Tips for fourth year, anyone?

[Fanconi]

Should I take guitar lessons? Join a cooking class? An aerobics class? Devote even *more* time to my pursuit of the development of my ultimate time-waster, I mean, website?

Sorry. Couldn't resist.

On a more serious note, I'm beginning to feel my anxiety build as I prepare my personal statement (I'd like to just say, "Pick me! Pick me, please!!!") and my ERAS stuff. What general tips do any of you who have survived the match process have for fledglings like me?

What would you have done differently during your fourth year if you were given the chance to do it over (aside from trying desperately to fail so that you could do another fourth year just 'cuz it's a great year)?

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[njbmd]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Fanconi:
•Should I take guitar lessons? Join a cooking class? An aerobics class? Devote even *more* time to my pursuit of the development of my ultimate time-waster, I mean, website?

Sorry. Couldn't resist.

On a more serious note, I'm beginning to feel my anxiety build as I prepare my personal statement (I'd like to just say, "Pick me! Pick me, please!!!") and my ERAS stuff. What general tips do any of you who have survived the match process have for fledglings like me?

What would you have done differently during your fourth year if you were given the chance to do it over (aside from trying desperately to fail so that you could do another fourth year just 'cuz it's a great year)?

<img src="http://www.geocities.com/metalmedicine/Fanconiw.jpg" alt=" - " />•••••If I had to do fourth year over, I would have taken USMLE Step I early in September and gotten that thing over with. I took it in October, which is still early, but getting this exam out of the way makes the year much nicer. Step II is not as pathological as Step I.

I also would have bugged my rotation attendings earlier for getting their letters in. You just don't want anything to be too late for ERAS or to be a hassle. Fourth year is great(aside from getting tired of the interviews!)and the most enjoyable of medical school. :wink:

 

[Whisker Barrel Cortex]

Tips for application process:
1. Apply early. Try to get everything in as early as possible. This includes ERAS and LOR. Some places will wait for your dean's letter on Nov 1 to give and interview but many will not.

2. Schedule trips to the same parts of the country around the same time as much as possible.

3. Schedule programs you are less interested in for the first 1-2 interviews to get more used to the process. Do the ones you really think you will like in the middle, because this is when you will most likely shine (not as nervous, but not yet tired). Then for the final 1-2 again go for the ones that you'll expect will be lower on your list. By that time many people are tired of interviews and it may be hard to show your enthusiasm.

4. Don't overdo the # of interviews. I was really worried about matching in rads and ended up interviewing at 20 programs. The last five I just wanted to be out of there, even though some of these were really good programs. I'd say 10-15 is a better range, depending on the specialty.

Now tips for the rest of the year:

1. You probably already have your schedule, but if possible try to get your harder rotations early on. I did that and had the best last 7 months ever while also learning a lot. My roommate did his Medicine sub-I, Cardiology, and SICU his last three months and worked his ass off while the rest of us were having fun.

2. Try to pick stuff that will really help in your specialty. (for example I did pulmonary consults which taught me a lot about CXR and chest CT.)

3. HAVE FUN! Once internship starts, everything changes.

 

[Fanconi]

Okay, here's another one for ya. I'm applying to two different specialties (an amazingly tough one to get into as well as an easier "back up" 'cuz I'm a chicken).

Is it poor form to apply to two different programs at the same school? Will one know about the other? Should I be totally up front about it on interviews, or instead abide by "Don't ask, don't tell?"



Anyone else in this awful situation?