Pathology

We do not assign specific career advisors to students.  After students meet with the head career goal advisor, they will be given the names of other advisors and their specific area of clinical interest.  Students are invited to meet with the other advisors, and they may elect to choose an alternative advisor based on personal preference/fit.

Medical students going into Pathology should plan to complete one or two Pathology rotations.  Residents planning to enter an anatomic pathology or combined anatomic/clinical pathology residency should complete a surgical pathology rotation.

Recommended Courses

AI/Acting Internship
Pathology PATY 421 2; Surgery SURY 411 2, SURY 428 2, SURY 470 2, SURY 481 2; Radiology RADY 419 2

CC/Critical Care
Surgical Critical Care SURY 407 4, SURY 422 4, SURY 426 4

ACS/Advanced Clinical Selective
Radiology RADY 401 3, RADY 413 3; Surgery SURY 468 3, SURY 471 3, SURY 485 3, SURY 487 3, SURY 492 3

Electives
OTOL 401, OMED 405, any of the PATY clerkships, SURY 414, SURY 441, SURY 459, DERM 250

No.  As Pathology residents don’t do a general intern year, it is important to diversify your clinical training during medical school.

Away rotations are generally not necessary in Pathology.  If students would like to learn more about a specific program, it may be reasonable to schedule a rotation.  However, most UNC students who match into Pathology have not done an away rotation.

While not absolutely required, it is strongly encouraged.  Academic Pathology departments provide an experience that is a more accurate preview of what students can expect in their residency.

Students are encouraged to meet with their career goal advisor (1) prior to finalizing their Individualization Phase schedule, (2) prior to submitting residency application, and (3) additional times, as helpful to the student.

Students need at least 3 letters of recommendation.  One and ideally two would be from a pathologist who the student worked with clinically.

Students are encouraged to contact letter writers at least 4 weeks and ideally 6 weeks prior to the due date.  Plan to set-up a short call/visit to make this request and provide a CV to the letter writer.

The pre-residency application meeting with the career goal advisor(s) is a great time to review potential programs, based on the student’s interests, geographic restrictions, and medical school performance.

It never hurts to share news that highlights your successes!

If contacted with appropriate advance notice, most letters writers will submit LORs in a timely fashion.  If a LOR hasn’t been submitted when ERAS opens, it is reasonable to send an email politely reminding your letter writer.  If the letter is still not submitted after this nudge, reach out to your career goal advisor.

If you are wait listed for an interview at a program of high interest, it’s reasonable to reach out to the program director to let them know that you are especially interested in the program.  It may not lead to an interview, but it’s reasonable to communicate your enthusiasm and interest.

If you are wait listed for an interview at a program of high interest, it’s reasonable to reach out to the program director to let them know that you are especially interested in the program.  However, “letters of intent” communications aren’t necessary and shouldn’t be an expected aspect of the Match process.

Emails to your interviewers are a nice gesture but not an expectation.

It is acceptable for a student to let a program know that you will be ranking them #1.  You are not obligated to do so, and programs should not penalize an applicant who does not indicate they will rank them highly.  Programs are instructed that they cannot require such a “letter of intent” and the Match works best if programs simply rank applicants from strongest to weakest.  However, some programs do continue to rank interested applicants more favorably.

If a program contacts you to thank you for interviewing, it is appropriate to respond in kind.  However, programs should not pressure applications to provide assurances, verbal commitments, etc after an interview.  If a program is making contact that feels out of bounds, contact your advisor for input on how to handle this situation.

Competitive pathology applicants will have:

• At least one pathology rotation with High Pass or Honors grade.
• High Pass or Honors grades in rotations in specialties that frequently interact with pathology, e.g. surgery, radiology, hematology/oncology, infectious disease, and others.
• At least one, but ideally two, strong letters of recommendation from a pathologist that reflects enthusiasm for learning, detail-oriented work, strong analytical skills, and effective communication skills.
• Clearly enunciated reason for choosing Pathology as a career.
• Demonstrated interest in Pathology.
• Passed USMLE Step 1 on the first try.
• USMLE Step 2 CK > 230

Please refer to the College of American Pathologists website (https://www.cap.org/) and consider becoming a member to learn more about Pathology, identify ways to become involved in the Pathology Community, and, possibly, find a mentor.