Refine Your Application as Residency Deadline Approaches

The deadline for applying to residency programs is approaching, and as you prepare to apply to your chosen programs, here are some strategies to streamline the process while you get your plans and materials in order.

Ensure Your Residency Portfolio Is Ready

Consider these tips to keep you on track and organized.

Start early and get organized. Whether your specialty uses Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) or another application platform, timelines with all key dates for the season are out. Keep this information handy and set alerts so you stay on track, recommended Meredith C. Thompson, MD, MAEd, associate professor and interim vice chair of Education, and interim assistant dean of student affairs, Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida Health/Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida.

The ERAS system begins accepting applications on September 3.

Do your research. “Formulate a system to compare and keep track of all the programs you’re interested in. This includes any program characteristics that are important to you and your perceived competitiveness for the program. Your advisor can help with that, as can reputable data sources like Texas Star, AAMC [Association of American Medical Colleges] residency explorer or other specialty organization advising resources,” Thompson said. Another tip: Many programs also maintain social media presence and host virtual meet and greets on these platforms for applicants.

Concentrate on recommendations. Ask for letters of recommendation at least 1 month in advance. “Your goal is to have all application elements submitted by the time the platform opens to programs for viewing,” advised Thompson. Ensuring all items are received on time is key to maximizing your chances of obtaining interviews, she said.

Assemble your team. Applying to residency is not a solo endeavor, so Thompson explained it’s in your best interest to build a team to support you during the process. “Key persons to have in your corner include a specialty specific advisor, editor, and interview preparer,” she said. Check your medical school’s resources as many institutions provide students with access to a specialty specific advisor that can provide evidenced based advice personalized to your unique situation during the application process. If this is not available, Thompson recommended connecting to your student affairs dean who typically can help you with this information or guide you to appropriate data sources to help make these decisions.

Lean on a support team. Complete one or more practice interviews with someone familiar with the interview format for your chosen specialty to become more comfortable, she suggested. “Your support team is key in ensuring you are putting your best foot forward during the application and interview process,” Thompson said.

Proofread your materials. Make sure all sections are completed and that your information is free from typos, said Mitchell Goldman, MD, senior associate dean for graduate medical education, professor of medicine, and designated institutional official at the University of Missouri School of Medicine in Columbia, Missouri. “You want to impress anyone who reads your application and leave an impression of professionalism,” Goldman stated. “Recommend having an experienced educator review your personal statement before submission to identify opportunities for improvement.”

Be honest and genuine in your application. Goldman said to list hobbies, interests, and volunteer experiences that you could discuss in detail if asked about them during an interview.

Be realistic in the scope. If you are applying to highly competitive specialties, consider a back-up plan and apply to acceptable programs or specialties, Goldman said. “You want to be realistic about the programs you apply to and have a good chance for getting an interview at a number of programs,” he said.

Be proactive. Reach out early and often for guidance from trusted sources. They may have prudent advice to share. In addition, be sure to follow-up. If your dream program hasn’t extended an interview, consider sending an email to the program director and coordinator. “Send only one (follow-up) email to communicate genuine interest,” Thompson said. “Application season is not the time to take a wait and see approach.”

How do you use your medical school’s resources to help with the process?

Your medical school’s student affairs office is a wealth of information for your residency-application process. They can provide guidance on evidence-based resources to inform your decision making. Also, your medical school may have a career advising program that can identify local specialty specific advisors to give personalized guidance. “In addition to this, they can be a resource to review personal statements, provide mock practice interviews, and assess your total application for your competitiveness for different programs,” Thompson said. Finally, medical school alumni programs can also be a resource for these types of services.

What do these experts say about the rewards of residency?

Residency allows you to focus on your unique interests and talents. “This is rewarding as it allows you to enhance your clinical skills to more meaningfully contribute to patient care in a particular niche as well as develop professionally under the guidance of experts and a network of physicians with similar career goals,” said Thompson. “Moreover, you gain a cadre of coresidents that share the journey with you that you can learn from and lean on for support.”

Your residency is also a time where you can be immersed in your area of interest, be educated by those with extensive expertise and teaching skills and a time of rapid growth in your personal and professional life, said Goldman. “Residency experiences are some of the most rewarding experiences of a physician’s life,” he said. “It is also a time to have fun being with individuals with shared interest. You can make life-long friends, learn about yourself and what you value most moving forward.”