Blog Archives

The Medical School Waitlist: Can Anything Be Done?

Just when you’ve completed your medical school interviews and feel that you can sit back and relax because – after all – the rest is out of your hands, you may be surprised by a wait list notification. What is the next step? What can you do?

First of all, realize that medical school admissions have become increasingly competitive of late – especially in this weaker economy. Competitive applicants who would have considered business or law school are now recognizing the stability of a medical career. The number of applicants has again increased this year. Being wait listed is better than being rejected, and thus a positive, despite the anxiety is causes. Read more ›

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How to Write a Compelling Letter of Intent

A medical school letter of intent is a notice to an institution explicitly stating one’s continued interest in the school. An applicant might write a letter of intent after interviewing or in response to a waitlist notification. Why write a letter of intent? Medical school admissions have become increasingly competitive of late – especially in this weaker economy. Competitive applicants who would have considered business or law school are now recognizing the stability of a medical career. The bottom line: The number of medical school applications has again increased this year.

Here are some tips for writing a noteworthy letter of intent: Read more ›

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Medical School Reapplicant Advice

The number one mistake I see in clients who come to me for help as re-applicants to medical school is that their original list of schools is not congruent with their GPAs and MCATs.

In choosing schools for reapplication (or for first-time submission) ensure that you have at least ten to twenty schools whose average MCAT scores and GPAs are lower than or the same as your numbers are. Having no “safety schools” is – as it were – not safe. Check out this summary of the MSAR for a quick reference. Consider international schools if your numbers are lower than those on the MSAR summary.

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Step 2 Deadline

I recently received a notification from the Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates regarding the step 2 deadline. For those planning to apply for the 2010 Match please note the following testing deadline information per ECFMG:

…As indicated in the 2009 Schedule for Reporting Step 2 CS Results, if you do not take Step 2 CS
by December 31, 2009, your result will not be available in time to
participate in the 2010 Match.

At the time of this writing, the earliest available test date at any
test center was in September 2009. Demand for the Step 2 CS examination
is already heavy for test dates in the latter part of 2009.
Additionally, test sessions at all test centers may be subject to
scheduling restrictions that limit the number of test dates available to
you.

All test sessions for the remainder of 2009 have been opened and no new
test sessions will be added through the end of the year. To maximize
your chances of obtaining a 2009 test date,

– Apply for Step 2 CS now, provided you meet the eligibility
requirements.

– Once registered, schedule your testing appointment immediately.

– If you cannot obtain a testing appointment at your preferred test
center, check for availability at other test centers.

Registering and scheduling now offer a number of benefits:

– Applicants registered for Step 2 CS can schedule immediately if a
preferred testing appointment is available.

– Applicants who schedule a testing appointment can change the testing
appointment without cost, provided they give more than 14 days’ notice.
See Rescheduling in the ECFMG Information Booklet.

If you are planning to take Step 2 CS but are not planning to
participate in the 2010 Match, please consider scheduling a Step 2 CS
testing appointment that is after December 31, 2009. This will maximize
the number of testing appointments available for those who must take
Step 2 CS by December 31, 2009 to obtain their results in time to
participate in the 2010 Match.

Updated information on Step 2 CS scheduling will be posted to the ECFMG
website as it becomes available. Individuals planning to take Step 2 CS
should monitor the ECFMG and USMLE websites for the latest information.

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Physician-in-Training Wellness

There’s an article by Pauline Chen, M.D. in the NYT regarding the need for doctors-in-training to take better care of themselves. The piece is touching, but I think a major point is missed. A good part of the caregiver burnout that Chen talks about is related to lack of sleep,which is not addressed in the article. Take a look.

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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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