Pre-Applications: Electives, Step2, Sub-i, Conferences
ERAS - LOR, activities, impactful experiences, academic challenges
Special Considerations: "red flags" - failures, LOA, Disabilities
Interviewing, Ranking, Matching for Residency (NEW BLOG POST & VIDEO)
Whether you are dual applying or applying to residency with "red-flags" like a failed exam/year/STEP, took a leave of absence, or have disabilities I hope this guide helps you navigate this tedious process and make it less terrifying.
Residency Application Guide Video
I go over my Residency Application Workbook & Building a Personal Statement
Video Playlist: Residency Applications
Everything in Italics is what I personally did for my 2024 Residency Application Cycle which resulted in matching into Psychiatry and in my top residency program. I do not recommend you do exactly what I did, and I just provide my experience as examples.
This is neither legal/medical advice
If you are interested in an individualized advising or editing session with Dr. Moss sign up HERE
Questions to ask yourself:
Where am I the most happy?
Where does time go by quickly?
What type of patients do I gravitate to?
Where do I enjoy learning outside of studying?
What types of practicing doctors do I relate most to?
Which specialty do my personal values and passions align?
What do people I care about, observe my enthusiasm peak as I delve into the topic?
What do I love?Don’t let other’s expectations or realities influence your pursuit of your dreams. So keep learning, keep fighting, and don’t limit your imagination in order to accomplish your dreams!
Don’t let other’s expectations or realities influence your pursuit of your dreams. So keep learning, keep fighting, and don’t limit your imagination in order to accomplish your dreams!
Is there a specific population, age range, or demographic?
“There is not one population I just love. I value people with disabilities through living with my brother-in law and while working at Imagine as a case manager. I value working with older patients and those close to death, who rarely have anyone to advocate for them. I also want to work with kids who have been abused to help show them they can make it”
“I want to help people who are disempowered, disenfranchised, and not usually given the same amount of resources and focus and care as others. This includes Hispanics and blacks, LGBTQ+, trauma patients, females, and homeless populations. I want to address their whole body, mind, and soul. I want to help people who have had trauma. This includes helping them get social work and support for food, living, healthcare and all the basic needs they deserve. “ 4/2021
What is my purpose in medicine?
"I can’t quite say it is one thing but it is an accumulation: To medically take care of others. To take care of people as people that includes their mental state, their life, and physical body. I know it is a bit ambitious but I know it can be done even if it is just for a couple people." 6/2021
"I have found my voice and I have the power to share my ideas, experiences, and lessons I have learned with others.” 5/2021
“That is what I can advocate for, no matter who the person is all they want in life is to be seen and heard.“ 12/2019
“The practice of viewing health from a psychological and trauma informed lens is called integrative medicine. This is why I am pursuing my medical degree, so I can help others look back at the various threats they have and are currently encountering and see how they are creating negative impacts on their health. Through looking for the 'root causes' one can pursue better informed health care decisions and management.”
Constant re-evaluation of Personal Values, Goals, and Passions
Speak with Physician Mentors, Residents, Family, and Partner
Choose electives passionate about
Choose ones from each specialty if applying to multiple specialties
Ask for Letter of RecommendationsGender Affirming ClinicChild- Adolescent PsychiatryPTSD IOPPalliative CareGeriatrics
Child- Adolescent Psychiatry
Take Exam and Get Score before Applications are due in SeptemberMany people take it in May - JulyTakes around 4 weeks to get scorePeople study between 2 - 8weeks I studied in 6 weeks in June and July after a 2 week vacation and a 2 week Elective DO NOT APPLY WITHOUT SCOREI know individuals who applied without score and failed which lead them to need to take an LOA and re-apply the following year
Many people take it in May - July
Takes around 4 weeks to get score
People study between 2 - 8weeks I studied in 6 weeks in June and July after a 2 week vacation and a 2 week Elective
I studied in 6 weeks in June and July after a 2 week vacation and a 2 week Elective
DO NOT APPLY WITHOUT SCOREI know individuals who applied without score and failed which lead them to need to take an LOA and re-apply the following year
I know individuals who applied without score and failed which lead them to need to take an LOA and re-apply the following year
Lessons learned from failing STEP1Read Blog Post: Lessons Learned from Failing USMLE STEP1: Comprehensive GuideI Scored: 229
Read Blog Post: Lessons Learned from Failing USMLE STEP1: Comprehensive Guide
Choose Sub-internship in specialty want to go into Usual options are Surgery, IM, FM, PedsIf don't have official Sub-i then do second Sub-i in specialtyFor example: I did one in In-patient Psychiatry, my husband did one in Neuro-ICU
Usual options are Surgery, IM, FM, Peds
If don't have official Sub-i then do second Sub-i in specialtyFor example: I did one in In-patient Psychiatry, my husband did one in Neuro-ICU
For example: I did one in In-patient Psychiatry, my husband did one in Neuro-ICU
Work with residents and attending in a team
Practice doing Consults, Putting in Orders, and Calling families
Usually have to pay for travel and lodging Sometimes can increase student loans for this
Sometimes can increase student loans for this
Interviews are NOT A GUARANTEE
Mine:County Hospital in Family Medicine In-Patient floorHome Institution in Adult In-patient Psychiatry I did not do any away rotations in Psychiatry but wanted to if I had more time and $
County Hospital in Family Medicine In-Patient floor
Home Institution in Adult In-patient Psychiatry
I did not do any away rotations in Psychiatry but wanted to if I had more time and $
Go to ones in both specialties
Go to Residency fairsfocus on programs planning on applying toSend thank you emails Get the resident's contact information
focus on programs planning on applying to
Get the resident's contact information
Regional Ones: All the Midwest Programs and especially ones in Chicago
Share Virtual Business card
Volunteer or apply for funding for free or discounted entrance and lodging
Present research posters, talks, and submit abstracts
Network and form connections - easier in person
Do a mix of virtual & In-person
Join Smaller Planning Groups
Conferences I attended during M4 YearAMWA & WIM - all specialtiesIAFP - Family MedicineFMM - Family MedicineIPS - PsychiatryAPA - Psychiatry
AMWA & WIM - all specialties
Important things to know:
Most reviewers just get PS
Use PS to say YES/NO on an interview
Most people who interview you will ONLY get the PS which they will use to talk about YOU
Should NOT be a rewording of your CV or activities
Personal Story and Journey
Questions to ask yourself:WHO are YOU?What could you do a TED Talk About?What Life experiences have impacted who you are as a person, future doctor, and collegue?What keeps you motivated in medicine?What are your values?What were my key areas of growth during medical school?Why YOU?
What could you do a TED Talk About?
What Life experiences have impacted who you are as a person, future doctor, and collegue?
What keeps you motivated in medicine?
What were my key areas of growth during medical school?
Identify Professional traits:
SHOW through an activity, patient interaction, or experience
Self Starter: The ability to wear different hats.
All throughout my life I have had a passion for pursuing huge community projects when I see that something is needed. I’d love the quote "if not you then who?"
CHHRGE: when the Covid pandemic left homeless individuals at risk without medical care
Leave of absence: not knowing what to do during their time off and forming a leave of absence community group.
MedPsycMoss.com Website: share resources I acquire during my continuing education
Empathy: I have learned that sometimes all the patient needs is someone to listen to, and hand them a box of Kleenex. Sometimes they need a mentor to provide knowledge to help them improve their lives.
I have learned that sometimes all the patient needs is someone to listen to, and hand them a box of Kleenex. Sometimes they need a mentor to provide knowledge to help them improve their lives.
Critical thinking: I have the unique ability to take in both the large picture and small picture to be able to understand what is needed, and how I can best contribute to the team.
I have the unique ability to take in both the large picture and small picture to be able to understand what is needed, and how I can best contribute to the team.
Leader and Advocate: Sometimes I become an advocate for those who aren’t being heard well other times I’ve learned how to take a step back and let other people lead the charge. I have learned that a good leader is able to understand and appreciate the rules of each person on the team. Sometimes I have done this through actually placing myself in that position such as being a medical assistant in a clinic.
Sometimes I become an advocate for those who aren’t being heard well other times I’ve learned how to take a step back and let other people lead the charge.
I have learned that a good leader is able to understand and appreciate the rules of each person on the team. Sometimes I have done this through actually placing myself in that position such as being a medical assistant in a clinic.
Demonstrate Key moments of growth in medical school:
Failure:This journey to becoming a doctor has taught me so much more than how to properly read an X-Ray… it has taught me the value of failure & being imperfect. I am learning from my socially prescribed “failures” to NOT be a perfectionist but a “healthy achiever”
This journey to becoming a doctor has taught me so much more than how to properly read an X-Ray… it has taught me the value of failure & being imperfect. I am learning from my socially prescribed “failures” to NOT be a perfectionist but a “healthy achiever”
Lived Experience:I feel my patients pain since I also live with pain & past traumasPersonally affected by issues of racism, trauma, and health care
I feel my patients pain since I also live with pain & past traumas
Personally affected by issues of racism, trauma, and health care
Advocate:I knew I love to help others, but I couldn’t understand how to describe. It was an intern my third year in medical school, that I started to identify myself as an advocate for others.Qualified Bilingual Speaker: Given my personal experience as a Latina, I learned how to work with individuals from my Hispanic community, who also suffered silently.Through speaking to my patience in Spanish, and making sure that their needs and pains, or listen to by the medical team. Caregiving: Shared the stories of older adult patients who were not being seen by their caregiver
I knew I love to help others, but I couldn’t understand how to describe. It was an intern my third year in medical school, that I started to identify myself as an advocate for others.
Qualified Bilingual Speaker: Given my personal experience as a Latina, I learned how to work with individuals from my Hispanic community, who also suffered silently.Through speaking to my patience in Spanish, and making sure that their needs and pains, or listen to by the medical team.
Caregiving: Shared the stories of older adult patients who were not being seen by their caregiver
Resilience: Sx pillars, growth mindset- learn from failures, take emotions of anger fuel into compassion and motivation , persevere in the face of challengesResilience formed advocacyResilience is the ability to persevere through stress and trauma and learn from experiences to be strongerPersonal Growth over m3 yr with managing my own emotions
Sx pillars, growth mindset- learn from failures, take emotions of anger fuel into compassion and motivation , persevere in the face of challenges
Resilience formed advocacy
Resilience is the ability to persevere through stress and trauma and learn from experiences to be stronger
Personal Growth over m3 yr with managing my own emotions
Leadership and Teamwork:My leadership style changed from college and high school to medical school where I learned I cannot do everything and learn how to collaborate and delegate for example of charge
My leadership style changed from college and high school to medical school where I learned I cannot do everything and learn how to collaborate and delegate for example of charge
Give 1 Key Patient Encounter:
Sickle cell child - Cried for mother but was more myself and realizing that he was so lucky to have a mother caring for him
Patient with Delirium - Calming down a delirious screaming patient through holding their hands and talking in a low, calm voice and asking about their work/pets/hobbies & suggesting to our team we get music & dog therapy
Medicare - Helping a family get on medicare after learning that their medications & hospital stay will be too expensive (they qualified for support) - after learning that the hospital case management is not allowed to help them get on insurance per “hospital policy”
Social Determinates - Asking about living environment & knowing what it meant when they said they couldn’t afford to pay the electrical bill so it was off & at discharge this they would be in 100F weather. I worked with them to apply for electrical financial support through the city
Family - Called a patient’s family member to update them & let them know the time for them to be in the patient’s room so they can ask all the questions to the doctor when we visit the patient on morning physician rounds
More Patient Examples at these Narrative Medicine blog posts:Patient Examples Demonstrating the Mind-Body Connection in MedicineThe Impact of Caregiving on my Journey to be a PhysicianUnderstanding Substance Use Concerns: A Comprehensive GuideExploring Implicit Bias in Transgender Perception: A Personal JourneyWatching the Heart Flatline
Patient Examples Demonstrating the Mind-Body Connection in Medicine
The Impact of Caregiving on my Journey to be a Physician
Understanding Substance Use Concerns: A Comprehensive Guide
Exploring Implicit Bias in Transgender Perception: A Personal Journey
Watching the Heart Flatline
Why a Specific Speciality?
What are you going to bring as a resident to their program?
Teacher of medical students?
Support person to your co-residents
Recognize you will go through MANY Drafts and Iterations!
Check out Dr. Jonah Moss' 2023 Neurology Personal Statement &
My2024 Residency Personal Statement Drafts and Final Submission:
If you would like me to review, edit, and provide feedback on your PS, Sign up Here
Dual Applying to Residency:
Whether or not to Dual Apply
Pros:Increase chance of getting an interview Increased number of programs ranked Increased chance of matchingNRMP data shows average number of matched MD applicants ranked 12 programsIncrease Chance of Ending up in Certain Location
Increase chance of getting an interview
Increased number of programs ranked
Increased chance of matchingNRMP data shows average number of matched MD applicants ranked 12 programs
NRMP data shows average number of matched MD applicants ranked 12 programs
Increase Chance of Ending up in Certain Location
Cons:More time and work to write both PSInterviewers might look down upon dual applyingMight have to be more secretive on what program and specialty applying Especially publicly on social media or any published writings
More time and work to write both PS
Interviewers might look down upon dual applying
Might have to be more secretive on what program and specialty applying Especially publicly on social media or any published writings
Especially publicly on social media or any published writings
One PS for Each Specialty
ERAS app will be the SAME for both
Have mentors from that specialty review it
I created this Residency App Workbook to help you draft and plan your personal statement, 2024 ERAS application, and preparing for difficult interview questions on failures, challenges, and LOAs!
State key roles and responsibilities
Can group similar activities into categories of advocacy, research or volunteering
State a 1 liner describing the organization or activity
Write key lessons or take aways from activity
Most meaningful:Talk about personal or professional growthHow you will bring this experience to residency or as your future careerDon't just restate what was in your PS, try to choose a different activity to speak on
Talk about personal or professional growth
How you will bring this experience to residency or as your future career
Don't just restate what was in your PS, try to choose a different activity to speak on
Letter of Recommendations (LOR)
Have letter writers from each specialty (if dual applying)2 Psychiatrists write for Psychiatry Residency2 Family Medicine Doctors write for Family Medicine Residency
2 Psychiatrists write for Psychiatry Residency
2 Family Medicine Doctors write for Family Medicine Residency
Have a couple mentors (IM) not in either Psychiatry or Family Medicine write two letters - one for each residency
Provide letter writers CV and Personal Statement
Submit 3-4 LOR per program (check if they are specific)Psychiatry: 2 Psyc + 1 IMFamily Med: 1 FM + 1 FM Chair + 1 IM
Psychiatry: 2 Psyc + 1 IM
Family Med: 1 FM + 1 FM Chair + 1 IM
Academic or Personal Challenges (New for 2025)
This is the appropriate place to talk about any failures or leaves of absences
Focus more on what you learned and took away from the experience
Since you write about the challenges here - DO NOT talk about them in your PS
Only the PD or APD usually receive this section
They will have your STEP attempts, Transcripts, and MSPE so don't just state what it says there
Impactful Experiences box:
Read blog post "Exploring the Impactful Experiences Box"
Make sure you talk about something you have not mentioned anywhere else in your application because space is limited
Usually only the PD or APD read it
Talk about challenges like finances, first generation, language barriers, race, SES, etc.
Check out My 2023-2024 ERAS application &
More Recently my 2026 ERAS Fellowship Application
If you would like me to Edit your ERAS Application Sign up Here
Red flags: failures, gap years, inconsistencies
Watch Podcast Episode: "Explaining my Red Flags in my Residency Application"
Watch Podcast Episode: "Leave of Absence impact on Residency Application"
Health Conditions & Disabilities:
Read Blog Post: "Disability Disclosure in Medicine: Residency Applications"
Read my MedPageToday Article: "Why I Disclosed My Disability in Residency Applications"
Telling others that you struggle with illness doesn’t make you more resilient. It just makes you human!
Blog Post on Interviewing, Ranking, & Matching
Important questions to ask every programs
Rank program, residents, and attendings after every interview
Take notes throughout meet & greet, research on programs, and interviews
This can help with Ranking
If you would like to do a Mock Interview with me sign up here
Residency Application Workbook
Fellowship ERAS & PS Application
Book: "The Residency Interview: How to Make the Best Possible Impression" by Dr. Jessica Freedman, MDOn Bookshop and Amazon
Book: "The Residency Interview: How to Make the Best Possible Impression" by Dr. Jessica Freedman, MD
KevinMD Article: "Proposing Solutions to end bias in the medical residency selection process" By Dr. Chumley, MD
Personal Statement Free Online Training
AAMC's Guide to Medical Specialty Decision and Residency Applications
NMRP Residency Data for 2024 and Previous Years
My Vlog & Podcast: "Life as a Patient-Doctor"
Listen to my interview on the Medicus Podcast
Everything in Italics is what I did, I do not recommend you do exactly what I did and I just provide my experience as an example.
This is neither legal advice or mentorship.
Click here to download my residency application workbook, my personal statements, and sign up for individual residency application advising!