General Surgery & You

2011 Statistics Some interesting facts: 31 more spots than 2010. SURGERY # of positions # filled U.S. Senior U.S. Grad Osteo. Canadian U.S. IMG Non U.S. IMG # unfilled prg 1108 1106 897 73 98 52 56 2 Some interesting facts: 31 more spots than 2010. 81% of spots filled by U.S. allopathic seniors 4.5 Ranked applicants per position needed to fill all positions within programs (compared to 4.4 in 2010) http://www.nrmp.org/data/programresultsbyspecialty2011v3.pdf http://www.nrmp.org/data/resultsanddata2011.pdf 0- 5th pathway applicant *

Independent Applicants 2011-Stats Measure U.S. Seniors Independent Applicants Matched (n=830) Unmatched (n=205) Matched (n=192) Unmatched (n=529) Mean # of Ranks 11.2 5.9 6.1 2.7 Mean # Specialties Ranked 1 1.1 1.3 Mean USMLE Step 1 227 207 219 Mean USMLE Step 2 238 216 232 222 Mean # Research Projects 2.6 2.3 2.1 1.7 Mean # abstracts/publications 3.3 2.5 4.1 3.9 Mean # work experiences 2.8 3.2 Mean # volunteer experiences 6.2 4.3 3.6 Percentage who are AOA members 13.1 1.0 n/a Percentage graduated from Top 40 med school 32 24.4 Percentage with PhD degree 2.2 2.4 Percentage with other graduate degree 15.6

Rotations/Electives 1.) Make sure you rotate in Surgery Work Hard Shelf Exam Evaluations 2.) Electives—Do early (Blocks B-D) Sub I TICU Research *

UB Faculty Members Dr. Dayton-Chairman Dr. Hassett-Program Director Dr. Cherr- Assistant Program Director Other Big Names Glick-Peds Flynn-Trauma Kulaylat-Colorectal Laftavi-Transplant Dosluoglu/Harris-Vascular Wiles-Trauma Posner-Laparoscopic Roswell http://wings.buffalo.edu/smbs/sur/people.php Ppl who rotate on Dayton’s service: always be in the OR when Dayton is in the OR. It doesn’t happen that often, so take advantage of the times he is operating; be in clinic whenever he is in clinic. Hassett traditionally writes a strong letter. *

Research Opportunities Research is NOT necessary If you choose to do research Think of a topic/project that interests you Find a mentor Preferably one in the field you’ve chosen your topic

Letters of Recommendation WHO? Surgeons (Academic) Big Names, but not at expense of quality letter Stronger letter from junior faculty can be more beneficial than “form letter” from bigger name. People who like you, with whom you have worked HOW? “Dr. ____ I really enjoyed working with you for the past _____, would you be willing to write me a LOR?” WHEN? 3rd year versus 4th year

Away Rotations NOT necessary given the amount of opportunities here in Buffalo (Trauma at ECMC, General Surgery at BGH & Suburban, and Surgical Oncology at RPCI) PROS May help in getting an interview at a desired program/location Allows you to see how you would fit in with the surgical team/hospital environment CONS 1 month may not be enough to really feel comfortable Difficult to prove yourself in a completely new setting

Procedures for Away Rotations MUST HAVE AFFILIATION AGREEMENT!!! This takes a long time, so look into early Review with Dr. Milling, Philippa Usually requires lots of paperwork (insurance forms, registration details, etc.) May require LOR from attendings with whom you’ve worked (consider those who you plan on asking for LOR anyway) Ideally, away rotations should be completed by September at the latest (especially if you intend to get a LOR from an away rotation attending)

The Application ERAS is the Primary Application Service for General Surgery Includes the following: Profile CV Info (Research, Awards, Volunteering, etc.) Personal Statement USMLE Scores Letters of Recommendation (up to 4 only) Dean’s Letter (submitted Nov. 1 by Dr. Milling) Submit via ERAS by the 1st 2 weeks of September The earlier the better!!!

Interviews Offers start to arrive in September/October via email Last through November, December, and January depending on the program Most programs offer 3-5 dates for interviews Try to reply ASAP to ensure that you get your preferred date

Interviews What to Expect: Night Before - social event at bar/restaurant Get to know the residents; opportunity to ask lots of real-world questions (call schedules, quality of attendings/teaching, social life, etc.) Day of Interview - 7am-2pm Breakfast/Intro presentation from Chair/PD 3-5 Interviews with attendings/residents or panel/group Tour of Hospital/Academic Facilities Lunch Follow up with thank you notes/emails to Chairs/PDs/Interviewers within a week

Ranking Rank Order List submitted through NRMP Opens in mid-January; closes mid-February Rank programs in the order of YOUR preference Encouraged to rank every program at which you interviewed (unless you absolutely cannot envision yourself there for residency) Consider informing your top 2 or 3 programs of your high level of interest before you officially submit your rank list