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  • M3 Resources

M3 Resources for Career and Specialty Choice

During your third year of medical school, it is time to make a realistic decision regarding your specialty choice. Using your clinical experiences and other available resources can help you narrow down areas of interest.



Summer

Exploring Residency Options

  • Create a profile in the Residency Preference Exercise
    • "The Residency Preference Exercise (RPE) helps you consider and evaluate your requirements, priorities, and preferences for your residency or fellowship training, then search and compare programs based on those criteria."
  • AAMC Report on Residents
    • "The AAMC Report on Residents is an online collection of data tables that provide information on certain characteristics of residency applicants and residents, as well as information on post residency professional activities."
Colorful Popsicles

Fall

Narrowing down your options

  • Research residency programs
    • Review specialty-specific recommendations for your chosen specialty
    • Write your "Why I'm Becoming a Doctor" essay
    • Specialty Indecision Scale
  • Finalize your senior year
    • Create a draft 4th year schedule
    • Schedule meeting with Dr. Higgins 
    • Meet with 4th year schedule advisor
    • Update 4th year information in Oasis (advisor name, preferred schedule, specialty interest)
Fall Apples

Winter

Are away rotations right for you?

  • Attend the Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) information session in January
  • Overview: Away Rotations
  • Prepare your VSLO application
Frost on Hemlock

Spring

Understanding Competitiveness

  • Complete a personal match risk assessment based on your current specialty choice(s)
    • Gauging your competitiveness
    • Competitiveness
  • Begin ranking programs in the Residency Preference Exercise
    • Discuss your residency application strategy with your advisor
Spring Flowers in Bicycle Basket
Education
  • Educational Programs
    • Doctor of Medicine (MD)
    • MD and Bioethics (MA) Dual Degree
    • MD and Public Health (MPH) Dual Degree
    • MD and Master of Science in Clinical Research (MSCR) Dual Degree
    • MD and Business (MBA) Dual Degree
    • Education Transformation
  • Admissions
    • Visiting Medical Students
    • International Students
  • Cost and Financial Aid
  • Resources
    • Center for Holistic Student Success
    • Office of Multicultural Affairs
    • Academic Advising
    • Registrar
  • Residencies and Fellowships
    • Programs
    • Housestaff
    • Wellness
    • Diversity
  • Office of Postdoctoral and Mentored Trainee Education (OPMTE)
    • Prospective Postdocs
    • Career and Professional Development
    • Training Programs at Emory
    • Featured Alumni
    • National Postdoctoral Appreciation Week
  • EmoryDOCS
    • Match Results
    • M1 Resources
    • M2 Resources
    • M3 Resources
    • M4 Resources
    • EmoryDOCS Meeting Resources
  • Emory School of Medicine Simulation Program
    • Work with ExCEL
    • Simulation Program
  • Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/PhD)
    • Welcome
    • Who we are
    • Our Program
    • Admissions
    • Donate to MD/PhD Program
  • Center for Holistic Student Success
    • Academic Support
    • Well-being Resources
    • Mental Health and Wellness
  • Center for Humanizing Innovations in Medical Education
EmoryDOCS Resources