How to Apply to Internal Medicine Residency Programs

1. How to Apply to Internal Medicine Residency Programs December 19, 2014

2. A Career in Internal Medicine: Multiple Opportunities • In-depth training to permit care of complex patients • Intellectual discipline – Molecular Biology/Genetics, Pathophysiology, EBM (basic science  bedside) • Rapidly changing knowledge base • Continuity of care • Wide variety of career options (In/Out, Specialist/ Generalist, Clinical/Research/Teaching, Procedures) • Career satisfaction and longevity

3. Late Jan / Feb / March • Meet with a Faculty advisor listed on the Career Goal Advisors page of the SOM website • Lee Berkowitz • Cristin Colford • Millie Long • Amy Shaheen • Christopher Klipstein • Bring your transcript, CV, and USMLE score(do not need actual forms, just info)

4. Goals of Meeting with your Advisor • Set up your fourth year schedule • Acting Internship • USMLE Step 2 • Other rotations • ? away rotation • Programs to consider • Letters of Recommendation • Department of Medicine (Chair’s) letter • two more (at least one from medicine)

5. Goals of Meeting with your Advisor • Set up your fourth year schedule • Acting Internship (? can you do the work, letter) • USMLE Step 2 (? can you pass the Boards) • Other rotations (enhance record, letters) • ? away rotation (depends on circumstances) • Programs to consider • Letters of Recommendation • Department of Medicine (Chair’s) letter • two more (at least one from medicine)

6. Department of Medicine Letter • Summarizes your clerkship(s) performance • Written/signed by Drs. Klipstein, Bynum and Runge (his replacement) • Contact Dr. Klipstein to initiate the process

7. Summer • Write your CV • Write your Personal Statement • if compelling life story, tell it • otherwise: grammatically correct English, no typos, provide fodder for interview • AMA, UChicago, USMLEWORLD, USMLEWeb • No plagiarism! • Dean’s Meeting • Meet with your advisor to review your CV, Personal statement and list of programs (email ok) • Confirm letters are in progress

8. Late Summer • Enroll in ERAS (July) • Submit applications (September 15) • Apply to 10-15 (? more) Programs

9. November, December, January • Schedule at least 10 interviews • Slots can fill up fast • In September create a tentative schedule of available dates, path through country • Respond quickly to requests

10. November, December, January • Interview days • Be nice to everyone • Meet as many residents as possible (go to dinner night before interview) • Learn details, but “feel” is more important • The Interview

11. November, December, January • Interviewer’s job • Are you a psychopath? (1 min) • Your personality fit with program? (14 min) • Recruit you to program (rest of interview)

12. November, December, January • Interviewer’s job • Are you a psychopath? (1 min) • Your personality fit with program? (14 min) • Recruit you to program (rest of interview) • Your job

13. November, December, January • Interviewer’s job • Are you a psychopath? (1 min) • Your personality fit with program? (14 min) • Recruit you to program (rest of interview) Sweaty Palms: The Neglected Art of Being Interviewed (1980s)

14. February • Meet with your Advisor (email ok) to review interview season and rank list • Consider a few second visits • Enter your rank list

15. March • Celebrate Match results

16. March • Celebrate Match results • Celebrate UNC’s March Madness triumph

17. March • Celebrate Match results

18. Where to Apply • Student Affairs website to see prior UNC match results • ABIM Board Pass rate pdf to get list of programs by state (plus size and board pass rate) • Location, reputation, size, board pass rate, UNC experience • FREIDA / Program websites • Talk to current 4th years, residents

19. How Many Programs • Individual question – your advisor can help • 10-20 • Not as strong record – need to apply to more • Couples match -- need to apply to more

20. Have fun rest of 3rd year Enjoy holidays Do well