Securing Your Top Residency Michael A Herion, M.D. Saint Louis University School of Medicine

Definitions Internship Residency Fellowship Categorical Preliminary Transitional The Match/Early Match

Definitions

Fact vs. Fiction “ There’s no way to get a categorical surgical residency as a FMG.”-SGU student “The only residencies that you can get as a foreign grad are internal medicine or primary care positions.”-SGU student “FMG’s can’t get university affiliated residencies.”-SGU student

Fact vs. Fiction “Those guys that got the good residency spots knew somebody at the program.”- SGU student

Fact vs. Fiction “Your colleagues are some of the most intelligent, well rounded students I have been around.” – IM Residency Director “Your school’s board scores are better than ours.”- Residency Director “I have been consistently impressed with the quality of your students.”- Residency Director

Fact vs. Fiction “Hell, I wouldn’t be able to tell the slightest difference.”- JHSOM Attending “…some of the finest medical students I have been around.”-Residency Director

Personal Factors That Should Influence Your Residency Choice YOUR own interest YOUR desired quality of life What YOU love

Do Not Choose A Residency Based Upon… What your family wants What friends tell you Income TV “The cool residency” Prestige

How Do I Know If I Chose The Right Residency?

“I can’t believe their paying me to do this.”

“I don’t mind paying my $ a day for this rotation.”

There is not a residency out there that you can not match in!

General Factors That Affect Your Residency Direction Basic Science Grades Clinical Grades LOR Board Scores Applications…CV, Personal Statement

Individual Factors That Affect Your Residency Direction Personality Work Ethic Integrity Honesty Punctuality Attendance

Basic Science Pearls 1. You are learning the exact same material and having the exact same difficulties as the U.S. medical students. 2. You can’t master it all. 3. Know when to take a break. 4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Clinical Grades Clinical Grades Rotation Breakdown Medicine 16 weeks Pediatrics 6 weeks Psychiatry 6 weeks OB/GYN 6 weeks Surgery 12 weeks Med Sub-I 8 weeks Peds Sub-I 6 weeks Electives 20 weeks

Clinical Grades JASONDJFMAMJ JASONDJFMAMJ 3 rd Year 4 th Year weeks for EMP!!!! weeks for RMP!!!

Clinical Grades Schedule your core rotations based on your anticipated residency interests. This will enable you to…. 1. See if you like the rotation 2. Secure early LOR 3. Early start on application material

Template For Clinical Scheduling

Scheduling Clinical Rotations Make a two year calendar Try to schedule as far in advance as possible Refer to your residency template Be sure to document “total weeks”

Clinical Grades Explore your electives Remember Early Match electives Electives are a great source for LOR because of one on one

Clinical Rotation Pearls Assume responsibility for your patients Do patient based reading every night Participate with the teams Arrive early and stay late

Letters of Recommendation Great LOR discuss personal attributes more than grades Get a LOR from every rotation Waiver

Letters of Recommendation “Don’t read it, see it.” Correspond your LOR with your desired residency A great letter takes precedence over residency relevance

Board Scores Level the playing field Exact test, exact grading Course vs. No course EMP only uses Step I scores YOU SHOULD BEGIN YOUR STUDIES AT LEAST 3 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR TEST DATE

Applications YOU need to call for match registration, applications, and program information Always be congenial to the residency coordinator Keep a copy of EVERYTHING you send and review it before your interview

Applications Send via FedEx on the FIRST day applications are accepted!!!!!Send via FedEx on the FIRST day applications are accepted!!!!! Have your applications professionally proofread. No Typos

Curriculum Vitae Tailor your CV to the individual residency program Join professional organizations Should not exceed 2 pages Use good linen paper Professional proofing

Personal Statement Be unique…not weird Have a professional editor help with your statement Do not exceed one page Personal Statements are scrutinized for those candidates on the bubble

Photographs Do not take them yourself Do not clip out a photo of yourself Do not send a drawing yourself Have professional head-shoulder shots taken Wear a dark coat, light shirt, and a dark tie

Applying to Programs Play the numbers game More competitive = apply to more programs Be ready to spend some money Remember the EMP

The Interview Prepare, prepare, prepare Anticipate questions and practice your replies Have at least 5 questions to ask at the interview Two or three should be program targeted

The Interview Do not ask inflammatory questions Look up faculty interests and areas of research Have a joke Look over the local paper Know which sports team won or lost

The Interview Don’t arrive late Practice the route and know where to go Buy a new suit, socks, and shoes Don’t check your suit on the airline Don’t order anything messy at lunch or dinner

The Interview Count on traffic SEND THANK YOU NOTES TO EVERY INTERVIEWER AND RESIDENCY COORDINATOR!!!!

The Interview Make notes of specific interests of each interviewer so that you can include a hand written note at the bottom of your thank you letter Write your thank you notes on the plane, type them at home and send within one day

Generating Your Rank List Rank the programs that you like in order Don’t play the numbers game Don’t rank a program that you do not want to be at