Residency FAQ

This is a work-in-progress, and I will be constantly editing and updating it from time to time. For now I'll be compiling links to useful threads that address and discuss the most commonly-asked questions about residency.

Please feel free to PM me with any comments/questions/suggestions/concerns.

Contents

A day in the life of...

• What's the typical day of a resident?
• What's the typical day of an Internal Medicine resident?
• What's the typical day of a surgical resident?

As an IMG, what options do I have with my medical degree, before I start or apply to residency?

• Observerships and externships
• Options for IMG graduates who did not match

Besides the big-name programs, what other places should I apply to?

• Other strong programs in desirable cities

Any tips on dealing with letters of recommendation?

• LOR FAQ

What problems could I potentially face during residency? How about some advice?

• Life as a female resident
• Scutting out your med students
• Calling in sick
• Supplementing your residency's salary
• Changes in student loan deferment rules
• Common on-call problems
• Tips for incoming interns

What if you could do it all over again?

• Would you go to medical school again?
• Is residency really that bad?
• Why do you keep doing it if you're miserable?
• What's the happiest specialty?
• Things I wish I knew as a PGY-1
• Could you do it again if you had to?

Last updated: Oct 15 2008