Career Planning -- Getting into a Residency

When do I start?

A class meeting is scheduled for April to distribute Residency Match materials and to explain the process (see Calendar).

What needs to be done soon?

Remember the Biosketch form that you downloaded early in your first or second year? Click on Biosketch form to download the Microsoft Word file to your microcomputer. The file (cv.doc) can be saved to the Windows/Temp directory on your C drive. For MAC users, you may have to use the "Find Function" to see where the file was saved. You will have to open the file (cv.doc) in Word.

The form will allow you to type only in the designated fields (shaded areas). Press the TAB key to move from one field to another (Shift-Tab will move you backwards). You can also use your mouse. If you need more space within the field keep typing since the text will auto-wrap; or you can press the Enter key (do not press the Tab key since this will jump you to the next field).

Helpful Tip: Zoom to 75% (upper right of toolbar) if you cannot see all of the text between the left and right margins.

Complete your Biosketch form. Work on your Personal Statement. 

Where do I apply?

Where would you like to live? If you have a geographic preference, check out what residency programs are in that area. In Freida you can select by state or region. For many programs you can request information via e-mail, some still require a postcard. You may receive written materials through the mail or as an attachment via e-mail. To read many of these attachments you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader which can be downloaded for free from the Adobe web site.

Contact UVa Alumni to get their impressions of particular programs. To see where graduates are doing their residency, consult the UVa Residency Placement web site.

How many programs do I consider?

In general, students request information from about 30 residency programs; actually apply to 15 and interview at 10 or less.

Helpful Information

The Residency web site provides more information to help you follow your career path. Obtaining a Residency, with an emphasis on Surgial Residencies can be useful to students even if they are not going into Surgery -- download the word document: MANUAL.DOC

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