MS3 Class Information – Dec. 15, 2022

ICYMI: Be sure to access to TexasSTAR by Jan. 3, 2023

UWSOM Career Advising has provided you access to TexasSTAR, a national data resource used to demystify the residency application process. This tool allows you to review self-reported data from recently matched medical students so that you can better target your residency applications to programs where you are more likely to receive interviews.

The data is built from an annual survey of 4th year students at more than 136 medical schools, including UWSOM, and is administered by the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School.

To access the report:

  • Click the “Open This Report” button in the email you received from Microsoft Power BI with the subject line, “Cydney Coleman has shared Power BI Report ‘Texas STAR Dashboard 2022’ with you.” This is a legit email and NOT spam. Check your junk/spam box if you don’t see it in your Inbox
  • Your user account and password is linked to the UW system Net ID: xxx@uw.edu, password is the same as your UW system password
  • Your link is not transferrable to others
  • Bookmark the link for future reference
  • Once you activate your link it will stay active until the end of April 2023. At this point the data set is retired and you will receive a new invitation in May/June to access the updated 2023 data set

The link will expire in 29 days – by Jan. 3, 2023 – so please activate right away.

If you try to access the link and it is expired, request a new invitation email by visiting ais.swmed.edu/texastar/ and click “Request Access.” Enter your UW email address.

 For tips on how to use the TexasSTAR, please review:

The Career Advising team reminds you that they are here to support you. The team is happy to provide you with yet another tool in your residency application toolbox as you begin to think about the process for this coming summer.

Career Advising Student Advisory Board – Tip of the Month

As you’re finalizing fourth-year schedules, here are a few things to consider:

  1. If you are considering/exploring various specialties, make sure you schedule them early (spring, early summer)! You can always save neurology and emergency medicine for last if you don’t think you’ll pursue them as a career
  2. Ideally, try to get letters of recommendation in before ERAS submission. You should give letter writers at least a month to write your letters (by sometime in August). You can totally use letters from third-year rotations for this.
  3. If you’re going into a competitive specialty or want to go to a competitive program, these upcoming months need to be really strategic (research, Step 2 score, extracurriculars), so talk with your specialty career advisor (https://education.uwmedicine.org/career-advising/specialty-guides/).
  • Reviewed by Career Advising Student Advisory BIPOC board member L’Oreal Kennedy. Originally written by BIPOC alum Shanelle Briggs.

In case you missed it, here is the previous newsletter for MS3s.

Have a great week!