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.
Blog Archives
The Medical Residency Interview: Quick Tips
Once your ERAS has been submitted, getting into residency kicks into high gear with the interview season. Because residency admissions have become so competitive of late – especially in certain specialties – the residency interview has become critical.
Here are a few quick tips that I offer my clients: Read more ›
The Medical Residency Interview: What if You Haven’t Received an Invitation?
Once your ERAS has been submitted, getting into residency kicks into high gear with the interview season. But what if you’ve completed your residency application and yet haven’t been invited to interview?
First of all, realize that residency admissions have become increasingly competitive of late. This is especially true for “lifestyle” specialties like Radiology, Opthalmology, Anesthesia and Dermatology (often termed the “ROAD”). The number of applicants in those fields and others is generally increasing, as the number of medical students continues to increase. Thus, the lack of an invite may just represent overloaded admissions offices. Read more ›
The Medical Residency Interview: Mistakes to Avoid
Once your ERAS has been submitted, your residency admission pivots on your interview performance. And because residency admissions have become so competitive of late – especially in this weaker economy – the medical residency interview has become critical.
There are a few, simple easy mistakes that you can avoid with a little preparation:
- Don’t speak in general terms. Your goal is to distinguish yourself from all of the other applicants by highlighting your achievements. Answer questions with specific examples of what you have done in order to demonstrate that you are distinctive. Don’t worry about repeating what is in your residency application. It is expected that you will flesh out your ERAS and personal statement during the interview. Read more ›
The Medical School Interview: What if You Haven’t Received an Invitation?
Once your AMCAS and secondary essays have been submitted, getting into medical school kicks into high gear with the interview season. But what if you’ve completed your application and yet haven’t been invited to interview?
First of all, realize that medical school admissions have become increasingly competitive of late – especially in this weaker economy. Competitive applicants who would have considered business or law school are now recognizing the stability of a medical career. The number of applicant has again increased this year. The lack of an invite may just represent overloaded admissions offices.
However, there are a few things you can do to determine your status:
- Through AMCAS, you can ensure your application is complete. I have had several clients who believed they submitted their applications in full, but noted that one or more schools listed their applications as incomplete.
- If the institution does not expressly forbid it, you can call the school. Be polite when asking about your status. I have had an occasional client who is invited for an interview upon calling.
- Send a letter of intent. Let the school(s) know of your continued interest and your new accomplishments. Ensure the letter is well written, streamlined and brief.
One would never take the MCAT without practicing first and yet, countless applicants go to medical school interviews without preparing. Once you receive your first invitation, consider working with a professional: Because applicants can unknowingly undermine their chances of success with poor interview skills, a qualified, personalized medical school admissions consultant provides a great advantage.
Medical school admissions consulting companies come in a variety of forms. Some are bigger businesses that focus on admissions to several types of graduate programs – not just medicine. Others are smaller and 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 highly respected medical institutions. They have the inside knowledge of how medical school admissions work, providing individualized guidance to optimize applicants’ personal statements, applications and interview skills.
When choosing a medical school admissions consulting company, a candidate 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 pre-medical applicants, especially during these competitive times.
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
