Some advice given to me by my advisors that may be helpful to others:
1. Take your Step 2s by December to ensure your scores get reported to the schools before they have to rank you. Some schools require a passing score on Step 2 CS before they will rank you. If you haven't signed up for your Step 2 CS yet, do so ASAP as scheduling for Step 2 CS is much more limited than for Step 1 or Step 2 CK. Make sure to include the $1580 these two exams cost in total to your budget, plus whatever travel and lodging you need to get to a Step 2 CS testing site.
2. ERAS opened up July 1st, so setting up your account now would be a good idea so you can get your letters of recommendation, CV, and personal statement uploaded.
3. Applications start being accepted September 1st, so make sure to get your 3 letters of recommendation, CV, and personal statement in by then. Some physicians can be a bit busy and slow to get letters of recommendation in, so asking them now if you haven't already would be a very good idea. If you asked them a while ago, such as when you were on an M3 rotation, remind them now.
4. You probably want to get started on looking at places to apply to if you haven't already. The resources CaribMD posted are good ones.
5. Make sure to take note if programs you are interested in will reimburse for travel and lodging. Some will, so don't forget to follow up on that when it comes time to interview there.
6. Some specialties have residency program fairs that most programs will be at and can give you lots of information. A good one for family medicine is the
National Convention for Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students in Kansas City, MO from Thursday, July 29th to Saturday, July 31st.
7. Talk to current residents about different residency programs they've visited when you are on your rotations and have some slack time. (You're not studying for shelves or being pimped quite as much as the M3s, so you have more free time :mrgreen: ) They may have been med students at some of the places you are considering or had visited and interviewed there and can give you a general impression of the program from a resident's point of view. Attendings can also be a good source of info, particularly as to how good of a program a certain program may be.
If anybody else has good info, feel free to add it.