Granted, my work here is to help candidates get into medical school (and residency and fellowship), but I still think I should point out a heartfelt piece by Pauline Chen, MD in the New York Times about depression and isolation in medical school. It’s worth a look, but be forewarned that it is a downer. I think a lot of MDs – including myself – will agree with her assessment of medical school.
(Happy Halloween!)
Sometimes applicants are invited to a dinner the night before interviews or optional drinks after. I strongly recommend attending these social engagements if you are able. This is your opportunity to demonstrate interest in the institution, gather information you might not get otherwise and highlight your social skills. One caveat: Even if you are told you can say/ask anything at these events without effect on your candidacy keep your guard up and watch what you say and do.
For one-on-one mock interviews contact me at http://www.insidermedicaladmissions.com/ . I am scheduling up to two weeks in advance so please get in touch with me soon.
Here’s another blog entry on interview strategies. Today’s topic is luggage. As boring as it sounds, I want to make the case for going carry-on for two reasons:
1. Cost (on some airlines).
2. You do not want to show up to your interview in shorts. Your interview clothes should be with you at all times. I know of a true story of a residency applicant who came to his interview in jeans and a t-shirt because his luggage was lost. He arrived by plane the morning of the interview (a poor idea), had packed his clothes and – rather than be late – he showed up casual. Although you can explain the dilemma, being flustered and in flip flops is not going to instill confidence in your candidacy. If you were on the committee wouldn’t you worry about this person’s organizational skills and common sense?
For one-on-one mock interviews with copious verbal and written feedback please contact me at insidermedical@gmail.com or see my website www.InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com .
This is my first of many blog entries about interview strategies. I want to start by exploring ways to decrease costs, especially considering current sky high air fares. Here are several suggestions:
1. If you are ambivalent about an institution, schedule your interview later. By January you may decide not to interview there at all, saving you some money.
2. Group your interviews geographically. If you think this is impossible, consider this: There is nothing wrong with calling an institution and letting the assistant know you have been invited to interview at a nearby school/program, you can only afford to fly out to the area once and consequently, might the admissions committee be willing to let you know as soon as possible if their institution will be offering you an interview as well? As long as you are polite about your request, this is completely appropriate and won’t harm your candidacy.
3. Check out travel web sites daily. Occasionally, a low price is available only if you catch it quickly.
4. Consider staying with students/residents if the institution offers. Hotels can be expensive, and sometimes you can gather useful information about the school/program this way. Just beware that anything you do or say may be repeated to the admissions committee. (Make sure to write a thank you note.)
For one-on-one interview practice please contact me via InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com . I am scheduling mock interviews up to two weeks in advance so email me as soon as possible.
Many nontraditional medical school candidates have impressive accomplishments on their resumes. However, it’s important for these candidates to ensure that their successes don’t paradoxically harm their applications: Candidates who have thriving careers in other fields need to go the extra mile to prove their interest in leaving what they have for medical school. No admissions committee wants to accept a candidate who then quits school to resume his or her original field. You need to convince the committee that you won’t be that person.
Having a lot of clinical experience is a good way of doing this. Also, conveying clearly in your application and interviews an interest in your current field (don’t be negative) but a much stronger drive to become a doctor – despite the difficult training – is important. (Acknowledging the long road ahead shows you’ve had a reality check.)
Nontraditional candidates who want personalized assistance should check me out at www.InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com .
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
