Department Website: med.unc.edu/anesthesiology
Faculty Member Contacts
Shawn Jia
Assistant Professor, Co-Director of Medical Student Rotations
shawn_jia@med.unc.edu
Harendra Arora
Vice Chair of Education
harendra_arora@med.unc.edu
FAQs / Additional Info
How do students get assigned a career goal advisor?
Email Dr. Shawn Jia and he will help determine who might be a good match.
What should my Individualization Phase look like?
401 Elective (Anesthesiology AI). Other rotations include Chronic Pain, TICU, Advanced OR – depends on the timing and interest.
Do all my rotations need to be in Anesthesiology?
No
Should I do an away rotation? What in?
Depends on the situation. You can discuss with your career goal advisor. The simplest answer is “not required”.
Do I need a rotation at UNC if I spent my time in Charlotte/Asheville/Wilmington?
We would recommend you do complete a rotation at UNC in order to have UNC letters of recommendation.
When do I need to meet with my career goal advisor? How do I prepare?
As early as you are considering anesthesiology. A current CV and elective schedule are helpful.
How many letters of recommendation do I need? From whom should I get them?
3-4. One from the anesthesiology department chair, at least one other from anesthesiology faculty, and one can be from another rotation.
When do I ask for my letters? What do they need?
Give your letter writers enough time (ideally at least a month) before you want to submit your application. Do not cut it too close!
How do I determine the best programs I should apply to?
Geography, program type, visiting virtual open houses or ASA Meet and Greet. Our faculty are trained in diverse locations and can also provide valuable insight.
I just got this great piece of news…do I need to notify programs
Sure, it does not hurt! Particularly if they are high on your list or you are looking to get an interview or reconnect after your interview.
I am waitlisted for an interview at X and I’d really like to see that program. What do I do?
Email the program coordinator and highlight any specific interests/ties to the program.
I didn’t get an interview at X program. Should I send them a “letter of intent”?
As above – would not call it a letter of intent, but would highlight interest.
Should I send thank you letters to programs?
This is a nice touch and we would recommend doing so. We like to hear from the applicants.
Should I send a letter to the program I am planning to rank #1?
Yes, but only send to one program!
How do I respond if a program reaches out to me after my interview?
Depends on your level of interest in the program. A courteous response, even if brief, would make a good impression.