The Office of Career Guidance (OCG) works closely with the Office of Clinical Studies to provide career advising from matriculation through graduation and into the early alumni years. All students have access to the OCG staff and OCG website resources.
For students pursuing postgraduate training in the US, the OCG advises on specialty selection, residency application strategy, program selection, application preparation, and interview preparation. Guidance is also available for students pursuing postgraduate training in Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and other countries.
Building on career advising provided during the Basic Sciences phase, the OCG supports students throughout Clinical Studies by providing guidance on external examination deadlines, residency applications, and fourth-year planning. Each student is assigned an OCG Residency Mentor who provides individualized guidance throughout Years 3 and 4.
The mandatory OCG-3 webinar series covers three topics: The Clinical Years Ahead, Planning Your Fourth Year, and Preparing for the Match. Live webinars and individual consultations with OCG Residency Mentors are available throughout the residency application process. The OCG website is updated regularly with residency application requirements and timelines.
Students pursuing US residency receive guidance on the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), the Residency Centralized Application Service (ResidencyCAS), and opportunities outside the Match (also known as All-Out programs). ResidencyCAS is used for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emergency Medicine, and Emergency Medicine combined specialties.
Post-Match Support
The OCG provides additional support for students who do not initially secure a residency position. Resources include information on unanticipated residency openings posted each March on the OCG website, webinars on the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP), post-Match advising, and individual consultations with Residency Mentors.
Students may also receive guidance on strengthening future residency applications through additional electives, research opportunities, or graduate degree programs, including the MPH and MBA.
Additional information is available on the OCG Website. Students may contact the OCG at careerguidance@sgu.edu.