When do I start the application process?

[WnderWmn10]

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MS-III here. I am just wondering when do people start applying for residencies and when it's good to have that stuff submitted? I am trying to figure out when to schedule my step II and it'd be nice to know how busy things will be around this time.

Thanks!

 

[The Buff]

You can start entering things into ERAS July 1st. Residencies can look at anything you have submitted September 1st or so. Depending on the specialty programs will start to offer interviews around now, so submitting right on September 1 is not crucial, but don't wait too long either. That said, many programs, especially the better ones, will wait for the Dean's Letter to be published, which is November 1st, to offer interviews.

 

[Droopy Snoopy]

MS-III here. I am just wondering when do people start applying for residencies and when it's good to have that stuff submitted? I am trying to figure out when to schedule my step II and it'd be nice to know how busy things will be around this time.

Thanks!

Use the summer to start getting your ERAS app together (PS and CV rough drafts, hunting down LOR writers, researching programs on FREIDA) and to study for Step II. Target date to take Step II depends somewhat if you're early match or regular, also if you're trying to compensate for a low Step I (or trying not to blow a fluke high Step I).

Something else to consider is you'll likely also be doing sub-I's and away rotations early; you'll want to be able to focus and do well. It is a busy time of year, and seems like everyone likes to do things differently so, much like every other piece of getting-through-med-school-advice, there's no 'right' way to do it.

I wanted M3 concepts to be fresh and get these things over with. Took Step II CK last week of June (we have the last three weeks of June off between M3-4) followed by an anatomy review course in July. CS first week of August just prior to starting my sub-I.

Got my ERAS stuff together gradually and submitted Sept 14th or thereabouts. Hopefully go on 5-10 interviews by January, along with getting my cores out of the way. Then I've basically got the rest of the year off.

 

[hsans23]

In one is seeking LORs from people they meet through away rotations, as I imagine is typical, by what months should one schedule the aways, and when do the letters need to be added to the application? I heard that you could submit ERAS and add your letters later.

Thanks!

 

[Law2Doc]

In one is seeking LORs from people they meet through away rotations, as I imagine is typical, by what months should one schedule the aways, and when do the letters need to be added to the application? I heard that you could submit ERAS and add your letters later.

Thanks!

You generally want LORs to be in sometime in October at the latest, so obviously anything you do after that is not as useful. Also interviewing starts in November for many specialties, so you don't really want to be taking days off of an away rotation to interview elsewhere. So you probably want to plan on any away rotations during the July-October months IMHO.

 

[Droopy Snoopy]

You generally want LORs to be in sometime in October at the latest, so obviously anything you do after that is not as useful. Also interviewing starts in November for many specialties, so you don't really want to be taking days off of an away rotation to interview elsewhere. So you probably want to plan on any away rotations during the July-October months IMHO.

Agreed. A typical semester schedule for someone applying ortho might be
July -- anatomy review course or research month.
Aug -- home ortho sub-I (get LOR)
Sept -- away (get LOR)
Oct -- away
Nov -- core (something like Peds that'll allow travel time for early interviews)
Dec -- off for interviews

Throw in maybe a gensurg LOR from M3 year which you've taken care of earlier and you're set.

 

[vtucci]

The earlier you can schedule your acting internships the better-- this way, it gives the letter writer time to get the LOR (SLOR in my case) in. June, July and August are traditionally recommended.

Ask for other LORs as early as possible (even in your third year after you finish the rotation).

I took Step IICK in August and StepIICS in October. Some of this will depend on your Step I score and intended specialty.