For those of you interested in my upcoming “Getting Into Residency” lecture who have written me saying you can’t attend the AMSA national conference, I am currently working on an affordable CD-ROM with a version of the lecture, including video, audio, printable slides and a transcript.
I’ll keep you posted as the project comes to fruition. Thanks for everyone’s interest.
I had a sweet client recently tell me that, although she will feel uncomfortable showcasing her accomplishments throughout her upcoming application process, she thinks her mom might be able to help her learn to speak about them fluidly.
If you have a supportive mother (father, grandparent), and you are having trouble highlighting your achievements in your personal statement, application, interview, even letter of intent, consider channeling your inner mother.
Remember: You must distinguish yourself from the other competitive candidates, and the best way to do that is with explicit examples of your accomplishments.
There’s an interesting Malcolm Gladwell article in the latest New Yorker on the pitfalls of U.S. News and World Report’s college rankings. Gladwell’s points regarding the deficiencies of a system that tries to be “comprehensive and heterogeneous” and the flimsiness of quality proxies can be applied to medical school rankings as well.
Despite their many shortcomings, however, I do use U.S. News and World Report’s medical school rankings on my website because they are more descriptive than alphabetic order in listing where my clients have been accepted.
Here‘s a short NYT article on three new Italian medical school programs that are being taught in English in part to attract foreigners. The advantages are lesser cost, nice geography and, apparently, lower admission requirements, although for at least one institution, the entrance exam includes questions on Italian current affairs.
As the supply of doctors continues to be a problem, while admission to US schools is increasingly difficult, more international schools will likely pop up.
In medicine, we’re taught not to do a test unless it is going to change outcome. (You have a very high suspicion for a PE? Why do the ddimer? You’re going to have to do a definitive test anyway.)
The same is true for applications. Asking friends and colleagues about their progress in the application process won’t change how you proceed; you’ll do your best at interviews whether your neighbor tells you he’s already been called by ten institutions or not.
I would recommend avoiding asking others about their progress or checking websites in which applicants make claims about their successes. It’s likely to make you nervous and won’t change your management.
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
