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Getting into Medical School – Prove You Can Handle the Heat

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Getting into medical school has gotten so competitive that it’s important to have a strong candidacy with excellent grades and robust extracurricular activities starting freshman year. There is no time to waste.medical school application and medical school admissions

One mistake I see pre-meds make is that they are so focused on leadership and research that they forget a critical component – clinical experience. No one wants to hire a cook who hasn’t worked in the kitchen. If you want to prove that you want to be a doctor, it’s essential that you obtain clinical experience for a significant period of time – not just a health fair or two. Working as an EMT, in a good clinical care extender program, or in a low-income clinic are just some ideas for obtaining excellent clinical exposure.

To create a plan for your medical school candidacy, secure a Strategy Session with me here.

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On Your Reading List

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Every once in a while I make a book or film recommendation for those starting their medical careers. I recently found an old book that positively influenced me years ago: A Leg to Stand On by Dr. Oliver Sacks. Many of us know Sacks’ popular works (The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, Awakenings), but this is a lesser known book that has a lot to offer. In it, Sacks is the patient, and he describes being a physician in the uncomfortable sick role, exploring this vulnerable position. It’s worth a read.

On a different note, I am currently booking several weeks in advance for Strategy Sessions. If you are planning to schedule one with me, I would recommend you do so very soon, so you can secure an appointment time that works best for you.

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Writing Your Own Residency or Medical School Letter of Recommendation: Is it Ethical?

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medical school application and residency applicationIt’s not infrequent that an applicant tells me that a letter of recommendation (LOR) writer has asked the candidate to draft his/her own letter because the writer is “too busy.” I notice that medical school and residency applicants are a bit sheepish as they tell me about this arrangement. Have no fear: You are not doing anything unethical. (Here is a piece by the New York Times ethicist Ariel Kaminer regarding this exact topic.)

If a faculty member asks you to write your own letter, not only should you do it, but you should do it with zeal. Make sure you showcase the accomplishments that distinguish you from other candidates and highlight traits that are important for your future career path. Use honest – but bold – adjectives to describe your best qualities.

Remember that the letter writer has final say, so even a busy faculty member might modify the letter. Keeping this fact in mind might alleviate your (unnecessary) guilt and should encourage you to write the strongest letter you can. (It’s harder to go from outstanding to mediocre than from outstanding to excellent.)

 

Contact me for Strategy Sessions and Complete Packages. The latter are very popular this season.

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Getting to Know Faculty

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When I conduct Strategy Sessions with medical and dental school applicants, I notice a recurring problem: It’s hard to get very strong academic letters of recommendation, especially at colleges with large classes.

So I’m here to offer a piece of advice to those just starting their university studies: Get to know your profs. In addition to keeping your grades up from the beginning of your college career, acquainting yourself well with your teachers is one of the most important pieces of advice I can give to the new pre-med. Go to office hours, send an email invite for a lunch meeting or approach the faculty member about working in his or her laboratory.

In addition to being strategic, these relationships can fill a mentorship role that is invaluable.

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January Schedule

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I apologize for the delay: My January schedule is available online through my website. Please schedule Mock Interviews and Strategy Sessions early, as the slots get grabbed up quickly!

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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: