Building competitive application for residency programs

[258613]

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Although I won't be starting med school until this fall, I want to have some sort of plan/idea for building a competitive application for residency. What kinds of things make an applicant competitive for residencies besides good grades and board scores (both USMLE and COMLEX)? I also know that it's important to do audition rotations at potential residency sites. As far as research goes, do residencies prefer that you have research experience related to the specialty you're wanting to go into or do they just want to see some research experience in general? I'd appreciate it if you share some of your experiences as far as what you've done to build your application...ie. How you became involved with research and published your work, etc

 

[cleoscat3]

I would suggest checking out a book about getting into residencies. Two that I've heard of are:
Iserson's Getting into a Residency and


First Aid for the Match

I looked at an old edition of Iserson's that they had in my university's library. Seems like the info wouldn't change too much except for the competitiveness of particular specialties. Good luck.

 

[hooperg]

ABSOLUTELY take the USMLE unless you are 100% sure you are interested in a DO residency in a given field. I made the mistake of not taking it during the time frame that I was studying for COMLEX and now have to scut through rotations AND study for USMLE Step 1 and COMLEX Step 2.

 

[matlabsux]

As a DO student, if I register for but then decide not to take the USMLE on top of the COMLEX (so I am issued a USMLE ID), when I do my ERAS applications will I have to declare that I ever considered/registered for the USMLE?

 

[Doctor Bob]

As a DO student, if I register for but then decide not to take the USMLE on top of the COMLEX (so I am issued a USMLE ID), when I do my ERAS applications will I have to declare that I ever considered/registered for the USMLE?

No

(I think I answered this exact same question somewhere else)

 

[Khirurg]

what field are you interested in?
Generally, you can't beat having excellent grades. Research helps, especially if you consider strong academic programs. And when you audition at the rotation, show yourself off, but not in annoying, arrogant way. Noone likes *****holes.

 

[258613]

I would suggest checking out a book about getting into residencies. Two that I've heard of are:
Iserson's Getting into a Residency and


First Aid for the Match

I looked at an old edition of Iserson's that they had in my university's library. Seems like the info wouldn't change too much except for the competitiveness of particular specialties. Good luck.

Thanks! I bought Iserson's Getting Into A Residency and have read half of it already. I've learned a ton of information and plan on making a timeline and a list of things I need to do along the way.

 

[matlabsux]

I wanted to see if any graduating DOs or residents/attendings... can tell me what they think of doing an Allo residnecy out of DO school. Specifically, is the COMLEX getting more and more widely used by Allo preogram directors to decide or is that wishful thinking on the AOA's part? Should I just go on it is almost mandatory to take the USMLE as well in order to obtain a decent allo residency in "not too competative" specialties like IM, Peds, FM...

 

[Khirurg]

I wanted to see if any graduating DOs or residents/attendings... can tell me what they think of doing an Allo residnecy out of DO school. Specifically, is the COMLEX getting more and more widely used by Allo preogram directors to decide or is that wishful thinking on the AOA's part? Should I just go on it is almost mandatory to take the USMLE as well in order to obtain a decent allo residency in "not too competative" specialties like IM, Peds, FM...

My program was looking at COMLEX, but that is because, they had prior experience with DO's. They used COMLEX as a cutoff to invite or not people for interviews. At the interviews, they looked at my USMLE scores. If you can do well on USMLE, it will certainly help you. At the same time, IM or Peds in my hospital would not require you to take USMLE.
😕I don't quite understand, why would someone do allopathic FP residency out of osteopathic school. 😕

 

[matlabsux]

😕I don't quite understand, why would someone do allopathic FP residency out of osteopathic school. 😕

Why would someone out of DO school not want to do an allo residency, regardless of what their desired specialty is? I have heard and read that there is a significant advantage in your career to doing an Allo residency after graduating DO school. I am sure that is not ALWAYS the case but have I been misinformed on this issue? Allo spots generally are in bigger hosptials, newer (better?) facilities, larger patient popultations, good research it its affiliated with a school... What do the DOs who are doing AOA residencies think?

 

[TexasTriathlete]

Not every allopathic program is better than every osteopathic program. There are some outstanding osteo and dual programs out there, that offer better training than a lot of allopathic programs.

Once you're ready to apply, you'll investigate each program individually, and you won't look at it as allopathic vs. osteopathic.

 

[Khirurg]

Why would someone out of DO school not want to do an allo residency, regardless of what their desired specialty is? I have heard and read that there is a significant advantage in your career to doing an Allo residency after graduating DO school. I am sure that is not ALWAYS the case but have I been misinformed on this issue? Allo spots generally are in bigger hosptials, newer (better?) facilities, larger patient popultations, good research it its affiliated with a school... What do the DOs who are doing AOA residencies think?

Generally i would agree with you, but not in the case of FP. If you think about it, patients by large, are the same, whether you are in University or rural setting, but in Osteo FP program you get, or should be getting OMM practice, which is/should be the reason you are a DO(?)

 

[VMSmith]

Here's a paper that talks about the most important criteria in order:
http://journals.lww.com/academicmed..._Criteria_for_Residency__Results_of_a.24.aspx

Basically, 3rd year grades, Step 1 score, and 4th year sub-I (in the specialty you're applying) are the most important factors.

Things that matter almost not at all are research (of any kind) and 1st and 2nd year grades.

Keep in mind that this is what PDs on average think. There will definitely be some PDs who love to see tons of research, and in some specialties research is almost required (plastics, rad onc). 1st and 2nd year grades matter for two things: qualifying you for Alpha Omega Alpha (which DO schools don't have anyway), and course failures. I'm not sure how much weight residency programs place on the equivalent DO honor society.

For the first two years, just try to learn what you're supposed to learn and do your best. Keep in mind the importance of Step 1 (you definitely should take both COMLEX and USMLE just to keep all your options open), do research if you're interested, do community service if you're interested, and try to stay healthy.

 

[VMSmith]

As far as away rotations go, there are mixed opinions regarding how useful they really are.

Some programs will only consider people who've done a rotation with them, some programs give interviews to everyone who does an away, and some don't care one way or the other whether you do an away or not.

An away rotation gives you the chance to really get to know a program, and a chance to see how things are done away from your home institution. It also gives you the chance to see what the residents are really like, and how the administration and faculty treat residents and students (and each other).

It also lets the program see who you really are. You have to decide whether that's a good or bad thing for you. If you're someone who relishes the chance to work your butt off for a month straight without any complaints and generally gets along with everyone you work with, then an away is a good idea. If not, then (when the time comes) look over what your application is like; if it's pretty strong already then an away rotation might not help you all that much. If it's not as strong as you'd like and there are a few programs in particular you really, really like that you feel you are a borderline candidate for, then definitely do an away. This also applies to programs that don't come out and say straight out "we don't consider DO applicants" but don't necessarily have a reputation for taking many DO candidates. At those programs, a strong away rotation showing from you can make a big difference in your chances.

 

[Buckeye(OH)]

Truthfully, it depends on what you go into. I can speak on behalf of ortho, because I know how it is....you basically have to rotate there to be interviewed for the vast majorities of programs.

Caveat: Just because you rotated there, don't expect an interview.