Preparing Your Credentials

Goals Understand the mechanics of the residency application process Understand how to present yourself as a strong viable candidate Learn how to develop a strong CV and Personal Statement Navigate the thank-you note issue

Other Important Dates NOW - Take CS in the early spring of M3 year Soon - Take CK in summer or fall of M4 year UT deadline is October 31st but take it in time for interview season October 1, 2017 - MSPE’s released to residency programs December 2017 – Military Match January 2018 – Ophthalmology and Urology Match

2018 Step 2 CS Reporting Schedule Testing Period Reporting Start Date Reporting End Date January 1 - January 27 March 7 March 28 January 28 - March 24 April 25 May 23 March 25 - May 19* June 20 July 18 May 20 - July 14 August 15 September 12 July 15 - September 8 October 10 November 7 September 9 - November 3 December 12 January 9, 2019 November 4 - December 31 January 30, 2019 February 20, 2019 Your spring break is scheduled for March 24-April 1, making it difficult to take it during spring break Scores are released every Wednesday 98% of examinees will have scores reported by the third Wednesday Taking an exam on a Monday or Tuesday usually results in score reporting 1 week earlier than Wednesday-Saturday exams *No Step 2 CS exams will be delivered March 26 through March 31. http://www.usmle.org/step-2-cs/#reporting

MSPE Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) An evaluation not a LOR You get to proofread Format from AAMC Schedule early with Dean Brewer, Maish, or Womack Dr Panda in Chattanooga; Dr Dabbs or Purkey in Knoxville Bring your CV, personal statement, clerkship schedule Released to programs on October 1st, nation-wide

MSPE Content Six Sections Identifying Information Noteworthy Characteristics Maximum 3 bullet points - most salient noteworthy characteristics Academic History Academic Progress Academics and Professionalism Preclinical if we have it Clerkship evaluations crucial; class performance charts Summary Noteworthy characteristics in maximum of 2 sentences; You and your advisor or MSPE writer can come up with the 3 characteristics

MSPE https://www.aamc.org/download/470400/data/mspe-recommendations.pdf

MSPE https://www.aamc.org/download/470400/data/mspe-recommendations.pdf

MSPE https://www.aamc.org/download/470400/data/mspe-recommendations.pdf

MSPE https://www.aamc.org/download/470400/data/mspe-recommendations.pdf

LOR’s Ask for a “strong letter of support” now Plan on a Chairman’s letter plus 3 others Give them a deadline Provide them with your CV, personal statement, and transcript Provide them with your AAMC ID and the letter ID They must upload

Personal Statement Describe a specific experience sparked your interest in the specialty Communicate passion for the field Address sensitive issues Tell your story  “I want to meet this person.” Portray your abilities and provide a base for interview questions One page Proofread No plagiarism

Thank You Notes Should I write a thank you note to my hosts and interviewers for residency? YES* * If the program hosts tell you to have no communication with them at all, skip the thank you note

Advisors Ask MSPE author for feedback on CV and personal statement Ask specialty advisor for feedback on CV and personal statement Specialty Advisor List- these advisors can give you more specific information about programs

Curriculum Vitae A resume is about a job, a CV is about a career Easy to follow Most recent first Include service activities, honors and awards Short phrases of explanation can be useful Ex: Imhotep Society, UTHSC award for leadership and service Ex: President, ΣΘΩ, a service fraternity focused on the homeless

Decision Process What are/were your original goals when you decided to become an MD? Are they still valid? What do you value about the MD role? What type of MD/Patient relationship do you find rewarding? What type of lifestyle do you want for yourself (family, income, time for interests)? In what type of community do you want to practice; clinical setting? What skills (interpersonal, analytical, technical, etc.)? Are there particular situations/types of patient encounters that make you feel uncomfortable, feel unsuited?

Selecting a Specialty/Program Be Realistic Keep an open mind Consider finances Apply to programs that are 1. Reach 2. Medium and 3. Sure Things Factors critical to you

Critical Factors Geographic locations Type of institution Age and stability of program Academic reputation Call schedule, supervisory structure, other support Faculty to resident ratio Structure and flexibility of curriculum Physical characteristics of the hospital Other training programs in hospital Patient population (racial, gender, SES mix, etc.) Community Opportunities for postgraduate training (fellowship) Others