Before You Submit Your Residency Application ... READ THIS!

Dear Future Resident Physician,

I have been sharing a ton of free resources for you to utilize during your ERAS preparation. This will be no different. I’ve combed through the AAMC’s website to dig up the most important resources for you!

I hope that before you dive into this document, you have at least done your homework and watched my video on youtube on how to fill your ERAS form. Click here for that! Or if you want a step-by-step detailed tutorial you can find it by clicking here.

Unto today’s topic:

As a result of the work I do to help IMG’s with document review and editing for residency applications, I have noticed that many are not aware of some freely available resources to start with. In the rest of this document you will find AAMC specific links with direct information you NEED to know! You don’t have to comb through the entire website any more! These can save you so much time. I will start by listing it out here.

Hot off the press is the supplemental ERAS application. This is a new approach by the AAMC/ERAS to improve holistic review of applicants. In their own words they want to improve “equity” and “reduce bias” in order to make application “fairer”. These statements do not exclude IMG’s! So stop right now, if you think this is not for you as an IMG because guess what? IT is.
https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-residencies-eras/supplementalerasapplication
Programs participating in this ERAS application is available here: https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-residencies-eras/programs-participating-supplemental-eras-application

If you want to know how to describe your experiences click this link here to read: https://www.instagram.com/p/CSuExmir_Ep/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

2. The ERAS residency applicant worksheet is useful for those who are far from applying but want to know what will be expected from them. I recommend that IMG’s become familiar with this document the minute they decide to pursue residency training in the US. The free document can be found here: https://students-residents.aamc.org/media/9711/download

3. If you do not know where to start as an IMG who is applying into residency, then the checklist from the AAMC can be found here https://students-residents.aamc.org/media/9721/download

4. How to craft your CV following AAMC recommendations. Something I learned from this one was that they recommend against using “I” or “my”. This stood out to me because I had previously recommended this to other students in the past. You can find that informational list here: https://www.aamc.org/professional-development/affinity-groups/group-faculty-affairs/faculty-vitae/curriculum-vitae-tips-and-strategies

5. “Create my CV” is another great tool on the AAMC website. You can use this to create a CV for professional use i.e. to send to physicians/universities you are networking with for USCE. Though it is unusual that you would need to submit a CV separately from your ERAS application, it is always good to have a PDF copy - just in case it is asked of you. This comes in especially handy during in person interviews. I remember handing a copy of my CV to an interviewer once. This link has a sample CV that is easy to download and follow the format/interpretations. Tip: You can extrapolate from that even when filling out your myERAS form. https://students-residents.aamc.org/managing-your-medical-career/preparing-your-curriculum-vitae

6. You can calculate how much you need for your ERAS application here: https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-residencies-eras/fees-eras-residency-applications

7. You can review your guide to ERAS where all your questions can be answered: https://students-residents.aamc.org/media/9716/download

There is so much I want to share with you, but so little time! Be sure to click through all the links and read every single one of them. If you do that and still need one on one private coaching with me, you can click here to book your time slot on my calendar. August is full but new dates open up Sep 1, so check back from time to time! https://calendly.com/ninalum/1-on-1-with-dr-lum

Sincerely,

Your IMG Coach
Dr. Lum