Here‘s an interesting NYT article on whether going to elite colleges pays off financially (and emotionally). The results are a bit weak, but do suggest that elite schools can make a difference in income and graduate school placement.
Blog Archives
January Schedule
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!
Tags: Mock Interviews, Strategy Sessions
Thank You Notes
An applicant recently asked me to whom he should be sending thank you notes after interviews. Use this as a general guideline: If, during the interview day, you have spent more than five minutes of one-on-one time with someone from the institution, that person deserves a thank you note.
See my other blog postings on thank you notes for more information, but the bottom line is that these short notes should be handwritten (no email) and sent promptly after the interview.
Tags: Interviews, Thank You Notes
The Time Pressure of Pre-Match Offers
A few of my residency applicants have already been given pre-Match offers. Can anything be done to alleviate the time pressure often associated with these early acceptances?
First of all, I’m always impressed with pre-Match offers that do not require a rapidly-forced reply from the applicant. Better programs have the confidence to afford their applicants some time to think.
If you are made a pre-Match offer, there is no down side to requesting more time to make your decision. If the program says no, nothing is lost and if they say yes, you have a bit more time to think or interview at other institutions.
I’ve had applicants ask me if they should accept a pre-Match offer or take their chances with the Match. Of course, there’s no simple answer. Factors to consider include the strength of an applicant’s candidacy, the quality of the program and the applicant’s risk tolerance.
Tags: Residency Applicants
Super Duper Creepy
Here‘s a disturbing article in the Chronicle of Higher Education about a man who writes papers for students. (Even he is troubled by his work.)
I want to point out that I do not generate materials, and I am not a “secret weapon” for my clients. On the contrary, I am thrilled when applicants are forthcoming about my assistance. One of my clients was asked during her interview day if she had obtained professional help with her residency candidacy. When she said yes, the interviewer congratulated her on her initiative.
Contact me now for mock interview assistance. I have only a few slots left in December.
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
Listen to Dr. Finkel’s interview on The Visible Voices podcast:
Listen to Dr. Finkel’s interview on the White Coat Investor podcast:
Listen to Dr. Finkel’s interview on the FeminEm podcast:
