How far have you gotten on your residency application?
Don't feel bad if you haven't given it much thought. It's not like you're goofing off. Third year is a tough one for medical students – maybe even the toughest. You're facing mental, physical, and emotional challenges like never before, and staying on top of your rotations is more than a full-time job. Residency applications are months away – besides, you might not even be sure which specialty appeals to you. Surely you can put off thinking about it for a while longer...
Sure you can, and many M3s do. Each autumn, I'm deluged with clients who need to write personal statements but have given little thought to what they want to say. And when the clock is ticking, it's even harder to know where to start.
I'd like to share a technique that has helped scores of residency applicants who had the foresight to begin early. It's not a big secret, it's probably something you've heard before, but it will make your life immeasurably easier come September.
Start writing today.
This doesn't mean drafting your personal statement – that will come much later – but simply the daily practice of jotting down your experiences. At the end of every day, take 15 minutes or so to record the things that impressed you, that interested you, that challenged you – anything that made you think a new way or confirm a belief that you already held.
But you've already got so much on your plate. Why add something else now, especially if you won't need it for months?
- First, this will get you in the habit of writing (if you don't already). Writing is very much like a muscle that grows stronger if you use it; if you don't, it atrophies. If you write a little every day now, you'll build up that muscle and be fit and ready for the marathon that is your personal statement.
- Daily records also help you discern patterns. Once something is on the page (or on your screen), you're more likely to remember it when it pops up again. And patterns will help lend structure to your personal statement as you review repetitive thoughts, actions, and feelings.
- Not only that, but your diary will also become a goldmine of material when it's time to actually draft your application essay. You might think you'll remember the important things – and you probably will – but the little details will be lost if you don't write them down.
And if you can capture these three "watch words", you'll be in great shape later:
- Watch your attendings. What did your attending do today that struck you? This can be anything, from observing how they reacted to a patient's nonverbal cues or defused an upset family member's anger to noting how they communicated relevant information to other health professionals. Describe the details so you can recall them later. If what you saw today differed from what you've seen in other rotations, think about whether it's due to the specialty or just this individual's style. And make critical judgments – did anything you saw about this physician or today's tasks make you think about the kind of doctor you want to be?
- Watch your patients. Observe how patients and their family members respond – do they ever surprise you? Which cases really piqued your interest? You may already be keeping a case log; if so, that will help supply the medical side when you want to write about specific patients. But your personal statement will be richer when seasoned with personal details that aren't recorded in case logs.
- Watch yourself. Since what you write is private, use this space courageously. What did you do well? What did you do not so well? What were the things that interested you and what bored you silly? Not only can this help you to critically evaluate your educational progress, but it can also give you some insights into your future. What is pushing you towards certain specialties and away from others? How are your actions today helping you to envision the kind of doctor that you hope to be?
Three things to watch for now, ensuring that you'll have less clock-watching to do as deadlines approach.
If you have any questions about your residency application – now or later – please contact me for a complimentary consultation.