Psychiatry

Dr. Jimmy Chen assigns the career goal advisors. Students should contact Dr. Chen to set-up a meeting to get basic information and to discuss the career goal advising assignment. We ask that students not seek out advisors on their own, as students may fall through the cracks, and we want to utilize resources effectively. They can email jimmy_chen@med.unc.edu

Students should do an AI in Psychiatry, preferably early on, but if the AI is not available, students can do other psychiatry courses.  An AI in internal medicine is asked for by a few competitive programs, but most should just do an AI in medicine or family medicine sometime during the year. There is a longer range for interviews in Psychiatry, so in addition to any blocks designated for interviews, students should avoid critical care, AI, and high-stakes psychiatry courses in November and January.

Recommended Courses

AI/Acting Internship
Psychiatry and one in Medicine or Peds

CC/Critical Care
Neuro ICU, MICU, PICU

ACS/Advanced Clinical Selective
Any of the psychiatry ones available; addiction medicine, neurology

Electives
Any of the psychiatry ones available; addiction medicine, neurology

No.  Students should do the AI sometime during the year and add courses to get enough letters of recommendation.

Usually not necessary for psychiatry unless there is a serious geographical restriction.  Discuss with the career goal advisor.

Yes

It is most useful as students complete Application Phase, but Dr. Chen can help students with their schedules and assign the CGA to students in the fall of the Application Phase year.

Most programs note 3 but accept 4.  We usually advise students to have 4.

We suggest discussion of a possible letter as students complete the rotation if it is from an Application Phase faculty member, then follow up after Application Phase.  For individualization phase courses it can be helpful to discuss the hope for a strong letter at the start of the course and asking for feedback to be able to demonstrate skills that would enable the faculty to write a strong letter.

We recommend a balance of reach, reasonable, and “safety” programs for everyone.  These categories will look different for different applicants based on application components and geography.  We recommend that students discuss with Dr. Chen and career goal advisor.

Yes. It is a great way to continue to express interest, too.

Some programs will begin to offer interviews without the LORs, but students should send a reminder to letter writers that they are excited about programs reviewing their application and that the LOR is sure to contribute.

Discuss with the career goal advisor and Dr. Chen.  Students have received interviews by contacting programs with specifics re: interest (e.g., geographical issues).  It cannot hurt.  Dr. Chen can also contact programs if the student’s contact is not effective.

Contact from the student in this case should be brief and specific, as well as gracious.

Yes

Yes.  This should be sincere but not very long.

Thank them, note that you are considering their program highly (and if it is the #1 it is ok to say that).  It is good to discuss this contact with the career goal advisor and/or Dr. Chen.

Psychiatry is becoming an increasingly competitive specialty as the emphasis on mental health has grown and stigma has decreased over the years. In 2024, only 18 SOAP psychiatry positions were available after the match was complete. While psychiatry programs generally take a holistic approach when reviewing applicants, the high number of applications has led many programs to establish baseline criteria. Important initial factors considered include a competitive Step 2 CK score (typically 240-259), and strong clerkship performance, particularly in psychiatry (High Pass or Honors grades) and excellent feedback/comments from preceptors.

Beyond academic metrics, programs highly value meaningful longitudinal service, leadership, and scholarly experiences that demonstrate an applicant’s unique attributes and commitment to psychiatry. Additional crucial factors include strong letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to an applicant’s clinical abilities and personal qualities, as well as a demonstrated passion for psychiatry through volunteer work, research, or related projects.