Jerry Welsh ⋅ Middleville, MI Master Military Transition Advisor/HPS GPO ⋅ 30 years experience

This is from a Dr. heading into her proctor ship in oncology ob/gyn.
The best thing to do to build your residency application is to participate in volunteer activities. The more time you spend in the desired field you will be applying to, the better. That means, during your clinical rotations of 3rd and 4th year, spend weekends getting to know the residents/fellows/attendings of the program you are interested in. As medical students, you will get offered opportunities to participate/help residents/fellows/attendings with research projects (even if that means collecting data and putting it in excel sheets) which is a HUGE addition to your CV/resume. It is important to be a well rounded applicant, that is down to earth. MD programs really look more at your paper applications, therefore make sure to have research, volunteer activities, potentially even medical mission trips if you are able! DO programs really like to get to you know as a person, regardless of what is on your paper application. They want to know that you are a hardworker and team player. Your military background will also be an advantage! Good luck!! Ditto

Keith Salzman ⋅ Seattle, WA IBM ⋅ 25 years experience

HI Chris-
I am retired from Army Medicine so my pursuit of a residency was several years ago. I have been involved in both reviewing and supporting applicants for residency over the years. The above comments are helpful and on point-I would say:
1. Do well on your clinical rotations in preparation for off site rotations at the programs you are interested in-get feedback from residents and faculty about how to improve your skills
2. As you rotate through your rotations-try to get a sense of where you are headed as far as medical/surgical practice and if you like a sub-specialty to get a good fit of your aspirations and capabilities with a training area and prioritize the programs you are interested in that match your quality of training (get a good sense of fit as well as you may want the best but be competing against more qualified candidates-not to discourage you from aiming high but not to put yourself out of competition), location (not as important for residency as for practice)
3. Hone your interview skills and highlight your strengths address your weaknesses as they are relevant in a positive way
4. In light of #1, your boards are most important on the clinical boards
5. Thank you for serving as an enlisted marine and raising the bar to serve in medicine-well done

Saurabha Bhatnagar ⋅ Jamaica Plain, MA Partners Healthcare ⋅ 15 years experience

Hello Chris,

There are many factors that can help (in addition to the board scores).

Prior to being selected for an interview, the residency programs want to learn as much about each candidate beyond grades and board scores. Doing a rotation at a program you are interested in can help them learn more about you. Additionally, items on your CV and strong letters of recommendation from physicians that you have worked with (that are not generic) will help. Things here can set you apart from other candidates. Research poster presentations at conferences or publishing papers can help set you apart. If you know what field you are interested in, learn about the annual conferences for your residency specialty and try to attend and actively participate. Many specialities have special rates for medical students as well as separate research poster presentations that can be submitted. The residency interview, in my opinion, is probably the strongest factor which can help your application, once your are invited. Even if you are a great interviewer, try to practice your interview skills. Learn about each program you are interviewing at before you go and ask appropriate questions that you are interested in. ACP offers advice on interviewing. Additionally, see if your medical school offers workshops on interviewing or even conducts mock interviews.

Best of luck on boards!

Take care,
Saurabha

David Taft ⋅ Dallas, TX Healthcare industry ⋅ 13 years experience

Hi Chris,
Typically, a good applicant will have completed a successful rotation at the prospective program, have some research and publication credits on their CV, and have some good letters of recommendation (not generic ones) from someone the program director will know - a peer in the speciality with name recognition, as well as a personal call or email. There have been articles published in Plastic & Reconstructive
Surgery regarding the match/interviewing process that share common attributes of successful applicants. Check out that journal in your library and it will give you some more information- the flagship journals of other specialities might have similar articles for you to search.
Good Luck!

Cedric Cook ⋅ Richmond, TX IBM ⋅ 19 years experience

Hi Chris -

I'm not an expert but my intuition suggests that Networking your way into a program that you desire is not a bad idea... I would recommend that you go to the facility and speak with the residency leader about your aspirations.

Regards,