Success in Medical School ─ Insider Advice for the Preclinical Years

Medical school is intense, demanding, and stressful. How can you overcome the challenges to excel? A strong work ethic is important but nowhere near enough. As faculty advisors, we've found that misperceptions about the factors leading to success as a student and in the residency match are shockingly common. Our detailed advice, based on evidence from research in the field and experiences with high-performing students, will provide you a strategy for success. How can you identify if you're at risk for a low USMLE score? How can you boost your performance? What study skills separate the top from the average students? How can you choose a research project and advisor that leads to publication? How can you participate in community service and make meaningful contributions? Why is leadership in medical school important? Utilizing a strong combination of evidence-based advice and insider knowledge, this book will provide you the knowledge and guidance you need to achieve success in medical school.

Dr. Samir Desai serves on the faculty of the Baylor College of Medicine in the Department of Medicine. He is actively involved in medical student education, a member of the Clerkship Directors in Internal Medicine, and the recipient of teaching awards. He is an author and editor, having written 12 books that together have sold over 100,000 copies worldwide.In 2009, he co-authored The Successful Match: 200 Rules to Succeed in the Residency Match, a book that has helped thousands of residency applicants match successfully. His other books include the best-selling Clinician's Guide to Laboratory Medicine: Pocket. This resource, widely used by students and residents, offers a unique step-by-step approach to lab test interpretation.After completing his residency training in Internal Medicine at Northwestern University, Dr. Desai had the opportunity of serving as chief medical resident. He received his M.D. degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan, graduating first in his class.Dr. Rajani Katta is an Associate Professor in the Department of Dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine. She serves as the course director for dermatology in the basic sciences, and has served as the clerkship director for the dermatology rotation. In these capacities, she has seen firsthand the importance of outstanding clinical evaluations in securing a position in a competitive specialty, and her insight in this area has helped students seeking these types of competitive positions.Having advised many students over the years regarding the dermatology match process, she was determine to become expert in this area, and share her knowledge, insight, and perspective. In 2009, she coauthored The Successful Match: 200 Rules to Succeed in the Residency Match.After graduating with honors from Baylor College of Medicine and completing her internship in Internal Medicine, she completed her dermatology residency at Northwestern University.