Timeline

Some students arrive at the College of Medicine – Tucson with a sub-specialty in mind. For others, choosing a career path is a longer process. Either way, our advisors, program and resources will help you to pursue your career goals.

Year 1
Fall	Attend the session, Introduction to the Career Advising Program and Careers in Medicine during New Student Orientation Seek out a specialty advisor or Society Mentor other than your assigned mentor for career advising purposes only Complete Medical Specialty Preference Inventory, Revised Edition (MSPI-R) on the AAMC Careers in Medicine site (AAMC login required)
Spring	Review your MSPI-R results with your Societies mentor, one-on-one
Years 1-2
All year	Attend specialty luncheons organized by student interest groups and clubs Start building your CV by conducting research/publishing and gaining new clinical skills early on in your training. See Student Opportunities for information and resources. (Tip: Update your CV as you go using CV Builder)
Fall	Attend Exploring Your Options Specialty Fairs & Panel: Primary Care focus
Spring	Attend Exploring Your Options Specialty Fairs & Panel: Subspecialty Care focus

Year 2
Fall	Complete the PVIPS to help you define your career-related values and decide how those can apply to the way you shape you practice in medicine
Spring	Meet with your Societies mentor in January to discuss the PVIPS results Attend Conversation with the Deans (large group discussion) to learn about planning Year 3 with an emphasis on career planning Students meet with their Societies mentor to review their portfolios and discuss summer opportunities such as shadowing and research experiences to support them in their career exploration.
Years 2-3
	Keep gathering information about specialties of interest (AAMC login required) Narrow down your specialty interests to 3-4 top choices Review AAMC reports on residency matches to assess qualifications and competitiveness for different specialties Conduct informational interviews (CiM > Shape Your Career > Professional Development > Networking > Informational Interviews) and/or participate in preceptorships (AAMC login required) Contact professional associations and specialty organizations (AAMC login required) Ask physicians working in specialties that interest you if you can shadow them to learn more Continue expanding your CV (Tip: keep your CV information current)

Year 3
Fall	Begin reviewing and comparing residency programs
Spring	Designate your specialty advisor between December and June to maximize their assistance in the residency application process (you can do this beforehand). See sample questions to ask specialists. Complete Qualtrics survey sent from the Office of Student Affairs prior to scheduling MSPE meeting #1 Schedule MSPE meeting #1 with your Interim Associate Dean for Student Affairs Continue expanding your CV
Late May	Register with the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and begin preparing residency applications (CV, letters of recommendation, personal statements, etc.). For more details about the application and the process, see the Residency Application section. Register with the NRMP for the Main Residency Match Register for Early Match programs, if applicable

Year 4
August	Continue preparing residency applications (CV, letters of recommendation, personal statements, etc.) Complete applications and decide which residency programs you will apply to Participate in mock interviews.
September	Start applying to ACGME-accredited residency programs.
October	MSPEs released to residency programs Participate in mock interviews Interview with residency programs
December	Military match results are released Application deadline to Early Match programs (Urology Residency Match) is mid-December
January	Urology Residency Match results are released (Urology Residency Match Program) Ophthalmology Residency Match results are released (SF Match) Rank-order your selections in the NRMP Main Residency Match
February
March	National Resident Matching Program (NRMP®) Main Residency Match results are released Match Day - third Thursday in March Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP®) starts. Finalize your CV (see CV samples)
May	Rank list submission deadline for Plastic Surgery Residency (SF Match) Plastic Surgery Residency Match results are released (SF Match) ERAS Season Ends: MyERAS closes at 5 PM ET