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Availability

I am currently on haitus from work with individual clients to be a caregiver to my husband, who has terminal cancer. Since my energies are directed there, I have made the difficult decision to suspend taking on new clients. This site will be updated to reflect my availability (if applicable) for upcoming medical school and residency/CaRMS application seasons. Thank you for your understanding.

I work with individuals and groups across Canada and the USA. To accommodate clients in various time zones, I am available 10AM-4PM EST and 7PM-9PM EST weekdays. As many of my clients don't live nearby, most appointments are conducted remotely, although in-person appointments can be arranged, if applicable. I usually travel for group sessions, although webinar format is also available.

I work with students, new graduates, mid-career professionals and academics and I have packaged my most commonly-requested services below. However, if you don't see a package that speaks to you, please contact me and I can help you customize something.

PRE-MED SERVICES for Individuals

"I found out this morning that I received an offer to medical school. I feel like I'm dreaming. I wouldn't have been able to do it without you." - pre-med client accepted to Schulich School of Medicine

I have 20+ years of experience working with students and graduates applying to medical schools in Canada, USA, and internationally (e.g. Australia, Ireland, Caribbean).

**Best Deal** if You're on a Tight Budget
I understand that many students thinking about medical school can't afford to pay for private services to help them with these processes. That's why, if you are currently a student, I always recommend you start by using your FREE campus career/guidance centre. If you have already graduated, many universities offer free or low-cost alumni career services, so you may want to investigate if that is an option.

I also recommend reading my book, where I have shared all my insider's insights about getting into medical school. The book is available in paperback or e-book format, for a very accessible purchase price.

Why Me?
I understand that getting this help is an investment. Here's why it's a good one. (PDF, 412kB)

Pre-Med 101
Are you a high school or early university student thinking about medical school in the future? Learn how to start preparing today to increase your chances of success down the road. Assistance on this topic includes discussion of academic planning or pre-requisites (e.g. which major is "best"? Which courses are "best"?) application process overview, MCAT planning, volunteering and extra-curriculars, cultivating references, and additional medical careers. (45-minute appointment)

Medical School Application Advising & Strategy
For those applying this year or soon. Detailed information and guidance on the application pieces including discussions about when/where/if to apply; preparing to write impactful sketch/CV/short answers; assessing "clusters"; strategies for CaSPER; deciding on and approaching referees; applying under special categories. We can also discuss re-applying (and how to improve what happened last time), as most candidates will apply more than once. (45-minute appointment)

Autobiographical Sketch or CV Review
You draft your sketch or CV, I will review it and send you detailed, written comments and questions to help you improve its efficacy, evidence, and flow. (Includes one follow-up review of the same document, if desired)

Short Answers, Secondaries, Clusters
Send me your draft short essays for review and feedback. (Includes short essays for ONE school plus one follow-up review of the same document, if desired)

Personal Statement Review
Review and feedback of your personal statement/long essay. Help with strategy for reducing to or filling to word limit and finding your unique "voice" and evidence. (Includes personal statement for ONE school plus one follow-up review of the same document, if desired)

Medical School Interviews
Learn about concrete strategies to help you prepare for the incredible variety of medical school questions (behavioural, ethical, current events, personal, situational) as well as the different types of interview formats including the most common MMI, panel, and one-to-one. (45-minute appointment)

Mock Interviews for Medical School
Practice your interview skills in real time (for example, we often mimic the MMI stations timing) and get tailored feedback to help you move forward. (45-minute appointment consisting of approx 30 minutes of mock interview and 15 minutes of feedback)

I Didn’t Get In…Now, What?
Are you graduating and/or need to figure out next steps while you prepare or decide to re-apply to medical school? We’ll discuss, illuminate, and weigh options that make sense for you e.g. doing/re-doing more undergrad courses, moving on to another education program (e.g. master’s, PhD, or post-grad diploma), getting more experience, improving your autobiographical sketch/CV, etc. (max 45-minute appointment)

Terms of Service
What I do is an investment in your future, so it's important that you understand how I work. I use my experience with admissions and hiring processes to assist you to understand the other sides of the equation you're facing. I will also help you to harness your potential so that you can portray yourself authentically but positively. I hope that my work is helpful to applicants and advisors and fair to medical schools, residency programs or employers, who are trying to assess the best candidates. I do not guarantee or control any admissions decisions. I do not speak for medical schools or institutions. More than anything, I want organizations and programs to get stellar, genuine candidates and I want candidates to be able to convey their best assets, without tripping up on something that is really not about their future potential in the program or field.

PRE-RESIDENCY/CARMS SERVICES for Individuals (for CMGs or IMGs)

"I matched to ophthalmology! I am over the moon and am so excited for this opportunity. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done to help me. Your sessions were so incredibly valuable and definitely played a role in my match." - 4th-year medical student matched with Ophthalmology in all three ranked locations

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Applying to Residency/CaRMS
Based on my two decades of leading CaRMS CV and Personal Letter workshops, we'll talk about your application strategy (how many? which specialties? which locations?); discipline-specific CV content, sections, length, and how to make it more impactful; strategies for crafting an effective and tailored personal letter for each of your desired programs/locations, and references. (45-minute appointment)

CV Review for CaRMS/Residency
Not sure if your customized CV is tailored enough for your program? Send me your draft CV and I will review it and send you feedback designed to help you capture the attention of Program Directors in your desired specialty(ies) and locations. (Includes CV for ONE specialty/location and one follow-up review of same document, if desired.)

Personal Letter Review
I'll review a personal letter of your choice and send you questions and comments designed to help you position yourself as a top candidate for the specialty/location. (Includes letter review for ONE specialty/location and one follow-up review of same document, if desired.)

Special Considerations Advising
Do you have a unique set of circumstances facing your residency application? Are you applying through the Couples Match? Have you had a (voluntary or mandatory) leave of absence, pregnancy, or personal issue you'd like to brainstorm about? Are you an IMG, second-iteration, or un-matched candidate going through CaRMS again? I can help. (30 minute appointment)

Residency Interview Strategy
Based on my many years of teaching 4th-year clerks at Queen's: learn about what questions to expect, concrete strategies to help you prepare for them, how to connect authentically with programs/locations that aren't your first choice, how to deal with impertinent or illegal questions, or answer, "why didn't you do an elective here?". This session covers your questions and the common concerns of many medical students.

Mock Interview for CaRMS Practice your interview skills for a primary or parallel program and get tailored feedback to help you move forward. (45-minute appointment consisting of approx 30 minutes of mock interview and 15 minutes of feedback)

GENERAL CAREER SERVICES

"Thank you very much for your guidance over the past four years. From summer jobs to grad school, you have helped me make so many decisions." - Graduating student

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What to do with a Degree in...?
Whether you loved your program or can't wait to put it behind you, many students/graduates wonder...just what exactly can I do with this degree, anyway? I can help you uncover work options that link to the skills you gained during your academic career so you can get going, either leveraging those related skills or learning how to translate them in new directions. (45-minute appointment)

Resume/CV or Cover Letter Review
Need help describing what you've done? Applying for something and they want a letter and application package? I can help. I don't write documents for you (I actually think that's unethical), but I can help you strategize and maximize your impact in these documents. (Includes review of ONE of any of the mentioned documents plus one follow-up review, if desired)

Mock Interview
Expecting or hoping for an interview? I can help practice your evidence/answers will give you feedback to help you face your next interview with confidence. (45-minute appointment which includes approx 10 minutes of strategy, 20 minutes of mock, and 15 minutes of feedback).

Services for Organizations

"Please pass on my gratitude to Christine for the work she has done with our students. I have heard only compliments about her helpfulness and her willingness to take the time with students." - Associate Dean, Queen's University School of Medicine

"Thank you for a really amazing session yesterday. The students loved it and it was perfect info for them. You are an excellent presenter!" - Professor, Occupational Therapy program

HIGH SCHOOL OR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Do you work with high school or university students who are thinking about medical school in the future? Are you a career or academic advisor, high school guidance counsellor, student success staffer, undergraduate or graduate assistant, residence life team member, or pre-med group executive?

Seminars to help your students can be provided in 2-hour or 3-hour formats and are suitable for high school students, university undergraduate and graduate students.

Download a one-sheet brochure. (PDF, 685 KB)

Contact me for workshop details and fees or I can provide something customized to suit your students' needs.

NEW! INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL SCHOOLS

I am now offering my extensive expertise with medical student instructing and advising to international medical schools that host Canadian students.

I believe that Canadian students need and deserve customized strategic and application help in order to increase their chances of a successful residency match in their host country, the US, or Canada.

Download an information sheet. (PDF,561 kB)

POST-MD PROGRAMS & STUDENTS

Are you a Professional Masters, clinical experience, or research program for IMGs or unmatched CMGs? You likely already realize that your students face barriers if they plan to apply through CaRMS or to residencies in the US. I can complement your existing advising programming to free up your staff.

I am a current instructor of final year (clerkship) medical students at Queen's University School of Medicine--a leading university in Canada--where I have taught CaRMS prep workshops and advised thousands of medical students since 2000 so they successfully match (98%+) to residency in Canada or the U.S.

I can offer your students/program similar content such as: