Match Strategy Mark Gamber

Why did you work so hard at TCOM? u To learn enough to take the best care possible of your patients u To be able to pursue the residency of your choice in the location of your choice

Networking begins NOW! u Find residents in the fields that interest you u What did they do to get there? u What would they have done differently? u Which programs are the strongest? u Have them edit your Resume/Personal Statement u Give Jay Woody example

Dean’s Interview u Take it seriously u It is practice for residency interviews u Think about what you are going to say because things may change! u Give my example about FP, IM, EM

ERAS u Have Lee Tayon’s phone # handy u Have your resume and personal statement ready u This is the document that your interviewers will have on the desk as they speak to you u Give my example about when I got it done

Must Read u Iserson’s “Getting into a Residency” u Prepare answers to all the questions at the back of the book-you will be asked these questions! u Find a few current articles about recent research and issues in your field u Give my examples

Boards u What should my threshold be for taking USMLE step 2? u When should I take it? u Will the residency programs even get my COMLEX or USMLE step 2 scores in time?

Elective Rotations u It does matter if you rotate there u Be prepared to work hard and be judged u Figure out how to make yourself stand out – show up early/stay late – become the “rectalizer” – offer to help with research – be prepared to go out on the town

Scheduling Interviews u Most residency programs are flexible about scheduling interviews…but don’t call and change more than once or twice u Call to schedule early because the more competitive residency programs fill their interview dates u Clump out of town interviews to save $ u Remove the filter on your u Interview at favorite locations later

The Interview u Research the program & interviewers to develop specific questions u Attend dinner/party the night before/after u Re-read all of your written answers to Iserson’s questions the night before u Practice with a friend (I am serious) u Give JPS smoking example of what not to do

During/After the Interview u To close, give the interviewer an updated resume with 2x2 picture attached u Take notes on interviewer’s full name, title and interests u Write a thank you letter according to Iserson’s example u Write it ASAP, so you can include personalizing element

Thank You continued u Say that you plan to rank them “very highly” unless… – you are ranking them #1, in which case you should say so – you are not going to rank them at all, in which case you shouldn’t yank their chain

Keeping in Touch u Residency Coordinators can be your best friend u The evolving concept of the “2nd Look” – return and work a day – return and attend a conference or journal club – help participate with research – return for a party

Your Match List u Match according to what you dream of, not what you think you will get u Involve your family in the decision (give my example, Texas Tech example) u You can only rank programs you interviewed u Do not rank programs that you would not be happy at, it is better to scramble