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Department Website: med.unc.edu/urology

Faculty Member Contacts

Kristy Borawski
Assistant Professor
kristy_borawski@med.unc.edu

Matthew Nielsen
Chair, Department of Urology and John Sloan Rhodes and John Flint Rhodes Distinguished Professor of Urology
mnielsen@med.unc.edu

Mathew Raynor
Professor
mathew_raynor@med.unc.edu

Eric Wallen
Vice Chair, Residency Program Director
Contact Educational Programs Coordinator: Aleasha Crisp aleasha_crisp@med.unc.edu

FAQs/Course Recommendations/Additional Info

What should my Individualization Phase schedule look like?
Recommend Urology AI at UNC PRIOR to any away urology Ais.
Recommended Courses:

AI/Acting InternshipCC/Critical CareACS/Advanced Clinical SelectiveElectives
I would recommend a Urology AI at home institution. Most students are now doing an away Urology AI as well. Otherwise, look for AI courses that will help set you up for residency, i.e. SICU, general surgeryI would recommend rotating in the SICU. Second option would be the MICUAgain, the goal is to set you up for residency. With that said, you can consider taking a radiology ACS (Body Imaging vs general radiology), cardiology exposure, etc. If you do not feel clinically ready for a urology AI (i.e. took time between app phase & indy phase), consider doing the Basic Clinical Urology ACS firstI would focus more on your interests. I don't have any real recommendations here. We offer a research in urology elective. If interested in urology, I would not use this in place of a urology AI

Should I do an away rotation?  What in?
You don’t have to do an away, but I think it is a good opportunity to see other programs.  Students usually do a Urology away.

Do I need a rotation at UNC if I spent my time in Charlotte/Asheville/Wilmington?
In our experience, most still do their formal AI here.

When do I need to meet with my career goal advisor?  How do I prepare?
As soon as the student thinks they may have an interest in Urology.  No preparation needed.

How many letters of recommendation do I need?  From whom should I get them?
3-4.  You should get 1-3 letters from your home program.  These would usually include the chair, residency director and a faculty member that knows you best.  You can also ask for letters on your away rotation, again from similar people.

When do I ask for my letters?  What do they need?
I would ask during your rotation.  If you are not rotating with them, I would start to ask ~July.  It is helpful to have your CV. We have found it very helpful when students also provide some things that they would like to highlight about their CV/experience.

How do I determine the best programs I should apply to?
This will vary for everyone.  We like students to pick their priorities, i.e. geography, 5 or 6 year, big city, etc.  From there, we would recommend tiering the programs based on rankings.  We are always happy (and would prefer) to look over your program list prior to submitting applications.

I just got this great piece of news…do I need to notify programs
This depends on what it is.  AOA, definitely.

My LORs aren’t in and ERAS just opened!
Send a gentle reminder E-mail to the writer.  For urology, all applications are released to the programs on a specific date (at least in 2021/2022).

I am waitlisted for an interview at X and I’d really like to see that program.  What do I do?
Ask if someone from your home program would be willing to write a letter/e-mail to the program.  Urology is a small community and normally, we may know someone from that program.

Should I send thank you letters to programs?
You do not have to but it is nice to receive.

Should I send a letter to the program I am planning to rank #1?
They now have a signaling program for your top 5 programs (new as of 2022 match).

How do I respond if a program reaches out to me after my interview?
This is not allowed.