Just a tip: If you are applying to residency or medical school (especially the latter) during the upcoming cycle, now is the time to get working on your personal statement. Good writing takes a long time.
Also, although my editing turn around time is always very fast (see my testimonials page regarding this topic), sending me your draft now will help you (and me 
) avoid the summer rush.
As those of you who have worked with me or have heard me lecture know, I use Evidence-Based Advising in mentoring my clients. Just like we use data to drive good clinical practice, I have developed the concept of Evidence-Based Advising to use facts to drive strong application decisions.
In previous blog entries, I’ve discussed the utility of the NRMP Program Director Survey and the NRMP’s Charting Outcomes in the Match in helping to make solid, informed application decisions.
The Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates’ (ECFMG) data on Match results is another piece of information that can be helpful. For those contemplating applying to an international medical school or for those International Medical Graduates (IMGs) approaching this year’s application cycle, understanding IMGs’ performance in the Match is important. The current data just came out and is available here.
Of course, basing your decisions only on numbers is not adequate. When we provide excellent clinical care, we use experience, as well as the literature, to make our decisions. (This necessary combination is what makes managing patients during medical school and residency so hard.) For those of you interested in strategy based on years of admissions experience, coupled with Evidence-Based Advising, please contact me for one-on-one help.
I’ll continue to publicize useful sources of data for applicants.
Congratulations to my residency applicant clients on your great success in the Match! Special kudos goes to those who applied successfully in very competitive fields.
I was also thrilled that even those with significant weaknesses in their candidacies presented themselves effectively in their written materials and interviews such that they matched well.
Now, go out and celebrate!
Thanks to everyone who attended my AMSA lecture. We had a standing-room only crowd. Your support is appreciated!
Just an update that last week the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) secured the Honorable Kathleen Sebelius, the twenty-first Secretary of Health and Human Services, to give the AMSA National Conference’s keynote address on Friday, March 9th from 1:00pm-1:50pm. Her speech will bump my talk – previously at 2:30pm – to 3pm.
I look forward to seeing many of you there.
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.
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Dr. Michelle Finkel, a former Harvard residency admissions officer, uses her expertise to provide individually-tailored advice to candidates applying to medical school, residency, fellowship, post baccalaureate and dental school programs. Years of candidate selection at Harvard taught Dr. Finkel what characteristics comprise a desirable applicant and how even bright candidates make mistakes that undermine their admissions success. Dr. Finkel is a practicing Emergency Physician with nine years of experience training medical students, residents and fellows. Read more
