Dr. Steuber and Dr. Smithgall talk about creating a time-line for post-graduate application

Key take-aways about time-lines:

• It's never too early to start the application process
• The Fall is not too late to decide you want to do residency
• The earlier you start preparing, the less anxious you will be and the more prepared you will feel.

That being said, let's break it down into two separate segments:

1. Prior to your APPE year
2. During your APPE year

Prior to your APPE year:

This is when you should really be thinking about how to be a standout candidate and your short and long-term career goals and how you will achieve those. See our episode on being a standout candidate for more information on what to do. We address all components of your CV as well as how to plan your APPE year.

During your APPE year:

SUMMER:

• Keep track of significant moments and jot them down to use later when thinking of answers to situational questions. Here's a source of some of the questions you may get on residency.
• Start securing reference writers by asking "will you be willing to write me a positive letter of reference" during your end evaluation or sometime towards the end of the rotation. Don't be shy, ask them all, they should hopefully be honest and tell you if they would write you one.
• Evaluate programs
• We recommend scheduling a re-occurring time, 1-2 hours a week and putting it on your calendar where you can work on application materials and review potential programs
• Update your CV
• Review your draft LOI and update it with general verbiage

FALL:

• Continue to track significant moments and secure reference writers
• Register for showcases (see our episode on showcases)
• Continue evaluating programs
• Have someone review your CV and LOI
• Determine your financial capabilities going into application season.
• Create a PhORCAS account
• Start building your PhORCAS profile. YES you need to copy everything from your CV into the fields on PhORCAS
• Consider Mock interview prep

December:

• Attend Midyear
• Requests Transcripts
• Send reference writers PhORCAS applications and communicate your plans to them
• DON"T MISS DEADLINES FOR APPLICATIONS

January - February: This is general interview season

• Continue to practice interview skills
• Discuss your plans with preceptors, keep good communication with them

Follow the schedule posted on the Match site for deadlines pertaining to the Match.