Blog Archives

What Would Your Mother Say?

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.

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Applying to Multiple Specialties

Just a clarification for those medical students applying in multiple specialties: The program directors cannot see your ERAS Document Submission Form and will not be aware of the other programs to which you will be applying. I know this has been a question that has come up many times.

Contact me for ERAS and personal statement help.

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Why an Early ERAS Submission Will Help You

When I was an Assistant Residency Director evaluating ERAS, I was impressed with residency applicants who submitted their materials early. I figured those were the people who were on-the-ball and would make reliable residents. Also, early in the season, when I had only a few applications to assess, I was able to spend extra time on each ERAS. Later in the season, when I was flooded with applications, I could only give each one its allotted time.

For those two reasons, I strong recommend submitting your ERAS on September 1. Please contact me now so that you can achieve that goal.

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Plagiarism

In a recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, investigators report finding “evidence of plagiarism” in personal statements in 5.2% of residency applicants to Brigham and Women’s anesthesiology, general surgery, internal medicine, OB-GYN and emergency medicine residency programs between Sept. 2005 and March 2007.

Applicants should be aware of this type of scrutiny. (I hope that candidates won’t consider plagiarizing material for obvious ethical reasons!)

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Clarifying Your Honors

A word to the wise: Be explicit about the honors you have earned. Although you may be aware that a position you garnered was competitive, the reader may not. For example, you could write

As an intern at the American Nonexistent Foundation, I completed two research projects.

Or you could write

Out of a pool of ninety applicants, I was awarded the selective American Nonexistent Foundation’s annual internship, where I completed two research projects.

See the difference?

Contact me for AMCAS and ERAS help. I do all of my own work (no outside, anonymous editors) and expedite my clients’ edits.

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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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Listen to Dr. Finkel’s interview on the White Coat Investor podcast:

Listen to Dr. Finkel’s interview on the FeminEm podcast: