Strategies for Success: Preparing for the Application

Preparing an application for promotion requires a lot of work by the applicant and the assistance of multiple individuals both within and outside the medical school. Some academic tracks mandate the timing of application for promotion. Otherwise, promotion should only be undertaken if and when the applicant has a realistic concept of the requirements and timelines, is willing to devote time and effort to preparing an appropriate application, and is prepared to be entrepreneurial and persistent in seeking the necessary assistance. A suggested approach consists of groundwork to establish the essentials required for an application, seeking perspective on the wisdom of applying in this cycle, assessing personal readiness, and identifying available resources. Applicants should remain pragmatic and objective—sometimes, it is wise to postpone an application until the applicant has stronger credentials or has more time and resources to prepare an application with a higher probability of success.