… what I wished I had known! Fourth Year of Medical School.

transcript

… … what I wished I had known!what I wished I had known!

Fourth Year of Medical School

Your focus right now …Your focus right now …

Working hard to finish your 3rd year!!Be thinking about LOR’s !!Step 2 CK and CSFourth Year Electives

DisclaimerDisclaimer

All Info is to the BEST of our knowledgeHowever:

– Always Double Check Information– Double Check Deadline Dates – This is a guide and not an exhaustive list

Working HardWorking Hard

If you have slacked- shame on you… step it up!!– You will be asking for LOR’s soon and NEED

great letters– Your evaluation comments are listed on your

STEP II STEP II CK and CS CK and CS

CK– Same registration process as step I (www.ecfmg.org)– Board review classes- Kaplan Intense Prep, USMLE World

question bank, Kaplan Q-bank…– Scheduling exam… if you did poor on Step 1 take CK early so a

great score will increase # of interviews. – You will have get school certification w/ orange card (like Step 1)

CS– Register and Schedule NOW- Dates are filling!!! – Try to take before interview season begins (Oct.)– MUST be reported to ECFMG/NRMP before final rank list

submission- February!!

Now that boards are out of the Now that boards are out of the way …way …

Get organized and know your dates! …

Time to start the residency process…

WHERE TO START???

Your CVYour CV

Get this done now!– Use the format in the “green book” (next slide)

Submit with all LOR requests!Keep a copy on file with GME.Don’t forget to send it to Steve Orkin for

your MSPE!

NameNameAddressAddressPhonePhone

Email addressEmail address

Personal:Birth Date:Birth Place:

Education:Dates… Medical School name

location of med schoolCumulative GPA: MD Degree expected May 2007

Dates… Undergrad name(or graduate school if attended)- same format as med school with NO GPA!Dates… Highschool name and location

Certifications:Date USMLE I: passedDate USMLE II CK: to be taken Date USMLE II CS: to be taken Date any other certification you have

Honors and Awards:Date list

Extracurricular Activities:Date List name; position held if any

Research Experience:Date Position, Name of institution

Title of Article/ abstractWork Experience:

Date Position held, name of companyOutside Interest:List hobbies…

Letters of RecommendationLetters of Recommendation

Start asking SOON (the earlier the better) Most programs require 3 LOR’s.

– Try to obtain at least 4-5!

Chairman Letters- IM, Peds, Surgery, OB/GYN… – Not sure if you need a chairman letter- get one anyway!

DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE !! Consider opening a Fed-Ex account

– Able to track LOR’s and ERAS must sign for document

What you want to give to your attending:– Place in a file folder the following

Personal Cover letter CV Personal Statement if completed- if not- state in your cover

letter that it is not finalized. ERAS Cover letter- instructions for letter writer 3 Addressed and Stamped envelopes

– ECMFG-ERAS Documents– SGU: Attn. Steve Orkin– GME office at your hospital (Nancy)

Personal Cover letter examplePersonal Cover letter example

DateFrom: Your NameTo: Dr. XYZSubject: LORDear Dr. XYZ,

Thank you so much for agreeing to write a strong letter of recommendation on my behalf for the Match Process. Having finished my third year core clinical clerkships at *your hosp*, I found my *specialty* medicine experience extremely satisfying and have decided that *specialty* is a good career fit for me. Therefore, I am excited at the prospect of pursuing a *specialty* residency position for 2006. To assist you in writing a personal letter on my behalf, I have enclosed my curriculum vitae and personal statement. Also, you will find instructions on the ERAS coversheet as to their format. Thank you again for taking the time out of your busy schedule to write a recommendation letter. Upon completion of your letter, please enclose one copy of your letter and the ERAS cover sheet in the Fed-Ex envelope addressed to ECFMG-ERAS Documents, send a copy to *your hosp.* Graduate Medical Education office and mail one copy of your letter in the addressed SGUSOM envelope.If there is any other information you might require to help you in this process, please don’t hesitate to contact me at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,Your NameMS IV SGUSOMYour Email Address

ERAS Request for LOR Cover SheetERAS Request for LOR Cover Sheet

Follow up with Attendings– They are very busy.. Thus get info to them early!– Don’t be annoying!

PLEASE write thank you notes !Once you match let your respective

Attendings know where and thank them again!

Your MSPE !!!Your MSPE !!!

Make sure your file is complete at SGU– All evaluations must be in- comments listed on MSPE– You will receive info from Steve Orkin around May/June– Submit to Steve Orkin:

MSPE information form CV Personal statement (can be in draft stage) ALL letters of rec.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF ABOVE IS AUGUST 1st!! DO NOT BE LATE!!! – If you miss this deadline- your MSPE WILL go out LATE! And

that is NOT GOOD!!!

Your MSPE …Your MSPE …

REQUEST A COPY TO REVIEW– request must be made in writing– review for errors … please do this !!!

Just remember to have all of this done BEFORE NOVEMBER 1, 2005 !!

MSPE and Official TranscriptMSPE and Official Transcript

These documents will be submitted by SGU– Request must be made in writing to SGU-Steve

Orkin – SEND $5 check sent (to SGU) for the transcript

to be released to ECFMG– Send request Early: August 1st!!!

MSPE not sent by SGU until Nov. 1st.

Personal StatementPersonal Statement

Ironically, the hardest part of the application! Edit, Review, Edit, Review!! If not sure of specialty, may need multiple

personal statements. Have many, many people review it nonmedical

opinions are GREAT This is the only “personalized” part of your

application so really try to make it personal

ERAS … yes it’s finally time !ERAS … yes it’s finally time !

ERAS Electronic Residency Application Service

www.aamc.org/eras will become your best friend!

First- Request Token through ECFMG– June/July 2007- www.ecfmg.org request token through Oasis link- you

will need your USMLE/ECFMG ID number– Cost $75– Token will be emailed to you prior to the July 1st opening of ERAS

What you need to know about What you need to know about ERASERAS

Token to register will be emailed to you– You will NOT have an AAMC ID # so leave this field

blank when you register Once registration is complete, you will receive your

AAMC ID# Brand this # into your brain! ECFMG acts as our Dean’s Office!!

ERAS opens on July 1, 2006! This is the date you can register and begin your application!

ERAS ApplicationERAS Application

A long process… complete in segments– Proof read multiple time– Have someone else look for errors

You may NOT change anything on the application after you certify your common application form (CAF)– You can change your Personal Statement and LOR’s

Documents to be sent to ERASDocuments to be sent to ERASCan be sent after July 1, 2007!Can be sent after July 1, 2007!

To be sent by YOU– Wallet size CURRENT photo– Letters of recommendation

To be sent by SGU– MSPE– Official Transcript

Documents take a few days to be scanned into your file

ERAS Document Submission FormERAS Document Submission Form

Researching ProgramsResearching Programs

Please research ALL programs you are applying to!

Tools to use – FREIDA online (link from ERAS homepage)– www.scutwork.com– www.medfools.com– www.residentcafe.com

Do NOT hesitate to contact programs request info

Different deadlines, different requirements, etc.

How many programs to apply to??How many programs to apply to??Average number of applications per Average number of applications per US ApplicantUS Applicant by specialty in 2003 (info from by specialty in 2003 (info from

ERAS/AAMC)ERAS/AAMC)

Anesthesiology 20 Dermatology 41 Emergency Med 25 Family Practice 12 IM-Peds 13 Internal Med 15 OB/GYN 22 Ortho. Surgery 42 Pathology 14

Peds 16 PM&R 14 Plastic Surgery 23 Psych 14 Radiation Onc 24 Radiology 37 Surgery 19 Transitional 8 Urology 38

Number of programs to apply toNumber of programs to apply to

The previous slide is based off US Students!!!– Thus you should expect to apply to more as a FMG

A number of factors play into the number you should apply to– Location, couples matching, USMLE scores/ grades,

competitiveness of specialty!

SEPTEMBER 1, 2006SEPTEMBER 1, 2006

FIRST DAY PROGRAMS ACCEPT APPLICATIONS !!

Try to submit your application on this day !!

SEPTEMBER 1, 2006SEPTEMBER 1, 2006

Do I have to be ready to apply by this date?– # of interviews– Deadlines to apply

Most programs will not view applications until 5-7 days after September 1 but it varies.

Your best bet … PLEASE DON’T WAIT!

Residency InterviewsResidency Interviews

Be smart about scheduling interviews– Cost– Time of year– JET LAG !!– Absence schedule of particular hospital- TBHC allows

3 days off per 4 week rotation.

Interview Season- Oct through Feb. – Most November through end of January– No interviews btwn Xmas and New Years

Preparing for interview– Be Prepared! Read up on program

Freida website; program website SGU Alumni

Read over your CAF- you WILL be asked questions from your application/PS

Interview Questions- think about typical questions asked

Interview QuestionsInterview Questions Why are you applying to this program? Why did you go to St. George’s? What will you bring to our program- strengths and weaknesses? Tell us something that is not listed in your application. Talk about your path toward this specialty Tell us about an interesting case you have seen. Talk about your clinical experience at SGU- in Grenada and Vinny’s How do you learn best/ what is your learning style.. What is your

education philosophy? What are you looking for in a residency program? Your biggest challenge in Medical school Group interview- what separates you from the others in this group? How do you plan to pass … board exam? Expect to be asked about your Personal Statement and Common

Application Form- do not list anything you are not comfortable discussing!

Traveling– CARRY ON!! You do not want to be stuck without

your interview suit! – Try to make it to the resident dinner the night before.

Correspondence after interview– Send Thank you notes! – Consider second look – Letters expressing interest to top 3-5 programs send out

late Jan to early Feb

Second LooksSecond Looks

Not required, but looks VERY good!– Go to top 2-3 programs if time allows.

Try to meet with program director briefly– Ask any last questions you have– Express sincere interest in their program

Try to complete second looks by end of January to beginning of February!– Programs submit their rank list prior to our submission date

Be ready to go on rounds clean white coat and stethoscope!

NRMPNRMP

National Residency Matching Program- they conduct the actual match

Register by December 1st regardless if doing an early match (SanFranciso Match or AUA)

Cost- $100– Additional fees if couples matching.

The Rank ListThe Rank List

Rank list certification deadline …– February 21, 2007 (your date will be different)

Most programs meet in early February to certify lists!

Please try to have your lists certified at least one week before deadline!

Remember no CS means no rank list!

Rank ListRank List

Rank ONLY those programs you would be happy at!– The match is a legal contract and you CAN

NOT get out of it once you Match!!!– The more you rank, the more chance you have

to match– When NOT listing a program… would you

rather scramble than work at that program??

Other MatchesOther Matches

San Francisco Match www.sfmatch.org– Programs: Neurosurgery, Ophthalmology,

Plastic SurgeryUrology www.auanet.org

Rank list for these matches are due by early January with match results at the end of January.

MATCH WEEK !!MATCH WEEK !!

The culmination of medical school and all your hard work

Be calm … you have no control over the match!

Match Week!Match Week!

Monday– Noon- email sent stating Match vs. Unmatched

Tuesday– Scramble begins -have everything ready

Wednesday– Scramble continues

Thursday– If you matched on Monday

Noon- find out where you matched!!!!

But … But … Be prepared to scramble !

– Find an attending to act as your Dean/Mentor Have all your documents in case!

– CAF, USMLE scores, Photo, PS, Dean’s Letter and Transcript (sgu will send them to you in Feb), LOR’s (GME file)

You will need a team! You will need all phones, faxes, etc. available!

– GME Office at TBHC– Programs now using ERAS to scramble- no longer need

to fax applications

Scramble ResourcesScramble Resources

www.electronicresidency.com

www.imgresidency.com

Other Resources …Other Resources …

SGU Website- Office of Career Guidance site, clinical news site, Angel.

Iserson's Getting into a Residency: A Guide for Medical Students, Sixth Edition

First Aid for the Match

OTHER STUDENTS/RESIDENTS!

Relax, you are an M.D. now!Relax, you are an M.D. now!

Hope this helped!!Questions/comments …let us know!Contact info:

Neelay Gandhi - GreatSoul7@aol.com

Good Luck … we know you Good Luck … we know you will do well !!!will do well !!!