1. How do I find housing in the city of my residency?
As you continue your journey of becoming a doctor in the US, you need to know the best ways to prepare for your residency. Here are some very common questions medical students have about upcoming residency programs:
- Where to live?
- Government loan forgiveness
- Studying tips
- Prepping for tests
Residents can’t afford to take time off for reasons like transportation problems and bad weather. During your travels to the hospital, take time to notice roads close to the medical institution. Try to find an apartment along that route.
If you use public transportation to get to the hospitable, research nearby buses and trains. Then, look for rentals near the hospital that are very close to those routes. Be sure the check the train and bus schedules to ensure they operate during your scheduled work hours.
Also, look for carpools in the local area. You just may find that there are a few at the hospital where you work. Find out where these people live and try to find a place within their apartment complexes or housing communities or very close by. Then, join the carpool program.
2. Buying VS Renting: What’s best for residents?
The answer to this question should be based on your income and how long you plan to reside in the local area. Use an online mortgage calculator to compare the costs of renting to buying a home.
Keep in mind that as you settle into your residency, your life will get very busy. So, start your house hunting early if you plan to buy before your resident life gets too hectic to house hunt.
NOTE: There are loans that specifically target residents. They are known as physician loans for residencies, and they offer low down payments to help you get established as a homeowner while still completing your residency.
3. Does my residency qualify me for government loan forgiveness programs?
Most US residency programs qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. The U.S. Department of Education provides extensive details on the various types of forgiveness programs offered.
The Association of American Medical Colleges has a list of programs that provide loan forgiveness. There are also special options for repaying your student loans after you’re in practice.
4. What’s one thing I need to know before I begin my residency?
Remember all the learning, studying and many, many exams you took so far as a medical student? Well, they never, ever end. So, always remain up-to-date on common and innovative medical information. And continue reading valuable medical learning and practice materials.
5. How do I excel in my clinical duties while prepping for USMLE Step 3?
You’ve already passed the USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 CK and USMLE Step 2 CS. So, you know how to prepare for these US medical licensing exams, including prep courses to take and books to review.
Preparing for USMLE Step 3, and the way you go about it depends on your test-taking skills, clinical experience and your medical specialty. The best way to prep for Step 3 is to get study strategies and test-taking tips from co-residents, preferably those in your specific program.
That means networking and engaging with the co-residents around you. This is a very important strategy that also helps you establish a good reputation among the residents and physicians around you. Your reputation is very important when it comes to finding a job as a physician later.
Get Residency Prep
If you use a proven method, you’ll have no problem at all prepping for your residency. Your goal is to exhibit confidence when selling your personal and professional brand. Learn what it take to have a success residency at a teaching hospital using a proven method known as ERMI.
MedSmarter offers an ERMI Residency Prep Course in Suwanee, GA. Take this preparation course on the campus just miles from Atlanta, GA. Or take it live online via web conferencing. Click the button below to learn more about MedSmarter’s Residency Preparation Course.
