Comprehensive Guide: MD Student CV Preparation for American Residency Applications

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Understanding the CV

3. Social Media and Your Job Search

4. Organization and Layout

5. Checklist for Your CV

6. Detailed Sections for Your CV

7. Sample CV

8. Components of a Residency Application

9. Key Timelines for ERAS

10. Action Words for CV

Introduction

The Office of Career Advising and Mentorship (OCA&M) at your medical school plays a crucial role in preparing MD students for the residency match process through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to create an effective CV, which is a key component of your residency application.

Understanding the CV

What is a CV?

In the United States, a curriculum vitae (CV) is a detailed document used for:

• Applying to residency programs

• Academic positions (post-secondary teaching and/or research-focused)

• Medical positions

• Applying for fellowships and grants

CV vs. Resume

While CVs and resumes are often used interchangeably, they are different. Resumes are typically 1-2 pages, while CVs for residency applications are usually 3-5 pages.

Social Media and Your Job Search

• Review all social media accounts and privacy settings.

• Create a LinkedIn profile: This allows you to upload your CV content and connect with professionals globally. For tips, visit Leverage LinkedIn.

Organization and Layout

• Margins: Set at 1 inch.

• Font: Use a common font style and size (Calibri, Times New Roman, 11 or 12 point size).

• Consistency: Ensure consistency with your personal letter.

• Proofreading: Submit your draft to the Writing Help Centre for proofreading and grammar assistance.

Checklist for Your CV

Know Yourself and Your Audience

• Can you articulate your values, knowledge, skills, abilities, and interests as they relate to your residency application?

• Have you researched the prospective program through ERAS?

Showcase Your Abilities

• Have you taken inventory of your abilities and cross-referenced them with the ACGME Core Competencies?

• Are your achievement statements action-oriented?

• Did you provide quantitative and/or qualitative details where possible?

Polish Your CV

• Is your CV concise, free of repetition and redundancies?

• Have you reviewed your CV for spelling and grammatical errors?

• Is the most relevant information prioritized and organized in reverse chronological order?

Next Steps

• Do you have references who can attest to your qualifications and have agreed to be a reference?

• Have you drafted your personal statement?

• Have you booked an appointment with OCA&M to review your documents?

Detailed Sections for Your CV

Potential Sections to Include

1. Education/Academic Credentials

2. Certifications/Designations

3. Clinical Experience

4. Leadership Experience

5. Research Interests/Teaching Interests

6. Research/Research Experience

7. Research Funding History

8. Honors/Awards/Distinctions

9. Teaching Experience/Academic Work History

10. Related/Supplementary Work Experience

11. Volunteer Experience

12. Professional Organizations/Memberships

13. Publications

14. Presentations

15. Community Contributions/Involvement

16. Hobbies and Interests

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Keep in mind that a CV can be multiple pages. Before beginning, take inventory of your experiences and accomplishments.

Sample CV

• Reach out this CV Guide for Canadian Students but very comprehensive: CV Guide.

• Another option the Yale's Resumes: Resume Templates.

Components of a Residency Application

Required Documents

• Medical School Transcript

• Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)

• CV

• Personal Statement

• Letters of Recommendation

• USMLE Scores

• Proof of Citizenship (if applicable)

• Photo (JPEG max. 2MB)

Application Strategy

• Identify Enough Programs: Apply to a sufficient number of programs considering your competitiveness and constraints.

• Complete and Accurate Documentation: Ensure your application is complete and all documents are accurate.

• Program-Specific Requirements: Regularly review program descriptions on ERAS for specific requirements.

Key Timelines for ERAS

Important Dates

• ERAS Application Opens: June

• Program Selection Opens: July

• Assigning Documents to Program: September

• Application and Document Submission Deadline: October

• Interview Period: November - January

• Applicant Rank Order List Deadline: February

• Match Day: March

ERAS Help Desk

• Email: erashelp@aamc.org 

• Phone: 202-862-6264

Action Words for CV

Using action words to begin your statements helps create powerful and concise examples of your skills and responsibilities. Below are examples categorized by ACGME Core Competencies.

Leader

• Accelerated, Achieved, Administered, Appointed, Assigned, Chaired, Conducted, Contracted, Decided, Delegated, Directed, Executed, Evaluated, Facilitated, Governed, Hired, Implemented, Improved, Initiated, Lead, Motivated, Named, Negotiated, Oversaw, Planned, Presided, Produced, Recommended, Reorganized, Reported, Reviewed, Scheduled, Spearheaded, Strengthened, Supervised

Communicator

• Addressed, Advised, Authored, Briefed, Clarified, Consulted, Contributed, Counseled, Documented, Drafted, Edited, Explained, Formulated, Influenced, Inspired, Interpreted, Interviewed, Mediated, Moderated, Promoted, Published, Recruited, Represented, Reported, Resolved, Summarized, Translated, Unified, Verbalized, Wrote

Scholar

• Analyzed, Collected, Conducted, Diagnosed, Discovered, Evaluated, Examined, Explored, Gathered, Identified, Inspected, Interpreted, Investigated, Monitored, Observed, Organized, Proved, Researched, Reviewed, Solved, Studied, Summarized, Surveyed, Synthesized, Tested, Verified

Professional

• Achieved, Adapted, Attained, Completed, Contributed, Established, Expanded, Furnished, Increased, Introduced, Pioneered, Proposed, Provided, Recommended, Reduced, Revised, Streamlined, Strengthened, Supported, Transferred, Unified, Upgraded

Health Advocate

• Advised, Assessed, Assisted, Attended, Cared, Communicated, Coordinated, Counseled, Diagnosed, Educated, Encouraged, Facilitated, Guided, Helped, Mentored, Motivated, Rehabilitated, Served, Supported, Tutored

Collaborator

• Allied, Collaborated, Combined, Cooperated, Demonstrated, Engaged, Established, Implemented, Interdisciplinary, Participated, Respected, Shared, Teamed, Transitioned, Understood

For further guidance and support, students are encouraged to utilize the available resources to ensure a successful residency application process.