Career Advising Toolkit (CAT)

The Career Advising Toolkit is a specialty-specific resource designed to support students as they explore, prepare for, and successfully match into their chosen field. Each specialty toolkit consolidates key advising materials, clinical guidance, and career development resources into one accessible collection to help students make informed decisions and strengthen their residency application strategy.

Each specialty toolkit includes the following components:

1. Roadmap – A structured overview of the typical path into the specialty from medical school through residency and beyond.

2. UCR SOM Specialty Profiles – An overview of the specialty within the UCR School of Medicine context, including training environment and opportunities.

3. UCR SOM Fellowship Profiles – Information on fellowship pathways and subspecialty options following residency.

4. Specialty Bootcamp Video Content – Attending physician addressing key student questions, including:

   • How can a student perform well on a sub-I in your specialty? 

   • How should they prepare prior to coming on board for a sub-I in your specialty? 

   • What makes a student stand out during your sub-I rotation? 

   • What are additional helpful rotations for a student who is applying to your specialty? 

   • Do you have any additional tips for someone who is applying to your specialty? 

   • What is the best way for a student to request a letter of recommendation during a sub-I?

5. Specialty & Residency Application Handout (UCR SOM)

   • MS3/MS4 elective and rotation options

   • Residency application strategies and timelines

6. Program Director’s Association Residency Application Guidance – National-level recommendations and best practices for applicants

7. Specialty Roundtable Recording (UCR SOM) – Recorded discussions with faculty and trainees

8. Match Data – UCR SOM-specific outcomes alongside NRMP national match data for benchmarking

9. Student Interest Group Information – Contact information on specialty-specific student organizations

10. Clinical Faculty Advisor Information – Faculty contacts and advising structure for the specialty

11. Engagement Opportunities – Information on conferences, networking events, and professional activities

12. Research Opportunities – Specialty-relevant research pathways and ways to get involved

13. Program Director Panel Resources (MS3/MS4) – An in-person event for third- and fourth-year medical students featuring residency program directors, offering direct insight into selection criteria, application strategies, and expectations for matching into the specialty

Together, these materials provide a comprehensive, step-by-step advising framework to help students explore specialties, build competitiveness, and navigate the residency application process with clarity and confidence.