Getting into an Anesthesia Residency

Anesthesiology

What do to before applying ● We discuss the ideal application. If you do not have all of these credentials, you will still be offered many interviews!

National ANE Match Data – 2011* ● Overall, 96% of US seniors applying to ANE matched ● US Seniors that matched in to ANE ● Boards: ● Average step 1 = 226 { } (vs 226 for all specialties combined) ● Average step 2 = 235 { } (vs 235 for all specialties combined) ● Low step 1? → plan on taking the step 2 early, and use a free month to study! *Charting match outcomes 2011, p18-30

What do to before applying ● MSI and MSII: ● Keep your grades up! ● Do well on USMLE Step 1. You should aim for as high as possible, but you can still be offered interviews if you score above a 210. ● Anesthesia Research - Roswell and FAER. ● “Not necessary for anesthesia”, but it will help boost your application. ● If “too late,” for summer programs, contact Donna Mills to find a UB attending with an active project; possibly Dr Nader (VA - cards), Dr Lorenovic (RCPI - dex), Dr Filadora (RCPI – peri operative outcomes), Dr DeLeion (pain), Dr Knight (bench ● ASA Annual Conference - Good opportunity to learn more about the field. If you are part of the FAER MSARF, you have the option of presenting a poster. ● AIG - Attend the meetings! They’re helpful!

What to do before applying ● MSIII: ANE-SUB I ● Take the anesthesia sub-I ASAP. The rotation is not offered during July-August, during orientation for the new anesthesia residents. Complete before July if at all possible, contact Dona Mills if you are considering a September Sub-I. ● Anesthesia Sub-I: Locations are VA, BGH, or Roswell. ● The Roswell site is where the chair works; students have done very well from all of the sub-I locations. ● Pain - Roswell ● Research ● Plan on asking for a LOR at the end for your Sub I ● Do well in your clerkships, especially internal medicine rotation. ● Schedule a meeting with Dr. Filadora once you become more confident that you would like to apply for anesthesia (Sub I should be complete first). ● Apply for away rotations

What to do before applying: ● MSIII/IV – LOR’s ● Ideally, you will ask for your LORs toward the end of a clerkship or sub-I. Your writers can hold letters until the submission system is open, but you will be fresh in their memory ● This is especially important for the anesthesia sub-I ● Give ALL letter writers a copy of your CV and personal statement (or one page career goals essay); ASK if they’d like any additional materials (maybe a note about a memorable case while on service if its been a while) ● During the summer of fourth year (July-August), plan meet with Dr Filadora. He is the medical student education advisor, and you will need to meet with him regarding your letter from our chair, Dr Lema. ● Dr Lema is very well respected in the national anesthesia community, and he can write a LOR for each anesthesia applicant from buffalo, based on you meeting with Dr Filadora. This is the system, if you would like to work with Dr Lema, getting your SUB-I at RPCI is your best bet ● Who to ask: ● ANE Attending during your anesthesia sub-I ● UB ANE Chair’s LOR: see about ● UB IM PD’s LOR: stay tuned for s about meeting with Dr Saltzmen ● Good to have for IM internship applications (you will need to apply to a few) ● Another non-anesthesia attending, i.e. you IM inpatient attending or Surgery preceptors… ● Ideally, someone that knows you well, gave you top evaluations and supports your choice to apply to anesthesia

What to do before applying ● MS III/IV (cont’d): ● ASA meeting - if you are attending (i.e. poster, AIG rep), there is a residency fair that you can attend. ● Away rotations - Remember, doing an away rotation can help you or it can hurt you! ● The benefits include being offered an interview (but this is not guaranteed), getting an additional LOR, showing off your clinical skills, and learning more about how other anesthesia programs work.

The Application Process ● Sept 1 - first day you can submit. The earlier you submit, the better. ● Categorical vs. Advanced – ● For an advanced program you are applying only into the 3 anesthesia years. It is up to you to apply into your preliminary year separately. ● For categorical programs, the preliminary year is included in your application. ● Personal Statement - Keep it interesting. Remember, you are selling yourself! ● PERSONAL: Unique and something special about yourself, about the trials and tribulations of your life which is not told in your CV and will make you successful resident ● DON’T SIMPLY NOT REPEAT YOUR CV, but do extrapolated on the highlights ● “I LOVE PHYSIO AND PHARM,” will not pass for a good reason to go into anesthesia and should have no place in your essay ● It comes with the territory, it is not a unique reason ● ASK YOUR TRUSTED FREINDS/FAM TO READ YOU POLISHED ESSAY ● They will catch the typos you miss, and call you out on weak points ● FIT ALL ON ONE PAGE ON THE ERAS PAGE ● Okay to go over If you have red flags to explain (time off, course failure…)

The Application Process, cont. ● How Many? ● Matched US seniors: mean # ranks = 13 ● IE ranked 12 programs they interview at ● NOTE, >95% matched with 10 programs ranked ● “The match” (aka not couples) ● Plan to apply to about 15, maybe 20 ● Dr Filadora would be good to ask if you think you need to apply to more programs (i.e. if you are worried about your strength as an applicant) ● Couples: plan on 30+ ● What Programs ● Consider programs that you wouldn’t expect to offer you interviews! California, Texas and the IVY Leagues! ● You cannot interview if you don’t apply, and you may/will be surprised…

Some of the UB Faculty Dr Mark Lema, UB Chair, PD Primary Site: RPCI Dr Victor Filadora Primary Site: RPCI

The Interview Process ● Programs start offering interviews before the dean’s letter is received (November 1st) ● CHECK YOUR FREQUENTLY! You will need to respond ASAP to secure a spot! ● Accept interviews immediately. Try switching/canceling in a timely manner if need be. ● HOME WORK: Know each program COLD, before your interview. ● Source for good questions, and to the “gems” of each program ● Dinner - Most programs will offer a dinner reception the night before, with only residents. ● Try to attend at all costs. You’ll get candid time with the residents, and the food is generally excellent (+/- open bar) ● Interview Day -Most are 6-8 hours. You will interview with the PD or the chairman, two to three faculty members, and residents. ● Overall, expect 3 to 5, 20 to 30 minute interviews ● Post interview - Buy a stack of thank you notes to be sent to each interviewer.