Dream On

So yes, I was the unlikely, the overlooked, and the rejected candidate. But I bared those titles graciously; because it is in them and under them that I found my passion to work with those who face those very same labels each day.

Top 10 Suggestions for Studying for USMLE Step 1

1. Track topics that are “archetypal” and know them. The Step 1 exam only really tests you on archetypal (or classic) examples of diseases.

Live an Awesome Life Now! Don’t wait a decade.

Think about it, a lot can happen in a decade. Unless you’re purposeful with your time, you may find yourself as an intern reflecting on your life wondering, “Why didn’t I make time for fun, too?”

Top 5 Reasons Pre-Meds Are Rejected

1. You’re Awesome But Your MCAT Score or GPA Is Not

A low MCAT score or GPA can result in a school discarding your application without taking a glance at your extracurriculars or letters of evaluation.  

You are much more than your grades and exam scores. Knowing how to promote yourself despite blemishes on your academic record is critical to successfully earning a spot in medical school. Our team will help you present your strengths and weaknesses in a way that shows you’re a competitive and highly qualified candidate. If you still have time to raise your GPA or MCAT, ProMEDeus will uncover exactly what it will take to optimize your scores and make sure you’re not set aside from the start.

Top 4 Reasons Med Students FAIL

“The reason medical students fail has little to do with intellectual capacity.”  — Dr. J. Victor Tovar, CEO

1. Failure to Develop a Study Schedule

Students fail to make full use of their available time so they squander precious hours that could have been used to pass the test.  In addition students don’t leverage their personal peak learning times to tackle the most difficult content. 

Rock the Personal Statement

The personal statement is one of the most important components of your application and is often used as the ‘differentiator’ between applicants with comparable stats. Writing a compelling personal statement is challenging but not impossible. By following a few basic guidelines, you can create an effective essay that shines.

5 Things to Consider Before Attending a Foreign Med School

The hardest part about medical school is getting in. As healthcare in America continues to evolve, the pathway to becoming a physician has also changed. Those who plan on practicing in the states must still complete a residency in the US, but getting to that point is now harder and more competitive than it was 20 years ago. Some students have elected to go to foreign medical schools to receive their training. Here are 5 things to keep in mind if you decide to pursue your degree in a foreign country but plan on practicing in America.

Life of a Med Student

“I’ve helped friends fill out their Green Card applications; oddly applying for medical school feels reminiscent to that. There are background checks, character references, fees, and passport like photos to submit, tests, and of course interviews. All of this to gain citizenship to the country called medicine.

Lessons & Advice from Med Student Blogger @StudentDrDiva

I wish I knew the sheer volume of information that was going to get thrown at us. What I do in one week I did probably in a year or over a semester in undergrad. You hear the horror stories from medical students all the time and you never really know how difficult and challenging it is until you experience it for yourself.

There’s a reason @StudentDrDiva (formerly MedSchoolQueen) has 16,000+ followers on Twitter! Read on for her VERY BEST piece of advice and what keeps her motivated.

My 15 ways to cope with the stress of finals!

Great post! Reblogged at promedeus.wordpress.com

MARTESSORI

1. Create a good schedule and STICK TO IT – If you’re like me, you’re an obsessive organizer and everything has to be scheduled, even eating and showering. While most people aren’t necessarily this anal about their time and schedules, having a schedule can help out tremendously. This should have probably been prepared the week before finals so you can know what to study and when to study. But if you’re just now starting, do not fret. There’s still time. Create a schedule that carefully plans your projects, papers, and study time. Always leave room,  so overestimate how long it will take you to finish a project, paper or review your notes. Never underestimate yourself because you’ll probably be even more stressed out that you didn’t finish in a certain amount of time. Create a schedule that you can manage during finals week. Also gather everything that you need in…

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Why I Smile

At 8 a.m. every morning of the work week, I show up to class and make every bit of a dramatic entrance — slapping high fives to people in the front row, cracking a joke at He-Man’s (the class ‘buff guy’) expense, taking a moment to survey the classroom for an empty seat (next to people I haven’t sat with yet), throwing long distance secret handshakes to anyone from my lab table that’s paying attention … and smiling as big as I can stand it. And though this behavior is admittedly odd and seemingly manic, it is actually a completely honest expression of everything that my smile represents. Some of my classmates have noticed and asked me about it.