Residency Applications and the Match

MS IV

So, by the time students reach their final year of medical school, they can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. The focus is on a bright future in a career that will be a good fit, rewarding and fun!

The to-do list in fourth year can be a bit daunting, but there are many resources to help students navigate the residency application and placement process. Matching for residency involves a few big pieces. Here are the typical benchmarks, but everyone is a bit different and many variations work well.

1. Decide on a specialty. It helps if you can accomplish this by the end of your third year. Your choice for electives should first serve this goal.
2. Take "strategic"electives in your specialty, which yield letters, grades, and narratives that support your application (summer and early fall).
3. Apply to residency programs via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) in the summer of your MS IV year.
4. Apply to the National Resident Match Program (NRMP), San Francisco Match Program, Military and Urology Match Programs during the summer.
5. Interview Season is generally in November through January.
6. Rank your choice of programs (January - February)
7. Take USMLE Step 2 exams by December 1 of MS IV year. Note: Some students may choose to take it earlier to bolster applications.
8. Match for a residency. December for military, January for urology and San Francisco Match programs, March for NRMP.

Once you've chosen a specialty:

1. Consult your Residency Advisor: You should consult with your advisory dean regarding your plans. This is the person who will guide you through the process.
2. Meet with the Specialty Advisor(s) to get advice regarding residency choice, specific residency programs in the specialty, and the rank order list.
3. Meet with your Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) a.k.a. "Dean's Letter" writer.
4. Talk to the department chair, residency director and/or faculty of the specialty you have chosen.
5. Research Residency Programs:
   1. American Medical Association's Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database Access (FREIDA). Through this system, students are able to print lists of residency programs; i.e. a list of Family Practice programs in the northeast. FREIDA Online is a free service and is available through the AMA.
   2. AMA Graduate Medical Education Directory The directory is the book version of AMA-FREIDA. Copies are available in the Library and the Student Affairs Offices (Syracuse and Binghamton Campus). Information regarding the purchase of your own copy of the book can be found on-line. However, this information is available for free on the AMA FREIDA Online website (see above).
   3. Check the program websites - most residency programs have websites that provide information specifically for residency applicants. If information is not available online, call or write to the program to request infomation (the best time to start is after July 4th). After reviewing information on programs of interest, narrow your reaches, 1/5 should be "safety" programs, and the remainder should be a good fit as far as competitiveness for the specialty, but aim to get more interview offers that you intend to accept so that you have some choice in where you interview.

If you're undecided, or just want to be sure:

1. Meet with your Residency Advisor
2. Attend meetings sponsored by the residency program directors and student organizations. Meetings are typically in the spring. You will get email notifications.
3. Schedule an appointment with department chairs, program directors and specialty advisors to discuss options.
4. Visit physicians in the specialties in which you have an interest to see their practices.
5. Use the Careers in Medicine website.

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