Preparing for Preparing for ResidencyResidency

Match DayMatch Day

Fantastic, Fabulous FridayFantastic, Fabulous Friday

Friday, March 20, 2015Friday, March 20, 2015 11 AM, KC- Battenfeld Auditorium11 AM, KC- Battenfeld Auditorium

Salina- TBDSalina- TBD

Melancholy MondayMelancholy Monday

Monday, March 16, 2015Monday, March 16, 2015 Match Week March 16-20, 2015Match Week March 16-20, 2015

PreparationPreparation

Know thyselfKnow thyself– CompetivenessCompetiveness– StrengthsStrengths– WeaknessesWeaknesses– Goals/objectivesGoals/objectives– Maximize optionsMaximize options

PreparationPreparation

Know how the Match/residency Know how the Match/residency interviewing process worksinterviewing process works– Consult referencesConsult references

NRMP website NRMP website (http://www.nrmp.org)(http://www.nrmp.org)

Student Affairs materials/websiteStudent Affairs materials/website Office of Student AffairsOffice of Student Affairs Residency DirectorsResidency Directors ResidentsResidents Current 4Current 4thth year students year students

PreparationPreparation

Choosing your specialtyChoosing your specialty– Okay to be uncertain at this pointOkay to be uncertain at this point– Understand/Accept your level of Understand/Accept your level of

competitiveness competitiveness – Keep options openKeep options open– Transition/Preliminary yearsTransition/Preliminary years– S-BOMB: SOAP is not an option!!!S-BOMB: SOAP is not an option!!!

ApplicationApplication

Prepare carefully (ERAS)Prepare carefully (ERAS) List only those things that are legitimateList only those things that are legitimate Don’t over think your personal statement Don’t over think your personal statement

(i.e., keep it simple, direct)(i.e., keep it simple, direct)– Don’t Don’t plagiarizeplagiarize!!

Proofread, Proofread, Proofread, and then Proofread, Proofread, Proofread, and then have someone else proofread it again!have someone else proofread it again!

Utilize the Writing Center services Utilize the Writing Center services (Opened 5/1/14)(Opened 5/1/14)

ApplicationApplication

Medical Student Performance Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE, AKA Dean’s Letter)Evaluation (MSPE, AKA Dean’s Letter)– Sessions conducted June, July, AugustSessions conducted June, July, August

Have CV completed beforehandHave CV completed beforehand CV and Personal statement also needed for CV and Personal statement also needed for

letter writersletter writers

– Come preparedCome prepared Extracurricular activitiesExtracurricular activities Leadership positionsLeadership positions Work HistoryWork History Unique qualities/experiencesUnique qualities/experiences

InterviewsInterviews

Factors to considerFactors to consider– CompetitivenessCompetitiveness– Finances Finances – Be practicalBe practical– Do your homeworkDo your homework– How many is “enough”?How many is “enough”?

InterviewsInterviews

SchedulingScheduling– Call early Call early – Be courteous and professional at all Be courteous and professional at all

times to times to everyoneeveryone– Be efficient and practicalBe efficient and practical

InterviewsInterviews

Be preparedBe prepared– Do your homeworkDo your homework– Have questions ready (for both Have questions ready (for both

faculty/residents)faculty/residents)– Be able to summarize yourBe able to summarize your

Strengths/WeaknessesStrengths/Weaknesses What you expect to gain from training What you expect to gain from training Career goalsCareer goals Your interest in their program (specific)Your interest in their program (specific)

InterviewsInterviews

Questions to askQuestions to ask– Strengths/Weaknesses of the programStrengths/Weaknesses of the program– Curriculum/teachingCurriculum/teaching– ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities– Call scheduleCall schedule– Supervision/Back-upSupervision/Back-up– AccreditationAccreditation– Where (and what) their graduates typically Where (and what) their graduates typically

practicepractice

InterviewsInterviews

AttireAttire– BusinessBusiness– Versatility/DurabilityVersatility/Durability– TopcoatTopcoat– No or minimal accessoriesNo or minimal accessories

InterviewsInterviews

Be on time Be on time – If possible, check out the location If possible, check out the location

the night beforethe night before– Call ahead if you are going to be lateCall ahead if you are going to be late– If you decide to cancel a visit, notify If you decide to cancel a visit, notify

the program as soon as possible the program as soon as possible (phone call and e-mail). (phone call and e-mail).

InterviewsInterviews

CourteousCourteous PolitePolite ProfessionalProfessional Interested/EngagedInterested/Engaged InformedInformed

InterviewsInterviews

RelaxRelax PersonablePersonable Act interestedAct interested Convey your strengthsConvey your strengths Explain your weaknesses/unique Explain your weaknesses/unique

situations (no excuses)situations (no excuses)

Follow-upFollow-up

Send personalized thank you Send personalized thank you notesnotes

Handwritten is fine, but must be Handwritten is fine, but must be legiblelegible

Call or send a follow-up letter Call or send a follow-up letter prior to ranking programsprior to ranking programs

MiscellaneousMiscellaneous

ElectivesElectives Couples matchCouples match

– must meet with Dean Zeiger!must meet with Dean Zeiger!

Rank ListRank List

List only programs that you would List only programs that you would be be willingwilling to attend to attend

List programs from greatest List programs from greatest preference to leastpreference to least

Don’t over think the processDon’t over think the process DO NOT DO NOT rank any program that rank any program that

you do not want to attendyou do not want to attend

Rank ListRank List

Trust no oneTrust no one Do notDo not divulge to programs how divulge to programs how

you intend to rank their programyou intend to rank their program

SummarySummary

PreparationPreparation Utilize available resources (Utilize available resources (watch watch

for announcements of additional for announcements of additional residency prep sessions, mock residency prep sessions, mock interviews, etc.interviews, etc.))

Be realistic, but don’t sell yourself Be realistic, but don’t sell yourself shortshort

Maximize your optionsMaximize your options Have fun!Have fun!