Using a Calling Card to Ease the Stress Comments Off

Filed under Business
Written by Fred on 24th Feb -11

burn-outWhenever you’re applying to a medical school, there are lots of costs involved in the process – and among them are the calling costs which can sometimes reach quite the large numbers, making it very uncomfortable for the person going through the whole process. A calling card with the right kind of program on it can make this a lot easier and more manageable for you though, as you’ll be relieved from the large phone bills that commonly come with the constant talks to the universities.

In the best case, you should get a phone card that offers some good free calling plans on it – that way, you’ll be able to save a lot of money in the long run (understandably). However, don’t be lured by just that as a factor – in some cases the calling card company may offer free calling on their phone cards but otherwise charge you heavily through other factors. Therefore, always investigate the deals you’re signing up for so that there aren’t any unpleasant surprises in the end.

Not every calling card company would offer deals to the lines used by the universities you’re applying to, though – so the above rule of heavy research applies here as well; you must make absolutely sure that you’re getting a card that will fit into your plans and won’t cause you problems in your finances, as it commonly happens when people fail to plan this type of purchase properly.

Dressing for a Med School Interview Comments Off

Filed under Interaction With People, Interview Situation
Written by Fred on 26th Aug -10

It is no secret that the usual advice when it comes to grooming and dressing for med school interviews is to keep it clean, neat, and conservative.

What this usually means in a color-neutral suit for men and the same for women. For women, you have a choice between a pant suit versus a skirt. Any will do as long as you are comfortable and look professional in it. Women may forgo the suit but make sure that your substitute is very personal.

I personally don’t like giving dress codes since a lot of brilliant applicants just have personalities that don’t go with suits and ties. But since this is a one-time thing it is best to just let ones personality shine through via your words rather than as a fashion statement.

As for the accessories make sure not too wear any flashy jewelry. Keep your shoes shiny and clean and if your a woman and comfortable with power heels, then by all means wear them. If you’ll be teetering a tottering as you enter the interview room though, go with a more reasonably-heeled shoe.

Do Comparative Research on Med School Backgrounds Comments Off

Filed under Interview Situation, Medical Schools
Written by Fred on 20th Jun -10

Researching on the background of the med school you are scheduled to be interviewed is not enough. Of course, it is a must but do not stop after learning about its history, thrust, research and academic programs, etc. To make sure you are fully equipped, do research on the med school’s top competitions, especially if you have submitted an application to those as well.

Doing comparative research on the different med schools background is very important because it will help you decide in the end which one you will want to go with, in case you get accepted to several (lucky you!). But before that it will help you fend questions and give more detailed answers for questions like “What attracted you to this med school?” or “What do you think we have to offer that other med schools do not?”. By knowing the strengths and weaknesses of the med school in comparison with others it will show that you did your homework and the amount of interest you have in really pursuing a career in medicine.

Early Medical School Acceptance Programs Gaining Popularity Comments Off

Filed under Growth Opportunities, Medical Schools
Written by Fred on 26th Apr -10

It seems that with the need for more med schools students, one of the tactics that med schools are coming up with is an alternative pre-med programs for interested and eligible students. Usually called early medical school acceptance program (or some variant of that), the programs are designed to guarantee the student’s acceptance to med school, granted that they keep their grades up during the undergraduate years. Students under these programs are also allowed to major in fields that do not fall under hard sciences such as humanities as long as they are able to take core pre-med courses.

Some of the universities that we have already reported on offering such programs include the University of Alabama in Birmingham and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Other universities that also offer similar programs are the Lake Superior State University, The University of Michigan-Flint, and Michigan State University. Surely we will see more of this trend in the near future, especially with the brewing debate on whether a more holistic education will make for doctors that are more compassionate and caring.

Harvard and Washington University Top Med Schools in the Country for Research and Primary Care Comments Off

Filed under Medical Schools
Written by Fred on 25th Apr -10

According to the U.S.News & World Report, Harvard still holds the number one spot in the US for “Best Medical School”.

Note though that Harvard has the top spot primarily because of their research programs with John Hopkins University coming in second, the University of Pennsylvania and Washington University in St. Louis tied for third, and the University of California-San Francisco coming in fifth.

Harvard’s overall rank for their primary care programs is just 17 with the number one spot (tied Indiana University–Indianapolis) for that claimed by the Washington University in St. Louis and the 2nd to 5th spots going to the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, Oregon Health and Science University, University of Vermont, and the University of California–San Francisco.

Expect to see intense competition for slots to these universities as always. Hopefully though these institutions will also go with the trend of increased acceptance in keeping with the immediate and future need for more physicians.

No MCAT for Mount Sinai’s Med Students Comments Off

Filed under Medical Schools
Written by Fred on 10th Jan -10

Do you know that you don’t have to take the MCAT to get into med school? Well, at least into Mount Sinai Medical School.

Just like University of Alabama at Birmingham, Mount Sinai has a special undergraduate program that allows select students to take an alternate pre-med route to med school. Mount Sinai accepts 35 undergraduates each year in their Humanities and Medicine Early Acceptance Program, which obligates the students to major in humanities or social sciences, maintain a high GPA, make sure they do not incur any disciplinary action, and complete the 8-week summer program at Mount Sinai, in order to automatically get in their med school WITHOUT taking the MCAT.

The program has shown that those from alternate pre-med programs do as well as student from traditional pre-med programs in terms of grades and class rankings. However, they do tend to specialize in fields like psychiatry and veer away from primary care fields and surgical sub-specialties.

Extraversion A Plus in Applying to Med Schools Comments Off

Filed under Growth Opportunities, Interaction With People, Interview Situation
Written by Fred on 10th Dec -09

A study by the University of Minnesota indicates that personality is a predictor a student’s success in med school. The study showed that students that have some of the key personality factors to success in med school are conscientiousness, extraversion and agreeableness.

While conscientiousness may have always been a factor that everyone knew contributed to academic success, the level at which extraversion affects academic performance positively came as a surprise since many equated the trait with poor grades.

The study, which is an eye opener, will surely have implication on the admissions process of medical schools with interviewers now noting the extraversion and agreeableness of a person as a positive attribute.

What this means for interviewees is that during interviews it is very important to appear as extraverted as possible. Time to brush up on those interpersonal skills!

Alternate Route to Med School: University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Special Program Comments Off

Filed under Medical Schools
Written by Fred on 12th Aug -09

Applicants looking for a guaranteed way into med school without even having to file an application will surely be attracted by the Early Medical School Acceptance Program (EMSAP) of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).

EMSAP guarantees its pre-med students acceptance to its med school after graduation as long as the student:

  • maintains a GPA of 3.6 and above; and
  • gets a score of 28 on the MCAT.

Note that applicants from traditional pre-med schools are required to have a minimum GPA of 3.85 to get in to Alabama’s med school.

Another advantage of the EMSAP is that the student’s can take any major as long as they take the required pre-med courses. This gives students a chance to explore their horizons in case they decide not to continue with medicine, while giving those that will a more rounded education.

As can be expected, admissions to the program is highly selective. Once in it is important to note that about 15% of students drop out from the program.

What is your greatest weakness? Comments Off

Filed under Interview Situation, Mistake
Written by Fred on 26th Jun -09

One of the most common interview questions is the big old “What is you greatest weakness?”. The surprising thing is that interviewees still find themselves fumbling for an answer, as if the question is an unexpected one.

When answering this question it is best to be honest. However, before doing an interview take stock of your strengths and weaknesses because you need to be able to present yourself in the best light even as you say the truth.

According to most interviewers the worst answers to this question would be “I don’t know” or “I don’t have any.” The next worst would be any weakness that would really affect your performance like being a procrastinator or simply lazy. They may be true but since we all have a long list of weaknesses then better choose the one that you can work and an can even convert to a strength. Answers like being a perfectionist is also not a good one since it shouts “safe answer” and thus, doesn’t ring true.

More Med Schools Means More Choices for Applicants Comments Off

Filed under Medical Schools
Written by Fred on 15th Mar -09

In response to the numerous warnings on the shortage of physicians for the past few years, not only are medical schools expanding their programs and accepting more applicants but entirely new med schools are cropping up all over the United States.

Obviously, what this means to med school applicants is that they will have more choices. This year some new schools are already opening, like the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine in Michigan, which will start classes this fall (Oakland University will be working with Beaumont Hospitals). Other universities and colleges are
still just in the planning stage but we can expect to feel the boom in med schools in the next several years.

As a med school applicant though, note that while there will be more choices, the quality of education of some new med schools will still be in question. Should you choose to enter a newly opened med school it is best to research on the background of its parent college/university to find out their history and reputation.