Next Step: Preparation for Residency Application

First StepDefinitions

• MSPE: Letter from one of 3 letter-writers in Memphis; one in Chattanooga; one in Knoxville (begins August 13)

• ERAS: Electronic Residency Application System. How you will apply to residency programs (You will send out application September 13, but you can begin working on it before hand)

• NRMP: National Residency Match Process (after interviews, ranking of programs February 14)

TimelineEnd of M3 year:

Had clerkship experiencesGot an idea of what sort of doctor you wish to be(Hopefully) have looked at the electronic resources

to decide what is a good fit– www.aamc.org– www.uthsc.edu/medicine/students

– Considered your M4 year for further exploration or away/audition rotations

TimelineEnd of M3 year:

– Reviewed Charting Outcomes to the Match from NRMP

– Will send out the most recent version when available

– Characteristics of applicants who matched in their preferred specialty

Timeline

• An advising program– Look at the UT specialty pages for the list of

faculty members willing to discuss you application for that specialty with you

– I have sent out additional names. Will be up on website soon or email me

Undecided?

• I am always available- please come talk to me

• An Indecision Scale at AAMC/Careers in Medicine website

• If still need clarity, let me help arrange a ‘day or half-day’ with a doctor out in town.

Curriculum Vitae & Personal Statement

Strolling Through the Match April 27, 2012

Preparing Your Credentials

A ‘CV’ is…●Your life course●The course of your life●An organized document of how you have spent

your professional life not intended to be a philosophical statement,

but rather a fact sheet with order and content●On paper, it’s who you are professionally

CURRICULUM VITAE

CV

• Your ERAS application will ask for CV type material: EX: Research, you will cut and paste

• But, you will also need to have a CV– For those who write your LOR– For the chair of the department in the specialty

you are applying– For the person who will write your MSPE (dean’s

letter)

Format ●One page ●Good quality paper●White or near white●Ordered and structured

●The following are suggestions●But this order flows well

CURRICULUM VITAE

Do NOT need to put your…

Age Marital status

Names of childrenSS # or NRMP #Place of BirthCourses taken

Career plan

CURRICULUM VITAE

The Header (top of page)●Identifying Information

Full name Address Telephone number E-mail Address

CURRICULUM VITAE (CV)

The Body• Education

Medical School Graduate school (even if non-degreed) College years of attendance, major, degree Add GPA, class standing ONLY if it’s

impressive

CURRICULUM VITAE

HonorsAlpha Omega Alpha, 2012Presidential Scholarship, UTK, 2005 – 2009Summer Honors Research Scholar, 2008

ActivitiesVice President of Academic Affairs, 2010-presentPresident of Class Notes, 2011-2013

CURRICULUM VITAE

TIP: Do NOT list all; limit your society memberships unless an officer.

EmploymentElectrocardiogram technician,Methodist Hospital, Summer, 2009Chemistry lab assistant, UT, Knoxville, 2006-2007

ResearchUT, Knoxville 2011-2012Investigated cardiac output of rats under the influence of nitrous oxide. Under supervision of Dr. Thomas Mitras

TIP: List medically related employment

first.

TIP: Be prepared to discuss your research.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Publications & PresentationsPresented National Association of Rat Biologists, 2009. “Effects of Nitrous Oxide on Cardiac Output of Rats”

Personal InterestsPainting, hiking, photography

Special AbilitiesCapable in sign language, fluent in Spanish

CURRICULUM VITAE

Summary• Try to keep to one page

Exception: Research and publications• Ask friends, family, faculty to proofread and

comment• Be prepared to discuss any research documented• Explain any awards• EX: Witherspoon scholarship: given to

outstanding freshman research in chemistry

CURRICULUM VITAE

About Research

• Some of you have a long research history and have been advised to organize your CV a certain way.

• One suggestion– Research Project: Mentor; description• Abstract (title, authors, date presented and where)• Publication (site officially)

REALLY LONG!

●One page ●Good quality paper●White or near white●Ordered and structured

Questions?

• I am happy to read your drafts

Strolling Through the Match April 27, 2012

Personal Statement

A Personal Statement is…● In contrast to CV, personal statement may be

philosophical● A narrative● About the past that is relevant and as

importantly, what the future dream is● Who you are that is not revealed in your

transcript or your CV● Doesn’t describe your life chronologically● An introductory sentence to capture interest

PERSONAL STATEMENT

A Personal Statement tells…● Why I chose medicine● How I chose my specialty● Where I see myself● Insight into family and very special

interests

PERSONAL STATEMENT

Format●One page long●Have others proofread: spelling, proper

English, flow & appropriateness of content

●Use good paper & a font that is easy to read

●Use humor●Talk about fears, poignant events in life

if they are relevant●Be positive about the traits you possess

that will help make you a good resident

PERSONAL STATEMENT

• Suggestions This is your own statement; individualize it Make an attempt to reveal who you are on

paper Make it reader friendly

• Pitfalls Be careful talking about religion practices Not too long or too short Avoid one long paragraph

PERSONAL STATEMENT

• Don’t use it to explain bad grades or explain step score failures

• And what about future plans? Optional

More issues with personal statements

Summary● CV & PS quality will not make or break you● May induce a great deal of interest and

augment ‘the numbers and grades’● Poor grammar or sloppiness may hurt● Bring a good copy of CV and personal statement

with you when you meet with faculty about writing a reference letter

CV & PERSONAL STATEMENT

Hillel the Elder, Jewish Philosopher

“If I am not for myself, who will be for me?”…

“… And, if not now, when?”

“At this point in time, I see myself pursuing a fellowship in sports medicine…

In the future, I see myself practicing in a medium sized community working with the local high school and college teams while at the same time serving the various members of the community…”

What do you think…Plus or Pitfall?

“From summer camp to teenage youth director, I have always loved being around kids – shy, screaming, laughing, unreserved, honest kids…

The pediatric ward reinforced my feelings in real time…

An equally rewarding aspect of pediatrics is preventive medicine…”

What do you think…Plus or Pitfall?

“In his essay on the profession of medicine, Sir William Osler writes that the medical field strives for a time, ‘when there should be no more unnecessary death, when sorrow and crying should be no more, and there should not be any more pain.’…”

“Iee myself Though I intend to first and foremost become a clinical physician, I also plan to participate in investigation and education throughout my career…

The balance for which I search in my career will unite direct and honest patient care with practical discovery and education. A residency in internal medicine will provide the ideal foundation for this pursuit…

I see myself not only as a future leader in providing health care to my community, but also as a leader outside of medicine as a respected citizen, neighborhood advocate, author, and role model…”

What do you think…Plus or Pitfall?

“In my journey through medical school, I have realized that pursuing a career in family medicine will allow me to address several of my special interests while also allowing me to serve me community effectively…

My interest in adolescent populations is one of the main reasons I am opting for a career in family medicine…

I also hope to address the needs of the special populations…”

“I have learned that people with substance abuse issues present a special set of challenges, and I plan to use what I have learned in a prevention effort in my community…

I had some academic difficulties in the basic sciences as a result of my difficulties with test taking. I was able to address these difficulties in a decelerated curriculum that allowed me to spread out the traditional preclinical courses and focus on each course in more depth…

Returning to a full-time curriculum for my clinical clerkships…

Though it was personally difficult for me to accept a change in the course I had planned, I am grateful for the additional enriching opportunities…”

What do you think…Plus or Pitfall?

What to do now?●Write your personal statement●Consider who should write you letters of

recommendation contacting his/her secretary to schedule an

appointment Provide copy of cv, personal statement & ERAS

cover letter (download from SA web page)●Debbey Hester schedules ALL MSPE appointments

Scheduling begins July , 2013 Instructions for scheduling MSPE appointments will

be sent via UTHSC email late June

Getting Ready for the Match

Questions?

• Next up:

• Strolling through the Match• April 29 4-6 PM

• The actual Match Process made clear• How to find most current Match Data so you

can be prepared