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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
