Post Match - Looking to the future.
Congrats to all that matched. It's great to see the fruit of all of our hard work. I want to move forward in the same way with preparation for my first year of residency. Please weigh in on stuff we should be doing over the next couple months.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Medical License: We need to apply for this so that we can start residency. One of my friends failed to do this and it was a big head ache for the first couple months of residency.
Books: Big hurdles during intern year are the ABSITE. I think the Fiser review book is the best for that.
Living: I want to buy a place, and never have before. Here is a site that spells out purchasing a home for residents. http://www.medresreal.com/
Anything else I am not thinking of?
Congrats to all that matched. It's great to see the fruit of all of our hard work. I want to move forward in the same way with preparation for my first year of residency. Please weigh in on stuff we should be doing over the next couple months.
Medical Licence
But seriously, I think some of the above things are dependent on your program. It's always been my impression that you can't get a license until you've taken Step 3, which most US seniors haven't. I feel like I should be out buying books, but some programs give you a book allowance (or buy certain review books for you). At some point I suppose we'll have to put in for vacation, but that may not be until after the general surgery match is held.
The website about buying a home may be useful. Keep in mind the homebuyer credit expires at the end of April this year, and that may also affect when people have their houses on the market.
Personally, I'm interested in getting in touch with my future co-residents (even though we may not be together much intern year) and seeing what they're like. I'm mostly in an information-gathering phase right now. I kinda feel like there HAS to be something else to do since we've been waiting on this for so long.
Everyone applies for a temporary licence (yes you cannot have a licence before step III). Other things to apply for include DEA numbers, etc. However all this information should be provided by the school w/ the required forms. Also, the home buying credit requires you are under contract by April 30th, but you are not required to close until June 30th (I could be wrong on the exact closing date, but I remember it was into the summer).
Congrats to all of you who matched---welcome to the chosen field my friends, strong work.
We take care of our own in the great field of urology, so rest assured your program will get in touch with you and fill you in on all of the details regarding state licensure, paper work, orientation dates, application fees etc etc. I would not venture going out and buying books or loupes yet either....contact your fellow residents and ask them what resources are out there for you. For example, through my residency, I get access to tons of online books for urology and general surgery, and as my seniors were able to give me hand-me downs of books with tips for floor management (pocket medicine, etc). Because of this I really didn't have to buy any books my intern year---talking to your senior residents will fill you in on things like this as well as other things such as if you have to take the absite as a 'tern and if you get any help with paying for Step 3 (which you should take ASAP btw). They can also give you tips regarding housing, hook you up with realters, etc etc
Bottom line, to answer your question---in the next months you should kick back, have fun, get in shape, spend time with friends/loved ones, travel and try and learn a few things in laidback manner---this may be among the last times in the next 5-6 years you can do this. No one is prepared for residency so why stress yourself out now? Have fun guys
pgy2
I am all about kicking back and relaxing, but this is a great thread. I, for one, wouldn't mind hearing any PGY-whatevers fill in any tips they have for heading into residency. Any advice is good advice so keep it coming
Buy a map.......