Checklist
Last half of Year 3
- You should choose specialty-specific advisor(s) in the winter of your 3rd year. Advisors will help to you in matters relating to your fourth year schedule, career choice and applications for residency. As you are deciding on your specialty choice, you may have more than one specialty-specific advisor.
- If you are considering specialties that require away rotations (e.g., emergency medicine, or the surgical sub-specialties) now is the time to begin investigating potential site for those rotations. The Offices of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs will assist you in navigating the Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) system.
- You will gain access the the ERAS letter of recommendation portal during this timeframe. As you identify faculty members to write your letters, provide them with a letter request form. Check this link for further details on letters of recommendation.
Summer between Years 3 and 4
- Sign up for the ERAS and NRMP and/or other applicable matches (e.g. ophthalmology, urology, and military).
- Prepare your Curriculum Vitae and personal statement. The CV is a source of information for preparing your MSPE and for faculty and the department chairperson in writing letters of recommendation.
- Prepare the “Noteworthy Characteristics” section of the MSPE.
- Meet with your faculty advisor(s).
- Continue to identify faculty members for your letters of recommendation.
- Keep track of relevant deadlines for completing applications to individual programs and to deadlines for participating in specialty matches, the military, and the NRMP.
- Prepare and maintain a working list of residency programs to which you will be applying. You may wish to keep an organized written record or chart of where you are in the application process for each residency program and update it frequently.
September 15
- Send Applications via ERAS to programs
- Register with NRMP
- Accept and create a calendar for interviews.
- Whenever possible, your interviews should be scheduled during your vacation time.
- You are expected to have 100% attendance on clinical rotations. On occasion, you may receive special permission for additional time away.
- On occasion, a course director may give a student special permission to take time away. No student should expect more than two days away from a 2-week elective and three days away from a 4-week elective.
Last half of September
- Review your MSPE. The Office of Student Affairs will notify you when the final draft is ready. This review will provide you with an opportunity to check for factual accuracy and be aware of what is being sent on your behalf.
After completion of your Interviews
- Prepare your tentative rank list of programs.
- Enter your final rank list by February
- Relax until Match Day!