Many of you know that I’m a fan of the sweet and informative podcast Your College Bound Kid. In recent episode 556, a student called in asking if she should change her career path away from medicine in light of the newest tax bill. Host Mark Stucker offered a deep-dive answer that I’d recommend. You can start listening at 9:55.
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Going to Medical School in the Shadow of the New Tax Bill
Tags: Medical Careers, Medical School, money, podcast
For Pre-Meds Applying in the Next Cycle, What IS Solid Clinical Experience Anyway?
Getting into medical school has gotten so competitive that it’s essential to have a strong candidacy with excellent grades and robust extracurricular activities. However, one mistake I see pre-meds make is that they are so focused on leadership and research, they forget a critical component – clinical experience. To prove you want to be a doctor, it’s crucial you obtain clinical experience for a significant period of time – not just a health fair or two. Good grades will not make up for a lack of clinical experience. Here are some ideas for obtaining strong clinical experience:
EMT (Some universities have EMT classes and/or jobs on campus; takes time to certify.)
Participate in a good hospital clinical care extender program (Regular hospital volunteer programs are usually not clinically focused enough.)
Work at a low-income clinic (Many require a one-year commitment.)
Certified Medical Assistant (Takes time to certify.)
Certified Phlebotomist (Same)
Certified Nursing Assistant (Same)
Work at a hospice (Because of the nature of the work, may need to be paired with another, more hands-on clinical experience.)
Scribe (Usually a full-time job)
Veterinarian’s Assistant (A great way to get hands-on procedural experience; need to explain this choice in your application.)
Pharmacy Assistant (Make sure the role is patient facing.)
Volunteer for a crisis text/phone line (May need to be paired with an in-person clinical experience.)
Shadowing is a mixed bag: Medical schools don’t know whether you’re second-assisting in the operating room or just standing in a corner being ignored. If you choose to shadow, make sure you strategically delineate your clinical experience in your written materials.
If you’re not excited about getting clinical experience, it’s time to question your interest in a career in medicine… which is exactly what admissions committees will do if they don’t see that experience.
Do your research before accepting a “clinical” job so you ensure you’ll really get a satisfying experience and show admissions committees you can handle the heat.
For Those Seeking Postbaccalaureate Program Info
Over the years, I have strongly recommended the AAMC database for those applicants seeking postbaccalaureate programs. On the left you can filter by public or private, undergraduate or graduate, and special focus. Importantly, for the latter, distinguishing whether you need a career changer or academic record enhancer program is critical.
Here’s some additional information from the AAMC regarding postbaccalaureate programs – what to look for, how the curriculum prepares students for medical school, etc.
Writing Your Own Letter of Recommendation: An Offer you Can’t Refuse
Every year applicants ask me if it’s okay to write their own letters of recommendation when the offer is made by a faculty member. It’s not unethical to write your own letter if you’re asked to do so. If you’d like to explore the scruples of this issue, take a look at this classic New York Times Ethicist column about the topic.
The mistake I see candidates make in this situation is that applicants don’t write very strong letters for themselves, likely because they feel awkward about showcasing their accomplishments fully. If you have the opportunity to write your own letter, craft a glowing one. Be effusive and full-throated in your remarks about yourself! Remember that the letter-writer can choose to tone down the recommendation if s/he doesn’t agree. But if s/he does, you’ve utilized an opportunity fully and bolstered your candidacy tremendously.
Excel During Your (Emergency Medicine) Rotation
Medical students starting their third and fourth years are navigating required clerkships, specialty-specific electives, and sub-internship rotations. What are the tricks to making a good impression during these long weeks and months? Here’s a piece I wrote on how to succeed in your emergency medicine rotation; many of the tips translate to other rotations as well.
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
