1. 4th Year Planning

2. Terms ERAS Electronic Residency Application Service
provides uniform application process – everyone MUST enter this
NRMP
National Residency Matching Program
Matches you to a residency program – everyone MUST enter this

3. Terms FREIDA Online® Fellowship & Residency Application Service
database with over 9,400 graduate medical education programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, as well as over 100 combined specialty programs
VSAS
Visiting Student Application Service
Online program used by many medical schools to schedule 4th year electives

4. Terms MSPE Medical Student Performance Evaluation
Part of the documentation sent to residency program
A compilation of clerkship director evaluations, your transcript and other academic data.
A designated MSPE writer writes an opening and summary paragraph that gives an overview of you as a person and student.
MSPE writers:
Dr. Taylor, Dr. Gresham, Dr. Kezar, Dr. Sorrentino or Dr. Hughes Evans

5. FYSH Fourth Year ScHeduling: You create your own list of courses
It’s time consuming but very important to list everything you dream you might take
Advice from…Kent & Brittney

6. Timeline February Draft CV
Draft CV
Meet with career advisor and assess your competitiveness
Should bring academic summary so advisor can see scores/rank and give honest advice
Fourth Year Scheduling FYSH opens (plan with career advisor)
March
FYSH closes
Begin applications for visiting electives

7. Timeline June Obtain ERAS login code from MSS (B’ham)
Obtain ERAS login code from MSS (B’ham)
Optho and Urology applicants begin registration 
July
Begin application process on ERAS
Request letters of recommendation
August
Register online for NRMP
UASOM OSCE’s begin
Recommended target date for Step 2 CK

8. Timeline September September 1: NRMP is open to register for the match
September 1: NRMP is open to register for the match
September 5: Target date for Optho and Urology applications
September 15: Medical Schools begin transmitting applications and residency programs may begin to download applications from ERAS.
October
October 1: MSPE are released to programs
Recommended time frame for Step 2 CS

9. 4th Year Requirements
24 weeks of elective credit (2 or 4 week courses)
4 week Medicine AI (must be done in Tuscaloosa)
4 week Surgery/Critical Care AI (tri-campus)
~ 32 weeks of coursework in 4th year

10. B’ham electives Surgery: must have Chair letter from Birmingham
Emergency Medicine: must have official department letter from Birmingham
Feedback from surgery electives –you are treated the same whether you sign up for AI or elective
If needed, 4th year electives can be done in Birmingham prior to completion of clerkships
- this may help you make career decision
- this may help you with scheduling around a life event

11. Visiting Electives
Must complete all MS3 clerkships including scholarly activity
Why do a visiting elective?
Competitive specialty
Shop residency programs
You need a letter from an away program (Emergency, ENT)
Plan early if you need a letter from an away program

12. Visiting Electives Timeline
February receive VSAS token from UASOM and can start applying to programs
March-May schools begin accepting applications
Check institution see when they open elective scheduling
Institutions often the review applications only a few months before the elective date

13. Visiting Electives VSAS / Non VSAS
Non VSAS school? Check individual program website for information on
visiting elective application process (use FRIEDA to help you find programs)
Applications can be time consuming – record request for transcript

14. STEP 2 CS & CK
Take Step 2 CK as soon to completion of 3rd year clerkships as possible
programs may not interview you without a score
Take up to 4 weeks off to study (less if medicine or FM is last clerkship)
Step 2 CS
growing in importance to some programs.
must take by December,
If taken by July, a passing score can replace senior OSCE

15. Career Choices Talk to a career advisor
Think about parallel applications
Use Careers in Medicine: