I’ve recently received a few questions about how best to order the AMCAS activities and the ERAS experiences. You do not have a choice in how you list your accomplishments. The computer will arrange them chronologically. This is one less thing to worry about!
Be a Minimalist
Just a reminder that AMCAS activities character limits are 700 (with up to 15 activities total) and ERAS experience character limits are 1020 (with a limitless number of activities). (The ERAS “reason for leaving” is 510.)
You do not need to write up to the character limit! In fact, brief, streamlined writing makes a much bigger impact. Your written materials are critical to your application; ensure you submit your best work.
Optional Secondary Essays: Are They Really Optional?
I’ve recently received several questions about optional secondary essays and their necessity. I would recommend completing these essays if you have something new or important to say. Writing these essays just to have more “stuff” on your application won’t further your candidacy.
Another tip on secondaries: Start early. Although there is overlap among schools, you may have twenty to thirty of these to write, depending on the number of applications you send.
Tags: Secondary Essays
IMGs: Your ERAS Tokens are Here
Just a quick note to International Medical Graduates: Residency Tokens for ERAS 2012 are now available. You can use the token to register with AAMC’s MyERAS starting on July 1.
Visit the ECFMG ERAS Support Services website for instructions on how to get your token.
Formal Attire Required
In crafting your AMCAS or ERAS activity descriptors, make sure you write formally. By that I mean write in full sentences and avoid contractions and colloquialisms. The AMCAS and ERAS are important documents that deserve respect!
Also, ensure your descriptors – without going over the character limit – can stand alone from the activity title in case the reader skims through the latter. In other words, assume the reader has not read the organization and title before your prose.
Contact me for editing help.
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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