Is Completing a Residency Really Worth Dealing with the Application Process? Marcie Lepkowsky, PharmD Director, PGY1 Acute Care Pharmacy Residency Program
Is Completing a Residency Really Worth Dealing with the Application Process?
Marcie Lepkowsky, PharmD Director, PGY1 Acute Care Pharmacy Residency Program
n Sponsored and supervised by ASHP n Administered on behalf of ASHP by
National Matching Services Inc. n Fees: $125 to register for the Match (non-
refundable) n http://www.natmatch.com/ashprmp n Couples: each applicant registers for the
Match as an individual, but ID’s as couple when submitting Rank Order List
The Match
Important Dates n November, 2013
Ø able to register for the Match Ø Use online registration portal shared by
the NMS and PhORCAS (new) Ø https://portal.phorcas.org/ Ø List of participating programs available on
NAS website
Important Dates
n January 10, 2014: Recommended date by which applicants should register for the Match
n February 7, 2014: By this date instructions for submitting Rank Order Lists and obtaining Match results will be available
n February 17, 2014: Start to submit Rank Order List n March 6, 2014: Final date to register for the Match n March 7, 2014: Final date for submission of
Applicant and Program Rank Order Lists n March 21, 2014: Results of the Match are released
Match Mentions n Don’t play mind games with yourself n The Match favors the applicant n Rank only where you are willing to go n Do not rank anywhere you are not willing to
go n Check out the Matching Algorithm n https://www.natmatch.com/ashprmp/
aboutalg.html
Match Stats https://www.natmatch.com/ashprmp/stats/2013applstats.html
n 4928 Enrolled in Match (4508) n 3933 Participated in Match (3706) n 2495 Matched (2268) n 1438 Did not Match (1438) n 2694 Positions offered in Match (2413) n 199 Positions unfilled; 17 did not rank any
applicants (145; 23)
Rank Stats n 1: 1495 (60%) [1332
(58.7%)] n 2: 530 (21%) [532
(23.5%)] n 3: 261 (10.5%) [221
(9.7%)] n 4: 122 (5%) [112 (5%)] n 5 or >: 87 (3.5%) [71 (3%)]
What if I don’t match? n March 21, 2014 Ø 9:00 AM PT: list of unfilled programs
posted on Match web site Ø No action to fill positions is to be taken
prior to 9:00 AM Ø Applicants may start to use PhORCAS
to prepare applications
When can I apply again?
n Applicants who do not obtain a position in the Match will be able to use PhORCAS to prepare applications beginning on March 21, and to submit applications to programs participating in PhORCAS beginning on March 24
n Programs should not make offers before March 31, 2014
n Scramble
PhORCAS
n Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application Service
n Fees: $75/first 4; $25 each thereafter9/11 n https://portal.phorcas.org/
PhORCAS PhORCAS PhORCAS PhORCAS PhORCAS PhORCAS PhORCAS PhORCAS PhORCAS n Chaos or Control? n Confusion or Improved Communication?
Extracurricular Activities
n Did I lead, follow or just show up? n What did I learn from this experience? n Consider key words found in program
description n Opportunity to expand on CV and
Letter of Intent
CV “Musts”
n Aesthetically pleasing n Ordered in order of importance n Include NMS Match # n Reviewed by at least 2 people (in addition to your mom!)
References
• November 19th: references may be uploaded • How many references – 3 or 4? • Different references for different programs? • Standardized forms +/- separate letter? • 3 references required to submit application
As of 9/12/13 (most likely change to 11/18/13)
Possible Supplemental Requirements
n Application forms n Additional demographic Information n Photos n Interview availability n Additional reference information
How Many Programs is Enough?
n Too many: 1,000,000,000,000,000 Ø Time away from rotations Ø Cost to apply and travel to interview Ø Time commitment for reference writers
n Too few: 0 n Your thoughts…
Choosing Where to Apply n Good fit
v Number of residents v PGY2 opportunities v Patient care/Teaching/Research v Electives available
n Preceptors n Flexible n Staffing n Location àExplore the possibilities
Take Home Points n Be Organized n No spelling/grammatical errors -
anywhere n Communicate well with references n Know your deadlines n Don’t miss your deadlines n Apply to “good fit” programs
Possible changes for 2014 n Improved ease of uploading n Improved process for reference writers n Pre-pharmacy school transcripts not
required to apply
Wishful thinking n Consolidation of sections n Consolidation of reference letters and
comment sections n Standard order of components n No cost for scramble n Scramble improvements
Marcie Lepkowsky, PharmD [email protected]