Essential CV Building Tips for DO Graduates in Transitional Year Residency

Understanding the Role of the CV in a Transitional Year Application

For a DO graduate targeting a Transitional Year (TY) residency, your CV is more than a list of experiences—it is a strategic document that explains your story, clarifies your goals, and reassures programs that you will be a reliable, high-performing intern.

Transitional Year programs differ widely: some are cushy, education-focused years before advanced specialties; others are heavy-service programs that emphasize clinical autonomy. As a DO graduate, you must show that you are well-prepared clinically, understand the osteopathic and allopathic landscapes, and have a clear plan for your future specialty.

In the context of the osteopathic residency match and the now-unified ACGME system, a strong CV can:

• Differentiate you among many similar applicants from both MD and DO schools
• Help explain non-linear paths (gap years, dual applying, re-applying)
• Showcase osteopathic-specific strengths (OPP/OMM, holistic care, community focus)
• Complement, not duplicate, your ERAS application and personal statement

This guide focuses on how to build a CV for residency specifically tailored to a DO graduate applying to Transitional Year programs, with practical residency CV tips and examples you can apply immediately.

---

Core Principles: What TY Programs Look for in a CV

Before you start writing, it’s essential to understand what a TY program director expects to see when they open your CV. Whether you’re aiming for a competitive preliminary year before a specialty like radiology, anesthesiology, or dermatology, or you’re still undecided, your CV should make these elements clear:

1. Clinical Readiness

   • Strong core rotations, solid evaluations, and evidence you can function safely as an intern.
   • Exposure to high-yield inpatient experiences (IM, surgery, emergency medicine).

2. Professional Maturity and Reliability

   • Longitudinal commitments, leadership roles, consistent work or volunteer history.
   • Evidence you can handle responsibility and follow through.

3. Alignment With a Future Direction

   • Even though a Transitional Year is broad, programs still want to see a plan (e.g., “TY before radiology” or “undecided but interested in internal medicine/family medicine”).
   • Your CV should not look random; it should suggest a coherent trajectory.

4. Osteopathic Identity and Integration into ACGME Environment

   • Comfort with both osteopathic principles and ACGME expectations.
   • OPP/OMM experience is a plus, even if you’re not aiming for an osteopathic residency match.

5. Professionalism and Attention to Detail

   • Error-free formatting, consistent style, and polished language.
   • No typos, misaligned dates, or sloppy structure.

When you build your medical student CV (now transitioning to a physician CV as a DO graduate), keep these goals at the center. Everything you include should serve at least one of them.

---

Structure and Formatting: The Ideal TY Residency CV Layout

A clean, familiar structure makes it easier for busy faculty and program directors to quickly assess you. The following outline works very well for a DO graduate residency CV targeting Transitional Year programs:

1. Contact Information & Professional Header
2. Education
3. Exams & Certifications (COMLEX/USMLE, BLS/ACLS, etc.)
4. Clinical Experience (Rotations & Sub-internships)
5. Research & Scholarly Activity
6. Work Experience (Non-clinical)
7. Leadership & Extracurricular Activities
8. Volunteer & Community Service
9. Honors & Awards
10. Skills & Interests (selective and professional)

You do not need to follow this order perfectly, but you should generally place your most residency-relevant sections near the top.

General Formatting Rules

• Length: 2–3 pages is appropriate for a DO graduate; more than 4 pages is usually excessive.
• Font: Use a professional, easy-to-read font (e.g., 11–12pt Calibri, Garamond, Times New Roman).
• Consistency:
  • Use one date format (e.g., “Jul 2022 – May 2023” or “07/2022–05/2023”).
  • Use the same bullet style and indentation throughout.
• File name: Use a clear, professional file name:
  • LastName_FirstName_DO_CV_TransitionalYear.pdf

While ERAS has its own structured application, many programs still request or download your uploaded CV. Treat it as a standalone document that matches but does not exactly duplicate the ERAS entries.

---

Section-by-Section Guide: How to Build a CV for a Transitional Year Residency

1. Header and Contact Information

Include:

• Full name (with professional suffix): e.g., Alexandra M. Rivera, DO
• Email address (professional, consistent with ERAS)
• Phone number
• City, state (full address is optional)
• Optional: LinkedIn profile or professional website if they are well-curated and up to date

Avoid including personal data like age, marital status, or photo unless required by a specific institution (in the U.S., they usually are not).

Example Header

Alexandra M. Rivera, DO
Email: alex.rivera@medmail.com | Phone: (555) 123-4567 | Houston, TX
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alexriveraDO

---

2. Education

List in reverse chronological order:

• Residency/preliminary program (if re-applying)
• Medical school (DO)
• Undergraduate degree
• Additional graduate degrees (if any)

Include:

• Institution name
• Degree and major
• Location (city, state)
• Graduation month/year
• Honors (e.g., cum laude, honors track) if significant

Example

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Worth, TX
Aug 2019 – May 2023

Bachelor of Science in Biology, Minor in Psychology
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Aug 2014 – May 2018, cum laude

For DO graduates, this section immediately establishes your osteopathic background, which some TY program directors view positively for holistic care and musculoskeletal expertise.

---

3. Exams and Certifications: Positioning COMLEX and USMLE

For a DO graduate residency CV, clarity around licensing exams is critical. Transitional Year programs want to know:

• Have you passed COMLEX (and at which levels)?
• Did you also take USMLE?
• Are there any gaps or failures that need context (addressed elsewhere, not on the CV)?

Recommended Structure

Board Examinations

• COMLEX-USA Level 1 – Passed, 06/2021
• COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE – Passed, 07/2022
• COMLEX-USA Level 2-PE – Passed, 10/2022 (if applicable to your cohort)
• USMLE Step 1 – Passed, 06/2021
• USMLE Step 2 CK – Passed, 08/2022

If you did not take USMLE, simply list COMLEX results. If you had a failure, you do not need to specify on the CV (ERAS will show it); you can address context in your personal statement or an advisor’s letter if needed.

Certifications
List current certifications relevant to intern-level practice:

• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), Expires 05/2026
• Basic Life Support (BLS), Expires 05/2026
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Expires 05/2026 (if completed)
• DEA License (if applicable for those already licensed and re-applying)

This immediately signals that you are clinically ready to function as an intern in a TY program.

---

4. Clinical Experience: Rotations, Sub-Is, and Osteopathic Training

For a Transitional Year residency CV, your clinical experiences are especially important because the TY program is primarily clinical and service-based.

How to Organize Clinical Experience

Create a section titled Clinical Experience or Clinical Clerkships, and list:

• Required Core Rotations: Internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, OB/GYN, psychiatry, family medicine.
• Electives/Sub-internships/Audition Rotations: Include any that support your intended advanced specialty or show depth in inpatient care (e.g., ICU, ED).

For each entry, include:

• Site name, department, and location
• Dates (month/year)
• Short 1–2 line description or bulleted highlights focusing on responsibility, volume, and skills

Example Entry

Acting Internship in Internal Medicine
University Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, San Antonio, TX
Aug 2022 (4 weeks)

• Managed a census of 6–8 inpatients under resident and attending supervision, including admissions, daily notes, and discharge planning.
• Participated actively in daily rounds, case presentations, and night float shifts, gaining experience with cross-coverage and acute care decisions.

Emphasize Experiences Valuable for TY Programs

Transitional Year programs appreciate:

• Inpatient internal medicine and surgery exposure
• Emergency medicine rotations
• ICU or critical care electives
• Exposure to a variety of patient populations (e.g., underserved, rural, urban academic centers)

If you completed osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM/OPP) clinics, you can include a brief entry to reflect your osteopathic training, especially if you plan to use those skills during your TY year.

---

5. Research and Scholarly Activity: Tailoring to Transitional Year

While TY programs are often less research-intensive than categorical specialties, scholarly activity still signals curiosity, discipline, and completion of academic projects.

Include:

• Peer-reviewed publications
• Abstracts, posters, presentations
• Quality improvement (QI) projects
• Case reports or clinical vignettes

Format each item consistently:

Example

Rivera AM, Johnson T, Lee S. “Implementation of Early Mobilization Protocols in a Community Hospital ICU.” Poster presented at the Society of Critical Care Medicine Annual Congress, San Francisco, CA, Jan 2023.

If you have limited research, emphasize:

• Any QI projects from rotations (e.g., improving handoff quality, reducing ED boarding time).
• Osteopathic scholarly projects (e.g., OPP outcomes, holistic care initiatives).

For a DO graduate, having even modest scholarly output can help you stand out in the osteopathic residency match and unified ACGME process, especially if you’re ultimately aiming for a competitive advanced specialty following your Transitional Year.

---

6. Work Experience: Showing Reliability and Real-World Skills

Non-clinical work can be very relevant for a TY program, especially if it demonstrates maturity, responsibility, and consistent performance over time.

Examples:

• Medical scribe work
• EMT/paramedic experience
• Teaching assistant or tutor
• Administrative roles in clinics
• Non-medical jobs (e.g., retail, service industry) that demonstrate work ethic

For each role, include:

• Job title
• Employer, location
• Dates
• 1–3 bullet points focusing on transferable skills: communication, teamwork, time management, conflict resolution.

Example

Medical Scribe
Community Internal Medicine Associates, Dallas, TX
Jun 2018 – Jul 2019

• Documented patient encounters for two attending physicians, averaging 20–25 patient notes per day in EPIC.
• Developed familiarity with outpatient internal medicine workflow, documentation standards, and patient-centered communication.

These experiences reassure program directors that you know how to show up, handle responsibility, and work on a team—the core of intern success in a TY program.

---

7. Leadership, Extracurriculars, and Osteopathic Involvement

Transitional Year residency programs value residents who contribute positively to the culture of the program.

Include roles such as:

• Class officer positions
• Student government
• AOA (American Osteopathic Association) or specialty-interest groups
• SIG leadership (e.g., Emergency Medicine Interest Group president)
• National organization involvement (e.g., SOMA, ACOFP, ACOI)

Example

President, Emergency Medicine Interest Group
Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Worth, TX
May 2021 – May 2022

• Organized monthly case-based workshops with EM faculty and residents, averaging 40+ student attendees.
• Coordinated simulation sessions focused on airway management and trauma resuscitation.

This section is particularly important for a DO graduate because it showcases your osteopathic identity and community engagement—elements that can be influential in both osteopathic and allopathic-leaning TY programs.

---

8. Volunteer and Community Service: Highlighting Osteopathic Values

Volunteer work can be a major strength on a DO graduate residency CV, because it aligns naturally with osteopathic principles of holistic, community-focused care.

Include:

• Free clinics
• Health fairs or screenings
• Osteopathic outreach (e.g., OMM at community events)
• Non-medical volunteer work with consistent involvement

Focus your bullet points on:

• Population served (e.g., uninsured, non-English speakers, rural communities)
• Your role (leadership, frontline, coordination)
• Any measurable impact (number of events, patients seen, etc.)

Example

Volunteer, Student-Run Free Clinic
Fort Worth Community Health Clinic, Fort Worth, TX
Sep 2020 – May 2023

• Performed H&Ps and patient education under supervision for underserved adult patients, averaging 2–3 clinic sessions per month.
• Collaborated with an interprofessional team to address social determinants of health, including insurance navigation and food insecurity resources.

These activities show TY programs that you bring compassion, team orientation, and a service mindset.

---

9. Honors, Awards, and Distinctions

This section can be short but meaningful. Examples:

• Dean’s List or academic honors
• National or regional scholarship awards
• Induction into Sigma Sigma Phi (osteopathic honor fraternity)
• Clinical honors on rotations (e.g., “Outstanding Student in Internal Medicine”)

List each with:

• Name of award
• Institution or organization
• Date

Even a few well-chosen honors can reinforce the impression that you are a high-performing candidate for a Transitional Year residency.

---

10. Skills and Interests: Humanizing and Differentiating You

This is where you can add personality while maintaining professionalism.

Skills can include:

• Languages (with proficiency level)
• EHR systems (EPIC, Cerner, Meditech)
• Basic procedural skills (e.g., phlebotomy, IV placement, airway skills from EMS background)
• Data analysis or statistical tools (SPSS, R) if you have research experience

Interests should be:

• Genuine; be prepared to talk about them in interviews.
• Brief; avoid long lists.
• Ideally, conversation starters that reflect teamwork, resilience, creativity, or cultural breadth (e.g., marathon running, classical piano, community gardening).

This section helps TY programs remember you as a person, not just a list of metrics.

---

Tailoring Your CV Specifically for Transitional Year Programs

Now that you have all the elements, the key is tailoring. The same CV should not be used unchanged if you’re applying to TY, prelim medicine, and categorical programs simultaneously.

Emphasize Broad Clinical Readiness

Transitional Year programs appreciate versatility:

• Make sure internal medicine, surgery, and EM experiences are easy to find.
• If you did sub-internships in multiple fields, highlight them prominently.
• Consider brief bullets that demonstrate readiness for cross-coverage, night float, and handling multiple responsibilities.

Clarify Your Long-Term Goal

Even though the TY is only one year, most directors want to know where you’re headed:

• Use rotation choices, research, and leadership to signal your likely advanced specialty (e.g., radiology, anesthesiology, PM&R).
• If you are undecided, make sure your experiences convey open-mindedness and strong generalist skills.

Leverage Your DO Background

As a DO graduate, highlight distinctive strengths:

• OPP/OMM exposure and experiences, especially in pain management or musculoskeletal complaints.
• Community-oriented projects or primary care outreach.
• Any osteopathic mentoring or leadership roles.

This positioning is beneficial whether you’re aiming at an osteopathic residency match pathway, an ACGME-only TY program, or both.

Align With Program-Specific Themes

When possible:

• Read a TY program’s website and note their emphasis (e.g., “strong ICU exposure,” “preparation for radiology/anesthesiology,” “global health track”).
• Reorder or subtly reframe experiences on your CV to highlight what that program values most.

You don’t need a separate CV for every program, but you might have one version for “heavy clinical / inpatient focused” TY programs and another for “academic / research friendly” TY programs if your application strategy is broad.

---

Practical Optimization Tips and Common Pitfalls

Residency CV Tips to Strengthen Your Application

• Quantify where possible: “Coordinated 10+ student volunteers per event,” “Presented 3 cases in morning report,” etc.
• Use strong action verbs: Managed, coordinated, implemented, led, developed, analyzed.
• Align with ERAS: Ensure dates, titles, and descriptions are consistent between your CV and ERAS entries.
• Ask for feedback: Have at least one faculty mentor and one peer review your CV.
• Update continuously: Add new presentations, awards, or completed rotations regularly, especially during application season.

Common CV Mistakes for DO Graduates Applying to TY Programs

• Overcrowded CV with every minor activity
  • Focus on depth and longitudinal commitment, not a long list of 2-hour events.
• Unexplained gaps in time
  • While the CV itself doesn’t explain them, make sure you can clearly discuss or address any timeline gaps (e.g., research year, LOA) in your personal statement or interviews.
• Inconsistent or overly casual tone
  • Avoid slang, humor, or personal opinions in descriptions.
• Redundant content with your personal statement
  • Overlap is natural, but the CV should add structure and detail, not repeat narratives.
• Not highlighting DO-specific strengths
  • If you never mention OPP, osteopathic organizations, or community-service projects, you’re underutilizing your unique background.

---

FAQs: CV Building for DO Graduates Pursuing a Transitional Year

1. How is a DO graduate residency CV different from a traditional medical student CV?
A DO graduate CV should transition from “student” to “physician” framing. It places greater emphasis on:

• Board exams (COMLEX and, if applicable, USMLE)
• Advanced clinical readiness and sub-internship performance
• Professional-level certifications and experiences
• Clear articulation of future specialty plans (especially important when using a Transitional Year as a stepping stone)

You’re no longer just listing school activities; you’re presenting yourself as a new physician ready for intern-level responsibility.

---

2. Do I need a separate CV for ERAS if everything is entered into the system already?
Yes. While ERAS collects structured data, many programs still download and review your PDF CV. A well-structured CV:

• Provides a single, coherent narrative of your path
• Can be used for direct emails to programs, networking, or off-cycle opportunities
• Creates a professional impression beyond the standardized ERAS fields

Match the content to ERAS but use the CV to control the flow and emphasis more effectively.

---

3. How should I list COMLEX versus USMLE scores on my CV for Transitional Year programs?
List both clearly under a “Board Examinations” heading, with pass status and dates. For example:

• COMLEX-USA Level 1 – Passed, 06/2021
• COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE – Passed, 07/2022
• USMLE Step 1 – Passed, 06/2021
• USMLE Step 2 CK – Passed, 08/2022

If you did not take USMLE, that is fine—just list COMLEX. Transitional Year programs are used to DO-only exam pathways.

---

4. I don’t have much research. Will this hurt my chances at a TY program?
For most Transitional Year residency programs, a lack of extensive research is not a deal-breaker. What matters more is:

• Solid clinical evaluations and core rotations
• Evidence of reliability, teamwork, and professionalism
• Some form of scholarly or QI engagement if possible (e.g., a clinic project, poster, or case report)

If you have minimal research experience, strengthen your CV with robust clinical descriptions, strong volunteer work, and leadership roles, and highlight any quality improvement or teaching projects you’ve undertaken.

---

By following these structures and strategies, you will create a compelling, polished CV that showcases you as a capable, osteopathically trained physician ready to thrive in a Transitional Year residency program and beyond.