During the “Planning your future” webinar organized by the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) for her Young Doctors’ Forum inclusive of medical students, one of the guest speakers – Dr. Lee-Ann Laffey spoke extensively on the factors that contribute to successful applications into any graduate program, scholarship or fellowship. Also, she emphasized that it
During the “Planning your future” webinar organized by the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) for her Young Doctors’ Forum inclusive of medical students, one of the guest speakers – Dr. Lee-Ann Laffey spoke extensively on the factors that contribute to successful applications into any graduate program, scholarship or fellowship. Also, she emphasized that it is important to understand the processes and what different schools are looking for in applicants. For example, when applying for US scholarships, it is mandatory to have the US accreditation.
According to her, key factors considered when applying to gain acceptance into any graduate program, scholarship or fellowship are –
1. Test scores and language requirements:
International universities typically require the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), TOEFL or IELTS for non-native speakers of English.
Medical school graduates are required to write the MCAT – for Medicine related applications. GRE tests general knowledge and ability of candidate to communicate – verbal, quantitative and analytical writing.
Average scores for GRE are 154 in verbal, 148 in quantitative and 4 in analytical writing. Average for GMAT is 685 (for MBA candidates), for TOEFL is 98 (for everyone), for IELTS is 7 but the higher the scores the more preferable.
2. Clear personal statement or motivation letter should outline;
Framing your work and academic experience: Self-check questions –
Express your vision appropriately and sell yourself to the admission council. You can also send your application letter to people who don’t know you, let them proofread and give feedback on what they learnt about you from it. Then, weigh if it conveys the message you want to pass across to the Admission counselor. This step apply to all applications – admissions, scholarships or fellowships.
3. The secrets to having effective Letters of Recommendation:
These are people that know you personally, the work you have done, or have even collaborated with you. They should be able to write of your good working relationship.
Be polite when asking for a recommendation letter. A solid recommendation letter should easily pinpoint what stands out about an applicant, including personal experience from academic relationship such performance in class, laboratory, highlighting what you do well and how you do it… and unique accomplishments that fit well into the program or fellowship been applied for.
Editors note:
This article was collated by Glory Enoche Alapa (Final year medical student, UNIJOS) and Olajumoke Adewole (fifth year medical student, LASU) from the Young Doctors’ Forum of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (YDF-MWAN) webinar on Thursday, 21st of January, 2021. Webinar was convened and moderated by Dr. Evo Esievoadje and Dr. Chioma Odimegwe under the tutelage of Dr. Minnie Oseji, MWAN the National President.
Published by the IMJC team — telling the medical stories that mainstream media miss, without bias, prejudice or favour.
