About the Author

Alina Khil, MD

The Most Difficult Residency Specialties to Match Into & Why They’re So Competitive

19 min

8608 Views

A resident that has matched into one of the most difficult specialties to match into standing in a hospital, wearing scrubs.

8608 Views

Introduction: Unveiling the Most Difficult Residency Specialties to Match Into   Choosing a medical specialty is a challenging task, especially when it comes to the most difficult residency specialties. These specialties stand out not only for their intense competition but also for the rigorous demands they place on aspiring doctors....

Best Resources for ABSITE Studying and How to Use Them

15 min

1407 Views

An operating room focusing on surgical tools.

1407 Views

As you prepare for the American Board of Surgery In-Training Exam (ABSITE), it's important to have access to the best ABSITE resources. Unlike other standardized tests, it can be difficult to find comprehensive resources for ABSITE studying, and more difficult to determine which are the most effective. Surgery requires a...

USMLE Step 3: Managing Anxiety if Day 1 Didn’t Go as Planned

5 min

696 Views

A frustrated medical resident studying for day 2 of USMLE Step 3 after feeling anxious on Day 1.

696 Views

Whether you spent a lot of time preparing for USMLE Step 3 or not, day 1 for most test takers is very anxiety-inducing and feels like absolute defeat. But, there is still another day of test taking. To manage USMLE Step 3 post-day 1 anxiety, it is important to understand...

The Complete Step 2 CK Breakdown by Subject and How to Plan For Each Subject

24 min

7452 Views

A medical school student studying for the USMLE Step 2 CK in front of a laptop at home.

7452 Views

Just like other USMLE exams, Step 2 CK is written based on a content outline and has a subject breakdown. Medicine makes up 50-60% of the exam, surgery is 25-30%, pediatrics is 20-25%, obstetrics and gynecology is 10-20%, and psychiatry is 10-15%. The test is further broken down into 15...

The 2023 Best MCAT Practice Tests

14 min

1140 Views

A pre-med student taking an MCAT practice exam on a computer.

1140 Views

A stellar MCAT score can be achieved through an infinite combination of study methods and resources. But most successful MCAT study schedules do have one thing in common. Whether you structure your studying to include printed books, online videos, or pre-made flashcard decks, one element of preparation is necessary for...

10 Steps to Creating Your Perfect Step 2 CK Study Plan

14 min

10649 Views

A medical student creating their Step 2 CK study plan on a calendar.

10649 Views

Your dedicated Step 2 CK study time is approaching, and you need an effective study plan to keep yourself on track. It can be difficult to adjust to a premade schedule, especially when it does not account for your weaker subjects or the amount of study time that you have...

6 Reasons to Retake the MCAT

8 min

561 Views

A group of pre-med students retaking the MCAT in a prometric testing center.

561 Views

Despite months of studying, the day of the MCAT may not go as planned and leave pre-medical students considering whether a retake is necessary. Though the AAMC allows taking the MCAT up to three times per year, it is best practice to minimize the number of times this exam is...

Best Tips for Honoring Your Surgery Clerkship

16 min

835 Views

Doctors performing surgery on a patient in an operating room.

835 Views

Surgery is a challenging but rewarding specialty and you should expect your clerkship to be the same. Surgery is also unlike other specialties you will rotate through and if you want to receive honors, you will need to take a different approach than you did for other clerkships. You will...

6 Tips for Contacting Medical Residency Programs for an Interview

16 min

4018 Views

A doctor shaking hands with a prospective resident at their residency interview.

4018 Views

After ERAS submission, it is time to prepare for residency interviews. If it has been 4-6 weeks after application submission and you have not heard back from your top programs, you should consider contacting them for an interview. Crafting a professional e-mail to ask a residency program for an interview...

MCAT: How to Prepare/What to Expect For Test Day

12 min

504 Views

A row of computer booths for MCAT Test Day.

504 Views

After endless weeks of studying, the day to take your Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is in sight. This can feel like the most important test of your life up to this point, especially if you have been dreaming of becoming a doctor for a while. There is no more...

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