PSYCHIATRY

● Psychiatry is the medical specialty devoted to the study and treatment of mental disorders- which include various affective, behavioral, cognitive, and perceptual disorders (Wikipedia) ● Term first coined by the German physician Johann Christian Reil in 1808, meaning ‘medical treatment of the mind’ Definition/Background

What else exists other than straight up psych? ● Subspecialties/fellowships: ●Forensics, Geriatric, Child/Adolescent, Addictions, Consult/Liaison (psychosomatic), Public Psychiatry, psychoanalysis institutes Combined Fields# programs (positions) peds/psych/child psych9 (20) med/psych11 (23) psych/fam med6 (10) psych/neuro2 (3)

● 220 programs, 1384 positions, 99.2% of positions filled (categorical; 2016) ● Mean scores = Step ; Step (2014) ● All specialties = Step ; Step ● Mean number of contiguous ranks = 9.6 ● Mean number of volunteer experiences in matched applicants = 6.6 Stats

● How important are grades from pre-clinical year? ● Depends on how competitive the programs are that you decide to apply to… but usually aren’t the most important factor ● From Clinical years? ● Probably more important, but still not a make or break part of the application ● If you didn’t get honors in the psych clerkship, be ready to explain this & try and bolster application with honors in psych electives ● Research? ● If you plan on going into research or are looking at programs that receive a large chunk of NIH funding, then it’s helpful to have done research ● Away rotations? ● Generally not necessary for psych ●Recommended if interested in combined programs CV Considerations

● Psych is one of the few specialties that allows a little more liberty/creativity when writing the personal statement ● Important to clearly state why you decided to go into psychiatry, what about the field appeals to you, and why you would be a good fit ● Helpful to sound interesting; avoid sounding weird ● Important for getting interviews Personal Statement

● How many? ● Generally 3, no more than 4 depending on the program ● However, different programs have different requirements so you may actually need additional letters ● Who to ask? Clerkships, sub-I’s, Chair of dept.? ● Depends on the program and who knows you best ● Look at the websites for all the programs to which you plan on applying. Very few require letters from the Chair (but make sure you look on the program’s website!). ● How to ask? ● Provide each writer with a cover sheet, CV, Personal Statement, and stamped envelope ● Try to balance checking with writers to see if they sent in your letter, but avoid being too pushy/annoying. ● Don’t forget to send thank you cards to letter writers. LORs

● How many to schedule ● Cost ● Pre-interview dinner ● What to expect at interviews ● How to explain problems in record ● How to prepare-know schedule and interviews beforehand, how to act during interview, etc. ● Questions to expect ● Questions you should ask ● What not to do ● Canceling interviews ● Thank you cards Interview Tips

● How many should you go on? ● Varies based on how competitive the programs are you apply to, how strong of an applicant you are, if you’re couples matching, etc. ● If possible, schedule interviews with your top choices somewhere in the middle. At the beginning you may be somewhat nervous, at the end you may be burnt out. ● Generally, fewer than other specialties ● What to wear? ● Guys: gray, black, or navy suit, tie, dress shoes ● Girls: gray, black, or navy suit with pants or skirt (knee length), no low cut tops, closed-toe shoes that you can walk in (may need to walk quite a bit) or wear heels and bring a separate “walking” pair ● What to ask ● Prepare a list in advance - don’t be afraid to look at it during an interview ● What to expect ● Generally psych interviews aren’t overly stressful ● Interviews vary by program (individual interviews, group interviews, etc.) ● Interviews also vary by region of the country Interview Tips

● Keep in close contact with your top choices. Send s to program directors, residents, faculty etc. and let them know you are very interested in the program. ● If you want to be at a certain program because of family, spouse, etc., make sure the program knows this. Programs want residents that are going to be happy where they will be spending the next 4 years and take this into consideration. ● Listen to your gut! Many programs look great on paper, but don’t forget to take into account the general feeling you get during the interview day. ● Relax and be happy you aren’t applying for plastics! How to Choose?

ERAS ● Submit CV, LOR’s, Personal Statement, grant permission to have USMLE Step I (and maybe step 2) score sent to programs. Apply to programs. NRMP ● Rank programs you’d prefer to go at top, not how likely they are to want you ● Make sure status is “certified”! Application Details

● Location, family, friends ● Years accredited by ACGME? Trouble w/ numbers? ● Salary and insurance ● Happy residents? Where they go after residency ● Tracts within residency ● Hospital(s) ● Electronic Medical Record ● Do call with senior intern year? How often on call? ● Good Didactics? Research opportunities? ● Electives offered? ● Gut instinct Interview Day Considerations

● Good courses to take in 4 th year ● Do what interests you in psych field ● Dr. Pessar’s research elective ● Creating good habits Fourth Year Options