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More than a Vacation : The Fourth Year. Jose F. Pliego, MD Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs Medical Director of Clinical Simulation. Fourth Year Opportunities. Increase broad base of medical knowledge Increase area of expertise
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More than a Vacation: The Fourth Year Jose F. Pliego, MD Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs Medical Director of Clinical Simulation
Fourth Year Opportunities • Increase broad base of medical knowledge • Increase area of expertise • Evaluate residency programs • Work with key faculty • Confirm career choice • Exposure to research
Are you in great shape? Medical School Graduation AOA Limitations Class Rank Struggles Special Accommodations Research Background Aptitudes USMLE
ERAS Dean Letters Match Day ANXIETY USMLE II Letters Of Recommendation Personal Statement Family Electives Residency Applications Interviews
Remain Open and Objective Know Your Aspirations Multiple sources of Information Have an Effective Process Understand Your Limitations Avoid Procrastination
Effective ProcessVigilant Decision Making • Appraising the Challenge • Assessing Yourself • Surveying Alternatives • Evaluating Alternatives • Achieving Commitment GlaxoWellcome Pathway Evaluation Program
New Car I. Do I need a car? V. Purchase II. What Do I Need a car for? IV. Test Driving III. What options do I have?
Appraising the Challenge • Determine the importance of decision and the advantages of being proactive • Assume responsibility for decision • Avoid adhering to unexamined choice • Determine time needed GlaxoWellcome Pathway Evaluation Program
Residency Search Timetable • July-September • Contact programs • Address Sources • NRMP Directory (on the web) • GME Directory (“The Green Book”) • AMA-Frieda • Careers in medicine www.aamc.org/careersinmedicine
Electives • Complete required paperwork • Request Elective early (May to June) • Prime Time: September-November • Stay in contact with your school via email • Be flexible • Notify programs of changes in a timely manner • Do Active Internship (early in 4th Year)
Electives • Be realistic of program expectations • Make an effort to work with key faculty • Make an effort to meet all faculty and residents • Observe faculty/resident/student interaction • Appear interested and excited about being there
Take USMLE Step II Clinical Knowledge early. • Most residency programs require passage of USMLE Step II both CK and CS before beginning residency. http://www.usmle.org
Residency Search Table • September – October • Complete ERAS application • You cannot rank any program you did not apply to or interview with • ERAS opens to applicants 7/1/2005 • Programs cannot download until 9/1/2005 • Dean Letters are released 11/1/2005 • Some non-ERAS programs accept the Common Application Form from ERAS
ERASwww.aamc.org/eras • Electronic Residency Application Service run by AAMC • Service that transmits residency applications, letters of recommendation, Dean’s Letters, transcripts, from applicants and medical schools to residency programs via the internet
ERAS Components • MyERAS: the web based applications service for applicants • Dean’s Office Workstations (DWS) • Program Director’s Workstations (PDWS) • ERAS Post Office
ERAS Registration • You must register to use the service • You can only register after you are given a token from the dean’s office • Register at www.myeras.aamc.org • This page can only be accessed once so enter all information carefully • AAMC ID will be assigned to you after registering
ERAS Costs *Flat fee of $50.00 for USMLE transcripts to be electronically sent to programs
Dean’s LetterMedical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) • Academic History/Progress • Basic Science Years • Core Clerkship Narratives • Summary of Performance • Graphs of Performance • Professional attributes not to be done this year • Description of Medical School policies/curriculum • Transcripts
MSPE - Deadlines • July 15, 2005 • CV, Personal Statement and Release of Records form. • July 15 – September 1, 2005 • Schedule an appointment with the Dean of Student Affairs to discuss your Dean’s Letter • November 1, 2005 • MSPE letters are released
Letters of Recommendation (LoR) 2 letters from faculty members (at least) 1 letter should be from a faculty member in your specialty area. Waive your rights to see the letter. Highly recommended. You can assign different LoR’s to different programs but no more than 4 can go to any one program Give faculty members your CV, personal statement and release form.
Guidelines for Soliciting Letters of Recommendation • Faculty members who know you well and who have worked with you • Higher ranking faculty desirable • Do not solicit letters from residents • Request letters at least eight weeks before due date • Approximately two weeks before you want your letters transmitted, verify with the appropriate faculty or secretary that the letters have been entered into the ERAS program
Personal Statement • Generally should be no more than one page. • Explanation of why you developed an interest in the specialty • Discussion of what makes you unique as an individual • Discussion of your future plans if known • Description of extra curricular activities • Be certain that your faculty advisor reviews this document
Interviews • Will be scheduled during the months of November through January (peak times) • Be aware of your Curriculum Committee absence policies • Each program will have their own requirements. Some are flexible, others have fixed days for your interviews • Be aware of the weather
Military Match December 15, 2005 Urology December 23, 2005 Ophthalmology January 19, 2006 Otolaryngology NRMP, March 2006 Neurology January 26, 2006 Neurological Surgery January 26, 2006 Child Neurology (PGY-3) January 26, 2006 Early Matching Programs
Interviews YOU MUST SELL YOURSELF!! As an interviewee, you are primarily a salesperson. The product you are selling is yourself, and the assets of the product consist of your experiences, skills, knowledge and personality. You communicate your experience and skills in your résumé, but your personality comes across in the interview. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPACE OF THE INTERVIEW. IT CAN OPEN OR CLOSE THE DOOR FOR YOU.
Interviews • You are competitive • Prepare carefully • You must demonstrate that you are a mature and articulateindividual who has developed realistic, clearly defined career goals • Be consistently respectful and courteous • Be on time • Dress appropriately • Relax and be yourself
Interviews • Show interest • Learn and remember names of the people • Have questions to pose to each faculty • Avoid confrontation • Watch your body language and eye contact • Avoid jokes • Avoid inconsistencies
Interview • Be prepared to answer the following: • How did you become interested in the specialty? • What strengths do you think you will bring to our residency program? • What personal weaknesses would you like to correct? • How do you set goals and what motivates you? • How do you solve conflicts? • What frustrates you? • What are your plans for the future? • What was the reason for any inconsistencies?
After the Interview • Stay in contact with the Residency Program Director • Send thank you letters • Emphasize exactly what you liked about the program • Call or email residents and talk further
National Resident Matching Programwww.nrmp.aamc.org • Web-based Registration, Ranking and Results system (R3) • Three-step, online process: registration, agreeing to Terms & Conditions and $65.00 fee. • Email address required. • Registration will begin August 15, 2005 • You must register for both the NRMP and ERAS.
NRMP Policy • There may be no contact between programs and unmatched applicants of their designees prior to 12:00 noon EST Tuesday, March 14, 2006 • Or contact between programs and matched applicants prior to the general announcement of 2006 Match results at 1:00 p.m. EST Thursday, March 16, 2006.
Rank Order Lists (ROL) • Due February 22, 2006, to the NRMP by 9:00pm EST. • Costs • Registration: $65:00 • Additional $30.00 charge per program over 15 • Your ROL is confidential • After you certify your lists, you can make changes (until February 22), but this de-certifies your list and you must recertify.
Ranking Tips • Include an appropriate number of mix of programs based upon your qualifications and specific geographic/personal constraints • Only rank programs in which you would like to train
MATCH WORKS! • Trust the match process-it’s fair and produces a “good fit” for both program and applicant