Iserson's Getting into a Residency: A Guide for Medical Students

Rating:
Summary: Oriented to the American Match
Review: A great book, but definately geared primarily towards American medical students applying to American programs through the American match. Many of the residencies this book labeled as 'competitive' aren't difficult to get into in Canada, vice versa. But overall this book offers sound advice for medical students in their early years on electives, letters of recommendation, grades, summer experiences... basically stuff you should be thinking about early if you want to match to a competitive specialty or program. I'm not sorry I bought it.

Rating:
Summary: Very helpful book for medical students!
Review: I am a 3rd year medical student, curious and nervous (as we all are) about the match process. This is a very helpful guide to getting started on your residency search. It details how to choose a specialty, with detailed information on a very long list of specialties (even obscure subspecialties and fellowships!), instructs you on how to make yourself as attractive a candidate as possible, and gives you helping hints on every step of the way, from writing your CV to interviews to making your rank list to match day to moving! Very comprehensive, very useful. While it is a long book, it's an easy read (I read half of it in a few hours one night). I highly recommend this book to all medical students (one last piece of advice: even if you don't know what specialty you want, don't wait until your 4th year to start reading up on the match!!)

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book for an IMG
Review: I am a IMG and found this book extrememly useful . This book explains in step by step about the entire process of the Residency application and the Match process.

The first part of the book deals with the various specialities and their pros and cons. The second part of the book deals with various process of residency application including on how to work on your personal statement , clerkship and reference letters etc.

There is a specific chapter on IMG and it deals with issues specific to IMG's .

The latter part of the book deals with Interviewing process and on how to deal with post match scramble.

Overall I was extremely satisfied with this book and would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is planning to go through the Residency process.

Rating:
Summary: FIRST YEARS PLEASE NOTE: My 2 cents, A Duke first year
Review: I am a medical student and I can't believe how little is known among students about the future and obtaining a residency. This is an excellent book as it introduces many different specialties and rates them. This rating shows the # of programs, slot #'s, match #'s, PGY-1 #'s etc. It also contains a description of each specialty with work hours and salary. the majority of the book focuses on how best to increase your chances of getting the residency you want. I am very glad that I found this book now rather than at the end of medical school. Now I know you don't want to spend $36 for another book, but you will be glad you did. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was the lack of a personality/residency survey. It would have been a great addition. Regardless, buy it now and the rest of your medical education might make a little more sense.

Rating:
Summary: Buy this book!!
Review: If you are in the process of matching for residency, you're too late to read this book. As a third year student, I found it extremely helpful. Iserson explains the match process and offers helpful strategies on how to get the residency you want!

Rating:
Summary: The Guide of all Guides
Review: Let me start by first saying that if you don't have this blue book, you're missing on an important piece of the pie of getting into a residency in the US. This book has it all and it starts from the very beginning.

The first part helps students pick out their specialty. An extensive text explaining each and every specialty with its pros, cons and fellowships are written in minute details. From how many people are accepted per year to how much money these guys make in the end. It even goes to what personality may fit a specific specialty and not the othe. The book is the most widely used text for students who have still yet to find their calling in a medical specialty. After reading the chapter, you will definitely know where you want to go and you will actually have your reasons for making such a decision.

The second part takes you on an overview of all th exams that a person has to complete and what they actually mean when a person does them. A section on the IMG exams of CSA and TOEFL are also highlghted.

The third part talked about the application process. Everything is covered. From what you have to wear for your interview, how you get there, and how you even pack your suitcase is shown in diagrams and illustrations. Iserson goes into the details of the interview extensively and actually gives out a detailed array of what are the major areas of questioning applicants maybe asked in their interview. As a person who has gone through this gruelling process recently, a lot of what has been written gets actually asked.

IMGs are covered in some chapters of the book and there is one whole chapter that talks exclusively about them. Though, the chapters are good, there are better texts that have been written for IMGs. This book, however, can be used to cover everything else in that matter.

Though it's an extensive read, it's really worth it and since the book is moving on to its sixth edition (last edition, 5th, was in 2000), it means further demand is making this book as popular as ever and still the number one reference to a great number of medical students.

Rating:
Summary: Invaluable, practical, effective, step-by-step guide.
Review: Now in a complete updated, revised and enlarged fifth edition, Iserson's Getting Into A Residency continues to be an invaluable, practical, effective, step-by-step guide through the process of selecting a medical specialty and obtaining a residency position in order to secure an accredited medical degree and license to practice. Dr. Iserson's informative and comprehensive text is enhanced with numerous charts illustrating the specialty selection process, and "Must/Want" Analysis providing a way to rank residency program selections. All medical students approaching their residency phase should begin with a thorough and careful reading of Iserson's Getting Into A Residency.

Rating:
Summary: Don't buy this one!
Review: The new, 6th edition is scheduled to release from the presses on April 15, 2003. Check out Galenpress.com or here after that time to get the updated version.