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Advice on scheduling rotations, USMLE prep, electives selection, and residency application process for Wayne State University School of Medicine Year IV students. Importance of planning, tips, and useful resources included.
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Department of Internal Medicine Advice for Year IV Wayne State UniversitySchool of Medicine
PLANNING YOUR SCHEDULE • Schedule required rotations • SUB-I—do it early, before away rotations • Ambulatory • ER • Schedule USMLE— • This is a high stakes exam—plan to study! • Take during first 3-4 months of year when your clerkships are still fresh • Note: programs will NOT rank applicants who have not passed Step 2
Why do electives? • To prepare for your internship • NOT be your internship • To address weaknesses • For interest sake • For other reasons (wedding, etc)
Philosophy • Balance is important • Don’t do more than 3 elective in Medicine • Consider Urology, Dermatology, Radiology, Anesthesiology • Don’t do all the hard rotations at the beginning of the year • Plan at least one meaty rotation for the second half so you will be ready for your internship
Be considerate • There are limited positions in • Dermatology • Emergency Medicine • ENT • Ophthalmology • Radiology • Urology • Do NOT select these in the summer unless you are considering these fields
Cardiology Endocrinology Geriatrics Hematology Infectious Diseases Nephrology Oncology Pain/Palliative Medicine Pulmonary Rheumatology Independent study Research Medicine Electives
Electives to Consider for Primary Care • Anesthesiology • Dermatology • Radiology • Urology—yes urology, half the world are men!
Where to Rotate • Rotate downtown at the DMC or VA. • The patients are amazing!!! • You will see complex, sick, challenging, patients. • You make a difference here. • This is where the full time faculty practice. • These are the same faculty who taught you pathophysiology. • They know their stuff and they are committed to excellence in clinical teaching.
RESIDENCY APPLICAION PROCESS AND TIMELINE • Identify an advisor • Prepare CV • Write personal statement • This takes the most time to prepare • Do not let it delay you application
How to Ask for a Letter • Doctor, would you be wiling to write me a strong letter of recommendation? I am applying to some very competitive programs. • Contact people early. • Give them a “deadline”
Letters of Recommendation • You need three • Choose the people who know you best • They don’t all have to be in Medicine • Two in medicine are enough • You can ask the Clerkship director for a composite letter if you need to • You need a Chairman’s letter for any university program
Application Timeline • Identify residencies • Register for NMRP • Request and assign documents-- • USMLE transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal statement, CV • Set up appointment for MSPE (Dean’s letter)
Interviews • Set up interviews • Prepare for interviews—read about the program • Keeping track—use a system! • Record the following immediately • Program Name • Pluses and Minuses • Gut reaction—”Could I live here for 3 years?” • Send thank you
Ranking • Schedule meeting with advisor to discuss rank • Rank programs • Submit rank list • Cross fingers
Match Day • Get program of your choice • Celebrate • Live happily ever after
Useful Sites • www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/print/ • 6673.html • 7011.html • 6700.html • 7811.html • 6710.html • 7475.html • 7012.html • 6727.html
Useful References-continued • University of Arizona IMIG • www.ahsc.arizona.edu/imig/Scheduling520Interview.html • Residency and Fellowship.com • www.residencyand fellowship.com/page7.html • University of California San Francisco • Medschool.ucsf.edu/careermed (no www)