FindAResident Applicant User Manual
Take a look at our FindAResident Applicant User Manual for comprehensive
information on the FindAResident service as well as step-by-step instructions
for your FindAResident account! This user manual provides statistical
information on our service, screen shots for registering and using your
account, a glossary of terms and more.
FindAResident Applicant
User Manual (PDF, 114 pages)
FAQs for Residency and Fellowship Applicants
Overview of FindAResident
What is FindAResident?
FindAResident is a Web-based service that can put you in direct contact
with programs looking to fill open residency and fellowship positions.
Sponsored by the AAMC, FindAResident is a supplement to ERAS and is ideal
for finding unfilled positions, especially if you experienced an unsuccessful
match through NRMP.
 When
would I use FindAResident?
Use FindAResident if:
- You were unsuccessful in the NRMP Match and Scramble.
- You wish to change specialties, job location or residency program.
- You are seeking fellowship opportunities.
What does a FindAResident membership provide me?
Registering with FindAResident allows you to:
- Post your resume, test scores, photo, curriculum vitae (CV) and other
pertinent information for programs to view.
- Search a database of open residency positions through a detailed
search engine.
- Notify programs of your interest and begin the process of matching
up with an open residency or fellowship position.
To date over 20,000 applicants have registered with FindAResident.
How do I contact FindAResident with questions?
You can reach the FindAResident staff at findaresident@aamc.org.
Registration Information
Who is eligible to register with FindAResident?
If you are or will be a medical graduate from an accredited medical school
before the end of the FindAResident season (the first business day of
September) you may register with our service. Registration is not dependent
on completion of USMLE testing or any other tests or certifications.
Can I register if I'm not certified or finished necessary testing?
If you have not passed and completed all necessary testing or obtained
certification necessary for US residency, you can still register with
FindAResident. However, be aware that it is the policy of most US residency
programs to deny applications from medical graduates that do not have
appropriate test scores and certifications. It is your responsibility
to determine and complete any US and state prerequisites for residency
practice (see FSMB for
more details). FindAResident will not grant refunds based on applicants
who are denied application by US residency or are unsuccessful at securing
a residency position.
How do I register?
To register for FindAResident:
- Go to the FindAResident
Login page and click on the "Register" link at the top left corner
of the screen.
- Mark the radio button beside "Applicant" and press "Submit."
- Complete the required fields with your personal information. You
will be asked to enter your AAMC ID. If you do not have or cannot recall
your AAMC ID, enter your birth information to assign your unique 8-digit
AAMC ID.
- Create your own user name and password for future logins. This login
information will set up a single account that you can use to login to
other AAMC services as well (go to the AAMC
Login page for more information about other services that use the
AAMC Login).
- Click Submit.
This will be your login information for future sessions with FindAResident
and any other AAMC
Login participating programs. Remember login information is case sensitive.
Do I need an Access code/Token to register, and how do I get it?
Residency and fellowship applicants do not need an access code/token
to register with FindAResident. If you click the radio button next to
"Applicant" on the registration page and click submit you can continue
on with registration.
What is the AAMC Login?
The AAMC
Login is part of an effort to improve security and help you manage
your relationship with the AAMC.
Is there a registration fee?
There is a $75 subscription fee for applicants; active ERAS users pay
a discounted $30 fee. You are not considered an active ERAS user until
you have completed and transmitted your ERAS Common Application Form (CAF)
to at least one program during the regular ERAS season that corresponds
with the start of the FindAResident season.
Is there a registration deadline?
You can register with the FindAResident program year-round, but subscriptions
will only last from the date of purchase until the first business day
of September.
I am a previous user of FindAResident. Do I need to register again?
A new enhancement of FindAResident is that previous registrants do not
need to register again. Simply log in
with your FindAResident user name and password and you will be prompted
to make a payment for the new season. Once your payment is approved, you
will have access to your FindAResident account with your previously entered
information. Be sure to update your resume if any information has changed,
including your specialty, PGY level, and geographic preferences.
When registering I get an error that my information already exists.
What does this mean?
If you completed the registration page with FindAResident in the past
you do not need to register again. Log in
with your FindAResident user name and password and you will be prompted
to make payment for the new season. If you do not remember your user name
and password, contact FindAResident at findaresident@aamc.org
for assistance.
During registration I am asked to "verify old password." What
do I do?
FindAResident is a participating service in the AAMC
Login program. The AAMC Login is part of the AAMC's effort to improve
security and help you manage your relationship with the AAMC; it is a
new approach to providing access to password protected Web resources.
Several AAMC services are already collaborating in this initiative. Your
login information for any of the participating services will be linked
creating one single login identity for multiples services.
Therefore, if you are already signed up for an AAMC program, you will
be prompted to "Verify Old Password" after we confirm your AAMC
ID and registration information. The "Verify Old Password" field
is requesting confirmation of your password from your other participating
AAMC Login
service. At the top of the screen you will see the AAMC ID and user name
associated with the password we are verifying. Please contact the applicable
service if you have forgotten your password. Remember, any changes to
your login and password in FindAResident will automatically carryover
to the other AAMC programs as well.
Login Information
I forgot my FindAResident password, how do I get this information?
If you don't remember your password, click "Forgot Password" on the
FindAResident
Login page. Enter your user name and e-mail address. The system will
prompt you to answer your security question. Your password will be immediately
sent to you via e-mail. The email will contain an alphanumeric password
to use along with your user name to login. User names and passwords are
case sensitive, capitalize properly. You will then have an opportunity
to establish a password of your choice. You will be prompted to "Verify
Old Password"; this field requires your temporary (alphanumeric) password
from the email. Complete the remaining fields and print out the confirmation
of your user name and new password for your records. Remember, any changes
to your login and password in FindAResident will automatically carryover
to the other AAMC programs as well.
I attempted to log in several times unsuccessfully; now what?
For security reasons, after 5 unsuccessful login attempts FindAResident
will lock your account. Please e-mail
FindAResident to unlock your account and confirm your login information.
Managing Your FindAResident Account
How do I create my resume for residency programs to view?
To post your resume:
- Log
in to FindAResident.
- Click on "Resume" tab.
- Click on each sub-tab in the Resume section (Contact, Status, Education,
Experience, etc.) and complete the information requested if available.
- Once you've completed all of the information, you may view it by
clicking on the Resume tab again. Next to the Resume status field, click
on the link for View.
- If you're happy with how your resume looks, you will be ready to
activate (or post) your resume. This is done by clicking on the Activate
link next to the Resume status field (INACTIVE). Once activated the
Resume status will change to "ACTIVE".
What does it mean for my resume to be "Active" or "Inactive"?
Your resume can be activated or deactivated at any time to make your
account active or inactive respectively. The "Active" setting allows you
to search and notify programs, and also allows programs to view your resume.
The "Inactive" setting blocks your notification function and does not
allow programs to view your information. Simply activate your resume to
notify programs and showcase your resume.
How do I activate or deactivate my resume?
To change your status to "Active" or "Inactive" use the activate/deactivate
function.
- Log
in to FindAResident.
- Click the "Resume" tab.
- Just below the "Resume" tab is the Resume status field. Next to that
status will be a link for "Activate" or "Deactivate".
- Click the "Activate" or "Deactivate" link to change your status to
active or inactive respectively.
Could my current program director discover my resume?
When your resume is "Active," it is viewable by any program registered
in FindAResident. You may choose to withhold your name from your resume
if you are concerned about confidentiality (option is located on the 'Resume'
page below the activation link). However you may still be identifiable
by information contained in your resume. Program directors search for
registered applicants based on an applicant's indicated specialty and
location preferences. If you select a specialty and/or location preference
that differs from your current residency program's criteria, you will
not appear in that program director's search.
Note: If you opt to deactivate your resume to prevent your program
director from discovering your resume no programs will be able to search
or contact you and you cannot send your information via FindAResident
to programs.
Can I import information from my ERAS account?
FindAResident users who are active ERAS users (transmitted their Common
Application Form to at least one program) have the option of importing
data from their ERAS profile into their FindAResident account.
- Log
in to FindAResident.
- Click the "Resume" tab.
- Just below the "Withhold Name" option, is the ERAS Import
function.
- To the right of "Transfer ERAS Data", click the "Import"
link.
- Previously entered information will be cleared out and your certified
ERAS CAF information will be automatically imported to the corresponding
sections of FindAResident.
- Be sure to click the "View" link at the top of the resume
page to review that all information was imported completely and accurately.
The ERAS import does not apply to documents such as photo, curriculum
vitae, transcripts or letters of recommendation. You may upload separately
your curriculum vitae and photo from your Resume home page. However, FindAResident
does not support transcripts or letters of recommendation in our service.
How do I add my CV and photo?
First, please make sure your Curriculum Vitae is saved as a Microsoft
Word document or a text file (*.doc, *.pdf or *.txt). Pictures must be
saved as photo file types (*.gif or *.jpg). Also, be sure the filename
is less than 16 characters in length and contains only alphanumeric characters.
To add your CV and photo:
- Log
in to FindAResident.
- Click on the "Resume" tab.
- Next to "Curriculum Vitae" click the "Upload" link.
- A dialogue box will appear.
- Press the browse button.
- A file browser window will appear. Find and select the desired file,
then click "Open"
- You will be returned to FindAResident's browser window where you
will click "Attach File". Repeat this process to add your picture using
the "Upload" link next to the Picture field.
If you have trouble or receive any error messages, contact FindAResident
and be sure to include the exact error message you received while uploading.
How do I update my CV and photo?
To update your curriculum vitae (CV) in FindAResident:
- Login
to FindAResident.
- Click on 'Resume' at the top left of your screen.
- Next to "Curriculum Vitae" click the "Download" link.
- The file download wizard will pop up, and ask "Would you want to open
or save this file?", click "Open".
- Your CV will open up in a separate window for Microsoft Word.
- Update your CV as needed and save the file to your computer.
- Return to your FindAResident 'Resume' home page.
- Next to "Curriculum Vitae" click the "Remove" link.
- Next to "Curriculum Vitae" an "Upload" link will appear, click it.
- A dialogue box will appear, press the 'Browse' button.
- A file browser window will appear. Find and select the updated file,
then click "Open".
- You will be returned to FindAResident's browser window where you will
click "Attach File".
Repeat this same process for the photo if necessary by using the links
next to the "Picture" field.
Why upload a separate CV?
The FindAResident standardized resume is designed to capture the pertinent
information used by programs to evaluate residency candidates. However,
applicants have requested in the past the ability to post a personalized
curriculum vitae in addition to the standard FindAResident resume. This
allows them to expand on areas and send a personalized version of their
information to programs. Uploading a CV is optional.
What documentation will I need for FindAResident?
To complete your resume within the FindAResident system, you may upload
your CV and a picture. FindAResident cannot accommodate other documents
like transcripts, deans' letters, letters of recommendation, etc. found
in ERAS. Programs may ask you to forward any additional documentation
directly to them outside FindAResident if needed.
Will you verify the validity of inputted test scores?
FindAResident uses self-reporting for all resume information. We do not
provide source documents and do not verify information submitted by applicants.
All applicants who post a resume agree to a certification of truthfulness
that information inputted into FindAResident is complete and accurate
to the best of their knowledge.
Using FindAResident Tools and Features
How do I conduct a search for open positions?
- Login
to FindAResident.
- Click on the "Program Search" tab.
- Select the Position Year desired from the drop-down menu.
- Click on the specialty that interests you. (To select more than one
specialty, press and hold the Ctrl key and simultaneously click the
specialties you want. Maximum: 5 specialties)
- Click on the geographic preference(s) of the programs you're interested
in. (To select more than one geographic area, press and hold the Ctrl
key and simultaneously click the geographic area you want. Maximum:
5 areas or click on the "no preference" for national search)
- Click on "Search" to complete the query.
- Click on the program's name for more details on the program and position
information.
- Review the information listed to decide which program(s) interest
you.
How do I notify a program of my interest?
- Conduct a program search selecting the appropriate criteria.
- Click on the program's name to review their profile information and
minimum requirements.
- Review the search results list to decide which program(s) interest
you.
- If you are interested in this program and you meet the qualifications
listed, click "Notify" next to that program record.
- You will be asked to confirm that you want to notify this program,
click "OK".
- A notification containing your resume information will be sent to
that program's FindAResident mailbox.
- A record of this notification will remain in your mailbox in the
"Notification Sent" section.
Why can't I notify a program? N/A appears next to each program.
The FindAResident notification function only works for applicant users
with an active resume. Your resume can be activated at any time by logging
into FindAResident and clicking on the "Profile" link and using the "Activate"
function.
Open Position Search Results
Why can't I get a list of all open positions advertised in FindAResident?
FindAResident has a customizable search engine to help save you time
and make it easier for you to track the results of your search. Selecting
only the specialties and locations that interest you simplifies the search
and evaluation process for you and for programs that are interested in
you.
Why does my search show "No Records Found"?
A search results value of "No Records Found" indicates that we do not
have any positions listed for the combination of specialty, geographic
area, and PGY level that you selected. We do offer vacancies of all levels
year-round, however there is a pattern to the availability of certain
residency training levels. PGY1 and PGY2 positions are mostly advertised
through ERAS prior to the Match period. However, following the Match period
FindAResident will have a dynamic list of unfilled positions, updated
by participating residency programs. PGY3 - PGY6 fellowship positions
are advertised and updated year-round.
When will programs post open positions for PGY1 and PGY2 for the upcoming
year?
Prior to the NRMP Match Week, FindAResident will not post PGY1 and PGY2
positions for the upcoming year (i.e. PGY1 positions with 7/2008 start
dates and PGY2 positions with 7/2009 start dates). You should contact
the NRMP about registering
for the Match for a preliminary opportunity with these positions for PGY1
and PGY2. Following the Match period, FindAResident will have a dynamic
list of unfilled positions, as unfilled programs advertise those vacancies
in FindAResident. You can register and activate your resume ahead of time
to get a jump-start on your residency search prior to the release of the
new, open PGY1 and PGY2 positions on Tuesday, March 18, 2008, at 12:00
p.m. EST.
Match & Scramble Information
Can I use FindAResident during "Scramble"?
If already registered, you will be able to access your FindAResident
account at any time. If you participated in the NRMP Match your ability
to search and notify may be restricted based on your match status. If
you matched to a PGY1 and PGY2 program you will not be able to search
nor notify programs with PGY1 or PGY2 vacancies. If you did not match
to both a PGY1 and PGY2 program, then you can search for any program,
but will only be able to send notifications to positions listed for the
year you are not matched.
During Scramble, will the search and notification functions work the
same?
FindAResident users who did not match for both PGY1 and PGY2 positions
with the NRMP may search and notify programs for all available years.
Applicants who matched for PGY1 or PGY2 may only notify programs for the
year in which they are not matched. Programs searching for PGY1 and/or
PGY2 applicants will not have access to the resumes of individuals for
the years they are listed as matched by the NRMP. A fully matched FindAResident
user will not appear in search results for PGY1 or PGY2 applicants. FindAResident
users matched for PGY1 only will appear in search results for PGY2 applicants,
but not for PGY1 applicant searches. The reverse applies for FindAResident
users matched for PGY2 by the NRMP. This restriction applies from when
the Main Residency Match results are released on Tuesday, 12:00 p.m. EST
until July 1, 12:00 a.m. EST. For exact dates for the upcoming Main Residency
Match events, please visit the NRMP
Web site.
Will registering for FindAResident affect my application to the Match
or ERAS?
FindAResident is a web-based service offered by the AAMC targeted to
residency applicants who do not match, or need to find a new residency
program. Being registered with FindAResident does not affect your application
to the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) or the Electronic Residency
Application Service (ERAS). FindAResident is a supplement to both the
NRMP and ERAS. Applicants should consider registering with both ERAS and
NRMP to maximize their ability to find a PGY1 and/or PGY2 position. Should
you be unsuccessful with the NRMP Match, FindAResident will be an important
resource for you to find any residency positions that are unfilled following
the Match week. Active ERAS users do receive a discounted registration
fee of $30 with the FindAResident service.
Will you have the list of unfilled programs?
FindAResident does not contain the full list of unfilled programs as
provided by the NRMP to Match participants. However, many programs choose
to advertise in FindAResident if they have not filled all their available
positions at the end of the Match and Scramble periods. Please reference
our open positions report for a listing by PGY level and specialty to
view the number of vacancies currently advertising in FindAResident.
Glossary of Terms
AAMC — Association
of American Medical Colleges is the parent organization for FindAResident.
ACGME — Accreditation
Council for Graduate Medical Education is responsible for the accreditation
of post-MD medical training programs within the United States.
CV — Curriculum Vitae is a resume style document to list and describe
your objectives, education, and work experience.
ECFMG — Educational
Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) assesses the readiness
of international medical graduates to enter ACGME accredited residency
or fellowship programs in the United States.
ERAS — Electronic
Residency Application Service is another AAMC service designed to help
applicants apply to residency programs.
FREIDA
— The Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database Access
offered by the American Medical Association is a searchable, online database
by specialty and subspecialty of graduate medical education programs,
aggregate training statistics, and career plans of recent graduates.
GMETRACK —
An AAMC service designed as a resident database and tracking system to
assist GME Administrators and program directors in the collection and
management of GME data.
NRMP — National
Resident Matching Program conducts the resident match each year for PGY1
and PGY2 level positions.
NBME — National
Board of Medical Examiners develops and administers examinations to assess
the medical knowledge and clinical skills of those seeking licenses to
practice medicine in the United States.
NBOME — National
Board of Osteopathic Medical Education administers examinations to test
the medical knowledge of those who seek to serve the public as osteopathic
physicians.
PGY — Post Graduate Year refers to the level of training by year
starting after graduating medical school. The scale in FindAResident involves
PGY1 - PGY6.
USMLE
— United States Medical Licensing Examination assesses a physician's
ability to apply knowledge, concepts, and principles.
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