How to make contacts at a specific residency? (obnoxious MS1 questions)

[StartedFromTheMiddle]

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Hi,

I'm a first year DO student in a midwestern state. I'm an older student from a (nonpsych) research background and I really want to go into academic psychiatry. There is only 1 academic psych program in my state (and i'm tied here because of my spouse's job) and while its not overwhelmingly competitive there are a limited number of spots per year. I project as somebody who will have mediocre grades, and good board scores.

I was thinking of trying to reach out to my target residency program and try to find a mentor there, to shadow once every few months. Any advice on how to do this? I am hesitant to start cold emailing people because I don't want to come off as pushy/aggressive. Is there something else I can do to maximize my chances at that program?

Any advice would be helpful!
thanks

 

[MacDonaldTriad]

By far the best way is to find out who is doing research in their department of psychiatry and offer your assistance to work on a project between your MS1 and MS2 year. This will establish your academic interest and help get your foot in the door. This is particularly true if you find a research mentor who is also involved in graduate medical education or even better, who is involved in the selection process. Shadowing faculty is always a small burden, no matter how nice you are about it. The other plan is more high stakes and that would be to try and get a sub-I in the MS3 or early MS4 year at that program. This works well, but only if you impress them.

 

[milesed]

This^. You can likely do an "away rotation" there your 4th year if both programs allow it. If all fails, go elsewhere 1 year and transfer there for PGY2.

You may also be able to talk one of the faculty at your school into joining a research study the other is involved in with you as the workhorse.

 

[pinkladies]

Go to a conference and network! A lot of organizations have funding to support the trip (even if you don't present), for example AACAP. I also recommend trying to go to the Association for Academic Psychiatry meeting next year.