5 Tips for Applying to Anesthesiology Residency and the Match

Hey there future colleagues,

Congratulations on your decision to pursue a career in anesthesiology! Having been in the field for over two decades, I thought I’d share my insights and advice for those wanting to apply to the specialty. Here are my top 5 tips to help you match your top choice in anesthesiology.

Here’s a photo of me and my fellow CA-1s on our first day. I’m on the left, wearing the messenger bag and showing off those smokin’ bicep guns.

1. Learn to be the jack of all trades: When I was an undergrad, I thought I wanted to be a family physician. I liked the idea of knowing a little about everything in medicine. As an anesthesiologist, I consider this specialty the FP of all medical specialties. You must know a little bit of everything to be an effective clinician. If you are doing obstetrics, you must understand how your anesthetic affects OB patients. When you doing orthopedic cases, you must be familiar with what an orthopedic surgeon needs from the anesthetic. If you are dealing with a kidney failure patient, you need a solid understanding of renal pathophysiology. So, study hard during your preclinical years. To be a great anesthesiologist, it's like that movie... you need to be able to do everything, everywhere, all at once.
   
2. If you didn’t get to do your Sub-I at your top program, don't stress: When I was at Tufts University Med School, I thought I wanted to do my residency at UCLA. I spent a month there as a sub-intern in my 4th year. Unfortunately, I didn’t like the program as much as I had hoped. When it was time to rank the programs for the Match, I picked the University of California at Irvine as my top choice because one of my closest friends had done a rotation there and loved it. Interestingly, despite his higher grades, board scores, and being an overall outstanding candidate whom everyone liked, I ended up matching at UC Irvine while he did not. So it’s not the end of the world if you weren’t able to do a rotation at your top program. There are so many other factors that play into matching, like the interview (very important!!)
3. Find a mentor: Great anesthesiologist mentors can provide you with invaluable advice, letters of recommendation, and insights into the residency application process. Their guidance can make a world of difference. Prior to med school, I thought I wanted to be a family physician. At Tufts, I was given opportunities to shadow physicians from all specialties. One of the first anesthesiologists I ever met was Dr. Jonathan Griswold. I never forgot the enthusiasm he brought to the operating room and his patients. Over the years he taught me a lot about anesthesia and why he loved it so much. He gave me a glimpse of what life was like being a great anesthesiologist. He provided me valuable information throughout my training as a medical student. All of which culminated in helping me match at my number one anesthesia residency program a few years later.
4. Don't underestimate the personal statement: By now, you have already written an amazing medical school personal statement. If you didn’t, chances are you wouldn’t be reading this. The rules for writing a great personal statement haven’t changed. This is your opportunity to tell the program how much you know about what it takes to be a great anesthesiologist and why you would make a great fit for their program. Talk about how you can stay calm and collected when the shit hits the fan. Let them know you know the importance of being a team player, a great communicator, a cool DJ, and a compassionate physician. Let them know you have a passion for this fast-paced specialty and the teamwork settings of the OR environment. They will surely want you on their team.
5. Practice your interview: The interview is your chance to shine and show everyone the real person behind the personal statement. Practice answering common questions about why you choose anesthesiology and that you would be a great fit for their program. Don’t just write out your answers, practice saying them out loud. Be confident, enthusiastic, and ready to discuss your experiences and future goals. Use every question as an opportunity to not only share your knowledge and expertise, but also to convince them that you are the unique candidate who can add value and character to their program.

Remember, matching into anesthesiology is competitive but entirely achievable with dedication and perseverance. Stay focused on your goals and trust in your abilities. The journey may be challenging, but each step brings you closer to your dream of becoming a great anesthesiologist.

Best of luck on your journey, and I look forward to welcoming you into our rewarding specialty!