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ECFMG Data

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First of all, congratulations to all residency applicants who matched on March 21! I appreciated the good news from clients. Please take some time to enjoy yourselves before the hard work of residency begins.

The Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) and the National Residency Match Program (NRMP) recently partnered to publish some really important data for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) called “Charting Outcomes in the Match for International Medical Graduates.” Previously, “Charting Outcomes in the Match” was available, but it left IMGs trying to interpret the Independent Applicant data. This document is far clearer. It can be found here.

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Medical School Personal Statement

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personal statement for medical school and medical school admissionsAs I mentioned in my penultimate (I love that word) blog entry, it’s time to get started on your medical school personal statement. We’ve talked about distinguishing yourself with your accomplishments. Now, let’s start at the top and briefly consider the intro.

Catching the reader’s attention is a way to make an excellent first impression and increase the odds that your essay will be read – not skimmed. Consider a topic that is distinctive to you that also demonstrates traits, talents, and/or perspective that other applicants might not have. I’ve read excellent essays that start with a description of applicants’ unique hobbies, international experiences, performances, and sports events. Note that these may seem to have nothing to do with medicine at first blush. However, once they are conveyed for a few sentences (not more!), the skilled writer can link the introductory stories to traits, talents, and/or perspective that make the writer a good match for medical school.

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Getting into Residency – Sending Appreciation to a Great Audience

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I wanted to thank all of those who attended my AMSA national conference lecture. We had such great attendance that we caused a fire hazard – with audience members even packing the aisle. Yikes!

If anyone needs a lecture handout, please email me at insidermedical@gmail.com.

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Medical School Personal Statement

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Hard to believe, but it’s already time to start tackling the medical school personal statement. Over the course of the next few blogs, I’ll offer tips on how to get started on your essay, so that you can initiate a draft early and be on top of your application.

Remember that the goal of the personal statement is to distinguish yourself from all of the other applicants. The best way to make yourself distinctive is by showcasing your accomplishments. Your essay should be dense with achievements. Avoid purple prose. After all, who you are to the admissions reader is what you’ve done.

Here’s a short blog of mine from 2012 that reminds applicants that highlighting accomplishments does not mean regurgitating a resume (although the highlights of your curriculum vitae absolutely should be covered in your essay).

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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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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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