0

IMPORTANT:
Communication During
Residency Application Process
Throughout the residency application process, it is imperative that
applicants be responsive to communications with their Career
Advisors, Specialty Advisors, Letter of Recommendation writers,
and Pritzker faculty and staff. This process is fluid and often
complex, and failure to be appropriately responsive can have a
negative impact on application outcomes.

Table of Contents
Advising Calendar...................................................................................................................................................3
Contact Information................................................................................................................................................4
Glossary of Terms...................................................................................................................................................5
Honors & Awards....................................................................................................................................................7
Requirements for Graduation..................................................................................................................................9
Scheduling Fourth Year.........................................................................................................................................11
Fourth Year Schedule Examples...........................................................................................................................12
Away Rotations ....................................................................................................................................................13
Geographic Preference .........................................................................................................................................15
Program Signals ...................................................................................................................................................16
The Couples Match...............................................................................................................................................18
Checklist for Regular Match..................................................................................................................................19
ERAS/Graduation Photo Information...................................................................................................................22
Physician Scientist Training..................................................................................................................................23
MD/PhD Advising ................................................................................................................................................25
Checklist for Early Match......................................................................................................................................26
Everything You Wanted to Know (But Were Afraid to Ask)...............................................................................30
Interview Tips.......................................................................................................................................................35
Sample CV............................................................................................................................................................37
Sample ERAS Application....................................................................................................................................40
Sample ERAS LOR Request Form.......................................................................................................................47
Writing a Personal Statement................................................................................................................................49
Sample Personal Statements..................................................................................................................................50
Information Provided in the MSPE ......................................................................................................................53
Sample MSPE and MSPE Appendicies.................................................................................................................54

1
 Table of Contents (Cont.)
RESIDENCY APPLICATION INFORMATION BY SPECIALTY
Preliminary Medicine……………………………………………67
Transitional Year…………………………………………………..69
Anesthesiology…………………………………………………...71
Child Neurology………………………………………………74
Dermatology……………………………………….……………..76
Emergency Medicine…………………………………………….79
Family Medicine…………………………………………………82
General Surgery………………………………………………….86
Internal Medicine………………………………………………...90
Internal Medicine and Pediatrics………………………………....93
Interventional Radiology…….…………………………………...96
Neurological Surgery………………………………………….....98
Neurology……………………………………………………….100
Obstetrics and Gynecology…………………………………...102
Ophthalmology………………………………………………….105
Orthopaedic Surgery…………………………………………...108
Otolaryngology……………………………………………...111
Pathology………………………………………………………..114
Pediatrics………………………………………………………..116
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation………………………….119
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery…………………………….121
Psychiatry……………………………………………………….123
Radiation Oncology………………………………………….126
Radiology-Diagnostic…………………………………………..128
Thoracic Surgery………………………………………………..130
Urology………………………………………………………….132
Vascular Surgery…………………………………………….….134
2025 Match Results ………………………………………………………………………………………….136

2
 General Advising Calendar (dates subject to change)
April-June 2025 First Meeting with Career Advisor
• Individual 30-60-minute meeting with your Career Advisor to discuss
specialty choice and fourth year schedule

April-July 2025 MSPE Meeting & Advisor Meetings (Specialty & Career)
• Schedule your Medical School Performance Evaluation (MSPE)
meeting with Dr. Fromme
• Continue to meet with your Career Advisor to finalize specialty choice
and develop an application strategy
• Meet with your Specialty Advisor to discuss program selection
• Work on your personal statement and CV
• Ask for LoRs
April-August 2025 Personal Statement Check-In with Career Advisor
• Review and finalize your personal statement with your Career
Advisor’s input (can be done over email)
May 19, 2025 Optional Workshop: Optimizing Your Personal Statement
5 pm Also being held Wednesday, June 11 at 5:00 pm
May 28, 2025 MS4 Class Meeting #1: Residency Application Overview
5 pm • Review the timeline for the residency application process
• Learn details and strategy for assembling your application
June 23, 2025 MS4 Class Meeting #2: ERAS & Residency Applications in Focus
5 pm • Learn the logistics of applying for residencies via the Electronic
Residency Application System (ERAS)

July 15, 2025 Deadline to take Step 2 CK

August-September 2025 Program List Meeting with Career Advisor
• Schedule a 30-minute meeting with your Career Advisor to review your
program list for depth and breadth
• Practice interview strategies and conduct a mock interview
September 15, 2025 MS4 Class Meeting #3: Interviewing for Residency
5 pm • Learn tips from UCM Program Directors on how to interview
successfully
September 24, 2025 Submit your ERAS application by 8 am CDT
• Submitting comfortably ahead of this time is strongly recommended
January-February 2026 Rank List Meeting with Career Advisor
• Schedule a 30-minute meeting with your Career Advisor to discuss
strategies for finalizing your rank list
January 20, 2026 MS4 Class Meeting #4: Preparing Your Rank List
5 pm • Learn how to enter your rank list and strategies for finalizing it

February 14, 2026 Submit your NRMP Rank List by 8 pm CST

• Recommended; NRMP deadline is in late February/early March
March 20, 2026 Match Day!
10 am

3
 Contact Information
Coggeshall Society Lewis Society
Brian Callender, MD’04, AM’98 Victoria Barbosa, MD
bcallend@[Link] [Link]@[Link]
773-702-5207 773-702-5525

Maureen Beederman, MD’14 Tipu Puri, MD, PhD

mbeederman@[Link] [Link]@[Link]
773-795-1240 773-702-9939

Huggins Society Rowley Society

Brandon Baird, MD Brady Still, MD’17
bbaird@[Link] stillb@[Link]
773-702-9508
Wei Wei Lee, MD, MPH
Arlene Roman, MD wlee2@[Link]
aroman1@[Link] 773-702-4654
773-702-6602

Jim Woodruff, MD: BSLC Suite 104; jwoodruf@[Link]; 773-795-1051; Pager: 7362
Tyler Lockman, MS: BSLC Suite 104; tlockman@[Link]; 773-702-3333

Web Resources
Career Resources AUA (American Urological Association)
Careers in Medicine [Link]
[Link]/cim
ResidencyCAS (OB-GYN and Emergency
FREIDA Medicine)
[Link]/ama/pub/education-careers/graduate- [Link]
medical-education/[Link]
PSCA (Plastic Surgery Common Application)
Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) [Link]/PSCA
[Link]/vslo
San Francisco Match (Ophthalmology)
Step Exam Websites [Link]
USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Exam)
[Link] Military Match
[Link] /
NBME (National Board of Medical Examiners) [Link]
[Link]

Match & Residency Application

NRMP (National Residency Matching Program)
[Link]

ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service)

[Link]/eras

4
 Glossary of Terms
Advanced (PGY-2) Residency Positions: An “advanced” or PGY-2 position does not commence until 1-2 years after
the match and requires completion of one or more years of preliminary training. The following specialties offer
advanced positions (some of these may also have programs that offer categorical positions): anesthesiology,
dermatology, neurology, ophthalmology, PM&R, radiation oncology, and radiology. Programs in neurosurgery,
orthopaedic surgery, plastic surgery, and urology are advanced programs that “bundle” in a preliminary year in general
surgery and do not generally require a separate preliminary application process.

Career Advisor: One of eight faculty members assigned by the Pritzker School of Medicine to assist you in the
application process. A Career Advisor provides counseling and feedback in the career selection and
implementation process, navigation of the match process, and review of application materials, including the personal
statement and ERAS application. Career Advisors offer guidance on the overall application process and strategy.

Categorical Residency Positions: A “categorical” position is one that offers full residency training required for board
certification in that specialty. You do not need a preliminary year for these programs.

Couples Match: The NRMP Couples Match allows two residency applicants to link their Rank Order Lists for the
purpose of obtaining residency positions in the same geographic location. See page 18 for more.

Early Match: Ophthalmology, urology, and all residency programs run by the military are early match programs,
occurring before the NRMP Match. Applicants in ophthalmology apply and match through the San Francisco Match
([Link]), while applicants in urology apply via ERAS and match via the American Urological Association
([Link]). Ophthalmology applications are due in late August and urology applications in September. Rank
lists are submitted in January/February, and match results are released in February. Military match results are released
in December.

ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service): ERAS is a service that transmits applications, letters of
recommendation, Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) letters, medical school transcripts, USMLE
transcripts, and other supporting documents from you and your designated dean’s office to residency program directors
via the internet. ERAS opens in June, application submission begins the first Wednesday in September, and ERAS
begins transmitting applications to programs on the last Wednesday in September.

LoRs (Letters of Recommendation): Anywhere between 3-6 LoRs are necessary for an application to residency,
depending on the program and number of specialties to which a student applies. Applicants should ask for LoRs no
later than six weeks in advance of submitting their application, and they should ask a physician with a good sense of
their clinical ability, clinical performance, and personal interests.

Match Day: Match Day is held on Friday of the third week in March. All U.S. seniors open their match envelopes
from the NRMP at 12:00 pm EST (11:00 am in Chicago) to find out into which residency program they have matched.

MSPE (Medical Student Performance Evaluation): A letter of evaluation (not recommendation) that describes a
student’s performance in medical school. The MSPE includes an assessment of both the student’s academic
performance and professional attributes. It is released to residency programs on the last Wednesday in September.

MSPE Director: The MSPE Director is responsible for meeting with all fourth-year medical students, overseeing the
construction of each student’s MSPE, and reviewing the MSPE with the student.

MSPE Survey: Rising fourth-year students receive this online survey in the spring of their third year. The survey helps
students prepare for the initial meeting with the MSPE Director, which is held sometime between April-July. Some of
the information provided by the student feeds directly into the MSPE. Other information (e.g., specialty selection, letter
of recommendation writers’ names) is used to help the career advising team best advise students throughout the
application process.

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NRMP (National Resident Matching Program): The NRMP ([Link]) conducts a residency match that is
designed to optimize the rank ordered choices of students and program directors. On Friday of the third week of March
(Match Day), the results of the match are announced. With the exception of early match programs, all residency
programs use the NRMP. The applicant standard registration deadline is the end of January, and the Rank Order List
deadline is the end of February/early March.

The NRMP is not the same as ERAS. You use ERAS (or another application service) to submit your application; you
use the NRMP to submit your rank list.

PGY: Post-graduate year. PGY-1 is an intern position; PGY-2 or higher is a resident position.

Plastic Surgery Common Application (PSCA): The PSCA is a common application for students applying to certain
plastic surgery programs. It is separate of ERAS, though some programs still use both application systems.

Preliminary Residency Positions (PGY-1): A “preliminary”, or PGY-1, position offers only 1-2 years of training
prior to entry into advanced specialty programs. Many internal medicine and surgery programs offer preliminary
positions in addition to categorical positions. Transitional year programs are also considered preliminary programs.

Program Signals: Program signals are sent through the ERAS, SF Match, and ResidencyCAS applications as a means
of indicating your sincere interest to specific programs. Not all specialties and programs utilize signaling, and the
number of signals allowed varies by specialty. Urology applicants signal through a specific AUA platform. See page 16
for more information (+ the updated Pritzker Program Signaling Guide when it is released in the summer).

Rank Order List (ROL): Rank order lists are the lists of programs in order of preference submitted by applicants to
the NRMP before the deadline (last week of February/Early March). All programs at which you interview may be
included on your ROL. Matched applicants consistently have longer ROLs than unmatched applicants. In 2024, the
average number of ranked programs for matched U.S. MD seniors was 13.95.

ResidencyCAS: The ResidencyCAS application is a platform that transmits applications and supporting documents for
students applying in obstetrics and gynecology and emergency medicine. The timing of the ResidencyCAS application
aligns with the ERAS application.

SLOE (Standardized Letter of Evaluation): Some specialties, like emergency medicine and plastic and
reconstructive surgery require a SLOE from an applicant’s home institution. SLOEs are submitted in your application
(ERAS, PSCA, etc.). Check with your Specialty Advisor to see if this applies to you and who writes the SLOE.

SOAP (Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program): The SOAP is a program administered by the NRMP that
begins on the Monday of Match Week. Through the SOAP, students who have not matched to a residency program can
submit additional applications through ERAS in an effort to obtain a residency position before Match Day.

Specialty Advisor: A faculty member from the specialty to which you will apply. You choose this person based on the
recommendations of the department and your own familiarity with the faculty member. This advisor provides
“specialty care” in the match process, including constructing a list of programs, away rotation advice, identifying letter
of recommendation writers, and reviewing rank lists for breadth and depth.

Transitional Residency Positions: A “transitional” position is an alternative to a preliminary year. It offers a mosaic
of experiences in surgery, medicine, pediatrics, and more, and is for people who want broader exposure to clinical
issues. It may be a good option for those seeking specialties that support other disciplines, like radiology or anesthesia.

VSLO (Visiting Student Learning Opportunities): VSLO (formerly VSAS) is an AAMC service that helps
streamline the process of applying for away rotations. Through VSLO, students are able to submit one single
application for an away rotation. Check the VSLO website ([Link] to find a list of participating
institution. VSLO also provides a centralized location for managing offers and tracking decisions.

6
 Honors & Awards
The Honors and Awards Committee, consisting of selected faculty, course directors, and clerkship directors, is
appointed by the Dean for Medical Education. The committee, chaired by a faculty member appointed by the Dean
for Medical Education, is charged with determining selection of students for Graduation with Honors and
designation of specific awards at graduation.

Graduation with Honors

Determination of Graduation with Honors is at the discretion of the Honors and Awards Committee using a holistic
review process. Generally, only 10% of the graduating class receives the “Graduation with Honors” designation.

A student may receive a designation of Graduation with Honors on the diploma if so designated by the Honors and
Awards Committee. In order to qualify for Graduation with Honors, students must have:
1. Demonstrated academic excellence during their years at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of
Medicine.
2. Demonstrated outstanding professionalism during their years at the University of Chicago Pritzker School
of Medicine.
3. Performed significant research while enrolled as a student in the medical school. Ordinarily, such research
will have led to either publication of results in scientific journals, presentation of the research project at
professional meetings, or presentation at the Senior Scientific Session in May of fourth year.

Other Graduation Awards

The Pritzker School of Medicine awards several specific named awards to graduating students, as well as
several departmental awards. Each award has specific criteria. Such designations are decided by the Honors &
Awards Committee, with consultation from the departmental chair or representative, when appropriate.

Departmental representatives may also designate awards to members of the graduating class who demonstrated
outstanding proficiency in their respective departments/sections.

Alpha Omega Alpha

The University of Chicago is home to the Illinois Beta Chapter of Alpha Omega Alpha (AΩA), the national medical
honor society. Election to the chapter occurs at the beginning of Pritzker students’ fourth year and is guided by the
regulations for election as set out in the AΩA constitution.

The selection of AΩA inductees is based on holistic review, which is aligned with the holistic review our Admissions
Committee uses when evaluating prospective students and with the mission statement of the Pritzker School of
Medicine.

This includes:
1. Academic performance during clerkship rotations
2. Participation and achievements in research/scholarship
3. Leadership, volunteerism, and institutional service as reported in the Student Management System and on
students’ CVs
4. Peer assessment as determined by an anonymous, end-of-academic year survey of MS3s (the peer assessment score
given to students who take time off will come from the cohort with whom they completed the MS3 year)

7
A committee of staff members uses the holistic review process to identify the top third of the class. From this group,
up to 20% of the class is then selected for membership in AΩA by a Selection Committee appointed by the Dean for
Medical Education. The AΩA constitution calls on the Committee to consider not only scholastic achievement but also
capacity for leadership, professionalism, a strong sense of ethics, and a commitment to service in the school and
community, along with outstanding achievement in research.

Gold Humanism Honor Society

The Pritzker School of Medicine maintains a Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) chapter to recognize our
students for their humanistic attributes. The GHHS seeks to recognize medical students who have demonstrated
exemplary attitudes and behaviors characteristic of the most humanistic physicians. The election process is based upon
the recommendations of third-year peers of the Pritzker School of Medicine and from the GHHS Selection Committee
deliberations. The Selection Committee is composed of a broad array of individuals who interact with students in a
variety of settings, including clerkship administrators, faculty, and medical school staff.

8
 Requirements for Graduation
Assignment of Credit Units in the Fourth Year
The fourth-year experience at the Pritzker School of Medicine is intended to consolidate the knowledge, skills, and
habits that students will need to be successful residents and practicing physicians; it consists of both required and
elective experiences. Students must complete a minimum of 1350 units of work over the course of the year.

Units for standing courses and clinical experiences are assigned by a committee (Associate Dean for Undergraduate
Medical Education, Pritzker Registrar, and the Director of Medical School Education) and are reviewed and
approved by the Curriculum & Educational Policy Committee (CEPC). All new elective proposals are reviewed in
detail by the CEPC and are assigned credit units by that committee.

Required experiences for Academic Year 2025-2026 include:

• Subinternship (150 units)
• Clinical Electives (150 units)
• Emergency Medicine (150 units)
• Scholarship & Discovery (100-300 units)
• Scientific Basis of Medical Practice “Selectives” (150 units)

Elective courses and clerkships, peer educator experiences, mentored independent study, and offsite rotations
comprise the remainder of the fourth-year schedule.

Determination of Units for Away Rotations

Students in Pritzker’s rising fourth-year class will be eligible to receive credit toward graduation for up to two away
rotations in their chosen specialty. Students interested in pursuing additional (beyond two) away rotations should
consult with their Career Advisor or Dr. Woodruff. Additional rotations may be permissible but will not receive
credit. Students work with their Career Advisors to choose an off-site rotation that will enhance their career and
learning goals. They fill out the Off-Campus Rotation Application (on our website) that includes a detailed
description of the off-site rotation, including learning goals, assessment methods, time commitment, and
responsibilities. The form is signed by the student’s Career Advisor. A committee consisting of the Associate Dean
for Undergraduate Medical Education, the Pritzker Registrar, and the Director of Medical School Education assign
credit units based on comparable courses or clerkships at Pritzker. Sometimes additional information is required
from the student or the school in order to assign appropriate units. If a student believes that the unit assignment is
not appropriate, the student has the opportunity to ask for additional review and to provide additional information
and details about the proposed experience.

Determination of Units for Independent Study Electives

Students may work with faculty members to create independent study electives for research or clinical experiences.
Students fill out an online Independent Study Form that is signed by the faculty member with whom they will be
working. This form requires a detailed description of the proposed experience, including learning goals, time
commitment, and evaluation methods. Credit units are assigned in a manner parallel to that for away rotations.

9
Specific Requirements for Graduation
❑ Successfully complete all coursework, as determined by the departments and the Committee on Academic
Promotions.
❑ Demonstrate professionalism and ethical conduct in all personal and professional actions and interactions, as
determined by departments, medical school administration, and the Committee on Academic Promotions.
❑ Complete fourteen (14) quarters of full-time enrollment and full tuition payment.
❑ Register for and record a score for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Steps 1 and
2CK. Students are responsible for meeting NBME deadlines.
• Step 1 is usually taken during the spring quarter following the completion of all second-year
courses.
• Step 2 CK should be taken by July 15 of the fourth year.
• Students may not receive the MD degree from the Pritzker School of Medicine if these exams are not
completed as required.
•If a student fails the Step 1 exam, they should notify Dr. Woodruff immediately and retake the
exam prior to beginning the residency application process.
❑ Complete all core course requirements by April 30 of the fourth year.
❑ Complete all course evaluations following each course, clerkship, and elective.
❑ Discharge all financial obligations to the University at least four weeks prior to the June Convocation date.
❑ Apply to graduate no later than the first week of the quarter in which the degree is expected (Spring Quarter
of fourth year).
Upon successful completion of the curriculum of the Pritzker School of Medicine, the student is recommended to
the Board of Trustees of the University of Chicago for the degree of Doctor of Medicine.

10
 Scheduling Fourth Year
to accommodate residency interviews

Basic Principles
• It is not acceptable to miss days during sub-internship rotations or basic science selective courses. If this
cannot be avoided, it should be kept to a minimum and always with permission from the Course or
Clerkship Director. For instance, a one-month selective meeting 5 days/week has a total of 20 class days;
therefore, every two days missed is 10% of the class time. If you need any days off to interview during
rotations, you must ask the course director first. Be aware that there is no guarantee that you will be
given any of these days away from the rotation.
• Keep November, early December, and January open (e.g., no class/clinical responsibilities), if at all possible,
for interviews. Consider placing Scholarship and Discovery research or independent study in November-
January for added flexibility.
• If applying in “early” match (military, ophthalmology, and urology), keep September–December
flexible.
• If applying to dermatology, neurosurgery, orthopaedic surgery, or emergency medicine, plan to keep
November-February flexible.
• Incorporate studying for and taking Step 2 CK into your schedules. Refer to page 10 for guidance on
timing of your Step 2 exam.
• Use the fourth year efficiently, especially time after Match Day, to complete graduation requirements.
• Students must register for at least 100 units of credit each quarter to maintain their registration.
Contact Michael McGinty (mmcginty@[Link]) if you have concerns regarding your
registration.

Specifics
• The Emergency Medicine rotation provides limited flexibility. Students select from a template schedule with
a required didactic/simulation series and clinical “shifts.” If you miss any of the didactics, the time must be
made up in another month to fulfill the requirements of the rotation. Similarly, if you miss shifts during the
month, they must be made up in order to complete the rotation. Making shift changes with other students or
arranging to complete missed shifts or didactics at a later time must be cleared in advance with the clerkship
directors.
• Note: Shifts cannot be front or back loaded. You must attend the emergency medicine
orientation on the first day of the rotation (or earlier). Alternate orientation arrangements cannot
be made.
• Electives that provide maximum flexibility during the fourth year include readings, research, and
independent study preceptorships. These may be good courses in which to enroll during peak interview
times. This is also an ideal time to study for Step 2.

11
 Fourth Year Schedule Examples
(May 2025 – May 2026)

“Normal” Schedule (for majority of programs):

May, June Study for and take Step 2/Sub-I/Electives

July 15 Deadline to take Step 2 CK
July, August (September) Sub-I’s/Electives/Away Rotations/Residency application
September 15 Submit ERAS application
October -January Interviews
January/February Emergency Medicine/Electives/Selectives

“Early Match” Schedule (for those applying in the military, urology, or ophthalmology matches) keep September
– November flexible):

May, June Sub-I/Electives

July 15 Deadline to take Step 2 CK
July, August (September) Residency application/Away rotation (Aug.)
September-November Study for and take Step 2
September 15 Submit ERAS application
September-December Interviews
January/February Emergency Medicine/Electives/Selectives

“Selective Specialties” Schedule (for those applying in dermatology, emergency medicine, neurosurgery,
orthopaedic surgery, plastic surgery, or radiation oncology; interview days are not flexible and tend to be later in
the season):

May, June Sub-I/Electives

July 15 Deadline to take Step 2 CK
July, August (September) Res. application/Away rotations (Aug.)
September 15 Submit ERAS application
November-February Interviews
Post-Match Emergency Medicine/Electives/Selectives

12
 Away Rotations
A fourth-year student may spend a maximum of two months during the fourth year pursuing off-campus
rotations for credit. Students choose to do away rotations as a way to learn more about a particular program or
specialty. Most programs do not require fourth-year off-campus rotations; however, some specialties expect
medical students to participate in away rotations prior to applying for residency. These specialties include
dermatology, emergency medicine, orthopaedic surgery, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, neurosurgery, plastic
surgery, PM&R, interventional radiology, radiation oncology, and urology.

Away rotations have always been a means by which students can distinguish themselves as applicants, but they
have become a bit more important in the changing landscape of residency application. With the elimination of
Step 1 scores and the growing importance of program signaling, displaying your interest in programs is of
increasing importance. Away rotations can be a powerful way of demonstrating this interest, even when
applying in slightly less competitive specialties. This does not mean away rotations are right for everyone, but
if there are strong personal reasons for being at a program or in a city, an away rotation may make sense. Away
rotations should not be taken lightly. Prior to applying for away rotations, students should discuss their options
with their Career Advisor.

Timing of Applications
• Applications for away rotations can be submitted as soon as individual programs express readiness to
receive applications (see VSLO, program websites, or contact programs). Start reviewing program
application timelines in January/February in case programs of interest to you open applications early.
• Application deadlines vary by medical school/medical center.
• Most away rotations happen from June-September. If you want to receive a letter of recommendation
from an away rotation or use the experience to help secure an interview at that program, aim to
complete your away rotation prior to ERAS opening in September.

Resources for Program Information

• Many away rotations now use the AAMC Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) program
([Link] If you are applying to a VSLO school, email Registrar Michael McGinty
(mmcginty@[Link]) to receive authorization and begin the process.
• If the institution does not participate in VSLO, look for visiting student information on the medical
school’s website.

Materials Needed
Applications vary by each school or program, but in general students will need the following:
• Letter of Good Standing: Email Michael McGinty (mmcginty@[Link])
• Official transcript: Email Michael McGinty
• Curriculum Vitae (CV): see sample in this book on page 37 or on the Road to Residency website
• Photo: Email pritzkerstudentsaffairs@[Link] if you would like to use your photo from your UCID
that we have on file
• Letter of Recommendation (LoR) from faculty: Only sometimes required; have letter writer send LOR to
Michael McGinty

13
Away Rotations & Credits
The Associate Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education approves all off-campus rotations and assigns
credits. Below is the process for assigning credits:
1. Submit an Away Rotation Application (on our website) with supporting documentation to Michael
McGinty. Do not print and fill out the form by hand; please complete it electronically.
2. You will be informed by e-mail regarding your application and number of units awarded.
3. Upon approval, forward the Institutional Evaluation Form (on our website) to the person evaluating your
performance during the off-campus rotation. They will submit it to the Pritzker registrar.
4. Complete a post-rotation evaluation, which will be sent to you by a Pritzker team member after your
rotation. This evaluation is required to receive credit for the experience.

14
 Geographic Preferences
Residency applicants are able to send up to three Geographic Preference Signals as part of the application process
through ERAS. This feature, which is meant to be utilized for interview invitations only, gives students a means to
express interest in specific regions and, optionally, why they are interested in matching there and to help programs
identify applicants for interviews that they may have otherwise overlooked. Consult with your Career Advisor about
how to use (or not use) Geographic Preferences in a way that works best for your application and your preferences.

Geographic Preferences allow applicants the opportunity to indicate a preference or lack of preference for a specific
geographic region or regions. Applicants can also indicate a preference or lack of preference for setting.

• Geographic Division Preference – Applicants have the option to select up to three preferred geographic
divisions or indicate no preference. Those selecting preferences are given the option to explain them.
Applicants can choose from the following divisions:
o New England – Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
o Middle Atlantic – New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania
o South Atlantic – Delaware, D.C., Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina,
Virginia, West Virginia
o East South Central – Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee
o East North Central – Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin
o West North Central – Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota
o West South Central – Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas
o Mountain – Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming
o Pacific – Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington

• Setting Preference – Applicants have the option to select varying degrees of preference for an urban or rural
setting. Those selecting preferences are given the option to explain them. Applicants can select from the
following options:
o Urban o Suburban/rural
o Urban/suburban o Rural
o Suburban

Consider carefully if and how you wish to communicate geographic preferences. Indicating preferences or lack of is
optional, but all applicants should indicate one or the other. Not completing this section one way or another leaves
your preferences open to interpretation by programs; do not skip this section. Questions to consider when
determining your preferences include:
• Where will I have the kind of support network (partner, family, friends) that I want or need during my
residency training?
• In what kind of setting am I most comfortable living and working?
• What regions or settings will offer the kind of lifestyle I desire outside the hospital?
• What kind of population of patients do I want to work with during my residency training?
• How do programs in my desired specialty view Geographic Preference Signals? (Consult Specialty Advisor)

It is important to be honest when expressing your preferences or lack of preference. Do not treat this as an
opportunity to game the system for the purpose of obtaining more interviews. That said, it is advantageous to align
your Geographic Preferences and Program Signals (see next page) as much as possible to increase interview
odds. If you are unsure of how to approach Geographic Preferences, consult with your Career Advisor.

15
 Program Signals
Program Signals, which are now used in more than 20 specialties, allow applicants the opportunity to express interest
in programs at the time of application and are meant to be one of many data points programs use when determining
interview invitations. They are not intended to be part of programs’ considerations when making their Rank Order
Lists. Data and feedback over the past couple years suggests that program directors across all specialties are actively
using Program Signal information to decide who to invite for an interview. Learn more on the AAMC website.

Applicants are allotted a varying number of Program Signals within each participating specialty, and students
applying in multiple specialties are able to signal the allotted number of programs in each specialty.

Program Signaling Approaches

• Small Signal – Most specialties used a “small signal” approach in 2024-2025, allotting between 2-10 signals
to each applicant. This approach aims to identify applicants’ top preferences only.
• Large Signal – A few specialties use a “large signal” approach, allotting 15-30 signals to each applicant.
This approach helps distribute signals more evenly across programs, as the “small signal” approach often
leads to a small number of programs receiving a disproportionate number of signals. This approach also
allows applicants to signal beyond just their top preferences.
• Two-Tier Signal – A few specialties used a “two-tier signal” approach in 2024-2025 (and more may in the
years ahead), allotting applicants a small number of “gold” signals and more “silver” signals. This helps
distribute signals evenly across programs and allows the applicant to identify top preferences and secondary
preferences.

In each of these approaches, it is important to appropriately diversify your program signals. This is especially
important in small signal specialties, where program signals are a more limited commodity.

Program Signaling Strategy

When determining how to use your allotted program signals (see the ERAS user guide for how many signals your
specialty allows), consider the following:

• Home Program & Away Rotation/Sub-I Signaling – The AAMC advises applicants to use a signal on
their home program, but some programs advise their ‘home’ applicants not to, including some at the
University of Chicago. Review the specialty pages in this book for more information and talk to the Program
Director if you are unsure. Similarly, some programs/specialties advise applicants to use a signal on
programs where they did an away rotation or sub-internship while others advise not to. If you are interested
in interviewing/matching at a program where you rotated, talk to the Program Director to confirm whether
they expect you to send them a signal to indicate your interest, as some programs offer guidance inconsistent
with the wider specialty.

• Distribution of Signals – First and foremost, you should use your Program Signals to express your honest
interest in programs. Additionally, you should not use all your signals on “dream” programs, as many of
these programs receive notably more signals than others in the specialty. Consult with your Career Advisor
about how to strategically use your signals on a combination of “dream” and “target” (and potentially
“safety”) programs in which you are genuinely interested.

16
 • Number of Signals Allotted – For specialties that only allow a small number of signals (2-10), be
particularly considerate about how you use them. For specialties that allow more signals (15+), the most
recent AAMC data suggests very low odds (even near-zero in some specialties) of an interview with a
program that you have not signaled. With a larger number of signals, your interviews offers are likely to
come primarily, and in some cases exclusively, from within the list of programs you signal. Pritzker’s data is
consistent with this dynamic. We strongly recommend using all signals allotted to you.

• Fit with Program – When deciding which programs to signal, pay attention to your fit with programs’
strengths and expectations as well as your own career interests. For example, signaling a program with a
specific Step 2 score minimum that is above your score would not be a wise use of a signal. Similarly, if
research opportunities (or health equity, or community engagement, etc.) are a priority for you in residency,
signaling a program that does not appear to offer many may not be a good use of a signal.

• Length of Program List – One of the goals of Program Signaling is to reduce the number of applications
programs receive to facilitate more meaningful holistic review and, subsequently, reducing the number of
programs to which applicants must apply. AAMC data indicates application numbers are down across most
specialties, particularly when the specialty has a large number of signals. Some large signal specialties now
advise that applying to many programs beyond the number of signals allotted is not productive, as programs
are far less likely to offer an interview to an applicant that did not signal them. Consult with your Career
Advisor or Dr. Woodruff, as some applicants may still benefit from a higher number of applications.

Participating programs to which you apply will only see your signal(s) if you signal their program. Programs will
NOT see if you signal other programs or which programs you signal. Program Signals are integrated into the ERAS,
SF Match, PSCA, and ResidencyCAS applications. Urology applicants send program signals through a separate
AUA platform.

Keep in mind also that Program Signals remain a relatively new component of the residency application process. The
full scope of their impact and optimal use of them remains fluid. There is no “one size fits all” approach.

Specialties confirmed to participate in Program Signaling in 2025-2026 (as of April 2025): Anesthesiology,
Dermatology, Radiology (diagnostic and interventional), Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, General Surgery,
Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine/Psychiatry, Internal Medicine/Medical Genetics, Neurological Surgery,
Neurology-Adult, Neurology-Child, OB/GYN, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedic Surgery, Otolaryngology, Pathology,
Pediatrics, Pediatrics/Medical Genetics, Pediatrics/Psychiatry/Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Physical Medicine &
Rehabilitation, Psychiatry, Public Health and General Preventive Medicine, Thoracic Surgery, Transitional Year,
Vascular Surgery.

17
 The Couples Match
The NRMP Couples Match allows two applicants to link their Rank Order Lists for the purpose of obtaining
residency positions in the same city or geographic area. While most applicants who participate in the Couples Match
are romantically involved, any two applicants can link their Rank Order Lists.

All couples planning to participate in the Couples Match should meet with Dr. Woodruff before the beginning of
fourth year, even if your partner attends a different medical school.
How the Couples Match Works
When two applicants decide to participate in the Couples Match, each applicant submits their own ERAS application
in their chosen specialty and participates in interviews individually. The ERAS application has a place to indicate
Couples Match participation and list the name of your partner and the specialty into which they are applying, as this
information allows programs to consider offering both you and your partner interviews. When registering for the
NRMP Match, couples link their participation and pay an additional Couples Match fee.

When it comes time to submit Rank Order Lists, each partner submits their own list, but the Match algorithm treats
the partners as a couple. A match is established only if both partners match a pair of ranked programs. When creating
your Rank Order List:
• Partners must have the same number of ranks on their respective Rank Order Lists.
• Couples have the option to rank a “No Match” code, meaning that if one partner is able to match at the
program on their list that corresponds to the other’s “No Match” rank the partner that ranked “No Match”
will not match. This option should be used at the bottom of Rank Order Lists.
Couples Match Strategies
Because of the added complexities of matching as a couple, a successful Couples Match requires great diligence and
planning. When participating in the Couples Match:
• Couples should coordinate their Rank Order Lists aggressively and meticulously. Consult with your Career
Advisor and Dr. Woodruff when creating your Rank Order List.
• Couples should consider a more aggressive approach to program outreach and diversification of program
lists. The latter can help create more potential for overlapping interviews.
• Couples should coordinate their allotted Program Signals (if applicable, based on specialty) and incorporate
diversification of these signals (see page 16). This is an important strategy in the effort to secure
overlapping interviews with your partner. Signaling is more challenging for applicants in the Couples
Match, particularly if their number of allotted signals is disparate, and you should explore with Dr.
Woodruff and your Career Advisor how to optimize use of your signals to generate overlapping interviews.
• Incorporate the fact you are participating in the Couples Match into your ERAS personal statement. Being
transparent and communicative about the fact you are applying as part of a couple and your specific
circumstances (e.g., you are married, how long you have been together, you have children, etc.) helps
programs understand the dynamics of your application as they make interview offers.
• Have honest discussions about your priorities as a couple, including willingness to match in separate
locations, preference for home institution (which can in some cases provide more certainty), and geographic
preferences or need to match in a certain part of the country.
• Consider doing an away rotation at a target program or having a pre-application conversation with the
Program Director. This can help secure more overlapping interviews, particularly if you and your partner
are targeting a specific program or location.
o For example, if one partner attends Pritzker and the other attends medical school in another state
but the couple wants to match in Chicago for residency, the out-of-state partner can increase their
chances of securing an interview and matching in Chicago by doing an away rotation at a target
program here.

18
 Checklist: Regular Match (subject to change)
April–June 2025
❑ Work toward narrowing your specialty choice.
• Attend departmental seminars and use electronic resources ([Link]; Careers in Medicine:
[Link]/cim; FRIEDA: [Link]/go/freida)
• Take advantage of the remaining months that M4s are here and talk with them about the programs they
visited, ranked, and did not rank. PMAP resources can also be useful as you make a decision.
• Select a Specialty Advisor and meet with them to discuss career decisions and fourth-year plans,
including whether you need to arrange an away rotation.
❑ Determine whether you want or need to complete any away rotations. Review information on program websites,
paying attention to deadlines for applications.
❑ Finalize fourth-year schedule.
• Most interviews will occur in October, November, December, and January, so keep your schedule light
and flexible during those months. Refer to guidelines for the Fourth Year Schedule on pages 11-12.
• Sign up for Step 2. Step 2 must be taken by July 15, 2025.
❑ Career Advising:
• Mid- to late-February: Send Noteworthy Characteristics to Career Advisor for feedback; revise and
finalize by April 1.
• Mid-April through the end of June: Meet with your assigned Career Advisor to review career choice,
fourth year planning (elective/selective choices, flexible time for interviews), letter writers, CV, personal
statement, and Specialty Advisor.
• Mid-April – July: Set up a time to meet with the MSPE Director to discuss your MSPE and residency
application. (Watch your email for scheduling instructions)
• If you are off campus for part of the summer, notify Tyler Lockman (tlockman@[Link]) as
soon as you know when you will be gone, so he can help schedule your MSPE meeting.
❑ If you haven’t already, join the Pritzker Alumni Ambassador Program to network with and learn from alumni at
residency programs across the country. Sign up at [Link]/signup and select “Pritzker School of
Medicine Student” as your membership type.
❑ Get started on your personal statement. Get lots of feedback on your statement from your Career Advisor and
your Specialty Advisor, in that order. For extra help attend one of Dr. Woodruff ’s Optimizing Your Personal
Statement workshops: Monday, May 19th, and Wednesday, June 11th (both at 5:00 p.m.).
❑ Attend MS4 Class Meeting #1: Residency Application Overview on Wednesday, May 28th at 5:00 p.m.
June-August 2025
❑ Attend MS4 Class Meeting #2: ERAS & Residency Applications in Focus - Monday, June 23rd at 5:00 p.m.
❑ Take Step 2 by July 15, 2025.
❑ Start filling out your ERAS application (a token allowing you to register will be emailed to you in June).
• Update your CV (see pages 37-39 for an example).
• Identify faculty who will write your letters of recommendation (LoRs). Remember, letter writers will
need your CV and a draft of your personal statement. You should give your writers at least six weeks to
complete their letters by September 12, so ask them by mid-July. Download a Letter Request Form from
ERAS and email it to your letter writers so they can upload their LoR directly to ERAS.
• Have your photo taken for use in ERAS and graduation composite photo. See page 22 for details.

19
❑ Choose programs to which you wish to send applications.
• Apply to enough programs so that you have choices. It is better to cancel interviews than to not have
enough scheduled.
• Ensure that you have a list of programs that is long enough to cover the categories of Dream Programs,
Hope Programs, and Safety Programs.

❑ MSPE Review
• In July/August, you will be contacted when your MSPE is ready for review. Please schedule your MSPE
review time within two days of being notified. If you will be gone in the summer or fall, it is very
important that you notify Tyler Lockman (tlockman@[Link]) as soon as you know when
you will be gone, so he can help schedule your MSPE meeting.
September–October 2025
❑ Complete ERAS application and apply! More and more programs are selecting students for interview on a first-
come, first-served basis. ERAS submissions begin Sept. 3; programs receive applications Sept. 24.
• Complete ERAS early but not hastily. Your ERAS application cannot be changed once it is submitted.
• The office will begin to upload documents (Pritzker transcript) after you have registered for ERAS. Your
LoR authors will upload your letter based on the Letter Request Form you have sent them. All MSPEs
will be uploaded in advance of the date applications are released to programs.
• Register for the NRMP ([Link] Registration opens on September 15.
• Check ERAS regularly to monitor the status of your LoRs.
❑ Attend MS4 Meeting #3: Interviewing for Residency on Monday, September 15th at 5:00 p.m.
❑ If you are doing an away rotation in August or September, be sure that all of your letter writers have been
contacted, that you have reviewed your MSPE, and that you have taken your photo before then.
❑ Prepare to interview.
• Meet with your Career Advisor to discuss interview strategies and participate in a “mock interview” in
August (preferably) or September. Your Career Advisor may help you seek additional practice.
• Accept interviews quickly, within one day. Spots will fill up.
• Develop a calendar for the interview dates you have accepted.
• Contact students who have graduated and who are in the various programs in which you are interested
to determine whether they can give you any insights or suggestions. If you need help getting in touch
with alumni, contact Tyler Lockman (tlockman@[Link])
❑ If necessary, consider what you need to do to accommodate in-person interviews, including budgeting for extra
travel expenses. See page 35 for more.

October–December 2025
❑ Interview!
❑ The MSPE will be released to programs on September 24th per requirements for all U.S. medical schools.

January–February 2026
❑ Attend MS4 Class Meeting #4: Constructing Your Rank List on Tuesday, January 20th at 5:00 p.m.
❑ Decide on your Rank Order List.
• Meet with your Career Advisor after you are done interviewing to discuss how to rank your programs.
• Ensure that you have sufficient programs to rank (generally, 10-12; see the Specialty Pages section for
more precise data), and that you have an adequate backup plan (discussed with advisors).
• In early January, discuss your highest choices with your Career Advisor & Specialty Advisor.

20
 ❑ Enter your Rank Order List.
• Certify your final Rank Order List by February 14, 2026, to be assured that your list will be saved in the
event heavy server traffic slows the system down. You can change your ROL up until the final deadline,
but it is recommended you certify well ahead of it. Print out a copy of your certified ROL for your
records.
❑ Sign up for the Senior Scientific Session, scheduled for May 2026.
❑ Complete the AAMC Graduation Questionnaire (available February 2026).
❑ Fill out your Match Results Privacy Survey.

March 2026
*Dates and times subject to final confirmation by NRMP
❑ Plan on being on campus for all of Match Week.
• On Monday, March 16, the Pritzker School of Medicine will receive information about students who
have not matched. We will contact unmatched students by phone at 9:00 a.m. The list of unfilled
programs will be posted, and ERAS will open in SOAP (Supplemental Offer & Acceptance Program)
mode.
• Throughout the week, the Pritzker staff, deans, and Career Advisors will work with SOAP students to
secure a residency position.
• On Friday, March 20, the Match results will be distributed for release at 11:00 a.m. CST.
❑ Two to three weeks following the Match, students will receive contracts from their matched programs.

April–June 2026
❑ Fill out licensure and verification paperwork, available on the Pritzker website.
❑ Complete residency contract with your matched program.
❑ Prepare to move.
❑ Check your transcript for completion.
❑ Consider whether you want to continue your individual disability insurance policy that you have had during your
time at Pritzker through your residency years.
❑ Plan on participating in all M4 events: Senior Scientific Session, Student, Family, and Faculty Recognition
Dinner, Divisional Academic Ceremony (late May), and Convocation (June 6; schedule available online).
❑ Graduate in early June. (June 6, 2026)

21
 ERAS/Graduation Photos
We will set up complimentary Pritzker portrait sessions in April, May, and June. Information about dates and signup
will be forthcoming.

Once you have your portrait taken, you will be able to select 1-2 photos from among those the photographer has
taken. These will be retouched and sent to you for use in your residency application, and Tyler Lockman will receive
them for the graduation composite. These sessions are the only opportunity to have a complimentary photo taken. If
you do not attend a session, it will be your responsibility to have a professional photo taken for your application and
the graduation composite.

Tips:
• Men, wear a coat and tie; women, wear a suit coat or blouse.
• Do not wear white (white shirt under a dark coat is OK).
• People with long hair should wear a color top that contrasts.
▪ Dark hair—a medium to medium light toned shirt
▪ Light hair—a medium to darker color shirt
• Make-up helps, as the camera lights can wash out skin tone.
• Be aware of glare from glasses. The photographer can fix this to a degree, but students may want to
consider having an option without glasses if theirs produce significant glare.
• Check for stray hairs or frizzy hair before having photos taken. These are often impossible to correct
in editing.

22
 Physician Scientist Training
Recommended Physician Scientist Advisor
• James Woodruff, MD
• All physician scientist applicants intending to apply to research training pathways in residency
should schedule an appointment with Dr. Woodruff to discuss strategy and logistics.
• Meeting with Dr. Woodruff can occur as early on the timeline as the student wishes but no later
than the end of the Winter Quarter of the year preceding their 4th year of medical school.

Application Logistics
Timeline: Technically, the physician scientist residency application process occurs on the same timeline
as for traditional students in any specialty. Having said this, decision-making about a specialty may be
complex and certain opportunities to improve one’s application warrant an earlier start to planning.

Content: While the content of a physician scientist application includes standard components of a
traditional application to a specialty, preparation for application and total content of the application may
differ from traditional applicants. The additional components of the application are determined by the
individual programs to which the student is applying. Programs typically list the components required
for physician scientist application on their program website. If they are not listed, then students should
contact the program for additional information.

Listed below are components of an application all students will use and supplemental components that
may be requested by individual programs.

Standard Components Potential Additional Components

Demographics Letter of Rec from Research Mentor
Curriculum Vitae (application) Supplemental Application / Essays
3 Letters of Recommendation (clinical) Research Statement
Personal Statement List of Potential Mentors you would like to
MSPE meet
Official Transcript
USMLE Transcript

Away Rotations: The need for away rotations is largely determined by the specialty to which you are
applying (similar to traditional applicants), but the student may also have personal or strategic reasons
for pursuing away rotations (ex. significant other lives in a target city; student is especially interested in
a particular program). Most physician scientist students will not pursue away rotations.

Letters of Recommendation: Students will need three letters of recommendation from faculty who can
speak to the student’s clinical acumen (i.e., from faculty the students worked with in patient care).
Students also typically submit a fourth letter from a research mentor.

Supplemental Applications: Some programs will ask students to complete a supplemental application
that includes items from the “Potential Additional Components” list above. Directions regarding a
supplemental application will be present on individual program websites or in communications once the
application process has been initiated.

23
Personal statement: Your application will be reviewed by both program faculty that are clinical and
faculty that are physician scientists. Unless otherwise instructed, the personal statement for your ERAS
application should contain standard content (who you are and why this specialty) but you should include
at least one large paragraph about your research training and research aspirations for the future. More
detailed information about your training and future research aspirations will be outlined in your
supplemental application.

Application Advice
Pre-Application Advice: Physician scientist applications warrant additional research on programs
compared to standard applicants. Your goal is to find both optimal clinical training AND research
training. Such an applicant may also be looking to package both specialty and sub-specialty training. In
addition to using faculty, mentors, more advanced peers, the internet, and scientist societies to perform
this research, physician scientist applicants can reach out to program directors at target programs in the
pre-application phase to gather information. These conversations can be seen as representative of
networking activity successful scientists use to forward research and career efforts. The conversation
also generates face recognition that may be valuable in the application process. Talk to Dr. Woodruff
about these conversations in the Winter Quarter before the 4th year to lay out a comfortable approach.

Interview Advice: Physician scientist applicants may have two-day interviews as opposed to the one-day
format experienced by non-scientist applicants. The two-day format may afford time to interview with
clinical faculty from the target specialty residency and faculty from sub-specialty fellowships of interest.
The extra time also allows for meetings with potential mentors. Some physician scientist pathways may
ask applicants to do a short research talk during their interview visit.

Post-Interview Advice: Communication between programs and student applicants is not uncommon for
physician scientist applicants. Such candidates as a category are very valuable to academic departments
and so active recruitment may occur. In addition, the longer commitments of both parties (specialty plus
sub-specialty training for some programs) warrant greater attention to fit. This post interview
communication can be initiated by either party but is often initiated by the programs.

Resources
Research Residency Programming
• Residency Application Check-In Session with MD/PhD Program Faculty and Staff (Summer
quarter, MS4 year)
• MSTP Quarterly Career Conversations (Offered Autumn-Spring)
• MSTP Alumni Meet-Ups (Offered Annually)

Research Residency Resources

• AAMC Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP) Resources
• AAMC Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP) Webinar Archive
• MSTP Research Residency Wiki (email mstp@[Link] for access)
• American Physician Scientists Association (APSA) (MSTP maintains an institutional
membership. Email mstp@[Link] for more information).
• UChicago MD/PhD Alumni (Contact your program director or administrator to learn more)

24
 MD/PhD Residency Advising
Spring Quarter 2025
❑ PSOM Advising with Dr. Woodruff
• During winter quarter of your MS3 year, you will be required to meet with Dr. Jim Woodruff regarding
your residency plans. Some of you may also meet with him during the summer quarter of your transition
into your MS4, depending on your individual needs. This meeting will supplement the group Residency
Application Check-In Session in the Summer Quarter of your MS4 year.

Summer Quarter 2025

❑ Event: Residency Application Touch Base Session
• In the summer quarter of your MS4 year, you will be required to attend a Residency Application Check-In
session led by MD/PhD program faculty and staff. The purpose of this session is to ensure you are on
track to meet residency application deadlines and to address any outstanding questions you may have.

MD/PhD Program-Specific Advising for MSTP, GDDTP, and MeSH

• Your home program might require or encourage additional advising appointments. Please reach out to
the appropriate individuals to inquire.

25
 Checklist: Early Match
Military, Ophthalmology, Urology
Note: Pay attention to the checklist for the regular match too. It may be important for a PGY-1
(preliminary) position.

March–June 20245
❑ Work toward narrowing your specialty choice.
• Attend departmental seminars and use electronic resources ([Link]; Careers in Medicine:
[Link]/cim; FRIEDA: [Link]/go/freida)
• Take advantage of the remaining months that M4s are here and talk with them about the programs they
visited, ranked, and did not rank. PMAP resources can also be useful as you make a decision.
• Select a Specialty Advisor and meet with them to discuss career decisions and fourth year plans,
including whether you need to arrange an away rotation.
❑ Determine whether you want or need to complete any away rotations. Review information on program websites,
paying attention to deadlines for applications.
❑ Finalize your fourth-year schedule.
• Most interviews will occur in October, November, December, and January, so keep your schedule light
and flexible during these months. Please refer to guidelines for the Fourth Year Schedule on page 11.
• Sign up for Step 2 CK. Step 2 CK must be taken by July 15, 2025. Ophthalmology applicants should
strongly consider taking Step 2 sooner so they have a Step 2 score on their application in late August.
❑ Career advising
• Mid- to late-February: Send Noteworthy Characteristics to Career Advisor for feedback; revise and
finalize by April 1.
• Mid-April through the end of June: Meet with your assigned Career Advisor to review career choice,
fourth year planning (elective/selective choices, flexible time for interviews), MSPE noteworthy
characteristics, letter writers, CV, personal statement, and Specialty Advisor.
• Set up a time to meet with the MSPE Director between mid-April and July to discuss your MSPE and
residency application.
• If you will be off campus for part of the summer, notify Tyler Lockman (tlockman@[Link])
as soon as you know when you will be gone, so he can help schedule your MSPE meeting.
❑ If you haven’t already, join the Pritzker Alumni Ambassador Program to network with and learn from alumni at
residency programs across the country. Sign up at [Link]/signup and select “Pritzker School of
Medicine Student” as your membership type.
❑ Get started on your personal statement. Get lots of feedback on your statement from your Career Advisor and
your Specialty Advisor, in that order. For extra help, attend one of Dr. Woodruff ’s Optimizing Your Personal
Statement workshops: Monday, May 19th, and Wednesday, June 11th (both at 5:00 p.m.).
❑ Ask for letters of recommendation (LoRs). Students applying in Ophthalmology should begin asking for LoRs
in June; ideally, all Ophthalmology applications are submitted by August.
• Update your CV (see pages 37-39 for an example).
• Identify faculty who will write your letters of recommendation (LoRs). Remember, letter writers will
need your CV and a draft of your personal statement. You should give your writers at least six weeks to
complete their letters.
❑ Attend MS4 Class Meeting #1: Residency Application Overview on Wednesday, May 28th at 5:00 p.m.

26
June–August 2025
❑ Attend MS4 Class Meeting #2: ERAS & Residency Applications in Focus - Monday, June 23rd at 5:00 p.m.
❑ Take Step 2 by July 15, 2025 but preferably earlier for ophthalmology.
❑ Start filling out your application:
• Download Letter Request Forms from ERAS (Urology) and email them to your letter writers so they
can upload their LoR directly to ERAS or send request through appropriate application service.
• Have your photograph taken for use on your application and for the graduation composite photo. See
page 22 for details.
❑ Complete Specialty Match applications and register for the specialty matching programs.
• For Military (generally): Apply and match through the military or dual apply with ERAS and match
through the NRMP. Check the instructions provided by your branch of service. Military match results
are available in mid-December.
• For Ophthalmology: Apply and match through the San Francisco Match ([Link]) for your
integrated programs and ERAS/NRMP for your joint programs with a separate PGY-1 year.
Applications are due at the beginning of September, though you are encouraged to submit your
application by late August. The rank deadline for the SF Match is in late January/early February.
• For Urology: Apply through ERAS and match through the AUA ([Link]). Submit your
ERAS application in September. Deadline for rank lists with the AUA is in early January.
❑ MSPE Review
• In July/August, you will be contacted when your MSPE is ready for review. Please schedule your
MSPE review time within two days of being notified. If you will be gone in the summer or fall, it is
very important that you notify Tyler Lockman (tlockman@[Link]) as soon as you know
when you will be gone, so he can help schedule your MSPE meeting.
August–October 2025
❑ Choose programs to which you wish to send applications.
• Apply to enough programs so that you have choices. It is better to cancel interviews than to not have
enough scheduled.
• Ensure that you have a list of programs that is long enough to cover the categories of Dream Programs,
Target Programs, and Safety Programs.
❑ PGY-1 (preliminary) programs: For those applying via the San Francisco Match, ‘joint’ programs require an
ERAS application and NRMP Match participation as a formality, though this can occur after matching in
February. ERAS submissions begin Sept. 3; programs receive applications Sept. 24.
• Complete ERAS early but not hastily. Your ERAS application cannot be changed once it is submitted.
• The dean’s office will begin to upload documents (Pritzker transcript) after you have registered for
ERAS. Your LoR authors will upload your letter based on the Letter Request Form you have sent them.
All MSPEs will be uploaded in advance of the late September release date.
• Register for the NRMP ([Link]) if necessary. Registration opens Sept. 15.
❑ If you are doing an away rotation in August or September, be sure that all of your letter writers have been
contacted, that you have reviewed your MSPE, and have taken your photo before then.
❑ Attend MS4 Meeting #3: Interviewing for Residency on Monday, September 15th at 5:00 p.m.

27
❑ Prepare to interview.
• Meet with your Career Advisor to discuss interview strategies and participate in a “mock interview” in
August (preferably) or September. Your Career Advisor may help you seek additional practice.
• Accept interviews quickly, within a day. Spots will fill up.
• Develop a calendar for the interview dates you have accepted.
• Contact students who have graduated and who are in the various programs in which you are interested
to determine whether they can give you any insights or suggestions. If you need help getting in touch
with alumni, contact Tyler Lockman (tlockman@[Link]).
❑ If necessary, consider what you need to do to accommodate in-person interviews, including budgeting for extra
travel expenses. See page 35 for more.

October 2025–January 2026

❑ Interview!
❑ The MSPE will be released to program directors (both via ERAS and via the SF Match) on September 24 per
requirements for all US medical schools.
❑ Attend MS4 Class Meeting #4: Constructing Your Rank List on Tuesday, January 20th at 5:00 p.m.
❑ Decide on your rank order list.
• If you have to submit a rank order list before the January 20 MS4 class meeting about constructing
your rank list, meet individually with your Career Advisor, Specialty Advisor, or Dr. Woodruff after
you are done interviewing to discuss how to rank your programs.
• Ensure that you have sufficient programs to rank (generally, 10-12; see the Specialty Pages section for
more precise data), and that you have an adequate backup plan (discussed with advisors).
• Discuss your highest choices with your Career Advisor & Specialty Advisor.
• Urology and ophthalmology rank list deadlines are typically in January. Know your deadlines!
❑ Match Day for early match specialties is typically in early February.

February 2026
❑ For PGY-1 programs (needed with ‘joint’ Ophthalmology programs): Enter your Rank Order List in ERAS.
• Certify your final Rank Order List by February 14, 2026, to be assured that your list will be in the
event heavy server traffic slows the system down. You can change your ROL up until the final
deadline, but it is recommended you certify well ahead of it. Print out a copy of your certified ROL for
your records.
• Submit your rank list even if it is just a formality (i.e., if your PGY-2 position includes a guaranteed
PGY-1position). This is required of all US seniors in the NRMP Match.
❑ Sign up for the Senior Scientific Session, scheduled for May 2026.
❑ Complete the AAMC Graduation Questionnaire (available February 2026).
❑ Fill out your Match Results Release Survey

March 2026
* Dates and times subject to final confirmation by NRMP.
❑ Plan on being on campus for all of Match Week if you want to participate in festivities with your class.
• On Friday, March 20, Match results will be distributed for release at 11:00 a.m. CST. Early match
students are encouraged to attend and participate in the festivities.
❑ Two to three weeks following the Match, students will receive contracts from their matched programs.

28
April–June 2026
❑ Fill out licensure and verification paperwork, available on our website.
❑ Prepare to move.
❑ Check your transcript for completion.
❑ Consider whether you want to continue disability insurance through your residency years.
❑ Plan on participating in all M4 events: Senior Scientific Session, Senior Skit, Student/Faculty Recognition
Dinner, Divisional Academic Ceremony (late May) and Convocation (June 6, schedule available online).
❑ Graduate in early June.

29
 Everything You Wanted to Know About
Applying to Residencies
but were afraid to ask...

…about the MSPE:

What is the MSPE?
The Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) is a letter of evaluation describing performance in medical
school. It is not a letter of recommendation. The MSPE contains a summary of a student’s academic activities,
clerkship narratives, and awards. All residency programs receive the MSPE on the last Wednesday in September. In
terms of importance to selection committees, it is of value but not of the highest priority. The MSPE is intended to be
supportive in nature, but it also provides the residency selection committee with an accurate, objective picture of a
student’s performance and ability.

Why do we have two MSPE meetings? How do I schedule them?

Your first meeting with the MSPE director lasts one hour, is conducted virtually, and is intended for the MSPE
Director to get to know you as a person. You will discuss your interests, motivations, challenges, and experiences. Not
everything you discuss will be included in your MSPE, but it will be used to inform how we piece together all of your
information. This happens from April through July.

The second MSPE meeting happens in late summer and is shorter, usually lasting 10-15 minutes. Your second
meeting must occur in person. You should arrive 20 minutes early to retrieve a paper copy of your MSPE from Tyler
Lockman and a red pen to mark up any typos or content errors. You will then review your markups with the MSPE
Director. The MSPE is not distributed to students electronically, and you are not allowed to retain a copy, which is why
these reviews must be done in person.

Instructions for scheduling your first MSPE meeting will be shared in March. Please keep an eye out for this
information and respond promptly. Second meetings are scheduled in July/August.

If a student is elected to Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society (AΩA) or to Gold Humanism Honor
Society (GHHS), will that information be included in the MSPE?
Yes. The Selection Committees meet in late August and students are notified at the conclusion of that meeting. This is
sufficient time to include this information on applications and in the MSPE.

Does the MSPE discuss my specialty choice?

The MSPE does not stipulate or mention the specialty you have chosen. It is intended to be generic, since some
students may be applying to more than one specialty; it is also used by graduates who are reapplying for other
specialties. The MSPEs are not rewritten at that time.

After the MSPE is written in draft form, will I be able to review it and suggest revisions?
Yes, you will be able to review your MSPE (see above). You will be notified via email when it is ready for
review. Revisions will be largely in the form of correcting any inaccurate factual data.

Who sends out the MSPE?

The MSPE for students applying through ERAS will be uploaded by Pritzker and transmitted electronically to the
designated programs on September 24th. For students applying through the San Francisco Match, the Plastic Surgery
Common Application, or ResidencyCAS (OB/GYN & Emergency Medicine), Pritzker will upload the MSPEs to the
appropriate portal by September 24th. No MSPEs will be released before September 24th.

30
 ...about letters of recommendation (LoRs):
How many letters of recommendation should I ask for?
Three letters of recommendation are required and no more than four are allowed. Often, one of the three should be
from the Department Chair in your specialty. Please check with the individual disciplines for their specific
requirements (see pages 66-135). You will need a minimum of three clinical letters for both an advanced specialty as
well as a preliminary year application if you are applying in a discipline that requires preliminary training. You will
need three letters for your preliminary application and 3-4 for the advanced program, totaling 5-7 letters.

Whom should I ask and when?

The best letter writers are those faculty members who know you well and can strongly support your application.
Clinical letters are preferred. Research letters can be used as supplemental letters but not as primary letters. You should
aim to have all your letters uploaded by September 12th, so you should ask for your letters by mid-July at the latest
(earlier is better). When asking for a LoR, provide the potential letter writer with a copy of your CV and a draft of your
personal statement.

How do I get a Chair’s Letter if the chair doesn’t know me?

Nearly all specialties want specific information about a student’s ability to perform in the specialty of choice, and this
information is conveyed through the departmental Chair’s Letter. It is best to contact the administrator in the
department to determine (1) if the Chair sends a letter, and (2) what process has been established for completing this
process. Internal Medicine, Medicine-Pediatrics, General Surgery, and Obstetrics & Gynecology require a chair’s
letter. Most surgical sub-specialties also require a letter from the section chief. Additional specialties may now require
a Standardized Letter of Evaluation (SLOE). (see pages 66-135 for specialty specific information)

When should all my letters be in?

Generally, faculty members upload their letters directly to ERAS within 4-8 weeks of being asked by students. Begin
asking your letter writers as soon as you are able. Aim to have all letters in by September 12th.

What do I do if my letter has not been uploaded, I can’t get in touch with my letter writer, and it is well
after the 4–8-week period?
Please let your Career Advisor, Dr. Woodruff, or Tyler Lockman know. We will advise you on your next steps or
follow up on your behalf.

Do I need to have all my letters of recommendation uploaded before I can apply?

No, you can send in your application even if the letters haven’t been received yet. Please check ERAS to track
the status of your letters. You should ensure all your letters have been submitted in ERAS by the September 24th
release, which is the date that programs can first access your application. It is important to go into your application and
assign newly uploaded letters to the programs you want to receive them.

Do I have to designate all my letters to certain programs at the time that I apply?
No, you can apply without designating any letters at all. You can apply with a few letters designated and add letter
writers later. Double check the assignment of your letters and all other documents prior to the day applications are
released to programs.

Should I waive my rights to view my letters in ERAS or another application service?

You are strongly encouraged to waive your rights to view your LoRs. This is not required, and you may maintain
your right to view the letter, but doing so can be seen by programs as a red flag. When you waive your right to view
your LoRs, programs can be confident that your letters are honest and unbiased.

31
 ...about transcripts:
Who sends out Pritzker transcripts and what do they cost?
Students do not need to obtain a Pritzker transcript. We will arrange with the Registrar to get your transcript and either
upload it to ERAS, the San Francisco Match website, ResidencyCAS, or the Plastic Surgery Common Application.

How do I send my USMLE Transcript and how do I update it when my Step 2 score is available?
ERAS and SF Match participants will be able to electronically request that their scores be sent directly from the
NBME. If you do not have a Step 2 score when you submit your application, you will have to retransmit the USMLE
transcript in ERAS when your score becomes available, though all applicants should plan to have a Step 2 score when
submitting their initial application. Other application services like the PSCA and ResidencyCAS may require that
Pritzker confirm your Step scores; input Tyler Lockman’s contact information in such instances.

If a program asks for my undergraduate transcript, can I photocopy the one the Pritzker School of
Medicine has on file?
No. Undergraduate programs (including the University of Chicago) must be contacted individually, and an official
transcript requested from them. Students participating in ERAS must ask the undergraduate institution to send a hard
copy to the programs. Undergraduate transcripts cannot be transmitted via ERAS. This is not a common requirement.

If I am asked where I rank in my class, where can I get this information?

You cannot since class ranking is not possible under our pass/fail grading system.

...about preliminary years (PGY-1’s):

What types of post-graduate year (PGY) positions are there?
Advanced Residency Positions: An “advanced” position does not commence until 1-2 years after the match and
requires completion of one or more years of preliminary training. The following specialties offer advanced positions
(some of these may also have programs which offer categorical or joint positions): anesthesiology, dermatology,
neurology, ophthalmology, PM&R, radiation oncology, and radiology. Programs in neurosurgery, ophthalmology
(some but not all), orthopaedic surgery, plastic surgery, and urology are advanced programs that “bundle” in a
preliminary year in general surgery and do not generally require a separate preliminary application process.

Categorical Residency Positions: A “categorical” position is one that offers full residency training required for board
certification in that specialty.

Preliminary Residency Positions: A “preliminary” position offers only 1-2 years of training prior to entry into
advanced specialty programs. Many internal medicine and surgery training programs offer preliminary
positions in addition to categorical positions. Transitional year programs are also considered preliminary programs.

Transitional Residency Positions: A “transitional” position is an alternative to a preliminary year. It offers a mosaic of
experiences in surgery, medicine, pediatrics, and more, and is for people who want broader exposure to clinical issues.
It may be a good option for those seeking specialties that support other disciplines, like radiology or anesthesia.

How do I apply for preliminary or transitional positions?

You apply through ERAS, like you would for any other position. Both specialties now allow you to send program
signals to your preferred programs.

32
How do I know if I need a preliminary or transitional position?
Below is a chart of post-graduate position requirements by specialty. Many of the specialties marked “Yes” feature a
combination of categorical and advanced options, and most applicants in these specialties end up applying to
preliminary or transitional year positions because some of the programs to which they apply only offer advanced
training.

Specialty PGY-1 Needed

Anesthesiology Some programs require PGY-1
Child Neurology Some programs may require separate
PGY-1 & PGY-2
Dermatology Yes
Emergency Medicine No
Family Medicine No
General Surgery No
Internal Medicine No
Internal Medicine & Pediatrics No
Interventional Radiology Some programs require PGY-1
Neurological Surgery No
Neurology Some programs require PGY-1
Obstetrics & Gynecology No
Ophthalmology ‘Joint’ programs require separate
PGY-1; others are integrated
Orthopaedic Surgery No
Otolaryngology No
Pathology No
Pediatrics No
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Yes
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery No
Psychiatry No
Radiation Oncology Yes
Radiology Yes
Thoracic Surgery No
Urology No
Vascular Surgery No

33
 …about personal statements and CVs:
Should I write a different personal statement for every program I apply to?
Generally, there is no need to tailor your personal statement to each specific program, but it should be tailored to
reflect your residency specialty choice. If you are applying to advanced specialty programs, you will also need to
modify your personal statement for preliminary or transitional programs explaining what you hope to gain through
preliminary year training. With the elimination of Step 1 scores and the increasing importance of Program Signals,
some students may choose to tailor a version of their personal statement to a few top choice programs as a means of
expressing greater interest. Important: be mindful of whether a program indicates on their website that they expect a
personalized portion of your personal statement. This is not typical but has become a bit more common recently.

Why do I need to work on a CV since I will be creating one in ERAS?

You need to give a CV to your letter writers, and it is helpful at this stage in your career to have an up-to-date
professional CV to bring on interviews and for your future accomplishments. A thorough, polished CV also makes
filling in your ERAS or other application substantially quicker and easier, as you are simply entering it into ERAS.
Your CV is essentially a rehearsal for the ERAS application. Furthermore, your CV is used as part of Pritzker’s
holistic review process, a step in the process of determining MSPE Designators, Alpha Omega Alpha selection, and
graduation Honors & Awards.

What information should my CV contain? How long should it be?

The CV should be as long as you need in order to include important information about your academic, research, and
work experience—for both undergraduate and medical school—but be aware that ERAS and other applications will
limit the number of experiences you can include on your application. Do not sacrifice readability by trying to squeeze
all the information on one or two pages. An example is included in this book on pages 37-39. We strongly
recommend using the provided template, as having it in this format makes filling out your applications substantially
easier.

...about document management in ERAS:

Can I change my personal statement and letters of recommendation even after I have assigned them to
programs?
Personal statement: Once you have sent a personal statement to a program, you may no longer make changes to that
specific document. If you want to make a change, you must un-assign the original document, create a new personal
statement, and assign the new document. However, un-assigning a personal statement does not erase it from a
program’s records. A program may already have downloaded and printed a hard copy of your file. Do not assume
they will not be able to reference your original document in the future or that they will be checking for updated
versions.

Letters of Recommendation: Once an LoR is made available in ERAS and you have assigned it to a program you
have applied to, you will not be able to un-assign that specific LoR from those programs.

There are dangers associated with “over-tweaking” your application. You have put a lot of thought already into
writing your personal statements and in selecting your letter writers. A last-minute change may not be as well-
thought-out as the choices you have already made. Finally, programs will see your changes and may interpret your
behavior as indecisive.

34
 Interview Tips
Before the Interview
❑ Every applicant should conduct at least one mock interview with their Career Advisor. Some may need more
than one practice interview to be adequately prepared and comfortable for the real thing.
❑ Try to set up your interviews from October onwards; plan on interviewing between then and mid-January. See
if you can schedule the interview on a day when you can attend morning rounds or a teaching conference.
❑ Establish your priorities for a good residency-training program.
• Know the latest developments in the specialty that you are interested in and what types of people they
are looking for.
❑ If possible, schedule several interviews for programs lower on your list first in order to familiarize yourself
with the interviewing process.
❑ Research the program as much as possible before the interview.
❑ Treat everyone with respect—especially Program Assistants/Coordinators. They are the gatekeepers to the
programs.
❑ Confirm the interview date and time in advance.
❑ If interviews are in person, plan for enough time—if necessary, arrive the night before. Leave extra time to
navigate unknown city streets and buildings. Beware of winter snowstorms.
❑ If interviews are being conducted virtually, prepare what you need to participate in the interview effectively.
Consider space needs (quiet, professional setting), technology (reliable internet connection, lighting, reliable
computer, working camera, etc.), and contingency plans in case something goes wrong.
❑ Plan for sufficient time before the interview to gather your thoughts.
• Review your application, personal statement, and CV.
• Prepare a list of questions that you want to have answered. Different specialties merit different
questions be asked. It is imperative to gather the information that you need to assess the program.
• Spend some time on personal reflection. Give some thought to who you are, both as a future doctor and
as a person; what you like and dislike; why you are in medicine and what you want out of your
residency.

Traveling for Interviews

In 2020, all residency interviews shifted to a virtual setting. In the following years, some programs have slowly
begun returning to in-person interviews, mainly in surgical specialties and some PSTP internal medicine programs.
As more programs continue returning to in-person interviews, students should keep the following tips in mind:
❑ Budget for extra travel expenses. Students in 2024-2025 reported spending an average of around $2,500 on
residency interview travel, with some totals more than $6,000. Programs may help cover some costs. Contact
the Financial Aid office at Pritzker if you believe you will need extra loan support to cover travel costs
during interview season.
❑ Consider if family or friends in various cities would be an option for lodging or transportation. This can help
defray accumulating costs.
❑ Prepare for potential hiccups like canceled or delayed flights, especially in the winter. Programs are typically
understanding of this and will work with you, but you must communicate with them quickly about any issues.

35
During the Interview
❑ Be on time, whether in person or virtual.
❑ Get the names (including spellings and pronunciation) of the interviewers from the departmental administrator
so that you know with whom you will be meeting.
❑ Begin by smiling. Look the interviewer in the eye, greet them by name, and offer your hand for a firm
handshake (if in person).
❑ Show enthusiasm for the residency program.
❑ Be assured and look confident.
❑ Be an active listener.
❑ Ask intelligent, well-thought-out questions (This requires insight and preparation). Avoid overly simplistic
questions such as “What changes do you see happening in the next five years?”
❑ Be yourself.
❑ Present yourself as a team player.
❑ Be friendly to everyone, from the receptionist to program assistant to residents.
❑ Turn your phone off. If your interview is virtual, place your phone away from you to avoid distractions, and
do not read rehearsed answers or talking points off a screen (interviewers notice!).
❑ Do not throw your home program “under the bus.” You may be given an opportunity to say negative things
about your medical school/hospital but think of constructive rather than destructive answers. Complaining is
never attractive and does not give the impression that you are a team player.
❑ If an interviewer asks “taboo” or illegal questions (plans to marry, have children, support of your spouse) it is
OK not to respond. You can say you had not thought of that question before, that it is not an issue for you
right now, or that it is a topic you need to consider with your spouse/partner/family/etc.
❑ Visit the NRMP website and review the Match Code of Conduct to learn more about illegal or coercive
questions. If you are concerned that you were asked an illegal question, you are encouraged to get in touch
with Dr. Woodruff to discuss it.
❑ Try to use as many examples to back up your statements as you can. Using real-life stories gives interviewers
a better feel for your personality.

After the Interview

❑ Immediately after the interview, write down your impressions of the interview, including topics covered and
names of interviewers.
❑ If you are interviewing at many programs, prepare a checklist in advance that you can use for all the
interviews.
❑ Most programs will advise you that thank you notes are not necessary and may even tell you not to send
them. Some specialties still appreciate them. See the specialty pages section (66-135) for further guidance.
❑ Once you have completed all your interviews, consider sending a note to your top program to let them know
you plan to rank them first on your rank list. This does not guarantee anything, but it can help programs
understand where you as an applicant regard them as they build their rank list. Only send such a
communication to ONE program, and do not send if a program or specialty has specifically discouraged it.

36
 Pritzker Sample CV
Alex R. Doe
HOME ADDRESS SCHOOL ADDRESS
Street address Pritzker School of Medicine
Chicago, IL zip 924 E. 57th St., Room 104
Phone # Chicago, IL 60637
Email

EDUCATION
2022-present The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. MD, June 2026
(anticipated)
2020-2022 Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. MPH
2015-2019 University of Texas at Austin. BS, Biology with Honors, graduated summa cum
laude

HONORS AND AWARDS

2023 Joseph P. Kirsner Research Award for Excellence
2019 Dean’s List, University of Texas at Austin (eight semesters)
2019 Departmental Honors for Senior Thesis

WORK EXPERIENCE (Only include if you took years off between college and medical school and
engaged in full time work experience)

2019-2020 Research Manager, Illinois Department of Public Health, Springfield, IL

- Conducted statistical analyses of lead poisoning and opioid addiction in state.
- Prepared and presented reports on morbidity and mortality related to lead
exposure and opioid overdose in state.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Start-end date Institution, Department of XYZ, Name and degree of mentor; “Title of
project.”
• Brief description of project
• Use action verbs to start each bullet point when possible

2022-Present University of Chicago, Department of Medicine, Section of General Internal

Medicine, Julie Oyler, MD; “Quality of Care for Hospitalized Vulnerable Elders
and Post-Discharge Mortality.”
- Researched post-discharge mortality amongst elderly patients.
- Selected to participate in the NIH-funded Pritzker Summer Research Program.
- Received the Joseph P. Kirsner Research Award for Excellence at the 2023
Pritzker Summer Research Forum.
- Expanded project to investigate geriatrics patients through longitudinal
Scholarship and Discovery experience (Quality and Safety Scholarship track).

2016-2019 University of Texas, Department of Neuroscience, M. David McConaughey, PhD;

Honors research thesis: “Sensory and motor cortical interactions in complex
voluntary movements.”

37
PUBLICATIONS/PRESENTATIONS
Last first middle initials of authors as listed in the paper. Your name underlined. Title of article.
(Year, Month). Journal, volume (issue): pages. PMID: ID number

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

Doe A, Oyler J. Quality of Care for Hospitalized Vulnerable Elders and Post-Discharge Mortality.
JAMA (e-pub ahead of print). 2024 Feb; in press.

Brown M, Doe A, Pincavage AT, Prochaska M, Dahlstrom M, Beitling K, Oyler J. Post discharge
mortality among elderly patients. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2023 Oct; 135(11), 218-
223. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 81239876.

Oral Presentations
Doe A, Oyler J. Quality of Care for Hospitalized Vulnerable Elders and Post-Discharge Mortality.
Society of General Internal Medicine Conference; 2023 June; Orlando, FL.

Poster Presentations
Doe AR, Oyler J. Hospitalized Vulnerable Elders and Post-Discharge Mortality: An Analysis. Society
of Hospital Medicine Conference; 2023 March; Chicago, IL.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Year Title, Course
Institution
Course directors:
- Duties (use action verbs to start each bullet point, when possible)

2026 (anticipated) Peer Educator, Clinical Pathophysiology and Therapeutics

University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
Course Directors: Aliya Husain, MD, and Jason Poston, MD
- Selected to teach review sessions for required second-year medical course.
- Positions only offered to the top performers in the class.

2018-2019 Teaching Assistant, Introductory Biology – Genetics

University of Texas
Course Organizer: Charles Darwin, MD
- Conducted student review sessions for the Genetics portion of the
undergraduate biology course.
- Graded tests, prepared lecture presentations, and conducted literature reviews
for course director.

INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE
2022-present Class Representative, Dean’s Council, University of Chicago Pritzker School of
Medicine
- Elected by peers to serve as liaison between medical students and Pritzker
administration
- Contribute student perspective as part of a joint decision-making process for
the institution
- Convey peers’ present concerns and issues to administration

2022-2023 Emergency Medicine Student Interest Group, University of Chicago Pritzker

School of Medicine
- Coordinated school-wide events to promote the field of Emergency Medicine.

38
 2018-2019 President, University of Texas Student Government, Austin, TX
- Led the executive branch of the student government.
- Reported on student affairs to the University Chancellor’s office.
- Oversaw budget, programming, and programming initiatives.

COMMUNITY SERVICE
2022-2023 Treasurer, Washington Park Children’s Free Clinic, Chicago, IL
- Medical volunteer for student-run health clinic supporting pediatric population
on the South Side of Chicago.
- Served as treasurer of the Executive, managing clinic finances and budget.
- Coordinated grant submissions and fundraising events.
- Provided essential administrative help around the clinic.

2019-2020 Field Organizer, Habitat for Humanity, Springfield, IL

- Participated in weekly planning meetings and quarterly trips to build housing
for low-income populations in rural areas of the Midwest.

HOBBIES & INTERESTS

Intermediate baker, specializing in pies and patisserie; national park enthusiast with recent visits to
Joshua Tree and Sequoia and plans to see Denali and Kenai Fjords next; language enthusiast fluent in
Spanish and beginner in Cantonese; collector of vinyl records (rock, blues, folk).

CV Tips
• List everything in reverse chronological order
• Use action verbs to start each bullet point
• Be consistent with punctuation
• Be detailed: use numerical data when possible (e.g., “interviewed 40 volunteers” or “taught 35 students”)
• Use the word “anticipated” if something has not happened yet and definitely will happen (do not use it if you
are hopeful that something will happen, but do not know for sure)
• Generally, do not list publications that have only been submitted; only list them if they have been accepted, are
in press, or have been published
• Primarily list hobbies that show initiative, perseverance, or skill (e.g., sports, cooking, language fluency)
• Do not list hobbies that could suggest to a Program Director that you may be distracted (e.g., social media,
fantasy football, trying out different bars, playing video games)

39
Sample ERAS Application (2025 cycle)

40
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42
43
44
45
46
Sample ERAS LOR Request Form

47
 Draft LOR Email Template
Dear Dr. LAST NAME,

Thank you so much for agreeing to write me a letter of recommendation. I would appreciate it if you could
upload your letter no later than September 12, 2025 so that I can submit my application on time. This letter
is for my application in CATEGORICAL/PRELIMINARY PROGRAM.

I am requesting that you upload my Letter of Recommendation (LoR) to the Electronic Residency
Application Service, which distributes the letters to the programs to which I am applying. I am attaching
the Letter Request Form which provides instructions on how to upload the letters into the ERAS Letter of
Recommendation Portal. This form includes the unique Letter ID which you will need to submit a letter on
my behalf.

In order for a letter to be uploaded, it must be formatted as following:

• File must be in PDF format
• File size cannot exceed 1 MB
• File cannot be password protected
• Filename cannot contain special characters

More information is available at the 2025 LoRP User Guide (PDF).

To help you, I am also attaching a copy of my Curriculum Vitae and my personal statement.

Once again, thank you so much for helping support my residency application.

Sincerely,

Student Name
AAMC ID #

48
 Writing a Personal Statement
❑ Use your personal statement to introduce yourself to your interviewer.
• Be sincere and help the interviewer know what’s important to you.
• Include only the information that you want to discuss.
❑ Write a focused essay, about four paragraphs in length that covers the basics.
• The first paragraph should introduce the reader to you (Who Am I?).
• The second paragraph should let the reader know how you arrived at your choice of the specialty.
• The third paragraph should confirm why you think this choice is right for you, and could include such things as
research, extracurricular or work experiences that are pertinent.
• The fourth paragraph should inform the reader what you see as your long-term goals, or how you see yourself
in this specialty. If your goals are not clearly defined at this point, it is worth stating that fact.
❑ Your starting point in writing does not have to be the “Who Am I?” section. This is the most difficult part to
write. Start with the ending paragraph—that will potentially be one of the easier ones to write.
❑ Your goal should be to write a well-crafted statement that is both original in its presentation and
grammatically correct.
• These are difficult pieces to write. If you can’t be original, your secondary goal is to achieve a fresh quality
about it.
• Articulate your personal drive in as eloquent language as you can provide.
• The writing should flow. Include the proper use of punctuation.
• No one expects you to be a poet or a novelist. The most important thing is to write a concise, clear statement
about yourself.
❑ If you explain your reasons for entering the field of medicine, do so to inform the reader of points beyond the
career choice. It’s unnecessary to tell the reader “Why I Wanted to Go into Medicine.” You are well on your
way to becoming a physician and will be within six months of receiving your MD degree.
❑ If you repeat accomplishments already listed on your CV, they should be germane to your personal/
professional growth. You want the emphasis in order to encourage the reader to bring this up in the interview.
❑ Use your own words rather than rely on quotes; your own thoughts are more powerful. Students have been
hung up in writing personal statements because they are intent on developing the whole document around some
favorite quote. If you can make it work, fine, but don’t get mired down hanging onto a quote. If possible, develop
a theme that carries you through the document.
❑ Make the statement easy to read. The interviewers will normally have about two minutes to get through the
information. Use paragraph breaks to encourage reading. One solid page of type is formidable to someone who
just has a few moments to read what you wrote.
❑ Show your document to lots of people. The hard work invested in this is worth it for the feedback.
❑ Do NOT plagiarize your personal statement or generate it with the help of artificial intelligence (AI).
Program directors are increasingly adept at using software to determine if the language in an applicant’s personal
statement comes from sources other than the applicant. It is also increasingly common for programs to receive
identical personal statements from more than one applicant. This same issue also affects thank-you notes. Your
written work should reflect only your own effort.
❑ Your statement should be about one page. Arial 12-point font with one-inch margins most closely replicates how
ERAS will format the statement.
❑ Check program websites. It is not common but occasionally a program may expect you to mention why you have
applied to their program specifically.

49
 Sample Personal Statement #1
Years ago, I was involved in a junior version of the Rube Goldberg Competition. Participants in this
annual national engineering contest work within a set of parameters to design the most creative device
possible that accomplishes a basic task such as placing a ball into a cup. My team always did well.
However, it is the countless hours spent brainstorming, exciting energy exchanges, and creative
engineering solutions that I am fondest of. The exhilarating rush of working with a team to generate a
detailed plan for a problem and adapting it as new challenges arose was indescribable. Even then, I
knew that I wanted a career that recreated that “rush.” I found what I was looking for in Internal
Medicine.

My fascination with Medicine began with my father. Over a decade ago, he suffered a “widow maker” heart
attack. Thanks to the prompt medical care, he received at the hands of skilled physicians, he survived. Since
that day, I have curiously observed as my father’s physicians have worked to scientifically and strategically
optimize his health. My father’s ongoing journey has been an inspiration for my career as well as my
research interests. It has been a privilege applying the lessons I have learned from him about patient care to
the care of my own patients. For instance, as a student, it is a powerful feeling to know that the trust you
have forged with a shy twenty-two-year-old has freed him to speak candidly with you about his sexual
history– particularly when the subsequent testing is diagnostically revealing. The full story of this young
man’s HIV diagnosis highlights the dedication, teamwork, and professionalism necessary to effectively
address the complexities in Medicine. Wielding a knowledge base of great breadth and depth, my residents
and attendings in Medicine effortlessly addressed a multitude of medical and social issues with confidence
and compassion. These are the physicians I want caring for my own father and the kind I aspire to become.

Communicating with my patients the fine points of their hospital course has been one of the most gratifying
aspects of working clinically. In the research realm, I cherish opportunities to discuss with colleagues the
details of my findings. Exchanging ideas on the unsolved mysteries underlying ischemia-reperfusion injury
and therapeutic hypothermia evokes a visceral sensation that is identical to the thrill I discovered years
earlier as a tennis instructor; dissecting and developing the techniques of novices over months and years as
they evolve into budding tennis players has been incredibly rewarding. In the hospital, I have been able to
achieve this same sense of satisfaction by working to enhance my patients’ awareness of their health
problems. Coming from a family of teachers, it is the abundance of opportunities to teach, educate, and
thereby impact the lives of others that draws me to the field of Internal Medicine.

It has been over ten years, but I still feel a surge of adrenaline when I reflect upon my Rube Goldberg days.
The patience, dedication, optimism, and leadership that this humbling experience demanded are the same
qualities that are exercised daily by my mentors in Medicine. After residency, I hope to pursue an academic
career in which I can coach the next generation of physicians while continuing to research my interest in
improving outcomes following cardiac arrest and resuscitation. It is invigorating to know that I am on the
cusp of a career that will routinely recreate that Rube-Goldberg-“rush.” Thus, it is with great enthusiasm
that I look ahead to my next chapter in training as a resident in Internal Medicine.

50
 Sample Personal Statement #2
I spent my holiday visits home from college watching my mother care for her dying father. My
grandfather suffered from Parkinson’s. While his mental faculties remained intact, the rigidity with which
he moved during the simplest task left a lasting impression on me. These visits were admittedly marked
with a sense of dread as I was forced to confront the struggles of aging and dying. The frailty of the
human body so starkly apparent in my grandfather, I repeatedly questioned how there was not more we
could do to preserve or restore neurological function as our bodies grow old. None of these things
seemed to unnerve my mother. I watched her care for my grandfather with ease, showing no expression
other than one of confidence, or perhaps, acceptance.

Inspired by grandfather’s struggle against neurodegenerative disease, neuroscience is what ultimately

brought me to medicine. My academic studies, however, did not immediately direct me to become a
physician. After graduating with degrees in math and economics, I worked as a researcher and
programmer at a public policy research firm. I managed and analyzed data for health and education
organizations such as Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. While I knew I contributed to
important work, I wanted to do more to tangibly help people and impact health. I wanted to do something
that I truly loved. I resolved to pursue medicine, enrolling in a post-baccalaureate pre-med program at
American University while continuing to work full-time. Resuming school while working full-time was
daunting, but I was motivated by the prospect of applying my training and experience in public policy to
advance patient care.

As a medical student, my work quickly started to revolve around neuroscience and neurosurgery. I spent
the summer after my first year working in an epilepsy lab, where I wrote code for computational models
of neural networks in order to understand how seizures propagate. This was an opportunity to apply the
quantitative and analytic skills that I had developed in my previous work experience. Following the
completion of my third year, I took a year off from medical school to expand my investigative career in
neurosurgery. During this time, I initiated and contributed to several projects with my mentor, Dr. Sandi
Lam. We used large administrative databases to investigate clinical neurosurgery questions that were
otherwise difficult and expensive to study in individual, smaller institutions. For example, we analyzed
national data from an insurance claims database to study predictors of success for endoscopic third
ventriculostomy in children with hydrocephalus. Using another database, we published a study examining
risk factors for venous thromboembolism in children with traumatic brain injury.

These experiences have culminated in a love for neurosurgery. The direct application of technical skills to
alleviate neurological impairment has great personal and academic appeal for me. As my grandfather so
clearly embodied, the nervous system enables the body’s most basic functions as well as the complex
behavior that define us as individuals. I was struck by the impact I could have as a neurosurgeon in helping
patients retain their identity and independence. I am also aware that operations of this order have extremely
high stakes and require a lifelong commitment to training and honing one’s craft. I cannot imagine spending
my life doing anything else. I offer a deep analytical foundation and intend to build on this throughout my
career, in the operating room and through healthcare outcomes research.

51
 Sample Personal Statement #3
I continue to find myself amazed by the dramatic recoveries made by patients after reconstructive surgeries.
Seeing my patients walking pain-free the day of their arthoplasty surgeries convinced me to pursue a career
in orthopaedic surgery. Even though I decided to become an orthopaedic surgeon during my third year of
medical school, my decision was grounded in experiences prior to medical school. My cousin was born
with cerebral palsy, and I have seen him go through multiple botox injections, tendon release and
lengthening surgeries, and the subsequent spica casts. I remember the painful rehabilitation he went
through, but at the same time, I saw the progress he made following these procedures. These experiences
had introduced me to orthopaedic surgery and its potential for healing patients, but participating firsthand in
the treatment and care of patients affirmed that orthopedic surgery is the right career for me.

Research has been a significant part of my life thus far. I have participated in several research internships,
from working on oncoproteins to investigating the potential side effects of the drug sibutramine. I took
away important lessons from all of these research experiences and applied to and participated in the
Howard Hughes Medical Institute - National Institutes of Health Research Scholars Program. This
program gave me a year-long opportunity to conduct research at the NIH. Working with Dr. Bradford
Wood, I investigated the use of liposomes to improve the delivery of thrombolytic drugs. I started my
project from the ground up, made a significant amount of progress, and gained experience presenting at a
national conference. Most importantly, I found that that I have the patience, persistence, creativity, and
curiosity that a career in academic medicine will satisfy.

During my year away from medical school, I also shadowed Dr. Benjamin Potter, an orthopaedic surgeon,
at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC). Once a week, I assisted on oncology or trauma
surgeries and saw patients in the clinic. Over six months, I saw complex trauma that very few hospitals
see. What impressed me most was that despite the gruesome injuries sustained by soldiers deployed to
Afghanistan and Iraq, nothing fazed the orthopedic surgeons. In every case, they went to work
meticulously repairing and reconstructing shattered bones, charred flesh, and severed nerves. My time at
WRAMC reinforced the unique capability that orthopedic surgeons have not only to heal patients but to
mend them.

Throughout my life, I have tried to broaden my understanding by taking part in a variety of activities. Each
of these experiences has not only enhanced my knowledge, but all together they have guided me in choosing
my career path. I see myself becoming an academic orthopaedic surgeon who balances clinical practice with
research. I realize that achieving such a balance is difficult, but I have been fortunate in working with
physicians and research mentors who effectively balance these two aspects of modern medicine. I aim to
one day join these physicians at the cutting-edge, helping to improve clinical medicine and patient care.

52
 Information Provided in the Medical Student
Performance Evaluation (MSPE) & MSPE Process
INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MSPE

The Pritzker School of Medicine provides each student with an MSPE letter when applying for post-graduate
training to supplement the transcript.

The letter is intended to provide a fair summary of student performance. It includes a review of student’s
academic history, including a summary of the clinical skills sequence, third-year clerkship summaries, and
the listing of the clerkship internal designators. The Pritzker School of Medicine retains some latitude in
editing departmental comments in order to provide accurate information about student performance. Any
disciplinary sanctions imposed during medical school will be included in the MSPE. The MSPE will include
information about required remediation of academic performance, as appropriate. Pritzker-sponsored honors
and awards, participation in research projects, community service work, summer activities, and other relevant
activities may be mentioned. Reference to academic performance during the basic science years will occur
when warranted.

The Pritzker School of Medicine does not use a numeric ranking system. Generalized descriptors given to
each student including “exceptional,” “outstanding,” “excellent,” “very good,” and “good” are based on a
holistic review including academic achievement in the third-year curriculum, scholarly work, and institutional
and community service. The MSPE appendix includes two graphs showing 1) the distribution of clerkship
internal designators within the class and 2) the distribution of summary designators within the class.

MSPE PROCESS AND EXPECTATIONS

All students applying for residency in a given year or deferring residency application until sometime after
graduation must conduct two mandatory meetings with the MSPE Director during their final year of medical
school, at times established by the MSPE Director. The first of these meetings will be conducted virtually
and typically occur during late Spring Quarter and mid-Summer Quarter. The second of these meetings must
be conducted in person; this meeting is the student’s opportunity to review the contents of their MSPE letter
before it is transmitted to residency programs. In order to meet the in-person requirement of the second
meeting, students requiring MSPE meetings must be physically present in Chicago for one of the second
meeting dates offered between mid-June and Mid-September. The MSPE Director and Assistant Director of
Career Advising and Medical School Communications will work with students to ensure they are able to
attend a second meeting during their available dates while also supporting their other activities required for
residency application (e.g., away rotations). Failure to fulfill the in-person second meeting requirement will
result in a Professionalism Concern Report (PCR) and may be noted on the final MSPE letter.

53
 Sample MSPE and Appendices

MEDICAL STUDENT PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

Alexandra (Alex) Doe

NOT REAL
September 24, 2025 STUDENT DATA

Identifying Information
Alexandra (Alex) Doe is currently a fourth-year medical student at the University of Chicago
Pritzker School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. Alex’s pronouns are she/her/hers.

Alex matriculated at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine in Autumn 2022 and has
distinguished herself in the following activities as a medical student.

Noteworthy Characteristics
• Alex channeled her passion for improving health care access for underserved patients by
serving as a leader in one of our school’s free student-run clinics and through volunteering
at the four other free clinics.
• Alex understands the impact research has on improving health care outcomes and has
focused her scholarly work on health care delivery science in order to improve new
screening methodologies for risk of falls in the inpatient and critical care units, with
resulting presentations at Society of General Internal Medicine and American Geriatrics
Society conferences.
• Alex is committed to mentorship and has sought out opportunities to work with youth on
Chicago’s South Side, including efforts in the Health Professions Recruitment and Exposure
Program (HPREP) as well as the summer pathway programs. In these roles, Alex provided
education about the health disparities facing their communities and inspiring them to pursue
healthcare careers to advocate for these communities.

Scholarship and Discovery:

As a part of the Pritzker curriculum, all students are required to participate in Scholarship and
Discovery, a longitudinal scholarly program that incorporates core coursework, research, electives,
service activities, and dissemination of scholarship with the goal of providing each student with an
advanced level of knowledge and expertise in a given track. Alex selected the Healthcare Delivery
Sciences Track through which she investigated the topic of: “Evaluation of a new screening
assessment as part of fall prevention interventions in hospitalized older adults.”

Academic History
Transfer student: Not applicable
Initial Matriculation at Medical School: Autumn 2022
Expected Graduation from Medical School: Spring 2026
Extensions, Leave(s) of Absence, Gaps or Breaks: NA
Dual/Joint/Combined Degree: NA

54
Doe, Alex, MS4 The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
Page 2 of 6 Medical Student Performance Evaluation

Selected Honors/Awards
Student Member, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine Admissions Committee, 2025-
26: Through a competitive selection process, Alex was chosen by faculty as one of twelve senior
medical students to serve as a voting member of the Admissions Committee.

Students Teaching Students Award, 2024: In 2024, Alex was selected through a peer nomination and
selection for one of two teaching awards given by students in the preclinical curriculum. Alex was
chosen for her excellence as a teaching assistant

Academic Progress

Preclinical/Basic Science Curriculum:

The Pritzker School of Medicine uses a Pass/Fail grading system. Alex received passing grades in all
courses in Years 1 and 2.

The following summary evaluation was submitted regarding Alex's performance in the two-year
Clinical Skills course sequence:

Alex showed an ability to organize and describe clinical assessments at a level typically
seen in much more seasoned medical students, focusing specifically on how each piece of
information gathered through their history, exam, and studies led to differential diagnosis
and plan. Her written products were equally excellent, managing to describe complex
patients comprehensively but efficiently. She asked pointed, specific questions and
incorporated that feedback into her next presentation.

Professionalism:
The following comments were made about Alex's professionalism:
• "Alex demonstrated outstanding empathy at the bedside and established trusting
relationships with her patients and other patients on the team. She was excellent at
establishing rapport with patients, and patients loved her."
• "Her work with patients stood out as mature. She was thoughtful, mature, and caring."
• "She brought an enthusiastic, positive, and compassionate attitude to work each and every
day."
• "What really made Alex stand out was her incredible communication and bedside manner.
She showed genuine compassion in caring for her patients, and her face lit up when
speaking of patients."

Core Clinical Clerkships and Elective Rotations:

The following summaries are edited for length and grammar. The clerkships are presented in
chronological order. If the student took a year off, the graphs represent the year in which they
completed their clerkships.

55
Doe, Alex, MS4 The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
Page 3 of 6 Medical Student Performance Evaluation

Clerkship #1 -- Medicine (High Pass):

Overall grade composition: Clinical Performance: XX%; Shelf Exam: XX%; Oral Exam: XX%;
Observed Patient Encounter: XX%; EBM Presentation: X%
Alex's overall performance in the Medicine clerkship was Excellent. Alex showed a good ability to
obtain a history and interpret those findings into meaningful clinical
application. Alex gave clear and concise presentations which were very 100%
complete and detailed. Alex provided sound and thoughtful differential 80%
diagnoses for their patients. She consistently asked great questions and Pass
appreciated feedback, demonstrating that she was interested in learning 60%
beyond the scope of her particular patients. Alex demonstrated outstanding High
empathy at the bedside and established trusting relationships with her 40% Pass
patients and other patients on the team. She was excellent at establishing Honors
20%
rapport with patients, who loved her. Alex was a very valuable team
member and worked well with everyone. She learned quickly how systems 0%
worked in the hospital and took initiative to research clinical questions. Medicine
Alex was always professional in her interactions with the team and her
patients.

Clerkship #2 -- Neurology (PASS):

Overall grade composition: Clinical Performance: XX%; Written H&P: XX% OSCE: XX%
In the 2024-2025 academic year, the required Neurology Clerkship was shortened to a two-week
experience. No clerkship designators were provided; grading is pass/fail. Alex’s overall performance
in the Neurology Clerkship received a passing grade.

Clerkship #3 -- Psychiatry (High Pass):

Overall grade composition: Clinical Performance: XX%; Shelf Exam: XX%; OSCE: XX%; Patient
Write-Up: XX%
Alex's overall performance in the Psychiatry clerkship was Excellent. Her
work with patients was consistently outstanding. She spent considerable 100%
time with patients and their families, who often pointed out that she was a
80%
great doctor. Her psychiatric observations were astute. She was reliable, Pass
dependable, and insightful about behavioral disorders. Alex worked with 60%
patients closely and provided real help at the bedside. Her knowledge of High
psychiatry emerged; she had good insights about patients and considered 40% Pass
multiple factors when trying to understand them. Alex had outstanding Honors
interpersonal skills; everyone on the team liked working with her. Her case 20%
presentations and write-ups were at the level of a first-year resident. Alex
0%
was thoughtful, mature, and caring with a calm presence with patients, who
Psychiatry
respected her. Her work on rounds was exemplary, and she demonstrated
sharp clinical reasoning. Alex will be an outstanding resident with an unlimited future in medicine.

56
Doe, Alex, MS4 The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
Page 4 of 6 Medical Student Performance Evaluation

Clerkship #4 -- Obstetrics and Gynecology (High Pass):

Overall grade composition: Clinical Performance: XX%; Shelf Exam: XX%; OSCE: XX%; Case
Presentation: X%; Case Log Completion: X%
Alex's overall performance in the Obstetrics and Gynecology clerkship was 100%
Excellent. Alex demonstrated a solid medical knowledge base and was
hardworking throughout her OB/GYN clerkship. She gathered thorough 80%
and appropriate histories for patients. Alex was able to do a great job Pass
completing an annual physical exam. She adequately performed the 60%
maneuvers of a vaginal delivery. Alex was eager to learn and was very High
40% Pass
receptive to the feedback she received. She was a great student. Alex did a
very good job during her OB/GYN clerkship. She demonstrated an Honors
20%
excellent level of professionalism and worked hard to be part of the team.
She will do very well in whatever field of medicine she chooses. 0%
OB/Gyn

Clerkship #5 -- Pediatrics (High Pass):

Overall grade composition: Clinical Performance: XX%; Shelf Exam: XX%; Graded Note: X%;
Professionalism: X%
Alex's overall performance in the Pediatrics clerkship was Excellent. She 100%
demonstrated excellent clinical ability and took thorough yet concise
histories. She presented in a clear, effective, and easy to understand manner 80%
to her team and families alike. Alex conveyed thoughtful differential Pass
diagnoses, and her assessments and plans were practical and on point. She 60%
proactively inquired about and attempted to address important social High
40% Pass
determinants of health affecting her patients. She brought an enthusiastic,
positive, and compassionate attitude to work each and every day. Alex was Honors
20%
skilled at getting input from various sources in making her plans, including
patients and their families, nursing, and multidisciplinary support staff. 0%
Although all of these traits were impressive, what really made Alex stand Pediatrics
out was her incredible communication skills and bedside manner. She
showed genuine compassion in caring for her patients, and her face lit up when speaking of patients.
Alex clearly enjoyed working with children, and she directly sought out feedback from everyone,
including families and even children in order to improve. Multiple times the team noted that on the
day of discharge for their patients, when the team was exiting the room, Alex would hang back to
address the child and ask them about their experience and any questions they might have. Alex will
no doubt be an asset to whatever field she chooses.

57
Doe, Alex, MS4 The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
Page 5 of 6 Medical Student Performance Evaluation

Clerkship #6 -- Surgery (Pass):

Overall grade composition: Clinical Performance: XX%; Shelf Exam: XX%; OSCE: X%; Oral
Exams: X%; Case Log Completion: X%
Alex's overall performance in the Surgery clerkship was Very Good. Alex 100%
had a good knowledge base. She was able to apply her knowledge in her
day-to-day activities. Alex was thorough in her history taking. She was able 80%
to complete a good physical exam and apply her findings to the care of the Pass
patient. Alex was able to formulate an appropriate differential diagnosis and 60%
an accurate assessment. She had appropriate clinical decision-making, High
40% Pass
incorporating imaging and physical exam findings. Alex showed effective
self-directed learning and was prepared for each day's work, having read Honors
20%
about her patients and their cases. Alex was extremely accurate in the
information that she presented. She was a valuable member of her teams 0%
and well-liked by the residents. Alex conducted herself in a professional Surgery
manner at all times. She was always respectful toward her team members
and her patients and their families. Alex was an engaged, interested, and knowledgeable student. She
was hardworking and reliable. She integrated well with her teams and was well liked by staff. Alex
was reliable, mature, and polite to her patients, families, and members of her teams. Alex will be an
excellent resident and physician.

Summary
Clerkship Grades:
(H=Honors; HP=High Pass; P=Pass)
Clerkship #1 - Medicine: HP Clerkship #5 - Pediatrics: HP
Clerkship #2 - Neurology: P Clerkship #6 - Surgery: HP
Clerkship #3 - Psychiatry: HP
Clerkship #4 - Obstetrics and Gynecology: HP

Throughout her clinical rotations, Alex took a vested interest in her patients. She sought to better
understand the greater context of their lives in order to provide the best possible care. In order to
improve her level of understanding, Alex employed a strong bedside manner; attendings praised her
for her maturity, compassion, and ability to form meaningful connections with her patients. As Alex
focuses on becoming the best physician she can be, she is driven by her strong work ethic, an open-
mindedness that seeks cultural understanding, and a desire to collaborate with and empower her
patients. Alex's interest in truly understanding and helping others manifested in her extracurricular
activities, as well. One prominent example is her role as leader of one of the student-run free clinics
and significant contributions through the Health Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program.
This is a testament to her other-centered nature and her inherent drive to connect with others. In all
things, Alex understands the importance of culture and history as pieces that help inform what a
person needs. A dedicated learner and reliable teammate, Alex will surely be a welcomed addition to
her residency program and by her future patients. Our holistic evaluation of Alex's performance in
our curriculum, in scholarship, and in service demonstrates that she is an outstanding candidate for
your residency training program.

58
Doe, Alex, MS4 The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
Page 6 of 6 Medical Student Performance Evaluation

The University of Chicago’s evaluation system was not designed to provide information comparing
one student to another and for that reason no ranking regarding Alex Doe can be provided. The
grading system is pass/fail and there are no class rankings. The curriculum has been designed for a
competency-based evaluation system. The students are measured by their achievement of the
competency, not in terms of comparative performance. Descriptors provided for the third-year
clerkships reflect the degree to which Alex has attained the competencies taught in that clinical
experience. For that reason, we encourage review of this evaluation letter in its entirety.

Sincerely,

H. Barrett Fromme, MD, MHPE Vineet Arora, MD, MAPP

Professor of Pediatrics Professor of Medicine
MSPE Director, Pritzker School of Medicine Dean for Medical Education

Attachments: MSPE Appendices

59
20XX Medical Student Performance Evaluation Appendices
Appendix A – Pre-Clerkship/Basic Science Performance
The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine has a Pass/Fail System. Therefore, no graphic
representation of the student’s performance relative to his or her peers in pre-clerkship/basic science
courses can be provided.

Appendix B – Clinical Clerkship Performance

The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine utilizes a Pass (P) / Fail (F) grading system,
with the exception of five of the six core clinical clerkships:
⎯ Internal Medicine (10 weeks, including electives)
⎯ Surgery (10 weeks, including electives and a Perioperative Care rotation)
⎯ Pediatrics (5 weeks)
⎯ Obstetrics and Gynecology (5 weeks)
⎯ Psychiatry (5 weeks)
⎯ Neurology (2 weeks)

During the third year, students are given designators for five of the six required core clerkships
(Honors, High Pass, Pass, or Fail) based on the extent to which they meet or exceed a given
competency. In the 2024-2025 academic year, the required Neurology clerkship was shortened to a
two-week experience. Grading for Neurology is Pass/Fail. In each of the clerkships, clinical
performance is evaluated by the clerkship directors as to the extent to which the student achieves the
performance objectives of the clerkship. Accordingly, this evaluation system does not assume a
normal distribution of grades as students are assessed against performance objectives, not each other.
The distribution of the internal designators by clerkship for the Class of 20XX is outlined below.

Honors High Pass Pass Incomplete Failure Total

Medicine 53% 45% 2% 0% 0% 100%
Surgery 45% 54% 1% 0% 0% 100%
Pediatrics 60% 37% 3% 0% 0% 100%
Obstetrics- 46% 53% 1%
Gynecology 0% 0% 100%
Psychiatry 61% 36% 3% 0% 0% 100%
Neurology 100% 100%

SAMPLE DATA ONLY

60
 University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
Class of 20XX Clerkship Distribution

Appendix C – Professional Attributes

Professional attributes are considered in the Pass/Fail designation and addressed in the clinical
performance evaluation summaries prepared by the Clerkship Directors. Therefore, no graphic
representation of the students’ professional attributes relative to his or her peers can be provided.
Professional attributes assessed in the clerkships include the extent to which students:
⎯ Demonstrate enthusiasm, interest, and self-motivation
⎯ Pursue self-directed learning
⎯ Exhibit responsibility, integrity, and caring in establishing trusting relationships with patients
and family members
⎯ Interact appropriately and respectfully with other health professionals
⎯ Are punctual and prepared

Appendix D – Overall Comparative Performance

Our students receive a summary designator based on a holistic review of their academic performance
during their clerkship rotations, their performance in research/scholarship, and their time spent in
institutional and community service. This holistic review is aligned with the holistic review our
Admissions Committee uses when evaluating prospective students.

We reserve the right to not use all designators in a given year. Below is the distribution of these
designators for the Class of 20XX:

Exceptional ………………………………………………..23%
Outstanding………………………………………………...31%
Excellent……………………………………………….…..40%
Very Good………………………………………………..…6%
Good………………………………………………………..
Acceptable…………………………………………………..

61
 University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
Class of 20XX Summary Designator Distribution
45%
40%
40%
35%
31%
30%
25% 23%

20%
15%
10%
6%
5%
0%
Exceptional Outstanding Excellent Very Good

Appendix E – Medical School Information Page

Specific Programmatic Emphases of the Medical School and its Educational Programs:
Mission Statement: “At the University of Chicago, in an atmosphere of interdisciplinary scholarship
and discovery, the Pritzker School of Medicine is dedicated to inspiring diverse students of
exceptional promise to become leaders and innovators in science and medicine for the betterment of
humanity.”

Pritzker attracts and recruits culturally diverse student leaders with strong academic backgrounds and
personal accomplishments. The curriculum emphasizes the importance of humanistic care and skills of
critical analysis. With the exception of the clinical clerkship year, Pritzker operates on a Pass/Fail
grading system to encourage students to develop teamwork skills, to discover and develop their unique
talents, and to promote cooperative learning through focused curricular and co-curricular activities.

These medical education programs include the following:

⎯ Integration of basic science and clinical medicine across the four years of the curriculum.

⎯ Students who are enrolled in a joint MD/PhD program at the University of Chicago participate in
a longitudinal curriculum designed to provide enhanced training in fundamental concepts and
scholarly skills.

62
⎯ The Scholarship & Discovery component of the Pritzker curriculum reaffirms the core mission of
the University to generate new knowledge to improve human life. The cornerstone of Scholarship
and Discovery is the completion of a mentored scholarly project by the time of graduation,
focusing on one of seven scholarly tracks: (1) Basic/Translational Sciences, (2) Clinical
Research, (3) Health Services & Data Science, (4) Community Health, (5) Global Health, (6)
Medical Education, and (7) Healthcare Delivery Improvement Sciences. Guidance is provided
by core faculty throughout the students’ time at Pritzker. During the first year, students participate
in coursework and throughout subsequent years, students also participate in activities related to
their scholarly track, including a focused scholarly block to work on their research. Examples of
additional scholarly activities include advanced elective coursework, conference participation, or
track specific activities (i.e., a service-learning project for Community Health, out-of-country
rotations for Global Health, serving as a Peer Educator for Medical Education, etc.). During the
fourth year, students either complete their scholarly project or continue their advanced training in
their scholarly area with guidance from faculty Track Leaders. All students, including MD-PhD
students who are exempt from the Scholarship and Discovery requirement, are encouraged to
disseminate their work at the Pritzker Senior Scientific Session and share their findings with a
broader regional and national audience whenever possible.

⎯ Summer research training supporting over 85% of the students to explore their research aptitudes
before entering the second year. The experience often serves as a scholarly foundation from which
students continue their scholarly work throughout their medical school tenure, often resulting in
dissemination via presentation or publication.

⎯ Clinical experiences with patients and standardized patients beginning the first quarter of medical
school aided by the formative feedback provided by review of recorded patient encounters with
full-time faculty preceptors.

⎯ A comprehensive group of required core clerkships beginning in the third year and combining
ambulatory and inpatient experiences taught by full-time faculty together with highly selected
residents to promote and model clinical proficiency.

⎯ Opportunities to participate in MD/PhD, MD/MPH, and MD/MBA programs, master’s degree

programs (MPP, MPH, AM, MS, JD) and research “year off” experiences.

⎯ An extensive array of co-curricular activities that provide the arena for students to develop further
their altruism, leadership, professionalism, and self-care.

⎯ Integration of humanism in medicine through programs such as the First Year Orientation, White
Coat Ceremony, and Gold Humanism Honor Society Induction Ceremony. In these and other
student programs, upperclassmen and residents model a mentoring demeanor promoting collegial
approaches to medical education.

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Average Length of Enrollment (Initial Matriculation to Graduation):
The average duration of enrollment was approximately 4.6 years.

Of the 83 students anticipated to be in the graduating Class of 20XX, 20 took more than 4 years to
complete medical school:

• 10 students completed joint MD/PhD training, which added an average of 4.4 years to their
medical education.
• 1 student completed joint MD/MBA training at University of Chicago.
• 1 student completed a master’s program in Harris School of Public Policy at University of
Chicago.
• 7 students participated in additional scholarly and clinical experiences for an additional year. Of
these 7 students, 2 obtained support via Pritzker Fellowship, 1 obtained a NorthShore Fellowship.
• 4 students chose to utilize the Extended Curriculum Option to decompress an academic year for
personal, family and/or medical reasons.

Guidelines for Medical Schools Regarding Academic Transcripts:

The Pritzker School of Medicine is compliant with the AAMC “Guidelines for Medical Schools
Regarding Academic Transcripts.”

Description of the Evaluation System Used at This Medical School:

Please see Appendix A, B, C, and D.

AOA Membership
The University of Chicago is home to the Illinois Beta Chapter of Alpha Omega Alpha, the
national medical honor society. Election to the chapter occurs at the beginning of Pritzker students’
fourth year and is guided by the regulations for election as set out in the AΩA constitution.

All students at Pritzker School of Medicine are eligible for AΩA. The selection process starts with
a holistic review of all M4 students, which is aligned with the holistic review our Admissions
Committee uses when evaluating prospective students and with the mission statement of the
Pritzker School of Medicine. This holistic review includes:

1) Academic performance during clerkship rotations

2) Participation and achievements in research/scholarship
3) Review of leadership, volunteerism and institutional service as reported in the Student
Management System and in students’ CVs
4) Peer assessment as determined by an anonymous, end-of-academic year survey of MS3s (the
peer assessment score given to students who take time off comes from the cohort with whom
they completed the MS3 year)

Up to 20% of the class is then selected for membership in AΩA by a committee appointed by the
Dean for Medical Education. The AΩA constitution calls on the committee to consider not only
scholastic achievement but also capacity for leadership, professionalism, a strong sense of ethics,
and a commitment to service in the school and community, along with outstanding achievement in
research.

64
Medical School Requirements for Successful Completion of the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 for
Promotion and/or Graduation
To graduate from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, students must have
registered and taken Step 1 and Step 2 (CK) of the USMLE exam. Passing the exams is not
required for graduation.

Medical School Requirements for Successful Completion of Objective/Observed Structured Clinical

Evaluation (OSCE) at Medical School.
Observed Structured Clinical Evaluations (OSCEs) are used for formative feedback during the
first- and second-year Clinical Skills course, both throughout the course and during the assessment
in the final exams. Following the third year, all students participate in a required Clinical
Performance Exercise (CPX) which simulates USMLE Step 2-CS. The CPX experiences are for
self-assessment and feedback. All third-year core clerkships include an Objective Structured
Clinical Evaluation that students must complete.

Utilization of Narrative Comments from the Medical School Course, Clerkship, or Elective Director in
the Composition of the MSPE.
The narrative comments from the six required third-year clerkships have been edited for length but
not for content.

Process of MSPE Composition at the Medical School.

The Medical Student Performance Evaluation is prepared by the Medical Student Performance
Evaluation Director. Administrative support is provided by the Assistant Director of Career
Advising and Medical School Communication and members of the Curriculum administrative
team.

MSPE Review by Students.

Students at the Pritzker School of Medicine are permitted to review the MSPE letter in its entirety
prior to its transmission and can request changes for factual information.

65
 Residency Application Information
by Specialty

The information in the following pages comes directly from UChicago Medicine Program
Directors, edited only for grammar. It is updated annually.

66
 Preliminary Programs
PGY-1
These programs require a separate application in addition to your specialty application.

Program Director at UCM

John McConville, MD

NRMP Data
Source: Results and Data: 2024 Advance Data Tables (NRMP publication)
Number of positions offered 1,640
Number of positions filled by US Applicants 1,296

Letters of Recommendation
Number of letters recommended 3
Chair/Chief’s letter required? Yes
Number of letters from within the specialty 1
Number of letters from external institutions N/A

The student should identify an internal medicine advisor. This is usually a faculty member that the student
has had a chance to interact with previously as either a supervising clinical attending or preceptor. This
advisor will provide advice regarding the application process and serve as co-author for the Chair’s letter.
The Office of the Chair of the Department of Medicine will edit/co-author this advisor’s letter. The other two
letters of recommendation should be from faculty who observed your clinical performance.

Personal Statements
Internal medicine programs are looking for thoughtful, sincere personal statements that relay enthusiasm for
preliminary training in medicine. The statement should demonstrate attention to detail and organization. It
should be clear that the applicant put effort into the statement. Write humble essays that contain information
about interests and career plans. Program directors read the personal statement to make sure that the
applicants are levelheaded, so avoid taking unusual measures to be noticed, as it runs the risk of alienating
some percentage of readers.

A poorly written personal statement may lower your rank or prevent you from receiving an interview. A well-
written personal statement is unlikely to raise your ranking, but it will help you in receiving an interview and
give you a chance to have a meaningful discussion during your interview.

In many cases, you do not need to write an entirely new personal statement for preliminary applications.
Often, it is enough to substitute the final paragraph of your advanced program personal statement with a
paragraph that outlines enthusiasm for preliminary training. A classic strategy for this paragraph is to outline
the benefits of internal medicine training for your chosen career path.

Application Timing
When do programs begin reviewing applications? As soon as ERAS opens in September
When do programs begin offering interviews? End of September

Pritzker students sent in an average of ~12 applications for preliminary programs and receive a mean of ~4
interviews (2024-25 PSOM survey data).

67
Every program has a different process for reviewing applications, but many programs begin reviewing
applications shortly after the applications become available. You can minimize the risks of being lost in an
incomplete application pile by getting the bulk of your application completed by mid-September.

Providing a cohesive application in which the personal statement, letters of recommendation, the CV and the
interview are concordant regarding interests and career plans is to your advantage. Planning the content of
these items in this manner provides programs with a strong sense of candidate professionalism and
sophistication regarding career interests. You can help letter writers contribute to this concordance by asking
prospective letter writers in person if they would write a letter and then, when the answer is affirmative, sit
and discuss your career plans and accomplishments. Doing this over a final or draft personal statement and
CV helps a lot.

Program Signaling
Does this specialty participate in Yes
program signaling?
Number of program signals 15 (3 Gold, 12 Silver)

Program Signaling Advice

Your preliminary medicine program signals are separate from any program signals you receive for an
advanced specialty. For example, an applicant in dermatology would receive 28 signals for dermatology and
15 (3 Gold, 12 Silver) for internal medicine, to be used on preliminary programs. In some cases, applicants
will have more signals than preliminary programs to which they are applying. Applicants should prioritize
their true preferences and programs that align with their personal geographic preferences and applications to
advanced programs.

Interview Advice
Scheduling
The average number of interviews a preliminary medicine-bound student from Pritzker schedules and
executes during a season is typically ~5-6. Since 2020 internal medicine interviews have been conducted
virtually: this is NOT likely to change for the vast majority of programs. Nevertheless, a few programs are
conducting in person interviews. Do not attempt to reschedule interviews multiple times. Always be polite in
discussions with administrators at a program.

Interview day
Be on time. Be polite. Display humble behavior (avoid anything that may be interpreted as arrogance).
Prepare for your interviews by learning about the program through the web or other information materials.
Ask questions that reflect you’ve studied the program (i.e. do not ask questions that are easily answered by
the website or program materials). Do not talk poorly of your own institution as this is a “red flag” to the
interviewer. Such students come across as either “not loyal” or extremely needy.

Post-Interview Advice
Is it common practice for applicants to contact their #1 program to let them know they are ranking them first?

Yes, but it will not affect rank. It is not expected that you communicate about your intentions. It is unlikely to
change your rank, but it does make your application stand out in ranking discussions. If you are going to tell a
program it is number one on your rank list, make sure that it is the only program you are saying this to (it is
unprofessional to tell more than one program that you are ranking them first, and program directors do talk
with each other).

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 Transitional Programs
PGY-1
These programs require a separate application in addition to your specialty application.

Advisor for Transitional Programs

James Woodruff, MD

NRMP Data
Source: Results and Data: 2023 Advance Data Tables (NRMP publication)
Number of positions offered 1,747
Number of positions filled by US Applicants 1,339

Letters of Recommendation
Number of letters recommended 3
Chair/Chief’s letter required? No
Number of letters from within the specialty N/A
Number of letters from external institutions N/A

Personal Statements
Transitional programs are looking for thoughtful, sincere personal statements that relay enthusiasm for medicine.
The statement should demonstrate attention to detail and organization. It should be clear that the applicant put
effort into the statement. Write humble essays which contain information about interests and career plans.
Program directors read the personal statement to make sure that the applicants are levelheaded and sincerely
interested in learning about general patient care during their transitional year, so avoid focusing exclusively on
advanced training goals and ideally note some aspects of general patient care training that would be meaningful
for future advanced training.

A poorly written personal statement may lower your rank or prevent you from receiving an interview. A well-
written personal statement is unlikely to raise your ranking, but it will help you in receiving an interview and give
you a chance to have a meaningful discussion during your interview.

In many cases, you do not need to write an entirely new personal statement for transitional applications. Often, it
is enough to substitute the final paragraph of your advanced program personal statement with a paragraph that
outlines enthusiasm for transitional training. A classic strategy for this paragraph is to outline the benefits of
transitional training for your chosen career path.

Application Timing
When do programs begin reviewing applications? As soon as ERAS opens in September
When do programs begin offering interviews? As soon as ERAS opens in September

Pritzker students send in an average of 12.5 applications for transitional programs and receive a mean of 3.6
interviews (2023-24 PSOM survey data).

Every program has a different process for reviewing applications, but many programs begin reviewing
applications shortly after the applications become available. You can minimize the risks of being lost in an
incomplete application pile by getting the bulk of your application completed by mid-September.

69
Providing a cohesive application in which the personal statement, letters of recommendation, the CV and the
interview are concordant regarding interests and career plans is to your advantage. Planning the content of these
items in this manner provides programs with a strong sense of candidate professionalism and sophistication
regarding career interests. You can help letter writers contribute to this concordance by asking prospective letter
writers in person if they would write a letter and then, when the answer is in the affirmative, sit and discuss your
career plans and accomplishments. Doing this over a final or draft personal statement and CV helps a lot.

Program Signaling
Does this specialty participate in Yes
program signaling?
Number of program signals 12

Program Signaling Advice

Your transitional year program signals are separate from any program signals you receive for an advanced
specialty. For example, an applicant in dermatology would receive 28 signals for dermatology and 12 transitional
year programs. In some cases, applicants will have more signals than transitional year programs to which they are
applying. Applicants should prioritize their true preferences and programs that align with their personal
geographic preferences and applications to advanced programs.

Interview Advice
Scheduling
The average number of interviews a transitional year-bound student from Pritzker schedules and executes during
a season is ~5-6. It is not always possible to schedule interviews by geography to save money on travel, because
students do not have control over when invitations are offered. Do not attempt to reschedule interviews multiple
times. Always be polite in discussions with administrators at a program.

Interview day
Be on time. Be polite. Display humble behavior (avoid anything that may be interpreted as arrogance). Prepare
for your interviews by learning about the program through the web or other information materials. Ask questions
that reflect you’ve studied the program (i.e. do not ask questions that are easily answered by the website or
program materials). Do not talk poorly of your own institution as this is a “red flag” to the interviewer. Such
students come across as either “not loyal” or extremely needy.

Post-Interview Advice
Is it common practice for applicants to contact their #1 program to let them know they are ranking them first?

No, and it will not affect rank. It is not expected that you communicate about your intentions and programs are
instructed to limit post-interview communication with applicants. Communicating with a program will not
change your rank but does make your application stand out in ranking discussions. If you are going to tell a
program it is number one on your rank list, make sure that it is the only program you are saying this to (it is
unprofessional to tell more than one program that you are ranking them first, and program directors do talk with
each other).

70
 Anesthesiology
Categorical and Advanced
Some programs are advanced and require a separate application for a PGY-1.

Program Director at UCM

Junaid Nizamuddin, MD

Recommended Specialty Advisors

In selecting a Specialty Advisor, try to find someone with whom you feel you can develop a close
relationship: someone with whom you feel comfortable and candid. A faculty member who has mentored
you in a research project or who knows your clinical work is ideal.

If you have not yet established a relationship with any anesthesiology faculty, a good person to start with is
Dr. Brady Still, who serves as the Department’s Medical Student Advisor. Other potential advisors include
Dr. Allison Dalton, Dr. Dan Rubin, Dr. Jarva Chow, Dr. Stephen Estime, or Dr. Sarah Nizamuddin.

USMLE Data
Sources: UCM Program Directors and 2024 Charting Outcomes in the Match (NRMP publication)
Does Step 2 CK influence rank? Yes
Min. Step 2 score for UCM program See below*
Mean Step 2 CK of US matched applicants (NRMP) 252
Mean number of contiguous ranks of matched US applicants 13.7
(NRMP)
*There is not necessarily a “minimum” USMLE Step 2 score necessary to match in anesthesiology. Many
high-profile academic programs will not give consideration to candidates with USMLE Step 2 scores less
than 230-235. However, while anesthesiology continues to be a competitive specialty, there are over 1,000
positions offered in the Match and there are many programs across the country that vary in how
competitive they are. It is imperative that a student interested in anesthesiology meet with a faculty advisor
to review their entire individual application (USMLE scores, academic grades/standing, extracurricular
activities, etc.) so they can be guided as to the programs at which they will be the most competitive
candidates. Now that USMLE Step 1 is Pass/Fail, most programs will be requiring Step 2 scores for the
2025-2026 application cycle.

Should applicants do away rotations?

No. The question of whether to pursue an away rotation is largely dependent on the applicant. In most
cases we do not recommend that an applicant do an away rotation, but we will counsel each individual
student based on their academic record and where they desire to train.

Research
Research experience is almost always a good thing! Be prepared to discuss all aspects of projects you have
been involved in during your interviews. According 2024 NRMP data, the mean number of research
experiences for US MD seniors was 3.8 and the mean number of publications/presentations/abstracts was
9.0.

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Letters of Recommendation
Number of letters recommended 3
Chair/Chief’s letter required? No
Number of letters from within the specialty 1
Number of letters from external institutions N/A

A strong letter of recommendation should come from someone with whom you have worked with closely
and have developed a strong rapport. Your letter writer should be someone who can write about your
attributes in a highly favorable fashion.

Letters from medicine and surgery are often well received. It is more important that the letter conveys the
unique attributes of the applicant than that it comes from a specific specialty. The most important aspect of
a LoR is that it can convey to the program the most positive attributes of the applicant. Thus, it is less
important what specialty or who the letter comes from, but that it can provide good perspective as to the
candidate’s strengths.

Personal Statements
The personal statement should reflect why the candidate has chosen a career in anesthesiology and what
the candidate’s future goals are. Personal statements should be well written—no grammatical errors or
spelling mistakes, which demonstrate a lack of attention to detail. Most personal statements will not help
candidates but can hurt them.

Have a couple of trustworthy people review the statement—not only for grammar, but also to ensure that it
reflects positively on the applicant. Again, one’s advisor is key to helping in this process.

Application Timing
When do programs begin reviewing As soon as ERAS opens in September.
applications?
When do programs begin offering As soon as ERAS opens in September.
interviews?

Most programs begin reviewing applications as soon as they are made available. ERAS applications and
MSPEs are not released until late September. Having your application completed by the time ERAS opens
to programs is ideal. The UCM program typically offers interviews in mid to late October.

There are over 1,000 positions in Anesthesia every year so there is a lot of variety in program types. While
the competitive applicant will have many strong attributes beyond just performance on standardized
exams, many programs use USMLE scores to screen applicants for interviews. For example, if an
applicant’s Step 2 CK score is far lower than the Step 1 score, or if there is a failing score, that would
preclude most programs from offering an interview to the applicant.

Realize that students have matched with scores that are lower than what is listed above; the key is to apply
to and interview at programs where you will be most competitive—this is where an advisor is invaluable in
guiding you in the right direction. Meet with your advisor early and often!

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Program Signaling
Does this specialty participate in Yes
program signaling?
Number of program signals 15 (5 Gold, 10 Silver)*
*Subject to change
Program Signaling Advice
For the 2025 application cycle, applicants received 5 gold and 10 silver signals. This could change for the
2026 cycle. Within each tier, you should have some “reach,” some “safety” and some good target
programs. For the most part, in the 2024 and 2025 cycles, applicants only received interviews from
programs they had sent a signal to; the signals served as a de-facto application “cap.”

The Society of Academic Associations of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine has advised
programs to require signals from their own students as well as students who do away rotations there. In
line with their guidance, we do ask that Pritzker students send us a signal to indicate interest in our
program. Pritzker students are free to use a gold or a silver signal; their applications will be reviewed
regardless of the color of signal used.

Interview Advice
Be yourself! Be honest and relaxed. If you try to be someone different it will not reflect well.

Be prepared to answer questions about your application (CV, Personal Statement, etc.) but also be
prepared to demonstrate that you are prepared to ask questions specifically about that program. Look up
the program on the internet to find out more about it prior to your interview to help you prepare.

Post-Interview Advice
Is it common practice for applicants to contact their #1 program to let them know they are ranking them
first?

There is no expectation that a student communicates to a program that it is their #1 choice, and it should
not affect how a program will rank the candidate. If you are going to write a thank you note or let a
program know that they are your #1 choice, be honest. Do not tell three different programs they will be
your #1 choice—this will end up reflecting poorly on you.

73
 Child Neurology
Categorical
This is a combined 5-year program - residents start in pediatrics for 2 years
and then transition to child neurology for the last 3 years

Program Director at UCM

Moon Hee Hur, MD

Recommended Specialty Advisors

In selecting a Specialty Advisor, try to find someone with whom you feel you can develop a close relationship:
someone with whom you feel comfortable and candid. A faculty member who has mentored you in a research
project or who knows your clinical work is ideal. Potential advisors could include:
• Moon Hee Hur, MD (Residency Program Director, Child Neurology)
• Henry David, MD
• Emily Doll, MD
• Douglas Nordli III, MD
• Sho Yano, MD

USMLE Data
Sources: UCM Program Directors and 2024 Charting Outcomes in the Match (NRMP publication)
Does Step 2 CK influence rank? Yes
Min. Step 2 score for UCM program 214
Mean Step 2 CK of US matched applicants (NRMP) 248
Mean number of contiguous ranks of US matched applicants (NRMP) 12.9

Should applicants do away rotations?

Away rotations are not required but can be considered to gain further exposure in the field. We only
recommend away rotations when you are strongly interested in a program and will perform well.

Research
Having research is recommended but not required.

Letters of Recommendation
Number of letters recommended 3
Chair/Chief’s letter required? No
Number of letters from within the specialty At least 1
Number of letters from external institutions N/A

Applicants should request a letter from a physician who has a good sense of the applicant’s clinical ability, as
well as a personal knowledge of the applicant’s interests and performance history.

Personal Statements
Be sure to clearly state your rationale for entering the specialty. Explain gaps in training or education and
explain aspects of the academic record that could be perceived negatively.

74
Application Timing
When do programs begin reviewing As soon as ERAS opens in September.
applications?
When do programs begin offering Universal Interview Offer Date
interviews? (Usually in October)

For categorical programs, you typically only need to apply to the child neurology residency program, which
will include your application for the pediatric residency program. There are programs that have advanced and
reserved positions, where you will have to apply to the pediatrics and child neurology programs separately.

Program Signaling
Does this specialty participate in program Yes
signaling?
Number of program signals 3

Program Signaling Advice

Program signaling, along with other preference settings, may influence the decision on offering an interview
and on ranking. However, it is just one of the many factors that is considered. Each applicant’s profile is
reviewed as a whole, and this is just one of the contributing factors.

Interview Advice
It is very important for the candidates to study the program before the interview. If an itinerary is provided
ahead of time with the name of faculty interviewers, you should look up their clinical and research interests.
Doing this will allow you to have specific points to talk about during the interview and ask targeted questions.
The program will see this as a sign of genuine interest as it shows that you have invested the time to get to
know them. Candidates should be able to articulate why they want to enter the specialty, the institution, and
what their career goals are. The sincere enthusiasm and clear idea why they want to become a child neurologist
is highly valued.

Post-Interview Advice
Is it common practice for applicants to contact their #1 program to let them know they are ranking them
first?

It is fairly common and, from a program point of view, nice to know, though it may not affect your ranking.

75
 Dermatology
Advanced
Requires a separate application for a PGY-1 via the NRMP.

Program Director at UCM

Adena Rosenblatt, MD, PhD

Recommended Specialty Advisors

In selecting a Specialty Advisor, try to find someone with whom you feel you can develop a close
relationship: someone with whom you feel comfortable and candid. A faculty member who has mentored
you in a research project or who knows your clinical work is ideal. Potential advisors could include:
• Christopher Shea, MD (Rotation Director)
• Adena Rosenblatt, MD, PhD (Program Director)
• Diana Bolotin, MD, PhD (Section Chief)
• Sarah Stein, MD
• Arlene Ruiz De Luzuriaga, MD, MPH, MBA
• Victoria Barbosa, MD
• Mark Hoffman, MD
• Kemi Onajin, MD
• Angad Chadha, MD (Clerkship Director)
• Amy Xu, MD
• Estela Martinez, MD, PhD
• Mark Biro, MD
• Audrey Fotouhi, MD
• Yu-Ying He, PhD

USMLE Data
Sources: UCM Program Directors and 2024 Charting Outcomes in the Match (NRMP publication)
Does Step 2 CK influence rank? Sometimes
Min. Step 2 score for UCM program N/A
Mean Step 2 CK of US matched applicants (NRMP) 257
Mean number of contiguous ranks of US matched applicants 8.8
(NRMP)
Should applicants do away rotations?
One to two away rotations can be helpful if the applicant is potentially interested in a residency position at
the visited site and can make a positive, stand-out impression during the rotation. Please review the
Association for Professors in Dermatology (APD) Away Rotation Recommendations.

Most applicants arrange to take at least two months of dermatology electives (including home program).
We recommend going to away rotations in July-September of your MS4 year in order to include those
experiences in your residency application. This timing is also prior to reviewing applications which
usually occurs in October-December.

76
Research
Research is desirable if you are applying in this specialty, though research does not need to be in
dermatology and is not a requirement.

Dermatology is very competitive and having a first-authored publication is ideal. According to 2024
NRMP data, the average number of research experiences among matched US seniors was 6.4 and the
mean number of abstracts, presentations, and publications, was 27.7. It is important to show interest in
dermatology whether it is through research, leadership, or community outreach.

Letters of Recommendation
Number of letters recommended 3 (up to 4)
Chair/Chief ’s letter required? Section chief letter not required
Number of letters from within the 2
specialty
Number of letters from external Only useful if the applicant has worked closely
institutions with an individual and can get a strong letter of
support.

Letters of recommendation should come from individuals who have observed your clinical performance
and/or research initiatives and can write a strong and enthusiastic letter on your behalf.

Personal Statements
Statements should reveal the applicant’s personality and be articulate and engaging. The personal
statement is the best way for a program to understand who an applicant is and what makes them a unique
applicant. One should avoid eccentric stories that could create a negative impression.

Application Timing
When do programs begin reviewing As soon as ERAS opens in September
applications?
When do programs begin offering interviews? November

Dermatology is one of the most competitive specialties. It is helpful to not limit yourself to a single city or
geographic location if possible. Given the current high signaling approach with 28 signals, applying to much
more than the signaled programs may not be beneficial to the applicant. Consult your Career and Specialty
Advisors to determine what is best for you.

Candidates should familiarize themselves with the application timeline for each program and meet those
dates. Some programs still have secondary applications. Programs provide detailed information about their
specific programs to the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) annually. Their “Applying
to Residency” program includes many tools for researching residency programs. Also, each program
typically provides contact information on their website and candidates can use this to answer specific
questions. In addition, the Dermatology Interest Group Association (DIGA) is a great resource for up-to-
date information on the application process, webinars regarding the process, calendars with scheduled
interview dates for programs and any statements produced by the Dermatology Program Directors Group.
There are usually also updated Annual Application Recommendations from the APD.

77
Program Signaling
Does this specialty participate in program Yes
signaling?
Number of program signals 28 (3 Gold, 25 Silver)

Program Signaling Advice

It is important to research programs prior to applying to determine which to signal. You can obtain this
information through program websites, sponsored social media, and virtual recruitment events such as
“meet and greets.” Applicants should signal their home and away programs. It is important to note that
with the current signaling approach some programs may only review applications of signaled applicants.
Given the current high signaling approach with 28 signals, applying to much more than the signaled
programs may not be beneficial to the applicant. Our program views signals as a very strong interest in our
program.

Interview Advice
Most interviews occur in December and January. Many of the programs participate in the coordinated
interview releases that usually occur in November and early December. Pre-interview communication with
programs particularly to express interest is discouraged. Program signaling is a preferred method for
expressing interest in a program.

Most programs have continued virtual interviews, but a smaller subset of programs are having in-person
interviews.

Get some notion of who your interviewers are likely to be and what their program emphasizes. It is a good
idea to research the program beforehand and have thoughtful questions in mind. A good source for this
information can be the program’s website. A new resource is virtual meet-and-greet visits where you can
talk with faculty members and candidates before you apply. You can check with potential programs to see
if they will be offering these types of events. We offered two last year.

Candidates should familiarize themselves with the interview process (including if it is in-person vs.
virtual) for each location and prepare contingency plans if needed (e.g., travel issues due to weather,
connectivity issues with power outage for virtual interviews).

Post-Interview Advice
Is it common practice for applicants to contact their #1 program to let them know they are ranking them
first?

It depends; some programs specifically request that you do not contact them after the interview while
others do not. While it is customary for applicants to say that they will rank a program highly it may have
little influence on the actual rank list.

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 Emergency Medicine
Categorical

Program Director at UCM

James Ahn, MD, MHPE

Recommended Specialty Advisors

Any student interested in applying in emergency medicine should contact James Ahn, MD, MHPE or Keme
Carter, MD, early in the application process. Potential letter-writers could include:
• James Ahn, MD, MHPE (Program Director)
• Keme Carter, MD (Co-Clerkship Director)
• Alejandro Palma, MD (Co- Clerkship Director)
• Navneet Cheema, MD (Associate Program Director)
• Adriana Olson, MD, MEd (Assistant Program Director)
• Paul Kukulski, MD, MHPE (Assistant Clerkship Director)
• Isabel Malone, MD (Assistant Clerkship Director)
• Korie Zink, MD (Assistant Program Director – Endeavor/Evanston)

USMLE Data
Sources: UCM Program Directors and 2024 Charting Outcomes in the Match (NRMP publication)
Min. Step 1 score for UCM program See below*
Does Step 2 CK influence rank? Yes
Min. Step 2 score for UCM program See below*
Mean Step 2 CK of US matched applicants (NRMP) 244
Mean number of contiguous ranks of US matched applicants 15.4
(NRMP)
* Students who have failed Step 1 or have Step 2 score of 220 or less should meet with Dr. Ahn and Dr.
Carter early in the application process to discuss the competitiveness of their application.

Should applicants do away rotations?

Yes. Students should plan to do at least two emergency medicine rotations; one here and one away. The best
time to do an away rotation is in June, July, August, or September, though October is acceptable. Students
should always do their University of Chicago rotation before doing their away rotations.

Students should consult with emergency medicine faculty when deciding where to apply for away rotations,
as there is quite a bit of nuance in the discussion. It also varies a great deal depending upon the applicant’s
competitiveness and the region of the country where they would like to train. Plan on having this discussion
in January of the third year so that your applications can be ready by the end of February. Students interested
in EM should schedule away rotations even if they are not yet sure they will choose EM. See the Letters of
Recommendation section for advice about getting LoRs from away rotations.

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Research
Emergency medicine research experience is nice but is not an absolute requirement. Having some evidence
of research/scholarship is helpful for the university-based programs but is optional in the community-based
programs. According to 2024 NRMP data, the US seniors who matched in emergency medicine had an
average of 2.8 research experiences and 5.7 publications, abstracts, and presentations.

Letters of Recommendation
Number of letters recommended 3
Chair/Chief’s letter required? No
Number of letters from within the specialty 2
Number of letters from external institutions 1

All students applying in emergency medicine will be provided a Section of Emergency Medicine composite
letter of recommendation (LoR) using the CORD Standardized Letter of Evaluation (SLOE) form. Every
SLOE carries the names/positions of all the letter writers above. Each individual SLOE is authored by 1-2 of
the above people per the decision of the group authors.

If you do an away emergency medicine rotation, you must obtain a SLOE. If you fail to obtain this SLOE,
the assumption will be that you performed poorly.

Students can expect that many programs will wait to see two SLOEs (one from their home institution and
one from an away rotation) before offering an interview. It is ideal to have two SLOEs by Sept. 24, when
the MSPEs are released.

Personal Statements
Your personal statement should cover the following topics:
1. What experiences have informed you in your decision to become an emergency physician
2. The personality characteristics you possess that will allow you to be a successful emergency
physician
3. What you plan to do with your training (think lofty thoughts!)

Service and Leadership

Emergency medicine programs value experience in service and leadership roles; these are not requirements
to match into a program. However, the demonstration of either or both will only increase your
competitiveness, particularly at university (service and/or leadership) or county-based programs (service).
These positions and experiences can be at local, regional, or national levels.

Application Timing
When do programs begin reviewing applications? Late September
When do programs begin offering interviews? Early to mid-October

*Note: For the 2026 residency application cycle, emergency medicine programs have indicated they will
only accept applications through the ResidencyCAS application platform rather than through MyERAS.

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Program Signaling
Does this specialty participate in Yes
program signaling?
Number of program signals 5

Program Signaling Advice

Program signals are used to highlight interest to individual programs. Students entering emergency medicine
should use their signals for their top choice programs that are realistic matches – speak to Drs. Carter or Ahn
if you have any questions. Individual programs will have different guidance for applicants using their
signals for programs at which the respective students have completed their EM away rotations. Applicants
can also highlight programs non-specifically via geographic preference selection within the application.
Pritzker applicants do not need to signal their home program. Please ask your away programs if they
expect you to signal after your rotation.

Interview Advice
The interview is critical. The emergency medicine Program Director will meet individually with each
student to provide interview guidance and can provide follow up meetings/phone conversations to ensure
that as the student progresses through the cycle, their needs are met. Additionally, all rotating students are
interviewed on a common day and are given immediate formative feedback about their interview
performance from members of the emergency medicine education team. Emailing thank you notes to the
Program Director is optional.

Post-Interview Advice
Is it common practice for applicants to contact their #1 program to let them know they are ranking them
first?

If students desire to contact their top program, they should inform only their top choice that they are ranking
the program #1. Applicants should not expect a response from the program after sending a letter of intent.

81
 Family Medicine
Categorical

Program Director at UCM/Endeavor Health NorthShore Hospitals

Deborah Miller, MD

Recommended Specialty Advisors

Choose someone with whom you feel comfortable. Do not be afraid to get advice from more than one
person. All family medicine faculty will be helpful in answering your questions about the specialty. The
following faculty can assist you:
• Sonia Oyola, MD (Director of Medical Student Education and Clerkship Director)
• Deborah Miller, MD (Vice Chair, Administration and Academic Affairs and Acting Program
Director, University of Chicago Endeavor Health NorthShore Hospitals FM Residency;
dmiller2@[Link])
• Priya Nagarajan, MD (Associate Program Director, University of Chicago Endeavor Health
NorthShore Hospitals FM Residency; pnagarajan@[Link])
• Janice Benson, MD (Department of Family Medicine, Faculty); Dr. Benson is semi-retired, but
available for consultation and advice to Pritzker students.
• Debra Stulberg, MD, (University of Chicago, Chair Department of Family Medicine)
• Wanda Cruz-Knight MD, (Endeavor Health NorthShore Hospitals, Chair Department of Family
Medicine)

There are other recently graduated family medicine faculty working at University of Chicago. The above
faculty can direct you to recent graduates from programs that interest you.

USMLE Data
Sources: UCM Program Directors and 2024 Charting Outcomes in the Match (NRMP publication)
Does Step 2 CK influence rank? See below*
Min. Step 2 score for UCM program See below*
Mean Step 2 CK of US matched applicants (NRMP) 244
Mean number of contiguous ranks of US matched applicants (NRMP) 13.5

*Failing either Step 1 or Step 2 is a definite red flag. You should address any failed exam in your
personal statement. Most programs want applicants to have taken and passed Step 2 CK by the end of the
interview season and prior to the rank list submission date. You may not be ranked if your test results are
not available in ERAS. USMLE scores are just one of the criteria that programs will look at when
deciding whether to interview and/or rank applicants. The UChicago Family Medicine residency takes a
holistic approach to reviewing applicants for eligibility, as do most programs around the country.

Should applicants do away rotations?

Away rotations are not necessary. Family medicine programs do not require that you do away rotations,
but an “audition rotation” could help you secure a spot at a desired location. If you do a rotation at a place
you might like to match, be prepared to work really hard while you are there. The program will know
more about you—both positives and negatives—than the other candidates. It is also a great way to learn
about what programs are looking for in applicants and to get the inside scoop on a given program.

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Doing an away rotation in family medicine can be a good way to help you see how the specialty differs
across the country. Family medicine experiences can be unique in each community and practice setting
(i.e., academic, community, rural).

Research
Research experience is desirable but not required. Different programs may have different requirements.
Pay attention to website direction in this area for a particular program. Leading family medicine programs
at major academic hospitals will tend to value research experience more than community-based programs
but all will appreciate good scholarship and a scholarly approach. If you have done research in a certain
area, be prepared to answer questions on its clinical relevance and applicability.

Letters of Recommendation
Number of letters recommended 3
Chair/Chief’s letter required? Not required; Dr. Oyola’s letter is
sufficient for your application and is
usually what is provided. If you want to
request a letter from the Chair, please
contact Drs. Stulberg, Oyola, or Miller for
assistance.
Number of letters from within the specialty 1 is minimum, 2 or more Family Medicine
letters is better
Number of letters from external institutions N/A

The strongest letters are those from faculty who know your clinical work. We recommend at least one
letter of recommendation from a family physician to demonstrate your sincere interest in the specialty. A
second or third letter from a Family Medicine faculty is indicative of a strong commitment and will
strengthen your application. Faculty in the Department of Family Medicine can write you a letter of
recommendation and review clinical evaluations you received in family medicine. Talk with your family
medicine advisor about who should write your letters of recommendation.

Personal Statements
Family medicine programs are looking for evidence of genuine interest in family medicine and a
demonstrated commitment to primary care. A personal statement is one of the most important ways
programs can understand your values, and for you to explain your decision to become a family medicine
physician. Explain any “red flags” in your application, if there are any, and what you learned from the
experience.

Application Timing
When do programs begin reviewing September/October
applications?
When do programs begin offering Shortly after ERAS opens. UCM
interviews? starts the first or second week in
October.

83
Programs will continue interviewing into mid-January. Family medicine programs usually will have their
rank meetings and submit their list by the second week of February. If you do not get interviews where
you had hoped by the end of October, please contact Dr. Oyola.

Program Signaling
Does this specialty participate in program Yes
signaling?
Number of program signals 5

Program Signaling Advice

Signaling allows applicants to let programs know that they had an earnest interest in matching with their
program. How this will affect a program’s approach to ranking and matching applicants will play out in
the coming match seasons. For now, we see it as another connection applicants can make with those
residencies where they sincerely see themselves matching. Right now, you cannot retract your signal, so
how much confidence a program will put in that extra connection will likely vary program to program. It
will not hurt you to signal but whether it will help you gain a wanted position is uncertain.

Interview Advice
Be prepared: Spend time reviewing the program website prior to your interview. Identify the
qualities in a residency program that are really important to you and be sure to ask about them. Recheck
their website before interview day and identify those qualities that are important to the program.

Be engaged: Do not let the conversation lag; asking the same questions you have asked other
interviewers is OK. Plan your questions ahead of time while reviewing family medicine programs and
always have some that are specific to the program where you are interviewing. Interview days usually
start with an orientation to the residency program, and you may think of questions during this orientation.
Take notes and write down questions to ask during your interviews. Ask about where recent graduates
practice and if there are common practice characteristics. This can tell you more about what the program
is really preparing you for in scope of practice and usual practice geography. For instance, if doing
obstetrics is important to you, you’ll want to know numbers, if the training is strong in this area, and if
graduates are doing obstetrics in their practice. Know which questions are appropriate for the Program
Director and which are better suited for faculty or for residents.

Be professional: Make sure you are on time – this includes responding to emails and signing any
release. Dress appropriately. Remember to be polite and pleasant to all you meet, including
administrative and scheduling staff. The interview is an important time for you to decide if this program
is right for you, and for the program to decide if you will fit in and be a good resident for their program. If
you have to cancel or reschedule, contact the coordinator(s) as soon as you know. Do not wait until the
last minute.

For in person interviews: Do not check your luggage when you fly (especially not the clothes you will
wear to the interviews). Go to any dinners they have after the interviews, as this will help you to decide if
these people could be your teachers and colleagues for the next three years.

Many residency programs are open to applicants coming back for a “second look.” This “second look”
should be completed when you are really interested in a program and want to see more about how the
residency functions. If the residency is far away, programs are often happy to schedule for the day after
an in-person interview. If you are seriously considering a program, you may want to schedule a “second
look” at the same time as your interview. Applicants are sometimes scheduled in the morning with the

84
family medicine inpatient team in the hospital and the afternoon in the outpatient office (“Residency
Practice Site”). Some applicants will want to see special aspects of their training areas, such as the
birthing areas or the procedure rooms.

The “second look” dinner for all selected applicants generally occurs sometime between mid-January and
early February. It is an opportunity to meet more of the residents and faculty. It is not mandatory that you
attend especially if you are remote from the program’s location. However, if you have strong interest in a
program, you should attend. If you cannot attend, send regrets, especially to programs that you intend to
rank highly.

Virtual caveat: Many programs continue to conduct their interviews over Zoom. This means that many
programs may not offer an in-person second look. Ask about virtual second look or social events.

Post-Interview Advice
Is it common practice for applicants to contact their #1 program to let them know they are ranking them
first?

Not explicitly, but you should feel free to indicate your strong interest. It is important not to overpromise,
and the NMRP expressly discourages promises on the program’s part for rank position. Do send a thank-
you email or note. It can be helpful to re-contact residents who are involved in your interview day or in
the program’s selection process.

Keeping in contact with a program you really liked is recommended, especially when you are making
your rank list. Also, do not hesitate to contact a program after your interview day if you think of
additional questions.

85
 General Surgery
Categorical

Program Director at UCM

Jennifer Cone, MD

Recommended Specialty Advisors

In selecting a Specialty Advisor, try to find someone with whom you feel you can develop a close
relationship: someone with whom you feel comfortable and candid. A faculty member who has mentored
you in a research project or who knows your clinical work is ideal. Potential advisors could include:
• Jennifer Cone, MD (Residency Program Director)
• Andrew Benjamin, MD (APD)
• Mustafa Hussain, MD (APD)
• Ashley Suah, MD (APD)
• Stephen Haggerty, MD (APD); Endeavor Health NorthShore; shaggerty@[Link])
• Melissa Hogg, MD (APD); Endeavor Health NorthShore; mhogg@[Link])
• Michael Ujiki, MD (Endeavor Health NorthShore; mujiki@[Link])
• Michael Millis, MD
• Darren Bryan, MD
• Nora Jaskowiak, MD (Clerkship Director)
• Sarah Shubeck, MD
• Megan Applewhite, MD
• Ryan Boudreau, MD
• Phillip Dowzicky, MD
• Baddr Shaksheer, MD
• Kinga Olortegui, MD
• Ashley Williamson, MD

USMLE Data
Sources: UCM Program Directors and 2024 Charting Outcomes in the Match (NRMP publication)
Does Step 2 CK influence rank? No*
Mean Step 2 CK of US matched applicants (NRMP) 253
Mean number of contiguous ranks of US matched applicants (NRMP) 14.1
*Most programs will conduct a holistic review of your application. This means that Step 2 is usually
factored in somewhere; however, the score alone will not make or break your chance at an interview or
position on a rank list.

Should applicants do away rotations?

Applicants are advised to utilize these opportunities selectively. In general, if you know your “dream”
program and want to spend a month at that institution to impress the residents and faculty, then it is
worthwhile. You should expect to treat this experience as an extended job interview. You must be on
point during the entire month. Other reasons that students have expressed for doing away rotations is to
confirm their interest in general surgery or wanting to match in a particular geographic location.

86
Research
While research is not required, 2024 data from the NRMP shows that matched US seniors had an average
of 4.2 research experiences and 10.9 publications. UCM’s average is 5.7 research experiences and 7.3
publications. It is increasingly important to have specialty-specific information on your application.

Letters of Recommendation
Number of letters recommended 3-4
Chair/Chief’s letter required? Soft requirement /
Strongly recommended
Number of letters from within the specialty 3

Number of letters from external institutions N/A

Your letters of recommendation for general surgery residency programs should all be from surgeons and
at least one needs to be from the Chair. Do not include letters from research advisors or non-surgeons
unless you have extensive and highly impressive research with these individuals. The purpose of these
documents is to summarize your accomplishments and to speak to your potential as a surgeon. The letter
will ideally confirm your choice of specialty and indicate that this process has been vetted by your
faculty and advisors. Make appointments with your letter writers in the late spring or early summer and
send the faculty electronic copies of your personal statement and CV. Although it is best to have worked
the faculty, Dr. Matthews is willing to write any of our students letters regardless of whether you have
personally worked with him

Procedure for asking for a Chair’s letter:

Contact the Chair’s office and set up an appointment. Have your CV and Personal Statement printed out.
It is also a good idea to send this electronically before your appointment.

Personal Statements
Your personal statement should be concise and limited to one page. It should convey your attributes,
decision to pursue a career in general surgery, what you are looking for in a program, research interests,
and your career plan following completion of your residency program. Try to avoid quotations from
famous surgeons, generic statements, or any ambiguity about your ideal training pathway or future goals.

More applicants are taking the time to personalize their personal statements for each institution. Do not
do this for every application; however, you may want to consider this for your top programs. Be specific
about what attracts you to that program.

Application Timing
When do programs begin reviewing Within one week of ERAS opening.
applications? Strongly suggest submitting your
application on the day ERAS opens.
When do programs begin offering The Association for Program Directors in
interviews? Surgery guides the timing of the release of
interview offers. Usually this is a 5-day
period at the end of October. Interviews
are generally November through January.

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Program Signaling
Does this specialty participate in Yes
program signaling?
Number of program signals 15

Program Signaling Advice

Do not signal the University of Chicago. We will interview all Pritzker students. If you complete an
away rotation, ask that program whether you need to send them a signal.

For the remainder of your signals, you must decide your risk tolerance and how strong your application
is. Many, but not all, programs only extend interview offers to applicants that have sent a signal. We
generally recommend sending signals to 3-5 reach programs, 2-3 safety programs, and the remainder to
programs at which you have a likelihood of getting an interview and matching. Signaling only reach
programs will drastically decrease your chances of matching unless your application is very strong.

Interview Advice
General surgery is a highly competitive residency and requires a thoughtful approach and strategy to
maximize the likelihood of matching into your program of choice. In general, avoid using general
surgery as a “backup” career pathway unless your primary specialty pathway has a limited number of
positions (e.g., Integrated CVT surgery, PRS). It is recommended that you keep a close eye on your
emails/ERAS after the application review date and immediately accept any offers. Keep a spreadsheet on
the programs and interview date(s), and make sure that you cancel any interviews that you do not plan on
attending as soon as possible to allow other candidates the opportunity to interview in your place; never
cancel an interview within two weeks of the interview date unless it is a true emergency. Avoid stacking
interviews if at all possible as this may limit your ability to attend the pre-interview socials that may be
the best opportunity to interact with residents.

The vast majority of programs used virtual interviews during the past several application cycles. More
programs, including ours, had at least one in-person interview this year. We suspect that many programs
will move toward in-person interviews for the next cycle.

Be prepared for the interview. Research the programs, research, and faculty on their website. Check your
online profiles; be aware that some programs may scan social media sites. Attend the pre-interview day
functions. Dress professionally and make good eye contact. Have a list of prepared questions
highlighting your specific qualities and genuine questions about the program. Be confident and speak
clearly. If the process remains virtual, ensure proper lighting, a good microphone, confirm a reliable Wi-
Fi signal, and be attentive to the background and possible distractions that could interrupt the interview.
Be prepared to address all of the content included in your CV and specifically be ready to discuss any of
your medical publications. Do not avoid any weak spots in your application or training gaps. Interviews
are formal. Assume that everyone you are in contact with may have an impact on the selection process.
Engage the residents of the program and most importantly be yourself. As much as the programs are
evaluating you, it is important to get a sense of whether you can thrive in that environment and have a
good support system. Immediately following the interview, take some notes about the perceived strengths
and weakness of the program and any follow up questions that you might have.

In general, if your advisors believe you have a high likelihood of matching into a general surgery
residency program, you should probably interview at no more than 15 programs; exceeding that number

88
may result in a suboptimal performance secondary to interview fatigue. If you feel that you are a
borderline candidate, we recommend meeting with the general surgery program director, your Career
Advisor, and the Pritzker Dean of Students prior to the application cycle to optimize the likelihood of
matching and to create an appropriate backup plan.

Post-Interview Advice
Programs differ regarding thank you notes; make a list of programs that do not require them. In general,
email is more efficient and offer the PD or faculty a chance to respond. Avoid cutting and pasting to
create these documents as the font may differ between the salutation and body of the email. If you decide
to write multiple notes (to different faculty members), try to be brief and avoid repetition as these notes
are often shared. Abide by the NRMP match code of conduct at all times. You are allowed to express
your interest to a program; reciprocally, a program may express their interest in you. Programs should
never ask you inappropriate questions or ask you where you plan on ranking them; if you experience any
potential Match violations, please report them immediately to the Pritzker Dean of Students. If you know
the program that you are ranking first on your list, you are allowed to notify them of this news. Be
explicit and state that you are sending a letter of intent to rank that program No. 1. Include reasoning as
to why you like the program and why you believe it is a good fit. Most program directors are interested in
matching students that really want to train at their program. Refrain from making such declarations if
your decision is not final. The Department Chair, Dr. Jeff Matthews, is willing to contact your first
choice on your behalf. In general, sending programs communication with vague phrases such as “I plan
to rank you highly” is not very effective. Avoid making decisions based on communications from
programs. Base your final rank list on the factors that are most important to you and do not be swayed by
rankings, message board posts, or external perceptions.

89
 Internal Medicine
Categorical

Program Director at UCM/Endeavor Health NorthShore Hospitals

John McConville, MD
Liza Icayan, MD (Endeavor Health NorthShore Hospitals)

Recommended Specialty Advisors

Students should have an advisor that can provide 1) information about the specialty, 2) information about
the logistics of applying to that specialty, and 3) information about the programs around the country in that
specialty. Advisors who can tell you about all three aspects of the application process tend to be intimately
involved in the application/recruitment process. These people could include:
• Everett Vokes, MD (Department • Rebecca Ortiz Worthington, MD (Intern
Chair) Selection Chair and Core faculty)
• Jason Alexander, MD (Associate • Julie Oyler, MD (Associate Program
Program Director) Director)
• Irsk Anderson, MD (Subinternship • Sonali Paul, MD (Associate Program
Director) Director)
• Mim Ari, MD (Core faculty) • Amber Pincavage, MD (Clerkship Director)
• Matt Cerasale, MD (Core faculty) • Deepa Ramaduari, MD (Core faculty)
• Adam Cifu, MD • Jen Rusiecki, MD (Core faculty)
• Kamala Cotts, MD (Core faculty) • Katherine Thompson, MD (Core faculty)
• Cathryn Lee, MD (Core faculty) • Jeremy Slivnick, MD (Core faculty)
• Shannon Martin, MD (Associate • Krysta Wolfe, MD (Core faculty)
Program Director) • Jim Woodruff, MD (Core faculty)
• Ethan Molitch-Hou, MD (Core • Bill Seiden, MD
faculty) • Janardan Khandekar, MD

USMLE Data
Sources: UCM Program Directors and 2024 Charting Outcomes in the Match (NRMP publication)
Does Step 2 CK influence rank? No
Min. Step 2 score for UCM program N/A
Mean Step 2 CK of US matched applicants (NRMP) 251
Mean number of contiguous ranks of US matched applicants 13.2
(NRMP)
Beginning in 2021, the University of Chicago internal medicine intern selection committee decided NOT to
review Step 1 or Step 2 scores of any applicant who passed the USMLE exams on their first attempt.

Should applicants do away rotations?

No. In general, away rotations offer more risk than advantage. There are only a handful of discrete
circumstances where away rotations are advantageous. Away rotations are appropriate if 1) you have
received advice that the target program would be a “stretch”, or 2) you absolutely need to be at a particular
institution because of a personal relationship or proximity to family. Otherwise, away rotations offer
greater risk than they are worth. “Stretch” means you are unlikely to get an interview at a program unless
you go there and show the program your commitment.

90
Research
Scholarship (including research) is not required, but often adds strength to your application especially
when applying to academic internal medicine training programs. Conducting research in medicine is
preferred, but conducting research in any specialty is better than not having any at all. According to 2024
NRMP data, among the US seniors who matched in internal medicine, the average number of research
experiences was 3.3 and the average number of abstracts, presentations, and publications is 8.7.

Letters of Recommendation
Number of letters recommended 3 (2 + 1 chair’s letter)
Chair/Chief’s letter required? Yes
Number of letters from within the specialty 2

Number of letters from external institutions N/A

Procedure for asking for a Chair’s letter:

The student should identify an Internal Medicine advisor. This is usually a faculty member that the student
has had a chance to interact with previously as either a supervising clinical attending or preceptor. This
advisor will provide advice regarding the application process and serve as co-author for the Chair’s letter.
The Office of the Chair of the Department of Medicine will edit/co-author this advisor’s letter.

The other two letters of recommendation should be from faculty who observed your clinical performance
and have the best sense of you as an individual as well as how you performed on your clinical rotation.

Personal Statements
Internal medicine programs are looking for thoughtful, sincere personal statements that relay enthusiasm
for medicine. The statement should demonstrate attention to detail and organization. It should be clear that
you put effort into the statement. Write humble essays which contain information about interests and career
plans. Program directors read the personal statement to make sure that the applicants are levelheaded, so
avoid taking unusual measures to be noticed, as it runs the risk of alienating some percentage of readers.

A poorly written personal statement may lower your rank or prevent you from receiving an interview. A
good personal statement is unlikely to raise your ranking, but it will help you in receiving an interview and
give you a chance to have a meaningful discussion during your interview.

Application Timing
When do programs begin reviewing • As soon as ERAS opens in September (UCM)
applications? • October (NorthShore)
When do programs begin offering • End of September (UCM)
interviews? • November (NorthShore)

Note: Every program has a different process for reviewing applications, but many programs begin
reviewing applications shortly after the applications become available. You can minimize your risk of
being lost in an incomplete application pile by getting the bulk of the application completed by mid-
September.

91
Providing a cohesive application in which the personal statement, letters of recommendation, the CV, and
the interview are concordant regarding interests and career plans is to your advantage. Planning the content
of these items in this manner provides programs with a strong sense of candidate professionalism and
sophistication regarding career interests. You can help letter writers contribute to this concordance by
asking prospective letter writers in person if they would write a letter and then, when the answer is in the
affirmative, sit and discuss your career plans and accomplishments. Doing this over a final or draft
personal statement and CV helps a lot.

Program Signaling
Does this specialty participate in program Yes
signaling?
Number of program signals 15 (3 Gold, 12 Silver)

Program Signaling Advice

Students should approach program signaling similar to applying to college. Signal 1-2 “reach programs”
and the remaining signals should be sent to programs who can support your professional development and
growth in a part of the country where you would be happy to live. Most programs will only interview
applicants who have sent either a Gold or Silver signal. If interested, you should send a signal to the
University of Chicago.

Interview Advice
Scheduling
The average number of interviews an internal medicine-bound student from Pritzker schedules and
executes during a season is ~12. Since 2020, internal medicine interviews have been conducted virtually:
this is NOT likely to change for the vast majority of programs. Nevertheless, a few programs are
conducting in person interviews. Do not attempt to reschedule interviews multiple times. Always be polite
in discussions with administrators at a program.

Interview day
Be on time. Be polite. Display humble behavior (avoid anything that may be interpreted as arrogance).
Prepare for your interviews by learning about the program through the web or other information materials.
Ask questions that reflect you’ve studied the program (i.e. do not ask questions that are easily answered by
the website or program materials). Do not talk poorly of your own institution as this is a “red flag” to the
interviewer. Such students come across as either “not loyal” or extremely needy.

Post-Interview Advice
Is it common practice for applicants to contact their #1 program to let them know they are ranking them
first?

Yes, but it will not affect rank. It is not expected that you communicate about your intentions. It is unlikely
to change your rank but does make your application stand out in ranking discussions. If you are going to
tell a program it is number one on your rank list, make sure that it is the only program you are saying this
to (it is unprofessional to tell more than one program that you are ranking them first, and program directors
do talk with each other).

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 Internal Medicine and Pediatrics
Categorical
Program Director at UCM
Allie Dakroub, MD, MS

Recommended Specialty Advisors

Students can choose advisors from a variety of faculty members in internal medicine or pediatrics if he/she
is familiar with med-peds training. Medicine-pediatrics faculty at the institution include:
• Allie Dakroub, MD, MS (Program • Nate Glasser, MD
Director) • Katie O’Sullivan, MD
• Nabil Abou Baker, MD (Associate • Valerie Press, MD
Program Director) • Milda Saunders, MD, MPH
• Deborah Burnet, MD • Sachin Shah, MD
• Nicole Bendin, MD • Harita Shah, MD
• Adam Duvall, MD • Anna Volerman, MD
• Mike Earing, MD • George Weyer, MD
• Cuoghi Edens, MD

USMLE Data
Sources: UCM Program Directors and 2024 Charting Outcomes in the Match (NRMP publication)
Does Step 2 CK influence rank? No
Min. Step 2 score for UCM program N/A
Mean Step 2 CK of US matched applicants (NRMP) 253
Mean number of contiguous ranks of US matched applicants (NRMP) 11.3

Note: From 2020 to the present, the UCM Med-Peds Program, like many Med-Peds Programs across the
country, pledged to no longer consider USLME scores in recruitment (invitations to interview or selection
for rank) to improve equity.

Should applicants do away rotations?

Possibly – that depends on the student. An away rotation is a great opportunity to experience the culture
and learning environment of a residency program and to learn more about what that particular program
offers and how they approach patient care and education. However, it can be a somewhat high-stakes
situation if you are working with people who directly impact how that program ranks candidates in that you
would want to ensure you put your best foot forward.

Research
Scholarship (including research) is not required, but adds strength to the application, especially if you are
applying to academic internal medicine-pediatric training programs. According to 2024 NRMP data,
among the US seniors who matched in internal medicine-pediatrics, the average number of research
experience was 3.1, and the average number of abstracts, presentations, and publications was 6.9.

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Letters of Recommendation
Number of letters recommended 3
Chair/Chief’s letter required? Varies by program. No longer required at UCM
Number of letters from within the 3: at least one from each of pediatrics and
specialty internal medicine
Number of letters from external N/A
institutions

Med-Peds programs look for letters of recommendation from faculty members who have worked closely
with students clinically.

Procedure for Asking for Chair’s Letters

Chair’s Letters are not a requirement for our program and are discouraged in place of letters that
are more directly representative of the thoughts and opinions of faculty who have actually worked,
clinically, with the applicant

Medicine Chair’s Letter: Identify a Departmental Advisor in the Department of Medicine. This is usually
a faculty member that you have had a chance to interact with previously as either a supervising clinical
attending or preceptor. This advisor will provide advice regarding the application process and serve as co-
author for the Chair’s Letter. The Office of the Chair of the Department of Medicine will edit/co-author
this advisor’s letter.

Pediatrics Chair’s Letter: Identify a Departmental Advisor in the Department of Pediatrics. This is
usually a faculty member that you have had a chance to interact with previously as either a supervising
clinical attending or preceptor. This advisor will provide advice regarding the application process and serve
as co-author for the Chair’s Letter. The Office of the Chair of the Department of Pediatrics will edit/co-
author this advisor’s letter

Personal Statements
The personal statement should demonstrate an interest in Med-Peds as a career in a clear and organized
manner. The personal statement should help reviewers understand who the candidate is and help us gain a
deeper understanding of their identities and motivations beyond their application.

Application Timing
When do programs begin reviewing As soon as ERAS opens in September
applications?
When do programs begin offering Approximately 14 days after ERAS opens
interviews?

Students should demonstrate a strong record of volunteerism and research. Program directors will be
looking for High Pass to Honors grades in the Medicine and Pediatrics core clerkships.

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Program Signaling
Does this specialty participate in program No
signaling?

Interview Advice
During your interview, you will want to demonstrate a strong interest and commitment to adult and
pediatric medicine. Be sure to convey a strong interest in the program, not just the city or town. Ask
informed and interesting questions (review website and written materials). Be prompt, polite and
enthusiastic. Visit [Link] and [Link] for more information.

Post-Interview Advice
Is it common practice for applicants to contact their #1 program to let them know they are ranking them
first?

Yes. It is not expected or required that you communicate about your intentions, but if you are certain you
are ranking a given program first and you have a strong desire and/or need to be in that program, it is wise
to send an email to the program director expressing that interest.

95
 Interventional Radiology
Categorical and Advanced
Most programs are advanced and require a separate application for a PGY-1.

Program Director at UCM

Rakesh Navuluri, MD

Recommended Specialty Advisors

Specialty Advisors should be a faculty member with whom the student feels comfortable. Potential
Specialty Advisors include:
• Rakesh Navuluri, MD (Residency Program Director)
• Brian Funaki, MD (Chief of Vascular & Interventional Radiology)
• Steven Zangan, MD (Associate Residency Program Director)

USMLE Data
Sources: UCM Program Directors and 2024 Charting Outcomes in the Match (NRMP publication)
Does Step 2 CK influence rank? Yes
Min. Step 2 score for UCM program 240
Mean Step 2 CK of US matched applicants (NRMP) 253
Mean number of contiguous ranks of US matched applicants (NRMP) 6.5

Should applicants do away rotations?

Away rotations can be a great opportunity to audition for a program in which you are really interested, but
you must be prepared to perform at your best. We have ranked students number one and also kept
students entirely off the rank list based on their away rotation performance. Most competitive students do
1 to 2 away rotations. It is recommended to complete them by October prior to the start of the interview
season. Most away rotation applications are through VSLO, though some are institution-based.

Research
Research that leads to peer-reviewed publications or presentations demonstrates that a candidate
understands the scientific method and has experience in compiling data and synthesizing it into a
clinically meaningful conclusion. Additionally, research that is relevant to radiology and/or interventional
radiology demonstrates a genuine interest and commitment to the specialty. This can be an important
factor in differentiating several very competitive applicants. According to 2024 NRMP data, among the
US seniors who matched in interventional radiology, the average number of research experience was 4.7
and the average number of abstracts, presentations, and publications was 15.8.

Letters of Recommendation
Number of letters recommended 3-4
Chair/Chief ’s letter required? No
Number of letters from within the specialty Minimum 1; 2 is preferable
Number of letters from external institutions *See below

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* You should consider requesting a letter from an external institution if you believe you had a good away
rotation performance, and especially if that faculty is well known in the IR community

Letters of recommendation should come from a faculty member who has worked closely with the student
in a clinical setting. Ideally, two letters should come from an interventional radiology faculty, and one
should come from a core specialty such as internal medicine or surgery.

Personal Statements
Your personal statement should explain your motivation for pursuing interventional radiology. It can also
be beneficial to outline strengths that may make you a strong resident and a successful practicing
interventional radiologist. Some applicants will tailor their personal statement to indicate their specific
interest for a program or geographic region, which can be more impactful than program signaling in
ERAS.

Application Timing
When do programs begin reviewing Late September
applications?
When do programs begin offering Late September- early October. East coast programs
interviews? tend to interview earlier than West coast programs
which offer interviews as late as November

Program Signaling
Does this specialty participate in program Yes
signaling?
Number of program signals 8

Program Signaling Advice

At our institution, the program signal has been used as a “tiebreaker” for candidates who we are
considering for an interview. Signals may similarly serve as a tiebreaker for our final rank list.

Interview Advice
Learn about the program and have thoughtful questions to ask about the program.

When I was interviewing, my secret interview trick was to subtly sell myself to the program by asking the
interviewer what qualities they look for in applicants. I would then respond with examples of how I
demonstrated those qualities. —Dr. Navuluri

Post-Interview Advice
Thank-you emails are a must and should be sent promptly after the interview (within 48 hours). A thank-
you note demonstrates to a program that the interviewee is courteous, respectful, and interested in the
program. They do not have to indicate how you will be ranking the program, nor will that information
likely affect your rank order.

97
 Neurological Surgery
Categorical
Program Director at UCM
Edwin Ramos, MD

Recommended Specialty Advisors

A Specialty Advisor should be familiar with your academic and clinical achievements. Advisors could
include:
• Issam Awad, MD (Vascular Neurosurgery)
• Paramita Das, MD, MS (Skull base and tumors)
• Javad Hekmat-panah, MD
• Martin Herman, MD, PhD (Spine)
• Peleg Horowitz, MD, PhD (Skull base and tumor - Associate Residency Program Director)
• Sean Polster, MD (Skull base and Vascular)
• Edwin Ramos, MD (Spine - Residency Program Director)
• David Satzer, MD (Functional Neurosurgery)
• Peter Warnke, MD (Functional Neurosurgery, Pediatrics)
• Bakhtiar Yamini, MD (Tumor and Pediatrics)

USMLE Data
Sources: UCM Program Directors and 2024 Charting Outcomes in the Match (NRMP publication)
Does Step 2 CK influence rank? No
Min. Step 2 score for UCM program N/A
Mean Step 2 CK of US matched applicants (NRMP) 255
Mean number of contiguous ranks of US matched applicants (NRMP) 16.7

Should applicants do away rotations?

Yes. Most students do two away rotations between July and September. However, this is not a
requirement, and some students who have not done away rotations have matched.

Research
While research is not technically required, it can be a huge help and is recommended especially if it is in
the neurosciences. According to 2024 NRMP data, the average number of research experiences among
matched US seniors in neurological surgery was 5.8, and the mean number of abstracts, presentations,
and publications, was 37.4.

Letters of Recommendation
Number of letters recommended 3
Chair/Chief’s letter required? Yes
Number of letters from within the specialty 2-3
Number of letters from external institutions 1-2

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Make sure that your letters will be strong and will be from faculty members who have done clinical
work with you. Letters from local neurosurgeons are key. It is common for programs to call each other
about applicants. Letters from outside of neurosurgery should come from faculty in neurology or
surgery or from a research mentor.
Letter of recommendation submission must be completed through the online ERAS Letter of
Recommendation Portal. As an applicant, you will enter the letter of recommendation authors you’ve
chosen into MyERAS. The system will then generate a Letter Request Form (LRF) you can email, mail,
or deliver in person to each of the authors you choose.
If assistance is needed in reminding a neurological surgery faculty member to complete the LRF, please
contact Amy Johnson, Educational Administrator in the Department of Neurological Surgery, at
ajohnson1@[Link]. Amy will work with the faculty member to submit the LRF.

Personal Statements
The personal statement should demonstrate understanding, accomplishment, productivity, uniqueness,
and specific reasons for choosing neurological surgery.

Application Timing
When do programs begin reviewing As soon as ERAS opens in September
applications?
When do programs begin offering September-October (see below)
interviews?

Invitations to interview are offered as early as the week after ERAS opens and continue throughout
October. Almost all programs finish sending out invitations by early November. Applicants are advised
to submit applications to programs as soon as possible and prior to ERAS opening, if possible.

Program Signaling
Does this specialty participate in Yes
program signaling?
Number of program signals 25

Program Signaling Advice

All applications are reviewed, and Program Signaling is noted.

Interview Advice
Stay relaxed, smile, and be prepared to articulate your goals and what you want in a residency program.

Post-Interview Advice
Is it common practice for applicants to contact their #1 program to let them know they are ranking them
first?

No, but you may express interest in programs that you will be ranking highly. If you do have a favorite
program, it helps to send that program a note or email stating your interest in the program. However, if a
program asks you to tell them where you ranked them, it is a violation of the NRMP regulations.

99
 Neurology
Categorical and Advanced
Some programs (including UCM) are advanced and require a separate application for a PGY-1.

Program Director at UCM

Kenneth Lee, MD
Elisheva Coleman, MD (Associate Program Director)
Daniel Kurz, MD (Associate Program Director)

Recommended Specialty Advisors

Specialty Advisors should be a faculty member with whom the student feels comfortable. Potential Specialty
Advisors could include:
• Shyam Prabhakaran, MD (Chair)
• Margaret Kay-Stacey, MD (Co-Clerkship Director/Clinic Director)
• James Brorson, MD (Vice Chair for Education / Vascular Fellowship Director)
• Helene Rubeiz, MD (Associate Vice Chair for Education)
• Veronica Cipriani, MD (Co-Clerkship Director)
• James Mastrianni, MD, PhD (Behavioral Neurology & Neuropsychiatry Fellowship Director)
• James Tao, MD, PhD (Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship Program Director)
• Sandra Rose, MD (Epilepsy Fellowship Director)
• Tao Xie, MD, PhD (Movement Disorders Fellowship Director)
• Anthony Reder, MD (Multiple Sclerosis Fellowship Director)
• Ali Mansour, MD (NeuroICU Fellowship Director)
• Hiba Haider, MD (Wellness Chair)
• Kourosh Rezania, MD (Neuromuscular Fellowship Director)

USMLE Data
Sources: UCM Program Directors and 2024 Charting Outcomes in the Match (NRMP publication)
Does Step 2 CK influence rank? Yes
Min. Step 2 score for UCM program Not advertised
Mean Step 2 CK of US matched applicants (NRMP) 250
Mean number of contiguous ranks of US matched applicants 13.1
(NRMP)
Should applicants do away rotations?
Away rotations are not required but encouraged if interested.

Research
Research is desirable but not required. According 2024 NRMP data, US seniors who matched in neurology
had an average of 3.5 research experiences and 8.8 publications, presentations, and abstracts.

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Letters of Recommendation
Number of letters recommended 3 for UCM, 4 for others
Chair/Chief’s letter required? No
Number of letters from within the specialty At least 1; preferably 2
Number of letters from external institutions N/A
Neurology programs look for letters from faculty who have worked closely with students clinically.
Procedure for Asking for a Chair’s Letter
Although a letter from the chair is not required, if the student has worked with the chair and wants a letter
from him, they can email Dr. Prabhakaran directly at shyam1@[Link].

Personal Statements
Be sure to state your reason for entering the specialty. The personal statement is used to identify negative
and positive traits pertaining to an applicant. Personal statements are reviewed very closely.

Application Timing
When do programs begin reviewing As soon as ERAS opens in September
applications?
When do programs begin offering October
interviews?
Neurology programs look at the entire application holistically when deciding who to select for interviews.
This includes performance in medical school, LORs, USMLE scores, and the MSPE. In addition, life
experiences outside of medicine are also used in our consideration. An average USMLE performance does
not necessarily have a negative impact if other components of the application are strong. Our program will
no longer consider USMLE Step 1 scores, though pass/failures will be taken into consideration. USMLE
Step 2 performance will also be taken into consideration as well. In addition, signaling is taken into strong
consideration throughout Neurology and the UCM program.

Program Signaling
Does this specialty participate in program Yes
signaling?
Number of program signals 8

Program Signaling Advice

In terms of program signals and geographic preferences, this varies quite a bit by Neurology programs, but
these are considered during the review of the application and decision for interviewing.

Interview Advice
1. Communication is crucial.
2. Do NOT cancel interviews at the last minute.
3. During the interview, try to be engaging. Show the positive aspects of your personality, and show
interest and passion for the specialty.

Post-Interview Advice
Is it common practice for applicants to contact their #1 program to let them know they are ranking them
first?
It is common but may not have an impact.

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 Obstetrics and Gynecology
Categorical

Program Director at UCM

Julia Simon, MD

Recommended Specialty Advisors

The program director and chair can be a resource for advice but should not have a formal role as an
individual student advisor. This relationship could represent a conflict of interest in the overall
application process. If desired, prior to the ResidencyCAS application submission, the program director
welcomes the opportunity to meet with the student individually to review the application.

All faculty members in the department who are involved in the student rotation are willing to be
Specialty Advisors. A faculty member who has mentored you in a research project or who knows your
clinical work is ideal. In addition, faculty letters of recommendation can come from the following
physicians:
• Ernst Lengyel, MD, PhD (Department Chair)
• Julia Simon, MD (Program Director)
• Richard Silver, MD (Endeavor Health NorthShore Hospitals Department Chair)
• Carrie Smith, MD (Clerkship Director)
• Julie Chor, MD, MPH (Assistant Clerkship Director)
• Lindsey Eastman, MD (Assistant Clerkship Director)
• Carolynn Dude, MD (Endeavor Health NorthShore Hospitals, Clerkship Site Director)

USMLE Data
Sources: UCM Program Directors and 2024 Charting Outcomes in the Match (NRMP publication)
Does Step 2 CK influence rank? No
Min. Step 2 score for UCM program N/A*
Mean Step 2 CK of US matched applicants (NRMP) 252
Mean number of contiguous ranks of US matched applicants 12.3
(NRMP)
* We do not have Step score minimums but do consider USMLE results as part of our holistic review.
Students who have failed Step 1 or have a Step 2 score below 220 should consult with Dr. Simon or Dr.
Smith about application competitiveness.

Should applicants do away rotations?

Only if desired, not required. However, an away rotation is not essential. It should primarily help you
gain more information about a specific program or geographic location of high interest to you. An away
rotation may also be helpful if a candidate has a less competitive application or suboptimal academic
record. If a student chooses to do an away rotation, this usually happens from August-November. Be
sure to excel in your effort if you do an away rotation. Focus on being yourself while also being a team
player and exhibiting an exemplary work ethic. Residents often have a significant influence over which
visiting students receive invitations for interviews and over the final rank list for Match so it can make a
huge difference if you are someone the residents enjoy working with. Always introduce yourself to the
program director and chair of the department that you visit.

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Research
Research that results in publications or presentations is particularly helpful for applicants. The research
does not need to be done in the field of OB/GYN. According to 2024 data from the NRMP, the average
matched applicant in OB/GYN participated in 3.8 research experiences and had 9.0 publications,
abstracts, and presentations. If you do not have a strong research background, be sure to apply to
institutions and departments where research is less of a focus, remembering that this will likely include
community-based programs.

Letters of Recommendation
Number of letters recommended 4:3 from faculty (including 1 SLOE)
and 1 from chair
Chair/Chief’s letter required? Yes
Number of letters from within the specialty At least 2
Number of letters from external institutions Not required but can be helpful

Letters of recommendation should come from faculty who have worked with students clinically. Letters
from any long-term mentor or research advisor are also helpful.

External letters are not mandatory as some students do not participate in any external rotations. It is
helpful to have a letter from the University of Chicago if the student performed a sub-internship at
Chicago. Faculty always review the evaluations from the University of Chicago sub-internship.

Procedure for Asking for a Chair’s Letter

Please contact Nancy Martinez, the Chair’s Secretary, to schedule an appointment to meet with the
department chair, Ernst Lengyel, MD, PhD. The Chair’s letters are better if they are written with
personal insight and knowledge of the candidate. The letter is co-written by Carrie Smith, MD, the
clerkship director, who knows the candidate in more detail, but Dr. Lengyel will edit and sign off on the
final version, so it is advisable to meet with him.

Personal Statements
Programs want to see a genuine interest in OB/GYN and to hear you describe at what point you became
passionate about a career in obstetrics and gynecology. Include unique experiences, personal events and
qualities that are relevant to the specialty. You may also include what aspects or characteristics you are
looking for in a program.

Application Timing
When do programs begin reviewing September
applications?
When do programs begin offering interviews? October
Submit your application as early as possible because of the limited number of interview slots. We
follow the ACOG/APGO requirements for applicant selection and interview offers. Please see the most
up to date information on timing: Transition to Residency | ACOG.

NOTE: Beginning with the 2025 application season, OB/GYN has transitioned to using its own
application platform, ResidencyCAS, separate of the ERAS application. OB/GYN applicants must use
the new platform to apply. OB/GYN applicants continue to match through the NRMP.

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Program Signaling
Does this specialty participate in program Yes
signaling?
Number of program signals 18 (3 Gold, 15 Silver)

Program Signaling Advice

Data shows that if you do not signal a program, then you will not match in that program, so use your
signals wisely. Do not only signal the most competitive programs, but instead signal the programs that best
match your interests and/or location. This may be a community or rural program. First, decide what
matters to you in a residency and then signal a program based on that.

When reviewing applications, most programs filter candidates based on signals first. Our program doesn’t
differentiate between a gold or a silver signal, but other programs may. At this time, we do not require
Pritzker candidates to signal their home institution. However, this may change in the future.

Signals are only used pre-interviews. They are not used after an interview has been performed.

Interview Advice
Practice, practice, practice! Data show that once an interview is offered, your performance on the
interview is the most important factor in how programs rank applicants. Make sure you have thoughtful
responses to common questions asked during residency interviews and practice with as many people as
you can prior to the start of interview season. Be prepared to explain any inconsistencies in your
medical school performance. Be polite and nice to everyone including the administrative staff and
residents. Relax! Do not try to over-impress—be yourself.

If there are any pre-interview socials, please do your best to attend. These usually involve being in a
social setting with residents and can give you some insight into how the residents interact with you and
each other. However, remember this is a part of your interview experience at the institution.

Post-Interview Advice
Is it common practice for applicants to contact their #1 program to let them know they are ranking them
first?

Occasionally candidates send emails, but this is not an expectation. The Department of OB/GYN does
not contact individual candidates after the interview process.

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 Ophthalmology (SF Match)
Advanced
Some programs require a separate application for a PGY-1 year via ERAS and the NRMP.

Program Director at UCM

Peter Veldman, MD

Recommended Specialty Advisors

You will want to select a Specialty Advisor who knows you well. The better they know you, the better
they can advise you. A meeting with Dr. Farooq, our lead Medical Student Educator, is typically the
first step in that process. Additionally, you may reach out to any of the below education team members
for guidance.
• Asim Farooq, MD (Medical Student Educator)
• Peter Veldman, MD (Residency Program Director)
• Hassan Shah, MD (Associate Program Director)

USMLE Data
Sources: UCM Program Directors and San Francisco Match website
Does Step 2 CK influence rank? May be helpful now that Step 1
is no longer reported
Min. Step 2 score for UCM program N/A
Mean Step 2 CK of US matched applicants (SF) N/A
Mean number of contiguous ranks of US matched N/A (UCM recommends
applicants (SF) ranking at least 11 programs)*

* Percent of applicants with a successful match in 2024: US Allopathic Seniors—75%.

Should applicants do away rotations?

It depends. A strong away rotation at the right program can help you get over the top at that program.
The strongest applicants may not need to do away rotations assuming they have great exposure to
UCM Ophthalmology (rotations, research/papers, letters etc.). If you and your advisor determine that
your application is borderline, having some very successful away rotations may be a good strategy for
you.

Recognize however that away rotations can be challenging (new system, new faculty, local students,
etc.), and you will have to be your best and most engaged self throughout your time there. Because
ophthalmology is an early match, and away rotations fill up quickly, advanced planning is important.
The purpose of an away rotation is twofold—for you to get a more in-depth look at the program and
for the program to get a more detailed look at you.

Research
It is important to have research experience and better yet to have a publication under your belt.
However, this research can be done in any field as long as students are able to discuss it during their
interviews and they can speak to the experience with authority. Students who are interested in
ophthalmology research should contact Dr. Farooq directly.

105
Letters of Recommendation
Number of letters recommended 3
Chair/Chief’s letter required? No, but recommended
Number of letters from within the specialty 2
Number of letters from external institutions N/A

In a competitive specialty like ophthalmology, the name recognition of your letter writers can play a
role in receiving more interview offers. The best letter comes from someone who knows you well
and can write a strong personalized letter that articulates your strengths. Letters from away rotations
are not required, but under exceptional circumstances (for example, you spent an extended time at
another institution doing research) they may be helpful to your application. Please discuss specifics
of your situation with Dr. Farooq or your departmental advisor.

Personal Statements
The personal statement should demonstrate that you are a unique individual but also a team player.
Please consider having your personal statement reviewed for content by Dr. Farooq or Dr.
Veldman.

Application Timing
When do programs begin reviewing applications? September
When do programs begin offering interviews? October for November-January
interviews

Ophthalmology participates in the San Francisco Match ([Link]), which has an

application deadline of early September (you do not want to submit anywhere near the deadline)
and a rank deadline of mid-January. You should apply to at least 45 programs as this was the
clearest inflection point for applicants to receive enough invitations. In 2024, the average number of
programs applied to was 85 for matched individuals with an average of 12 interview invitations.
Unmatched averages were 85 and 4, respectively. Pritzker recommends submitting your application
by the end of July/mid-August. Seventy-five percent of US allopathic seniors who submitted rank
lists matched successfully in 2024.

To be successful in the ophthalmology match, your rank list should have “reach” programs,
reasonable programs, and “safety net” programs. The mix of these will depend on the strength of
your candidacy. You should rank every program at which you interview unless you truly feel you
could not train at that program.

Program Signaling
Does this specialty participate in program Yes
signaling?
Number of program signals 10

Program Signaling Advice

While signaling is new for ophthalmology and we do not yet have data, it is clear that signaling
increases the likelihood of obtaining an interview. There is no “right” strategy for signaling but
we suggest focusing your signals primarily on programs that you believe you are competitive for
and where you would be interested in training, possibly also including some element of “safety”

106
and/or “reach” signals at the applicant’s discretion. Pritzker students should not signal their
home program.

Interview Advice
Applicants should be comfortable discussing their strengths and selling themselves. A clear view of
why candidates are interested in ophthalmology is a must. Be prepared to speak in depth and
validate anything, however minor, that is in your application.

Post-Interview Advice
Is it common practice for applicants to contact their #1 program to let them know they are ranking
them first?
Once you have decided on your No. 1 program, it is best for Dr. Veldman or another faculty
member to reach out to the program.

Helpful Reference
Grubbs JR Jr, Mian SI. Advising Students Interested in Ophthalmology: A Summary of the
Evidence. Ophthalmology. 2016 Jul; 123(7): 1406-10. doi: 10.1016/[Link].2016.04.016.
[Link]

107
 Orthopaedic Surgery
Categorical

Program Director at UCM & Director of Residency Recruitment

Tessa Balach, MD

Recommended Specialty Advisors

Nick Maassen, MD, Director of Medical Student Education

USMLE Data
Sources: UCM Program Directors and 2024 Charting Outcomes in the Match (NRMP publication)
Does Step 2 CK influence rank? No
Min. Step 2 score for UCM program N/A
Mean Step 2 CK of US matched U.S. MD Seniors (NRMP) 257
Mean number of contiguous ranks of US matched applicants (NRMP) 11.8

Should applicants do away rotations?

Yes, you should complete three. You will want to do an away elective and shine there. Away rotations
should be done at institutions where you really want to match and have a competitive chance of matching.
We recommend doing these in the summer and early fall of your fourth year. Your orthopaedic surgery
Specialty Advisor can help you determine these institutions. Apply for away rotations early (March-April)
to avoid missing out because all available spots are filled. Consider these aways as opportunities to perform
much like an in-depth interview where you and the program get to know each other very well.

Research
While research is not required, it increases the chance of matching successfully and demonstrates
engagement with your learning and the process of scientific inquiry. According to NRMP data, students
who match successfully in orthopaedic surgery are more likely to have done research that has resulted in
publication. In the 2023 match, the average number of peer reviewed publications for students who
matched in an orthopaedic program was 2, while the total number of abstracts, presentations and
publications was 10. For comparison, in the 2024 match for our program, the average number of
publications for successful applicants was 3. Relevant, impactful manuscripts are helpful. A research year
is NOT required to match into orthopaedics.

Letters of Recommendation
Number of letters recommended 3
Chair/Chief’s letter required? Per program application requirements
Number of letters from within the specialty At least 2
Number of letters from external institutions Not required but can be helpful

In general, letters that come from within orthopaedics are most helpful. People reviewing your application
are much more likely to know another person in their specialty, it is a small world in orthopaedic surgery.
If you have done a significant research project with someone who knows your work well, and is outside of
that specialty, that can also be helpful. However, in general, submit letters from orthopaedic surgeons.

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Always have a discussion with your potential letter writers and request a “strong” letter of reference. A
poor or neutral letter can be detrimental to your application.

Procedure for Asking for a Chief’s Letter

If this letter is required at a program to which you are applying, formally set up a meeting with the
Department Chair. This can be arranged through Annie Detrick and the Chair’s Project Assistant. The
Chair will typically get feedback from faculty members who are familiar with your work. Provide all your
letter writers with your CV and personal statement if available. This will strengthen what they can write
about you.

Personal Statements
Be honest and direct. Do not be too short (only one paragraph) or too long (more than one page). Avoid
using poetry, excessive use of quotations, or generic impersonal comments. A good personal statement
gives the reader insight into the candidate’s background and personal story.

Application Timing
When do programs begin reviewing As soon as ERAS in September
applications?
When do programs begin offering Mid- November; Orthopaedic Surgery has a
interviews? Universal Interview Offer Day (UOD) that >
85% of programs participate in

Program Signaling
Does this specialty participate in program Yes
signaling?
Number of program signals 30

Program Signaling Advice

Signaling is a powerful tool to show genuine interest in a program. Given the 30 signals you are provided,
consider breaking it down into thirds: 1/3 aspirational or ‘reach programs’, 1/3 solid-realistic opportunity
programs, and 1/3 within-reach programs. Overall, signaling should be viewed as showing your interest
and commitment to a program. All programs consider signals differently; however, the data from recent
years suggests that the likelihood of matching to a program you did not signal is very small.

Interview Advice
It is best to do your homework and find out the highlights, or strong points, of the program. You will
inevitably be asked why you are interested in that program. Show that you spent time looking at the
program’s web site and ask about specific features of the program. Avoid generic answers like, “I heard
this was a good program.”

Be yourself. Students often get too worried about “trick questions.” On paper, all of the candidates have
great academic credentials. The interview process is about finding people who will succeed within the
program. Letting the program see who you really are is important. Although it is difficult to believe, the
interview process is a two-way street and ensuring both you and the program get an opportunity to meet
and understand each other is important.

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Thank you notes are not necessary and often discarded. If you did a clinical rotation, had a particularly
meaningful experience or conversation, then an email to one or two faculty members whom you worked
with during that rotation, letting them know that you are still interested in the program, can be helpful. An
email to the chief resident you worked with on the rotation can also be helpful.

Post-Interview Advice
Is it common practice for applicants to contact their #1 program to let them know they are ranking them
first?

No. There is no expectation that a student communicates their preference list.

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 Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery
(ENT)
Categorical

Program Director at UCM

Fuad Baroody, MD

Recommended Specialty Advisors

In selecting someone as a Specialty Advisor, try to select someone with whom you feel you can develop a
close relationship: someone with whom you feel comfortable and candid. Potential advisors could include:
• Nishant Agrawal, MD (Section Chief) • Terrence Imbery, MD
• Fuad Baroody, MD (Program Director) • Aimee Kennedy, MD
• Andrea Shogan, MD (Clerkship • Phillip LoSavio, MD
Director) • Christopher Low, MD
• Hassan Arshad, MD • Joseph Meleca, MD
• Brandon Baird, MD • Ramez Philips, MD
• Elizabeth Blair, MD • Jay Pinto, MD
• Nadia Caballero, MD • Lou Portugal, MD
• William Gao, MD • Dana Suskind, MD

USMLE Data
Sources: UCM Program Directors and 2024 Charting Outcomes in the Match (NRMP publication)
Does Step 2 CK influence rank? Yes
Min. Step 2 score for UCM program 220
Mean Step 2 CK of US matched applicants (NRMP) 256
Mean number of contiguous ranks of US matched applicants (NRMP) 13.9=6

Step 1 scores are now reported as Pass/Fail as of January 26, 2022. Accordingly, Step 2 score will become
more important and will influence consideration of applications.

Should applicants do away rotations?

Yes, you should complete 2-3. It is important to do a sub-internship between May and September to be sure
you are committed to this specialty (Ideally, one should be committed to the specialty before applying for
away rotations by shadowing during early med school years and rotating in Otolaryngology as part of the
surgery block in third year). Doing your sub-internship at UCM first and then doing one or two away
rotations at other institutions is optimal, but certainly not required. Since fourth year starts in May for
Pritzker students, you will have a chance to complete your UCM sub-internship in May or June as well as
July for students who are on research rotations through June. You must decide how to prioritize your sub-
internship and studying for Step 2. Doing an away rotation gives you a chance to learn about the specialty
and a chance to get an outside letter, thus the importance of completing away rotations before residency
applications are due, usually by end of September. Most importantly, it is basically an extended interview at
programs in which you might be interested. Our Program Director and faculty can help you choose away
rotations by giving you information about outside programs.

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Research
Research experience is desirable. According to the NRMP, US Seniors who matched in 2024 participated in
an average of 7.1 research experiences and had 20.0 abstracts, presentations, and publications. Works in
progress are useful even if there are no publications or presentations yet, as it supports the candidate’s
interest. Any research experiences are valuable but Otolaryngology-specific research denotes interest in the
specialty and is desired.

Letters of Recommendation
Number of letters recommended 3
Chair/Chief’s letter required? Yes
Number of letters from within the specialty 2
Number of letters from external institutions Not required but can be helpful*

* Typically obtained from the Chair or the Program Director at institutions where away rotations were
pursued.

If you cannot get three excellent letters, do not apply in ENT. Letters from faculty members in the
Department of Surgery or from a research mentor are appropriate.

Procedure for Asking for a Chief’s Letter

Set up an appointment to speak with Dr. Agrawal. The letter is a summary of the student’s clinical
performance during the ENT sub-internship and is usually co-written by Drs. Agrawal and Shogan. All away
rotators will get such a letter.

Personal Statements
Otolaryngology programs are just looking to see if you are able to write. A poorly written personal statement
can hurt an applicant. A paragraph describing reasons you are applying to each specific program is not a
requirement, but you can feel free to include if you really like a specific program or if such a statement is
mandated by any specific program. Our program does not require such a paragraph.

Application Timing
When do programs begin reviewing As soon as ERAS opens in September
applications?
When do programs begin offering interviews? November

Note: In the past two match seasons, the Program Directors Organization encouraged all programs to extend
interview offers at the same time. For 2024, this was November 8, 2024. Applicants began scheduling and
confirming interview invites on November 12, 2024. Most programs complied. We interview applicants early
in either December or January.

In order to improve applicants’ chances of matching in otolaryngology, it is desirable for them to have a
grade of Honors in their surgery rotation. Other useful, but not necessary, accolades are induction into the
AΩA Honor Medical Society and strong USMLE Step 2 scores (above 240). A student’s performance on the
sub-internship is another major factor. Research productivity and the strength of letters of recommendation
are additional components of the holistic application evaluation. In the end, the student’s personality should
match with the program’s personality.

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Program Signaling
Does this specialty participate in program Yes
signaling?
Number of program signals 25

Program Signaling Advice

The Otolaryngology Program Directors Organization has instituted signaling for the past five match years. In
the first year, applicants were allowed to signal five programs to communicate interest. During that year, they
were not allowed to do away rotations. In the second year, the away sub-internship was considered the
equivalent of a signal to that program and the applicants were restricted to four signals. For the past two
application cycles, applicants were allowed 25 signals and were asked to signal programs at which they did
away rotations as well as their home program. The increase in the number of allowable signals produced the
desired effect of decreasing the number of applications submitted by each applicant by about 30%. The
program director at UCM will update you on signaling in the coming season, and the Program Directors
Organization will usually put together an informational session for the applicants as we get closer to the
application deadline.

Interview Advice
Interviews were virtual for at least 2-3 match seasons during the pandemic. For the 2024-2025 match season,
about 50% of Otolaryngology programs were back to conducting in-person interviews. This trend is likely to
continue during the 2025-2026 interview season, with most interviews in person. The interview is the most
important part of the process. Applicants should be enthusiastic and prepared to ask good questions.
Remember that the interview begins when you arrive and ends when you leave. Be sure to speak to the
residents. While you should appear enthusiastic about the program, you really need to consider whether this
is the program where you want to spend the next five years.

Post-Interview Advice
Is it common practice for applicants to contact their #1 program to let them know they are ranking them
first?

Yes. If you have a strong preference for a program, you should feel free to communicate that to them.

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 Pathology
Categorical

Program Director at UChicago Medicine/NorthShore University HealthSystem

Kammi Henriksen, MD
Ajit Paintal, MD (NorthShore University HealthSystem)

Recommended Specialty Advisors

Your Specialty Advisor should be the person with whom you have common interests or goals and good lines
of communication. MSTP students should be matched with research-oriented faculty if their career goals
include substantial independently funded research, and MDs should be matched with a diagnostic pathologist.
Specialty Advisors should be experienced in the appropriate clinical area, have time and “chemistry” with the
student, and have a broad view of the field. Potential advisors could include:
• Kammi Henriksen, MD (Residency Program Director)
• Ajit Paintal, MD (Residency Program Director, Endeavor Health NorthShore Hospitals)
• Tim Carll, MD (Associate Program Director – Clinical Pathology)
• Elizabeth Kertowidjojo, MD, PhD (Associate Program Director – Anatomic Pathology)
• Chris Weber, MD, PhD (Physician Scientist Track advisor)
• Aliya Husain, MD
• Nicole Cipriani, MD
• Peter Pytel, MD
• Melissa Tjota, MD, PhD
• Sandeep Gurbuxani, MD, PhD

USMLE Data
Sources: UCM Program Directors and 2022=4 Charting Outcomes in the Match (NRMP publication)
Does Step 2 CK influence rank? Yes
Min. Step 2 score for UCM program 220
Mean Step 2 CK of US matched applicants (NRMP) 247
Mean number of contiguous ranks of US matched applicants (NRMP) 12.4

Should applicants do away rotations?

Possibly. Away rotations are useful if you are interested in going to a specific institution for your residency.
However, they are not required.

Research
Research experience is desirable, but not a requirement for our program. According to 2024 NRMP data, US
seniors who matched in pathology had an average of 3.1 research experiences and 8.4 publications,
presentations, or abstracts.

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Letters of Recommendation
Number of letters recommended 3
Chair/Chief’s letter required? No
Number of letters from within the specialty At least 2
Number of letters from external institutions N/A

The strongest letters are those written by faculty who have worked clinically with the student. At least two
of the three letters should be from a pathologist who worked with the student.

Personal Statements
The personal statement is the only opportunity for you to have a voice. In particular, use this space to state
your career goals and what you want from your residency training.

Application Timing
When do programs begin reviewing As soon as ERAS opens in September
applications?
When do programs begin offering Mid-October
interviews?

Make sure you have had some experience in pathology. Complete an elective or two. Try to work on a
research project. Make sure this is the field that you want to go into.

Program Signaling
Does this specialty participate in program Yes
signaling?
Number of program signals 5

Program Signaling Advice

We receive more than 700 applications annually for 5-7 positions. It helps to know when an applicant is
very interested in our program, especially if they are currently in a different geographic region with no
apparent connections to Chicago or the Midwest.

Interview Advice
Interview widely. You learn a lot from meeting people and seeing how programs differ. It is a small field. If
you make a positive impression, people may remember you when you apply for fellowships or jobs.

We do not require a thank you note, but it is much appreciated and reflects well on the applicant. It also
indicates your interest in the program.

Post-Interview Advice
Is it common practice for applicants to contact their #1 program to let them know they are ranking them
first?

It can have a positive influence to know that a student is highly interested in us.

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 Pediatrics
Categorical

Program Director at UCM

Nicola (Nikki) Orlov, MD

Pediatric Medical Education Office at UCM

Cameron Ghalayini, Residency Education Coordinator (primary contact for recruitment questions)
Thea Stranger-Najjar, Director of Medical Education and Professional Development

Recommended Specialty Advisors

The pediatric clerkship and residency leadership are happy to discuss any aspects of your future career in
pediatrics. Feel free to reach out to any of us directly:
• Lolita Alkureishi, MD (Co-Clerkship Director, Assistant Program Director, Director of
Ambulatory Training)
• Erin King, MD (Co-Clerkship Director, Director of Fourth Year Activities)
• Simon Parzen-Johnson, MD (Director of UME-GME Transition)
• Poj Lysouvakon, MD (Assistant Program Director of Retention and Engagement)
• Wendy Darlington, MD (Assistant Program Director, Director of Advocacy and Community
Engagement)
• Madan Kumar, DO (Associate Program Director, Intern Recruitment)
• Jaclyn Eisenberg, DO (Assistant Program Director, Director of Evaluation and Feedback)
• Rochelle Naylor, MD (Associate Program Director, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion)
• Brett Palama, MD (Associate Program Director, Director of Quality Improvement and Scholarship)

First contact for MD/PhD students and for physician-scientists:

• Brett Palama, MD (Associate Program Director, Director of Quality Improvement and Scholarship)

Potential research mentors with the Department:

• See Pediatric listings in TimePortal
• Erika Claud, MD
• John Cunningham, MD, MSc, MRCP
• Ivan Moskowitz, MD, PhD
• James LaBelle, MD, PhD

USMLE Data
Sources: UCM Program Directors and 2024 Charting Outcomes in the Match (NRMP publication)
Does Step 2 CK influence rank? No*
Min. Step 2 score for UCM program See below**
Mean Step 2 CK of US matched applicants (NRMP) 247
Mean number of contiguous ranks of US matched applicants 12.4
(NRMP)
* Numeric Step 2 score does not influence ranking in our program; however, all candidates must have a
Step 2 CK in order to be ranked on our list. Step 2 scores not required at the time that applications are
submitted but a passing score must be submitted prior to the date that program rank lists are due.

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** For many years, we have embraced a holistic review of residency applicants that de-emphasizes
standardized testing such as USMLE. For a more comprehensive discussion of our perspective, please see
our editorial in the February 2021 issue of the Journal of Graduate Medical Education, in which we pledge
to not consider USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 scores in our review, interview, and rank process.
([Link]

Should applicants do away rotations?

Away rotations are not necessary, and we do not routinely recommend them. We only recommend rotations
where you are strongly interested in a program and will perform exceptionally throughout the entire
rotation. This experience can be very beneficial in giving insight into a particular program and exposure to a
particular pediatric subspecialty but could potentially hurt you if you do not perform at an exceptional level.
Most programs are moving toward a post-rank list submission (for programs), in-person revisit, if you feel it
is important to see a place but do not want to do a rotation.

Research
We expect all residents to do scholarly work based on their personal passions and interests. As such, while
prior research experience is welcome, more important is that you demonstrate a sustained commitment to
identify and address a problem through scholarly work. If a project is listed on your CV, be prepared to
discuss it in your residency interviews. If your letter of recommendation is from a research mentor, ask that
they discuss your contribution to and impact on the research goals, even if no published material arose from
them.

Letters of Recommendation
Number of letters recommended 3
Chair/Chief’s letter required? No
Number of letters from within the specialty At least 2
Number of letters from external institutions N/A

You should ask a physician with a good sense of their clinical strengths and personal knowledge of their
interests and career goals. The strongest letters speak to your strengths in specific and detailed ways, rather
than just reiterating your CV. It is a good idea to have your CV & personal statement prepared and meet
(at least virtually) with your letter writers prior to them drafting a letter for you. Most letters are submitted
directly to ERAS without student review unless you have an alternate agreement with your letter writer.

Procedure for Asking for a Chair Letter

Chair letters are required by a growing number of programs. As such, we will provide a Chair letter for each
Pritzker student applying in pediatrics. Dr. Simon Parzen-Johnson will write Chair letters in his role as
UME-GME Director; Please reach out to him at least two months before the deadline for ERAS LoR
submission. Physician-scientists and MD/PhD students should have a letter from their research mentor.

Personal Statements
Pediatric programs are looking for who you are beyond your ERAS application. The personal statement
gives you an opportunity to explain gaps in training or aspects of your file that could be perceived
negatively. Make sure your personal statement is spell checked, well written, and no longer than one page.
Have someone other than you review it for content prior to submission. An exceptional statement can help
an average file, and a very poorly written statement could negatively impact a good file. Otherwise, the
personal statement has minimal effect.

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Application Timing
When do programs begin reviewing As soon as ERAS opens in September
applications?
When do programs begin offering Following APPD guidelines; typically 2
interviews? weeks after ERAS opens

Please note, interview slots fill quickly. We recommend accepting invitations and scheduling your
interviews as soon as an offer is received.

Program Signaling
Does this specialty participate in program Yes
signaling?
Number of signals 5

Program Signaling Advice

Pediatrics participates in signaling, and each applicant can send a signal of interest to up to five residency
programs. Pritzker students do not need to use one of their signals for our program. Your interview
slot with us is guaranteed.

Interview Advice
Being polite and professional to all the staff that you have contact with cannot be over emphasized. This
includes the residency administrative staff and any social events. Learn about the features of the program
before you visit so that you are well informed and can make the most of you interview day. You will likely
have the opportunity to speak with residents and faculty; tailor your questions appropriately!

While the playful nature of children attracts many applicants to this field, do not fall into the trap of
behaving less professionally in efforts to appear more appealing to children. This is still a professional
interview, and overly casual comments and communication can hurt you.

Post-Interview Advice
Is it common practice for applicants to contact their #1 program to let them know they are ranking them
first?

Though we do not change our rank order list based upon applicants’ stated intentions, letting a program
know of your intention to rank them #1 does not hurt. However, do not expect communication from
programs, as a growing number of programs are choosing to eliminate post-interview communication
altogether.

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 Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Categorical and Advanced
Most programs are advanced and require a separate application for a PGY-1 position.

Program Director at Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital

Michelle Gittler, MD

Recommended Specialty Advisors

In selecting a Specialty Advisor, try to find someone with whom you feel you can develop a close
relationship: someone with whom you feel comfortable and candid. A faculty member who has mentored
you in a research project or who knows your clinical work is ideal. Potential advisors could include:
• Michelle Gittler, MD (Residency Program Director; [Link]@[Link])
• Cheryl Benjamin, DO (Residency Associate Program Director; UCM
cbenjamin@[Link])

USMLE Data
Sources: UCM Program Directors and 2024 Charting Outcomes in the Match (NRMP publication)
Does Step 2 CK influence rank? No*
Min. Step 2 score for UCM program N/A
Mean Step 2 CK of US matched applicants (NRMP) 248
Mean number of contiguous ranks of US matched applicants (NRMP) 13.7
*A strong Step 2 score can help

Should applicants do away rotations?

Since the University of Chicago does not have an inpatient rehabilitation unit on site, then students would
need to do at least one “away” rotation, though the Schwab rotation is an intramural elective. Interested
students should apply through Schwab’s website.

If you were unable to get a PM&R elective at Schwab and you would like to rotate, please contact Dr.
Gittler and/or Dr. Benjamin to arrange a rotation. Also, you may do a PM&R sub-internship at Schwab, or
arrange to spend a day or two there, even if you did not rotate there.

Research
Rehabilitation relevant research is recommended, but not required. Bench research is not critical. According
to 2024 NRMP data, US seniors who matched in PM&R had an average of 3.4 research experiences and 8.6
publications, presentations, abstracts. More important would be demonstrating knowledge of rehabilitation
in persons with disabilities based on volunteer work, jobs, and other activities.

Letters of Recommendation
Number of letters recommended 3
Chair/Chief’s letter required? No
Number of letters from within the specialty 1
Number of letters from external institutions N/A

It is highly recommended that a student has one strong letter from PM&R physicians from the institution

119
where the student did their PM&R rotation.

It is strongly recommended that PM&R applicants have at least one Standardized Letter of Evaluation
from a PM&R clinician or group of clinicians in place of a traditional letter.

Personal Statements
PM&R programs are looking to get to know the applicant, understand the experiences that shaped the
applicant, and specifically support the application to a rehabilitation residency, and it is best if experiences
support application to the particular program. It is beneficial to personalize the personal statement to
individual programs. Students should also highlight things they have done outside of medicine that may
have impacted their interest in the specialty, population health, and/or healthcare.

We reviewed more than 500 applications this past cycle; use your personal statement to differentiate
yourself and make us remember you!

Application Timing
When do programs begin reviewing applications? October
When do programs begin offering interviews? October/early November

Program Signaling
Does this specialty participate in program Yes
signaling?
Number of program signals 20

Program Signaling Advice

Per the AAMC, it is advised that “applicants signal their most interested programs regardless of whether
they are home or away rotations.” PMR programs are following the recommendations of the AAMC.
Schwab uses program signals from applicants when reviewing applications and considering interview
offers. They are not used as the sole criterion to offer interviews. Program signals are not used after the
interview offer in determining ranking.

Interview Advice
Applicants should know a little bit about each program where they plan to interview. During the interview,
you should be truthful, honest, and know your own CV. Be engaging!

Post-Interview Advice
Is it common practice for applicants to contact their #1 program to let them know they are ranking them
first?

No, but let the program know you’re interested—send a thank-you note specific to the program. Going a
step further and mentioning a meaningful part of the conversation in the thank you letter makes it more
personal and relevant.

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 Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Categorical

Program Director at UCM

Russell Reid, MD, PhD

Associate Program Directors

Maureen R. Beederman, MD
Courtney Cripps, MD

Recommended Specialty Advisors

Your Specialty Advisor should be someone who is dedicated to medical education. Potential advisors could
include:
• David Chang, MD (Section Chief) • Summer Hanson, MD, PhD
• Russell Reid, MD, PhD (Residency PD) • Raphael Lee, MD, MSc*
• Lavinia Anzai, MD • Jignesh Unadkat, MD
• Maureen Beederman, MD (Assoc. PD) • Sebastian Vrouwe, MD
• Courtney Cripps, MD (Associate PD) • Lawrence Zachary, MD*
• Larry Gottlieb, MD

*Denotes retired faculty serving as Professor Emeritus

USMLE Data
Sources: UCM Program Directors and 2024 Charting Outcomes in the Match (NRMP publication)
Does Step 2 CK influence rank? No
Min. Step 2 score for UCM program N/A
Mean Step 2 CK of US matched applicants (NRMP) 256
Mean number of contiguous ranks of US matched applicants (NRMP) 13.6

Should applicants do away rotations?

Yes. Usually only one away rotation is necessary; more than three is not necessary.

Research
Students should choose a research project they are interested in, not just one to pad their resume. According
to 2024 NRMP data, US seniors who match in plastic surgery have an average of 8.6 research experiences
and 34.7 abstracts, presentations, and publications.

Letters of Recommendation
Number of letters recommended 3
Chair/Chief’s letter required? Yes
Number of letters from within the specialty 3
Number of letters from external institutions 2

Procedure for Asking for a Chief’s Letter

Set up an appointment to speak with the Section Chief, David Chang, MD. Please contact his executive
assistant Isabella Yeung by email at iyeung@[Link].

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Personal Statements
Plastic surgery programs are looking for transparency, thoughtfulness, and a detailed reason why the
applicant chose plastic surgery. Experiences that demonstrate resilience, taking initiative and innovation
should be shared.

Application Timing
When do programs begin reviewing As soon as the MSPE is released in September
applications?
When do programs begin offering Plastic Surgery programs abiding by ACEPS policy
interviews? release their invitations at an appointed time yearly and
follow ACEPS’ directive on second round invites as
well. Please check the ACEPS website for updates.

Plastic surgery programs are looking for excellent achievements outside of medicine. This includes an
interest in sports, arts, literature, etc. We are also interested in an applicants’ community service activity,
whether globally or locally, and applicants’ commitment to diversity and inclusion. Our focus on doing well
on Step 1 is mitigated (we only look at Pass/Fail status), and we have shifted to looking at the overall
strength of a candidate’s application, from letters of recommendation, performance on medical school
clerkships, and the candidate’s commitment to plastic surgery on all levels (e.g. research participation, local
and national podium presentations). Students interested in this specialty need to become active and engaged
early in the application season.

Note: Many programs, including University of Chicago, now exclusively use the Plastic Surgery Common
Application (PSCA), which is separate of ERAS. Other programs are using both applications, and a few
programs still only use ERAS. Be sure you are aware of which system is used by the programs to which you
are applying and remain cognizant of the corresponding deadlines. All applicants must register with the
NRMP to participate in The Match. Visit [Link] for more information.

Program Signaling
Does this specialty participate in program Yes
signaling?
Number of program signals 20

Program Signaling Advice

Many programs use signaling for candidate selection for interview. It should be noted that we do leverage
signaling in our program. Pritzker applicants do not need to signal the University of Chicago unless they
have NOT done a sub-internship here. Completion of a sub-I here is generally considered a signal.

Interview Advice
During the interview, you should be truthful, honest, and know your own CV. Be engaging!

Post-Interview Advice
Is it common practice for applicants to contact their #1 program to let them know they will rank them first?

No. It is against the policies of the American Council of Educators in Plastic Surgery. Going against the
ACAPS policy can have negative consequences on your application success. Candidates should signal their
interest in a program during the application process through the PSCA.

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 Psychiatry
Categorical

Program Director at UCM

Deborah Spitz, MD

Recommended Specialty Advisors

Your Specialty Advisor should know about psychiatry departments in other cities. The advisor should have a
willingness to meet with students and an enthusiasm for the field. Potential advisors could include:
• Deborah Spitz, MD (Vice Chair for Education and Program Director)
• Shivani Kumar, MD (Director of Medical Student Education)
• Karam Radwan, MD (Director of Child Psychiatry)
• Zehra Aftab, MD (Assistant Residency Training Director)
• Seeba Anam, MD (Child Psychiatry)

USMLE Data
Sources: UCM Program Directors and 2024 Charting Outcomes in the Match (NRMP publication)
Does Step 2 CK influence rank? Yes
Min. Step 2 score for UCM program N/A
Mean Step 2 CK of US matched applicants (NRMP) 246
Mean number of contiguous ranks of US matched applicants (NRMP) 11.5

USMLE scores may count differently in various programs. Highly competitive programs may pay attention
while less competitive programs will disregard them.

Should applicants do away rotations?

Yes, if there is a specific institution in which you are interested. If you really want to get accepted into a
particular away institution, you should definitely do a rotation in that school. This means selecting only one
or two places to rotate, as we would NOT recommend that a psychiatry applicant take much psychiatry in the
fourth year. During the fourth year, you need as much medicine or pediatrics as possible. The best time to go
on an away rotation is early in the fourth year.

Research
Having research experience is not required, but it is desirable. According to 2022 NRMP data, US seniors
who matched in psychiatry had an average of 3.4 research experiences and 6.2 publications, presentations,
and abstracts.

Letters of Recommendation
Number of letters recommended 3
Chair/Chief’s letter required? No
Number of letters from within the specialty 1
Number of letters from external institutions N/A

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Most letters are generic. A letter with specifics about the applicant, including their specific clinical
performance is most helpful. Letters of recommendation from faculty members in medicine and pediatrics
are relevant to psychiatry. Letters should come from faculty members who have worked closely with you
clinically.

Personal Statements
The personal statement is especially important in psychiatry. We also look at extracurricular activities.

Psychiatry programs are looking for answers to the following questions:

• What attracts this applicant to psychiatry, in as specific a manner as possible?
• What are the applicant’s goals in psychiatry?

We want the application to convey something about who the applicant is, what they value, what interests and
excites them about the field, and what makes them unique.

In general, highly competitive psychiatry programs do look at scores and grades but still pay a great deal of
attention to the personal statement and interview. There are many very good programs in psychiatry that are
not so competitive, so it would be very unusual for a Pritzker student not to match in psychiatry, and that
might be due to applying only to the most competitive programs.

In recent years, psychiatry has become more competitive. As programs receive far more applications than
they can carefully review, it is advisable to indicate to programs that you are a serious applicant, either by
answering specific questions that some programs ask on the ERAS application, or by personalizing your
Personal Statement for each program to indicate what about that program interests and attracts you. It is also
important to thoughtfully utilize Program Signals. Otherwise, even strong applicants may not be reviewed by
strong programs, which are flooded with applications.

Application Timing
When do programs begin reviewing applications? As soon as ERAS opens in September
When do programs begin offering interviews? October

Program Signaling

Does this specialty participate in program Yes

signaling?
Number of signals 10

Program Signaling Advice

Use signals thoughtfully—some to reach programs, some to middle programs, some to “safe” programs.
Because psychiatry has become very popular and programs are flooded with applications, many programs
use signals to gauge interest in their program and will review applicants who have signaled before looking at
those who did not signal. Even if you are a Pritzker student, we recommend that you signal the University of
Chicago program if you wish to be considered for an interview.

Interview Advice
We recommend talking to faculty members in psychiatry before going on your first interview. Be prepared to
engage with the interviewers. They will want to know who you are and what you are passionate about in the
field. Students should be prepared to be asked somewhat personal questions by some interviewers. Some

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more psychodynamic programs ask about family background and relationships; if you do not want to reveal
much, you should not apply to those places. Use the interviews to find out what other programs are “really”
like, how the residents feel about the program, and if you will feel comfortable there. Ask questions freely—
if you are not happy with the answers, then you probably should go somewhere else, even if it is a
prestigious program.

Post-Interview Advice
Is it common practice for applicants to contact their #1 program to let them know they are ranking them
first?

Yes, but does not affect rank.

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 Radiation Oncology
Advanced
Requires a separate application for a PGY-1

Program Director at UCM

Yasmin Hasan, MD

Recommended Specialty Advisors

In selecting a Specialty Advisor, try to find someone with whom you feel you can develop a close
relationship: someone with whom you feel comfortable and candid. A faculty member who has
mentored you in research or who knows your clinical work is ideal. Potential advisors could include:
• Yasmin Hasan, MD (Residency Program Director)
• Aditya Juloori, MD (Associate Program Director)
• Christina Son, MD (Associate Program Director)
• Steven Chmura, MD, PhD (Clinical trials/translational research)
• Phil Connell, MD, PhD (Basic science research)

USMLE Data
Sources: UCM Program Directors and 2024 Charting Outcomes in the Match (NRMP publication)
Does Step 2 CK influence rank? Yes*
Min. Step 2 score for UCM program N/A
Mean Step 2 CK of US matched applicants (NRMP) 252
Mean number of contiguous ranks of US matched applicants 16.1
(NRMP)
*Our program does not have a minimum Step 2 score, and we do not use Step scores to filter or screen
applicants. Step scores are considered as part of our broad holistic review of applicants

Should applicants do away rotations?

Yes, complete two if possible. Feel free to discuss your ideas for away rotation locations with your
Specialty Advisor.

Research
We recommend that at least one of your research projects should relate specifically to radiation
oncology. According to 2024 NRMP data, US seniors who matched in radiation oncology had an
average of 4.2 research experiences and 15.9 publications, abstracts, and presentations.

Letters of Recommendation
Number of letters recommended 2-3
Chair/Chief’s letter required? No
Number of letters from within the specialty 2
Number of letters from external institutions 1

Typically, it is a good idea to get at least one letter from a well-known faculty member. While it may
reflect favorably to get letters from nationally prominent faculty members in the field, internal faculty
who know you well and those who have worked with you clinically are just as important.

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Procedure for Getting a Chief’s/Chair’s Letter
If you would like a letter from the Chair after rotating in our department, please reach out to him via
email to ask if he may be able to provide this. Please also include his assistant in communications. Our
Program Coordinator Cora Tharps ([Link]@[Link]) will be able to provide you with the
contact details.

Personal Statements
The personal statement should be carefully thought-out and well written. Please use this as an
opportunity to express yourself.

Application Timing
When do programs begin reviewing applications? October
When do programs begin offering interviews? October-January

Radiation oncology is a field in medicine in which doctors have the privilege and skill set to care for
cancer patients with cutting edge technology. There is significant emphasis on studying the literature,
learning clinical oncology, radiobiology, and physics, as well as research. The residency program is
four years long, after one year of preliminary medicine or transitional year. Please be insightful
regarding your goals for training when considering your fit to various programs.

Program Signaling
Does this specialty participate in program No
signaling?
Number of program signals 4

Program Signaling Advice

If you are a Pritzker student and rotated with us, you do not need to send us a program signal. In
general, we welcome program signaling.

Interview Advice
Be prepared to have a good explanation of why this is the right field for you. Also be prepared to
discuss your research and any other activities that have led to your interest in the field.

Post-Interview Advice
Is it common practice for applicants to contact their #1 program to let them know they are ranking them
first?

No. Candidates should never specifically say that a program is number one; just express strong interest.
Candidates are encouraged to read the article “Taking ‘the Game’ Out of The Match: A Simple
Proposal,” found here: [Link]

Contact: Program Coordinators

Cora Tharps
[Link]@[Link]
Joseph Zorrow
[Link]@[Link]

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 Radiology - Diagnostic
Categorical and Advanced
Some programs are advanced and require a separate application for a PGY-1.

Program Director at UCM

Olga Pasternak-Wise, MD, MS

Recommended Specialty Advisors

Specialty Advisors should be a faculty member with whom the student feels comfortable. Potential Specialty
Advisors could include:
• Colin Brown, MD
• Chris Straus, MD

USMLE Data
Sources: UCM Program Directors and 2024 Charting Outcomes in the Match (NRMP publication)
Does Step 2 CK influence rank? Yes
Min. Step 2 score for UCM program See below*
Mean Step 2 CK of US matched applicants (NRMP) 256
Mean number of contiguous ranks of US matched applicants (NRMP) 13.8

*Step 2 scores could help the applicant if the scores are higher than average. However, a holistic review of
the application is performed, and all core faculty participating in the recruitment season are educated on the
process. We also encourage all faculty to participate in implicit bias training.

Should applicants do away rotations?

Away rotations are not required. If you are interested in a particular program, it may be helpful to rotate at the
department to meet faculty and residents and to assess if you would thrive in that environment. The away
rotation at your preferred institution is a chance to show yourself in the best light.

Research
While research in radiology is not required, it certainly helps to show the recruitment committee that you are
able to balance course work and research projects and that you have interest in academic endeavors. Research
does not have to be traditional scientific projects and can involve a variety of scholarly activity, including
leadership-related or DEI-related projects, as well as educational projects. According to 2024 NRMP data,
US seniors who matched in radiology had an average of 4.4 research experiences and 12.0 abstracts,
presentations, and publications.

Letters of Recommendation
Number of letters recommended 3
Chair/Chief ’s letter required? No
Number of letters from within the specialty 1
Number of letters from external institutions N/A

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Letters of recommendation should come from a faculty member who has worked closely with the student
clinically. At least one should come from a core specialty such as internal medicine, surgery, OB/GYN, or
pediatrics.

Personal Statements
Your personal statement should demonstrate characteristics that show motivation for lifelong learning of
radiology. In our program, personal statements are read by the entire recruitment committee and are
considered valuable.

Application Timing
When do programs begin reviewing As soon as ERAS opens in
applications? September
When do programs begin offering October
interviews?

Program Signaling
Does this specialty participate in Yes
program signaling?
Number of program signals 15 (6 Gold, 9 Silver)

Program Signaling Advice

The “signaling” of programs is a valuable feature, and the past two years show that competitive programs use
“gold” and “silver” signals to assist in narrowing the applicant pool for interviews. Our program views
signaling as high interest: when selecting from nearly 1,000 applications for 80-96 interview slots, gold and
then silver signals are considered, in addition to the entire application and regional preferences stated.

Interview Advice
Learn about the program and have thoughtful questions to aid you in discussion of the program. Know your
research so that you can discuss the project(s) meaningfully and be able to discuss your life experiences that
shape who you are and show the recruitment team why you are a valuable addition to our residency, show
how you are a team-player, etc. Thank-you notes (email or written format) are highly recommended.

Post-Interview Advice
Is it common practice for applicants to contact their #1 program to let them know they are ranking them
first?

It will not affect rank, although it will not impact the applicant negatively to state their support for the
program.

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 Thoracic Surgery
Categorical
General Thoracic and Cardiothoracic tracks

Program Director at UCM

UCM does not have an integrated (I-6) thoracic surgery residency.

Recommended Specialty Advisors

In selecting a Specialty Advisor, try to find someone with whom you feel you can develop a close
relationship: someone with whom you feel comfortable and candid. A faculty member who has mentored
you in a research project or who knows your clinical work is ideal. Potential advisors could include:
• Jessica Donington, MD (Thoracic Surgery Section Chief and Cardiothoracic Fellowship Program
Director)
• Mark Ferguson, MD
• Christopher Salerno, MD (Cardiac Surgery Section Chief)

USMLE Data
Sources: AAMC and 2024 NRMP data
Does Step 2 CK influence rank? N/A
Min. Step 2 score for UCM program N/A
Mean Step 2 CK of US matched applicants (NRMP) 250.3*
Mean number of contiguous ranks of US matched applicants (NRMP) N/A**

*From 2021 AAMC data, last available in 2021 Report on Residents

**The NRMP does not publish this figure, but comparatively competitive specialties average around 15 contiguous
ranks for matched applicants

Should applicants do away rotations?

An away rotation is not required but is increasingly common and even recommended in some instances. It is
also a good idea to do rotations in thoracic and cardiac surgery during the general surgery clerkship. Often
these are not mandatory rotations, so arranging them as electives during the clinical year is a good idea.

Research
Research experience is highly desirable. Though research within the field is good, this is certainly not a
must. According to 2024 NRMP data, the average number of research experiences for matched first-year
residents in thoracic surgery was 5.7 and the average number of abstracts, presentations, and publications
was 31.7.

Letters of Recommendation
Number of letters recommended 3
Chair/Chief’s letter required? Advisable
Number of letters from within the specialty 2-3*
Number of letters from external institutions Not required

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Personal Statements
Make sure you are clear about your reason for entering the specialty. This is also your opportunity to give
the reader insight into your unique background and personal story.

Application Timing
When do programs begin reviewing As soon as ERAS opens in
applications? September
When do programs begin offering October
interviews?

Applicants are advised to submit applications to programs as soon as possible, prior to ERAS opening.

Program Signaling
Does this specialty participate in Yes
program signaling?
Number of signals 3

Program Signal Advice

With such a small number of signals, these can be a powerful indicator of your interest in a program. Be
very thoughtful about the programs you choose to signal. They should be programs at which you would be
eager to train and for which you are a strong candidate. Using your signals on “reach” programs only could
risk generating no interviews from your signals.

Interview Advice
Try to attend the social event and/or dinner the night before. It is a bit of a red flag if you do not participate
in all activities included in the interview.

Make sure you look up specific information about each program and be prepared to ask a number of
questions about that program. Be honest and genuine with your responses. The programs are primarily
looking for the applicant who is a best fit, so just be yourself.

Be kind and courteous to everyone with whom you interact, including residents, fellows, program
coordinators, etc.). These individuals often have some kind of say in the selection process.

Post-Interview Advice
Is it common practice for applicants to contact their #1 program to let them know they are ranking them first?

Yes, but usually this is done via one of your advisors at UCM. Only communicate this information to one
program. It is unprofessional to tell more than one program that you are ranking them #1. Thoracic surgery
is a small community, and program directors do talk to one another.

131
 Urology (AUA Match)
Categorical
PGY-1 is included in most programs in the AUA Match,
but an NRMP rank list for a PGY-1 must still be submitted.

Program Director at UCM

Sarah Faris, MD

Recommended Specialty Advisors

Your Specialty Advisor should be someone on the faculty to whom applicants can relate. Potential
Specialty Advisors could include:
• Sarah Faris, MD (Residency Program • Mahmoud Khalil, MD
Director) • Luke Reynolds, MD
• Ted Skolarus, MD, MPH • Parth Modi, MD
• Denise Asafu-Adjei, MD • Ervin Kocjancic, MD
• Gregory Zagaja, MD • Mohan Gundeti, MD
• Arieh Shalhav, MD (Section Chief) • Scott Eggener, MD
• Abhinath Sidana, MD • Piyush Agarwal, MD

USMLE Data
Sources: UCM Program Directors and the AUA
Does Step 2 CK influence rank? Yes
Min. Step 2 score for UCM program 200
Mean Step 2 CK of US matched applicants (AUA) N/A
Mean number of contiguous ranks of US matched applicants (AUA) ~12 -14

Should applicants do away rotations?

Yes. Students should try to do their away rotations in July, August, or September.

Research
Research is desirable in this specialty, and while it does not all need to specifically be in Urology it is
advisable to have some research in Urology.

Letters of Recommendation
Number of letters recommended 3-4
Chair/Chief’s letter required? Yes
Number of letters from within the specialty 2-3
Number of letters from external institutions 0-1

Procedure for Asking for a Chief’s Letter

Email Dr. Faris (sfaris@[Link]) with CV, other supporting documents, and personal statement.
The letter will come jointly from Drs. Shalhav and Faris.

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Personal Statements
Urology programs want to know why you are interested in going into urology. Keep it short and direct. This
is also a place to highlight a unique accomplishment that may not be readily apparent in your application.

Application Timing
When do programs begin reviewing applications? As soon as ERAS opens in September
When do programs begin offering interviews? October

Urology participates in an “early match” through the AUA ([Link]). Applicants apply to
programs through ERAS but must submit their rank list through the AUA by early January.

Program Signaling
Does this specialty participate in program Yes
signaling?
Number of program signals 30

Program Signaling Advice

Signaling is considered an important part of the selection process, especially for top tier programs that get
so many students applying. You should signal programs where you have performed Sub-I rotations if you
are interested in matching at that program.

Interview Advice
N/A

Post-Interview Advice
Is it common practice for applicants to contact their #1 program to let them know they are ranking them
first?

No. Currently, programs are not allowed to respond.

133
 Vascular Surgery
Categorical

Program Director at UCM

UCM does not have an Integrated (0+5) Vascular Surgery Residency; however, Trissa Babrowski, MD is
the Program Director of the vascular surgery fellowship and can be used as a resource.

Recommended Specialty Advisors

In selecting a Specialty Advisor, try to find someone with whom you feel you can develop a close
relationship: someone with whom you feel comfortable and candid. A faculty member who has mentored
you in a research project or who knows your clinical work is ideal. Potential advisors could include:
• Trissa Babrowski (Fellowship Program Director)
• Chelsea Dorsey, MD’10
• Sara “Mimi” Gaines, MD
• Xiaoyi (Sean) Li, MD
• Ross Milner, MD (Section Chief)
• Luka Pocivavsek, MD, PhD
• Clay Brinster, MD
• Christopher Skelly, MD (MS3 Vascular Faculty Coordinator)
• Ashley Williamson, MD
*Dr. Dorsey is a graduate of an integrated vascular surgery residency.
USMLE Data
Sources: UCM Program Directors and 2024 Charting Outcomes in the Match (NRMP publication)
Does Step 2 CK influence rank? TBD
Min. Step 2 score for UCM program N/A
Mean Step 2 CK of US matched applicants (NRMP) 253
Mean number of contiguous ranks of US matched applicants 22.6
(NRMP)
Should applicants do away rotations?
Yes, one or two is appropriate. Students should try to do their away rotations in July, August, and/or
September so that a letter of recommendation from that institution can be included in their ERAS
application. Keep in mind that most programs only have one residency spot (only a handful of programs
now have two spots). As such, your away rotation is an extended interview. If not asked, you should offer
to do a case presentation or present your vascular-related research to your team.

Research
Research experience is definitely desirable. Though research within the field is ideal, this is certainly not
a must. According to 2022 NRMP data, among US seniors who match in vascular surgery, the average
number of research experiences is 6.3 and the average number of presentations and publications is 12.4.

Letters of Recommendation
Number of letters recommended 3
Chair/Chief ’s letter required? No
Number of letters from within the specialty 2-3*

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 Number of letters from external institutions Not required but can be
helpful

* Though letters from vascular surgery faculty are ideal, any other letters included in your application
should at least be from within the Department of Surgery or from a research mentor.

Personal Statements
Make sure you are clear about your reason for entering the specialty. This is also your opportunity to give
the reader insight into your unique background and personal story. If you are double applying in another
field (e.g., general surgery), make sure your personal statement for the vascular residency is specific to
vascular surgery.

Application Timing
When do programs begin reviewing As soon as ERAS opens in September
applications?
When do programs begin offering September-October
interviews?

Applicants are advised to submit applications to programs as soon as possible and prior to ERAS
opening.

Program Signaling
Does this specialty participate in program Yes
signaling?
Number of program signals TBD

Program Signal Advice

N/A – New for 2025-2026

Interview Advice
Try to attend the social event and/or dinner the night before. It is a bit of a red flag if you do not
participate in all activities included in the interview.

Make sure you look up specific information about each program and be prepared to ask a number of
questions about that program. Be honest and genuine with your responses. The programs are primarily
looking for the applicant who is the best fit so just be yourself!

Be kind and courteous to everyone you interact with (including residents, fellows, program coordinators,
etc.). These individuals often have some kind of say in the selection process.

Post-Interview Advice
Is it common for applicants to contact their #1 program to let them know they are ranking them first?

Yes, but usually this is done via one of your advisors at UCM. Only communicate this information to one
program. It is unprofessional to tell more than one program that you are ranking them #1. Vascular
surgery is a small community and program directors do talk to one another.

135
 Class of 2025 Match List
Specialty PGY Institution Name State

ANESTHESIOLOGY
PGY-1 Emory Univ SOM-GA GA Anesthesiology
PGY-1 Private TN Anesthesiology
PGY-2 UC San Francisco-CA CA Anesthesiology
PGY-1 Stanford Health Care-CA CA Anesthesiology

DERMATOLOGY
PGY-2 UC San Diego Med Ctr-CA CA Dermatology

EMERGENCY MEDICINE
PGY-1 Univ of Chicago Med Ctr-IL IL Emergency Medicine
PGY-1 Univ of Chicago Med Ctr-IL IL Emergency Medicine
PGY-1 Temple Univ Hosp-PA PA Emergency Medicine

FAMILY MEDICINE
PGY-1 Contra Costa Reg Med Ctr-CA CA Family Medicine

INTERNAL MEDICINE
PGY-1 Duke Univ Med Ctr-NC NC Internal Medicine
PGY-1 Private IL Internal Medicine
PGY-1 Univ of Chicago Med Ctr-IL IL Internal Medicine
PGY-1 U Michigan Hosps-Ann Arbor MI Internal Medicine
PGY-1 Stanford Health Care-CA CA Internal Med/Global Health
PGY-1 UC San Francisco-CA CA Medicine-Primary/UC
PGY-1 MGB-Massachusetts Gen Hosp MA Internal Medicine-Primary
PGY-1 Univ of Chicago Med Ctr-IL IL Internal Medicine
PGY-1 Univ of Chicago Med Ctr-IL IL Internal Medicine
PGY-1 UC San Diego Med Ctr-CA CA Internal Medicine
PGY-1 Univ of Chicago Med Ctr-IL IL Internal Medicine
PGY-1 MGB-Brigham & Womens Hosp-MA MA Internal Medicine
PGY-1 NYP Hosp-Weill Cornell Med Ctr-NY NY Internal Medicine
PGY-1 Stanford Health Care-CA CA Internal Medicine
PGY-1 Univ of Chicago Med Ctr-IL IL Internal Medicine
PGY-1 UC San Francisco-CA CA Medicine-Primary/SFGH
PGY-1 Private NY Internal Medicine
PGY-1 MGB-Brigham & Womens Hosp-MA MA Medicine-Primary/DGM
PGY-1 ISMMS Mount Sinai Hospital-NY NY Internal Medicine

136
INTERNAL MEDICINE-PEDIATRICS
PGY-1 Univ of Chicago Med Ctr-IL IL Medicine-Pediatrics

INTERNAL MEDICINE-PRELIMINARY
PGY-1 Med Coll Wisconsin Affil Hosps WI Internal Medicine-Preliminary
PGY-1 Univ of Chicago Med Ctr-IL IL Internal Medicine-Preliminary
PGY-1 Private IL Internal Medicine-Preliminary

INTERNAL MEDICINE-PSYCHIATRY
PGY-1 U Texas Southwestern Med Sch-Dallas TX Medicine-Psychiatry

INTERNAL MEDICINE-RESEARCH
PGY-1 Univ of Chicago Med Ctr-IL IL Internal Med/MD Scientist
PGY-1 Univ of Chicago Med Ctr-IL IL Internal Med/MD Scientist
PGY-1 Univ of Chicago Med Ctr-IL IL Internal Med/MD Scientist

NEUROLOGICAL SURGERY
PGY-1 Barnes-Jewish Hosp-MO MO Neurological Surgery
NEUROLOGY
PGY-1 Mayo Clinic School of Grad Med Educ-MN MN Neurology

OBSTETRICS-GYNECOLOGY
PGY-1 Northwestern McGaw/NMH/VA-IL IL Obstetrics-Gynecology
PGY-1 MedStar Washington Hosp Ctr-DC DC Obstetrics-Gynecology

OPHTHALMOLOGY
PGY-1 NYU Grossman School of Medicine-NY NY Ophthalmology

ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY
PGY-1 Barnes-Jewish Hosp-MO MO Orthopaedic Surgery
PGY-1 U Illinois COM-Chicago IL Orthopaedic Surgery
PGY-1 Johns Hopkins Hosp-MD MD Orthopaedic Surgery
PGY-1 Univ of Chicago Med Ctr-IL IL Orthopaedic Surgery
PGY-1 Private MI Orthopaedic Surgery

OTOLARYNGOLOGY
PGY-1 Univ of Chicago Med Ctr-IL IL Otolaryngology
PGY-1 Univ of Chicago Med Ctr-IL IL Otolaryngology
PGY-1 Loyola Univ Med Ctr-IL IL Otolaryngology

OTOLARYNGOLOGY-RESEARCH
PGY-1 U Iowa Hospitals & Clinics IA Otolaryngology/Research

137
PATHOLOGY
PGY-1 UC San Francisco-CA CA Pathology
PGY-1 Northwestern McGaw/NMH/VA-IL IL Pathology

PEDIATRICS
PGY-1 Childrens Hospital-Boston-MA MA Pediatrics/LEAD-BMC
PGY-1 Northwestern McGaw/Lurie Childrens-IL IL Pediatrics
PGY-1 Northwestern McGaw/Lurie Childrens-IL IL Pediatrics
PGY-1 Childrens Hospital-Oakland-CA CA Pediatrics
PGY-1 Stanford Health Care-CA CA Pediatrics

PEDIATRICS-RESEARCH
PGY-1 U Washington Affil Hosps WA Pediatrics/Research

PEDIATRICS-MEDICAL GENETICS
PGY-1 Baylor Coll Med-Houston-TX TX Pediatrics-Medical Genetics

PSYCHIATRY
PGY-1 UT Health San Antonio-TX TX Psychiatry
PGY-1 Northwestern McGaw/NMH/VA-IL IL Psychiatry
PGY-1 Marshall University SOM-WV WV Psychiatry
PGY-1 NYP Hosp-Columbia Univ Med Ctr-NY NY Psychiatry
PGY-1 Hosp of the Univ of PA PA Psychiatry
PGY-1 U Illinois COM-Chicago IL Psychiatry
PGY-1 UCLA Semel Inst for Neuroscience-CA CA Psychiatry
PGY-1 Hennepin Co Med Ctr-MN MN Psychiatry
PGY-1 NYP Hosp-Columbia Univ Med Ctr-NY NY Psychiatry
PGY-1 Vanderbilt Univ Med Ctr-TN TN Psychiatry
PGY-1 Hosp of the Univ of PA PA Psychiatry
PGY-1 Univ of Chicago Med Ctr-IL IL Psychiatry
PGY-1 Barnes-Jewish Hosp-MO MO Psychiatry
PSYCHIATRY-RESEARCH
PGY-1 U Illinois COM-Chicago IL Psychiatry/Research

RADIOLOGY-DIAGNOSTIC
PGY-2 Univ of Chicago Med Ctr-IL IL Radiology-Diagnostic
PGY-1 Private IL Radiology-Diagnostic
PGY-2 Private WI Radiology-Diagnostic
PGY-2 Private MD Radiology-Diagnostic

SURGERY-GENERAL
PGY-1 Univ of Chicago Med Ctr-IL IL General Surgery
PGY-1 MGB-Massachusetts Gen Hosp MA General Surgery

138
 PGY-1 NYP Hosp-Weill Cornell Med Ctr-NY NY General Surgery
PGY-1 ISMMS Mount Sinai Hospital-NY NY General Surgery
PGY-1 Med Coll Wisconsin Affil Hosps WI General Surgery
PGY-1 Emory Univ SOM-GA GA General Surgery
PGY-1 Univ of Chicago Med Ctr-IL IL General Surgery

SURGERY-PRELIMINARY
PGY-1 Riverside Community Hospital-CA CA Surgery-Preliminary

TRANSITIONAL
PGY-1 Santa Clara Valley Med Ctr-CA CA Transitional
PGY-1 Private WI Transitional

UROLOGY
PGY-1 University of Minnesota MN Urology
PGY-1 Univ of Chicago Med Ctr-IL IL Urology
PGY-1 Univ of Utah School of Medicine-UT UT Urology

139
924 E 57th Street. Suite #104. Chicago, IL 60637

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