Student Advice
Below you will find some financial tips and other advice offered by our students
"My biggest advice is to find mentors who can guide you through it from the beginning. It is important for one of these mentors to have knowledge of the residency programs you will be applying into... This mentor should be able to answer questions such as: What programs align with my residency program goals and I should be applying to? Could you get me connected with a residency program before applications are sent?"
" Be very intentional with the signaling of programs if you have the option. Talk to mentors in the field you are applying to and career advisors to decide how many "reach" programs you should be signaling.
Use Residency explorer/Frieda/Texas STAR to guide you on which programs are "reach" but don't be discouraged, these are all patterns and averages. Reach for the stars!
Attend as many open houses and events as you can for the programs that you are interested in.
Have a deadline for yourself to get everything completed/submitted that is before the day submission opens."
“Build a relationship with the financial advisor for your school. Meet with them as your making your rank list (or before), see what options you have if you are worried about the costs. Sometimes you are able to making budget adjustments and request more money.”
"Start early! Start updating your CV early on and keep it updated as you progress through medical school.
Don't overthink your personal statement. It is a place to tell other parts of your story and highlight who you are and why that field but it often is not the most important part of the application.
The process is very nerve wrecking with a lot of time where you are just waiting. Find people to talk to and spend time with to pass the time while you are waiting"
" Recommend sending letters of interest to programs prior to interview release date, if permitted by your specialty.
Reach out to attendings/residents at the programs you are interested in before, during, and after interview season to express interest,
Send letters of intent before programs meet to discuss the applicants they interviewed
Apply to Away rotations early, start looking in January of year you are applying. Don't be afraid to turn down aways for better opportunities, do it early and thank them for the opportunity."
"Filling out that ERAS application can be both physically and emotionally draining. It is OK and actually very important to take care of yourself during this time. Do not cram it all into one day, or even one week. Take whatever time you have to reflect on your accomplishments up to this point, and how you can best reflect those in the words that you choose for your personal statement and descriptions of activities.
Just as you have sought out mentors for other parts of your medical education, this is an important time to have as many eyes as possible review your work. Overall, remember that you deserve to represent yourself as positively as possible."
Carolina Mora Hurtado
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health