The Successful Match: 200 Rules to Succeed in the Residency Match [Paperback]

Rajani Katta (Author), Samir P. Desai (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0972556176 | ISBN-13: 978-0972556170 | Publication Date: January 15, 2009 | Edition: 1

What does it take to match into the specialty and program of your choice?

This question is hotly debated and surveys of medical students and program directors find sharp divisions on the topic. In a recent survey of students, the authors concluded that "there are significant differences between program directors' and medical students' perceptions of which factors are important in the residency selection process" (Brandenburg 2005).

In advising students over the years, we have come to realize that misperceptions abound, with students frequently overestimating or underestimating certain residency selection criteria. These misperceptions may result in a failure to match or lead to a match with a less desirable residency program.

From our own experiences as students, and in the process of counseling students, we know how difficult, anxiety-provoking, and mysterious the residency selection process is. In this book, we answer the question of what it takes to match successfully. We provide specific evidence-based advice to maximize your chances of a successful match.

Who actually chooses the residents? We review the data on the decision makers. What do these decision makers care about? We review the data on the criteria that matter to them. How can you convince them that you would be the right resident for their program? We provide concrete, practical recommendations based on this data. At every step of the process, our recommendations are meant to maximize the impact of your application.

Utilizing a unique combination of evidence-based advice and an insiders' perspective, this book will help you achieve your ultimate goal: The Successful Match.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

In the 2007 Match, over 40% of U.S. senior applicants failed to match with the residency program of their choice. In competitive fields such as dermatology, ophthalmology, plastic surgery, and urology, over 30% of U.S. senior applicants failed to match at all. The numbers are significantly worse for osteopathic and international medical graduates. In fact, in the 2008 Match, over 5,000 international medical graduates failed to match.

Regardless of your chosen specialty, the key to a successful match hinges on the development of a well thought out strategy. This book will show you how to develop the optimal strategy for success. Learn how you can upgrade your credentials, write high-impact personal statements, solicit strong letters of recommendation, shine during interviews, and much more. This book is an invaluable resource to help you gain that extra edge.

Inside, find the answers to the following questions -

* Who are the decision-makers and what do they care about? Chapter 2 summarizes the data, specific to each field, on the relative importance of USMLE scores, AOA status, number of honors grades, research experience, and other criteria.
* One study of recommendation letters found that key information, such as interpersonal communication skills and cognitive knowledge, was often lacking. What can you do to help your letter writers write the best possible letter?
* A survey of program directors was performed to determine the most important aspects of a personal statement. What were the three most important?
* In one study, 1/3 of applicants were actually ranked lower following the interview. Another study found that 14% of interviews resulted in unranked applicants. What can you do to avoid common interview pitfalls?
* Do you know your competition? NRMP data from 2007 indicate that in competitive fields such as dermatology, orthopedic surgery, ENT, and radiation oncology, over 90% of applicants had participated in research.
* Should you do an audition elective? How important is it? How can you excel during the elective?
* What are the three most important criteria used to select IMG applicants? What are the least important? In one study, 93% of decision-makers felt that letters of recommendation from non-U.S. faculty were worthless.

Featuring discussion of these issues and more, this book will provide you with specific, concrete recommendations that will maximize your chances of achieving the ultimate goal: that of a successful match.

About the Author

Samir Desai, M.D., has advised and mentored many medical student and international medical graduate applicants during his time as a faculty member in the Department of Medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine. He is the co-author of the popular Success on the Wards: 250 Rules for Clerkship Success, a book that shows students how to excel during the third year of medical school. He is also the author of the best-selling Clinician's Guide to Laboratory Medicine: Pocket. Widely used by students and residents, this book provides a unique step-by-step approach to lab test interpretation while fitting easily in a coat pocket. At the websites - TheSuccessfulMatch.com and ImgAssist.com - he provides consulting services to applicants seeking residency positions in the United States. Together with Dr. Rajani Katta, he writes a regular column for studentdoctor.net called The Successful Match.


Rajani Katta, M.D., is an associate professor in the department of dermatology at the Baylor College of Medicine. She has authored over 30 articles published in scientific journals, and lectured extensively both nationally and locally on dermatology and contact dermatitis. She is the co-author of the popular Success on the Wards: 250 Rules for Clerkship Success, a book that shows students how to excel during the third year of medical school.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 405 pages
• Publisher: Md2b; 1 edition (January 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972556176
• ISBN-13: 978-0972556170
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #55,622 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book for Residency applicants, February 10, 2009

By 

A. Mallik (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Successful Match: 200 Rules to Succeed in the Residency Match (Paperback)

"The Successful Match: 200 Rules to Succeed in the Residency Match" - the title of the book describes it very well. This is a results-oriented, thorough, and complete guide. Remarkably, it is also engaging, step by step and easy to follow. The authors have made a great effort to organize the book with the time-pressured, busy residency applicant in mind.

One of the biggest challenges that residency applicants face is the confusing array of contradictory information from different sources. In this book, the authors do a wonderful job of addressing many myths and rumors that exist out there. They don't merely provide their opinions, but instead provide hard data -- the results of surveys and studies, as well as direct quotes from important decision makers such as residency program directors. Their painstaking research equips the applicant with the knowledge and insight to navigate this challenging process by helping them understand what programs are really looking for. The authors recognize that `one size fits all' often does not work for residency applications - e.g. something that makes sense for one specialty may be inappropriate for another.

I found the layout of The Successful Match more friendly and effective than other reference books. After reading the relevant section of "The Successful Match", I was equipped to deal with that aspect of the residency application process, since the authors provide very useful checklists, tips, and clear guidelines. The section on International Medical Graduates (IMGs) is the best guide out there, and meets a very important need. This book is a must-read, especially for all IMG applicants!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Have Book, September 2, 2009

By 

Med Student - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Successful Match: 200 Rules to Succeed in the Residency Match (Paperback)

This book is a MUST HAVE for any medical student planning to
participate in the Match. Prior to reading the book, I quickly gleaned
through Iserson's Getting into Residency, which pales in comparison to
The Successful Match. The depth of information provided in this book
for each step of the application process is astounding. It is well-
researched and provides insightful perspectives into each specialty.
The tips provided on selecting an advisor to dealing with a
conversational interview will be especially helpful. I especially
liked the information provided for writing the personal statement, CV,
and ERAS. Learning how program directors view the details provided to
them in these documents challenged me to present my professional
background effectively. Being educated about the Match through this
book has reduced my anxiety and I am certain it would do the same for
anyone who avails the use of this book. Best of luck in the upcoming
Match.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Successful Match - A Must-Have, June 8, 2009

By 

Ambarish Bhat - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Successful Match: 200 Rules to Succeed in the Residency Match (Paperback)

I have looked into many books that intend to help applicants match successfully, however, The Successful Match alone provides everything you need to know. Not only does it give you a foundation of knowledge necessary to advance through the application process, but also an inside scoop into the minds of those decision makers that comprise the admission committee. It taught me how to see myself as a residency applicant, not from an applicant's point of view, but strategically from that of a program director's perspective. I could trust the authors' statements because they were fully supported by evidence and I retained the information presented by the authors as they kept me engaged with "Did you know's", "Tips", "Rules", and Q&A formats. In conclusion, I recommend all residency applicants look into The Successful Match. It is a must-have.