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IMGs and J-1 visa waivers

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As many international medical graduates know, the J-1 exchange visa is restrictive and its corresponding waiver is highly coveted.

There was an interesting article in the New York Times this week regarding the symbiotic relationship that can develop between medically-needy, non-urban areas and IMGs who want their J-1 waiver. Because medical school costs are so high, many American graduates focus their job hunting on urban centers, leaving the needy rural areas without adequate physician penetration.

The article is a good, short read, especially for IMGs considering their future options.

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Quick tip: ERAS and AMCAS content

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Here’s an important tip for those who have not yet submitted their applications to medical school or residency:

If your reader does not understand an activity (or activities) on your application you will not get “credit” for what you’ve done. Although you are very familiar with your accomplishments you need to spell them out in your application as though you are speaking to a lay person.

I read an interesting observation once that when small children do not understand something they don’t cry or get agitated; they simply look away and focus elsewhere. Imagine that this applies to your adult admissions committee member as well. You must explain your research, clinical experience, volunteer work, etc. in the simplest terms if you want your reader to concentrate on it.

For help with your ERAS, AMCAS or secondaries check me out at www.InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com .

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Catchy personal statements

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I’ve blogged before about the importance of starting your essay with a “clincher,” something that will convince the reader your statement is worth reading: I found this short piece in the Stanford Magazine worth a read. The author compiled a list of first lines from the application essays of Stanford’s newest college class.

Some of my favorites:

Unlike many mathematicians, I live in an irrational world; I feel that my life is defined by a certain amount of irrationalities that bloom too frequently, such as my brief foray in front of 400 people without my pants.

When I was 8 years old, I shocked my family and a local archaeologist by discovering artifacts dating back almost 3,500 years.

As an Indian-American, I am forever bound to the hyphen.

For help with your medical school, residency or secondary essays contact me: www.InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com .

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Quick tip: Personal statement content

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On September 8th I wrote an entry on the number one mistake I see in personal statements (wordiness). Today I’m writing about the number two mistake I see.

Writing an essay that is not distinctive to you is a waste of a chance to sell yourself. If any sentence in your essay could have been written by someone else the phrase should be omitted.

The goal of your essay is to highlight your accomplishments and activities and demonstrate how the qualities you have garnered from them will make you a good [insert doctor or specialist here]. So if you say, “Internal medicine is an excellent specialty because it encompasses clinical medicine, research, technology and preventive care” you are not writing a personal essay. You are simply writing an essay… and a dull one at that. This concept is valid for medical school secondary essays as well.

For help making your essay distinctive and increasing your admissions appeal contact me at http://www.insidermedicaladmissions.com/ .

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Secondary essay dilemma

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Many of my med school applicant clients have been emailing me about their frustration over the number of secondary essays they have to complete. It might sound like a nice problem to have but remember that many schools send out secondaries indiscriminately – to all applicants from whom they received primary applications. It’s cynical but true: Secondaries are a way for schools to make a little cash.

I recommend the following to keep your workload to a manageable level:

1. Start to prioritize where you want to attend school. If you’ve applied to fifty schools (some people do) and have received an equivalent number of secondaries, this is the time to consider which schools you want to eliminate. Don’t be flattered by the fact that you were asked to complete secondary (especially because, as mentioned above, some schools send them out to all applicants).

2. Try to use the same essay for several secondaries. With some small changes (or better yet, none at all) an essay may be versatile.

3. Get help from a professional. I edit scores of essays every month. I offer secondary essay editing as part of my services.

For individualized help on your secondary essays, go to http://www.insidermedicaladmissions.com/applicants/medapplicant.shtml .

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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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