The Definitive Guide to Medical School Admission

Rating:
Summary: Informative
Review: As someone who reads medical application essays for a living, I also read a lot of admissions books. I think the Goldsteins' book is one of the best. It is comprehesive and deep. It provides a good overview of the admissions process and has excellent sections on writing the AMCAS essay and preparing for interviews. It's only weakness is that it virtually ignores secondary applications and essays.

Rating:
Summary: NOT definitive
Review: First, the title is really annoying. It is NOT the definitive guide. Tone is somewhat condescending. For example, advises students to get into highly competitive college because "surrounding yourself with dwarfs will not make you a giant". Overemphasizes U.S. News and World Report Ratings.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book
Review: Helpful lists of top ranked research schools, hospitals, etc..Useful data about MCAT scores and women and minority enrollment. Great section with examples of strong personal statements. Outlines of factors influencing selection and opinions of students attending the top medical schools....(wish author would have done this for the more medical schools). Timetable section outlines application process concisely for students in their last 17 months of college...Very helpful book, especially for those of us who have lousy pre-med advisors. I also bought The Insiders Guide to Medical School Admissions by R. Stephen Toyos, M.D. This focusses on med school rather than the application process..Lots of info about residency. Entire section devoted to review for boards and clerkship. M1-M4 are explained in detail. Author breaks med schools down into "Top Guns", "Excellent Schools", "Strong Schools", and "Good Schools". Overall, I felt the [price] was a good deal.