Success on the Wards: 250 Rule

This is an absolute must-read for students entering clinical rotations. The authors of Success in Medical School: Insider Advice for the Preclinical Years bring their same combination of practical recommendations and evidence-based advice to clerkships. The book begins as a how-to guide, with clerkship-specific templates, such as op notes and admission orders, along with sample notes and guides for every aspect of core clerkships (internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, psychiatry, family medicine).

The book reviews proven strategies for success in patient care, write-ups, rounds, and other vital areas. Grades in required rotations are the most important academic criteria used to select residents, and this critical year can determine career choices as well.

This book shows students what they can do now to position themselves for match success. An invaluable resource for medical students - no student should be without it.

Dr. Samir Desai serves on the faculty of the Baylor College of Medicine in the Department of Medicine. He is actively involved in medical student education and a member of the Clerkship Directors in Internal Medicine. As an author, he has written 12 books that together have sold over 150,000 copies worldwide.

His book, Success in Medical School: Insider Advice for the Preclinical Years, provides students with the knowledge and guidance to excel during the first two years of medical school. In 2009, he co-authored The Successful Match: 200 Rules to Succeed in the Residency Match, a book that has helped thousands of residency applicants match successfully. Other books include the best-selling Clinician's Guide to Laboratory Medicine: Pocket. This resource, widely used by students, offers a unique step-by-step approach to lab test interpretation.

After completing his residency in Internal Medicine at Northwestern, he had the opportunity of serving as chief medical resident. He received his M.D. degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan, graduating first in his class.

Dr. Rajani Katta is an Associate Professor in the Department of Dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine. She is the course director for dermatology in the basic sciences, and has served as the clerkship director for the dermatology rotation. In these capacities, she has seen firsthand the importance of outstanding clinical evaluations in securing a position in a competitive specialty, and her insight in this area has helped students seeking these types of competitive positions.

Having advised many students over the years regarding the dermatology match process, she was determine to become expert in this area, and share her knowledge, insight, and perspective. In 2009, she coauthored The Successful Match: 200 Rules to Succeed in the Residency Match.

After graduating with honors from Baylor College of Medicine, she completed her dermatology residency at Northwestern University.