Happy Sunday friends! 🍁
With September coming to a close, the 2026 Residency Interview Season is about to be in full swing 🏌️♂️.
Like previous years, this month during rounds I'll be sharing tips and insights to help you prepare for a successful interview season ⭐️!
There's no time to delay, so let's jump right in ⬇️
- Submit your application as soon as possible 📨. Remember that as of September 23rd, residency programs have started reviewing ERAS and ResidencyCAS applications 👀. The ResidencyCAS application has already closed, but if you've been dragging your feet on finishing ERAS, now is the time to submit ⏳. Even if items like a USMLE score report or a letter of recommendation are still pending 📄, some programs offer up interviews to worthy candidates and follow up on these documents once they're added later.
- Prepare and practice your elevator speech 🛗. Year after year, my article on the elevator speech has been one of the most popular pieces on my website 📈, and with good reason. The elevator speech is a key part of the residency (and any) interview, so practicing and getting comfortable talking about yourself to make sure you are a memorable candidate can help start your interview off with a bang 💥.
- Get your email set up 📫. After your residency application is submitted, the waiting game for interview invites begins, and you don't want to miss a single email. Set up your email on your phone 📱, turn on notifications 🔔, turn off your focused inbox 📥, and don't forget to check your spam folder 🗑️. Some programs push a batch of interview invites out with a link to schedule it on your own, so you definitely want to make sure you snag a spot ASAP.
- Do some online housekeeping 🧹. Many residency programs use social media to promote themselves nowadays, and that social media account is usually run by someone who could very easily look you up 🕵🏻♀️. Consider making your social media accounts private, or at the very least clean up any content that might be inappropriate or controversial 😶.
I hope everyone has a successful residency interview season! While the next few months can be a whirlwind 🌀, they are also a great opportunity to travel around the country 📍, meet future colleagues 🤝, and discover the potential next chapter of your career 📖!
💛 Something I love: When I get tired of working at my desk, I use my LAPGEAR lap desk to take my work to the couch. It's comfy, has plenty of space, and even has a slot for my phone!
📈 Better Board Scores: TrueLearn SmartBanks use expert-created questions and deep analytics to help take your board exam scores to the next level. Click this link to receive $25 off a SmartBanks subscription of 90+ days!
📨 Subscribe to Sunday Morning Rounds: Sign up for my monthly newsletter and receive tips and resources to help you learn, grow, and become a better doctor.
📱 Let's connect: Find me at @MedSchoolMoose on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram for more stories and tips.