You’re a 3rd-year medical student starting to think about applying to residency and you can’t shake this terrible feeling that you are not going to match as soon as programs find out about that most recent rotation that you just failed. What do you do? In this episode, Andy and Molly are joined by Shayne Gue, MD, and Zachary Repanshek, MD to discuss the red flag applicant. They cover everything from how you can avoid being one, to how you can own your red flags and make them help you get where you want to go!
What are some examples of red flags?
Examples of academic red flags include not passing core medical school courses or failing a board exam. Other red flags include having a criminal record or gap years during medical school. While needing an extension during medical school may not be for a negative reason (ie taking an extra year to complete a Ph.D.), this is something program leadership looks for when selecting applicants for interviews and should be addressed clearly within your application.
Aside from academic performance, what may hold more weight is your performance during 3rd and 4th-year clinical rotations. Consistently negative evaluations in these clerkships may raise more concern than isolated incidents such as failing board exams or courses. Furthermore, professionalism is a critical area of evaluation during these years. Issues in this realm can be particularly detrimental, as they reflect directly on your readiness to handle the responsibilities of a resident physician.
How do you address these red flags?
The first step is to take a deep breath and recognize that red flags are not the end of the world. The best place on your application to address red flags is in the personal statement. In your personal statement, you should be transparent about what happened, give your explanation and reasoning, and most importantly explain how you grew from the experience.
There are also specific areas on the ERAS application to address things like DUI’s or other criminal history. While red flags may not instantly preclude you from receiving interview offers, it is important to consider that certain residency programs may have strict policies that disqualify applicants with specific red flags such as felony convictions. Careful and honest disclosure is key in these situations, and understanding each program’s stance on these issues can guide you in tailoring your application appropriately.
Be cautious when filling out the impactful experience section. This section is not meant to be addressed by every student, but to explain extenuating life circumstances that have impacted your journey through medical school. It is meant to elaborate on personal factors that are not adequately captured in your personal statement. Use this opportunity wisely to convey the depth and context of your unique experiences.
During the interview phase, it is crucial to articulate your ownership and understanding of red flags. Program leadership expects a mature reflection on what these experiences have taught you and how they’ve contributed to your personal and professional growth.
Reaching out to your mentors, your school, and the various EM organizations for guidance and review of your application can provide invaluable assistance in navigating red flags. The application process is complicated, and they can provide you with a seasoned perspective on how red flags may be perceived. They can also aid in identifying opportunities for remediation and professional development to further bolster your application.
Take-Home Points:
- Red flags are not the end of the world, but how you can address them can make a huge difference in your ability to match into residency.
- Be humble and own your red flag. Do not try to transfer blame and show growth.
- Ask for help early and often.
Post by Post by Jordan Palmer, OMS-IV
About Our Guests:
Director of Education, University of Central Florida EM Residency Program
Associate Program Director, Temple University EM Residency Program
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