| ching to a residency program through the NRMP® | | | | time to apply.When I was in residency administration, |
| (National Resident Matching Program) is a competitive | | | | I was impressed with candidates who submitted their |
| endeavor. Even strong candidates — especially | | | | applications early. I also had more time to spend on |
| IMGs (international medical graduates) - can have | | | | their materials, as I had not yet been inundated with |
| difficulty getting PGY-1 (post graduate year one) | | | | applications, as I would be later in the season. |
| positions in many specialties. Those that do match | | | | Because applicants can unknowingly undermine their |
| may not get their first or second choices, leaving | | | | chances of success with poorly compiled application |
| them in suboptimal locations or programs. It’s | | | | materials and underdeveloped residency personal |
| important to get started on your application early so | | | | statements, a qualified, personalized residency |
| you are ahead of the game. | | | | admissions consultant provides a great advantage. |
| When I was in residency administration, I was | | | | Residency consulting companies come in a variety of |
| impressed with candidates who submitted their | | | | forms. Some are bigger businesses that focus on |
| applications early. I also had more time to spend on | | | | admissions to several types of graduate programs |
| their materials, as I had not yet been inundated with | | | | — not just medicine. Others are smaller and |
| applications, as I would be later in the season. | | | | provide a medical focus, but have a pool of |
| ERAS® (Electronic Residency Application System) | | | | consultants of varying quality. Finally, elite companies |
| opens July 1 and candidates can assign their materials | | | | offer both the medical focus and a highly |
| to specific programs on September 1. Thus, before | | | | experienced consultant who works one-on-one with |
| July I recommend the following: | | | | clients. These professionals are ex-admissions officers |
| 1. Finalize a draft of your personal statement and | | | | from highly respected medical institutions. They have |
| ERAS activities section. | | | | the inside knowledge of how residency admissions |
| 2. If applying in multiple specialties, tailor a separate | | | | work, providing individualized guidance to optimize |
| personal statement for each specialty. | | | | applicants’ personal essays, ERAS® and |
| 3. Contact your Dean’s office (for US | | | | interview skills. |
| students) or ECFMG (Educational Commission for | | | | When choosing a residency admissions consulting |
| Foreign Medical Graduates) (for IMGs) to ask how to | | | | company, a candidate should verify the |
| submit your letters of recommendation and photo to | | | | company’s references and research its |
| them and to get your ERAS token (code to register | | | | consultants. It is best if the company does not assign |
| with ERAS). | | | | written materials to outside editors who cannot be |
| 4. Request all letters of recommendation (excluding | | | | evaluated.When I was in residency administration, I |
| your summer rotations). If you are applying in multiple | | | | was impressed with candidates who submitted their |
| specialties, take advantage of the ability to assign | | | | applications early. I also had more time to spend on |
| different letters to each program. | | | | their materials, as I had not yet been inundated with |
| 5. Investigate programs and contact them for special | | | | applications, as I would be later in the season. Elite |
| requirements or deadlines. | | | | companies that offer both the medical focus and a |
| Getting your application in early can make a | | | | highly experienced consultant who works one-on-one |
| difference in how you are perceived by residency | | | | with clients offer a large advantage for applicants, |
| directors. To improve your residency candidacy fully, | | | | especially during these competitive times. |
| consider working with a professional when it’s | | | | |