Wayne State University School of Medicine Department of Internal Medicine Advice for Year IV

PLANNING YOUR SCHEDULE Schedule required rotations Schedule required rotations –SUB-I—do it early, before away rotations –Ambulatory –ER Schedule USMLE— Schedule USMLE— –This is a high stakes exam—plan to study! –Take during first 3-4 months of year when your clerkships are still fresh –Note: programs will NOT rank applicants who have not passed Step 2

Why do electives? To prepare for your internship To prepare for your internship – NOT be your internship To address weaknesses To address weaknesses For interest sake For interest sake For other reasons (wedding, etc) For other reasons (wedding, etc)

Philosophy Balance is important Balance is important –Don’t do more than 3 elective in Medicine –Consider Urology, Dermatology, Radiology, Anesthesiology –Don’t do all the hard rotations at the beginning of the year –Plan at least one meaty rotation for the second half so you will be ready for your internship

Be considerate There are limited positions in There are limited positions in –Dermatology –Emergency Medicine –ENT –Ophthalmology –Radiology –Urology Do NOT select these in the summer unless you are considering these fields Do NOT select these in the summer unless you are considering these fields

Medicine Electives Cardiology Cardiology Endocrinology Endocrinology Geriatrics Geriatrics Hematology Hematology Infectious Diseases Infectious Diseases Nephrology Nephrology Oncology Oncology Pain/Palliative Medicine Pain/Palliative Medicine Pulmonary Pulmonary Rheumatology Rheumatology Independent study Independent study Research Research

Electives to Consider for Primary Care Anesthesiology Anesthesiology Dermatology Dermatology Radiology Radiology Urology—yes urology, half the world are men! Urology—yes urology, half the world are men!

Where to Rotate Rotate downtown at the DMC or VA. Rotate downtown at the DMC or VA. The patients are amazing!!! The patients are amazing!!! –You will see complex, sick, challenging, patients. You make a difference here. You make a difference here. This is where the full time faculty practice. This is where the full time faculty practice. –These are the same faculty who taught you pathophysiology. –They know their stuff and they are committed to excellence in clinical teaching.

RESIDENCY APPLICAION PROCESS AND TIMELINE Identify an advisor Identify an advisor Prepare CV Prepare CV Write personal statement Write personal statement –This takes the most time to prepare –Do not let it delay you application

How to Ask for a Letter Doctor, would you be wiling to write me a strong letter of recommendation? I am applying to some very competitive programs. Doctor, would you be wiling to write me a strong letter of recommendation? I am applying to some very competitive programs. Contact people early. Contact people early. Give them a “deadline” Give them a “deadline”

Letters of Recommendation You need three You need three –Choose the people who know you best –They don’t all have to be in Medicine –Two in medicine are enough –You can ask the Clerkship director for a composite letter if you need to You need a Chairman’s letter for any university program You need a Chairman’s letter for any university program

Application Timeline Identify residencies Identify residencies Register for NMRP Register for NMRP Request and assign documents-- Request and assign documents-- –USMLE transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal statement, CV Set up appointment for MSPE (Dean’s letter) Set up appointment for MSPE (Dean’s letter)

Interviews Set up interviews Set up interviews Prepare for interviews—read about the program Prepare for interviews—read about the program Keeping track—use a system! Keeping track—use a system! –Record the following immediately Program Name Program Name Pluses and Minuses Pluses and Minuses Gut reaction—”Could I live here for 3 years?” Gut reaction—”Could I live here for 3 years?” Send thank you Send thank you

Ranking Schedule meeting with advisor to discuss rank Schedule meeting with advisor to discuss rank Rank programs Rank programs Submit rank list Submit rank list Cross fingers Cross fingers

Match Day Get program of your choice Get program of your choice Celebrate Celebrate Live happily ever after Live happily ever after

Useful Sites assn.org/ama/pub/category/print/ assn.org/ama/pub/category/print/ assn.org/ama/pub/category/print/ assn.org/ama/pub/category/print/ –6673.html –7011.html –6700.html –7811.html –6710.html –7475.html –7012.html –6727.html

Useful References- continued University of Arizona IMIG University of Arizona IMIG – 0Interview.html 0Interview.htmlwww.ahsc.arizona.edu/imig/Scheduling52 0Interview.html Residency and Fellowship.com Residency and Fellowship.com – fellowship.com/page7.html University of California San Francisco University of California San Francisco –Medschool.ucsf.edu/careermed (no www)