And Now the Fun: Making the 2013 Match Work for You!

(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine Outline • Review NRMP data and UUSOM outcomes • Unique Characteristics statement • Discuss the Personal Statement • Letters of Recommendation • Review Residency Application timeline • Review the ways to maximize the NRMP algorithm to the student’s advantage • Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP). t

(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine National trend: 2012 Match • 38,377 total applicants, an increase of 642 • 26,772 positions, an increase of 614 • National average in 2012 was 95% which was the highest Match-rate ever • 1,246 positions remained after the Match • 1,131 positions offered during SOAP • Only 152 remained available at the conclusion of three offer rounds t

(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine UUSOM Participants 2012 • 98 US seniors listed at University of Utah by NRMP with certified ROLs • 94 successfully matched prior to the SOAP (96%) • 1 of 1 military (Family Medicine) • 5 of 5 Ophthalmology • 0 of 1 Urology (28% did not Match) t

(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine Top Schools(listed in alphabetical order by matched student name) • Harvard Medical School • University of Washington • Johns Hopkins University • University of Massachusetts • Cincinnati Children’s • University of Michigan • Penn State University • UC Irvine • Washington University • Indiana University (Ball St.) • University of Pittsburgh • Duke University • Mayo Clinic Rochester • University of North Carolina • University of Texas SW • University of Florida • UC San Francisco • U of Connecticut • Wake Forest • Ohio State University • UC San Diego • Case Western Reserve Note: several programs matched > 1 student

(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine Unique Characteristics • Remember, this is written from my perspective • You will write a Personal Statement for your ERAS application, this is a different document. • The Unique Characteristics is the first page of your MSPE (8-10 pages total) and is the best way for me to introduce your Personal Brand. • I will compose this statement for you. • You will give me the material that will help me write this. t

(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine Unique Characteristics: Attributes • Please tell me your top three or four attributes describing your “Personal Brand” and how you might like to see them put into a Brand-statement. • If you are uncertain about this step please provide the list of attributes and I will create a sentence for you. t

(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine Personal Brand: Examples • “Mary’s interests and involvement in medical school have allowed her to demonstrate her greatest attributes as an empathetic, sensitive teacher and enthusiastic learner” • “Medical school has been an opportunity for John to demonstrate his highest attributes of respect, diligent interest and teamwork initiative learned through unique life-experiences” t

(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine Personal Brand: Examples • “Sara is an organized problem solver who brings life perspective and leadership to anything she does” • “Harry’s intellectual curiosity, remarkable creativity and ability to connect with others permeate everything he does.” t

(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine Unique Characteristics: Attributes • Please tell me your top three or four attributes describing your “Personal Brand” and how you might like to see them put into a Brand-statement. • If you are uncertain about this step please provide the list of attributes and I will create a sentence for you. t

(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine “Sara is an organized problem solver who brings life perspective and leadership to anything she does” Organized problem solver: • “Sara’s outstanding organizational skills and composure developed during school stem from her earlier years of running successful businesses. Prior to coming to our school Sara owned and operated a highly successful health foods business. She ran the packaging, store design, marketing and business portion of the organization. In addition, she managed the books, completed all the taxes and supervised all of its employees.” t

(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine “Sara is an organized problem solver who brings life perspective and leadership to anything she does” Life-perspective: • “Sara possesses an impressive ability to manage numerous tasks and problem solve while staying calm, poised and focused under pressure. Her strong work ethic, positive attitude and balance are derived from her childhood, being the oldest of five children, and raising three children of her own. It has been obvious since her arrival to our school that Sara’s balance and grace has lifted her classmates and colleagues alike.” t

(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine “Sara is an organized problem solver who brings life perspective and leadership to anything she does” Leadership: • “Sara has managed to carve out time for her personal life and interests while still maintaining impeccable grades (culminating with her selection into the AOA Honor Society), doing research, and serving in multiple leadership positions. She was the Co-President of her class during the first-year, and was selected by the Deans Office as a Student Ambassador for three years in a row. Sara’s goal in medicine was to preserve her passion for humanity and service while becoming a leader in her field, which she is well on her way to achieving.” t

(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine Unique Characteristics: How it works Sara Student is a fourth-year student at the University of Utah School of Medicine applying to your program for residency training. This letter is meant to provide an overview of Sara’s academic performance and personal characteristics to assist you in your assessment of her application. Sara came to the University Of Utah School Of Medicine in 2009 after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from University of Notre Dame. Sara is an organized problem solver who brings life perspective and leadership to anything she does. Sara’s outstanding organizational skills and composure developed during school stem from her… t

(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine Unique Characteristics: How it works …a Student Ambassador for three years in a row. Sara’s goal in medicine was to preserve her passion for humanity and service while becoming a leader in her field, which she is well on her way to achieving. Sara is an organized problem solver who brings life perspective and leadership to anything she does. She has a bright future as a future resident and physician leader. t

(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine Personal Statement • It is true that the PS is a very important part of your residency application because it is a window into who you are. • A good PS is much more than a narrative rendition of your CV (curriculum vitae or resume) • Ideally, it should reflect your qualities and values, as well as your interest and passion for the art, humanity and science of medicine.

Personal Statement It should be personal. Should not provide an image different from your Personal Brand A great PS will make the program director eager to meet you and potentially work with you. It will provide the interviewer with valuable discussion points for your conversation. It should give a sense of who you are, rather than simply list what you have done. (C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine

(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine Personal Statement • A poorly written PS can cast doubt on your dedication and focus for a demanding profession like medicine. • The program director may wonder if your communication skills are up to the challenge of caring for complex patients, conveying complicated information and educating patients, families and colleagues. • The PS that falls between these two extremes may be neutral in its overall effect, but represents a missed opportunity to add luster to your candidacy.

(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine Personal StatementTips for Getting Started • Think of the PS as an exercise in self-reflection and an opportunity to convey something unique about yourself. Do not approach it as merely a task or check box to be completed in the application process. • Why do you want to go into medicine? What kinds of programs are you looking for? What characteristics do you seek in those programs? What are your values? Who has helped to shape them? Have you had to overcome adversity? How did this experience shape who you are?

(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine Personal StatementTips for Getting Started • Think about what you would like a residency program director to know as they consider inviting you for an interview and ranking you for their program. What is unique, distinctive and/or impressive about you? • You have already had this conversation with yourself…

(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine Personal StatementTips for Getting Started • Make a list of the things that you would like a program director to know about you. • Does this information exist elsewhere in your application? If so, can it be amplified or developed further? • If you get stuck or have trouble with your list, sit with a friend and brainstorm a list of your attributes that are important to share with residency directors.

(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine Personal StatementTips for Getting Started • Decide how you can best convey this information. How can you pique the program director’s interest? • Try to use interesting experiences to illustrate your points. • Find a hook. A good hook is something that makes people want to read your PS.

(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine Personal Statement: Summary • Single-spaced • One page • Passes the “eyeball test” (just enough paragraphs) • Does not repeat your CV verbatim • Conjures up the same image as your MSPE, LORs, ERAS application and interview message

(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine Timeline • May-June: Unique Characteristics statement due • Late-June: Letters of Recommendations are accepted to Student Affairs; ERAS User Guide available • July: Token distribution; Opening of MyERAS access; begin to select programs; Sub-I and preceptorships • August: Away rotations, August 22nd is last date to take the Step 2 CK exam for it to be released for ERAS opening date.

(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine Timeline: Continued • September 15th: ERAS 2012 Post Office opens; applicants begin transmitting their applications to programs; MSPE drafts • October 1st: MSPEs are released at 12:01am ET • December: Military Match results released • January: Ophthalmology Match results released • March: NRMP Main Residency Match results released, SOAP activities commence

(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine Word of Caution… “Our evaluation of applicants includes the USMLE Step 2 score. I would be happy to further evaluate this applicant once I have that score.” Orthopedics Program Director, 2012 Match

(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine SOAP • Replaced the Scramble • 8 rounds of a electronic Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program • Decreases the frantic calling/FAXing during Match week • Disadvantages everyone t

And Now the Fun: Making the 2013 Match Work for You!