Success In Medicine

After applying for residency, many applicants send emails to programs expressing their interest, hoping that their communication will increase their chances of receiving interviews.  Unfortunately, these emails often fail to make the impact that applicants wish to make because of a variety of errors. In this episode, Dr. Samir Desai will discuss common mistakes that program directors encounter in email correspondence from applicants. Learn how to avoid these mistakes so that you can make a favorable impression - one that says to the program director that "This is someone I must interview."

The challenges and demands of medical school can affect the relationships medical students have with their loved ones. In this podcast, Dr. Desai interviews Sarah Epstein, author of the book "Love in the Time of Medical School." Learn how Sarah and her now-husband Brian were able to overcome the challenges and demands of medical school to maintain their healthy relationship. Featuring Sarah's own story as well her knowledge gained from other medical school couples, this podcast will leave you with specific strategies to care for your relationship.    

Are you interviewing for internal medicine residency? If so, you must prepare for the common question, "Do you have any questions for me about our program?" In this podcast, Dr. Samir Desai will show you how to ask questions that will give you important information about the program while helping you to stand out from other applicants.

Are you interviewing for family medicine residency? If so, you must prepare for the common question, "Do you have any questions for me about our program?" In this podcast, Dr. Samir Desai will show you how to ask questions that will give you important information about the program while helping you to stand out from other applicants.

Join Dr. Samir Desai as he discusses how to develop a compelling and powerful answer to the interview question, "What discovery do you think has had the greatest impact on medicine?" 

Are you interviewing for anesthesiology residency? If so, you must prepare for the common question, "Do you have any questions for me about our program?" In this podcast, Dr. Samir Desai will show you how to ask questions that will give you important information about the program while helping you to stand out from other applicants.   

A number of medical schools and health professions programs have replaced the traditional interview with the multiple mini interview or MMI in the admissions process. In this episode, Dr. Desai shares three major mistakes that applicants commonly make during the MMI, and provides advice on how to avoid them.

Medical students have made important contributions to relief efforts during and following disaster situations all across the world. In this episode, Dr. Samir Desai discusses the impact students have had on those affected. You'll learn how you can get involved through efforts in your local area or by joining teams traveling to disaster-stricken areas. 

Talented medical students with a track record of achievement outside the classroom as undergraduates sometimes have difficulty doing the same during medical school. Join Dr. Samir Desai as he tells the story of how one student found himself in this situation just a few months before it was time to apply for medical school. You'll discover why this happens, and the consequences of a relatively bare application for two groups of residency applicants: Students with "lower" USMLE Step 1 scores Students with "higher" USMLE Step 1 scores  

In Part 2 of Lessons Learned from Medical School in China, join Dr. Samir Desai as he explores how to deliver culturally competent care to Chinese Americans through an interview with Dr. Hassan Raza. Having grown up in the U.S., Dr. Raza attended medical school in China. With this background, Dr. Raza offers his unique perspectives on important topics with respect to Chinese Americans, including coining, cupping, acupuncture, and end-of-life care. 

Students considering attending medical school in the Caribbean have tough choices to make. Among the questions which need answers: Which school should I attend? What is the quality of the preclinical education, and how well will I be prepared for the USMLE exams? Where can I do my clinical rotations in the U.S., and what are the quality of these experiences? How do graduates fare in the residency match? In this episode, we'll answer these questions as it relates to the Ross University School of Medicine. Join Dr. Samir Desai as he interviews Dr. Nithin Natwa, a recent Ross graduate. 

A lack of shadowing can affect your chances of gaining admission to medical school. Learn about one student's struggles to find shadowing opportunities, and what he did to overcome obstacles in the process. Join Dr. Samir Desai as he offers a very specific approach to help students land shadowing positions. 

Imagine leaving the United States to attend medical school in China, not knowing a single word of Mandarin Chinese or being particularly fond of Chinese food. How hard would it be to adapt? In this Q & A, Dr. Hassan Raza describes what it was like to attend medical school in China, the lessons that he learned from Chinese patients, and how these lessons continue to influence the way in which he delivers care to patients in the U.S.

Hear from a patient whose life changed unexpectedly and dramatically late one night. As she tells her story, you'll learn about her interactions with physicians. Join Dr. Samir Desai in this powerful interview which will serve as a reminder that what we say and how we say it can have a significant impact on our patients. 

Premedical students are often told that shadowing is important to the medical school admissions committee. How important is shadowing? Why is it important? Is it absolutely necessary? Can you get into medical school without shadowing? Join Dr. Samir Desai as he discusses the answers to these important questions. 

How can students make a favorable impression during the neurology rotation? Join Drs. Rajani Katta and Samir Desai as they provide specific recommendations for success.

Do medical schools ever rescind or revoke medical school admissions offers? Dr. Samir Desai discusses 6 reasons why this could happen.

Join Dr. Samir Desai as he discusses how to develop a compelling and powerful answer to the interview question, "What discovery do you think has had the greatest impact on medicine?" This was a question some applicants were asked at UT Houston Medical School last year but has also been asked at other schools across the country.

Join Dr. Samir Desai as he provides tips to impress during the UT Southwestern Medical School Interview. He also discusses powerful ways to answer the question "What do you like to do for fun?". Although the question seems innocent and lighthearted, many applicants answer the question poorly. Learn how to answer it well at UT Southwestern and other schools. 

In Part 2 of Anesthesiology Rotation Success, Dr. Rajani Katta and Dr. Samir Desai offer additional tips for rotation success with a focus on interactions with patients and attending physicians.