| Matching to a residency program through the | | | | residency and city. |
| NRMP® (National Resident Matching Program) is a | | | | One would never take the Boards without practicing |
| competitive endeavor. Even strong candidates – | | | | first and yet, countless applicants go to interviews |
| especially IMGs (international medical graduates) - can | | | | without preparing. Consider working with a |
| have difficulty getting positions in many specialties. | | | | professional: Because applicants can unknowingly |
| Those that do match may not get their top choices, | | | | undermine their chances of success with poor |
| leaving them in suboptimal programs. | | | | interview skills, a qualified, personalized residency |
| Consequently, optimizing your performance during the | | | | admissions consultant provides a great advantage. |
| Medical residency interview is critical. But what are | | | | Residency consulting companies come in a variety of |
| residency directors looking for during the interview | | | | forms. Some are bigger businesses that focus on |
| process? | | | | admissions to several types of graduate programs |
| First, they are seeking someone distinctive. Your goal | | | | – not just medicine. Others are smaller and |
| is to distinguish yourself from all of the other | | | | provide a medical focus, but have a pool of |
| applicants by showcasing your accomplishments. | | | | consultants of varying quality.Finally, elite companies |
| Anyone can say s/he is compassionate or hard | | | | offer both the medical focus and a highly |
| working. Fewer candidates can prove it. | | | | experienced consultant who works one-on-one with |
| Second, they want to ensure you are committed to | | | | clients. These professionals are ex-admissions officers |
| their specialty and that you have an idea of what | | | | from highly respected medical institutions. They have |
| you are getting yourself into. Residency is tough; | | | | the inside knowledge of how residency admissions |
| training programs aren’t seeking someone who is | | | | work, providing individualized guidance to optimize |
| ambivalent and might quit. Giving examples of your | | | | applicants’ applications and interview skills. |
| commitment through successful rotations and | | | | When choosing a residency admissions consulting |
| research projects can help. | | | | company, a candidate should verify the |
| Third, residency programs want to ensure you are | | | | company’s references and research its |
| reasonable. They want to see that you don’t | | | | consultants. Elite companies that offer both the |
| have a problem personality and aren’t going to | | | | medical focus and a highly experienced consultant |
| cause them embarrassment or extra work. | | | | who works individually with clients offer a large |
| Fourth, they want to hear that you are particularly | | | | advantage for pre-residency applicants, especially |
| interested in their program. You can convince them | | | | during these competitive times. |
| of your interest by knowing specifics about the | | | | |