I just got back home from my interview for a $5000 scholarship from Kaiser. You may remember me posting awhile back about the application process for multiple scholarships, and then how I got the AMA Foundation scholarship , the Kaiser African American Professional Association scholarship , and didn’t even post about getting the AAMC Herbet W. Nickens, MD scholarship (I was on surgery!). So, needless to say, I have gotten quite a few scholarships, but this was the first that I had to actually interview for! I haven’t interviewed for anything since applying for medical school back in 2004 – 2005. Yeah… I’m quite rusty when it comes to interviews.
Now, for the details: I was told that 70 medical students applied for the scholarship and I was one of 21 semi-finalists that was granted an interview. Out of the 21 semi-finalists, 12 will be selected as the final recipients. That means I have 57% chance of being selected! That’s a pretty good probability, but I hope that I didn’t totally screw up the interview. I gave myself a pretty good pep-talk before the interview and I think that it started off well. It was just as the interview progressed that I felt the nerves starting back up. There was only 1 question where I felt that I was talking too much and cut myself off before getting to the heart of what I wanted to say. I really didn’t get to correctly convey all that I would plan to do in my career in regards to being a culturally competant physician. It’s so hard in 30 minutes to really talk about (in detail) everything you have done in the past 3 years in medical school (not to mention the 21 years before that!!). I really hope that they take the time to read my application, in combination with the glimpse of my personality and what I shared in my interview, and decide that I am a deserving candidate for this award! Say a prayer for me… I find out next week.
And if you are wondering why I may need even more scholarship money:
Exhibit A – Step 2 CS:
UNITED STATES MEDICAL LICENSING EXAMINATION™ (USMLE™)
National Board of Medical Examiners® (NBME®) (215) 590-9700
Credit Card Receipt of Payment Form
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Exhibit B: – Step 2 CK:
UNITED STATES MEDICAL LICENSING EXAMINATION™ (USMLE™)
National Board of Medical Examiners® (NBME®) (215) 590-9700
Credit Card Receipt of Payment Form
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Yeah… I just spent $1500 on licensing exam fees! Not to mention all of the costs that I will be incuring traveling for my sub-internships, residency application fees, and the cost for flying to interviews!
Every year there are rumors that they are going to do away with Step 2 CS. It is too expensive, especially when you factor in that it’s only offered in 5 cities in the country and most med students end up flying to the location. But every year it still keeps coming back. I felt it was very unnecessary for us grads. However if I was in charge of the nbme I would be very happy to take $1,000 from every single med student across the country and the majority of med students across the world as well.
On a side note, I feel your need for money. Keep in mind you’re going to need even more money when it comes time for away rotations (if you do any) and during interview season. Good luck with the scholarships.
Woooooooow!!! I had no idea it was so expensive!! I will definitely keep you in my prayers in regards to the scholarship and everything!! But you know you got it girl, who else better for it than Dr. Cross??
Good luck!!
[...] under: In the Hospital, With Life — medobsession @ 3:02 pm Well I didn’t get the scholarship… This really sucks. The only positive thing is that they gave me feedback from my interview: [...]