Quick tip: Ensure that the email and mailing addresses you provide to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) are up-to-date, and once the interview season starts, check your spam box regularly. Many medical schools and residencies contact applicants through email, and you would not want to miss an important notification or invitation because of a simple oversight.
Blog Archives
Sadly, Medicine is Not an Exception
For those of us who have worked in academic medicine, the findings of Gender Differences in the Salaries of Physician Researchers, a recent JAMA publication, was not a surprise. Still, it’s worth reading the commentary at the end of the article, especially for those who will be choosing specialties in the not so distant future.
The Craft of Writing
Two weeks ago I blogged about the importance of using your personal statement to showcase your accomplishments, while ensuring your essay does not become a resume in prose. In the “The Sound of a Sentence,” Constance Hale reviews techniques a writer can use to invigorate his or her compositions.
During my medical school admissions process, I introduced myself to my Duke interviewer who said, “Ever since reading your secondary essay, I’ve been looking forward to meeting you!” I had made a favorable impression and distinguished myself through my writing – the goal of my essay. I find some applicants are simply slogging through the process of writing their personal statements. Remember that you only have a small piece of geography to catch the admission reader’s attention. Use the personal statement space to your advantage, and don’t lose a great opportunity to make a positive impression!
Contact me for help with your written materials – AMCAS, ERAS, personal statements, secondary essays, CVs, letters of intent, etc.
Insider’s New Approach to Helping Applicants
Many of you may know that I have two blogs – one here on the Insider website and one on blogspot. I want to announce that I’ve just rolled out a new format for my blogspot blog, which includes improved searchability and a video bar. Check the blog out here.
The “search this blog” option (on the right, midscreen) can be especially helpful for applicants who are about to starting their personal statements, ERAS or AMCAS, and thus, need strategic application writing tips ASAP.
I Wish I Had Known
I was recently speaking to a colleague who graduated with his MD from UCSF and his MPH from Harvard. He’s a successful, practicing physician, and we were discussing some advice he had offered an undergraduate acquaintance who is pursuing medicine.
My colleague had advised the college student to ensure she gets to know faculty: During his undergraduate years at Stanford, my colleague had gotten acquainted with a few professors by inviting them to lunch. He had to call one or two several times before they met with him! But once they did, my colleague’s opportunities really expanded. One of the professors in particular realized my colleague’s potential and good nature and offered him a position on an honor committee and a strong medical school recommendation.
I wish someone had advised me early to get to know faculty. It turned out okay for me but not without having to do some hard thinking about whom I was going to ask for faculty recommendations. Acquainting yourself with faculty early in your academic career can afford you research and leadership opportunities. Of course, it can also help you with those much-needed letters of recommendation.
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: