How to Apply…

A. How to Apply to College.

  • send high school transcripts
  • send proof of (pending) graduation from high school
  • send SAT (and possibly ACT) scores
  • write a personal statement describing naive and idealistic reasons for attending college
  • send a personal photo of pre-determined dimensions, no bigger, no smaller
  • submit a common application form
  • pay money

B. How to Apply to Medical School.

  • complete step A
  • send college transcripts
  • send proof of (pending) graduation from college
  • send MCAT scores
  • write a personal statement describing noble and upstanding reasons for entering medicine
  • cajole (at least three) professors to write letters of recommendation filled with vague platitudes
  • send an updated curriculum vitae
  • submit a common application form
  • pay (more) money

C. How to Apply to Residency.

  • complete steps A and B
  • send medical school transcripts
  • send proof of (pending) graduation from medical school with notarized and embossed seal
  • send the Dean’s Letter (which is almost never written by the Dean)
  • send USMLE Step 1 and 2 scores
  • write a personal statement describing passionate and dedicated reasons for choosing the desired medical specialty
  • plead (at least three) attending physicians to write letters of recommendation filled with generic commendations
  • send an updated curriculum vitae
  • submit a common application form
  • pay (even more) money

D. How to Apply to Fellowship.

  • complete steps A, B, and C
  • send medical school transcripts
  • send proof of graduation from medical school with notarized and embossed seal
  • send the Dean’s Letter (which is almost never written by the Dean)
  • send proof of (pending) completion of residency (original copies only, please)
  • send USMLE Step 1, 2, and 3 scores
  • write a personal statement describing reasons for pursuing yet another cursed year of specialized medical education in a narrow discipline (limit to 1/2 page at most)
  • wheedle (at least three) attending physicians to write letters of recommendation filled with fluffy accolades
  • send an updated curriculum vitae
  • submit a common application form
  • pay (not as much) money, primarily for plane tickets

I seem to apply to something every four years.


9 Apr 2007 |



6 comments »


Good luck :)

Comment by Bardiac | 10 Apr 2007 @ 6:46am



All the best. If it’s any consolation, most Pediatrics fellowships are three years.

Comment by karrvakarela | 10 Apr 2007 @ 1:30pm



Funny and all too true.

Comment by pcol | 10 Apr 2007 @ 3:38pm



Gosh that’s a lot more complicated than my applications.

A. University (first time)
- fill in form with preferences and submit online to University Admissions Centre
- pay some money
- sit final high school exams
- wait for exam results to be given to Admissions Centre and them to allocate me a preference

B. Admission to Pharmacy Graduate Training Course
- fill in form that was sent on graduation from B.Pharm
- pay money
- send photo

C. Application to Pharmacy Board
- submit uni transcript, photos and money.
- sit written and oral exams
- submit police record check consent form and personal referee form stating that I am of good character
- pay more money

D. Admission to Med School
- fill in form for centralised med school allocation people (ACER) with preferences for unis.
- calculate GPA and submit to ACER, with transcript of previous degree.
- pay money
- sit GAMSAT
- wait a few months for ACER to send GAMSAT results to unis.
- sit interview at uni of choice
- receive acceptance BY EMAIL THAT STARTED WITH FW:!!! Hah! I thought it was a hoax! But apparently not.

It’s a bit sad that I’ve never been required to make a personal statement. I like making statements. Although I did make a police statement once and was a bit disturbed when it was read back - do I really talk like that???

Comment by yay | 10 Apr 2007 @ 5:22pm



hmmm, my course was a little different.

Comment by Jesse | 10 Apr 2007 @ 9:29pm



see, this is why you go to art school!

Comment by steph | 12 Apr 2007 @ 8:42pm




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