d********n
发帖数: 16 | 1 So many of us spend times/money/efforts observing. Why do we do it? for many
of us, maybe most of us, we do observation in order to get LORs from MDs.
we tend to think that MDs' LORs carry far more weight than PhDs'. from my
experience, it is not true. I did not have a LOR from a MD. I received very
high invitation rate, partially due to my strong LORs from PhDs. Many of my
friends did not have LORs from MDs neither.
What's important for your candidacy?
NOTHING IS NOT IMPORTANT: everything in your CV should be good, at least
acceptable. one cannot afford one failed item in CV. Programs prefer none to
a bad one...NOTHING IS THAT IMPORTANT: no single item is so important that
you will not make it if you don't have it unless it is "lethal", such as
failed CS x 2...
Why observation?
1.in order to show the programs/interviewers that you did something in
pathology in the past and you are willing to pursue pathology career in the
future. you need to know what exactly practicing pathologists do. if you can
show them that you "contributed something" other than "did something", it
will significantly enhance your chance.
2. in order to let the interviewers know that you know pathology so that you
can talk about pathology during your interview (particularly in career goal
). we do NOT have much exposure in pathology in China. Some interviewers
think we are layman or even idiots...
3. in order to prepare for your residency. first 6-month, particular first 3
-month is the period of time we make mistakes. you can easily avoid these
easy mistakes by observation.
4. in order to get a chance of interview by or even acceptance to the
program
where you did observation.
5. in order to get LORs. this is the last not the primary goal!
Important advice:
1. if you say something very good about yourself, the interviewers may NOT
believe it.if you say something not good/ average/ just ok about yourself,
the interviewers will DEFINITELY believe it. Being humble is good, but don't
say or write anything not good about yourself (and any other persons/things
/places)
2. first several months of residency is important for your entire residency.
if you do well,they will think you you are good. if you do bad, they will
think you are bad. it is hard to change their opinion and you will need 100x
efforts/achievement to change that.
3. don't do too much observation, particularly paid ones. think about this:
everyone has a family to support. how much can we gain from this observation
exception) ....
Good luck with your medical career. | i**********d
发帖数: 853 | 2 Thank you very much for all these great suggestions. | r*****1
发帖数: 805 | 3 Dr. Magician, your suggestions are really to the point! Thanks for
clarifying them for us, and thanks for your offer of Path ob. |
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