Next Step: Preparation for Residency Application

First Step Definitions MSPE: Letter from one of 3 letter-writers in Memphis; one in Chattanooga; one in Knoxville (begins August 13) ERAS: Electronic Residency Application System. How you will apply to residency programs (You will send out application September 13, but you can begin working on it before hand) NRMP: National Residency Match Process (after interviews, ranking of programs February 14)

Timeline End of M3 year: Had clerkship experiences Got an idea of what sort of doctor you wish to be (Hopefully) have looked at the electronic resources to decide what is a good fit – – – Considered your M4 year for further exploration or away/audition rotations

Timeline End of M3 year: – Reviewed Charting Outcomes to the Match from NRMP – Will send out the most recent version when available – Characteristics of applicants who matched in their preferred specialty

Timeline An advising program – Look at the UT specialty pages for the list of faculty members willing to discuss you application for that specialty with you – I have sent out additional names. Will be up on website soon or me

Undecided? I am always available- please come talk to me An Indecision Scale at AAMC/Careers in Medicine website If still need clarity, let me help arrange a ‘day or half-day’ with a doctor out in town.

Curriculum Vitae & Personal Statement Strolling Through the MatchApril 27, 2012

A ‘CV’ is… ● Your life course ● The course of your life ● An organized document of how you have spent your professional life  not intended to be a philosophical statement, but rather a fact sheet with order and content ● On paper, it’s who you are professionally C URRICULUM V ITAE

CV Your ERAS application will ask for CV type material: EX: Research, you will cut and paste But, you will also need to have a CV – For those who write your LOR – For the chair of the department in the specialty you are applying – For the person who will write your MSPE (dean’s letter)

Format ● One page ● Good quality paper ● White or near white ● Ordered and structured ● The following are suggestions ● But this order flows well C URRICULUM V ITAE

Do NOT need to put your… Age Marital status Names of children SS # or NRMP # Place of Birth Courses taken Career plan C URRICULUM V ITAE

The Header (top of page) ● Identifying Information  Full name  Address  Telephone number  Address C URRICULUM V ITAE (CV)

The Body Education  Medical School  Graduate school (even if non-degreed)  College  years of attendance, major, degree  Add GPA, class standing ONLY if it’s impressive C URRICULUM V ITAE

Honors Alpha Omega Alpha, 2012 Presidential Scholarship, UTK, 2005 – 2009 Summer Honors Research Scholar, 2008 Activities Vice President of Academic Affairs, 2010-present President of Class Notes, C URRICULUM V ITAE TIP: Do NOT list all; limit your society memberships unless an officer.

Employment Electrocardiogram technician, Methodist Hospital, Summer, 2009 Chemistry lab assistant, UT, Knoxville, Research UT, Knoxville Investigated cardiac output of rats under the influence of nitrous oxide. Under supervision of Dr. Thomas Mitras TIP: List medically related employment first. TIP: Be prepared to discuss your research. C URRICULUM V ITAE

Publications & Presentations Presented National Association of Rat Biologists, “Effects of Nitrous Oxide on Cardiac Output of Rats” Personal Interests Painting, hiking, photography Special Abilities Capable in sign language, fluent in Spanish C URRICULUM V ITAE

Summary Try to keep to one page  Exception: Research and publications Ask friends, family, faculty to proofread and comment Be prepared to discuss any research documented Explain any awards EX: Witherspoon scholarship: given to outstanding freshman research in chemistry C URRICULUM V ITAE

About Research Some of you have a long research history and have been advised to organize your CV a certain way. One suggestion – Research Project: Mentor; description Abstract (title, authors, date presented and where) Publication (site officially)

● One page ● Good quality paper ● White or near white ● Ordered and structured

Questions? I am happy to read your drafts

Strolling Through the MatchApril 27, 2012

A Personal Statement is… ● In contrast to CV, personal statement may be philosophical ● A narrative ● About the past that is relevant and as importantly, what the future dream is ● Who you are that is not revealed in your transcript or your CV ● Doesn’t describe your life chronologically ● An introductory sentence to capture interest P ERSONAL S TATEMENT

A Personal Statement tells… ● Why I chose medicine ● How I chose my specialty ● Where I see myself ● Insight into family and very special interests P ERSONAL S TATEMENT

Format ● One page long ● Have others proofread: spelling, proper English, flow & appropriateness of content ● Use good paper & a font that is easy to read ● Use humor ● Talk about fears, poignant events in life if they are relevant ● Be positive about the traits you possess that will help make you a good resident P ERSONAL S TATEMENT

Suggestions  This is your own statement; individualize it  Make an attempt to reveal who you are on paper  Make it reader friendly Pitfalls  Be careful talking about religion practices  Not too long or too short  Avoid one long paragraph P ERSONAL S TATEMENT

Don’t use it to explain bad grades or explain step score failures And what about future plans?  Optional More issues with personal statements

Summary ● CV & PS quality will not make or break you ● May induce a great deal of interest and augment ‘the numbers and grades’ ● Poor grammar or sloppiness may hurt ● Bring a good copy of CV and personal statement with you when you meet with faculty about writing a reference letter CV & P ERSONAL S TATEMENT

Hillel the Elder, Jewish Philosopher “If I am not for myself, who will be for me?”…

“… And, if not now, when?”

“At this point in time, I see myself pursuing a fellowship in sports medicine… In the future, I see myself practicing in a medium sized community working with the local high sc h ool and college teams while at the same time serving the various members of the community…” What do you think… Plus or Pitfall?

“From summer camp to teenage youth director, I have always loved being around kids – shy, screaming, laughing, unreserved, honest kids… The pediatric ward reinforced my feelings in real time… An equally rewarding aspect of pediatrics is preventive medicine…” What do you think… Plus or Pitfall?

“In his essay on the profession of medicine, Sir William Osler writes that the medical field strives for a time, ‘when there should be no more unnecessary death, when sorrow and crying should be no more, and there should not be any more pain.’…” “Iee myself Though I intend to first and foremost become a clinical physician, I also plan to participate in investigation and education throughout my career… The balance for which I search in my career will unite direct and honest patient care with practical discovery and education. A residency in internal medicine will provide the ideal foundation for this pursuit… I see myself not only as a future leader in providing health care to my community, but also as a leader outside of medicine as a respected citizen, neighborhood advocate, author, and role model…” What do you think… Plus or Pitfall?

“In my journey through medical school, I have realized that pursuing a career in family medicine will allow me to address several of my special interests while also allowing me to serve me community effectively… My interest in adolescent populations is one of the main reasons I am opting for a career in family medicine… I also hope to address the needs of the special populations…” “I have learned that people with substance abuse issues present a special set of challenges, and I plan to use what I have learned in a prevention effort in my community… I had some academic difficulties in the basic sciences as a result of my difficulties with test taking. I was able to address these difficulties in a decelerated curriculum that allowed me to spread out the traditional preclinical courses and focus on each course in more depth… Returning to a full-time curriculum for my clinical clerkships… Though it was personally difficult for me to accept a change in the course I had planned, I am grateful for the additional enriching opportunities…” What do you think… Plus or Pitfall?

What to do now? ● Write your personal statement ● Consider who should write you letters of recommendation  contacting his/her secretary to schedule an appointment  Provide copy of cv, personal statement & ERAS cover letter (download from SA web page) ● Debbey Hester schedules ALL MSPE appointments  Scheduling begins July, 2013  Instructions for scheduling MSPE appointments will be sent via UTHSC late June Getting Ready for the Match

Questions? Next up: Strolling through the Match April PM The actual Match Process made clear How to find most current Match Data so you can be prepared