Making the Most of Your Residency Application: What to Do ... or Not

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR RESIDENCY APPLICATION: WHAT TO DO … or NOT Timothy Munzing, M.D.,Family Medicine Residency DirectorKaiser Permanente Orange CountyNational Residency Matching Program Board of DirectorsAgendaResidency Application Process and TimelineFactors to Consider in Choosing a ResidencyApplication and Interview tipsSample Interview QuestionsTop 10 Things NOT to DoMaterials Submitted in a Residency ApplicationERAS ApplicationCurriculum VitaePersonal StatementLetters of RecommendationMedical Student Performance Evaluation (Dean’s Letter)USMLE TranscriptApplication TimelineContact Letter of Rec. Writers –SummerPrepare Application Docs –SummerMeet with Dean – AugustRegister with ERAS – after Aug. 15Submit ERAS Applic. – Sept. or early OctoberApplication Timeline (cont.)Interviews – Nov. through JanuaryRegister with NRMP (before mid-January)Match List due – mid-Feb.Match Day – mid March (three days prior you find out if you Matched with a program – if not – Scramble on Tuesday and Wednesday)Choosing a Residency:Factors to ConsiderLocation, location, locationGestalt, program fit (gut feeling)Type of program (community vs. university vs. county)Single vs. multiple residency hosp.Program size – larger vs. smallerNon-surgical vs. surgical emphasisChoosing a Residency:Factors to ConsiderTeachers – primary faculty vs. residentsElectronic health record – in place vs. planning vs. no planBehavioral medicine emphasisOn-call – educational vs. serviceResearch emphasisSalary / benefitsOther CharacteristicsWORDS OF WISDOM ABOUT YOUR INTERVIEWSBe preparedKnow your application packet wellDo your homework about the program you are interviewing atRELAX!!!!THE INTERVIEW BEGINS BEFORE YOU GET TO THE PROGRAM!!ERAS ApplicationPersonal StatementMSPE (Dean’s Letter)Letters of recommendationBoard ScoresERAS APPLICATIONBe honest– Don’t exaggerate your skills (e.g. language proficiency)– Don’t Pad your ActivitiesInclude volunteer activities you’ve done regularly – not if only once