Medical School Secondaries + Interview Prep: Strategically Position Yourself As The Ultimate Candidate Today

Before attending medical school at Yale University, Dr. Chan worked as a life sciences consultant at a pharmaceutical consulting company. At Yale, she held various leadership positions in the Medical Student Council, served as the president of multiple interest groups, served on the Women in IR Committee for her specialty's society, and published more than 30 papers. She then completed a general surgery internship year at UCSF before pursuing her residency.

Dr. Chan's passion for mentoring and guiding students through the medical school application processes is evident in her comprehensive approach. She begins by understanding each student's motivations and career goals, ensuring they have the necessary academic coursework. Her guidance extends to building strong applications, emphasizing relevant extracurricular activities, crafting compelling personal statements, and securing impactful letters of recommendation.

One of Dr. Chan's greatest strengths as a coach is her ability to decompress complex processes into actionable steps. This approach reduces overwhelm and increases candidates' chances of success. By focusing on what sets each candidate apart, she helps them craft narratives that resonate with admissions committees. Her support extends beyond applications, offering stress management strategies and post-interview follow-up to ensure students remain focused and prepared.

With a strong foundation in admissions counseling, Dr. Chan has helped numerous students achieve their educational and career goals. Her dedication to mentoring and extensive experience in medical education make her an excellent resource for aspiring medical professionals. As she continues her residency at UCSF, Dr. Chan remains committed to guiding the next generation of doctors through the complexities of medical school applications.

Dr. Hong’s years of mentoring experience have helped her understand how to help students create competitive profiles to maximize their acceptance chances. With a Bachelor's in international affairs from Georgetown University and five years of experience as a Science Program Analyst at the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Hong's journey to medicine was far from conventional. A chance encounter with a doctor sparked her interest in the field, leading her to complete a post-baccalaureate program while working full-time. 

Her determination and hard work paid off,  receiving multiple acceptances from medical schools across the country. She ultimately chose to attend Emory University School of Medicine. During medical school, Dr. Hong hosted multiple applicants who came for interviews. Throughout her four years of medical school, she also coordinated a free women's clinic for low-income individuals and was a peer mentor for the OB/GYNOB-GYN clerkship.

Dr. Hong recognizes the importance of having insider knowledge of the application process and is committed to sharing tips and common pitfalls with students to help them navigate the challenges of medical school and residency applications. She has mentored several medical students and pre-medical students applying for programs, helping them plan their schedules and strategize letters of recommendation. 

Dr Hong’s approach to mentoring is centered on the art of storytelling. She believes that crafting a unique and compelling personal statement is key to standing out in the competitive world of medical school admissions. By working closely with students to identify their strengths, experiences, and passions, she helps them create narratives that highlight their individuality and potential as future physicians. 

She understands the importance of creating realistic plans for a successful application cycle as someone who has successfully balanced school, work, and family while pursuing her medical education. She works with students to develop strategies that consider their circumstances, ensuring they are well-prepared and confident in their ability to succeed.

Dr. Hong’s counseling style is honest, sensitive, and objective. She draws from reliable resources to provide guidance on the competitiveness of applications and to identify areas for improvement. While she is encouraging and supportive, she is also transparent about weaknesses and works collaboratively with students to create solutions and remedy any shortcomings. She believes that no applicant is perfectly well-rounded, and encourages students to lean into their strengths to stand out in the admissions process.

During his undergraduate studies, Ephraim pursued neuroscience and African & African American studies as a John B. Ervin Scholar and University Scholar in Medicine. He graduated summa cum laude, earning honors including the Barry Goldwater Scholarship, BP-ENDURE scholarship, and recognition as a regional finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship.

Born in Nigeria and raised in South Florida, Ephraim developed a special perspective from growing up in a multicultural environment. During his time at WashU, he demonstrated leadership and commitment to service through various roles, including interfaith fellow, president of the Minority Association of Premed Students, Alzheimer's researcher, and resident advisor. Additionally, he was a MARC USTAR research fellow, receiving funding for a two-year academic fellowship for minority students pursuing biomedical research.

His academic excellence and well-rounded profile led to his acceptance at all the medical schools he applied to, including top institutions such as UPenn, Columbia, Duke, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Yale, WashU, NYU, USF, and Northwestern.

At Harvard Medical School, Ephraim became co-president of the Student National Medical Association, demonstrating his continued dedication to leadership and community building. He aspires to leverage translational research and education to engage and benefit his local community.

As an admissions coach, Ephraim brings a wealth of personal experience and a deep appreciation of education and mentorship. His approach is characterized by patience, encouragement, and personalized strategies. He breaks down the application process into manageable steps, helps students identify their strengths, and provides consistent support and motivation. 

One of his greatest strengths is helping candidates identify and articulate their most impactful stories, highlighting what makes them unique. Ephraim provides structured, tailored support for crafting compelling personal statements, preparing for interviews, and strategically selecting best-fit schools. Ephraim has guided students through the medical school admissions cycle for three years, using his approach to help numerous students achieve their dreams and present their best selves in the competitive admissions process.