How To Get A Medical Residency Interview

Every year after residency rank order lists have been submitted, and before match day, program directors from all residency specialties are sent a survey “to shed light on the factors that program directors use to (1) select applicants to interview and (2) rank applicants for the match.”*

In 2014, program directors listed these factors as their top considerations when inviting residency applicants for an interview.

1) USMLE Step 1/COMLEX Level 1 score

2) Letters of recommendation in the specialty

3) Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE/Dean’s Letter)

4) USMLE Step 2 CK/COMLEX Level 2 CE score

5) Personal Statement

6) Graduate of U.S. allopathic medical school

7) Grades in required clerkships

8) Gaps in medical education

9) Honors in clinical clerkships

10) Perceived commitment to specialty

* http://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/PD-Survey-Report-2014.pdf

www.MedEdits.com

Residency Rank Day

Most residency programs are having their rank day meetings by the end of this week. Why is this significant? Applicants want to send letters of intent before these meetings occur. While the 2008 NRMP program director survey indicates that follow up does not influence rankings, letters of intent stating that you will be ranking a program #1 can influence your position on a rank list. Residency programs, especially those that are affiliated with prestigious medical schools, don't like to "go too far down on a list" because this looks bad in the eyes of medical school deans and administrators. The need to scramble is especially harmful not only to a program's reputation but also to the medical school of which that program is a part. Therefore, to stay on the good side of medical school deans and administrators, programs like to report that they did well in the match, matched with outstanding candidates and "did not have to go too far down on the list."

By the same token, this is why programs may send "love letters" or make phone calls to applicants they will be ranking highly. Remember that persuasion is a violation of the match participation agreement and you are not obligated to tell programs where you are ranking them. Respond to these communications respectfully and gratefully and say something like, "I would be honored to train with you." Do not allow these phone calls and letters to influence the order in which you will rank programs.

Read my previous entries on letters of intent.

Now is the time to start working with me on your residency candidacy for 2010/2011!

Visit: MedEdits

Residency Interview Thank You Notes

I receive many queries from clients regarding thank you notes after residency interviews. The most recent program directors survey done by the National Residency Matching Program suggests that such follow up notes do not impact ranking but I still recommend that applicants send them. Expressing gratitude suggests that you are courteous and professional and therefore I always advise sending them. Since most faculty are hooked on email, it is acceptable to send thank you emails unless the program specifically instructs otherwise.

On a personal note, when I was a residency admissions officer and received such letters from applicants, they often ended up in the recycle bin even though it made a good impression. These notes never impacted the decision that I made regarding an applicant's candidacy or ranking.

So, what should you write? These notes should be brief (one or two paragraphs) unless you discussed something specific and unusual with an interviewer. You should thank the interviewer for their time, try to mention something specific from your interview and discuss what you liked about the program.

You should wait to tell a program that they are your #1 choice until the end of interview season and then write a letter of intent.

Do you need help with your interview season strategy or letter of intent? Contact MedEdits.