Registering for the American Urologic Assocation (AUA) Match

• Registration usually opens in June.
• Check the AUA website for the updated timeline.
• Registering for the NRMP match is no longer required.

Registering for the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS)

• Registration also usually opens in June.
• Check the AAMC website for the updated timeline.
• ERAS acts as an electronic curriculum vitae to standardize applications for all programs.
• Entering your activities, research, leadership and personal statement is time consuming.
• Start early and do not wait until days or hours before the application opens in September as this program is known to crash due to high traffic during this period.
• Talk to your medical school’s career and academic counseling office for more best practices.
• The ERAS application typically opens in mid-September, and you will apply to your list of desired urology programs through this service.

Personal Statement

• Start early and write multiple drafts. Again, do not procrastinate on this important piece of your application.
• Have this ready and polished by the beginning of your sub-internship so that it is available for potential letter writers.
• Prepare in advance and enlist a writing expert or consultant to help you craft this most crucial piece of your application. Remember, this document represents you to all prospective interview committees.
• Keep your statement concise and focused. It should be well written and unique. Most statements are 500-600 words.

Home Rotation/Sub-internship

• We highly recommend doing this rotation before setting out on away rotations if possible.
• Generally, your home rotation will be more intuitive as you should be familiar with things you likely take for granted, such as getting around the medical center, navigating the EMR and the routine of your daily commute.
• Use your sub-internship to further familiarize yourself with common urologic problems and treatments.
• Seek out all opportunities to insert and manage catheters, perform small procedures, change dressings on rounds and more. This will pay dividends down the road.

Visiting Student/Away Rotations

• Do at least two away rotations.
• Every day is a job interview. Do not squander any days on your away rotation.
• Things to do to succeed when on an away rotation:
  • Work hard. Impress the faculty and residents.
  • Make sure to prepare for cases exhaustively by reading up on the pertinent clinical information. Use Wieders, Campbell-Walsh Urology, AUA Medical Student Curriculum or other resources and the operation/anatomy references, Hinman's and Netter’s.
  • Reflect each day and take notes. Consider whether you like the program. Five to six years is a long time to spend somewhere based upon name alone. Ensure you enjoy the environment and culture.
• Research opportunities while on away rotations:
  • Getting involved in research at a program you are visiting is by no means essential, but it may be beneficial to seek out research opportunities.
  • You can contact the urology research coordinator ahead of time to ask about opportunities.
  • Remember you will have a lot going on each day, and your clinical responsibilities will ultimately come first.
  • If you decide to undertake research, make sure to complete it with meticulous care. Establish a clear timeline with the principal investigator on when tasks should be completed.
• Secure letters of recommendation from key staff, including the chairperson.
  • Find out who you should contact to set up a meeting with the chair or anyone else from whom you would like a letter.
  •  Schedule this meeting during the first half of the rotation and plan to meet with pertinent faculty during the second half of the rotation.

Letters of Recommendation

• You should have three to four letters to submit for ERAS. All should be from urology faculty. Every other type is worthless in the AUA Match no matter how strong your relationship may be with the letter writer.
  • Never use a letter from someone who was not enthusiastic about writing the letter for you. A mediocre letter from a well-known faculty member is less valuable than a stellar letter from someone else within academic urology that writes you an outstanding letter.
  • Ensure that letters will be strong by asking the letter writer, “Would you feel comfortable writing me a strong letter of recommendation?” Any answer less than a resounding yes should give an applicant pause about using that letter.
• Letters from Away Rotations
  • Ideally, you should have garnered at least one high-quality letter of recommendation from each visiting student rotation, including from the chair of the department.
  • You will get to choose four letters to submit with your ERAS application, but understand that you can, and should, personalize the specific four letters you submit to each program. We recommend tailoring this choice by region and/or by other known existing networks.
    • For example, if during your meeting with a chair at a visiting rotation, the chairperson comments that they know a specific faculty member at your home institution and admires him or her, perhaps this is a better letter choice than someone else. 
    • Use your own discretion.