Your Killer Residency Application

1. Your Killer Residency Application Gillian Baty, MS IV Allison Dean, PGY I

2. How do I do it? • Think about specialty, keeping an open mind • Schedule Summer Electives & Clerkships • Ask for Recommendations • Decide on Specialty • Research programs • Begin ERAS • Interview, Rank and Match!

3. Deciding on your Specialty • Personality profiles-in books, on-line • Talk--Attendings, Advisors, Department Chairs, Interns/Residents, Alums, Privates, Friends • Specialty societies: http://www.medfools.com/match/specialty_contacts.html • What is the availability of residency positions? How many are there and how much competition is there for a training slot?

4. Questions to Ponder • What do you value about the role of a physician? • What type of doctor/patient relationships do you find the most rewarding? • What skills (interpersonal, analytical, technical, etc.) do you value the most in yourself ?

5. Clerkships & SubI’s • Schedule as early as possible—some popular electives and sites fill quickly • Plan on one of the first few blocks of fourth year—after interns are settled, before interviews start • Consider trying out a program different from the type you think you would like • Remember—Reschedule and Be Flexible!

6. The Big Dilemna. . .Should I do an elective at my top choice?

7. Along the Way. . . • Ask for letters of recommendations now, while people are working with you • Start researching programs • Attend conferences, network • Re-visit the reasons you went to med school; does your future specialty “jive”?

8. Researching Programs • Web sites • FRIEDA, AMA-”The Green Book” • Specialty Societies—AAFP, APA, ACOG • Talk, talk, talk! • Ask programs if they have additional info that is not available on-line

9. Time to narrow it down. . . • What are the differences between training programs within the same specialty? • Are there geographic differences? • Are there institutional differences (community v. academic)? • Most of all, get lots of opinions about “good” programs

10. The Big, Bad Match Applications: ERAS, San Francisco (NS, Neuro, Optho, Oto, Plastics), Military, and Traditional paper Program Selection—NRMP Interviews Rank Lists—NRMP Match Day

11. How the Match Works • The Match started in 1952 for internships; now includes most specialties and some fellowships • The Match ensures that you will receive your highest choice of the programs interested in you • Program driven until 1997, but <0.1% different with algorithm change (JAMA 9/97) • Couple’s match is another option

12. Timeline • July—check the MyERAS website • August 15—applicant registration opens • September 1—programs receive applications • October—programs start offering interviews • November 1—Dean’s letter released • December 1—registration deadline • January 15—begin entering rank order list

13. Timeline (cont) • February 25, 11:59 pm-rank list closes • March 15, 12:00pm-matched or unmatched? • March 16, 12:00pm-SCRAMBLE • March 18, 1:00pm-MATCH DAY!! • SF (Jan) and Military both match earlier

14. Applications • ERAS—not just application, but also match “head quarters” • San Francisco—neurology, neurosurgery, ENT, ophthalmology, urology; earlier than NRMP, may also have to do ERAS for internship • Traditional paper—very few programs • Military--

15. What’s in your ERAS App? • CV • Random Info • Letters of recommendation • Dean’s letter • Personal Statement • Photograph

16. Curriculum Vitae • It’s helpful to keep a running CV throughout med school—especially dates • Keep simple and stream-lined • BE HONEST (Don’t stretch the truth) • Be able to talk about any entry in your CV • Use action verbs

17. Letters of Recommendation • Most programs want 3-4 letters • Pay attention to the # they want AND who they should be from • Usually one from the department chair • DON’T send more than they want • Ask your writers EARLY! • Provide writers with cover letter, CV, personal statement, and photo

18. Dean’s Letter • Generic form • Released on November 1 • Dean (or representative) will meet with you prior to writing • Make sure they emphasize what you feel is important • Proofread

19. Personal Statement • Word text file, courier 10 pt, then cut and paste into ERAS • Edit, edit, edit! • Get several opinions • Make sure it’s PERFECT! • Inspiration:www.medfools.com/personal_statements.php, residents

20. Scheduling Interviews • Have a general geographic strategy • Always have access to Email, cell phone, calendar • Ask about interview dinner/social • Lodging: Bed & breakfast, alumni, residents • System for info tracking

23. What to Wear • Be Polished! Spend a little extra to look nice. Remember to Iron! • Talk to residents to know what is appropriate in your specialty • Pant suits ok-preferable if that’s more comfortable

24. The Actual Interview • Social, general overview, single or group interviews, tour, resident lunch • Remember, programs selling themselves as much as you are selling yourself • Interviewers may not have read app • Send Thank You’s immediately

25. Rank List • Keep preliminary list while interviewing • Enter on NRMP; can change until deadline • Call residents (can ask coordinator for #s) • Contact top choices before rank deadline • Second looks—can be very, very helpful AND indicate your interest • Do NOT rank ANY program you don’t want (Scramble doesn’t = failure)

26. Match Day • It’s not a matter of win/lose • Over 85% of U.S. students match to one of their top three choices, >60 % to their first choice

27. Resources • www.aafp.org - strolling through the match • www.medfools.com • www.studentdoc.com • www.becomingapediatrician.com • www.aamc.org/students/cim/start.htm – careers in medicine • www.med-ed.virginia.edu/specialties/ • How to Choose a Medical Specialty, Anita Taylor • Iserson's Getting into a Residency: A Guide for Medical Student, Kenneth V. Iserson