How do you prepare for the MMI multiple mini interview?  As more medical schools adopt this format, premed students need to be prepared to interview at medical schools that use this format. In this episode, Dr. Rajani Katta, author of The Medical School Interview and the MMI: Strategies From Admissions Faculty, breaks down the process of preparing for your MMI. Although some schools have written that there is no way to prepare for the MMI, Dr. Katta reviews the ways in which students can start to prepare.  Although you can’t predict which questions will be asked, you can prepare to be asked to participate in a task scenario, an acting scenario, or a discussion question prompt. Some schools also include traditional interview questions and behavioral interview questions as one of their MMI stations. These strategies can help you excel during your MMI. If you'd like to sign up for free excerpts of both of our med school interview books, you can sign up here. Other Resources: The Medical School Interview book: Winning Strategies from Admissions Faculty The MMI book Preparing for Your MMI: 9 Strategies Answering ethical scenarios Podcast episode on the ethical principles underlying medicine Part 2: Podcast episode on the ethical principles underlying medicine The Successful Match blog

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Preparing for the MMI Multiple Mini Interview Part 2

Preparing for the MMI multiple mini interview Part 1

What does it take to match into a competitive specialty or program? In Part 2 of this series, join Drs. Samir Desai and Rajani Katta as they discuss important strategies to significantly improve your chances. In this episode, you'll learn about faculty advocates, why it's important to develop relationships with them, and how they can help you reach your goals. You'll also appreciate the power of demonstrating "fit" with a program and how that can help you in the residency selection process.  

How To Match Into a Competitive Specialty: Part 2

How do you match into a competitive specialty? In this episode, we discuss specific strategies for matching, even if you have a lower USMLE score or may otherwise be less competitive than other applicants. We review three major strategies, including the importance of contact with a program's faculty, the importance of faculty advocates, and the importance of emphasizing "fit" with a program via your ERAS and personal statement. 

How To Match Into a Competitive Specialty: Part 1

In the 2021-2022 residency application cycle, applicants applying to internal medicine, general surgery, and dermatology will be able to signal programs of their significant interest through the ERAS supplemental application. In this episode, join Dr. Samir Desai as he discusses preference signaling, why it's in your best interests to participate in it, and some factors to consider as you decide which programs to signal. 

Supplemental ERAS Application Part 3: Preference Signaling

This is Part 2 of our series on the supplemental ERAS application which was introduced in 2021 for residency applicants applying to internal medicine (preliminary and categorical), general surgery (categorical), and dermatology. In Part 1, we talked about how to complete the past experiences section of this application. In this episode, our focus is on the geographic information section. Join Dr. Samir Desai as he discusses the role geography plays in the residency selection process and its importance. With a stronger understanding of why programs consider geography, you will be in a better position to approach this section of the supplemental application.

Supplemental ERAS Application Part 2: Geographic Information

In 2021, the supplemental ERAS application was added as a new component of the residency application for applicants applying to internal medicine (preliminary and categorical), general surgery (categorical), and dermatology residency programs. In this episode, join Dr. Samir Desai as he discusses why the supplemental application came into existence. You will also learn how to complete the past experiences section of the application so that the information programs seek is conveyed through your answers. In forthcoming episodes, we will address two other components of the supplemental application - geographic information and preference signaling.

Supplemental ERAS Application Part 1: Past Experiences

We know that participation in research, especially work that leads to publication or presentation, can strengthen the residency application. However, a major challenge is finding such opportunities. In this episode, join Drs. Samir Desai and Rajani Katta as they break down the process of finding research projects and mentors. Among the questions they will answer: How important is research? How can you go beyond participation to get published or presented? Can you be published without participating in formal research? 

How Residency Applicants Can Find Research Opportunities and Increase Their Chances of Publication

Over 5,200 U.S. citizen IMGs participated in the 2021 NRMP Match. These students had to answer some difficult questions before they started medical school. Among them: Should I attend medical school outside the U.S.? Will my decision to go abroad affect my specialty choice? What can I do to maximize my chances of success in the residency match?   To help answer these important questions, join Dr. Samir Desai as he interviews Dr. Marc Katz, a graduate of the Ross University School of Medicine. After completing internal medicine residency, Marc matched into cardiology and is currently a cardiology fellow. Having written extensively about his journey in medicine, Marc offers his insight and gives us his perspectives on a wide range of issues. These include choosing a medical school, optimal learning strategies, USMLE success tips, and advice for clinical rotations.    Visit us at TheSuccessfulMatch.com and MD2BConnect.com for more resources to help you reach your goals in medicine. 

Advice from a Caribbean Medical School Graduate: Interview with Dr. Marc Katz

On Monday of Match Week, the NRMP informs residency applicants if they have matched. Unmatched applicants can take part in the NRMP Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program, also known as SOAP. SOAP offers a process for applicants to secure positions in unfilled residency programs. The process is very competitive with over 12,000 applicants competing for traditionally just over 1,000 positions.    In this episode, Drs. Rajani Katta and Samir Desai discuss how to maximize your chances for success in the SOAP. You'll learn the steps that can be taken prior to Match week to strengthen your chances in the SOAP. You'll also learn about the mistakes that applicants make, some of which are disastrous with repercussions that can last long after Match Week.    Visit us at TheSuccessfulMatch.com and MD2BConnect.com for more resources to help you reach your goals in medicine.

NRMP SOAP: How To Prepare in Case You Don't Match

Although telemedicine has been available for years, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated its use not only in patient care but also in medical education. Drs. Rajani Katta and Samir Desai discuss telemedicine rotations and how students can make the most of these learning opportunities while working as part of the healthcare team. With a focus on video encounters, you'll learn how to prepare for an effective encounter, connect with patients, take the history while remaining engaged with the patient, and properly close the session.  

How To Succeed In Your Telemedicine Rotation

If you are an international medical graduate (IMG) seeking to complete your residency training in the U.S., you will face unique challenges in your efforts to match successfully. Overcoming these challenges will require a strong understanding of the application process as well as the strength and perseverance to handle the ups and downs that you will experience during this process.    What will be particularly invaluable to you as you navigate these hurdles is knowing how IMGs before you reached their goals. In this episode, join Dr. Samir Desai as he interviews Dr. Bruno Lima, a remarkable young physician from Brazil who completed his internal medicine residency training at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Lima is currently a cardiology fellow at Emory University and will be starting a Cardiovascular Imaging Fellowship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in 2021.      In this episode, Dr. Lima will walk us through the steps he took to become an internal medicine resident in the U.S. As we discuss the volunteer, clinical, and research experiences he took part in, you will gain insight into how the choices that we make and the people with whom we work can have a major impact on our personal and professional growth as well as our chances of success. You’ll be left with some powerful lessons that will help guide you in your own journey to a successful match. 

Matching into Internal Medicine with USMLE Brazil Founder - Dr. Bruno Lima

Medical schools and residency programs have shifted to virtual interviews in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While virtual interviews offer a safe alternative to in-person interviews, they do present applicants with unique challenges. In this episode, Drs. Rajani Katta and Samir Desai share their perspectives on common mistakes applicants make when doing virtual interviews. You will learn about the technological issues that can prevent even the most prepared applicants from making a strong impression. Become "technologically ready" to deliver a powerful performance that brings you closer to your goal: your place in medical school or residency. 

Virtual Medical School and Residency Interviews: Tips for Success

The strongest medical school interview responses are those that are unique to you. Creating these types of responses relies on being able to discuss and highlight your unique interests, strengths, goals, and experiences. That's why it's so important to review and analyze all of the activities that you have been able to take part in. Reviewing your activities, and analyzing what these activities meant to you and how they reflect your strengths and interests is a very important part of interview preparation. In this episode, Dr. Rajani Katta provides a framework for how to analyze and reflect upon your activities and experiences.

Analyzing your Activities Before the Medical School Interview

There are some questions that we can confidently say you will be asked at every medical school admissions interview.  "Why are you interested in our medical school" is certainly one of them. Unfortunately, many applicants fail to develop and deliver an answer that resonates with their interviewers.    In this episode, Dr. Rajani Katta and Dr. Samir Desai provide a detailed approach to developing a winning answer to this important question. By the end of the episode, you'll know exactly how to transform your current answer into a more powerful one. Learn how to show your interviewers what you have to offer and why you're a great fit for their school. 

A Common Medical School Interview Question: Why Are You Interested In Our Medical School?

The SIM podcast is dedicated to helping students, residents, and physicians achieve success in medicine. With interviews and a review of research in different areas, including career advancement, financial success, and well-being, as well as clinical and non-clinical careers in medicine, Drs. Samir Desai and Rajani Katta present evidence-based advice and a range of insider perspectives.

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Success in Medicine

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