of light reading applicant essays in her office at midnight. Caffeine on her breath, crumpled white coat next to her desk chair, she is making steady progress on the never-ending stack of applicant files until she picks up a medical school essay that begins, “I first became interested in medicine when Grandma was diagnosed with cancer…” Pulling out her hair by the fistful, she tosses the file into the trash. That cancer may not have killed your grandma, but it just might have killed your application. Read more ›

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Post Baccalaureate Article

Post baccalaureate premedical programs cater to students who are pursuing a career in medicine and have already received their bachelor’s degree. There are two traditional types of post baccalaureate programs: First, there are those that offer students the opportunity to complete the science courses necessary for a medical school application. Second, there are those that help students improve their grade point averages. In the latter case, students have completed the required pre-medical coursework, but want to improve their academic records in order to become more competitive in the medical school application process. There are other less common post baccalaureate programs that are devoted to helping students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and those who are from underrepresented groups. Read more ›

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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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Listen to Dr. Finkel’s interview on the White Coat Investor podcast:

Listen to Dr. Finkel’s interview on the FeminEm podcast: