| p>Matching to a residency program through the | | | | a LOR from an accomplished, known colleague will be |
| NRMP® (National Resident Matching Program) is a | | | | weighed much more heavily than one from someone |
| competitive endeavor. Even top-tier candidates can | | | | deemed less successful and unfamiliar. If you are |
| have difficulty getting PGY-1 (post graduate year | | | | better connected to someone without a title (for |
| one) positions in many specialties. Those that do | | | | example, a resident), consider asking a more senior |
| match may not get their first or second choices, | | | | person who has a weightier title if s/he would |
| leaving them in suboptimal locations or programs. | | | | consider writing a LOR with significant input from |
| Consequently, the submission of an excellent | | | | your closer contact. |
| residency application is crucial. | | | | To improve your residency candidacy fully, consider |
| The Electronic Residency Application Service | | | | working with a professional. Because applicants can |
| (ERAS®) is a centralized program that transmits | | | | unknowingly undermine their chances of success with |
| applications, letters of recommendation (LOR) and | | | | poorly compiled application materials and |
| other supporting credentials from the applicant to | | | | underdeveloped residency personal statements, a |
| program directors using the Internet. Most residency | | | | qualified, personalized residency admissions consultant |
| programs now use ERAS®, although a few use | | | | provides a great advantage. |
| individualized applications. | | | | Residency consulting companies come in a variety of |
| Some of the most useful residency application advice | | | | forms. Some are bigger businesses that focus on |
| I can offer includes ensuring that your letters of | | | | admissions to several types of graduate programs - |
| recommendation are optimal, as these evaluations are | | | | not just medicine. Others are smaller and provide a |
| one of the most critical aspects of applying to | | | | medical focus, but have a pool of consultants of |
| residency. | | | | varying quality. Finally, elite companies offer both the |
| One way to do this is to choose the right person to | | | | medical focus and a highly experienced consultant |
| author your LOR. A wish list for an evaluator would | | | | who works one-on-one with clients. These |
| be the following:a) S/he is senior faculty with a | | | | professionals are ex-admissions officers from highly |
| weighty title who is well known in his/her field.b) S/he | | | | respected medical institutions. They have the inside |
| is in a specialty that is the field to which you are | | | | knowledge of how residency admissions work, |
| applying or a closely related one.c) S/he has spent | | | | providing individualized guidance to optimize Residency |
| significant time with you.d) S/he is an experienced | | | | application personal statement, ERAS® and |
| letter-writer.e) S/he has explicitly stated s/he will | | | | interview skills. |
| write you a strong LOR. It is important to directly | | | | When choosing a residency admissions consulting |
| ask any potential author, "Can you write me a very | | | | company, a candidate should verify the company's |
| strong letter for residency?" | | | | references and research its consultants. Elite |
| Of course all of these qualifications are not possible | | | | companies that offer both the medical focus and a |
| for all letter writers. But the more of these you can | | | | highly experienced consultant who works one-on-one |
| garner the better. With regard to (a), residency | | | | with clients offer a large advantage for applicants, |
| directors are human just like the rest of us: Receiving | | | | especially during these competitive times. |