Love For Lauren

"Very happy to have worked with Vince on my GRE prep and Lauren on my personal essay writing. Both were integral to my success in getting accepted to my ideal grad school. Vince had a very straightforward and understandable approach toward taking the test which helped remove the test anxiety I definitely would have otherwise felt. I knew exactly what was coming weeks before I sat down to take it and managed to score about 10-15 points higher than I would have without his help. Lauren was equally helpful in editing my essay - both on the finer details as well as big picture ideas and concepts. I wholeheartedly believe their assistance throughout the GRE and grad school application process is what pushed me over the edge and got me accepted into my ideal program at my ideal school. 5 stars, no question."

- Clifford Grant (see review on Google Maps)

"I worked with Lauren Hammond on my personal statement and she was amazing!! I spent a couple months working with her and it was one of the best decisions that I feel elevated my grad school applications. I came into the first meeting with a draft essay that was basically my resume and was all over the place. Lauren helped me nail down my story and what I am passionate about. I ended up writing an amazing personal statement with great feedback from Lauren that I felt really showed readers who I am. She was super flexible with the times we met and I ended up getting into my TOP choice schools (Johns Hopkins, Brown, etc). I would definitely work with her again!"

- Aster M. (see review on Google Maps)

"Lauren Hammond was so incredibly helpful with my personal statements for grad school. I really needed help with organization, staying focused on a coherent narrative and content-building, which she was phenomenal with. She's also a really sweet person and a pleasure to work with! Can't recommend her enough."

- Mira Park (see review on Google Maps)

"As I was applying to PhD programs, I was struggling to write my personal statements. I searched online for hours to try and find something or someone that looked worth spending the money on and I came across Lauren Hammond at Vince Kotchian Test Prep. I was only planning on doing maybe one session to help get me started but Lauren was SO good that I continued working with her for weeks. She gave such valuable feedback and felt like she truly cared about making my work the best it can be. I even recommended her to my other colleagues who were applying to grad school and they felt the same way. I currently have 3 interviews for grad school and I couldn't have gotten those without her help!"

- Mikayla Haas (see review on Google Maps)

"Lauren Hammond was amazing. She provided me with thoughtful feedback that structured and strengthened my graduate school application essays. She was great at asking questions to push me to be a better writer. You can tell she genuinely cares about her students and wants to see you succeed. Additionally she is flexible in scheduling and will make deadlines work with your timeline. I was accepted into my top school choice and appreciate Lauren for her help in the process. If you or someone you know is looking for an essay tutor for graduate applications, Lauren is definitely the best!"

- Renee Begin (see review on Google Maps)

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I spend writing my medical residency personal statement?

We generally recommend about 4-8 weeks - 6 weeks is a good sweet spot. It takes time to come up with ideas and get those ideas onto paper in a compelling form.

How can I make my personal statement stand out?

MOST personal statements are BORING! Not because the person writing them is boring, but perhaps because:

1. Their focus is too broad. They try to cover everything they've done, and nothing ends up standing out.
2. They're impersonal. It's a personal statement - the reader needs to get a sense of who you are and what you're actually like - not some sanitized "professional" version of you.
3. They're too safe. Ironically, a statement that takes no risks can be the riskiest thing you can do. We're not applying to a program with the intent of blending in with all the other applicants!

Granted, the above things can be overdone, or done wrong. But most statements make no impact, so it's worth thinking about how yours actually can.

What are the basics of applying to medical residency programs?

Securing a spot in a medical residency program is akin to advancing to the next crucial phase in a medical career — it's intensive, competitive, and requires a well-rounded skill set. Here's how aspiring doctors typically prepare for this critical stage:

The journey begins with a medical degree. Throughout medical school, students need to excel academically, particularly in clinical knowledge and skills. Grades and performance in medical school are key, as they reflect your ability to handle the challenging environment of a residency.

Clinical experience gained during medical school is crucial. This includes rotations in various specialties, where you demonstrate your clinical skills, decision-making abilities, and aptitude for patient care. These rotations are not just for learning but also for showcasing your potential as a resident.

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) for U.S. graduates, or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) for osteopathic students, is critical. High scores on these exams are often a requirement for residency applications. They are seen as a benchmark of your medical knowledge and readiness for residency.

Your application includes a personal statement and letters of recommendation. The personal statement is your chance to articulate why you chose a particular specialty, your career goals, and what you bring to a program. Recommendation letters should ideally come from physicians you’ve worked with closely, who can vouch for your clinical abilities and potential as a resident.

The Match process, facilitated by the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), is a unique aspect of applying for residencies in the United States. It involves ranking your preferred programs and being matched based on both your preferences and those of the residency programs.

Interviews with residency programs are critical. They are an opportunity to show your communication skills, professionalism, and suitability for the program. It's also a time to assess if the program's culture and training environment align with your goals.

Involvement in research, extracurricular activities, and leadership roles can enhance your application. These experiences demonstrate a commitment to the medical field beyond the classroom and clinical settings.

In summary, securing a medical residency position involves excelling in medical school both academically and clinically, achieving high scores on licensing exams, effectively communicating your goals and fit for a specialty through your application and interviews, and demonstrating a well-rounded profile with additional experiences and skills. It's a demanding but essential step for those aspiring to practice medicine and specialize in a specific area of healthcare.