Customer Reviews

The Residency Match: 101 Biggest Mistakes And How To Avoid Them

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

The fourth year of medical school can be a stressful, demanding time. This books cuts down on the amount of necessary reading that you must do in order to match well. The book is a fast read that highlights the most important mistakes that others have made during the match process. It lets you in on tips on all subjects - from forming your CV to obtaining your letters of recommendation to developing your personal statement and preparing for interviews.
I found the sections about the CV and personal statement very helpful and much easier to read than those same sections in a larger book about the match. The section on letters of recommendation was important because it directed me on the proper way to ask for and to attain the best letters of recommendation. The interview section contains good reminders of things that seem common sense but which you don't necessarily think about. It also has several tips about subjects I had not thought about (for example, you should have a case ready to present your interviewer), as well as questions you will be asked in interviews and questions you should ask the interviewer.
Overall, this is an easy to read book that I would definitely recommend because it contains all the essentials to matching in your ideal residency spot.

I participitated in the match last year and got 7 interviews(attended 6), but unfortunately didn't match due to lack of experience and inadequate preparation. When I read "The Residency match", noticed, the several mistakes that I made about my CV, personal statement and during my interviews were completely avoidable by following Dr Desai's recommendations. I believe he has done a wonderful job, I woud have memorized the book word by word if I had seen it before my interviews. I would rate this book 5+ Stars with no doubt.

this book is a great overview of how to organize your thoughts and the paperwork in preparation for NRMP. This book does not give you the specifics about each individual residency program, but does provide a timeline that should be followed.

One chapter describes what items to bring to the interview, how to act, and more importantly what are the DO NOTS!!

Highly recommend for thrid and fourth medical students.

One sentence to describe this book - "Short and sweet". The information is devided in to various sections and is very easy to find. Though I found the book bit pricey for the size, it is worth. The book describes the commonly made mistakes during the application and interview process. I have no doubt that this could be a valuable tool for every one preparing for residency match.

I got surprised of the brief and insufficient topics of this book and regreted buying it.

The book highlighted areas which seemed to just be common sense. For example, common mistakes included lying, not asking the right person to write your LOR, procrastinating, being evasive, not writing thank you notes...the chapter lists go on, and I am sure you can fill in the blank under these chapter headings. You're better off just finding info off the internet and talking to everyone - current students, faculty, and residents. I thought FA for the Match had more in depth information and if you need to read a book, that would be the one.

The book is primitive and almost useless. These kind of advises like in this book you should probably know already if you are looking for a residency. I think that it is wrong to spend $10 for "... make sure your letters of recommendation are from MD's working in the field.., or...Don't be late for the interview.."
Should mention that this book printed in font size 14 or so and double spaced. About 1/2 of the book is the author biography and what else this author has written (pretty much nothing else).
So, don't spend your $10. Buy some nice coffee instead or just keep money in your pocket.

a really nice book to read, helps a lot when it comes to the interview sections, but otherwise in other sections the info in it are trivial, but I advice this book to everyone planning to go through the match, it helps

This is a very short book giving an overview of what not to do during your years as a medical student and especially during the application and interview process. It is up to date as of the ERAS and computer matches and helps to steer clear of many common pitfalls. The advice is not however very detailed or far reaching and the same can be found in other sources.

This book comprehensively yet concisely highlights pertinent aspects of the application and interview process that will assist you in a successful residency match. A good book for persons with limited time who need sound advice on how to avoid certain mistakes that can cost them their future career. I was asked all of the questions listed on page 59 which provides a list of questions that interviewers frequently like to ask. It was worth the investment !