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- Apr 7, 2010
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tips on how to find out of match residency spot (personal experience)
1. have your eras (or whatever application packet) ready to fax/email/snail mail asap!
- i noticed having it in pdf form (scanning it and emailing it in pdf) was effecient, quick, and could save you time and money (versus snail mail or faxing)
- also the prospective pd can quickly glance at your application and email you on the spot for more materials.
2. if you are looking for pgy 2+ position ==> make sure you have copies of:
-clinical eval rotations, USMLE board score reports
-PD LOR/good standing letter, and a couple LOR (if not, at least easily ready to email)
-copy of eras or other materials from medical school (if available)
-if looking for surgical or ob-gyn position, have copies of your surgery case or obg-gyn case log also ready with your materials (you can send this later after the other stuff)
3. YOU HAVE TO BE AGGRESSIVE AND BE LOOKING EVERYWHERE!!!
- SDN, AAFP WEBSITE/HOTLINE, etc
- if you are willing to invest some $, get find a resident/resident swap acct (i have no direct experience nor am i endorsing it, but it's there as a resource)
- cold call/email residency programs every day (I would find on average 1 open position per 20 - 25 email/calls, so this is also an option, especially for programs that are not listed anywhere else)
- if you can, try to have your old pd/medical school advisor assist you, if this is an option.
4. when you email your materials (introduce yourself for the first time, etc).
- first paragraph introduce yourself and mention your interest in pursuing a pgy X position.
- in a 2nd paragraph, include a quick bio/info bit about you stating the following:
- name, medical school, previous residency experience (location, yrs), awards (optional) and ***KEY*** professional/clinical interests --> this also helps you stand apart and let's the prospective program know that apart from just filling in a residency spot, that you also have scholarly/research or volunteering interests! Only mention this if you
are GENUINELY interested in pursuing these things, have mentioned it in your personal statement, and/or have experience in the past that correlates with your pursuits.
- make sure you are are able to talk about these endeavors in your personal statement and in your interview. REMEMBER be honest and genuine, you don't want to be making things up because eventually it will show.
5. be persistent --> contact the program coordinators a few days later just to make sure your materials were received and/or files were opened.
- contact them no more than once a week! (email, preferably)
- as a rule of thumb, you will hear from a prospective program within one week
- ...if more than 2 weeks have passed, then more like 50/50...
- if it's more than one month, then likely it's not going to happen with that program.
- these are just rough estimates, so take this with a grain of salt here.
6. prepare for the interview (in person or phone)
- just like for medical school or your intern year, the interview is basically the same!
- make sure you have read your personal statement/cv, etc.
- obviously make sure you know or have an idea about what your LOR wrote.
- know the program you are interviewing for (strengths, positive attributes that compliment your interests, geography/location ---> key if you are going out of state!)
- make sure you have something to say about what you are doing in the meantime while looking for residency (research, voluneteering, work, traveling, etc), they will ask so just be prepared.
7. personal statement (no more than 2 pages)
- similar to your PS for your eras.
- don't go off on tangents, revise and work on it at least 3 times before
sending it out. standard stuff (grammar, syntax, etc).
- make sure to include the following
1. introduce yourself/background (don't overdo it, but keep it conversational)
2. reason why you are pursuing a residency opening (personal, family, etc) -- make sure to be genuine, honest, and demonstrate (if you had any problems or defeciencies) that you have corrected or worked around them and have learned from your hardship.
3. don't overdo part 2, but be specific and honest.
4. demonstrate what you plan to do upon returning to residency! you have to demonstrate how you will parlay your experience to be more dedicated, committed, assertive, etc, upon your return, and use this to be a better resident. BE HONEST ONCE AGAIN. I cannot stress this enough!
8. KIT - with your old PD and LOR writers.
- remember the old saying, never burn your bridges, well this is a perfect example (unless of course you left your program under unamiable circumstances).
- your PD and LOR are key in supporting you as you look for a new residency position.
- keep them in the loop, especially if you need to let them know that a prospective program will be contacting them shortly (out of courtesy...trust me, they appreciate it).
- also it's important to talk to your old pd so that you both understand and have your main story correct as to why you left your program (you don't want to have conflicting stories, this will weaken your application and raise red flags...and in the end they will likely believe your pd over you unfortunately)...so make sure you KIT and have a clear understanding before a prospective pd comes around calling/contacting your old pd.
9. Don't give up. residency spots open up throughout the year, particurlay mid year (Sep - Dec) and then again in Feb/March when renewals offers are made. So stay focused, positive, proactive and ready to go. This is a little different (and harder) than applying through eras, but if you are dedicated and persistent, you CAN and WILL find a spot.
1. have your eras (or whatever application packet) ready to fax/email/snail mail asap!
- i noticed having it in pdf form (scanning it and emailing it in pdf) was effecient, quick, and could save you time and money (versus snail mail or faxing)
- also the prospective pd can quickly glance at your application and email you on the spot for more materials.
2. if you are looking for pgy 2+ position ==> make sure you have copies of:
-clinical eval rotations, USMLE board score reports
-PD LOR/good standing letter, and a couple LOR (if not, at least easily ready to email)
-copy of eras or other materials from medical school (if available)
-if looking for surgical or ob-gyn position, have copies of your surgery case or obg-gyn case log also ready with your materials (you can send this later after the other stuff)
3. YOU HAVE TO BE AGGRESSIVE AND BE LOOKING EVERYWHERE!!!
- SDN, AAFP WEBSITE/HOTLINE, etc
- if you are willing to invest some $, get find a resident/resident swap acct (i have no direct experience nor am i endorsing it, but it's there as a resource)
- cold call/email residency programs every day (I would find on average 1 open position per 20 - 25 email/calls, so this is also an option, especially for programs that are not listed anywhere else)
- if you can, try to have your old pd/medical school advisor assist you, if this is an option.
4. when you email your materials (introduce yourself for the first time, etc).
- first paragraph introduce yourself and mention your interest in pursuing a pgy X position.
- in a 2nd paragraph, include a quick bio/info bit about you stating the following:
- name, medical school, previous residency experience (location, yrs), awards (optional) and ***KEY*** professional/clinical interests --> this also helps you stand apart and let's the prospective program know that apart from just filling in a residency spot, that you also have scholarly/research or volunteering interests! Only mention this if you
are GENUINELY interested in pursuing these things, have mentioned it in your personal statement, and/or have experience in the past that correlates with your pursuits.
- make sure you are are able to talk about these endeavors in your personal statement and in your interview. REMEMBER be honest and genuine, you don't want to be making things up because eventually it will show.
5. be persistent --> contact the program coordinators a few days later just to make sure your materials were received and/or files were opened.
- contact them no more than once a week! (email, preferably)
- as a rule of thumb, you will hear from a prospective program within one week
- ...if more than 2 weeks have passed, then more like 50/50...
- if it's more than one month, then likely it's not going to happen with that program.
- these are just rough estimates, so take this with a grain of salt here.
6. prepare for the interview (in person or phone)
- just like for medical school or your intern year, the interview is basically the same!
- make sure you have read your personal statement/cv, etc.
- obviously make sure you know or have an idea about what your LOR wrote.
- know the program you are interviewing for (strengths, positive attributes that compliment your interests, geography/location ---> key if you are going out of state!)
- make sure you have something to say about what you are doing in the meantime while looking for residency (research, voluneteering, work, traveling, etc), they will ask so just be prepared.
7. personal statement (no more than 2 pages)
- similar to your PS for your eras.
- don't go off on tangents, revise and work on it at least 3 times before
sending it out. standard stuff (grammar, syntax, etc).
- make sure to include the following
1. introduce yourself/background (don't overdo it, but keep it conversational)
2. reason why you are pursuing a residency opening (personal, family, etc) -- make sure to be genuine, honest, and demonstrate (if you had any problems or defeciencies) that you have corrected or worked around them and have learned from your hardship.
3. don't overdo part 2, but be specific and honest.
4. demonstrate what you plan to do upon returning to residency! you have to demonstrate how you will parlay your experience to be more dedicated, committed, assertive, etc, upon your return, and use this to be a better resident. BE HONEST ONCE AGAIN. I cannot stress this enough!
8. KIT - with your old PD and LOR writers.
- remember the old saying, never burn your bridges, well this is a perfect example (unless of course you left your program under unamiable circumstances).
- your PD and LOR are key in supporting you as you look for a new residency position.
- keep them in the loop, especially if you need to let them know that a prospective program will be contacting them shortly (out of courtesy...trust me, they appreciate it).
- also it's important to talk to your old pd so that you both understand and have your main story correct as to why you left your program (you don't want to have conflicting stories, this will weaken your application and raise red flags...and in the end they will likely believe your pd over you unfortunately)...so make sure you KIT and have a clear understanding before a prospective pd comes around calling/contacting your old pd.
9. Don't give up. residency spots open up throughout the year, particurlay mid year (Sep - Dec) and then again in Feb/March when renewals offers are made. So stay focused, positive, proactive and ready to go. This is a little different (and harder) than applying through eras, but if you are dedicated and persistent, you CAN and WILL find a spot.