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Medical School Help: What are the Next Steps Once the AMCAS is In?

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Once you’ve submitted your AMCAS, what can you do next to best prepare for what’s to come in the medical school admissions process?

Here are a few tips:

1. Start drafting secondary essays. Even if you haven’t yet received the prompts, you can begin to craft responses to common themes like “how would you add diversity to our school?” and “describe an extracurricular activity that might be of interest to the committee.” Good writing takes time, but if you wait for the onslaught of secondary applications, you won’t be able to impart your essays with your highest quality effort.

2. Get a head start on preparing for the medical school interview. Practice, practice, practice. Start mocking up answers to interview questions so that you distinguish yourself.

3. Consider what you want. Do some soul searching to determine what you are really seeking geographically, philosophically, and educationally. You want to make considered decisions when the time comes.

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Post-ERAS, Pre-Interview Supplemental Questions

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Several residency applicants have told me that since they submitted their ERASes, some programs have asked them to answer additional, written questions like “Why our program?” and “How will you bring diversity to our institution?” The additional workload seems burdensome, especially this year, but I suspect residency directors are concerned about interview hoarding – since sessions will be virtual and thus easier to accept and attend – and are trying to weed out applicants accordingly. 

Although originally written for medical school candidates, see my blog entry here to help with the “Why our program?” question and here to help with the diversity prompt. 

Remember: This is a marathon, not a sprint. 

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“Why Our School” Secondary Essay: How to Get Started

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Secondary essay prompts vary, but there are a few that are standard fare. See my recent blog entry for guidance on the familiar “diversity essay.” “Why do you want to attend our school?” is also a common topic pre-meds will encounter.

Medical school admissions officers want to be assured that you know their institution, are seriously considering it, and will fit in well there. In approaching the “why-our-school” question, do your research on the institution and link something specific about you with the school’s philosophy, curriculum, patient population, and/or extracurricular programs.

For instance, if you were a teaching assistant for chemistry in college, you might link your use of the Socratic method with a school’s tutorial-based learning. In that way, you demonstrate knowledge of the school, show that you connect well with it, and showcase your accomplishment.  

The paradox here is that – although you are theoretically focusing your essay on one school – because so many institutions have overlapping philosophies, curricula, and objectives – you can oftentimes use the same essay framework for many different schools. 

That’s one strategic way to cut down the overwhelming workload that secondary applications present. 

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Brevity is the Soul of Wit -William Shakespeare

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I’ve been editing a lot of medical school, residency, and fellowship essays over the last few months, and I want to give a shout out to the importance of brevity. I focus on a word count of 750 or fewer for my advisees for a few reasons: 

First, I’ve found that that number is just the right balance of content and streamlining: Over 750 words for an admissions essay lends itself to meandering writing.

Second, your reader is likely stuck reviewing tens or even scores of applications in a short period of time. S/he is looking to spend as little time as possible on your written materials, while still getting a good flavor for your candidacy. Don’t burden your reader with verbiage.

Having trouble being brief? Here’s a helpful trick: Imagine AMCAS or ERAS is charging you $10 per word. How would you keep costs down?

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Secondary Essays: Why Do You Want to Attend Our School?

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Secondary essay prompts vary, but there are a few that are standard fare. “Why do you want to attend our school?” is a common topic pre-meds will encounter.

Medical school admissions officers want to be assured that you know their institution, are seriously considering it, and will fit in well there. In approaching the “why-our-school” question, do your research on the institution and link something specific about you with the school’s philosophy, curriculum, surrounding patient population, and/or extracurricular programs.

For instance, if you were a teaching assistant for chemistry in college, you might link your use of the Socratic method with a school’s tutorial-based learning. In that way, you demonstrate knowledge of the school, show that you connect well with it, and showcase your accomplishment.

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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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