The Organization of Student Representatives (OSR) is the student branch of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). The AAMC represents medical education in the USA. Membership includes the Council of Deans (COD), Council of Academic Societies (CAS), Council of Teaching Hospitals (COTH), and the Organization of Resident Representatives (ORR).
The OSR is charged with the representation of the undergraduate medical student body of the U.S. to the academic medicine community. Unlike other student organizations (e.g., AMA-MSS, SNMA, or AMSA), who represent their membership, the OSR's constituency comprises all medical students. The concerns of the OSR lie exclusively within academic medicine and medical education.
OSR Representatives’ role is two-fold:
1) To communicate the opinions of the student body to the national officers so that the OSR can effectively represent medical students on a national level
2) To take OSR national priorities and objectives from the national level and implement them at your school
For more information go to: "AAMC-OSR Home".
Organization of Student Representatives – National AAMC Meeting
San Antonio, TX
Oct. 31 – Nov. 5, 2008
Applying for Residency: Finding Your Best Match
Looking for match data, outcome trends?
2008 NRMP Match Data
Charting Outcomes in the Match - Characteristics of Applicants Who Matched to Their Preferred Specialty in the 2007 NRMP Main Residency Match
NRMP Program Results 2004-2008 Specialties Matching Service - This website is invaluable when looking for specific residency programs, the number of spots available annually, and the number of spots filled since 2004.
For more recent (2008) data about NRMP and the match please visit: National Resident Matching Program (NRMP
Fall 2006: How important is research? The answer to this question depends on what specialty of medicine you are applying whether it is dermatology or family medicine. For example, Dr. Jones used a table from “The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Medical Specialty” by Brian Freeman, MD. This table lists every specialty along with the relevance of research. For example, research is “very important” for dermatology programs. Likewise, research is “important” for general surgery programs. Overall, research can not hurt you, and there seems to be a consensus that certain medical specialty programs expect it. Dr. Jones suggests that you make sure your CV reflects your role in the research you did and what skills were needed to perform that role. Furthermore, bring copies of any journal articles you authored.
Do away rotations and electives matter? The short answer is yes. Dr. Jones presented 2006 match data for Rush college of medicine. Overall, 44 of 121 (36%) students matched at programs where they did an away rotation. However, there was some variance depending on what specialty was matched. For example, of the two students who matched at an otolaryngology program, both had done a rotation at the program. Furthermore, 4 of the 7 (57%) students who matched in emergency medicine had done a rotation at the program. Please see the 
Powerpoint for the rest of the data. From this information it appears that doing an away rotation at programs you are interested in is definitely a good idea. It can only help you. Furthermore, Dr. Jones advises students to choose a variety of electives. Also, he states, “if all your electives are in a field different from the one in which you are applying, you likely will be asked about it when interviewing.”
Lastly, Dr. Jones feels that interviews can make or break you. First, he wants every student to know that everyone you meet when you are interviewing is evaluating you, even the secretary at some programs. He continued by saying that every interviewer ranks applicants based on different things. For example, he says that some of his faculty “ranks you differently if you wear a black suit with blue socks.” Dr. Jones suggests you do you homework about the program you are interviewing. Know what is unique about the program. Be aware of any recent changes in the program or department. Know something about the faculty/research in the department. Also, he states that you must be prepared to explain any “red flags” on you application like failure of Step 1 or unexplained leaves of absences. Furthermore, be prepared to answer the question, “what is your greatest weakness?” Dr. Jones also advises that applicants have questions prepared to ask either the program director or faculty interviewers. For example, ask program directors what percentage of their residency graduates have passed the specialty board exams on the first try.
For more information on these topics, please review the attached Powerpoint . Also, please keep in mind these are just recommendations.
Links:
USMLE – NBME Update 2006
An administrator with the National Board of Medical Examiners, Dr. Gerard Dillon, was present to discuss with OSR members recent changes to the medical licensure exams and address any concerns regarding the examinations. Dr. Dillon also discussed new procedures and tools that are being introduced by the NBME. In particular, a new feature provided by the NBME is the Customized Assessment Service. This service is a basic science question bank of USMLE style questions available to schools to assess school performance and construct basic science exams. This question bank can be tailored to fit a school’s curriculum and meet the school’s needs regarding specific phases or lectures. The Customized Assessment Service would give students score reports with specific item-by-item student performance summaries to promote feedback and learning. Additional highlights of the presentation include:
Step I and II Clinical Knowledge
- The USMLE is hoping to eliminate the 2 digit score
- Hoping to establish electronic scheduling permits (similar to the ones currently used by CS)
- Investigating the possibility of reporting scores electronically
- No plans to change testing facility, Prometric, but are always monitoring for any problems that occur
Step 2 Clinical Skills
- US students have ~98% pass rate
- Performances are “on the rise” for both US students and IMG’s
- No plans to release student performance to residency programs
- No plans to reduce costs – considering possible cost increase for 2007
- No plans to give feedback to students on their performance because this might compromise the integrity of the exam
In addition, the NBME is currently undergoing a comprehensive review of the USMLE to ask the questions, “Does it all make sense” and “What is the value of the USMLE”. It was indicated that changes might be implemented to the USMLE within 3 to 5 years depending on the results of the comprehensive review.
How to be an AAMC OSR Rep
Every year during the Fall semester, the First Year class AAMC OSR Representative is elected by MUSM’s Student Council , the voice of the general medical student body. These elections are open to all first year medical students, and we especially encourage those interested in national policy to get involved. To run for the AAMC OSR Representative you must write a brief personal statement of interest and provide your CV for review by the current OSR representatives, the Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Admissions, and the Student Council. The former two will provide recommendations to the Student Council, and all voting Student Council members will then make the final decision. To read more about the obligations of the AAMC OSR Reps go to: OSR Membership - Local Representatives' Role.
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