The Goal: Retrace the natural progression of 4th year
What you do, when and why? Plus advice.
“So, you’re approaching the end of 3rd year, you’ve picked your specialty, what’s the first thing on your mind as you contemplate your transition to 4th year?”
Acting internships:
- AI/Sub-I: what is it and why are they important?
- What is the AI’s/Sub-I’s role?: how to be successful on sub-I’s rotations
- Role of the MS3 vs. role of the MS4
- How many AIs should you do?
- When should you do them?
- Other.
Away rotations:
- What are they and why are they important?
- But, seriously, do I really have to do one?
- Which specialties “require” them, which ones don’t?
- You’ve decided to do one. How do you make a good impression?
- Scheduling: through VSAS vs. not through VSAS
- When do they usually happen?
- Other.
Letters of recommendation:
- Who do you ask to write them?
- How many do you ask for?
- How should you go about getting them?
- Other.
“So, sub-Is are done and letters are in. What happens next?”
Residency applications and ERAS:
- Walk us through the application itself and the process of applying.
- What’s on the application?
- How much time does it take to complete it?
- When should you start filling it out?
- When does it have to be submitted?
- If you could back back and do it again, what would you do differently, what would you do the same, and why?
- Networking: Should you contact a residency program outside of the application?
- Other.
[Not sure when Step 2 will come up, but I’m guessing alongside a discussion of ERAS it might rear its head]
The Step 2s
- Step 2 CK vs. Step 2 CS
- What’s the difference?
- When should you take them and why?
- Where do you taken them???
- How much time should you budget to study for them?
- Other.
Residency interviews:
- The Courtship: How should you prepare?
- They are judging you.
- You are judging them.
- How many should you do?
- Scheduling: how fast do you really need to respond to an offer?
- Other.
- Budgeting tips…
- Travel tips…
The Rank List
- Tell us about it: What it is and how do you want to fill it out?
- Other.
The Match:
- Tell us about it: What is it and how does it work?
- Match Day.
- Special considerations: Couples matching
SOAP / The Scramble
- What is it, how does it work, and what should you do if you have to do it?
“Congratulations you’ve matched 🙂 what are you going to do now until graduation?”
Post-Match
- How much freetime and fun can you actually have during 4th year?
- How are you preparing to be an intern and for residency in general?
- Other.
- Tying up loose ends and getting ready to move…
What haven’t we talked about that you think listeners should be aware of as they head into 4th year?
- This one’s all you!
Wrap up
- Throw highs, do some chest bumps, and say our goodbyes.