Internship & Residency Advice

[chipotleluver]

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How to be competitive for internships and residencies while you are nearing the end of veterinary school?

VCA opportunities/sponsored residency

private practice internship: any in Florida that are recommended/prestigiouss

 

[SocialStigma]

- Keep your GPA (and therefore class rank) up
- Obtain good LORs so you can match to an internship of your choice
- Get research experience, or even better, publication experience

"Prestigious" private practice internships will depend on what specialty you're interested in, but ultimately the prestige of the internship doesn't matter as long as you have stellar LORs coming out of it. Ideally make sure that the internships you apply to have the specialty field you are interested in, since many private practice internships don't have radiologists, ophthalmologists, criticalists, etc.

Re: VCA/BluePearl/sponsored residencies, most people that go this route did their internship at a VCA/BluePearl. However, VCA/BluePearl will both also recruit current residents. I was approached by a VCA/BluePearl (can't remember which) rep during the 1st and 2nd year of my residency and asked if I would consider joining their program.

 

[that redhead]

In regards to residencies, it’s best to have strong LORs from people in that particular field, even better if they know people at the residency you’re applying to.

 

[vetsahoyVMCVM]

Here's what I've gathered from posting on here, and from clinicians:

GPA and rank of course play a part in your application, but just a part. People in the medical field understand that you may not be strong at lecture exams, and why that can be a reason for a low GPA/rank. Of course you want the best grades possible, but it is ONLY just a part of your application. However, you need to have excellent LORs that demonstrate how you are as a person, and future clinician. Programs want to know if you can critically think through a case, and are able to display excellent communication and empathy towards clients. One thing that I have heard from some clinicians that I really never knew about was if you are one that pours a cup of tea and loves gossip and drama, or one that steers clear of it. Most of the academic residency programs require a MS or PhD to be completed in which previous research work looks VERY good on your application. Of course a publication will make you look golden, but it is not necessary. Most private practice residencies don't require a publication, but some do. From what I know, internships look at LORs as a determinant of whether they want you or not. I met a clinician from one of the biggest hospitals in the USA, and she said that she reads LORs first, and then the rest of your application so she can know who she is going to admit or deny. I have not heard much about VCA/BluePearl sponsored residencies, and will look out for what they are in this thread!

 

[jaime244]

Here's what I've gathered from posting on here, and from clinicians:

GPA and rank of course play a part in your application, but just a part. People in the medical field understand that you may not be strong at lecture exams, and why that can be a reason for a low GPA/rank. Of course you want the best grades possible, but it is ONLY just a part of your application. However, you need to have excellent LORs that demonstrate how you are as a person, and future clinician. Programs want to know if you can critically think through a case, and are able to display excellent communication and empathy towards clients. One thing that I have heard from some clinicians that I really never knew about was if you are one that pours a cup of tea and loves gossip and drama, or one that steers clear of it. Most of the academic residency programs require a MS or PhD to be completed in which previous research work looks VERY good on your application. Of course a publication will make you look golden, but it is not necessary. Most private practice residencies don't require a publication, but some do. From what I know, internships look at LORs as a determinant of whether they want you or not. I met a clinician from one of the biggest hospitals in the USA, and she said that she reads LORs first, and then the rest of your application so she can know who she is going to admit or deny. I have not heard much about VCA/BluePearl sponsored residencies, and will look out for what they are in this thread!

When you say publication, do you mean primary author on a paper?

 

[vetsahoyVMCVM]

When you say publication, do you mean primary author on a paper?

Not necessarily being first author. Overall having your name on a paper.

 

[SocialStigma]

Here's what I've gathered from posting on here, and from clinicians:

GPA and rank of course play a part in your application, but just a part. People in the medical field understand that you may not be strong at lecture exams, and why that can be a reason for a low GPA/rank. Of course you want the best grades possible, but it is ONLY just a part of your application. However, you need to have excellent LORs that demonstrate how you are as a person, and future clinician. Programs want to know if you can critically think through a case, and are able to display excellent communication and empathy towards clients. One thing that I have heard from some clinicians that I really never knew about was if you are one that pours a cup of tea and loves gossip and drama, or one that steers clear of it. Most of the academic residency programs require a MS or PhD to be completed in which previous research work looks VERY good on your application. Of course a publication will make you look golden, but it is not necessary. Most private practice residencies don't require a publication, but some do. From what I know, internships look at LORs as a determinant of whether they want you or not. I met a clinician from one of the biggest hospitals in the USA, and she said that she reads LORs first, and then the rest of your application so she can know who she is going to admit or deny. I have not heard much about VCA/BluePearl sponsored residencies, and will look out for what they are in this thread!

This is true for the most part but just wanted to add on a few things:
- Some internships/residencies (particularly academic ones, since they receive the most apps) will have a GPA cutoff where they do not look at applications below a certain GPA, so as much as I agree that LORs are much more indicative of someone's candidacy, it unfortunately is not always the first thing that is looked at
- Whether or not a MS/PhD is required as part of an academic residency will vary depending on the specialty. I don't know of any surgical residencies that have a PhD as part of the program, and I'd say it's 50/50 whether a MS is required. I completed an academic residency and did not do a MS/PhD. However, grad degrees are common for some of the more niche specialties (pathology, ophtho, etc).
- Requirements for publication are typically set by the specialty colleges (eg. ACVIM, ACVS, ACVECC, etc), not by the institution (though they may have additional publication requirements). For example, ACVS requires all surgical residents to publish at least 1 peer reviewed article, even if they are in a private practice residency. It's definitely not necessary to have research experience to match successfully to a residency, but it is becoming the norm and I would say more candidates have it than not nowadays.

 

[Vannandy]

- Some internships/residencies (particularly academic ones, since they receive the most apps) will have a GPA cutoff where they do not look at applications below a certain GPA, so as much as I agree that LORs are much more indicative of someone's candidacy, it unfortunately is not always the first thing that is looked at

I feel like we tip toe around the grades subject a lot. Maybe it's not to hurt any feelings? It's clearly not the most important part of the application but at the end of the day everything is factored into selecting a candidate. Most if not all competitive applicants have great letter of recommendations anyway. So try to excel in all aspects of your app to be as competitive as possible and not give them a reason to pick someone else

 

[SocialStigma]

I feel like we tip toe around the grades subject a lot. Maybe it's not to hurt any feelings? It's clearly not the most important part of the application but at the end of the day everything is factored into selecting a candidate. Most if not all competitive applicants have great letter of recommendations anyway. So try to excel in all aspects of your app to be as competitive as possible and not give them a reason to pick someone else

It's likely because, as with other health professions, we have a lot of type A perfectionist/over-achiever types and often focusing too much on grades can do more harm than good. Grades definitely aren't everything and candidates in the bottom half of their class can match to excellent positions, but if there are over 200 applications for an institution to review for 1 residency position, and there are multiple people with similar LORs/research experience, the spot will likely go to the person with the highest GPA/class rank. People say grades shouldn't matter beyond vet school and to some extent I agree, but it's important to keep in mind that residencies aren't just picking candidates who can make it through a 3 year program..they want a self-directed learner who ultimately will pass specialty boards. The best way for them to tell if someone has what it takes to read literally hundreds-thousands of journal articles and sit for boards is going to be their performance in vet school.

 

[beatsbydrsne]

Following up on these posts, does anyone know if there is a list of internships that are not on the match? Specifically small animal rotating?

Thanks!

 

[VIN-Foundation]

I'm not aware of a specific list of all the internship programs that are not in the match. The VIRMP has a list of programs that didn't fill their slots for 2020 (open positions).

 

[nyanko]

I'm not aware of a specific list of all the internship programs that are not in the match. The VIRMP has a list of programs that didn't fill their slots for 2020 (open positions).

That's only available to unmatched applicants until 1/24 when it goes public

 

[VIN-Foundation]

That's only available to unmatched applicants until 1/24 when it goes public

Veterinary schools and other institutions with internship/residency programs are able to access this and share it with potential applicants.

 

[Dra. Cula]

Hi! I am considering doing a small animal rotating internship at NC state. Does someone know how it is like to work at the hospital? If they are a tax exempt organization (for public loan forgiveness program)? What you would recommend to be a good candidate? Thanks 🙂

 

[mmmdreamerz]

Hi! I am considering doing a small animal rotating internship at NC state. Does someone know how it is like to work at the hospital? If they are a tax exempt organization (for public loan forgiveness program)? What you would recommend to be a good candidate? Thanks 🙂

I think it’s hard to go into the Match with only one school in mind. Especially a top academic institution. Definitely have a top choice and shoot for it, but consider other options too. NC State was one of the schools that I interviewed with this year and my interviewer mentioned that they had over 400 applications. That said, it’s definitely possible to have a top choice and match there (I did). A lot of it is your LORs and who you know that’ll go to bat for you with people they know at institutions. Having an application that then stands out in other ways is also important

 

[Minnerbelle]

Re: VCA/BluePearl/sponsored residencies, most people that go this route did their internship at a VCA/BluePearl. However, VCA/BluePearl will both also recruit current residents. I was approached by a VCA/BluePearl (can't remember which) rep during the 1st and 2nd year of my residency and asked if I would consider joining their program.

wait... if you’re already funded for a residency through your own program, what good exactly does it do you to join the corporate program other than to limit your job opportunities once you’re done? I thought the whole point was they provide funding for an additional residency spot that doesn’t exist otherwise. In exchange for working for them for however many years afterwards. Or is that not the point?

 

[SocialStigma]

wait... if you’re already funded for a residency through your own program, what good exactly does it do you to join the corporate program other than to limit your job opportunities once you’re done? I thought the whole point was they provide funding for an additional residency spot that doesn’t exist otherwise. In exchange for working for them for however many years afterwards. Or is that not the point?

I remember the rep saying they could offer me an annual stipend to join as a way to increase my income throughout residency, since my salary was already paid for by my program. I don't think it was what they would've paid per year for a resident ($30k) but something like $10-15k? I wasn't interested so I didn't really investigate this as an option, but I think that would've been the main benefit.

 

[Minnerbelle]

I remember the rep saying they could offer me an annual stipend to join as a way to increase my income throughout residency, since my salary was already paid for by my program. I don't think it was what they would've paid per year for a resident ($30k) but something like $10-15k? I wasn't interested so I didn't really investigate this as an option, but I think that would've been the main benefit.

That sounds like a rather **** benefit... that’s like the cost of a sign on bonus for a practice you know you want to join... for a specialist that seems like a pretty crappy exchange for guaranteed servitude.

 

[JaynaAli]

I think it depends on what they’re offering and where you want to end up. If someone is geographically limited and already knows they want to work for that company, it might be worth it to them to lock it in with this type of offer though. I know derm and cardio residents who signed contracts in their first year to work at a certain practice after they finished their 3 year residency...two years in advance. I probably personally wouldn’t want the stipulation that you stay X number of years that usually comes with those sponsored residency stipends but it may be worth it to someone else, maybe someone with a family they’re struggling to support on the stupid resident salary. I get why companies sponsor residencies but as a resident it always made me kinda nervous because life changes and you never really know if a place is a good fit ahead of time. But as far as I know it really isn’t a prevalent “thing” in pathology and our market supply pretty much equals demand. There are two sponsored residency positions I know of and that’s it.

 

[Dra. Cula]

I think it’s hard to go into the Match with only one school in mind. Especially a top academic institution. Definitely have a top choice and shoot for it, but consider other options too. NC State was one of the schools that I interviewed with this year and my interviewer mentioned that they had over 400 applications. That said, it’s definitely possible to have a top choice and match there (I did). A lot of it is your LORs and who you know that’ll go to bat for you with people they know at institutions. Having an application that then stands out in other ways is also important

Hi! Thanks for the reply. I do have about 12 places I will be applying to, but Nc state is my top one for sure so just wanted to see what I could do to increase my chances to land a position at that school. You mentioned you interviewed with them, is that for a small animal rotating internship? I read on their website that they don’t interview so I’m just wondering if it is a new thing.

 

[mmmdreamerz]

Hi! Thanks for the reply. I do have about 12 places I will be applying to, but Nc state is my top one for sure so just wanted to see what I could do to increase my chances to land a position at that school. You mentioned you interviewed with them, is that for a small animal rotating internship? I read on their website that they don’t interview so I’m just wondering if it is a new thing.

It was! You’re welcome to message me if you want to chat about it🙂