How to Get an AMAZING Letter of Recommendation for Residency

A key component of your residency application is the letter of recommendation. Once residency programs have screened applicants on the basis of Step scores and clerkship grades, there remain only a few ways for residency hopefuls to standout. As a result, an amazing letter of recommendation for residency can help differentiate you from other equally qualified applicants. When I interviewed for residency, interviewers often commented on the strength of my letters of recommendation. I’m grateful for the advice I’ve received over the years regarding getting amazing letters. Now, I want to share that advice with you! In this post, I…

View Post

What’s in a name? The (Mis)Use of Formal Titles in the Hospital

Introducing the Problem In any hospital, there are many different types of workers who help to provide quality patient care and keep patients safe. Of all those who work in the hospital, however, only doctors receive a formal title in day-to-day conversation. Whether it’s from other medical professionals or patients, attending physicians are almost always called Dr.  On the other hand, nurses, physician assistants, medical students, and even resident physicians less frequently receive formal titles in the hospital. ***************** Growing up in a Caribbean family, I was taught that titles are a sign of respect, especially for those older than…

View Post

How to Secure an AMAZING Letter of Recommendation for Medical School

A key component of your medical school application is the letter of recommendation. An amazing letter of recommendation for medical school can help differentiate you from other equally qualified applicants. Lukewarm letters of recommendation can land you on the waitlist. Even worse, they can make the difference between an acceptance and a rejection. When I interviewed for both medical school and residency, interviewers often commented on the strength of my letters of recommendation. I’m grateful for the advice I’ve received over the years, and I want to share it with you. In this post, I will outline some strategies that…

View Post

Graduation Photoshoot Ideas

This post includes affiliate links With graduation season on the horizon, it’s time to start thinking about your graduation photoshoot! Let’s be honest, in the Instagram era, if you don’t have a graduation photoshoot, did you even graduate?! Especially with most universities cancelling formal, in-person graduation ceremonies this year, graduation photoshoots will likely be a fun way for you to commemorate your hard work in school over the past few years. After high school, I spent a lot of time in higher education – nine years to be exact including college and graduate school. So when it came time for…

View Post

Guide to Moving to Philadelphia for Residency – Housing

As a psychiatry resident in Philadelphia, I wanted to create a guide to moving to Philadelphia for residency for those who can’t visit the city before their move. Prior to residency, I lived in Philadelphia for medical school and business school for five years. So I’ve been here for quite some time now! Before I first moved to Philly, I was traveling in Europe while making arrangements to move to a new city. In other words, I know what it’s like to plan a move to a city without being able to visit in person. Over the past six years,…

View Post