MS3 Class Information: June 4, 2026

In this issue:

  • Texas STAR Residency Data Dashboard
  • Personal Statement Review with Career Advising
  • Career Advising Tip of the Month 

Texas STAR Residency Data Dashboard 

As a reminder, on May 12 or May 13 you should have received an email from Microsoft Power BI with the subject line, “Hannah Cochran has shared Power BI Report ‘Texas STAR Dashboard 2026’ with you.” This is not a spam email, but is your personal link to access Texas STAR, a national data resource used to help demystify the residency application process. The dashboard contains five years of self-reported data from matched students at 136+ medical schools, including UWSOM, and is administered by the UT Southwestern Medical School. (Please note, if you did not receive this email on May 12 or May 13, it should come through this week.)

How to access Texas STAR: 

  1. Click the “Open This Report” button in the email you received from Microsoft Power BI with a subject of “Hannah Cochran has shared Power BI Report ‘Texas STAR Dashboard 2026’ with you.” Check your junk/spam box if you don’t see it in your Inbox. 
  2. Your user account and password is linked to the UW NetID system (xxx@uw.edu). The password is the same as your UW NetID password. 
  3. Your link is not transferrable to others. 
  4. Bookmark the link for future reference. 
  5. If your link expires, request a new invitation email by visiting this website and clicking “Request Access.” Enter your UW email address. 

How to use Texas STAR: 

Personal Statement Review with Career Advising 

For those preparing to apply to residency programs, Career Advising offers a personal statement review program that will be available between June 1 and July 22, 2026. You can use this form to submit your statement beginning June 1 (The form is currently closed and will display “This form is currently not accepting responses” until it opens on June 1). 

Please note that Career Advising is only able to review one personal statement per student. Your submission should be 650 words or less. Feedback on all statements will be returned within three weeks of submission. Please see the Personal Statement page on the Career Advising website for more details. 

Career Advising Student Advisory Board Tip of the Month

This advice is for all MS3 students and includes first generation and BIPOC student lenses.   

As you start your last year of school, it is important to identify who your support team is when applying for residency. This may include specialty career advisors, college faculty, career advisors, attendings/residents, and family/friends. Your support system will offer invaluable guidance and mentorship while you apply to your desired specialty/ies.  

Now is also an ideal time to draft your personal statement and MSPE noteworthy characteristics bullet points with input from your support system. Remember to submit your personal statement to career advising for review prior to July 22!  

 Additionally, the goal is for you to have narrowed down to one or two specialties of interest at this point in the year. If you are still deciding between specialties, consider taking the AAMC Specialty Indecision Scale to help you narrow down your fields of interest, or meet with your career advisor for help.  

Edited & reviewed by MS4 Cara Chapman. Originally written by alum Shanelle Briggs, MD.     

Career Advising welcomes tips and ideas from all students. Please reach out to Career Advising at medadv@uw.edu. 

This link takes you to past information for MS3s.

Have a great week!