Residency Applications

 How to prepare for Residency Applications

  • at every rotation DO YOUR BEST PERFORMANCE. When preceptors see your hard work and your efforts, they will want to recommend you
  • After each rotation, write thank you cards to your preceptors 
  • Network with other attendings and give them than you cards before you leave the rotation
  • Network with program directors (meet with them privately before leaving, too) and give them thank you cards, as well.
  • At the beginning of 4th year, start reaching out to the preceptors of 3rd year requesting an LOR (insert sample here). For me I asked all my preceptors 3rd and 4th year, since I had a gap year.
  • At the beginning of your 4th year, start preparing with the materials that are needed to be added to your application - MSPE application, personal statement, chair letter, etc.
  • You will need to create multiple drafts of your personal statement. ENSURE to show it to at least 5 people - those in medicine and those not in medicine. Have the personal statement done, as well as, the rest of the application at least 1 month before submission. This will give you time to create an Excel sheet to decide which programs to apply to.
  • Create an excel sheet that has all the information you need in one place. I used FREIDA, ERAS Residency Tool, and each program’s website to develop mine (see sample)
  • If you are applying to one or multiple specialties, this advice works for all specialities. 

The timeline to contact programs -- 

  • On Date: Apply 
  • 1 week from MSPE: Send out a interest E-mail (reach out to me directly for a sample template) to all programs 
  • 1 month from MSPE: Make a call (reach out to me directly to be for a script template) & if they do not pick up send a follow-up e-mail (reach out to me directly for a sample template) to all programs
  • 2 months from MSPE: Send an interview request e-mail (insert SAMPLE) to all program 
  • 3 months from MSPE: Send a final e-mail with the reason why the program is good for you and why you are good for the program as a cover letter (reach out to me directly for a sample template) to those you really want to interview and match at. 
  • You cannot initiate communication with a program is via ERAS “Postal Service”, so it is important to look for their e-mails and phone numbers. In your Excel sheet, not only look for the e-mail addresses and phone numbers on FREIDA Database, but on their main website. 

Of note, it is important to make connections wherever you rotate - with attendings, residents, etc. to help you when you need help in putting a good word in, and do not feel shy to reach out to these people in time of need.


What is Pre-Match (early match) versus MATCH versus Post-Match? Pre-match is the process by which some programs who do not participate in National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) compared to the conventional match process. Post-match is ether during Match Week with SOAP (Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program) or available positions after Match Week or the match process has closed out.


I feel that this process has definitely worked for me. As I received 20 interviews (17 that participate in NRMP and 3 that did not). Given that I had these many interviews, I figured that I would participate in NRMP and did not accept offers from the 3 pre-match programs who did give me offers within 1 week of my interview (which is possible for you, too). Nevertheless, I matched, but not to my top choice, but to my second. How did I determine my rank list? Although, I applied to states in which I could move to with my significant other at the time, I knew I would want to say within the New Jersey/New York region and ranked my programs accordingly. I was upset the day I found out where I matched, but in retrospect, I did not know how amazing residency in the NYC region would turn out for me. I am not sure why I did not get my first choice, but looking at my medical school's statistics, my top program had many medical students match into their program, and maybe it was overly saturated?


if you want to read a book to help you guide you through the process, I recommend the "The Successful Match: 200 Rules to Succeed in the Residency Match" by By Rajani Katta and Samir P. Desai


What to wear for interviews? I would recommend wearing a muted suit; my go-to color is navy blue with a button down white shirt and black kitten heels.


How to prepare for interviews? Run through as many as questions as you can. It is the best way to prepare.


Any questions? Please feel free to reach out to me directly: info.doctorpdg@gmail.com

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