Overview

Having selected your future specialty, and chosen prospective programs of genuine interest, you are now at the next key juncture, namely, submitting your applications to secure a residency appointment. Thus, at this point, preparation of all the material to be submitted in support of an application for a PGY-1 position is essential. To attain your goal, it is important to be a salesperson, with the aim of presenting yourself in the most favorable light possible. This means providing appropriate accurate and complete responses to all questions and issues raised during the application process. To do so, you need to carefully read each application, preferably more than once. Be certain that your responses to all questions are clear and up-to-date.

In the individual residency program files that you create for yourself, note all (a) deadlines that need to be met and (b) material that the program specifically requests. By this means you help ensure that the processing of your application will not be delayed because needed information or material is unavailable to the program director. Do not assume that you will be notified by a residency program that some document is missing or that your application is incomplete. They may well not do so and consequently you can lose out in the application process by default. Copies of all communications and logs of all phone calls should be kept in the relevant program file. A meticulous approach to record-keeping is essential to stay on top of things.