FAQs

The Match & Residency Apps

Q: How does The Match work exactly?

A: As a 4th year medical student, you will apply to residency and participate in the match. As you get interviews from various residency programs, you should keep a list of pros and cons to rank your programs. At the end of the interview season (February), you will submit your official rank list to the NRMP. Additionally, all the programs that interviewed medical students will submit their own rank lists at the same time. The NRMP will then initiate an algorithm which matches programs to medical students based on the students' preferences. Once you match, you successfully secured a residency position, which you will begin July 1 of the same year. If you fail to match, you will be notified and offered to participate in the SOAP process to find a residency position.  Your odds of matching are increased with a competitive application which you should begin working on during your first year of medical school. 

*See also, "The Match & Residency Apps" tab

Q: What makes a competitive residency application?

A: Numerous factors. There are data on what program directors look for in residency applications. Most revolve around your board scores, letters of recommendation, Dean's letter/MSPE, leadership, research, clinical grades (3rd year of medical school mainly), audition rotation performance, and of course, your interview. Each student will have a different opinion on what makes your application competitive though. For me, I would definitely focus on any LORs and audition rotation performance, as this will help out tremendously with getting an interview at your institution of choice.

Q: Should I take USMLE Step 1 & 2 if I am a DO student.

A: Yes! As a DO student, you are unfortunately put at a disadvantage compared to your MD counterparts. To make your application more "equivalent" to MD students, most DO students opt to take the USMLE Step series in addition to COMLEX-USA Level series, which are required for all DO students to graduate. The only reason not to take the Step series is if you are truly set on primary care - IM, FM, Peds - in a community program. If you have ANY desire to work at university affiliated institution or to do any "competitive" specialty, you should take the Step series, only if you are ready to. 

*See also, "Should I go DO?" question below.

Medical School Application Process

Q: How do I really know if I want to become a doctor?

A: This is a GREAT question. A lot of students think they want to become physicians, but soon realize it's not what they want until it's too late. Becoming a doctor is a lengthy and difficult journey. You need to reflect on your own goals and needs for once. I will tell you: do NOT become a doctor for the money. You will be in so much debt once you graduate (unless if you get scholarships), and you will be working so much as a physician. Additionally, it's not like you will be working an easy job. You will be responsible for peoples' lives in ANY specialty you practice in. Finally, do not become a physician for anyone else but you. Growing up in a Middle Eastern household, we were always expected to become doctors for some odd reason. The truth of the matter is that our parents had no clue what being a doctor actually meant. They just believed it would be the best, most respected and well-paid job anyone could easily achieve. This is simply not the case, especially when you factor in the time and costs it takes to become an attending physician. 

TLDR: Moral of this question is to become a doctor only if you want to and if you have literally no other desire to do anything else. 

Q: What minimum requirements do I need to apply to medical school?

A: Most schools will require some sort of variation of the following prerequisites, with a minimum grade of C or higher (2.0) in each course: 

• intro biology with lab (1 year)

• gen chem with lab (1 year)

• organic chem with lab (1 year)

• intro physics with lab (1 year)

• college math class (1 semester)

• biochemistry (1 semester)

• upper-level (300 - 400) biology, chemistry, or science course (1 semester)

You do not have to have all the coursework completed before applying, but you need to complete all the coursework once accepted and attain your bachelor's degree before starting medical school. For this reason, many students decide to major in biology or another science to easily finish their coursework. However, no specific bachelor's degree is required for medical school admittance. 

You will also need to complete the MCAT, a CASPR assessment, and attain LORs of course.

Q: What should I do to make my application more competitive?

A: This is a VERY subjective question since no one really knows the secret formula to being more "competitive". Traditionally, you need to have a good GPA and MCAT score, as well as extracurricular activities, strong LORs, and a great personal statement / application overall. Additionally, you need to apply EARLY to be more competitive. Let me say this again: YOU NEED TO APPLY *****EARLY***** TO BE MORE COMPETITIVE. The fact that so many premeds ignore this statement is astronomical. Please, apply early!

Q: How many and which schools should I apply to?

A: First, you should apply to as many schools as you are able and willing to. On average, students apply to 25 schools total, but I suggest applying to 25 schools for each degree (MD, DO) for 50 schools total. Additionally, if you are not as competitive, you may want to apply to more schools. In terms of which schools you should apply to, you need to do extensive research on each school before submitting a primary application. A great way to narrow your school list down is to avoid schools that do not accept out of state applicants. Moreover, if you know you would never want to live in a certain area, you could avoid applying to these schools. Some people advise to not apply to "high reach" schools i.e. Yale, Harvard, UMich, etc, but I say if you are passionate enough and have the financial means, go for it. You will definitely regret not applying to schools versus applying and getting rejected because you never would have known what would've happened if you did apply. Finally, please avoid any Caribbean school. The schools in the Caribbean are very malignant and do not cater to your needs as a medical student. You will struggle way more in a Caribbean school as compared to a US MD/DO school, especially when it comes to matching. Less than 60% of Caribbean medical students match, as compared to the 90 - 94% for US MD/DO students. This fact alone should tell you to avoid going to these schools in any possible way. 

TLDR: Apply to as many schools as you financially can, and apply to schools that are in-state, have a good reputation, and whose average GPAs/MCAT scores align closely to yours. 

Q: What can I do after submitting my secondary application?

A: Once you receive and submit a secondary application for each school, take note of the date and send an email after 3 - 4 weeks. If you have an update on your application, you may send your update to each admissions email or portal, depending on what the secondary says (i.e. each school will tell you how to submit your update). Additionally, you may submit a letter of intent to the school of your choice, letting them know that you would attend their school if accepted. Applicants should only send 1 letter of intent to avoid academic dishonestly. However, if you are rejected from the school you have sent a letter to, you can send another letter of intent. You may also send as many letters of interest to each school which just further solidify your interest in attending the school. Each letter should be school specific and unique.