I hope to give those applying this year a jump start in residency applications.
Just gonna hit some high points:
1. Look up programs before you apply. You need to to then start comparing what training is available. Are there just 2 major hospitals or is your training in a big medical center?
2. Talk to current residents at your medical school who are in the field you want to go into. Ask them about programs they interviewed.
3. Get to know your program director. They know the most about programs and they know what a quality applicant they want for their program is like. They should be able to guide you. If they're too busy and can't make time for you, it's possible they might treat residents the same way. I think they should have administrative days where they can fit you into their schedule though.
4. If you want an interview at a competitive program or somewhere on the west coast, I advise doing an away rotation there and impressing people.
5. Hopefully you've been networking by going to grand rounds/local/national meetings
6. Ask an attending you've worked with and who you get along with "Do you think you would be able to write me a strong letter of recommendation?"
7. Get rec letters from important people (senior faculty, program directors, presidents of important organizations), but make you've worked with them a meaningful amount and that they actually know you
More to follow, thanks
Great post. As a current junior resident, I went through this process fairly recently. I completely agree that applicants should get started early. It's important to maximize the use of the resources you may have at your medical school to optimize your chances of matching into your field of choice. Plan ahead and figure out who you're going to ask to write your LORs. Try to obtain an outside elective in the field and institution of interest, and make sure you shine when there! Thanks for sharing this post.
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