Medical Student Power Clicks

(January 6, 2013)

Powerful information to help today's medical student excel in medical school

Getting into Medical School

"Why are you interested in our medical school?" is a question that is routinely asked at medical school interviews. Interviewers are impressed with applicants who have thoroughly researched the school, and can offer specific reasons for their interest. In your research, we encourage you to take extra steps beyond simply reading the school's website.

Look for and seize opportunities to talk with current students and graduates. The College of Osteopathic Medicine at Oklahoma State University offers an open house for students interested in their school. "Med-Xtravaganza offers student the opportunity to meet with faculty and admissions staff, interact one-on-one with current OSU medical students, get information on admission criteria, tour campus facilities, participate in hands-on laboratory demonstrations and learn more about osteopathic medicine," writes the Daily Ardmoreite. This is the type of effort that can yield valuable information, allowing you to more convincingly convey why you are a good fit for the school.

Preclinical Success

In our book, Success in Medical School, we highlighted strategies for active learning in medical school. One approach that we didn't include is music. At the University of California San Francisco, Dr. Arie Perry is putting lyrics to music to help students learn neuropathology. "The ability to make these creative songs that help you learn neuropathology is pretty engaging for students,” said Dr. S. Andrew Josephson. “I find that a lot of our students in the Brain, Mind and Behavior course are listening to recordings of these songs as they try to prepare for an exam and are whistling them down the hallway.” Visit Dr. Perry's website for more information.

Clerkship Success

As important members of the health care team, medical students have the power to protect their patients and improve patient care during clerkships. However, students often feel uncomfortable taking the initiative in this regard and discussing such issues with senior team members. The University of Connecticut School of Medicine has created an excellent interactive case-based module to help students improve patient care during rotations. We also believe that students can make significant contributions to patient care and safety, and offer practical strategies for clerkship students in the "Patients" chapter of our book, Success on the Wards.

Residency Match Success

Halley Briglia is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Toledo College of Medicine. She hopes to become a neurologist, and has been interviewing for residency. As any residency applicant will tell you, interviewing for a residency position can be stressful. For Halley, however, the stress likely pales in comparison to what she experienced one day in October.

After leaving her apartment for a hospital shift, Halley was robbed and shot. She sustained multiple injuries to her jaw, neck, and right thumb, requiring several surgeries. As she recovered, she decided to continue with her efforts to match this year. “I never even really considered waiting until next year,” said Halley in an interview with the Toledo Blade. In fact, her first few interviews took place with her jaw still wired shut.

Halley's story is an inspiring one, and we wish Halley all the best with the residency match and her ongoing recovery. Read more about her story here.