Optimally Wording Your Non-Academic Time

I’ve noticed a few medical school and residency applicants using the term “year off” in their personal statements when, in fact, they’ve spent their time completing research, international community service or other worthwhile endeavors. Saying you “took a year off” belittles your accomplishments. Ensure you avoid language that inadvertently subtracts from your application.

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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: