Where to begin?

[duckied123]

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How does one actually begin the process of figuring out what type of residency program is "right" for them? I know there is general information that can be found online (CASPR Directory, etc), in addition to program-specific sites, but this doesn't even begin to tell the whole story behind a program it seems.

As a first year, we are encouraged to attend discussions with residents who come to share information about their programs. I feel my classmates and I are very lost in terms of what we should be listening/looking for. Do surgical case numbers matter? What makes a good program? etc.

I realize I still have a lot of time to figure all of this out but would appreciate some guidance! Thank you for your help!

 

[panujanu]

There is an anonymous review posted by APMSA on their website by current residents. The site is http://www.apmsa.org/ You need to login. If you have never logged in talk with your school delegate. That one helps give you an idea of the programs and what they are like a little more.

 

[duckied123]

Thanks so much! I do have a login. I will check it out.

 

[ldsrmdude]

How does one actually begin the process of figuring out what type of residency program is "right" for them? I know there is general information that can be found online (CASPR Directory, etc), in addition to program-specific sites, but this doesn't even begin to tell the whole story behind a program it seems.

As a first year, we are encouraged to attend discussions with residents who come to share information about their programs. I feel my classmates and I are very lost in terms of what we should be listening/looking for. Do surgical case numbers matter? What makes a good program? etc.

I realize I still have a lot of time to figure all of this out but would appreciate some guidance! Thank you for your help!

In addition to the APMSA reviews, I would encourage you to talk to as many people who are further along in the process as you can. Upper-classmen, residents, even attendings. I found SDN to be helpful as well. There are a few of us residents and some attendings who are in here. We all have our own opinions and biases, but I am always willing to answer questions via PM or on the forums here. There are quite a few residency reviews in the sticky at the top of this forum that are helpful as well.

The best general advice I can think of is to figure out what you want your practice to be like and look for the residency program that will best train you for that scenario. If you want to work in a high-volume trauma center at a large teaching hospital, it would be a good idea to train at one as opposed to a small community hospital with mostly bread and butter cases. As students it can be easy to think of residency as the end goal, but it really isn't.

 

[Shireiqiang]

Can I just preach about a safety net? By the time you are applying you will likely know a handful of programs that fit into the great/good/average/weak categories, just be sure to clerk at one of the good programs that you will be a shoe-in to match to. Go to at least one program that isn't crazy competitive, a safety-net for you to land in. Play the game, or it will play you. There are a lot of good programs out there. Good luck.