Well my medicine sub-I is killing me and all but only a few more days to go!
As I thought more about this topic I realized that until I start residency I won't have a great idea of what to do differently. But, there are still some things that I can think of now.
1. I agree with Yaah. Do not rank programs in order to impress your friends on Match Day. Instead, rank them like you want them. Like we have discussed, there are maybe 50 "top" programs and you'll get good training at most of them. Find a place where you fit well- with the other residents, the location, the overall "atmosphere" (in the end, this is what sold me on Duke), etc.
2. Don't be afraid to take a few chances with interviews. If there is a good program out of your geographic range that offers you an interview, go. It won't hurt you and you might be surprised that it is good enough to convince you to move.
3. This is kind of related to #2 but... don't put stock in rumors (good or bad) about places, even its from "someone you trust" like your PD or faculty. You never know until you go see for yourself. There are lots of rumors on the interview trail that get perpetuated but are baseless (kinda like some random, incorrect fact that some medical student puts on an H&P that becomes part of the chart that gets regurgitated in every subsequent H&P because people go back and reference old charts never thinking to just ask the patient).
4. Don't ignore your gut feeling about a place.
5. Do not put off your medicine sub-I until March when all your classmates are at the beach or drinking to their match results while you are on call "knowing your patient"... not that I'm bitter or anything.
