Use the Residency Match Timeline to keep yourself organized and on schedule. It is highly recommended that you have your application and supporting documents ready for submission on ERAS the first day they are accepted, usually in mid-September.
Letters of Recommendation
As you go through rotations, keep in mind who you might approach to write a letter of recommendation. Inquire as to whether a faculty member is willing to write a strong letter on your behalf, and officially ask for a letter no later than August. Give at least 4-weeks notice, and be clear as to a deadline. Provide letter writers with your CV, personal statement, and information on using the Letter of Recommendation Portal.
The number of letters required is specified by the program. Most require 3-4 letters. There is no limit to how many letters can be uploaded to ERAS, however a maximum of 4 letters can be sent to a program. Depending on the specialty, a “Chairman’s Letter” may be required. This is a letter of recommendation from the Chairman at your home institution and/or away rotations in the specialty to which you are applying.
It is also possible to send your application via ERAS to programs even if all your letters are not available. Once the letters are uploaded to the Letter Portal, programs will be notified and will download them to complete your application file.
Writing CV’s and Personal Statements
AAMC's Careers in Medicine offers resources and advice when writing your CV and personal statement. Start thinking about these in the Winter/Spring of the T3 year, and have a rough draft ready for the MSPE appointment as well as providing them to letter of recommendation writers. Dr. Katrina D'Aquin also will provide a review of your CV and personal statement, if you upload them to the Career Advising Canvas site.
Interview Skills
AAMC's Careers in Medicine offers resources and advice on the interview process including what to expect, what to wear, and frequently asked interview questions. Interviewing is an acquired skill and practicing is helpful. Additionally, Tulane School of Medicine subscribes to BigInterviewMedical. This resource can provide you with interview practice and AI generated feedback. To use this resource, sign up using your tulane.edu email address. You also can schedule a mock interview with Dr. Katrina D'Aquin as well to get some practice.
How Does the Match Work?
