Advice to Medical Students

[JeremyC]

I recently matched into PM&R at Broward Health, and while my journey to securing a residency position has come to an end, I’d like to share a few major takeaways from this application cycle. These thoughts are based solely on my personal experiences—not expert advice—and are listed in no particular order.

1) Mentorship
Nothing compares to the impact of a strong, well-respected mentor in the PM&R community. Student and resident mentors are great for pointing you in the right direction, but the guidance and advocacy of a seasoned professional can open doors in unique ways. One of the best ways to meet these mentors is by attending conferences. Some of my most meaningful connections were made not only at national events like AAP and AAPMR, but also at state and local meetings like FSPMR (Florida), which are often more affordable for students and allow for more personal, meaningful networking.

I also cold-emailed individuals I found through the AAP and AAPMR member directories. While this approach can be hit-or-miss, it gave me access to people I would have otherwise never met. Of course, meeting a mentor is only half the battle—you also need to be intentional in your interactions. My advice: know who you're reaching out to, understand their work, and figure out how you can add value. Volunteering to help with research is a great start. And most importantly, be normal—first impressions matter.

Student and resident mentors are also invaluable when it comes to navigating the day-to-day aspects of the application cycle. Because they’ve been through it recently, their insights are often practical and timely. I still remember a resident mentor who coached me on how to navigate away rotations without coming off as overzealous—advice I found extremely useful. That said, always trust but verify—remember, all advice is subjective.

2) VSLO (Visiting Student Learning Opportunities)
Play the game strategically. Everyone is applying to multiple dates at multiple sites—and you should too. Don’t limit yourself to just one preferred date per program. As your schedule begins to fill, you can always withdraw from other applications. Be proactive: get comfortable cold-calling, emailing, and reaching out to program coordinators. At this stage, your future is in your hands. Sometimes you need to create your own opportunity, especially for programs you're truly interested in. Don’t be afraid to fight for your chance to be seen.

3) Social Media
I’m not personally a fan of social media, but I’ve come to recognize its utility during the application process. Medical Twitter is particularly active in PM&R, as is Medical Instagram. These platforms keep you up to date on program announcements, transparency letters, interview timelines, and virtual meet-and-greet sessions. Beyond social media, Discord channels and PM&R Scholars' residency fairs are excellent resources for early insight into programs and application strategies.

4) Signaling
This aspect of the match process is constantly evolving. Last cycle, we had eight signals. In the upcoming cycle, it’s increasing to about 20. Many program directors and faculty have indicated that signals may function as a hard cutoff—meaning, if you didn’t signal a program, don’t expect an interview. For that reason, be careful about applying beyond your 20 signals unless you have a very specific reason.

Be strategic with how you use your signals. You can refer to resources like J4PAC’s tier protocol on SDN or the Doximity rankings (noting that accuracy tends to drop off after the top 30). Use a mix of reach, target, and safety programs, and most importantly, signal programs where you’re doing audition rotations—unless you’re certain you wouldn’t attend.

5) Organizations & Research
Get involved—and stay involved. A lot of people shy away from research or joining professional organizations because of the time commitment. But your level of engagement (or lack thereof) will absolutely show in your application. Don’t let procrastination or disinterest keep you from clearing basic filters. Whether it’s writing a quick case report or contributing to a student section of a professional group, it matters. You don’t need to be a president or chairperson in every organization, but your involvement should be meaningful.

6) Find Your Passion
Your “why PM&R?” answer should come naturally. Spend time exploring the world of rehab to discover what resonates with you. For me, prosthetics and orthotics were a huge motivation. Early in medical school, I got involved with the Hanger Clinic and quickly realized this was the space I wanted to be in. That authentic passion gave me something personal and unique to discuss during interviews—and allowed my personality and purpose to shine through.