The MCAT, Residency Match and Beyond

I recently contributed an article to The Student Doctor Network highlighting some topics that were discussed at the annual Association of American Medical Colleges Meeting. This article has broad appeal with lots of useful information for medical school and residency applicants.

As a mentor, I educate myself, and the medical editors with whom I work, to stay up to date with the trends and research in medical education. It is essential when hiring an admissions consultant, that their knowledge not be based only on anecdote and that they work (on their own time) to provide you with the most accurate guidance.

Click Here to read the article.

I assist with all aspects of the admissions process for medical school, residency and fellowship applicants.

Visit: www.MedEdits.com.

Medical School and Residency Interviews: The Dinner The Night Before

Many clients ask me about the purpose of dinners that are held the night before interview days. Typically, residency programs do this but some medical schools hold these, too. The goal of these dinners is two fold. First, dinners serve as recruitment tools to attract the best applicants. Second, this provides programs with more "data points" about applicants. After a dinner, I was frequently told about the applicants who were liked and disliked.

A few rules for these meetings:

1) Be on your best behavior. You are under the microscope.

2) Dress like you are going to a cocktail party. Don't wear jeans. Don't wear a suit. Nice slacks and a shirt or sweater is fine.

3) Don't get too casual. Remember this isn't an interview and you want to be personable yet professional.

4) Don't stay too late and close down the bar. Leave when the crowd leaves and, if there are people lingering or moving on to another venue, don't stay with them. You must be well rested for your interview the next day.

For advice and insight regarding all aspects of the admissions process for medical school, residency and fellowship visit: www.MedEdits.com or call us at 201.244.6142.

Primary Care: The Better Career Choice?

A series of articles this week in the New England Journal of Medicine discusses the need for the "reinvention" of primary care. This series focuses on the training, practice, compensation and overall reform of primary care. Many American medical graduates are choosing to pursue "controllable lifestyle" fields such as anesthesiology, radiology and emergency medicine, to name a few, because of higher compensation and the perception that these fields will enable them to achieve a better work/life balance.

Interestingly, some (currently unpublished) data presented at the Association of American Medical Colleges earlier this month might change students' minds. In a survey of practicing physicians over 50, a higher percentage of primary care physicians felt they had control over their lives versus practicing physicians in the "controllable lifestyle" fields.

With attention being placed on the need for primary care reform, salaries will likely increase in the future for primary care clinicians. With the potential for better compensation combined with a healthy work/life balance and the opportunity to provide care where it is needed most, hopefully more students will explore career options in primary care.

Click Here to access the series.

I provide mentoring for medical school, residency and fellowship applicants. Visit: www.MedEdits.com.

Medical School Interviews: Tales From The Trail

Interviewer: "So, tell me how you feel about moving to city XXX."

Applicant: "Well. My first choice would be to go to medical school in my home state because that would be cheaper. If I don't get in there, I will consider my other options including moving to city XXX."

Wrong answer.

When visiting schools, read their websites and know, specifically, what about the school interests you. Medical schools are trying to not only recruit the best applicants but are also trying to recruit students who will be a good fit for their school.

Research the city you are visiting. You must convince your interviewer that you are enthusiastic about living in that city.

Never make a school seem like a second choice or your backup. If you do, you are likely to end up on the wait or rejection list.

For personalized help with interview preparation, visit www.MedEdits.com. We are proud of our clients this season who are having great success and will all be valuable members of the medical community in the near future.

Residency and Medical School Interviews: What To Take

I find that many medical school and residency clients are concerned about what they should take to interviews. Here are some tips:

1) Do not bring a backpack to carry around with you. It is too bulky.

2) If you are traveling and must bring a suitcase, this is acceptable. You can ask where to leave your luggage during your interview. It was commonplace, when I interviewed applicants, to have one or two people do this each day.

3) Bring a pen and folder or portfolio. You should take notes during program or school presentations so, be prepared. Most programs will give you folders with literature about the school/program. Do not take notes during your actual interview(s).

4) It is OK to bring a purse. Just make sure it is small and easy to carry.

5) Bring any recent publications or updates for your interviewers.

I can help you with interview preparation. Visit www.MedEdits.com to see how our clients are doing this season.