Author Archives: Liza
Posted on October 25, 2023 by Liza
Medical school applicants often wonder whether they should update schools. An “update letter” can keep medical schools informed as the application process unfolds. Applicants often wonder what merits sending an update; only significant additions to an application should be … Continue reading →
Posted on September 20, 2023 by Liza
As the former director of both the Johns Hopkins and Goucher Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Programs, I have in-depth knowledge of the post-bac application process; I have screened, interviewed, and made decisions on thousands of post-bac applicants. The post-baccalaureate premedical program application … Continue reading →
Posted on August 3, 2023 by Liza
The Liaison Committee on Medical Education accredits medical schools in the US and Canada. Accreditation ensures that medical schools meet standards set by the LCME. Medical schools are required to “demonstrate that their graduates exhibit general professional competencies that are appropriate … Continue reading →
Posted on June 12, 2023 by Liza
The Multiple Mini Interview format is now commonplace among US medical schools. Here is a list of MD schools using MMI in the 2023-2024 application cycle; this list is subject to change, please check with each school to which you … Continue reading →
Posted on June 7, 2023 by Liza
Secondary applications arrive soon after the primary application is transmitted to the medical schools. It is important to return secondary applications quickly; an application is not considered complete until the secondary has been received. The suggested time window for returning a … Continue reading →
Posted on May 20, 2023 by Liza
Casper (Computer Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics) an exam that is used by some medical schools in the admissions process. It assesses an applicant’s situational judgment in various scenarios. Here is the most recent list of MD schools requiring it; … Continue reading →
Posted on September 8, 2022 by Liza
Medical school admissions personnel have identified core competencies that are necessary to be a successful medical student and physician. The competencies are grouped into four categories: interpersonal, intrapersonal, thinking/reasoning, and science. The 15 competencies that are considered essential are: 1. … Continue reading →
Posted on August 10, 2022 by Liza
‘ Photo courtesy of umhs-sk.org Receiving an invitation to interview is an exciting step in the medical school application process. If you’ve been selected to interview it means that the medical school has vetted your application and you have passed … Continue reading →
Posted on June 24, 2022 by Liza
July is an incredibly busy month in the medical school application process. This is the time when secondary applications are in full swing. Having read thousands of secondary application essays over my career, which has spanned almost 30 years, I have … Continue reading →
Posted on June 12, 2022 by Liza
As described in another blog post, secondary applications are an enormously important component of the medical school application process. Secondaries are designed to suit the needs of individual medical schools. As such, medical schools pay as much attention to the secondary applications … Continue reading →