Should i call residency programs

If your cat got their wisdom teeth out, no need to tell the program director at your top few choices. However, if your submitted paper got published in a top-notch journal, if your Step 2 CK score came in and was off the charts, or if a medical mission so affirmed your desire to be a trauma surgeon that you absolutely had to tell the program, then send an email, short and to the point, that you wanted to share this update to your application.

Use your judgement when it comes to deciding if the accolade is worth mentioning. Honesty is the best policy. If you get caught lying on your application, or even being surreptitious or misleading, this can scar your reputation throughout your career. No matter how large your chosen field might seem, program directors interact fairly often, and if you tell multiple programs that you are ranking them number one, you could put yourself in a potentially catastrophic bind.

Strive to be honest and transparent; shoot straight the whole way through. Are you going to actually rank them number one? Or is it a plan for the time being. Will you follow through with your plan? I plan to go to the gym tonight, but life gets in the way quite often in this thing we call medical education.

This one should really go without saying, but there are too many applications and emails that I see with misspellings that just needed a slow, dedicated proofread. Check, double check, triple check, and then have someone else lay eyes on all of your work before it goes out. Too many emails are full of these platitudes, lacking substance and a reason for being.

I was fascinated by the array of research opportunities and really appreciated the focus on resident wellness. This could literally refer to any residency program. Cons: Is a little slow, intentions may be misunderstood. Most often it is best to address your correspondence to the Program Coordinator and CC the Program Director or mention them in your letter. This can vary of course. Want to discuss this topic and more?

In the mad rush leading up to your match, it can be easy to click submit hastily or send out one email template to all programs to save time, but think carefully before you click! Thoughtful and tactful communication is key in sending the right message to your programs. Download our Residency Timeline for an example of how to organize your application schedule.

Learn to be Savvy! Get creative pre-med strategies delivered right to your inbox. We follow the email Golden Rule: we will never send you anything without your permission. All work on this site is our own.

The content for the Savvy med school search was found on the webpages of the respective medical schools. Search Schools. Blog March 11, Ali Murtha.

Post a comment. The Real Deadlines for Medical School. Medical schools are stepping up to help as well. The office also is increasing the number of scheduled guidance sessions and connecting students with recent alumni who can provide insights as applicants assess whether a program might make a good fit.

As leaders strive to help all applicants, they worry in particular about those who may be most affected by the pandemic, including students of color. Harrington worries that some students who lack connections will be at a disadvantage. Economic disparities play a role as well, say observers.

For example, some students may have weak Wi-Fi or other less-than-ideal at-home interviewing conditions. In response, schools are working to offer students campus spaces for their interviews. Daulton makes another suggestion: Schools or programs should provide a standardized interview backdrop to level the playing field. Individuals from lower-income backgrounds also sometimes attend lesser-known medical schools, which could hurt their chances, says Lindqwister.

Still, Matin remains optimistic. New section. New section Medical Education Diversity and Inclusion Applying to residency is tough even in normal times.