AND NOW THE FUN:
MAKING THE 2013 MATCH
WORK FOR YOU!
Edward P. Junkins, Jr. M.D., M.P.H.
Associate Dean for Education,
Student Affairs
(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Outline
• Review NRMP data and UUSOM outcomes
• Unique Characteristics statement
• Discuss the Personal Statement
• Letters of Recommendation
• Review Residency Application timeline
• Review the ways to maximize the NRMP
algorithm to the student’s advantage
• Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program
(SOAP).
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
National trend: 2012 Match
• 38,377 total applicants, an increase of 642
• 26,772 positions, an increase of 614
• National average in 2012 was 95% which
was the highest Match-rate ever
• 1,246 positions remained after the Match
• 1,131 positions offered during SOAP
• Only 152 remained available at the
conclusion of three offer rounds
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
UUSOM Participants 2012
• 98 US seniors listed at University of Utah
by NRMP with certified ROLs
• 94 successfully matched prior to the SOAP
(96%)
• 1 of 1 military (Family Medicine)
• 5 of 5 Ophthalmology
• 0 of 1 Urology (28% did not Match)
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Specialties
Specialty
Pediatrics: 15
Dermatology: 4
Anesthesia: 12
Surgery - Preliminary: 4
Family Medicine: 11
Psychiatry: 3
Emergency Medicine: 9
General Surgery: 2
Internal Medicine: 8 (1)
Int. Medicine -Pediatrics: 2
Diagnostic Radiology: 6
Radiation Oncology: 2
Neurology: 5
Orthopedic Surgery: 2
Ophthalmology: 5
Physical Med. & Rehab: 1
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Obstetrics & Gynecology : 4
Plastic Surgery: 1
(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Top Programs(*)
School
Percent
Number of
Students
UUSOM
Utah Area
Program
19
18
31
30
Top Programs
33
32
(*) Based on strength of individual programs within institutions, excludes UUSOM)
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Top Schools
(listed in alphabetical order by matched student name)
• Harvard Medical School
• Duke University
• University of Washington
• Mayo Clinic Rochester
• Johns Hopkins University
• University of North Carolina
• University of Massachusetts
• University of Texas SW
• Cincinnati Children’s
• University of Florida
• University of Michigan
• UC San Francisco
• Penn State University
• U of Connecticut
• UC Irvine
• Wake Forest
• Washington University
• Ohio State University
• Indiana University (Ball St.)
• UC San Diego
• University of Pittsburgh
• Case Western Reserve
Note: several programs matched > 1 student
(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Outline
• Review NRMP data and UUSOM outcomes
• Unique Characteristics statement
• Discuss the Personal Statement
• Letters of Recommendation
• Review Residency Application timeline
• Review the ways to maximize the NRMP
algorithm to the student’s advantage
• Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program
(SOAP).
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Unique Characteristics
• Remember, this is written from my perspective
• You will write a Personal Statement for your
ERAS application, this is a different document.
• The Unique Characteristics is the first page of
your MSPE (8-10 pages total) and is the best way
for me to introduce your Personal Brand.
• I will compose this statement for you.
• You will give me the material that will help me
write this.
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Unique Characteristics: Attributes
• Please tell me your top three or four attributes
describing your “Personal Brand” and how you
might like to see them put into a Brand-statement.
• If you are uncertain about this step please
provide the list of attributes and I will create a
sentence for you.
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Unique Characteristics: Brand
Innovative
Curious
M.D.
Businessminded
Disorganized
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Unique Characteristics: Brand
Personal Brand
M.D.
Curious
Innovative
Businessminded
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Personal Brand: Examples
• “Mary’s interests and involvement in medical school have
allowed her to demonstrate her greatest attributes as an
empathetic, sensitive teacher and enthusiastic learner”
• “Medical school has been an opportunity for John to
demonstrate his highest attributes of respect, diligent
interest and teamwork initiative learned through unique
life-experiences”
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Personal Brand: Examples
• “Sara is an organized problem solver who brings life
perspective and leadership to anything she does”
• “Harry’s intellectual curiosity, remarkable creativity and
ability to connect with others permeate everything he
does.”
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Unique Characteristics: Attributes
• Please tell me your top three or four attributes
describing your “Personal Brand” and how you
might like to see them put into a Brand-statement.
• If you are uncertain about this step please
provide the list of attributes and I will create a
sentence for you.
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
“Sara is an organized problem solver who brings life
perspective and leadership to anything she does”
Organized problem solver:
• “Sara’s outstanding organizational skills and composure
developed during school stem from her earlier years of
running successful businesses. Prior to coming to our
school Sara owned and operated a highly successful
health foods business. She ran the packaging, store
design, marketing and business portion of the
organization. In addition, she managed the books,
completed all the taxes and supervised all of its
employees.”
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
“Sara is an organized problem solver who brings life
perspective and leadership to anything she does”
Life-perspective:
• “Sara possesses an impressive ability to manage
numerous tasks and problem solve while staying calm,
poised and focused under pressure. Her strong work
ethic, positive attitude and balance are derived from her
childhood, being the oldest of five children, and raising
three children of her own. It has been obvious since her
arrival to our school that Sara’s balance and grace has
lifted her classmates and colleagues alike.”
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
“Sara is an organized problem solver who brings life
perspective and leadership to anything she does”
Leadership:
• “Sara has managed to carve out time for her personal life
and interests while still maintaining impeccable grades
(culminating with her selection into the AOA Honor
Society), doing research, and serving in multiple
leadership positions. She was the Co-President of her
class during the first-year, and was selected by the Deans
Office as a Student Ambassador for three years in a row.
Sara’s goal in medicine was to preserve her passion for
humanity and service while becoming a leader in her field,
which she is well on her way to achieving.”
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Unique Characteristics: How it works
Sara Student is a fourth-year student at the University of Utah School
of Medicine applying to your program for residency training. This letter
is meant to provide an overview of Sara’s academic performance and
personal characteristics to assist you in your assessment of her
application.
Sara came to the University Of Utah School Of Medicine in 2009 after
earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from University of
Notre Dame. Sara is an organized problem solver who brings life
perspective and leadership to anything she does.
Sara’s outstanding organizational skills and composure developed
during school stem from her…
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Unique Characteristics: How it works
…a Student Ambassador for three years in a row. Sara’s goal in
medicine was to preserve her passion for humanity and service while
becoming a leader in her field, which she is well on her way to
achieving.
Sara is an organized problem solver who brings life perspective and
leadership to anything she does. She has a bright future as a future
resident and physician leader.
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Personal Statement
• It is true that the PS is a very important part of your
residency application because it is a window into who you
are.
• A good PS is much more than a narrative rendition of your
CV (curriculum vitae or resume)
• Ideally, it should reflect your qualities and values, as well
as your interest and passion for the art, humanity and
science of medicine.
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Personal Statement
• It should be personal.
• Should not provide an image different from your Personal
Brand
• A great PS will make the program director eager to meet
you and potentially work with you. It will provide the
interviewer with valuable discussion points for your
conversation.
• It should give a sense of who you are, rather than simply
list what you have done.
(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Personal Statement
• A poorly written PS can cast doubt on your dedication and
focus for a demanding profession like medicine.
• The program director may wonder if your communication
skills are up to the challenge of caring for complex
patients, conveying complicated information and
educating patients, families and colleagues.
• The PS that falls between these two extremes may be
neutral in its overall effect, but represents a missed
opportunity to add luster to your candidacy.
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Personal Statement
Tips for Getting Started
• Think of the PS as an exercise in self-reflection and an
opportunity to convey something unique about yourself.
Do not approach it as merely a task or check box to be
completed in the application process.
• Why do you want to go into medicine? What kinds of
programs are you looking for? What characteristics do
you seek in those programs? What are your values? Who
has helped to shape them? Have you had to overcome
adversity? How did this experience shape who you are?
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Personal Statement
Tips for Getting Started
• Think about what you would like a residency
program director to know as they consider inviting
you for an interview and ranking you for their
program. What is unique, distinctive and/or
impressive about you?
• You have already had this conversation with
yourself…
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Personal Statement
Tips for Getting Started
• Make a list of the things that you would like a
program director to know about you.
• Does this information exist elsewhere in your
application? If so, can it be amplified or
developed further?
• If you get stuck or have trouble with your list, sit
with a friend and brainstorm a list of your
attributes that are important to share with
residency directors.
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Personal Statement
Tips for Getting Started
• Decide how you can best convey this information.
How can you pique the program director’s
interest?
• Try to use interesting experiences to illustrate
your points.
• Find a hook. A good hook is something that
makes people want to read your PS.
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Personal Statement: Summary
• Single-spaced
• One page
• Passes the “eyeball test” (just enough
paragraphs)
• Does not repeat your CV verbatim
• Conjures up the same image as your MSPE,
LORs, ERAS application and interview message
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Letters of Recommendation
• Once you have your “Waiver” letters distributed to the
LOR authors you may have them sent to Student Affairs
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Timeline
• May-June: Unique Characteristics statement due
• Late-June: Letters of Recommendations are accepted to
Student Affairs; ERAS User Guide available
• July: Token distribution; Opening of MyERAS access;
begin to select programs; Sub-I and preceptorships
• August: Away rotations, August 22nd is last date to take
the Step 2 CK exam for it to be released for ERAS
opening date.
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Timeline: Continued
• September 15th: ERAS 2012 Post Office opens;
•
•
•
•
applicants begin transmitting their applications to
programs; MSPE drafts
October 1st: MSPEs are released at 12:01am ET
December: Military Match results released
January: Ophthalmology Match results released
March: NRMP Main Residency Match results released,
SOAP activities commence
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Step 2CK timing
• In general, it is always better to have a score posted by
September 15th.
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Timing of Step 2CK by Month
60
50
40
30
20
10
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
0
(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Timing of Step 2CK by Month
60
50
40
30
20
10
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
0
(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Step 2 CK Average (2008-2012)
Step 2 CK Avg
230
225
220
215
210
205
200
195
190
185
180
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Word of Caution…
“Our evaluation of applicants includes the USMLE Step 2
score. I would be happy to further evaluate this applicant
once I have that score.”
Orthopedics Program Director, 2012 Match
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Outline
• Review NRMP data and UUSOM outcomes
• Unique Characteristics statement
• Discuss the Personal Statement
• Letters of Recommendation
• Review Residency Application timeline
• Review the ways to maximize the NRMP
algorithm to the student’s advantage
• Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program
(SOAP).
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Average Number of Applications by Specialty
Radiation Oncology
82
Dermatology
75
Orthopedics
67
Anesthesia
54
Diagnostic Radiology
53
Urology
50
Emergency Med.
44
General Surgery
42
(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Average Number of Applications by Specialty
OB/GYN
Pediatrics
Internal Medicine
Med-Peds
PMR
Psychiatry
Neurology
Family Medicine
Transitional Year
41
36
35
28
28
26
22
20
16
(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Three-tier approach to Ranking
Top-Tier:
Stretch
2-3
Middle Tier:
Most likely
4-8
Bottom Tier:
Safety net
1-2
(Emergency Medicine Example)
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Strategy
• Applying to more than one Specialty
• Ranking Preliminary Year Programs
• Transitional Year success
• Couples Match
• Suicide Match
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Outline
• Review NRMP data and UUSOM outcomes
• Unique Characteristics statement
• Discuss the Personal Statement
• Letters of Recommendation
• Review Residency Application timeline
• Review the ways to maximize the NRMP
algorithm to the student’s advantage
• Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program
(SOAP).
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
SOAP
• Replaced the Scramble
• 8 rounds of a electronic Supplemental
Offer and Acceptance Program
• Decreases the frantic calling/FAXing
during Match week
• Disadvantages everyone
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Unmatched Seniors vs. Unfilled positions
NRMP 2002-2012
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Five Utah SOAP Students
• 1 student never submitted a Match rank-
order list (Personal reasons)
• 1 extended curriculum 1 year due to
academic performance
• 3 students from original matriculating class
of 2007 who had not Matched
• Average Step 1 score 234
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Where Our Students End-up?
• 1 Orthopedic surgery candidate SOAP’d
into Surgery-preliminary position
• 1 Radiology candidate SOAP’d into
Anesthesia position
• 1 Radiation Oncology candidate SOAP’d
into Surgery-Preliminary position
• 1 Diagnostic Radiology found a position in
May (Case Western University)
• 1 still looking for Family Medicine position
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine
Summary
• Have a plan
• Get your Unique Characteristics statement
in ASAP!
• Come into Student Affairs to talk strategy
• Use your Advisors
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(C) 2012 University of Utah School of Medicine