Rajani Katta, MD

Rajani Katta is a dermatologist and author of Conquer the Medical School Interview and The Successful Match.

Navigating post-match disappointment: What to do if you did not match

April 24, 2024Apr 24, 2024

Over the last few weeks, I've spoken to applicants who did not match in the 2024 NRMP match. They are just a few of the thousands of highly qualified students and physicians who did not match this cycle. This is…

Over the last few weeks, I’ve spoken to applicants who did not match in the 2024 NRMP match. They are just a few of the thousands of highly qualified students and physicians who did not match this cycle. This is a wrenching experience, and it can be hard to pick yourself up and move on to the next steps. However, the actions you take over the next few months can …

Physicians

Breaking the stigma: Why doctors are afraid to seek mental health treatment

Alexandra Townsley & Rajani Katta, MD

February 13, 2023Feb 13, 2023

We are over 25 years apart in our careers. One of us began her medical career in a time before the internet and email. The other is a digital native. Remarkably, though, our experiences have been very similar in one respect. We have spoken with colleagues who decided to avoid seeking care for their mental health concerns. Why? Due to fears that this type of medical care might adversely impact …

Education

The MMI: 3 strategies to help you prepare

Rajani Katta, MD

June 7, 2022Jun 7, 2022

You're feeling pretty confident as you walk into your medical school interview– but then you meet your interviewer. "Why did it take you so long to get here?! I've been sitting here, waiting and waiting, and I'm in so much…

You’re feeling pretty confident as you walk into your medical school interview– but then you meet your interviewer. “Why did it take you so long to get here?! I’ve been sitting here, waiting and waiting, and I’m in so much pain.”

Welcome to the world of the MMI. The Multiple Mini Interview, commonly known as the MMI, is a newer type of medical school interview, and it’s increasingly being used in …

Education

3 strategies for matching into a competitive specialty, even with a lower USMLE score

Rajani Katta, MD

December 6, 2020Dec 6, 2020

For applicants seeking to match into a competitive specialty, it can be challenging. In fact, it's not uncommon for programs to receive over 100 applications for a single residency position. To sort through that many applications, many programs use filters.…

For applicants seeking to match into a competitive specialty, it can be challenging. In fact, it’s not uncommon for programs to receive over 100 applications for a single residency position. To sort through that many applications, many programs use filters. One type of filter is a USMLE “cut-off” score: applicants who don’t score above a certain minimum won’t be considered further.

That’s why, for applicants with lower-than-average USMLE scores, my advice …

Education

5 common and commonly overlooked mistakes in the medical school interview

Rajani Katta, MD

November 4, 2020Nov 4, 2020

When you’re applying to medical school, it’s remarkable how much four years or more of intense work can come down to one single day. The medical school interview is high stakes: studies have found that interview performance is the most…

While your MCAT score and your GPA can help secure an interview invitation, it’s your interview performance that matters most when it …