Application Season Begins 2010

[IzzyMD09]

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So I have some general questions, but I think we should have one thread for all questions pertaining to this years Derm Applicants

I will probably post both here and on DIGa just to see what different answers there are,

1. What is the general consensus on Transitional Year versus a Preliminary Year, and given that how many of each is the usual amount to apply to without going overboard (i.e. apps = money)

2. When information is being sent from residency programs, is snail mail used at all or is everything via the internet... (I dont know where I am going to be living by January since I am doing an International Clerkship in India for 2 months so I wont have an address...what should I do)

3. CV two pages...really...really, I have about 15 research projects...all derm related that I am a sub-investigator in, which ones do I list for a 2 page CV

4. Can I list work experience and teaching experience together


Thanks for the help everyone!!! Good luck to everyone this year 😀

Izzy

 

[Dermguy]

1. What is the general consensus on Transitional Year versus a Preliminary Year, and given that how many of each is the usual amount to apply to without going overboard (i.e. apps = money)
I applied to both. I applied to a combination of 9 and got 9 interviews. Others I know of applied to more but had less success.

2. When information is being sent from residency programs, is snail mail used at all or is everything via the internet... (I dont know where I am going to be living by January since I am doing an International Clerkship in India for 2 months so I wont have an address...what should I do)
I got 1 interview invitation by snail mail. My other 13 offers came via email. There was no other notification from that program that I had an interview besides the letter in the mail.

3. CV two pages...really...really, I have about 15 research projects...all derm related that I am a sub-investigator in, which ones do I list for a 2 page CV.
You're on your own on this. I would include the NEJM articles you published 😛. Include all your pubs, but don't go into tons of detail on all your projects. If they want more info they'll ask for it at the interview.

4. Can I list work experience and teaching experience together.
Not sure where this goes on the actual app. Most people recognize that not everything fits perfectly into one specific place. Use good judgment and realize that placing something a funny/wrong category will probably not cause you to fail to match.

 

[opencomedo]

In addition to what is above

1. Don't worry too much about cost... I think you get the first 15 (or maybe 10) applications in each "specialty" for one flat rate... unfortunately I believe prelim medicine and transitional year are considered different (so you will pay for each... but be able to apply to 15 of each for the same price). Dont forget that if you get your interviews early enough you can apply to their local prelim/transitional as long as you arent past the deadline (12/31?), call those places too (I didnt want to move twice).

2. I also know of at least one program that will call you to set up your interview.... seems kind of scary to me...

3. not sure about the CV thing.. i didnt carry one on interviews, lots did... ERAS doesnt care how long it is... you just put your info in, it does the rest.

4. i would likely list them together unless they are both so substantial that you cant list them toghether... >5-6

 

[Dermguy]

1. What is the general consensus on Transitional Year versus a Preliminary Year, and given that how many of each is the usual amount to apply to without going overboard (i.e. apps = money)
I applied to both. I applied to a combination of 9 and got 9 interviews. Others I know of applied to more but had less success.

2. When information is being sent from residency programs, is snail mail used at all or is everything via the internet... (I dont know where I am going to be living by January since I am doing an International Clerkship in India for 2 months so I wont have an address...what should I do)
I got 1 interview invitation by snail mail. My other 13 offers came via email. There was no other notification from that program that I had an interview besides the letter in the mail.

3. CV two pages...really...really, I have about 15 research projects...all derm related that I am a sub-investigator in, which ones do I list for a 2 page CV.
You're on your own on this. I would include the NEJM articles you published 😛. Include all your pubs, but don't go into tons of detail on all your projects. If they want more info they'll ask for it at the interview.

4. Can I list work experience and teaching experience together.
Not sure where this goes on the actual app. Most people recognize that not everything fits perfectly into one specific place. Use good judgment and realize that placing something a funny/wrong category will probably not cause you to fail to match.

I never got asked for a CV, and I'm not sure having one really helps unless you have a new update like a stellar step 2 score or a new, significant publication.

 

[N-Surge]

The following CV structure emphasizes what one would look for in a future leader in academics, and in a pertinent order, i.e. funding. The following is the format I used, and I went over 2 pages (around 2.5 pages I think).

Name
Address
Email/Phone
Webpage, i.e. Community of Science

Education:
M.D. Candidate, School, Years....
Postdoctoral Fellow, School/Institute, Years...
Ph.D., Field/Department, School, Years, short description of thesis...
M.S., See above...
B.S./B.A./A.B., See above

Funding/Grants Awarded:
1. NSF/NIH...
2. NASA...
3. And so on...
4. Don't forget things like Mary Gates if you got this in your past life...

Journal Publications:
1. Cell
2. Nature
3. Science
4. PNAS
5. JID
6. And so on...

Abstracts:
1. Keystone meetings
2. Foundation meetings
3. And so on...

Vignettes:
1. Program meetings...
2. National meetings...

Research Positions:
1. Graduate research assistant
2. Medical student research assistant
3. And so on...

Teaching Positions:
2. Lecturer
3. Graduate teaching assistant
4. Lab instructor
5. Course director

Society Memberships:
1. AMA
2. CMDA
3. SID
4. And so on...

Volunteer Service:
1. Free clinic
2. Fund raisers
3. Peer mentoring
4. And so on...

And K-I-S-S... As was stated, do not go overboard in explaining each item. If anything, this will be your time to lure in the interviewer to ask questions you will readily know the answers too!

Hope this helps. 🙂

I went as far as to bring business cards to pass out with one of my protein structures on it, totally geek I know. But this IS a job interview. Treat it like one. And regarding your CV, have a handful with you. I wished I had mine at one particular interview. The format they used is terrible and a CV on hand would have made it easier on them, allowing them to forgo sifting through your ERAS application you carry around to each 10 to 15 minute interview.