So now you want to be a resident….

Presenting….the dirty details of your ERAS application, interviewing, etc, etc, etc…

Specialty ChoiceAway Rotations

Program websites VSAS▪ http://www.aamc.org/programs/vsas/students/start.ht

m Sub-Internships Mentors Letters of Recommendation Writers Personal Statement/CV

Categorical (or Advanced): Resident enters a program with the objective to complete the entire program. Length varies with specialty. E.g. General Surgery, Emergency Medicine, OBG

Preliminary: Positions for residents who been accepted into another specialty, but who are completing pre-requisites for that specialty (Advanced positions); or for residents who fail to match into categorical/advanced spots E.g. Dermatology, anesthesiology do preliminary years.

Transitional: 1st year of residency designed to provide a program of multiple clinical disciplines. Typically used to fulfill pre-requisite for a specialty. Similar to Preliminary, but often tied directly to specific programs. Often considered “cushier” than prelim years

Fellow: Post residency or mid residency sub-specialty training

National Resident Matching Program Provides a uniform date of appointment to Residency Provides uniform rules for appointment

Historically, recruitment occurred even as a MS-1! Good-ole-boy BINDING commitment (for 1 year) Applicant’s / Program Rank lists compared via computer

algorithm that favors the student Applicant Registration Fee: 50$ (2010)

In Summary: ERAS helps you set up interviews with programs, NRMP helps you match with a program via a fair process. You MUST register for both!

July 1st – Application website opens so you can start entering data Send Karen Bledsoe a digital photo of yourself if you don’t like your MS3

photo Transcripts (not TOO early! Need all rotation grades)

September 1st: APPLICATION CERTIFICATION can begin Interviews: late October through late January, specialty dependent.

More about this later November 1st: Dean’s Letters (MSPEs) are released to programs.

(ERAS automatically handles) 2nd Look opportunity (if you want): December, January, early

February NRMP:

January/February – Programs submit their RANK lists Mid/late February – Your rank list(s) due Mid March – Match Day

The “Early Match” http://www.sfmatch.org 3 Specialties Participate via SF Match Ophthalmology Pediatric Neurology Some categorical Plastics (many are ERAS/NRMP NOT electronic service Centralized Application Service (CAS) Every Document must be in print. (Type app in Word first ) Letters of Rec. – Sealed Envelopes w/ writer Signature on Seal Original Transcripts – Notarized, in envelope. Gather ALL required docs – mail Next Day Air as one package. 100$ Registration Fee (2009), 60$ first 10, 10$/school 11-20 Is the combined ERAS/NRMP equivalent for these specialties. Still must apply for PGY-1 via ERAS/NRMP (prelim or

transitional) See website for EARLY timeline details and additional info

American Urological Association Matchhttp://www.auanet.org/content/residency/

residency-match.cfmApplicants apply for interviews via ERAS.Similar to service provided by NRMP.

Some programs require NRMP for PGY-1 Surgery.

Registration Fee: 75$ (2009)See website for timeline details and

information – EARLIER than standard ERAS/NRMP

Transcripts (medical school) Board Scores (step 2) Letters of Recommendation (4 is a good

number) Personal Statement Your “CV” (extra-curricular, leadership,

awards, hobbies, etc. Do NOT leave HOBBIES blank & do not LIE! Interview fodder!!)

MSPE (Dr. Veitia!) Guess what….all this can take a while!!

IDEAL: Personal letters that exude what RDs want to see! Plan and do a rotation with someone. Ask them EARLY in rotation. Start asking EARLY! (AKA now if you’ve spent a lot of time with

someone) Pick people with contacts in your field or at your program of choice ASK them if they can write you a great letter (“time to write a

letter”) Ask their office staff/MS-4s if they are quick on getting letters out.

(this can be important).One is from a Dept. Chair of the field of interest (or pretty close)One letter from same or closely related fieldOne is from a physician in your field who knows you wellOne other…although generally NOT the time for personal letters

from pastors, coaches, etc)

“You spend the most time and we spend the least.” ~ direct from the mouth of a RD

Programs may spend from 10 minutes to 1 hour on your ENTIRE application deciding on interview offers

Have faculty member who reads personal statements as part of a residency committee read your final draft

Don’t rely on your PS to be “winning” part of your application. NOT like college/med school apps, but also don’t blow it off

Do’s Be honest & genuine Present yourself as a mature professional Make it easy to read (excellent flow, flawless grammar & punctuation) Convey: ▪ What makes you unique (makes you stand out)▪ What makes you a good fit for the specialty▪ Both what motivates you, and your future goals▪ If necessary, discuss negatives that can be positively explained

Don’ts Don’t rehash your curriculum vita Don’t use quotes (cheesy!) Don’t waste space (i.e. Why I wanted to become a Dr, I want to help

people, blah, blah) Don’t use clichés Don’t get “too” creative (all caps, ee cumings style, etc0

Exhaustive description of everything you’ve been a part of: Work (paid) Volunteer/Community service Research Publications/Presentations Honors & Hobbies Etc

Unfortunately you can not copy/paste document you may already have…you have to add it part by part

CHECK YOUR SPELLING Two versions – ERAS and 1 pager

Medical Student Performance Evaluation: Assessment of a student’s performance relative to his or

her peers throughout the first three years of medical school▪ academic performance AND professional attributes▪ From questionnaire for Dr. Veitia & clerkship evals

It is NOT a letter of recommendation, standardized format since 2002

Meet with Dr. V in July, August, Sept Can revise for factual errors, but can’t change evaluative

statements Release date of November 1 via ERAS (but many

programs do NOT wait for this to start offering)

Identifying Information (demographics) Unique Characteristics (aka old lady ) Academic History (matriculation dates, explanation of gaps in educational

program, information about repeats or remediation, information about adverse actions)

Academic Progress Pre-clinical/ basic science course work Performance in clinical clerkships (grades, narratives)

Summary Summative assessment of the student as compared to his or her peers School-specific categories to differentiate students Professionalism Appendices

Be aware of BAD advice! Everyone different! Talk with program directors here…they read 100’s of

applications every season Use people who went to the school/programs of your

interest! Talk with FACULTY Talk with MS-4s

Rule of Thumb: You do not want your personal statement or interview attire to “stand out” too much….

You want the total package to “stand out.” You WILL be searched by google, MySpace, facebook,

blogspot, etc. Clean it & make it private Don’t give anyone anything other than your app &

interview to judge you

There are no “US News” reports of top residency programs Programs are viewed on relatively arbitrary tiers depending on

faculty, reputation, age of program, etc. “Top” programs in your field may not be where you expect Talk to your mentors (including 4th years!), FREIDA, faculty Apply based on your qualification (see NRMP report again!) Apply to a few top, many middle, a few low▪ Scramble often from delusions or not enough programs

Consider applying to a “backup” field Especially for highly competitive fields Can be double the work (two statements, many letters, etc)

Geography is generally people’s #1 consideration Use ERAS Program List (includes program website links)

https://services.aamc.org/eras/erasstats/par/index.cfm

Significantly better Interviewee with experience Schedule your dream schools after a “trial run” but not

totally at the end (FATIGUE!) if possible Available interview dates

Depend on when you receive interview offer Depend on competitiveness of programs (don’t freak out!)

Try to allow at least one day off in-between…most interviews have social night before/after – VERY IMPORTANT!!

Respond to interview offers IMMEDIATELY Competitive fields are first come first serve for spots Can always cancel

Re-schedule/ Cancel Goal: Notify at least 1 wk prior

GENERAL RULE: CONSERVATIVE Men

Black or Grey Suit – this is not the time to be cheap! White Shirt Windsor Tie – Yellow, Red, Blue – Power colors Black dress shoes – CLEAN, NO SCUFFS! (cited by RDs) Buy Chap stick (also cited by RDs—interview season is winter time!).

Women More variable – Black or Grey skirted suit still most common, pants OK Blouse – nothing flashy (watch the cleavage!) No flashy jewelry – use your judgment on nose piercing

Natural hair colors only Carry CV, spare photos, and your list of questions to ask! (You’ll be

nervous and forget them!) Carry a nice pen, do NOT use a drug pen or another institution's

pen unless it is MUSOM Try to look like your photo on your application!

Research Programs before Interview! (program website) YOU MUST SELL YOURSELF! Be prepared for 3-on-1 & Panel (8+) interviews (Relax)

Tip: Scan room periodically while speaking to engage all interviewers. Be prepared to explain ANY areas of your record

Some suggest pre-emptive discussion of weaknesses, do not avoid Be prepared to discuss current events!

Read newspaper in airport/plane.

Tell me about yourself? (Difficult ice breaker) Variant Question: What are your strengths/weaknesses? Answer: Explain what motivates you and include strengths

What accomplishment are you most proud? What is the most difficult thing you have done? Not mentioning family, who are your heroes? What do you do in your spare time? Why should I choose you over the other applicants here today?

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Describe something unethical that has happened

in your career. Which patients do you find difficult to deal with? Why do you want to go into this specialty? Why did you apply to this program? Tell us about a patient you learned to most

from? (BE prepared for a case presentation!) (Competitive- absolutely necessary)

Where else have you interviewed? Can you think of anything else you would like to

add? Be prepared to discuss common patient

complaints/diseases! Competitive Surg Fields - Do NOT get flustered by

Dexterity tests.

Any questions concerning childbearing! What are your family plans?

What is your corrected vision? What medications do you use? How much EtOH do you drink/wk? How many days were you sick last year? Any specific rank order questions! You may get in a round-about way at social

ALWAYS ask Questions- This conveys your interest in the program

DON’T ask obvious questions answered on program website

Faculty:Strengths/Weaknesses of Program?Changes do you anticipate in next few years?What do most of your graduates pursue p/ graduation?How are the residents evaluated?How do your graduates perform on the board exam?Opportunity for research? Is attendance to national conferences encouraged?What is the Lecture schedule?How long have most of the faculty been here?Is there a Resident run Clinic? If so, is there an attending on

staff?What aspect of the program do residents find most difficult?

Finally, ask for contact information

“Social” event greatest source of information Strengths/Weaknesses of the Program Call Schedule, who is my backup? Is there initial buddy Call? What is the patient load? What attracted you to the program? Would you come here again? Do the residents get together outside of work? How often? How are the lecture series? Do you feel the program prepares you for the boards? Any initial lecture series/ training? Fellows helpful? Do they teach? Do they share cases? Local Housing? Specialty Exposure? Equipment provided (Books, surgical tools i.e. Loupes) How much time off do you have? What is the relationship between faculty and residents?

Take brief notes about each program immediately! Try to Rank programs as you go – go with GUT Send Thank You Note/Email within a few days.

Thank ALL faculty with ONE letter to Program Director 2nd look Interview – you schedule with program

personally Allows you to further narrow down your top 3. Common among certain specialties Do not expect to be with program director (i.e. no re-

interview) Email follow-up questions

Will this Residency Program provide me with strong training?

Does this program offer an environment that will allow me to reach my full potential?

How did I FEEL when I visited the program?Will I feel comfortable at this program?Will I enjoy working with the faculty/staff there?Could I live and work in this city for the next

several years?Can I see myself walking in the front door

everyday?The ONE SENTENCE summation for “your

person” of each program

National Resident Match Program (NRMP) Register on-site before December (discount price) Certify Your List (Green) – Confirmation Email Can “Re-certify” list over & over until deadline.

SF Match – PDF form fill in, submit electronically Confirmation Email

In general, try to rank at least the “magic number” for your speciality, but definitely anywhere you’d be willing to go and NOT anywhere you wouldn’t be willing to go

Do NOT Rank a program highly because they told you they would rank you High! (This WILL happen. Emotional Manipulation!) It is to the PROGRAM’s advantage to get you to move them up your list

but not yours!

Just rank IN ORDER OF YOUR PREFERENCE! (Gut + envelope test) System starts with YOUR number #1 program – as long as the program

ranked you, you go there… The program’s list is used as a tie breaker between 2 students that

both have Program X ranked #1. The un-matched student goes to 2nd choice, process repeats as if that

school is their #1 Summary: There is NO reason to not Rank a competitive program as

#1, if you do not match there it is as if that program was never on your list

DO NOT ALLOW programs to take the advantage you have by succumbing to their blackmail!

NRMP: http://www.nrmp.org/res_match/about_res/algorithms.html

Creating too Short a Rank list including the dreaded “suicide match”

Ranking a program you have serious doubts about You are committing yourself if you rank them!

Ranking programs based on where you think you will be ranked You will only match to the program you want if you put it

at the top of your list!!!! “Believing your own press” from programs Interviewing/Ranking only top programs Listening too much to everyone else – use YOUR

criteria

NRMP: middle of March“IF” Match announced via email / Web on

Monday of match weekDo find out prelim/transitional/categorical status

List of un-filled programs posted Tuesday at Noon….scramble…details on ERAS site

“Where” announced at noon at Match Day ceremony, posted/emailed at 1pm ET.

SF/AUA Match: Occurs in middle of JanuaryDisclosed to you & program on same date