If you are a medical student or a doctor, and you have any question regarding any topic discussed or related to this blog, for example:
-Undergraduate studies
-Postgraduate studies, specially in Canada
-Writing your CV
-Interview strategies
-Hematology
-Other related topics
Then you are welcome to post your questions here. I will do my best to help you or refer you to who might help.
About me: I'm a medical graduate from King AbdulAziz University-Jeddah, KSA and is studying internal medicine and planning to go for clinical hematology later. Currently I'm training in the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Good luck
إظهار الرسائل ذات التسميات Postgraduate Medical Training. إظهار كافة الرسائل
إظهار الرسائل ذات التسميات Postgraduate Medical Training. إظهار كافة الرسائل
السبت، يونيو ٢٣، ٢٠٠٧
الجمعة، يناير ٠٥، ٢٠٠٧
Post Graduate Training Abroad-4
How to write a personal statement
What is the personal statement (to start with)?
It is a one-paper-length essay, where you describe who you are, why did you choose that specific specialty, and why did you choose this special program or hospital.
This document is usually required during the application process to the international residency programs. It will be a wonderful job to write one, even if you are applying to a local one. It will make you different. As we were told, most of the Saudi applications to international programs do not include a personal statement, which may make them look...not well equipped?!
Anyways,
In most of the cases the personal statement consists of about 4 paragraphs.
The first one, the introduction, should be written to catch the immediate attention of the speaker. You can start with a personal story for example.
The 1st and 2nd paragraphs should be written to describe you. Here you can include all your good points that have no place in your CV. For example, you cannot write : I'm a team-player, hard worker, open minded person in your CV. But you can insert these characteristics- in an intelligent way- in the personal statement.
The 3rd and 4th paragraphs are for describing why did you like that specialty. What do you think is so special about it, and why would you fit in it. You should also mention what sort of program are you looking for, and that the program you are applying to, is the most appropriate.
The Internet is full of websites that might help. Check:
MDLinks
Medical students' guide to writing CV and personal statements
Career Services from Rush University
What is the personal statement (to start with)?
It is a one-paper-length essay, where you describe who you are, why did you choose that specific specialty, and why did you choose this special program or hospital.
This document is usually required during the application process to the international residency programs. It will be a wonderful job to write one, even if you are applying to a local one. It will make you different. As we were told, most of the Saudi applications to international programs do not include a personal statement, which may make them look...not well equipped?!
Anyways,
In most of the cases the personal statement consists of about 4 paragraphs.
The first one, the introduction, should be written to catch the immediate attention of the speaker. You can start with a personal story for example.
The 1st and 2nd paragraphs should be written to describe you. Here you can include all your good points that have no place in your CV. For example, you cannot write : I'm a team-player, hard worker, open minded person in your CV. But you can insert these characteristics- in an intelligent way- in the personal statement.
The 3rd and 4th paragraphs are for describing why did you like that specialty. What do you think is so special about it, and why would you fit in it. You should also mention what sort of program are you looking for, and that the program you are applying to, is the most appropriate.
The Internet is full of websites that might help. Check:
MDLinks
Medical students' guide to writing CV and personal statements
Career Services from Rush University
الأربعاء، نوفمبر ٢٩، ٢٠٠٦
Post Graduate Training Abroad -3
How To Write A CV
This post (as the previous in this series) is aimed mainly for health care professionals, although others might find it useful too.
What is a CV?
CV stands for the word Curriculum Vitae. In some places it is called a resume. It is the document that describes your life events and achievements. When applying for a job, your CV plays an important role in the (marketing) process.
It is never early to write a CV. Even if you didn't graduate yet you will find it very useful to start . It will help you to notice the weak points on your CV so you can work on them later.
Nothing in CV writing is totally right or wrong, except for few points:
This post (as the previous in this series) is aimed mainly for health care professionals, although others might find it useful too.
What is a CV?
CV stands for the word Curriculum Vitae. In some places it is called a resume. It is the document that describes your life events and achievements. When applying for a job, your CV plays an important role in the (marketing) process.
It is never early to write a CV. Even if you didn't graduate yet you will find it very useful to start . It will help you to notice the weak points on your CV so you can work on them later.
Nothing in CV writing is totally right or wrong, except for few points:
- It should be in black and white only.
- 2 pages in length is the best.
- Be consistent in using the font and size.
- It should be always updated.
How to start:
Choose a quite place to sit down with a pen and blank sheets of paper. Write down everything related to your academic and professional life. List all the presentations that you made and all the courses that you attended. List everything, as if you are in a brain storming session.
After you are done, start with a new blank piece of paper, and write these categories down:
- Personal information
- Objective
- Education
- Professional Experience
- Licencs and certificates
- Awards and honors
- Presentations
- Research Experience
- Courses and conferences
- Extracurricular activities
- Hobbies and interests
- References
Now you have to write the appropriate elements under each subheading. You have to choose now. Not everything you did in your life can go in your CV
I will try to elaborate on more aspects of that later.
To be continued...
الجمعة، نوفمبر ٢٤، ٢٠٠٦
Post Graduate Training Abroad -2
After passing the MCCEE, I had to gather the rest of the application documents.
The list of the required documents include:
The complete list of documents, in addition to many other valuable information, are available on the website of the Saudi Arabian Cultural Bureau in Canada-Ottawa.
In the coming post of this series I'll be writing about writing the CV, which is a very important topic. Be around.
To be continued...
The list of the required documents include:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume
- Personal statement (if available)
- Recommendation letters-3 to 5
- MCCEE result letter
- TOEFL result letter (if available)
- Certified copies of the medical school graduation certificate
- Certified copies of the transcript
- Certified copies of the internship certificate
- Personal photos
- Letter of financial support (for example: from the ministry of higher education)
The complete list of documents, in addition to many other valuable information, are available on the website of the Saudi Arabian Cultural Bureau in Canada-Ottawa.
In the coming post of this series I'll be writing about writing the CV, which is a very important topic. Be around.
To be continued...
الثلاثاء، سبتمبر ٢٦، ٢٠٠٦
Post Graduate Training Abroad -1
Have you considered completing your post graduate studies abroad? You don't know where to start?
Well...I did. But thanks Allah there were many helpful people (and books!) around.
Where did it all start? Let me remember...
I have just started my internship then...when I decided to go into hematology.
Ist of all I did 2 months there as an intern. The department knew me well by then. I then got the job.
The choice came later, whether to complete the post graduate studies here or abroad.
I had to set with the whole family for few times until everybody agreed that it is better to study abroad, as I have a scholarship.
2nd step was: where to go?
My choice was Canada. It is a very friendly country, great training programs, people are coming back as leaders, and I know many people there.
Later I had to take the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Exam (MCCEE). No application can be ever received without its result. I took it in May 2005.
How to prepare for it? My advice is:
1- Make sure you have enough time to study...3 months if working, 1 month if not (or light job).
2- Try as many MCQs as you can.
3- Memorize 2 books: any book for the USMLE Step 2 + a good book in psychiatry. (Colleagues who took the exam recently advised to read a book in behavioral sciences, too. For example: High yield behavioral sciences).
4- Refer to Toronto Notes as required.
I used this plan and I got a pretty good mark alhamduliAllah.
To be continued...
Well...I did. But thanks Allah there were many helpful people (and books!) around.
Where did it all start? Let me remember...
I have just started my internship then...when I decided to go into hematology.
Ist of all I did 2 months there as an intern. The department knew me well by then. I then got the job.
The choice came later, whether to complete the post graduate studies here or abroad.
I had to set with the whole family for few times until everybody agreed that it is better to study abroad, as I have a scholarship.
2nd step was: where to go?
My choice was Canada. It is a very friendly country, great training programs, people are coming back as leaders, and I know many people there.
Later I had to take the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Exam (MCCEE). No application can be ever received without its result. I took it in May 2005.
How to prepare for it? My advice is:
1- Make sure you have enough time to study...3 months if working, 1 month if not (or light job).
2- Try as many MCQs as you can.
3- Memorize 2 books: any book for the USMLE Step 2 + a good book in psychiatry. (Colleagues who took the exam recently advised to read a book in behavioral sciences, too. For example: High yield behavioral sciences).
4- Refer to Toronto Notes as required.
I used this plan and I got a pretty good mark alhamduliAllah.
To be continued...
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