SOMA Clinical Clerkships Coordinator - Crystal E. Scott, OMS III

Objectives:

1. Increase their breadth of medical knowledge
2. Learn how to properly interact with and clinically examine patients
3. Prepare for COMLEX Step 2 (and possibly USMLE Step 2)
4. Complete the residency application process, and prepare for residency interviews
5. Work to develop themselves so that they may be fully ready to handle the rigors of residency as 4th year comes to an end.

This year, I will be focusing on expanding the SOMA Clerkship database of available rotations across the country so that SOMA members will have a reliable and complete list to consult when attempting to set up elective rotations.  I also aim to improve the database by making it as user-friendly as possible and ensure it includes all the information members will need.  If you have any suggestions/comments/questions be sure to email me.

ERAS, Timelines, and the Residency Application Process

Check out ERAS. This is THE site to go to for all of your residency application questions. Along the right-hand side of the home page are links to the AOA,NRMP, and ACGME, so you should have everything that you need to access all on that one page.

Still confused as to what exactly the requirements are when it comes to the Osteopathic internship year/AOA-approved OGME-1 position? Then checking out the AOA's Intern/Resident Registration Program webpage is an absolute MUST!!! This will tell you everything you need to know for participating in the Osteopathic match, as well as satisfying requirements for Osteopathic training. If you desire to know what will be required for your internship year for a particular specialty, go to the link entitled "OGME-1 Requirements for Specialty Training".

Obtain a copy of the book Iserson's Getting into a Residency: A Guide for Medical Students by Kenneth V. V. Iserson. This is your ultimate textbook resource guide for everything you wanted to know about rotations and applying for residency. A must-have book for every medical student.

Another excellent resource to get is First Aid for the Match. This book tells you everything that you need to know for application timelines, how the match works for each specialty, residency applications, writing your CV and personal statement (they give examples as a guide), and preparing for interviews. Strongly recommended.

Please Click here for a detailed reference guide to the residency application process that was written by a former Clinical Clerkship Coordinator.

Personal Statement Help:

1. ComBank.com - You can get a 15% discount as a SOMA member. Please see your President/NLO for the PROMO code.
2. EssayEdge.com - Please see SOMA Benefits for a 20% discount for SOMA members.
3. Accepted.com
4. Residency and Fellowship.com
5. University of Illinois - Chicago
6. Writing the Personal Statement - Powerpoint Presentation
7. USMLE World
8. Sample Personal Statement - Drexel College of Medicine

Residency Interview Help and Other Relevant Resources:

Some of these links will allow you to read students' feedback on interviews at different residency programs.

1. StudentDoctor.net - Go to 'Databases' at the top of the screen, and then scroll down to 'Residency Interview Feedback'.
2. AMA-ASSN
3. Rush Universityl
4. ResidencyandFellowship.com - Look for the residency section on the left-hand side of the page.
5. Baseportal.com
6. American Association of Family Practitioners - This link actually provides some articles on making the transition from 4th year to residency, even help with relocating to your new residency spot.
7. ResidencyForum.com - Here you can discuss the match with others, as well as get a peek into life in residency programs.
8. TheLoanProgram.org - Check this site out if you need extra financial assistance for expenses related to residency interviews and relocating. T.H.E. offers a Residency and Relocation Loan for 4th year medical students.
9. Sallie Mae - Sallie Mae also offers a residency and relocation loan for 4th year medical students.

Step 2 Prep

1. Combank Medical - Specifically designed to prepare Osteopathic medical student and residents for COMLEX Level 2 CE and Level 3 examinations. You can get a 15% discount by using your SOMA member discount. Contact your school's President or National SOMA for the PROMO Code.
2. NBOME CBT Tutorial - Go to CBT Tutorial & Practice Items on the left-hand side.
3. NBOME.org - Check out the COMSAE link on the left-hand side. This is a COMLEX-style self-assessment exam now available for purchase from the NBOME.
4. NBOME Fact Sheet - All the basics you need to know about the COMLEX Step 2 PE.
5. NBOME COMLEX Step 2 PE Orientation Guide - The Complete guide for the COMLEX Step 2 PE - A MUST READ befor eyou walk into the exam!
6. Kaplan Medical
7. StudentDoctor.net
8. USMLEWorld.com
9. USMLE.org
10. NBME.com

Searching for a Residency Program:

1. To find an AOA-approved internship and/or residency, go to the "Opportunities" searchable database (click on "Opportunities" in the right-hand column of the page) at http://www.do-online.org
2. You can check out the National Matching Service (NMS) at http://www.natmatch.com. They operate the AOA and NRMP matches. They are also a source for process issues.
3. To find an ACGME residency program, go to http://www.ama-assn.org
4. To learn more about the allopathic match and registration, go to http://www.nrmp.org.
5. You can also check out many of the osteopathic and allopathic programs through the ERAS site at https://services.aamc.org.
6. Look for information on the allopathic specialty matches (neurosurgery, neurology, ENT, ophthalmology, and plastic surgery) at http://www.sfmatch.org.

SOMA Clerkship Contact

Please email the Clinical Clerkship Coordinator ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) if you notice anything here that is outdated or contains a link that is not functioning properly. Also, if you know of any great resources that you would like to see added to this page, please feel free to tell us about them! Thanks!