From Day One to Match Day: Why Early Advising Matters at WAUSM

Choosing a medical specialty requires thoughtful reflection, meaningful exploration, and time. At Western Atlantic University School of Medicine (WAUSM), our advising model begins as early as Welcome Week and continues throughout all four years of the MD Program, ensuring students receive continuous, developmentally aligned guidance as they progress toward a specialty choice.

As we continue our “Countdown to Match” series leading up to WAUSM’s very first residency Match in March 2026, our advising approach stands out as one of the most powerful ways we prepare future physicians for success. This model helps students understand their strengths, build meaningful experiences, and make informed decisions that align with their long‑term goals.

In this article, we’ll explore how WAUSM’s advising philosophy not only supports students’ academic progress but also builds the confidence and clarity needed to navigate the road to Match Day.

Success Starts Early

“As students enter their fourth year, everything we’ve built with them, from the small steps in pre-clerkship to early third year preparation, comes together. That’s when we begin assembling their full profile and walking them through every stage of the residency application process,” explains Danielle McDonald, vice president of student affairs.

Students receive comprehensive guidance on every stage of the residency application process delivered through a robust webinar series covering topics such as residency timelines, MSPE preparation, personal statements, letters of recommendations, NRMP registration, CARMS, and ranking strategies.

“Our advising goes beyond what students typically encounter prior to medical school as our approach is highly specialized and hands on. We review personal statements, provide detailed feedback, and even revise additional versions to ensure students submit the strongest application possible,” McDonald notes.

And it’s not just about creating a strong application; it’s about maximizing opportunity.

“A strong application is only the beginning. We help students build a residency strategy – everything from deciding which letters go where to targeting programs that align with their goals, training needs, or geographic preferences,” McDonald points out.

For students with specific needs, like visa sponsoring programs, WAUSM also provides tailored support.

“For students pursuing specific training environments or visa sponsoring programs, we help identify the right programs and craft a strategy that maximizes their chances of success,” she stresses.

Interview Preparation: Turning Strength on Paper into Strength in Person

Prior to students beginning to receive interview invitations, WAUSM continues to guide them.

“We prepare students to carry the strength of their paper application into the interview room. Through mock interviews we help them practice their responses, strengthen their confidence, and present themselves as the strong future colleagues and residents they are training to be,” McDonald explains.

Students can find it difficult to speak confidently about themselves, which is an essential part of the interview process.

“Students are comfortable talking about themselves, until they’re asked to do it in an interview,” McDonald says. “We help them replace ‘I hope’ with confident, evidence-based statements that reflect the effort, skill, and dedication they’ve shown since day one.”

One Clear Goal

According to McDonald, WAUSM’s goal is clear:

“Our mission is to ensure every student is fully prepared for this next step, supported, confident, and ready to open the doors they’ve worked so hard for.”