Professional Development
Welcome to Professional Development at APAMSA! We believe that becoming a physician is about more than learning clinical knowledge—it’s about having the right support, community, and guidance every step of the way. Our Professional Development programming offers a year-round series of events designed to meet students wherever they may be in their medical journey. From navigating board exams and crafting standout ERAS applications to preparing for residency and exploring different specialties, our presentations aim to connect you with peers, residents, and physicians who have been in your shoes and understand what you’re going through. Whether you’re starting to explore medicine or preparing to match, APAMSA’s Professional Development series is here to help you grow with confidence and community!
For more information, please contact ProfessionalDev@apamsa.org.
May 2026
Our first-ever APAMSA Couples AMA is here! 💙 Join us for “Couples in Medicine” with Dr. Alexander Tong (Heme/Onc) & Dr. Sherry Bai-Tong (Neonatology) as they share what it’s really like to grow, train, and thrive together in medicine.
Date: May 28
Time: 4PM PT / 7PM ET
June 2026
Studying for boards can be stressful, but you don’t have to navigate it alone! Join us for a candid conversation with medical students and recent graduates who have been in your shoes. From building a study schedule, choosing study resources, and managing your well-being, we’ll cover practical strategies to help you perform your best on USMLE and COMLEX.
Date: TBA
July 2026
Are you stuck deciding between an MD or DO program? Are you unsure of what the difference between the two is? Join us for APAMSA’s Pre-Health Month as we explore the similarities, differences, and misconceptions between allopathic and osteopathic medicine. We’ll discuss differences in curriculum, licensing, philosophy of care, and residency competitiveness to help inform you of which path may be a better fit for you!
Date: TBA
August 2026
Your personal statement is your chance to tell your unique story—it’s important to make it memorable! Join us as our panelists explain what program directors are looking for in a standout ERAS application. From structuring your narrative to avoiding common pitfalls, our panelists will share practical tips to help your application shine!
Date: TBA
September 2026
So you got the interview for residency: now what? Join us to hear directly from program directors across a range of specialties on what makes a truly memorable interview. We’ll cover advice on interview preparation and common questions, professional etiquette, virtual vs. in-person formats, and best practices to convey authenticity and your true self.
Date: TBA
October 2026
Interested in creating a CV that opens doors and makes you shine? Join us as we walk through ways on how to structure, format, and tailor your medical CV for residency applications. Learn what to include, what you should leave out, and how to highlight your unique experiences in a way that stands out. Whether you’re building from scratch or polishing an existing draft, this session will have something for everyone!
Date: TBA
November 2026
Are you considering a research year and wondering if it’s right for you? Join us as we demystify dedicated research years in medical school. We’ll hear from medical students and physicians who have taken this path, exploring how research years work, what you can realistically accomplish, how they can impact your residency application, and how to make the most of the experience. Whether you’re driven by curiosity, career goals, or a competitive specialty, come find out if a research year belongs in your journey!
Date: TBA
Stay tuned for updates!
December 2026
Away rotations can be one of the most exciting (and nerve-wracking) parts of the residency application process. Join us as we break down what you ought to know about sub-internships: how to make a great impression, what attendings and residents are evaluating, and how away rotations can strengthen your application. Hear firsthand from students who have done them and residents who have seen them from the other side!
Date: TBA
January 2027
February 2027
March 2027
April 2027
Join us to learn from residents and early-career attendings about high-yield information that will help you prepare for sub-internships and your intern year. We’ll also discuss many high-yield topics relevant to third-year medical students preparing for clerkships, making our APAMSA Bootcamp Series valuable for a broad range of learners across the country (and even internationally).
Date: TBA