Rupali (Pali) Shah, MD
Professor, Competitive Specialty Advisor, Cross College Advisor rupali_shah@med.unc.edu
The Competitive Specialty Advisor will focus on supporting students longitudinally from their preclinical phase through residency application who express early interest in Dermatology, Interventional Radiology, Neurosurgery, Plastic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, and Otolaryngology. The Competitive Specialty Advisor will meet individually with students to discuss their academic progress and professional development, discern the best time to initiate research based on students’ records, and liaison with the respective career goal advisor for that field. The Competitive Specialty Advisor will be comfortable redirecting students to other parallel training paths as needed.
FAQs/Course Recommendations/Additional Info
Anytime! Please contact Dr. Pali Shah whenever questions arise, if you are considering multiple pathways, or if you want to ensure you are taking all the steps to be considered a competitive applicant.
Grades and scores first and foremost. You can then consider ways to set yourself apart which may include research, extracurriculars, and leadership.
Most often it’s the end of the first year after establishing ability to manage school and coursework. Remember grades/scores first and foremost.
We can discuss more as it is individualized towards the applicant.
Typically the winter before the Individualization phase.
Not necessarily. You may want to consider a LOA. We would look at your individual application.
It would be highly unlikely, and nearly impossible based on data.
YES! I will work to bridge the gap and be a liaison. You will ultimately still need a CGA once you have chosen your specialty.
YES! They are still your guiding light for all things. I will bridge the gap and be an extra resource.