Hey, y'all! Residency interview season is pretty much wrapped up, and I just wanted to share some items or services I found to be bomb during the process. If you're a rising 4th year student, keep some of these things in mind in preparation for applying to residency!
1) Portable Steamer.
Y'all. This. Is. CLUTCH. I am too lazy to iron any clothes at this time in my life. Or ever really. But given I knew my suit and inside top would need to be ironed, I decided to get a portable steamer. It's so awesome because the water heats up in under a minute, and it only takes me 5 minutes to steam out the 3 pieces! You can find a nice portable steamer to get here. Use this promo code (501RMVQA) to get it discounted!
2) Toiletries Bag
I have a small makeup bag that I use to keep my body essentials: make-up, deodorant, bath gel, facial scrub, toothpaste, etc. That particular bag I do not disturb or remove things from permanently when between interviews at home. Some days I'm rushing home from clinic with only 1.5 hours to pack before rushing for a flight (this has happened more than times than not). It's just super helpful to keep it packed so you don't forget anything!
3) Carry-on Suitcase
While it is incredibly convenient to check a bag and not have to lug it around an airport, you do not want to end up in a situation is lost or delayed. This is one lesson I learned the hard way when I was flying from DC to Melbourne, Australia and when I landed I learned my bags were still in DC. ALWAYS pack the essentials in a carry-on suitcase/overnight weekender to avoid the possibility of not having a suit or fresh underwear the next day. Here are some cute options for a weekend bag (here, here)! And I highly suggest checking out Ross (!!!), Marshall's, or TJ Maxx for quality luggage at a discounted price.
4) Travel Credit Card - Chase Sapphire Reserve or Preferred
No exaggeration, how much I've spent on interviews and applications but using my Chase Sapphire Preferred card will pay for my 4th year vacation. Differences? The Reserve is more elite with a tone more perks: earn 50,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, 3x points back on travel and dining with 1x on everything else, you can redeem your points for 1.5 cents, global entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit, access to airport lounges. The kicker is that it is a $450 annual fee but you earn a $300 yearly credit. Honestly, it sounds amazing. The Preferred also earns the 50,000 in points, but it is 2x back on travel and dining, points are redeemed for 1.25 centers, and you don't have TSA precheck fee or access to airport lounges, but the annual fee is $95 (waived the first year).
I highly suggest applying for either one of these cards half-way through your 3rd year because you can pay for Step 2 CS and CK (pretty but $2,000 right there) on the card and be halfway to earning 50,000 points. And as you progress through your 3rd year, you will accrue more points to use for travel. Also, these points transfer one-to-one to most airlines travel rewards (though don't do that; just use the card to book travel and earn points from both your rewards company and card)! You can find the full details of the cards here.
5) TSA PreCheck
Let me tell you. After I almost missed my flight leaving Oakland back to the East Coast, I promptly signed up for TSA PreCheck. Honestly, I don't know why I haven't done it before. I was always lowkey glaring at the people that waltzed through security. It entails going through a designated Fasttrack line for those that have PreCheck and your own security scanners (where you don't even have to take off your shoes, hats, or laptop out of your bag!). Amazingly, it's for only $85, and it lasts for 5 years. Check it out here.
6) Professional Padfolio
It looks super professional and you have a place to compile all of your notes. Personally, I didn't want a black one because I felt it was a bit too boring. I got the Blue Sky Professional Padfolio in a beautiful blue color; it's linked here. It was awesome because each sheet had a date, so I was able to indicate the date of each interview, write notes during the interview day, then compile my thoughts right after.
7) Portable Power Bank
We can't have dying phones at the most inconvenient times out here! I always have 2 portable battery packs on me in case I forget to charge one. It'll help you stay accessible throughout the day without being confined to use your phone while connected to a wall outlet or computer USB port.
8) Google Calendar and Google Calendar App
Will all of the interview correspondence you recieve for just one program, it can be hard to keep track. Imagine getting a ton of information for 15+ interviews. That can become confusing with missing information quickly. What I found helpful was using Google Calendar to compile all of the necessary information for each program in one place.
For example, if I were interviewing at a program on Nov 15th with a pre-interview dinner, I would put it on the calendar the hotel information, precise times for the dinner and when to report for the interview, add the appropriate locations, add notes, and add emergency contact information from the program coordinator to provide all of the necessary information without having to scrounge around in your email. Then download the Google Calendar app, if you don't already have it, then easily use it to navigate to a location or to quickly check information.
I hope you find some of this information helpful. Definitely leave a comment about what you found helpful on the trail or any questions you may have!
- Cherriese
