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Manage Your Online Persona
Tweet Share on Facebook June 27, 2011 CommentYou've probably heard a lot about social networking and job hunting; it is widely thought that many recruiters in business conduct informal background checks using information they can find easily on the Internet, particularly on search engines and social networking websites.
It's important to consider the impact of your online presence before you begin the medical school application process. Even if medical school admissions committees are not aware of your online activities, it is helpful to know what information may be readily available to schools while you are applying.
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Weigh Medical Student Debt, Specialty Choice
Tweet Share on Facebook June 20, 2011 Comment (1)As the United States recovers from the recent recession, it is not surprising that the longterm effects of the economic belt-tightening we see all around us will affect health care spending as much, or perhaps more, than other sectors of the economy. Nevertheless, future doctors can take comfort in the relative job stability and high earnings achieved by medical professionals: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that doctors and dentists represent four of the top five highest-earning professions in the United States ("chief executives" are fifth).
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4 Tips for Selecting a Medical School
Tweet Share on Facebook June 13, 2011 Comment (5)Choosing where to apply to medical school can be a challenging process. Almost every applicant has a few dream schools they'd love to attend, but unfortunately, not all of their "numbers" (GPA, MCAT score) match up with schools' averages or requirements.
How do you effectively select schools? There are a few important things to consider when determining your strategy.
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Should You Apply Early Decision to Medical School?
Tweet Share on Facebook June 6, 2011 CommentLet's have a show of hands. How many of you reading this believe that there is only one way to apply and get into medical school? The reality is that many medical schools offer a variety of potential paths to admission. In addition to the standard, post-baccalaureate, and combined B.S./M.D. routes, a large number of medical schools provide applicants the opportunity to apply by August 1 through the early decision program.
According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the Early Decision Program (EDP) allows applicants to secure an acceptance from one EDP-participating medical school by October 1 while allowing sufficient time to apply to other schools if not accepted. Sounds great, right? It can be if you get in, but to apply early decision applicants must agree to the following:
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6 Personal Statement Do's and Don'ts
Tweet Share on Facebook May 30, 2011 Comment (5)With this year's application cycle in full swing, aspiring premeds across the country will be aiming to submit their applications early. While many parts of the AMCAS (and other application systems) involve data entry and other finite tasks, the personal statement is often the least predictable part for students—and the one most likely to derail many submission timelines.
Why is the personal statement so challenging?
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Avoid 5 Errors When Reapplying to Medical School
Tweet Share on Facebook May 23, 2011 Comment (1)Make no mistake—getting into medical school is not easy. Hard work, dedication, and perseverance are important, but everyone needs a little luck, too. In the 2010 application cycle, 42,742 applicants competed for an opportunity to be one of the lucky 19,641 acceptees, representing a 46 percent national acceptance rate. For acceptees, the average composite MCAT score was 31.1 and average GPA was 3.67, up from 29.7 and 3.59, respectively, a decade ago.
So take heart—if you didn't get accepted this year, you are in the majority. Furthermore, you are in good company; more than 25 percent of this year's applicants were not first time applicants. Here are the top five errors to avoid when considering reapplying to medical school.
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Save on Medical School Application Costs
Tweet Share on Facebook May 16, 2011 CommentThe AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service) application often causes jitters, especially around this time of year. Aside from the content, the AMCAS can also be intimidating from another perspective: cost.
For better or worse, applying to medical school is an investment. From application fees to interview suits, these expenses emerge at every stage of the process. The good news: There are plenty of ways for applicants to cut costs.
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5 Ways to Maximize Your AMCAS Application
Tweet Share on Facebook May 9, 2011 Comment (4)The AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service) application can sometimes seem like a daunting part of the admissions process. It's already that time of year: AMCAS opened on May 5. However, since this is the first glimpse most medical schools get of who you are, knowing more about the AMCAS is key to conquering this step in the application process.
AMCAS has evolved into a comprehensive applicant data profile. Applicants are expected to gather transcripts from every college institution attended—whether or not grades or credit are received—report any institutional (or criminal) actions, and prepare mini-statements on extracurricular activities.
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3 Ways Healthcare Reform May Impact Medical Education
Tweet Share on Facebook May 2, 2011 Comment (8)Healthcare reform has been all over the news lately. Wherever your beliefs lie on this issue, there's one certainty: Healthcare reform will have a significant impact on the careers of future physicians.
Knowing that going to medical school and completing a residency involves a substantial investment of time and money, many medical students cannot help but wonder how recent proposed—and implemented—changes might affect their career plans.
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5 Tips to Get Superb Letters of Evaluation
Tweet Share on Facebook April 25, 2011 CommentThe core components of your med school application—premed coursework, the MCAT, and your personal statement—tend to be regimented affairs. With the possible exception of the personal statement, they don't leave much room for maneuvering or strategy. But one component of the application stands out because of the flexibility it affords: the letters of evaluation (LOE).
