1. Applying to Pediatrics for MS3’s
University at Buffalo
School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences *

2. Outline Fourth Year: Sub-I and Electives Letters of Recommendation
Away Rotations
Personal Statement
Choosing Programs
Interviews
Ranking

3. Sub-Internships Electives Floor teams: 8th floor, 10th floor
ICU: PICU, NICU
Electives
Developmental/Rehab
Cardiology
Allergy/Immunology
Nephrology
Emergency Medicine
Hematology-Oncology
Genetics and Dysmorphology
Nutrition/GI
PICU
NICU
Endocrinology
Infectious Disease
Pulmonary
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry *

4. Pediatric Sub-I and Electives
Do Sub-I/Elective early during 4th year
Faculty to ask for letters of recommendation (LOR)
Talk about on Interview
Also can ask for LOR during 3rd yr.! *

5. Letters of Recommendation
Can get as many LORs as you want, but can only send up to 4 to each program
You decide which 3-4 to use for each program
You will need letters from Pediatricians!
Mixture of inpatient and outpatient, general peds and sub-specialty peds
Only ask attending who knows you well and would write you a great letter!
Can use letter from attending from outside specialty if they know you well, would write a great letter, etc.
Family medicine, internal medicine (fields similar to Peds) *

6. Letters of Recommendation
Chair’s Letter
Dr. Teresa Quattrin- Chair of Pediatrics
Some programs require chair letter, but most do not
Schedule a meeting with her early in application process- will need a copy of CV and personal statement *

7. Asking for Letters of Recommendation
Via ok, in person is better. Ask early!
Prepare a LOR packet (next slide)
Cover page CV
Personal Statement
USMLE Step I Score (and Step 2 CK/CS if available)
Unofficial Transcript
MSIII evaluations to date
Include the ERAS Letter of Recommendation Cover Sheet which provides the writer instructions on how to submit the letter
Send thank-you to letter writer!
Check in frequently to follow up with them *

8. Away Rotations Applying When to apply
Most programs accept applications through VSAS starting between April 1st and May 1st.
How to apply on VSAS
Request VSAS authorizations from Philippa
Required information
Immunization records + Serology (hep B, MMR etc)
Most institutions have separate forms to fill out so download and print these and make an apt with a doctor to have them all filled out at once CV
Photograph (can use graduation picture)
Transcript (will be uploaded for you by the OME)
Program-specific additional requirements: paragraph about why you want to go into peds, why you want to rotate at that particular program, proof of BLS certification, copy of health insurance card *

9. Away Rotations When to do away rotations Choosing programs & electives
Should be done before interview season starts (beginning of November)
Choosing programs & electives
Make sure we have an affiliation agreement! (UBMM)
Look through electives listed on VSAS at programs you are interested in
Can also look at program course catalogs online and listed faculty member directly for electives not listed on VSAS that you may be interested in
Keep in mind some programs do not use VSAS- look online or contact their visiting student office for how to apply *

10. Away Rotations While you are there…
Talk to as many people as possible!
med students, interns, residents, faculty
Talk to interns and residents about their experience at the program- pay attention to how happy they seem!
Meet with the chief residents
Set up a meeting with the program director
These tend to be very informal and a good way to learn more about the program
Can also be a good way to get insight into the residency application process in general and ask questions about your personal application *

11. Personal Statement Keep it to one page Set up:
Left and Right Margins: 0.3”
Top and Bottom Margins: 0.8”
Font: Courier New
Font Size: 10
Audience: Residency program director, your interviewers, and other members of the selection committee *

12. Personal Statement Questions to address:
Why did I choose this specialty? (include somewhere that you like kids!)
What am I looking for in a residency program? (“given my goals of providing health services to underserved communities, I’m seeking a residency program that…”)
What are my professional goals in the field I have chosen? (serve in primary care, serve underserved populations, serve as clinician educators, advance research…don’t have to be certain, but give programs an idea of your motivation and knowledge of the specialty)
What are my strengths? Peds: good communicator, interpersonal skills, team player, well organized, well rounded, mature, independent, sense of professionalism, flexible, enthusiastic, able to cope with stress and change, positive attitude.
What accomplishments should I highlight? (What type of qualities can you highlight from your experience as working as a…) *

13. Personal Statement Questions to address: (continued)…
What contributions can I make to the specialty? (ex- Do you have a background in research?- what do you plan to do with that background? Volunteer experience in tutoring? Created educational materials or programs? Have an interest in preventive medicine strategies? Spent time working with underserved populations? Have skills that can be used to benefit the specialty in some way?)
Why would I be a great fit for the particular residency program? (Can send different statements to different programs- ex- send a research oriented statement to programs which place great emphasis on research, send a statement that emphasizes outstanding skills as a clinician to other programs)
What are my outside interests? (Use outside interests to highlight desirable qualities) *

14. Choosing Programs
Research programs on FREIDA residency database and program websites
Personal preferences:
Location
Small vs medium vs large program
Free standing children’s hospital vs pediatrics within larger hospital
Tertiary referral center vs community program
Fellowships offered
What graduates do afterwards
How many programs to apply to?
Recommended average10-15, but this is very individual based on strength of programs you are applying to, strength of your application, if you are couples matching, etc… *

15. Interviews When will I get offers?
Can start to get offers as early as 1st- 2nd week of September, after applications are submitted and reviewed.
Some of the more competitive programs begin to offer interviews after the Dean’s Letter is sent out (November 1st)
Programs may call you, but most will notify you via .
CHECK YOUR FREQUENTLY! You will need to respond ASAP to secure a spot!
CARRY A CALENDAR WITH YOU! BUY A SMART PHONE! *

16. Interviews Things to consider when scheduling:
Interviews are scheduled from late October through the end of January
Many interview dates overlap, but most programs will give you many dates to choose from
Things to consider when scheduling:
Always give yourself time to attend the night before social event!
Interviews and traveling gets tiring!! Try not to schedule more than 3 interviews a week(even 3 a week gets to be tiring)
Think about taking a month or two off to go on interviews.
Interviews are typically not offered during holidays (from the week of Christmas until after new years)
Switching/Cancelling Interview Dates:
If you need to reschedule, program coordinators are generally very accommodating. Don’t be scared to ask to reschedule if needed!
Never no show for an interview. If you have to cancel, program coordinator in advance *

17. Interviews Prepare for interviews:
Research program
Prepare for typical interview questions (see end of presentation)
Prepare questions you would like to ask your interviewers
Review your ERAS application- anything you put down is up for conversation during interview!
Be prepared for different interview styles: conversational vs. traditional Q & A
Be Yourself! *

18. Interview Day
Always try to attend the night before informal/formal dinners. Residents will attend and it is a great opportunity to see if you mix well with the resident team. Plus, this gives the residents an opportunity to see if you are a good fit.
Pediatric interviews- generally laid back day
Generally 2 faculty interviews
Meet the program director, overview of program, attend morning report, tour, lunch with residents, attend noon conference…
Ask questions!! (especially during your social event and lunch with residents)
Bring a copy of your CV, application, personal statement, USMLE scores…
In case the interviewer was blinded to your application to provide upon request. *

19. After the interview Send thank-you notes to interviewers.
Keep track of what you liked and disliked about program after interview…they start to run together!
You are encouraged to contact the residents, the program coordinator and usually the program director (program specific) for any questions or concerns.
Review NRMP rules for application season (ex- can express your interest in a program, but should not tell the program where you will rank them).
Second Looks (next slide) *

20. Second Look Visit
An informal second visit to a program on a non-interview day
In Pediatrics, most programs stress that second look visits are meant for the applicants, to get a better feel for the program (i.e. will not affect their rank with the program)
Observe rounds, observe clinics, gage how happy residents are on a non-interview day, ask more questions, etc
Typically contact the chief residents to set up a visit
This visit can also be a way to express your interest in a program, but is not necessary
You can express your interests in other ways- like an to your interviewer after you are done with interview season! *

21. Ranking Rank opens in mid-January (through NRMP); due in late February
Go with your gut!
Rank programs in the order you would want to go; not in the order where you think you have the best shot of matching; the match works in the applicants favor, not the programs!
Rank all programs, Unless you would rather scramble than go to that school!
Wait for match day! *