Anyone use Kaplan's residency prep?

[NeedToStudy]

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I always knew Kaplan did everything but today I truly know they do EVERYTHING. I was looking at their testprep website and guess what I found? A $1200 program to help you prepare your residency application!
http://www.kaptest.com/Medical-Licensing/Residency/residency.html

So does anyone know anybody who has actually used this? Is it good or just...... well know you?

 

[NeedToStudy]

Actually scratch that the program is $2000.

 

[IM2GI]

Paypal me $1,000 and I will be happy to look over your application and personal statement. What a deal!

 

[NeedToStudy]

and provide 3 simulated residency interviews along with extensive feedback on presentation skills?

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

and provide 3 simulated residency interviews along with extensive feedback on presentation skills?

That's what the second $1000 buys you.

 

[IM2GI]

and provide 3 simulated residency interviews along with extensive feedback on presentation skills?

I mean, if you want a serious answer, I guess I can give you one. The big questions is, who is giving you this advice? A med student? An undergrad? A resident? I would request to see the CV of the person you are paying for. Secondly:

"and your personal statement is almost as important as your Step 1 score in deciding whether you are invited to interview."

This is total, unequivocal, bull****.

If I am paying $2,000, I want the program director at a top 10 program to be giving me advice. That said, any PD who is working for Kaplan on the side probably is not all that credible. Otherwise you might as well see your own advisors at your home program that you are already indirectly paying for.

The interview is important, this is true. But you are a ~27 year old adult, you pretty much are who you are. Can you practice and get a few pointers? Of course, but your personality is not going to fundamentally change. I think a friend/colleague/advisor asking you common interview questions will be almost as effective.

In summary, I am 95% confident that I am equally or more qualified to help you than the people at Kaplan, and my $1,000 price is a bargain.

 

[NeedToStudy]

lol well for now I'm studying for step 1. Secondly I prolly won't be paying anyone money for residency prep, whatever that means. Sorry man you just lost an opportunity to make $1000.

 

[NeedToStudy]

In all seriousness imagine a PD doing this on the side and then not ranking an applicant he "helped". The world is sooo........

 

[NeedToStudy]

I mean, if you want a serious answer,

My comment was sarcasm

 

[NeedToStudy]

Here are the people doing the residency prep if anyone was curious http://www.kaptest.com/Medical-Licensing/Residency/residency.html?tb=experts

 

[Dral]

Seems like this is more for IMGs who are desperate to land a residency in the USA.

 

[Law2Doc]

The interview is important, this is true. But you are a ~27 year old adult, you pretty much are who you are. Can you practice and get a few pointers? Of course, but your personality is not going to fundamentally change. I think a friend/colleague/advisor asking you common interview questions will be almost as effective. ...

While I agree with the rest of your post, I totally disagree with the suggestion that you "are who you are" such that your interviewing skills can't be substantially improved. It's very much a learnable and practicable skill. You can bsolutely hone this skill, far more than just a few pointers. most 27 year olds are actually quite bad at interviewing, even if they think they know how. Other professions do a much better job training and preparing their grads for business interviews than medicine. Is Kaplan the optimal place to learn this skill? Doubtful, and certainly not at that price. But let's not pretend that done right this wouldn't be an extremely valuable service.

 

[IM2GI]

While I agree with the rest of your post, I totally disagree with the suggestion that you "are who you are" such that your interviewing skills can't be substantially improved. It's very much a learnable and practicable skill. You can bsolutely hone this skill, far more than just a few pointers. most 27 year olds are actually quite bad at interviewing, even if they think they know how. Other professions do a much better job training and preparing their grads for business interviews than medicine. Is Kaplan the optimal place to learn this skill? Doubtful, and certainly not at that price. But let's not pretend that done right this wouldn't be an extremely valuable service.

Agreed, although I dont think 3 practice interviews is going to do the trick.

 

[NeedToStudy]

I think 3 practice interviews would be great! Just not for $2000.

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

While I agree with the rest of your post, I totally disagree with the suggestion that you "are who you are" such that your interviewing skills can't be substantially improved. It's very much a learnable and practicable skill. You can bsolutely hone this skill, far more than just a few pointers. most 27 year olds are actually quite bad at interviewing, even if they think they know how. Other professions do a much better job training and preparing their grads for business interviews than medicine. Is Kaplan the optimal place to learn this skill? Doubtful, and certainly not at that price. But let's not pretend that done right this wouldn't be an extremely valuable service.

Agree completely.

The number of residency candidates I've interviewed this year who are outstanding applicants on paper, but complete duds in person, is astounding.

With even a little bit of practice and coaching these applicants would be doing MUCH better on the interview trail.

 

[NeedToStudy]

Agree completely.

The number of residency candidates I've interviewed this year who are outstanding applicants on paper, but complete duds in person, is astounding.

With even a little bit of practice and coaching these applicants would be doing MUCH better on the interview trail.

Out of curiosity was their "dud" personality a dealbreaker?

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

Out of curiosity was their "dud" personality a dealbreaker?

Absolutely. If you don't nail the interviews, you aren't going to match here. Doesn't matter how good you are on paper.