What Reviewers Look For in the Medical — OMSAS ABS Entry Descriptions
This rubric looks at whether each entry clearly shows your own role, task, qualification, or contribution in the field provided. It also checks that claims are specific and appropriately limited, that each description answers its stated field, and that pasted entries do not contradict or unnecessarily repeat one another.
What We Check
Whether each applicable entry makes the applicant's part identifiable.
Whether each applicable entry supports its central claim with evidence suited to its category and field.
Whether each response unit performs the exact category and field job shown in its supplied label.
Contradiction, repeated information, and division of work within the submitted response set only.
Mistakes We Flag
- Letting the title do all the work
- A role title, organization, or award name alone does not show what you did or why you received the award. State a concrete responsibility, action, contribution, qualification, or selection basis.
- Using broad traits or impact claims
- Words such as “leader” or “made a difference” need supporting conduct. Name the task, recipient, method, or bounded change that supports the claim.
- Taking credit for a group outcome
- Do not present a team or organization result as your individual achievement. Describe your own contribution while recognizing the work of others.
- Writing around the field instead of answering it
- Background details, a scene, or a why-medicine ending can take space away from the role, task, qualification, or other information requested. Keep the description focused on the visible field job.
- Repeating or padding entries
- Related activities are fine, but repeated tasks or results need a different purpose in the new field. Do not add filler just to use more entries.
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I include in an activity description?
Include applicant-owned information such as your role, responsibility, task, contribution, or a bounded consequence, as relevant to the supplied field.
What should I include for an award or accomplishment?
Focus on the qualification, selection basis, or meaning requested by the field rather than listing duties that do not explain the award.
Do I need numbers, major outcomes, clinical experience, or a leadership title?
No. A modest, accurate responsibility can provide useful evidence when your part is clear.
Do I need to fill every available entry?
No. A smaller accurate set is acceptable; do not use filler or duplicate entries simply to increase the number of entries.
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