Post-Match Feedback

The following information is feedback from AUA students and graduates who have gone through
a least one Match process and have offered to share the lessons they learned along the way.
Note: these reflect the students own experiences and the quotes cited are their opinions which
may prove helpful for your own journey.

Research all programs you apply to/granted an interview. Be prepared to be asked about your
academic record and be truthful in your response as you do not know what avenues they will use
to confirm. Set realistic goals for what you think you can get into but do not be afraid to apply to
competitive programs. Use ACGME and FRIEDA websites and be proactive.

Do your research! Most programs have lots of detailed information on their websites which is
very helpful. Pay attention to IMG requirements. Some programs flat out do not accept or
interview IMGs. This info can be found on their website. Also some program have USMLE Step
1 and Step 2 cut off scores and you will be rejected based on your step scores, also this info can
be found on programs website. Some programs do not have detailed information on their
websites about IMG requirements, but look at their current residents and if they have no IMGs in
their program, or graduates of their program, its safe to say that particular program is not IMG
friendly. Have a backup plan! If you are not a strong/competitive applicant, apply to more than
one specialty (ex. Family Medicine and Ob/Gyn). Applications can be very expensive, but if you
are not a competitive applicant you need to maximize your options to match. Therefore, save
your money so you are able to apply to as many programs as possible. Traveling to interviews
can become expensive. Try to save money before hand to prepare for the expense of airfare,
hotel, transportation, food, etc. During interviews everyone asked why did you go to a
Caribbean medical school. Be prepared to have a good answer. Also before an interview,
research the program and know a few facts or something unique to the program. And the last
thing, score high on your USMLE Step 1 & 2! From talking to various friends, those with higher
step scores received more interviews and were accepted to their top choice. A lower score limits
how many interviews you receive, and harder to match into a more competitive program.

The most important factor in securing the most interviews is submitting the application on
09/01 and preferably having the application complete, e.g. Step scores, LORs. Also, having a
strong LOR from the program director in the specialty that one is applying to makes a huge
difference. And lastly, but certainly not in the least, demonstrating a friendly and professional
attitude with confidence and enthusiasm during the interviews sets one apart from the rest of the
crowd.

Apply to many programs; everywhere. Do not limit yourself. Go to all the interviews if
possible. Some of the places that I interviewed at I went with a preconception of not liking the
program; but those turned out to be some of the programs I really liked. Look at what is
important to you, for me location and being closer to my family was important. For everyone, its
different, but be open minded. Have a backup in case you do not get interviews in the specialty
of your choice. Its a stressful, hard, long process but worth it in the end especially if you end up
where you want to!
Do well on your boards. Apply all over the country, be open to moving away from home. Get
all your documents in on time. Always follow up on all interviews with a hand written Thank
You card.

Try to get to know the residents, try to do an extra activity if you wish; like second look,
observership, and attending lectures.

Try and get all your rotations scheduled early back to back because it leaves you with more time
to fully prepare.

If you apply to two specialties, make sure you really have given it a good thought; because it is
difficult to choose after you have already been to interviews and if you are offered a pre-match in
one over the other.

Step 1 really plays a huge role in securing a spot in/out of the match. An FMG needs a really
high score to even be considered for an interview. Take the test seriously, study hard and score
really high the 1st time.

Cannot overstate the importance of doing well on Step 1 and 2. Having all documents prepared
in timely fashion reduces stress. Don't listen to rumors!

Students should try to set up electives at Hospitals that have residency programs, it will give
them the opportunity to stand out. Avoid doing electives at hospitals over-crowded by 300+
students. No one will notice your work.

Write Step 2CK and have score in before Sep 1st. Personal statement matters a lot. Most
interviewers were impressed by PS and thus granted interview.

I was lucky to have all my step scores by 9/1. I applied to a variety of programs across the
nation, which increased my chances to receive interviews. I thought it was important to attend all
14 of my interviews to get a perspective on what I was looking for in a residency program.
Before interviews, I found it very helpful to make a list of questions that I wanted to ask my
interviewers about the program. I went to a couple of programs for 2nd looks to show further
interest. Almost every program I interviewed at asked me about AUA since it is a relatively new
Caribbean medical school when compared to Ross and St. Georges.

Do not rush to take USMLE Step 2 CK exam.

I think the way to obtain most interviews is to apply early and have a completed application-
LOR, test scores all Step 1, 2 CK and CS prior to applying. Also once invited for the interview,
they dont look at the score but rather are more concerned with the enthusiasm and dedication to
join the program.

Take the time needed for board exams.

I think part of the reason I did not receive that many interviews is because I did not take Step 2
until early December, so my scores did not come in until mid-January. By that time, a lot of the
programs I had applied to were finished interviewing. I wish I would have taken Step 2 sooner.
Also, the rank order list was somewhat confusing for me, as I was applying for Advanced
positions as well as 1st year. It took me a while to figure out how to do the primary and
supplementary lists.

Work hard. Score high on USMLE. Get visible during rotations, learn to network and
communicate well. Good LOR's can make a strong difference. Be sure to call programs and
follow up on status of your applications as programs may not open your application unless you
do so. Good luck to all my fellow AUA students!

Make sure you thoroughly read the Residency Preparation Manual. Know all the important
dates for ERAS and NRMP. Schedule interviews as soon as possible after getting an interview
offer. Send personalized thank you notes right after the interview.

Use RPM for timeline. Be proactive about performing electives at hospitals you are interested
in applying to. Be prepared for pre-match offers as they have deadlines for acceptance.

The single greatest reason for me matching where I did was the fact I was able to get an elective
rotation at Maimonides. During the rotation, I made it my goal to work hard and to stand out to
the extent that the residents, fellows, and attendings would have a good impression of me. At the
same token, I was able to communicate well with those very same individuals and developed a
great working relationship with them. I also made my interest known to them and to the
residency coordinator. The residency coordinator is the one who usually issues the interviews, so
getting on her good side (usually a female) and developing a relationship with her is one of the
best things you can do. The interview itself comes down to the individual and who you present
yourself and speak to those who are interviewing you. I had my own personal obstacles so this
was the route I had to take to gain success in a very competitive match.

I would like to suggest an applicant to take an elective at the hospital/program where she/he is
planning to apply for the residency.

Schedule electives at hospitals where you would like to complete residency.

I wish I had done more research about programs and the residency process. I also wish I had
started my application and personal statement months in advance. I would recommend taking
Step 2 CK & CS well in advance to ensure that scores return in a timely manner.

Try to get rotations at places where you can match. Then, do well. When it comes to surgery, the
bottom line is we are Caribbean students and there is a stigmabut, get your foot in the door and
let things fall where they may. **Call places after you apply and ask the status of your
application, and have them make a note on your file that you followed up, and you would like to
be a part of that program.

Apply to at least 25% more programs you think is necessary. Visit and interview with at least
25% more programs than you think is necessary. Practice interviews, answers, and be genuine.
Be liberal in allowing yourself backup programs/specialties. Quality of life should definitely be
considered when picking places to apply. Practice boasting about your attributes; it is sometimes
uncomfortable to "brag" about yourself, but this is very important! Personality compatibility with
residents at any program is critical.

Apply EARLY. I applied Sep 1 and received around 5 interviews the first week. I was missing a
LOR and still received the invites. Submit the LORs early as well. If you wait till August 1st, it
can take up to 8 weeks for ERAS to update the LOR.

Apply early, have all of the documents in on time, and schedule interviews with plenty of time
in between because they get very tiring.

Timing is definitely key. It was very important to start gathering documents such as LORs,
personal statements, list of programs to apply to, etc., early on in the process. I found it very
difficult to study for Step 2, and work on my application, and to do rotations at the same time, so
it would have been beneficial if I could have started on the application earlier. Keep in touch
with the programs youre interested in. If you havent heard back from them, give them a call,
itll show your level of interest in the program. Be yourself in the interview. Dont try to pretend
youre something youre not.

Make sure to get all apps in by 9/1, research programs that you qualify for. Have your personal
statement read by others to check for quality. Research programs that other AUA students
matched into.

Apply on Sept. 1. Most programs fill all their interviews within the first week. Step 3 helps get
interviews if step 1 or 2 score is low.

Send Applications out on the first day possible. Late applications (even by a couple of weeks)
can cost you interviews.

Have your application ready on 9/1-the process is very time sensitive. Do not underestimate the
power of your PS & LOR's, as they can give you interviews. If you know what program you will
rank #1, make sure the program knows-you may be given a pre-match.

Definitely try to do away electives and make sure the program director or associate PD knows
you. Take all your exams early to be ready for 9/1. Applying on 9/1 will improve your chances of
getting interviews. Know the score requirements of all programs you apply to. Apply to more
programs than would be normal for your USMLE score. Be nice to EVERYONE you encounter
in your interview.

Away electives are VERY helpful in establishing rapport between student and residency
program. Applying on 9/1 is the best strategy to optimize interview invitations. Taking CK & CS
before Aug/Sept is very important for IMG's. Black suits are overrated (I wore a grey pinstriped
suit and stood out). Interviewers are excited when you are excited about your chosen specialty.
In choosing your ROL, gut feeling is better than prestige, rank or location. Making a good
impression on clinical rotations is important for STRONG LORS. Thank you cards are overrated
- email thank yous are fine. Don't underestimate yourself. If you are competitive, apply to
competitive places as well! Don't be afraid to call programs you are interested in if you have not
received an interview or rejection from them- I got 2 very good University interviews this way.

You should apply very broadly. At least based on my experience, I only got approx. a 10%
return on my apps, and applied to 110 pathology programs. Keep in mind that I did very well on
boards and had great LORs, so even if you feel you have good stats, you should still be very
aggressive. This is a hard lesson learned, as my first attempt I only applied to 68 path programs,
and significantly increased that number the second time. Also get your step 2 CK & CS done as
early as possible, I did mine later and that may have inhibited my chances of matching. You
should do significant research in the electives that you complete if there are any big names that
you can work with. I am convinced that the LOR that I received from a big name attending
enabled me to get significant credibility. In fact many interviewers knew of/went to school with
this big name attending. Please do your due diligence to see if you can bolster your credibility
by working with, and getting a favorable impression of a big name attending. This can be a
more challenging route because it requires you to research, and you must tailor that research to
your specific goals for what type of residency you eventually desire. Since I didnt match the
first season, I completed step 3. Per my interviews, I emphasize that the programs I interviewed
with placed a strong emphasis on completing it. One actually told me they wouldnt consider
IMGs who did not have step 3 completed. Do not underestimate step 3. It is a test of endurance
as it is 2 days long. Also if you did apply for a 2nd match like me, make sure youre doing
something educational with that time, however priority number 1 per PDs is completion of step
3. Completion will help you build credibility as it is a performance criterion for residents, so it
puts you on a similar playing field as them, as well as reassure PDs you wont have a liability of
failing it during your residency.

It is very important to apply to a lot of places, especially if you have mediocre scores, and to
apply as soon as you have all your paperwork ready, which ideally should be on Sept. 1st. Make
sure to take your step early during the summer, so that even if there are score delays, you are
ready to apply in September.

Apply Strategically. Look on Matcharesident.com to determine IM friendly programs. Apply to

more than 40 programs.

Apply to a broad number of programs. Do not limit yourself to one region of the country. After
applying, call programs to discuss status of application or any updates you may have on your
application.

Apply regionally to your home. You are likely to get interviews near your address than further
away. Save your money. Rotate in programs you are interested in and show them you would
make an excellent physician!

Learn about how to choose between various programs i.e. are they IMG friendly and the wisest
way to go about applying.

Get some electives during your third year so you have LORs from them in time for application
season. Have pride in your school, and do not talk negatively about it because that only makes
your application weaker. Whether or not you like it, AUA will be your school and bashing it
doesn't help your reputation. When on events your personality is the most important thing being
evaluated, you want to leave the interview knowing that your interviewer will remember you
because of the conversation. For example, at one hospital the interviewer went to my high
school and I made sure I mentioned that in all of my follow up emails. Another interviewer and I
connected on being sports fans, and Ii was able to email her before the super bowl wishing her
team luck and two days later I received a pre-match offer from that hospital. Follow your gut
feeling, I turned down a pre-match at UPMC Mercy (my 2nd choice) and Lutheran Medical
Center because I thought my interview at Drexel went well even though everyone I talked to said
I was crazy, but it worked out. During rotations make sure you impress every doctor you work
with because they will be able to help you obtain residencies later on. AUA offers you excellent
opportunities for success, just take advantage of them and don't complain about problems,
overcome them.

Dont take the interviews lightly. Go there well prepared. They are a very crucial process, back
up your answers with real examples. They can make you or break you. After applying, call the
programs and tell them how interested you are in their program.

Always reply to an interview invitation as soon as you can. Never not go to an interview
because what you heard about a program. Every interview comes with opportunity.

It is very important to stand out in interviews. Also, searching the programs carefully to see
which ones meets your criteria rather than randomly applying. Moreover, try to schedule your
interviews as early as possible as some programs give pre-matches early during the interview
season.

Be yourself, show that you want that spot. At the same time, act as a professional.

I learned that it is a lot of hard work and its going to be a very stressful and tenuous process. I
thought the stress was going to end after my exams, but thats just where it begins. After you
have secured an interview, it is imperative that you prepare well for the interview such as
researching the program and knowing the typical questions that residency programs will ask and
get the questions they want answered. Also, have at least three questions ready to ask the
program. Follow-up with a thank you note is important as well.

Use resources like students who have recently been through the application process. Follow
instincts about program/facility. Be aware and realistic about your qualifications before
applying.

During the residency placement process, I have learned to apply to as many programs possible.
With the interviews that are offered I recommend to go to all the interviews and rank each
program. Also, follow-up after interviews and write thank you letters.

The most important part of the process is securing the interview. Once that is done, all
applicants (in most cases) are on a level playing field. If an interview is granted, this isn't the
time to relax; it's the time to shine! When applying, one thing I learned that I didn't realize at the
time is the importance some programs place on ECFMG certification. Some programs will not
interview you without it (which means you have to be graduated at the time of application).

I feel as though good board scores are great, BUT the most important for interviews is your
personality, teamwork, and passion. You have to gel well, and put on a great attitude. I think for
pediatric residencies it is most important. I wish there was a way that it wasn't so difficult to
apply to ERAS. It would be best if you partnered up with a friend to be a checks-and-balance
system that way nothing is forgotten or missed. So that all parts of the application are done in
time, and that no extra fees are added. I think it would also be good if you talk to someone who
has done the process in the field chosen and they will guide you accordingly. Every program
requires lots of different questions that should be asked.

Be yourself but professional during interviews. Do not be afraid to ask appropriate questions
and disclose information about yourself with ease.

Prepare in the months leading up to application day and demonstrate an interest in a given
field through elective clinical work.

I urge all students to take their core/electives rotations seriously. I made an impression on my
last two electives and the program ranked me highly!

I did not rank all the programs that I went to because I was overconfident of my scores and
interviews. Looking back I would rank more programs and I would go to second look to all the
hospitals to give myself the best chance to rank!

I think I put too much effort into my #1, and even though I was assured I would be ranked
highly by an interviewer, it is still very prudent to put just as much effort into 2nd & 3rd choices
with follow ups and 2nd interviews. I honestly feel that if equal effort was put into the other
programs I would have gotten maybe 3rd or 4th choice.

Apply to plenty of places. Rank your first choice! Do not be influenced by PDs who say they
will rank you high. I made this mistake!

I failed CK once so passed Step 3 before applying the second time so the two attempts on step 2
would not be held against me this time around.

Make sure to study & pass your step 3 as well as complete work/research if you don't match.
Take the time to go to every program's website in whichever specialty you apply to, make sure
you meet the min. requirements and the program is IMG friendly (i.e. AUA grads are there).

Passing my Step 3 on my first attempt, and receiving my results prior to applying on 09/01
greatly influenced the programs' decision to grant me an interview at this unopposed family
medicine residency program and later, to offer me a pre-match.
The process is so competitive. If board scores are not competitive, do everything you can do to
get a foot in the door and meet program directors personally whether through research,
observerships, away rotations, etc No matter what, do not give up!

Obtained position outside of the match. There was an opening when a matched applicant had
visa issues.

Ive been reminded to never give up and to go after what I really want to achieve. I was offered
a pre-match in psych and was told by many to consider it because it was a guaranteed position,
but I knew that my top choice has always been Neuro. I went with my gut feeling and took a
chance by entering the match. Luckily, it worked out! In terms of the application process, apply
to as many programs as possible. I did not apply to many prelim positions and I later learned I
should have. Also, spend time on your application and be honest. People will ask you about
anything and everything on your application so be prepared for that. And dont rush your
personal statement, go through multiple edits, and have others read it through.

This was my second time in the match (2010/2011). No one is going to secure you a spot or
interview. Best piece of advice is to market yourself through observerships and research. By
observerships I dont just mean show up and observe. I mean impress. Show up at 4:30 a.m. and
be the last to leave. Work like an Intern! I suggest you do more than one month so that you are
able to establish personal relations with Residents/Attendings. Meet with PD at the beginning of
observership and show your interest.

Research experience is advantageous. All step exams should be completed in time to apply 9/1.
Passing on first attempt is important. Doing electives at interested residency programs is best.

Research experience at a major hospital made all the difference. I am currently working at NYU
Medical Center as a research assistant and that is why I now have a residency position.

Being proactive really helps. I got 3 of my interviews (out of 10) by being proactive. I wrote
letters, emails and made phone calls to the program directors where I applied. Think outside the
box to stand out, but you dont want to stand out too much (just enough to get noticed) Cant
over-stress the importance of Step 3 It was crucial in getting interviews in Family Med in the
U.S. and it made me stand out and opened doors for me. It was the only thing that impressed the
programs, not my research, not my volunteering, not my leadership abilities. All the interviewers
commented on the fact that I had taken Step3 and they were pleased with my performance
despite the lack of residency training. Dont waste your time with externship and research if you
dont match. Focus all your energy and efforts on Step 3. It is getting very, very competitive and
you need the Step 3 to stand out if you dont match.