In ideal world, every residency application would get a #holisticreview. But, in our world, we have 3 weeks to review hundreds upon hundreds of applications...while also managing our clinical work, administrative duties, a residency program...in the midst of a pandemic. 1/

Until we get application numbers down, the system will continue to feel random and chaotic, at best. Application caps are the best way to do this. A token system for preference signaling would help, but won't be as immediately effective. 2/

@AAMCtoday encourages #holisticreview and provides nice guidance for mechanisms of review and excellent educational resources. However, continuing to block any real progress on reform of the process is increasingly detrimental to all in #meded. 3/

And, to add salt to the wound, @ERASinfo is unavailable this weekend. As if all faculty have protected time during the week to review applications...again, in an ideal world...4/

Not only do we need to address application fever, but we should also think about how to improve collection & display of data in @ERASinfo to facilitate holistic review. Lists of activities without a way to highlight specific types (eg service, advocacy, teaching) not helpful. 5/

The categories used now: research, work, volunteer are not sufficient to really identify unique student interests and engagement in extra-curricular and professional activities. Many activities don't fit neatly into one category, leaving students unsure of how to input. 6/

Additionally, there is little guidance about how to list & describe activities, research, publications (not already published), etc. I get similar questions every year from applicants about how best to enter their data. Great task for @ProfsofDerm PD group to come up with FAQ. 7/

A few things I would love to see/do:
- Case reports listed separately (many of us have to do this for our professional CVs...or can't even include)
- More categories for activities: research, service, advocacy, teaching, work, other (maybe allow applicants to denote) 8/

- More guidance from professional societies/PD groups on specifics - how to enter multiple research experiences with one faculty, how to enter publications in progress, amount of info to include in each entry
- Remove "reason for leaving" - it isn't helpful! 9/

And, what I really think would be helpful:
- Ask applicants to list the 5 activities/experiences that best exemplify their passion, work, interests, goals, etc.

I want to know what was most meaningful to you. That gives more insight into *you* than the laundry list we have. 10/

With a concerted effort to reduce applications, MORE transparency from programs AND applicants, and a better format for @AAMCtoday @ERASinfo, we could transform the application process to meet our shared goal: to find the best applicant-program fit so that our residents thrive. x

To add - I don't blame applicants. Given the way the system is designed, overapplying is a dominant strategy. It's not going to get better without a fundamental change. Also, we're in this together. We're on your team and want you to succeed. x