It’s that time of year… Check out my Student Doctor Network® article on how to craft a persuasive personal statement. Remember the goal is to convince the reader of your worthiness – not simply tell a story.
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How to Approach the Medical School and Residency Application Process with a Smile
Dreading the medical school or residency application process? You are not alone. This marathon is filled with hard work and long hours. How can you approach the process with as little stress as possible?
1. Start early. I can not emphasize this enough. Assume your personal statement and AMCAS/ERAS will take you three times longer than you previously thought. Also, approach letter writers promptly.
2. Read before you get started. Below are two brief pieces on personal statements. Their target is medical school applicants, but the principles are the same for residency candidates: How to Write a Personal Statement for Medical School and What Your Medical School Essay Reader is Thinking.
3. Consider what will make you happiest. If you are a pre-med, do some introspection and make sure you really want to go to medical school. As crazy as that sounds, being assured of your plan will help you stay happy throughout this rigorous application process. If you are a residency applicant, speak to faculty – academic and private – in your planned field, and ensure you are picking the right specialty for you.
4. Get help. My website is here. Having someone experienced on your side will alleviate a lot of anxiety. If you already know you are going to work with me, hire me now. The earlier in the season, the more likely I can help you avoid missteps and get your candidacy on the road.
Medical School Personal Statement
As I mentioned in my penultimate (I love that word) blog entry, it’s time to get started on your medical school personal statement. We’ve talked about distinguishing yourself with your accomplishments. Now, let’s start at the top and briefly consider the intro.
Catching the reader’s attention is a way to make an excellent first impression and increase the odds that your essay will be read – not skimmed. Consider a topic that is distinctive to you that also demonstrates traits, talents, and/or perspective that other applicants might not have. I’ve read excellent essays that start with a description of applicants’ unique hobbies, international experiences, performances, and sports events. Note that these may seem to have nothing to do with medicine at first blush. However, once they are conveyed for a few sentences (not more!), the skilled writer can link the introductory stories to traits, talents, and/or perspective that make the writer a good match for medical school.
Tags: Medical School, Personal Statement
Medical School Personal Statement
Hard to believe, but it’s already time to start tackling the medical school personal statement. Over the course of the next few blogs, I’ll offer tips on how to get started on your essay, so that you can initiate a draft early and be on top of your application.
Remember that the goal of the personal statement is to distinguish yourself from all of the other applicants. The best way to make yourself distinctive is by showcasing your accomplishments. Your essay should be dense with achievements. Avoid purple prose. After all, who you are to the admissions reader is what you’ve done.
Here’s a short blog of mine from 2012 that reminds applicants that highlighting accomplishments does not mean regurgitating a resume (although the highlights of your curriculum vitae absolutely should be covered in your essay).
Residency Application Help: AMSA National Convention
I have been asked to be a featured speaker at the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) Annual Convention for the fourth year in a row. I’m grateful for the opportunity to interact with AMSA members again. In the past, the American Medical Student Association’s national meetings have been the largest annual gatherings of medical students in the United States.
I’ll be offering an interactive lecture called, “Getting Into Residency: An Insider’s Tips” on Friday, March 13 at 3pm in Washington, DC. Last year, we had a standing-room only crowd. More on the talk as we approach the date.
In the meantime, for those applying to residency programs this year or next, contact me for help with your residency application, the residency interview, and personal statement writing.
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
As featured in:
Student Doctor Network: Choosing a Medical School? Why Your Situation Matters
KevinMD: Made Mistakes? How to Spin Them for Your Medical School Applications
Doximity Op-Med: The Medical School Admissions Process Is Falling Short
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: