Michelle Finkel

Optimizing your Medical School Application: AMCAS®

The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS®) is a centralized application processing program for medical school candidates. AMCAS' application has multiple sections, including demographics, academic record, experience and personal statement.... Read >

The Residency Match: What Should I Have Done By Now?

Matching to a residency program through the NRMP® (National Resident Matching Program) is a competitive endeavor. Even strong candidates - especially IMGs (international medical graduates) - can have difficulty getting PGY-1 (post graduate year one) posi... Read >

For "Junior" Medical Students: What You Can Do Now to Improve Your Chances of Matching

Matching to a residency program through the NRMP® (National Resident Matching Program) is a competitive endeavor. Even strong candidates - especially IMGs (international medical graduates) - can have difficulty getting PGY-1 (post graduate year one) posi... Read >

The Medical School Wait List: Can Anything Be Done?

Just when you've completed your medical school interviews and feel that you can sit back and relax because - after all - the rest is out of your hands, you may be surprised by a wait list notification. What is the next step? What can you do? First of a... Read >

The Medical School Letter of Intent: How to Write a Compelling One

A medical school letter of intent is a notice to an institution explicitly stating one's continued interest in the school. An applicant might write a letter of intent after interviewing or in response to a waitlist notification. Why write a letter of inte... Read >

How to Plan for the Scramble

The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP®) Scramble is an oftentimes confusing process that tends to generate a lot of questions. The Scramble is a system used to fill unfilled residency positions. Some medical residency programs will have available... Read >

What is the Scramble?

The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP ®) Scramble is an oftentimes confusing process that tends to generate a lot of questions. The Scramble is a system used to fill unfilled residency positions. Some medical residency programs will have available... Read >

The Medical School Interview: What if You Haven’t Received an Invitation?

Once your AMCAS and secondary essays have been submitted, getting into medical school kicks into high gear with the interview season. But what if you've completed your application and yet haven't been invited to interview? First of all, realize that me... Read >

The Medical School Interview: Writing Thank You Notes

Once your AMCAS and secondary essays have been submitted, getting into medical school kicks into high gear with the interview season. Because medical school admissions have become so competitive of late - especially in this weaker economy - the medical ... Read >

The Medical School Interview: Quick Tips

Once your AMCAS and secondary essays have been submitted, getting into medical school kicks into high gear with the interview season. Because medical school admissions have become so competitive of late - especially in this weaker economy - the medical ... Read >

Points That Fellowship Directors Look For During The Interview Process

Matching to a fellowship program through the NRMP® (National Resident Matching Program) or other means is a competitive endeavor. Even strong applicants can have difficulty getting positions in many sub-specialties. Those that do match may not get their ... Read >

Medical Residency Interview Advice

Matching to a residency program through the NRMP® (National Resident Matching Program) is a competitive endeavor. Even strong candidates - especially IMGs (international medical graduates) - can have difficulty getting positions in many specialties. Thos... Read >

Getting Into Medical School: Medical School Interview Advice

Getting into medical school has become increasingly difficult, in part, because of the poor economy: Competitive candidates who used to target other graduate schools are turning toward medicine, a less volatile field. Consequently, stronger candidates are... Read >

Improving Your Medical Residency Application: Tips for Obtaining Optimal Letters of Recommendation

Matching to a residency program through the NRMP® (National Resident Matching Program) is a competitive endeavor. Even top-tier candidates can have difficulty getting PGY-1 (post graduate year one) positions in many specialties. Those that do match may n... Read >

Getting into Medical School: Tips for Obtaining Optimal Letters of Recommendation

In part because of the failing economy, getting into medical school is becoming increasingly competitive. Top-notch candidates who used to target law or business school are turning their interest toward medicine, a more secure field. Consequently, more co... Read >