s******t
发帖数: 579 | 1 The following content is based on other applicants’ and my experience. I
list them here because I found them helpful for my case. You may modify them
based on your own case and judgment. I welcome any discussion, criticisms
and recommendations (including the English writing). Thank you!
1. CAF (common application form) – your CV in ERAS – must be perfect (
no grammar and spelling mistake)
http://www.usmleweb.com/sample_caf.html
http://www.prep4usmle.com/forum/thread/72940/
http://www.usmleweb.com/resources/sample_caf1.html
2. PS: – must be perfect (no grammar and spelling mistake)
http://www.essayedge.com/medical/editing/application-essays
I chose Standard service and added "7 days of unlimited email interaction
with your editor after your first edit" and "Second edit and constructive
critique"
There are many good companies which can help you with that, you can google
or ask around.
PS sample:
http://www.usmleweb.com/sample_personal_statements.html
3. Externship – American clerkship, FMG portal, some programs provide
free externship to persons who they would like to recruit in the future. Try
to google anything you need. You may be surprised.
4. Observership – do as much as possible, start as early as possible.
Show your positive attitude and good personality. Be a good communicator and
don’t stay in anyone’s way.
5. LOR – don’t ask it from a person who you don’t think is nice
because he/she may write something harm your application. There were lots of
exception, but for a good LOR, you need to do at least one month of ob or
externship.
6. Which and how many programs to apply for? As many as possible, but if
you have time to go through all the programs, you can pick programs which
match your background better to apply for.
7. About connection:
Good connection will make your life much easier but not a guarantee!
If you don’t have any connection, make your own connection (quote: Daben)
8. Contact program:
Keep your e-mail simple. Please mention about your shining points (ECFMG
score, research for research oriented, and clinical experience if they
prefer it…). You need to attach your CV and PS as a single PDF file.
When to contact them? Before Sep 1st, right after Sep 1st, early December
when AMGs almost finish their IVs (AMGs get lots of IV, they only go for
part of them and most of them finished their IVs at the end of December),
and a couple of weeks before ranking order list deadline (this one is for
the programs you have visited only). Don’t overdo it, but if you have
something you think very important and need to update with the programs, don
’t hesitate to do so.
You better use PD’s email address, not PC’s e-mail. E-mail is better than
phone call. If your spoken English is very good, you can call them.
Dos: use their name; keep the message short, clear, and in point; flattering
words should be put at the end not at the beginning; focus on their
interests; no spelling or grammar errors.
Don’t send exactly the same letter twice. The 2nd one can give some follow-
ups, update (e.g., steps, interviews, OBs, etc). You may repeat your shining
points, etc.
They may pull you out of their waiting list, or move you to the top of their
rank order list
9. What time intervals are appropriate for average people to go for the
IVs?
Usually, 1-3 IVs per week is OK. One IV per week is better if possible. We
need some break, and need time to prepare for the next and summarize the
past experience, to think about how to do better in the next, and to share
and get suggestions from the others…
10. What to ask the program? How to find insightful questions to ask the
programs? Examples?
Usually, if the interviewer say: “any question for me?” it means that it
is the end of the talk.
Good questions can be the ones showing that you know the program well and
you are interested in the program. Your purpose is to help yourself to get
in. Ask program specific questions and bring out your shining points. Don’t
ask the question already answered by the website and during interview
orientation.
Example, for research oriented program, ask questions about research
training (you need to do some search before you go). You may request to meet
somebody (need to be prepared, of cause).
Ask general questions, don’t ask too difficult questions.
You question should show your interest but not desperation.
Don’t ask how they will rank you, which is against the rules.
You can also show your interests by sending thank you letter.
11. About the answers to IV questions?
Answer each question in less than 2 mins. You may also prepare for a longer
version just in case. You answer have to follow their response and interests
.
Each interview last about 20-30 mins (psych programs).
How to answer question about your weakness? Be honest, be aware of your
weakness which they can easily see. For example, culture difference,
language. You should at the same time let the interviewer knows that you
have been working on it and you know how to and you can overcome it. If you
can say that you may take advantage of your weakness for example working in
an area with high Asian patient population.
I will not talk about my weakness which I don’t want them to know about.
12. About the meeting with the residents:
For pre-interview dinner or lunch on the interview day, you still need to be
careful and don’t do or talk about anything inappropriate.
They like to talk about American sports. Sports are a big topic most of the
time, but if you don’t know anything about it, don’t jump into it, you can
be a good listener.
You can also bring out your topics, including food (genuine Chinese food),
some interesting topics about
Chinese based on the listener’s response.
Be nice, polite, try to help other candidates.
Don’t ask about their private life unless they initiate it by themselves.
You can talk about children if they and you have any.
Don’t talk about religious issue, don’t ask them.
Try to make fun of yourselves not others.
Stupid questions: call schedule? busy? The problems of the program? (Let
somebody else to ask it. :) ),
13. What documents to bring for the IVs?
Bring information about programs, your CVs and PS, your selected
publications
14. About the ranking of the programs.
Rank the programs purely based on how much do you like them and nothing else
. Isn’t that simple? Yes, it is that simple! If you don’t believe this,
read the following:
http://www.nrmp.org/res_match/about_res/algorithms.html
You may have a rank order list even before you go for the IV, but when you
are actually there and when you are writing a thank you note, treat every
single program as your top program because you don’t know which program
will finally rank you favorably. You need to seize every possible
opportunity.
15. Submit your applications as early as possible.
If you apply late, you may still have chance, but submitting your
application as early as possible can be critical most of the time
particularly for those IM applicants I guess. | e****0
发帖数: 678 | 2 强大技术帖啊！
them
【在 s******t 的大作中提到】
: The following content is based on other applicants’ and my experience. I
: list them here because I found them helpful for my case. You may modify them
: based on your own case and judgment. I welcome any discussion, criticisms
: and recommendations (including the English writing). Thank you!
: 1. CAF (common application form) – your CV in ERAS – must be perfect (
: no grammar and spelling mistake)
: http://www.usmleweb.com/sample_caf.html
: http://www.prep4usmle.com/forum/thread/72940/
: http://www.usmleweb.com/resources/sample_caf1.html
: 2. PS: – must be perfect (no grammar and spelling mistake)
| s******5
发帖数: 109 | | c******0
发帖数: 68 | | z*****0
发帖数: 25 | 5 Thank you very much for your talk and post, and big congrats!! | w***z
发帖数: 771 | 6 thank you very much for your generosity! | d******g
发帖数: 258 | 7 Thanks a lot.Very helpful. | u*********n
发帖数: 93 | 8 Thank you for the detail notes. Now I feel I didnt miss anything.
★ Sent from iPhone App: iReader Mitbbs Lite 7.51 | m****a
发帖数: 287 | | s********o
发帖数: 3319 | 10 厉害的水晶！：）
them
【在 s******t 的大作中提到】
: The following content is based on other applicants’ and my experience. I
: list them here because I found them helpful for my case. You may modify them
: based on your own case and judgment. I welcome any discussion, criticisms
: and recommendations (including the English writing). Thank you!
: 1. CAF (common application form) – your CV in ERAS – must be perfect (
: no grammar and spelling mistake)
: http://www.usmleweb.com/sample_caf.html
: http://www.prep4usmle.com/forum/thread/72940/
: http://www.usmleweb.com/resources/sample_caf1.html
: 2. PS: – must be perfect (no grammar and spelling mistake)
| q*******e
发帖数: 65 | |
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