After all the hard work of medical school, you want to get into a great residency program. You do plenty of research to help you make your top choices, and you put a lot of time and effort into preparing and polishing your application and personal statement until they shine—but how much work have you done to prep for the actual interviews? If the answer is little to none, you’re overlooking a critical step toward success.

When it comes to residency programs, the interview is arguably the most essential part of the application process. You may look great on paper, but if you can’t impress the interviewer and make a connection, you won’t get in.

Mock interviews—practice sessions where a professional pretends to interview you for a residency program—are an excellent way to prepare for this all-important step.

Facing challenges: What mock interviews help you handle

Residency interviews are about more than just your skills. Your resume has already summed up what you can do. An interviewer is looking to find out more about you as a person, and whether you’re a good fit for the program.

During a practice interview, you can find out whether your answers are enhancing your personal image, or if they’re just rehashing the information on your resume. You’ll have the opportunity to uncover and expand on details that will help you stand out from the other applicants, increasing your chances of acceptance.

Some of the benefits of mock interviews include:

• Reduced anxiety through greater familiarity with the interview process
• Enhanced confidence that allows you to focus on your strengths
• The ability to pinpoint weaknesses in your interviewing strategy and address them prior to the real interview
• An opportunity to take advantage of professional, constructive feedback

Making the most of a mock interview

While mock interviews have tremendous potential to boost your success with residency programs, you won’t get much out of the process if you don’t take it seriously.

Treat a practice interview as if you were showing up for the real thing. This not only helps you improve your interviewing skills, but also lets the mock interviewer offer more constructive feedback on every aspect of the process.

Here are some tips on making mock interviews work for you:

• Dress for success. Make sure your choice of attire projects a professional image.
• Arrive on time. If you can’t be prompt for a practice session, chances are you’ll have the same problem when it really counts.
• Be prepared. Do the same groundwork for a mock interview as you would for an actual interview. Prepare answers to some common questions, and think of your own intelligent questions to ask the interviewer.

Finally, make sure you schedule your mock interview with a professional who understands the residency application process. Rehearsing interviews with friends or fellow students may help with your confidence, but aren’t likely to assist you in finding your weak spots.

A good mock interview will help you conquer the crucial residency interview and increase the odds of landing a spot in the program you want. Don’t miss out on this priceless opportunity to prepare!

I also understand what Program Directors want to see in 2013. I’m here to help you get the residency you want. How? Through one-on-one mentoring and editing services, mock interviews and strategic planning.

Want to match for 2013? Get advice from a board certified practicing physician with extensive residency program experience and Program Director schooling.

How will you stand out in 2013? Call (888) 549-8111.

Sincerely,

Donald T. Morrish, MD

www.ResidencyPro.com

Phone: (888) 549-8111

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The common pitfalls of a residency application

Applying for a residency is a nerve-wracking process for a doctor in the making. Of course, you want to land a great residency position that’s within your field of study. But with all the competition out there today, med students aren’t even guaranteed a residency placement at all—much less their program of choice.

You can improve your chances of matching into a good residency by avoiding these common mistakes in your residency application.

Turning in less than letter-perfect material

Although you’re not applying for a position in a college English department, spelling and grammar still count. Attention to detail is an important quality for your future demanding career, and sending out a sloppy application suggests to residency program directors that you don’t sweat the small stuff as much as you should.

If grammar and spelling aren’t among your strengths, consider getting a professional review of your application packet before sending it out. One note here: Avoid hiring a ghostwriter. Program directors can tell the difference, and they’re not interested in candidates who don’t do their own work.

Using letters of recommendation that recycle your CV

When it comes to recommendations from people you know or have worked with, the last thing a residency program director wants to see is a summary of your good grades or accomplishments. This adds nothing new to your application. Letters of recommendation should include personal opinions and observations of you, from professional and experienced people.

If your letters sound distant or stilted, consider asking the person recommending you to rework the contents—or solicit recommendations from other sources.

Not making your personal statement personal

Many residency program directors consider the personal statement to be one of the most important documents in your application. Like your letters of recommendation, the statement should complement, rather than rehash, your application.

Don’t talk about how great or prestigious your medical school was, or how your grades are in the top 1 percent of your class. Your transcripts will reflect that information. Also, avoid saying things like, “My mother was a doctor, so I decided to become a doctor, too.” By now, you should be familiar with your own reasons for pursuing this career path—your personal reasons. Outside inspiration can be viewed as pressure, rather than a true desire to enter medicine.

Failing to prepare for interviews

Going into a residency interview cold is like sitting down in front of a piano at Carnegie Hall without having ever played a single note before. Okay, it might not be that extreme, but it’s still a bad idea.

Professional mock interviews can mean the difference between sounding like a confident professional who’s ready to enter the challenging world of medicine, or a soft-spoken bundle of nerves who just might faint under pressure. The first time you try anything is likely to be a rough experience—so save the most important interviews for at least the second time around.

Need help? At Residency Pro, we offer comprehensive services to make sure your residency applications are in the best possible shape, and that you’re ready to take on the challenging of residency matching. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you!

Donald T. Morrish, MD

Residency Pro

www.residencypro.com

888 549 8111

Why residency programs read between the lines of your application process

It isn’t easy to apply for residency programs. You have to pull together a lot of written material and make it look fantastic. Then, you have to pull yourself together into an irresistible package for residency interviews. The stakes are high, because there are more applicants than open residency positions, so everything counts.

You may have learned that presentation is everything—but did you know that residency program directors will often see more than you intend to present?

Starting with the basics

When applying for a residency, you’ll provide an application and a personal statement along with your transcripts, evaluations, and recommendations. This package has to look good at first glance, and beyond. Applications with simple spelling and grammar mistakes are common, so you’ll gain an advantage over the competition by ensuring that your paperwork is letter-perfect.

There are some basic essentials for the interview process, too. A professional appearance is a must—no black pants and white socks! You should also have some solid groundwork in place, including experienced professional advice.

However, with the fierce competition for residency positions, you need to exceed the standard expectations.

Digging deeper: Crucial elements for success

There’s more to landing a residency position than good grammar and fashion sense. Of course, you’ll want to make sure to have the strongest possible application, with solid recommendations, a good track record, and the required skill set and knowledge base. However, even an impeccable set of credentials might not be enough—because every medical student is reaching for the same heights.

Residency program directors will definitely consider your accomplishments on paper, but they’re also looking for factors that can’t be conveyed by your application. One of the keys is your personal statement, and what it says about you both directly and indirectly.

The interview is equally critical. You have to be a good fit for a residency program not only as a professional, but also as a person. With so many qualified people to choose from, residency program directors can afford to be picky.

The good news is, there are six crucial elements you can work into every aspect of your ERAS® application, personal statement, and residency interview that will exponentially increase your chances of success.

Gain the advantage you need

If you know what residency program directors are looking for in a candidate, you can tailor your applications, personal statement and interviews to highlight your strengths and give yourself an edge. Instead of settling for the first program that ranks you, you’ll be able to land a position in the program and specialty of your choice.

With the Comprehensive Residency Pro package, you’ll learn the crucial elements that can elevate you from a solid candidate to the best choice for the residency program you want. This package includes editing and review of your ERAS® application and personal statement, a one-hour mock interview, and a strategic planning session to help you become irresistible to residency program directors.

Visit Residency Pro today for more information about how our services for medical students and graduates can assist you. Send me a message or contact me at 1-888-549-8111.

Donald T. Morrish, MD

Residency Pro

www.residencypro.com

How to write a personal statement that says, ‘Pick me!’

For today’s medical student, the residency application process is tougher than ever. There are far more candidates than there are open residency positions, and many count themselves lucky just to get accepted into a program, let alone the one they want.

Your application itself is important, as are your transcripts and recommendations. However, don’t underestimate the powerful influence of your personal statement in the selection process.

What exactly is a personal statement?

This single-page document complements your ERAS application, adding another dimension to your credentials. Residency program directors place a fairly heavy emphasis on the personal statement, as it’s the only part of your application that sheds light on you as a person. They’re looking for someone who is a good fit for the program—not just in terms of knowledge, but in personality and temperament.

Personal, yet professional

While “personal” is a key word for a personal statement, you still have to keep it professional. A casual, rambling, or cutesy statement will not impress residency program directors—though you’ll only submit a single page of material, it’s not something you can dash off in a few minutes.

Your personal statement should be a well-written, uniform presentation with good flow, high readability, and flawless spelling and grammar. The opening should grab attention, and the closing should tie into the beginning. Every word of your statement requires careful consideration.

There’s another important p-word here, too: passion. You have strong reasons for going into medicine—otherwise, you never would have undertaken the grueling years of medical school. That passion needs to be transmitted through your personal statement.

The big mistake residency applicants make

With all the effort that goes into applying for a residency, it’s tempting to look for as many shortcuts as possible. Some medical students will look into hiring a ghostwriter to draft their personal statements, especially if writing isn’t their strong suit—usually with the rationale of, “I’m going to be a doctor, not a writer.”

This is a mistake. Residency program directors can tell if you don’t write your own personal statement, because the writing style in your application will be completely different. Your entire ERAS application packet must be consistent. Having someone else write what is supposed to come from you indicates to program directors that you won’t be fully invested in a residency—and the position will go to someone else.

Make your residency application shine

With a comprehensive package from Residency Pro, you’ll receive thorough, professional review and editing—not ghostwriting—for your ERAS application and personal statement. We’ll work with you to get your personal statement right the first time, in your own words, so you can land your residency program of choice.

Contact us for more information on our all-inclusive residency application packages.

Donald T. Morrish, MD

Residency Pro

Residency Pro offers a comprehensive package for those getting ready to apply for residency training positions. This package includes a variety of useful and customized programs specifically designed to assist         students to get into the residency of their choice.

Residency Pro’s Comprehensive Package Offers:

-A detailed strategic planning session
-One on one customized advice
-Valuable practice with mock interviews
-Editing and review services for your personal statement
-Editing and review services for your ERAS ® application

Many people don’t realize that acquiring consulting services can vastly improve their changes of getting into the residency program of their choice. The comprehensive package is designed to give you the edge you need in this competitive environment.

With the Residency Pro comprehensive package, students will have access to the services of Donald T. Morrish MD who is a former Associate Residency Program Director and a Board certified practicing physician. Through his innovative services, Dr. Morrish has assisted many students to successfully land their #1 post-graduate residency training position. Read testimonials from clients.

EXCLUSIVE JUNE 2012 DISCOUNT

Begin strategizing now! Through June 30th, Dr. Morrish will be offering $100 off the fee for his comprehensive package. Even if you aren’t currently working on the application process, now is the perfect time to schedule your one-hour strategy session to work out a plan of action.

Visit Residency Pro today for more information about how our services for medical students and graduates can assist you. Send me a message or contact me at 1-888-549-8111.

The simple fact is that the most successful residency match candidates prepare early and also seek professional guidance. The bottom line is that you need to have a good game plan in place and follow that plan to the letter.

What should you be doing now to prepare? The following list details just some of the items that you should be thinking about between now and September 15, 2012.

7 Essential Items to Consider for Your Residency Match

1. A solid residency application
2. Engaging personal statement
3. Preparing for and timing the US Medical License Exam
4. Selecting the most suitable electives
5. Obtaining strong letters of recommendation from appropriately selected faculty members/ specialties
6. Participating in research and networking
7. Ensuring that your ERAS® Application submission timing is optimal

Keep in mind that the above list contains just of the few of the key items that will make a difference in the overall quality of your applications. As you likely know, this is a very competitive process. Any edge can make a huge difference to the success of your application for residency programs.

In short, my goal is to work with candidates on these and many other aspects of the ERAS® 2013 applications, personal statements, residency interviews and startegic planning. I want to help you maximize your chances of obtaining the residency of your choice!

As an expert in the field, I offer individualized, personalized attention to every aspect of the residency application process. From ERAS® applications, personal statement editing and review, to interview preparation and strategic planning, I can offer advice that colleagues and faculty members cannot.

As part of the process, you can expect me to evaluate credentials and highlight your strengths, and offer advice for areas of improvement. By doing so, I am able to offer a detailed and personalized service for each individual who is applying for residency programs. Through the admissions consulting process, you will increase your odds of obtaining the exact residency of your choice.

For residency application advice, send me a message or call me toll-free: (888) 549-8111.

Donald T. Morrish, MD

Residency Pro

Each year, medical schools abroad encourage international medical graduates (IMGs) with good USMLE scores and excellent clinical skills to apply for U.S. residency programs. To compete, however, these IMGs could use an expert in their corner.

Did you know? Nearly one-quarter of U.S. residency training positions are filled by highly qualified IMGs.

To assist international applicants, many medical schools abroad have asked me to coach their students on the importance of creating a good strategy, the value of an easy-to-read and persuasive ERAS@ application, and advanced interviewing skills.

With these three areas in mind—plus excellent Letters of Reference (LoRs)—IMGs gain the ability to compete for residency training positions in their preferred specialty. If one of these areas lacks thought or thoroughness, the entire ERAS@ application may be at risk.

If you’re an international medical school or an IMG, I can help you. Please contact me.

Donald T. Morrish, MD
Residency Pro

For years, as medical graduates get down to the wire, they lose sight of the all-important strategy, the value of a unique and well-written personal statement and the boost of LoRs. Rushed graduates forget specialty requirements, make more typos and fail to ask another faculty advisor for an extra recommendation letter. What happens?

These last-minute applicants don’t yield the residency or specialty applicants want.

How are you going to pace yourself during the 2012 Match? Will you rush through your personal statement? Will you forget to mention the research experience or the volunteer work that just might get you the residency of choice? Will you not add an extra LoR from someone whom can give you a powerful backing?

Pace yourself, and never rush anything that has the ability to alter your career path.

When medical graduates come to me this time of year, they usually want to rush through the application process and hope for the best. After we talk one-on-one, they realize that the chance for success improves dramatically when they plan, use the right punctuation, please Program Director eyes and present themselves well.

If you’re feeling rushed, stop. Take a deep breath and call me: (888) 549-8111.

Donald T. Morrish, MD

Residency Pro

When you think about pitching yourself to Program Directors, it can be quite similar to marketing and its Four Ps. You’re the product. Your drive determines your vigor (price). You create and pursue a plan that fits who you are and what you want. And promotion—the result of the three previous Ps—includes the complete application and the interview.

How well can you sell your clinical skills? Do you feel confident enough to pen a personal statement that will easily persuade Program Directors to contact you?

Each week, I work one-on-one with medical students/graduates who could’ve used an extra Marketing course (I feel it should be a requirement of all pre-medical programs.). During this time with hopeful applicants, I’ve come up with the Four Ps of ERAS@ applications.

-  PLAN ACCORDINGLY If you want a particular specialty, know what they want. Create a plan to help you reach your goals and deliver the application that gets noticed.

-  PUNCTUATION COUNTS It seems obvious, right? You’d be surprised at how many typos and grammar errors I’d receive during my days as Associate Program Director.-

-  PLEASE WITH YOUR PEN Please the eyes of Program Directors by including the right details and the most interesting information about your medical school experiences.

-  PRESENT YOURSELF WELL Join me for a mock interview. Read up on Dale Carnegie’s presentation techniques. Do whatever it takes to excel during the interview.

Follow the Four Ps of the ERAS@ application process, and I believe you’ll be miles ahead of your fellow medical students/graduates. Don’t let a typo keep you from your dream job.

If you need help, I’m here to help medical graduates every day. Let’s start with your plan.

Donald T. Morrish, MD

Residency Pro

A student once focused solely on letters of recommendation because a current resident supposedly got in from a high-profile recommendation. While LORs are essential to the application process, Program Directors look at the whole application. Don’t pursue this kind of advice. Instead, work on your entire application. Everything is what Program Directors always consider.

During the years I worked as an Associate Program Director for a residency training program, I witnessed many unsuccessful residency applicants go on advice from friends, current residents, blog posts or general résumé editors.

How can you avoid bad advice, misguided tips and ill-informed résumé changes? Seek out quality medical residency advice from someone who is:

-  A former Associate Program Director. One who has continuously worked within the field and who has worked one-on-one with residency applicants.

-  A board certified and practicing physician who not only understands the specialty you are seeking, but knows about current best practices.

-  A residency program expert who closely follows the annual changes to application guidelines for both U.S. and international applicants.

Why do you need to trust someone that follows current trends?

Let’s say there isn’t enough research being conducted in a residency training program. What do they do? The Program Directors may look for candidates with research experience and strong communication skills.

You may not have graduated from Harvard Medical School, but if you have research experience, that puts you ahead of the other applicants.

That’s why expert advice from someone who’s in the know is key. You may want to read my story of how well this approach worked for me. To talk about your ERAS® application, contact me or call: (888) 549-9111.

Donald T. Morrish, MD

Residency Pro