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Roadmap to ResidencyApplication to the Match

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Agenda11:15-11:30 Overview Strolling thru the

MatchDr. Roytesa Savage (Dr. Lawson)

11:30-11:50 Strolling thru the Match-CV and Personal Statement

Dr. Cassandra Acheampong

11:50-12:00 Break

12:10-12:40 Overview of the ERAS Process and NRMP

Ms. Kelly Lancaster

12:40-1:00 Pearls for 4th year Drs. Luan Lawson and Roytesa Savage

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Goals of this Presentation• After this workshop you will:

– Understand the mechanics of the residency application process

– Understand how to present yourself as a strong viable candidate

– Learn how to develop a strong CV and Personal Statement

– Pearls to Transition from Medical School to Residency

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ERAS Applicant TimelineDate Activity

Mid-late June 2010 MyERAS User Guide available in PDF (download by chapter or in its entirety on our Web site).Schools may begin to generate and distribute MyERAS tokens to applicants.

July 1, 2010

MyERAS Web site opens to applicants to begin working on their applications.ERAS Support Services at ECFMG will begin generating and distributing tokens to IMGs.Osteopathic applicants may begin selecting and applying to osteopathic training programs only.

July 15, 2010 Osteopathic training programs may begin contacting the ERAS PostOffice to download application files.

September 1, 2010Applicants may begin applying to ACGME accredited programs.ACGME accredited programs may begin contacting the ERAS PostOffice to download application files.

October 15, 2010 MSPEs are released to AOA accredited programs.*

November 1, 2010 MSPEs are released to ACGME accredited programs.*

December 2010 Military Match

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January 2011 Urology Match

February 2011 Osteopathic Match

March 2011 NRMP Match results will be available.

May 31, 2011 ERAS PostOffice will close to prepare for the 2012 season.

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Other Important DatesStep 2 CK*(need to take and pass by April 2010)

September 30

Completion of MyERAS September 1

Step 2 CS(need passing CS score by April 2010)**

December 30

MSPE, LORs November 1

Rank order list begins January 15

ROL deadline February 23

*Step 2 CK from 184 to 189**Step 2 CS some programs did not rank students that did not have a score back by ROL

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Step 2 CS 2010 Reporting ScheduleReleased June 12, 2009

Testing Period Reporting Period

For examinees who test Reporting start date Reporting close date

Jan 1 through Feb 27 Mar 31 Apr 28

Mar 1 through Mar 27 Apr 21 May 19

Mar 28 through May 15 Jun 16 Jul 14

May 16 through July 17* Aug 18 Sep 15

Jul 18 through Sep 11 Oct 13 Nov 10

Sep 12 through Nov 6 Dec 8 Jan 5, 2011

Nov 7 through Dec 31 Feb 2, 2011 Feb 23, 2011

Step 2 CS 2011 Reporting ScheduleReleased May 25, 2010

Testing Period Reporting Period

For examinees who test Reporting start date Reporting close date

Jan 1 through Jan 29 Mar 2 Mar 23

Jan 30 through Mar 26 Apr 27 May 25

Mar 27 through May 14 Jun 15 Jul 13

May 15 through July 16* Aug 17 Sep 14

Jul 17 through Sep 10 Oct 12 Nov 9

Sep 11 through Nov 5 Dec 7 Jan 4, 2012

Nov 6 through Dec 31 Feb 2, 2012 Feb 22, 2012

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THE PROCESSDecision Making: Selection, Interview, Ranking and Matching

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Choosing Programs• Gather info about various programs

– Location, type, number of interns, etc. – What are requirements, deadlines

• Send application to different programs– Check to see if program(s) participate in ERAS

• Interview at certain programs– Seek more info about programs

• Decision making---rank order list – Maintain your priorities, needs

MSPE’s

• ½ done by each Student Affairs Dean• Schedule early

– Watch for the letter from our office with your assigned Dean

• Come prepared with form that is attached• Released November 1st

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LOR’s

• Should be asking people now• Look at websites of programs and determine

what they want (i.e Chairman’s letter, numbers of letters)

• Give them a deadline

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Questions to ask yourself…• What are/were your original goals when you decided to become an

MD? Are they still valid?• What do you value about he MD role?• What type of MD/Patient relationship do you find rewarding?• What type of lifestyle do you want for yourself (family, income,

time for interests)?• In what type of community do you want to practice; clinical setting?• What skills (interpersonal, analytical, technical, etc.)?• Are there particular situations/types of patient encounters that

make you feel uncomfortable, feel unsuited?

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Careers in Medicine (CiM)

• Understanding yourself – Self-assessment• Career Exploration – Exploring options • Decision making – Choosing a specialty • Implementation – Getting into residency • Specialty pages

http://www.aamc.org/students/cim/

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Selecting a Program• Be realistic in selection

– Don’t eliminate because you think you’re not strong enough – Understand the type of program

• Keep open mind about quality of programs – Even if you have not heard of it – Even if it is small

• Consider finances – AAMC sponsors flight discounts

• Consider critical factors

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Critical Factors• Geographic locations• Type of institution • Age and stability of program• Academic reputation• Call schedule, supervisory

structure, other support• Faculty to resident ratio• Structure and flexibility of

curriculum

• Physical characteristics of the hospital

• Other training programs in hospital

• Patient population (racial, gender, SES mix, etc.)

• Community • Opportunities for postgraduate

training (fellowship)• Others

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Critical Factors• Program Issues

– Morale of current housestaff– Accreditation status– Program quality– Program size– Support for research and

teaching– Evaluation process (timing

and format)

• Personal Issues– Housing– Cost of living– Spousal and family opportunities

• Residency Agreement &Stipend Issues– Leave, vacation, sick, professional– Benefits: health, liability, disability– Others

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More Critical Factors• As you learn more about the specialty areas under consideration,

you need to look closely at the nature of the work and consider your preferences for different aspects of the work, such as:– Inpatient vs. outpatient services– Working with different age ranges– Working with one or both genders– Experience with general practice vs. a specialty– Breadth vs. depth of patient problems– Short-term vs. long-term/continuous care– Direct vs. indirect communication– Contact with family members vs. direct contact with patients

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Interviewing• Look at program and its attributes

– Assess how compatible you are with it – Assess comfort level – Assess strong/weak points of program

• Sell yourself – Why you are an asset – Showcase your strengths, skills

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Scheduling Interviews

• September – January (majority Nov-Jan) • Schedule your high ranking programs after

you have had some experience on the trail • Confirm your appointment via a call a week

before your scheduled time • Try to tour the community

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Tips for Interviewing• Research the program prior to interview• Research the community resources, points of interest• Write down questions that you want to ask

– Questions for each type of person (director, residents, etc.)

– May ask the same question more than once• Use a Pros and Cons list after each interview(evaluate

using it)• Don’t dominate the conversation • Send “Thank You” letters/notes

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Understanding the Match Process

• Don’t overestimate yourself • Don’t underestimate yourself • Do not list programs that you do not want to

go to • Order is important • Don’t be too narrow / short

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Things to consider…

• Rank programs that represent your true preferences

• Rank programs in order according to those preferences

• Rank all programs that are acceptable to you

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Match Week Timeline• Noon Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the Monday of the

program through NRMP– Those students who learn on Monday that they were unsuccessful in

the Match begin the Scramble process – 12:00 non EST on Tuesday of Match Week, the Dynamic List of

Unfilled positions is posted to the NRMP web site, and at this time students may begin the Scramble process.

• Match Week when the actual match results are posted to the NRMP web site.

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Resources• CiM Specialties page www.aamc.org/students/cim

– has information on 112 specialties and subspecialties that include the nature of the work, personal characteristics (including interests, values and personality), training and residency information, match data, workforce statistics, salary information

– links to over 1,000 journals, publications, and specialty and academic societies.

• FREIDA Online www.ama-assn.org/go/frieda – provides statistical information about each specialty, as well as info about ACGME

accredited residency programs and institutional offerings by specialty and geographic location.

• www.aafp.org/x20259.xml• Choosing a Medical Specialty—The AMA provides this bibliography of links for

more information on specialty areas. It includes links to the AMA web pages for 102 specialties.

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Resources• Roadmap to Residency: From Application to the Match and Beyond (AAMC)• Getting into A Residency: A Guide for Medical Students (Kenneth V. Iserson MD)• www.nrmp.org • Academic Support & Enrichment Center (Resources for M4s, CV & Personal

Statement) • http://www.ecu.edu/acc/CareerDev.htm• NRMPs Results and Data Match Book

https://services.aamc.org/Publications/index.cfm?fuseaction=Catalog.displayForm&cfid=1&cftoken=6DDA5667-61A2-4DDD-B35F4EEC9F809F08 or by phone order at (202) 828-0416

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YOUR CREDENTIALSPersonal Statement and CV –Dr. Acheampong

YOUR APPLICATIONERAS-Ms. Lancaster

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SURVIVAL Pearls and Tips for 4th year-Drs. Lawson and Savage

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1. Pick an Advisor

• Make sure you have spoken with someone in your specialty about your schedule

• Have them read your personal statement and review your CV

• Talk with them about where you want to go• Dream big but make sure you have a reality check

2. Know the Timeline

• Know the due dates of ERAS and NRMP• Know the dates of your specialty and each

program– may need to visit each website

• Give yourself deadlines

3. Interviews • Cancel the interview if you decide not to go

– Help another Brody brother or sister• Try to go to the dinner the night before

– Even if it at a place that you are not really interested in

– Don’t drink– Listen to the residents

3. Interviews

• Know that residency program directors talk• Do Mock Interviews• On the interview trail, get to know the

interviewees• Be nice to the “secretaries” or support staff

– They are usually the ones putting in the ROL

4. There are 4 years of medical school

• Know the Expectations of your Rotation• Do Talk with Course Directors• Show up

5. Paperwork• Drop/Adds

– Get then done

• IDS-consider asking the person to make a course

• You’ve matched– Make sure you fill out the paperwork for

residency honestly……

6. Absences

• You are expected to show up• Make sure you notify Student Affairs and your

rotation• “ask” about missing time for interviews; don’t

“tell” the course director

7. I’m a 4th year-I don’t have to do that!

• If on any rotation, you are expected to work like an intern (from course directors)

• Don’t believe “everything” the previous 4th years have said– Rotations are changing……– Course directors are changing…..– Departments are changing……

8. Constructive Feedback

• Evaluations be honest• State problem

– Consider giving a solution

• Concerns about course– Talk with course director (student affairs)

9. Communication is Key

• Facebook• Myspace

10. Enjoy Yourself • 4th year was the best year of medical school

for me• You’ll be doing your specialty for x number of

years– Explore other things– Do things that you may not ever see again

• Go make us proud

Summary

• Rank all the programs you really want, without regard to your estimate of your chances with those programs.

• Include a mix of both highly competitive and “less competitive” programs within your preferred specialty.

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Summary (cont.)• Include all of the programs on your list where the

program has expressed an interest in you and where you would accept a position.

• Have a Plan B. If you are applying to a competitive specialty, and if you would want to have some residency position in the event you are unsuccessful in gaining acceptance to a program in your preferred specialty, rank also your most preferred programs in an alternate specialty.

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Summary (cont.)

• Include all of your qualifications in your application, but know that you do not have to be AOA, to have the highest USMLE scores, to have publications, and to have participated in research projects to successfully match

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS