Psychiatry

Psychiatry

This online repository houses relevant resources and contact information for students seeking career advice. We encourage you to review the career-related materials provided (e.g. Specialty Webinar, Interview Questions, Research, etc.) as you seek support in your journey through medical school.

If you have further questions that are not addressed on this page, please feel free to contact a Specialty Faculty Mentor for further guidance.

Match Preparation and Charting Outcomes Heading link

You are more than your Step Scores! Use the NRMP page to look at the qualifications of applicants who have successfully applied to your specialty.

Should applicants do away rotations?

Away rotations are not required in psychiatry.  These rotations can serve several purposes:

  • Gather more information about a program you plan to apply to
  • May help get an interview for a more selective program
  • Demonstrate interest in the program in a different geographic region, especially if you want/need to move there – partner’s job, etc.

If you do one, remember this is a pseudo-interview. Be mindful of your interactions with residents, staff, and attending.

Research

  • For the general adult psychiatry residency track we do not require research. Academic activities are encouraged.
  • For the adult neuroscience and combined adult/child and adolescent research tracks we require a track record of research activity.
  • If you have done research, be prepared to discuss your role in the project and the current status, if known.

Letters of Recommendation

  • Number of letters recommended 3 minimum, 4 max
  • Chair’s letter required? No
  • Number of letters from within specialty? 1-2
  • Number of letters from away rotations/institutions? N/A
  • Do you require the MSPE before offering interviews? No

Interview Advice

The interview day in psychiatry is different from other specialties. Most programs have a dinner the night before. This is also part of the interview, just with residents, so be mindful of your interactions and behaviors, especially if alcohol is served. Interviews in psychiatry usually are longer, 30-45 minutes. Most programs have faculty and senior residents participate in interviews. The goal of the interview is to get to know you better as a clinician and person. If you have discrepancies in your application be prepared to discuss them in a non-defensive manner.

Post-Interview Advice

The post-interview period has changed over the last 5 years. Previously almost all applicants sent personalized thank you notes/cards via postal mail. Now, only a handful do so. Most applicants will send a thank you email. Also, NRMP has revised the expectations for post-interview contact towards being more restrictive. We have many applicants that we have very little post-interview contact with. In general, sending a politely worded thank you email to the program and your interviewers is enough.  If you have additional questions about a program as you prepare your rank list, do reach out to both faculty and residents. Most will be very happy to provide more information. If you choose to share your rank list with the program, please be honest. Psychiatry is a small enough specialty that it doesn’t look good if you tell a program they are your #1 choice and then match at another program. You can express strong interest by using words like “ranking you highly” or “top three.”

Second looks are not required or encouraged at our program or with psychiatry programs in general. Most programs will offer this if you want more information but do not include this as part of their rank list determinations.

For further guidance, contact our specialty faculty liaison:

Joseph J. Cooper, MD
cooperj@uic.edu

Graciela Bernal,Coordinator
bernal@uic.edu

Should applicants do away rotations?

It is not a requirement.

Research

It is not a requirement but is taken into consideration when choosing candidates to interview.

Letters of Recommendation

  • Number of letters recommended 3 minimum
  • Chair’s letter required? Yes/No. Please describe.No. It is not required but encouraged.
  • Number of letters from within specialty? It is not a requirement but encouraged to have at least one within specialty.
  • Number of letters from away rotations/institutions? It is not a requirement.
  • Do you require the MSPE before offering interviews? It is not a requirement for offering an interview but available to review before doing the interview.

Application Timing

  1. When do programs in your specialty generally begin reviewing applications? September 15th each year
  2. When do programs in your specialty begin offering interviews? After MSPE release/Approx. October 1st
  3. When does your program generally offer interviews? Late September, early October
  4. Do you require the MSPE before offering interviews? It is not a requirement for offering an interview but available to review before doing the interview.

For further guidance, contact our specialty faculty liaison:

Thomas Boyd, MD
uicompcareer@uic.edu

Helpful Resources Heading link

  1. The NRMP publishes a survey of Applicants each year. This report presents the results of selected items from the 2022 NRMP Applicant Survey. The report documents factors that applicants weigh in selecting programs (1) at which to interview and (2) to rank in the Main Residency Match. It can be found HERE.
  2. The NRMP Publishes a survey of Residency Program Directors. This report examines the factors program directors use to select applicants to interview and rank. Data are reported for 22 specialties and the transitional year in the Main Residency Match. It can be found HERE.
  3. Looking for residency programs?  The AAMC interactive, Careers in Medicine Website is where you should be! LINK
  4. Having difficulty deciphering this information?  Contact your Student Affairs Career Advisor on your campus!!!

Below you will find resources to help you get started when applying for residency.