Matchmaking 101 Matching into residency: A breakdown of 10 specialties These specialty-specific insights from program directors and residents can help you land the residency program you want. Nov. 6, 2019Wednesday Ashley Altus Contact Ashley Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email From interviews to rank order lists, matching into residency can be an intense process. Knowing which traits, extracurriculars and experiences program directors in different specialties value can help you understand how to stand out and match successfully. While quantitative characteristics such as grades and board scores are important during the match, program directors also look for specialty-specific qualities in residency applicants. The articles linked below share insights on matching into residency in 10 different specialties. 1. Matching into anesthesiology Applicants who excel in the basic sciences and pharmacology typically do well in anesthesiology residency programs. 2. Matching into dermatology Having dermatology research experience or publications in dermatology can help set you apart as a dermatology residency applicant. 3. Matching into emergency medicine The SLOE (standard letter of evaluation), unique to emergency medicine, allows program directors to compare applicants easily. It is often the heaviest weighed part of a candidate’s application. 4. Matching into family medicine Debbie Lupeika, MD, a family medicine program director at Shasta Community Health Center, values seeing applicants with a strong interest in the specialty and community health. 5. Matching into ob-gyn One of the keys to match success for Catherine Caponero, DO, was getting heavily involved in the national student society of The American College of Osteopathic Obstreicans & Gynecologists (ACOOG). Catherine Caponero, DO 6. Matching into orthopedic surgery Wade Faerber, DO, an orthopedic surgery program director at Riverside University Health System, looks for applicants who are team players. Potential residents typically must rotate at his program to be considered for an interview. 7. Matching into osteopathic manipulative medicine Program directors are interested in applicants with a sustained interest in OMM, which can include research experience, says Mark Thai, DO, a program director for the OMM/NMM fellowship at Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences. Matthew Barker, DO, completed a dual residency program at the University of North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine that combined family medicine and osteopathic manipulative medicine. 8. Matching into pediatrics Pediatrics program directors look for candidates who are well-rounded, says Simrin Atwal, DO, a pediatrics resident at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria. She encourages applicants to obtain letters of recommendation from pediatric attendings as well as attendings from other fields. 9. Matching into plastic surgery Diligence, resilience and a good work ethic will take plastic surgery residency applicants far, says Tony Weaver, DO, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Huntsville Hospital. Tony Weaver, DO, performs plastic surgery. 10. Matching into general surgery Jeffrey Baron, DO, a general surgery resident at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, completed 14 interviews and applied to 55 programs before landing his first-choice residency. Related reading: Pro tips for nailing your residency interviews and audition rotations Pros and cons of turning down an audition rotation: What you need to know Audition rotations: 7 tips for success More in Training Being a DO in a heavily MD residency program: What surprised me I was incredibly nervous to join a large MD-dominant internal medicine residency, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much my osteopathic training helped me excel. Free webinar for graduating medical students will share strategies on reducing student loan debt Presented by Student Loan Professor, the April 9 webinar will provide attendees with expert tips on saving money, relieving financial stress and managing their student loans. Previous articleThe best and worst states for health care in 2019 Next articleMayo Clinic researchers find dairy products associated with increased risk of prostate cancer
Being a DO in a heavily MD residency program: What surprised me I was incredibly nervous to join a large MD-dominant internal medicine residency, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much my osteopathic training helped me excel.
Free webinar for graduating medical students will share strategies on reducing student loan debt Presented by Student Loan Professor, the April 9 webinar will provide attendees with expert tips on saving money, relieving financial stress and managing their student loans.