Question---

[gapeach427]

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Hi--
I'm interested in applying to medical school for entrance in 2007. After completion of medical school, how do residencies work? Is one most likely going to have to complete a residency outside his or her hometown or homestate? Or is there usually a good chance of staying in the same area (as the med school/hometown)?

 

[Law2Doc]

Hi--
I'm interested in applying to medical school for entrance in 2007. After completion of medical school, how do residencies work? Is one most likely going to have to complete a residency outside his or her hometown or homestate? Or is there usually a good chance of staying in the same area (as the med school/hometown)?

My knowledge is somewhat limited, but here's what I understand to be the case. After applying for interviews, there's a match system whereby you list your top choices, and the schools list their top choices, and a fancy computer tries to match students with schools. The vast majority of US schooled folks in the match match, but the remainder have to "scramble" for the unfilled spots. You can apply for residencies anywhere in the country. Since references and recommendations are important, sometimes there is more interest in you at your home school, since they know you and you backers, but otherwise your chances of matching in a particular region really depend on your board scores and other credentials, as well as the number of residency slots in that specialty and region. While you can try and target a region, in a lot of cases folks end up doing residencies in different states because that is where the position is. Anyone who knows more should definitely correct me.

 

[omores]

Law2Doc is right, but keep in mind that the process is hugely dependent on what field you're applying in. People going into orthopedics and dermatology, for example, tend to apply to a large number of programs and may end up matching somewhere across the country from where they want to be. Family med, by contrast, is not nearly so competitive, and it'd be easy to stay put.

That said, a student at any given med school will likely have a real advantage in applying to a residency at the same place -- you'll have had four years to make connections and convince the program director to love you.

Most med students match to one of their top 3 choices, so if you keep your applications within a target region (unless you're applying to one of the montrously competitive fields), you should be golden.

 

[TacoStand]

Check out the book the Ultimate Guide to Choosing A Medical Specialty by Brian Freeman, MD. I learned a great deal about residencies and all the specialities. It was published in 2004, so it is probably still fairly accurate.

 

[njbmd]

Hi--
I'm interested in applying to medical school for entrance in 2007. After completion of medical school, how do residencies work? Is one most likely going to have to complete a residency outside his or her hometown or homestate? Or is there usually a good chance of staying in the same area (as the med school/hometown)?

Hi there,
After you have completed third year, you should have some idea of the specialty that interests you or the specialty that you might have a chance of matching into. The more competitive the residency (location, specialty) the earlier you have to get yourself into a position to apply (good grades, USMLE/COMLEX).

Just because you have completed medical school in a specific location, the residency program there is under little or not obligation to match you. This is especially true if your grades and board scores are marginal for the program.

Residencies are three years (non-surgical) to seven years (surgical specialties) in length; with length depending on program and specialty. In general, you apply for residency either through the SF Match (San Francisco Match) or through the Regular Match (ERAS) between June and July of your third year. After you have submitted your application to various programs, you are invited for interview if you are competitive enough for a program.

If not invited for interview, you cannot rank a program. The SF Match has earlier deadlines than the regular Match. Match Day for the regular Match is next week but those who do not match will find out on Monday so that they may participate in the Scramble.

The best way to control your own fate is to study hard, do well, score well on Boards and have a great third year. This nets you a competitive Deans letter and letters of recommendation in addition to being highly ranked in your class. Final line: at the beginning of third year or the end of second year, your medical school will give you more information that you need about residency.

njbmd 🙂