Preparing for Residency Applications

[ciestar]

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I am sure this has beaten to death. I met with my school's career advisor regarding this, but I am not confident my questions were really answered...

What should I be doing to make my application the best it can be? I am an MS2 currently. As of now, I am not boning for anything competitive, really, as I am mostly interested in Peds and Psych at this time.

What kind of ECs should I have? How important is research?
I wanted to do research, but my grades took a hit. So, I had to hold off. If I had to guess, I am probably right in the middle of my class...so count out AOA now.

For anonymity sake, I won't list all my ECs, I am just wondering what a good CV should look like for a competitive residency applicant.

 

[deleted480308]

The best thing you can do for your app as an ms2 is study for step1.....hands down, easy answer

 

[Gray Fox]

The best thing you can do for your app as an ms2 is study for step1.....hands down, easy answer

Dude nailed it. Strong steps and clinical grades. From my exp interviewing at top programs, quality research is heavily coveted.

 

[mvenus929]

1) Do well on Step 1
2) Get good recommendation letters. Which means working hard on clerkships.
3) Study hard enough to pass shelf exams accordingly to get relatively high grades on clerkships.

ECs are just bonus. If you can do a research project that makes you either do a literature review or go through the IRB process, you'll be doing well.

 

[ciestar]

1) Do well on Step 1
2) Get good recommendation letters. Which means working hard on clerkships.
3) Study hard enough to pass shelf exams accordingly to get relatively high grades on clerkships.

ECs are just bonus. If you can do a research project that makes you either do a literature review or go through the IRB process, you'll be doing well.

Thank you.