Department Website: med.unc.edu/ortho
Faculty Member Contacts
Andrew Chen
Chair of Medical Student Affairs, Assistant Professor
andrew_chen@med.unc.edu
Robert Esther
Residency Program Director, Associate Professor
bob_esther@med.unc.edu
Advisory College Videos
FAQs/Course Recommendations/Additional Info
How do students get assigned a career goal advisor?
All go through our residency education specialist, Chanelle Arsenault, chanelle_arsenault@med.unc.edu, and then we set-up a meeting with the 2 career advisors.
What should my Individualization Phase schedule look like?
Mostly Surgery, SICU
Recommended Courses:
| AI/Acting Internship | CC/Critical Care | ACS/Advanced Clinical Selective | Electives |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 AIs at least, one at UNC | Critical care, gen surgery (trauma) | SICU | MSK radiology, SICU, rheumatology |
Do all my rotations need to be in Orthopaedics?
No
Should I do an away rotation? What in?
Yes, in Orthopaedics.
Do I need a rotation at UNC if I spent my time in Charlotte/Asheville/Wilmington?
Yes, so we can write a letter from the PD/chair.
When do I need to meet with my career goal advisor? How do I prepare?
During 3rd year, beginning of 4th year, and before September ERAS deadline.
How many letters of recommendation do I need? From whom should I get them?
3-4 letters. One from Ortho PD. 2 more ortho and maybe 1 really good one outside ortho.
When do I ask for my letters? What do they need?
As June-July before ERAS application.
How do I determine the best programs I should apply to?
You can talk to residents, use US News, use Doximity, and ask faculty
I just got this great piece of news…do I need to notify programs
Yes, can include in ERAS application, or contact program coordinator after application is sent in to let them know.
My LORs aren’t in and ERAS just opened!
Get them in ASAP.
I am waitlisted for an interview at X and I’d really like to see that program. What do I do?
You can write a really sincere letter to the program director or have a faculty member at UNC reach out to someone they know that is there.
I didn’t get an interview at X program. Should I send them a “letter of intent”?
You can try but don’t get your hopes up (see answer above).
Should I send thank you letters to programs?
It doesn’t hurt, but it also doesn’t help. It is up to you. It may help if sincere, specific, and not generic.
Should I send a letter to the program I am planning to rank #1?
Yes, a specific, sincere letter. Also, see if a faculty member with connections can reach out for you.
How do I respond if a program reaches out to me after my interview?
Depends on what they say, you are NOT supposed to interact with them after the interview and they should not be reaching out to you.