Roadmap to Residency: - AAMC

Roadmap to Residency: FromApplication to the Match and BeyondVI. Preparing to ApplyThis section provides an outline of thevarious components required for theresidency application process.A. What information is needed?A full application to residency usuallyconsists of the following items:1. A completed applicationMost residency training programs,and a growing number of fellowshipprograms, use ERAS to receive theirapplications. The ERAS CommonApplication Form (CAF) is used inapplying to ERAS-participatingprograms. The application worksheet,which gives a preview of the data thatwill be required, is available in PDFformat on the ERAS applicant Website (www.aamc.org/students/eras).Programs not participating in ERASmay request a printout of the ERASapplication in lieu of completing acustom application form for thatprogram.Programs participating in the SanFrancisco Matching Program use theCentral Application Service (CAS) toreceive applications(www.sfmatch.org).Some programs use the UniversalApplication for Residency form. Acopy can be obtained directly fromthe program, or from the program’sWeb site. A copy is also available onthe NRMP Web site (www.nrmp.org,Application Processes).Some programs have developed theirown Web site or processes for onlineapplications. Check with individualprograms for more specific information.2. A personal statementThe personal statement describes theapplicant’s individual motivations fora career in medicine, and includesinformation about how the applicantbest “fits” the specialty to which he orshe is applying.In ERAS, an applicant may create asmany personal statements as desired.Thus, an applicant can use thepersonal statement to customize theinformation sent to each individualresidency training program. Someprograms request that specific itemsbe included or addressed in thepersonal statement. Check eachprogram’s Web site for more information.Although applicants may use variousservices and Web sites to obtain hintson how best to construct theirpersonal statements, they are stronglyadvised not to take text directly fromsample personal statements. Programstaff have noticed the same textoccurring repetitively in personalstatements from different applicants,and they do not look favorably uponthis practice. At best, programs mayconsider such applicants to beunmotivated and not offer them theopportunity for an interview withprogram representatives. At worst,they may consider this to be plagiarismand unprofessional conduct, andmay report offending applicants toERAS, the NRMP, the ECFMG, or theAmerican Board of MedicalSpecialties (ABMS, www.abms.org)for investigation.A personal statement typicallyconsists of information about one’sprofessional background, a summaryof academic and clinical qualifications,how the decision was made topursue medicine and the chosenspecialty as a career, and career goals.The personal statement also shouldreflect information about one’spersonality and style that is relevantto residency training in the selectedspecialty, but the personal statementshould not be an exhaustive autobiography.It is an opportunity toshowcase one’s unique qualities,talents, and professional passions andto explain how they might beexpressed in a career in medicine andthis specialty.Many students consult withpersonnel in their medical school’sstudent affairs office or universitywriting center for assistance increating a succinct and effectivepersonal statement.3. Letters of recommendationMost programs require a minimumof three letters of recommendationfrom each applicant. In ERAS, theapplicant may assign and send up tofour letters to each program. Thefourth slot is available for thosedocuments required by programs thatare considered legitimate ERASdocuments. These include the socalled“California letter” (theApplicant Evaluation Status Letterfrom the Medical Board ofCalifornia), which internationalmedical graduates must submit whenthey apply for residency training inthe state of California. ERAS also14Association of American Medical Colleges, 2005