About the Book Table of Contents Excerpt from Chapter 2: Specialty-specific Information Excerpt from Chapter 13: Interview Questions

What does it take to match into the specialty and program of your choice?

In advising students over the years, we’ve realized that misperceptions abound, with students frequently overestimating or underestimating certain residency selection criteria. These misperceptions may result in a failure to match with a particular specialty or lead to a match with a less desirable residency program.

From our own experiences as students, and in the process of counseling students, we know how difficult, anxiety-provoking, and mysterious the residency selection process is. In this book, we answer the question of what it takes to match successfully. We provide specific evidence-based advice to maximize your chances of a successful match.

Who actually chooses the residents? We review the data on the decision makers. What do these decision makers care about? We review the data on the criteria that matter to them. How can you convince them that you would be the right resident for their program? We provide concrete, practical recommendations based on this data.

Inside:

• Who are the decision-makers and what do they care about? Chapter 2 summarizes the data, specific to each field, on the relative importance of USMLE scores, AOA status, number of honors grades, research experience, and other criteria.
• In one study, 1/3 of applicants were actually ranked lower following the interview. Another study found that 14% of interviews resulted in unranked applicants. Chapters 12 through 16 outline the pitfalls that applicants face.
• One study of recommendation letters found that key information, such as interpersonal communication skills and cognitive knowledge, was often lacking. What can you do to help your letter writers write the best possible letter?
• A survey of program directors was performed to determine the most important aspects of a personal statement. What were the three most important?

Utilizing a unique combination of evidence-based advice and an insiders’ perspective, this book will help you achieve your ultimate goal: The Successful Match.

Read the first chapter