The Ultimate Guide to Building a CV for Plastic Surgery Residency

Understanding the Plastic Surgery Residency CV Landscape

For an MD graduate targeting a plastic surgery residency, your CV is more than a list of activities—it is a strategic document that tells a coherent story about your readiness for a demanding, competitive specialty. Plastic surgery, especially the integrated plastics match, is consistently among the most competitive residency pathways in the allopathic medical school match. Program directors review hundreds of applications; your CV must rapidly communicate:

• Clear commitment to plastic surgery
• Evidence of academic and clinical excellence
• Sustained productivity (research, leadership, or innovation)
• Professionalism and maturity

Unlike a generic medical student CV, a plastic surgery–focused CV must highlight specialty-relevant experiences and achievements that show you understand the field and can contribute to it.

This article walks you through how to build a CV for residency as an MD graduate specifically aiming for plastic surgery, including structure, content, examples, and residency CV tips tailored to this highly selective specialty.

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Core Principles of a Strong Plastic Surgery Residency CV

Before diving into specific sections, anchor your approach to these core principles.

1. Clarity and Professionalism

Your CV should be:

• Easy to scan for busy program directors and faculty
• Cleanly formatted with consistent fonts, spacing, and headings
• Error-free: typos, inconsistent dates, and sloppy formatting can signal lack of attention to detail

Aim for a layout that allows reviewers to find the following within seconds:

• Education and key metrics (Step scores, class rank if strong)
• Plastic surgery–related research and publications
• Surgical and clinical experiences
• Leadership and extracurricular activities

2. Plastic Surgery-Relevant Focus

A strong MD graduate residency CV for plastic surgery doesn’t just show that you are a good medical student—it shows you are a future plastic surgeon. Emphasize:

• Research in plastic surgery or closely related fields
• Rotations, electives, and sub-internships in plastic surgery
• Exposure to reconstructive, aesthetic, hand, craniofacial, or burn surgery
• Activities showing manual dexterity and creativity (e.g., art, design, crafts, 3D printing)

3. Evidence of Longitudinal Commitment

Programs want to see that your interest in plastic surgery is sustained, not a last-minute decision.

On your CV, you should be able to demonstrate a timeline of engagement, for example:

• Early research project in first or second year
• Ongoing participation in a plastic surgery interest group
• Summer or dedicated research time with plastic surgeons
• Away rotations or sub-Is in your final year
• Presentations at specialty conferences (e.g., ASPS, ACAPS, local/regional plastic surgery meetings)

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Optimal CV Structure for Plastic Surgery Residency

There is no single mandatory format, but MD graduates applying to integrated plastic surgery programs should generally use a structure similar to this:

1. Contact Information
2. Education
3. Examination Scores and Academic Honors
4. Research Experience
5. Publications, Presentations, and Posters
6. Clinical Experience and Electives (with emphasis on plastic surgery)
7. Teaching and Mentoring
8. Leadership and Professional Activities
9. Volunteer Experience and Community Service
10. Skills and Additional Interests

Below is how to build each section thoughtfully, with residency CV tips and specialty-specific advice.

1. Contact Information

Include:

• Full name, MD
• Professional email address
• Mobile phone number
• Current mailing address (optional, but common)
• LinkedIn or professional website (if well curated and relevant)

Avoid:

• Personal photos on the CV (unless regionally standard and explicitly requested)
• Casual email addresses (e.g., hotdoc123@…)

Example:

John A. Smith, MD
Email: john.smith.md@email.com
Phone: (555) 555-1234
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnsmithmd

2. Education

List in reverse chronological order:

• MD degree (with institution, city, state, dates)
• Undergraduate degree
• Additional degrees (MS, MPH, PhD, etc.)

You may optionally include strong metrics:

• Class rank or percentile (if favorable)
• Cumulative GPA (undergrad), if notably strong
• Honors (e.g., AOA, Gold Humanism Honor Society, Dean’s List)

Example Entry:

Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Allopathic Medical School, University Hospital, City, State
2019 – 2023

• Graduated with Honors; Top 10% of class
• Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society

3. Examination Scores and Academic Honors

Some programs primarily see USMLE/COMLEX scores within the ERAS application, but including them on your CV is still common—especially if they are strong and you share your CV directly with faculty during sub-internships or networking.

Include:

• USMLE Step 1 (if numeric and strong) or “Pass”
• USMLE Step 2 CK score and percentile (if strong)
• National or institutional awards/scholarships
• Honor societies (AOA, GHHS)

Example:

Board Examinations

• USMLE Step 1: Pass (First Attempt)
• USMLE Step 2 CK: 261 (88th percentile, First Attempt)

Academic Honors and Awards

• AOA Honor Medical Society (Inducted 2022)
• Gold Humanism Honor Society (2022)
• Plastic Surgery Foundation Student Research Award (2021)

If your scores are average or below average, it is fine to list only “Pass” where applicable and let the ERAS application provide the details.

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Building the Plastic Surgery–Focused Core: Research and Publications

In the integrated plastics match, research productivity carries tremendous weight. Many successful applicants to plastic surgery residency programs have multiple publications, often as first or second author, and sometimes a dedicated research year.

4. Research Experience

This section should come early in your CV if it is a major strength. For each project, list:

• Project title
• Mentor(s) and department (include Plastic Surgery where applicable)
• Institution
• Dates (start–end; “Ongoing” if still active)
• Brief description of your role and the project impact (1–2 bullet points)

Example Entry:

Clinical Research Fellow, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Department of Surgery, University Hospital, City, State
2021 – 2022
Mentor: Dr. Emily Chang, MD

• Prospective study evaluating patient-reported outcomes after autologous vs implant-based breast reconstruction in 150 patients.
• Designed REDCap database, coordinated data collection, and conducted multivariate regression analysis.
• Led abstract submissions; resulting in two podium presentations at national plastic surgery meetings.

Use bullet points that emphasize:

• Your initiative and responsibility
• Methods (e.g., retrospective chart review, randomized trial, animal model, cadaveric study)
• Quantifiable achievements (sample size, number of abstracts/publications, awards)

5. Publications, Presentations, and Posters

This section showcases your academic productivity and should be meticulously formatted and kept up to date. Divide it into subsections:

• Peer-reviewed Publications
• Accepted/In Press Manuscripts
• Submitted Manuscripts
• Abstracts, Posters, and Oral Presentations
• Book Chapters (if applicable)

Follow a standard citation format (e.g., AMA). Bold your name to highlight your contribution.

Example: Peer-reviewed Publications

1. Smith JA, Chang E, Patel R, et al. Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Autologous vs Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction: A Prospective Cohort Study. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2023;152(3):123-131.
2. Smith JA, Nguyen T, Lopez A. Use of 3D-Printed Models in Preoperative Planning for Complex Hand Fractures: A Case Series. J Hand Surg Am. 2022;47(5):456-462.

Example: Abstracts and Presentations

1. Smith JA, Johnson K, Chang E. Comparative Outcomes of Prepectoral vs Subpectoral Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction. Oral presentation at: American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting; October 2022; Boston, MA.
2. Smith JA, Martinez L. Evaluating Telemedicine for Postoperative Follow-Up in Plastic Surgery Patients. Poster presented at: Regional Plastic Surgery Research Day; April 2021; City, State.

MD graduate residency tip: If your publications are outside plastic surgery (e.g., internal medicine or pediatrics), still include them—they demonstrate scholarly ability. However, try to front-load plastic surgery–related work by:

• Grouping plastic surgery publications first under each heading
• Briefly emphasizing the plastic surgery angle in non-plastics publications via your research description

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Clinical, Leadership, and Extracurricular Sections That Stand Out

6. Clinical Experience and Electives

For an MD graduate targeting an integrated plastics match, your clinical section should highlight:

• Core clinical rotations (brief list)
• Sub-internships (sub-Is) in plastic surgery and related surgical fields
• Away rotations at other plastic surgery programs
• Observerships or preclinical shadowing with plastic surgeons (if meaningful and substantial)

Example Structure:

Clinical Rotations
Allopathic Medical School, University Hospital, City, State
2019 – 2023

• Surgery Core Clerkship, Honors
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Elective (4 weeks), Honors
• Sub-Internship, Plastic Surgery (Home Program; 4 weeks)
• Sub-Internship, Plastic Surgery (Away Rotation – Institution X; 4 weeks)
• Sub-Internship, Surgical ICU (4 weeks)

For important plastic surgery rotations, add 1–2 bullets:

• Participated in a broad range of reconstructive and aesthetic procedures including breast reconstruction, hand trauma, and microsurgical cases.
• Delivered a well-received case presentation on complex lower extremity reconstruction, praised for clear surgical planning and literature review.

7. Teaching and Mentoring

Plastic surgery is academic and teaching-intensive. Show that you can educate others:

• Small group tutor for preclinical anatomy
• Mentor for junior medical students or pre-med students
• Skills workshops you helped organize (e.g., suturing clinics, simulation labs)

Example:

Peer Tutor, Anatomy and Surgical Skills
Allopathic Medical School, City, State
2020 – 2022

• Led weekly anatomy review sessions for first-year medical students, focusing on head and neck, upper extremity, and reconstructive principles.
• Co-facilitated a suturing and wound closure workshop for 30 students, demonstrating basic and intermediate techniques.

8. Leadership and Professional Activities

Integrated plastic surgery residency programs look for residents who will become leaders—academic, clinical, and organizational. Highlight:

• Positions in student organizations (especially surgery or plastic surgery interest groups)
• Roles in national organizations (ASPS, local surgical societies)
• Committee work (curriculum, diversity, wellness)

Example:

President, Plastic Surgery Interest Group
Allopathic Medical School, City, State
2020 – 2022

• Organized 8 annual events including resident panels, suture workshops, and faculty career talks, with average attendance of 40+ students.
• Initiated a mentorship program pairing 30 preclinical students with plastic surgery residents.

9. Volunteer Experience and Community Service

Plastic surgery has a strong tradition of service, including reconstructive missions and charity work. Programs value applicants who demonstrate genuine commitment to patient-centered care.

Examples to include:

• Local free clinics
• Community health outreach
• Surgical mission trips (only if ethically conducted and supervised)

Example:

Volunteer, Free Surgical Screening Clinic
Community Health Center, City, State
2019 – 2022

• Assisted with preoperative evaluations and counseling for underserved patients needing minor surgical procedures.
• Developed patient education materials on wound care and scar management.

10. Skills and Additional Interests

This section can subtly reinforce your fit for plastic surgery and help programs remember you.

Include:

• Technical skills: suturing, microsurgery lab exposure, 3D printing, CAD software
• Language skills
• Software: statistical packages (R, STATA, SPSS), graphic design tools (for figures/posters)
• Hobbies that show manual dexterity, visual-spatial skills, or discipline (e.g., drawing, sculpture, woodworking, photography, classical instrument)

Example:

Technical and Research Skills

• Basic microsurgical technique (lab course, rat femoral artery model)
• 3D printing and modeling (Fusion 360) for preoperative planning
• Statistical analysis with R and SPSS

Languages

• Spanish (conversational)

Interests

• Portrait drawing and digital illustration
• Amateur woodworking (furniture building)

These details help interviewers remember you and can create natural conversation starters.

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Strategic Tips: How to Build a CV for Residency in Plastic Surgery

Now that you know what goes into each section, here are strategic residency CV tips specific to an MD graduate residency applicant in plastic surgery.

Prioritize Impact Over Volume

Selection committees often prefer:

• A few meaningful leadership roles over long lists of minor roles
• Longitudinal research with tangible output over many short-lived projects
• Deep involvement in one or two organizations over surface-level membership in many

On your medical student CV:

• Remove or minimize short-term, low-impact activities from early undergrad that don’t add much value
• Emphasize continuity: show you took projects from concept to completion (e.g., proposal → data → abstract → publication)

Tailor the CV to the Plastic Surgery Audience

When sending your CV directly to plastic surgeons (for research positions, sub-I applications, or mentoring):

• Move plastic surgery research and clinical experiences closer to the top
• Group plastic surgery–related content together so the theme is unmistakable
• Use descriptive bullet points that name “plastic surgery,” “reconstructive,” “aesthetic,” “microsurgery,” or “hand surgery” explicitly

Quantify Achievements Wherever Possible

Numbers make your impact clear and credible:

• “Coordinated data collection for 120 patients over 18 months.”
• “Led a 6-member student team to organize a suturing workshop attended by 45 students.”
• “Increased interest group membership by 60% over one year.”

The integrated plastics match reward applicants who show they can deliver results; quantification is one way to demonstrate that.

Keep Length Appropriate and Focused

As an MD graduate:

• A typical plastic surgery residency CV runs 3–6 pages, depending on research productivity.
• Early in medical school, shorter is appropriate; by fourth year, a more extensive CV is normal, especially if you have significant research.

Avoid padding your CV with:

• Unrelated high school activities
• Very brief experiences (<1 month) unless they are uniquely impressive or plastic surgery–specific
• Redundant descriptions of routine clerkship tasks

Maintain Consistency With ERAS and Other Application Materials

Your CV must align with:

• ERAS entries and dates
• Personal statement narrative
• Letters of recommendation and described roles

Inconsistencies in dates or roles can raise red flags. Before final submission:

• Cross-check each research project, leadership role, and date between your CV and ERAS.
• Keep a “master CV” that you update regularly and a shorter “tailored CV” for different uses (e.g., emailing a potential mentor vs. sending to a program director).

Use Professional Formatting and File Naming

When sending your CV:

• Save as PDF to preserve formatting
• Use a professional file name: Lastname_Firstname_MD_CV_2025.pdf
• Avoid fancy fonts; use standard fonts (Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri) and consistent heading styles

Consider asking:

• A plastic surgery resident mentor
• A faculty advisor
• Your medical school’s career office

to review your CV specifically for clarity, impact, and alignment with plastic surgery expectations.

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Common Pitfalls to Avoid on a Plastic Surgery Residency CV

Even strong applicants make avoidable mistakes. Be mindful of:

1. Overstating Roles or Contributions

Faculty know how much autonomy medical students typically have. Exaggeration—like claiming you “independently performed complex reconstructive procedures”—damages credibility.

Instead:

• Use accurate verbs: “assisted,” “participated,” “contributed to,” “led data collection for,” “co-authored”
• Be honest about authorship order and responsibilities

2. Vague Descriptions of Research

Entries like “Plastic surgery research, 2021–2023” without details suggest low engagement. Always specify:

• Study type (retrospective review, prospective cohort, basic science, etc.)
• General topic (breast reconstruction, wound healing, craniofacial anomalies)
• Your responsibilities (data collection, statistical analysis, manuscript drafting)

3. Neglecting Non-Plastic Surgery Strengths

While your focus is plastic surgery, don’t underplay:

• Strong internal medicine, pediatrics, or OB/GYN performances
• Non-surgical research that shows rigorous methodology
• Leadership in school-wide organizations

These demonstrate breadth and professionalism and can distinguish you in a field where many applicants have similar specialty-related experiences.

4. Cluttered or Inconsistent Formatting

Common issues:

• Inconsistent date formats (e.g., “06/2021–08/2022” vs. “June 2021 – August 2022”)
• Random font changes
• Long paragraphs instead of bullet points

Adopt a uniform style and stick to it throughout.

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FAQs: CV Building for MD Graduate in Plastic Surgery

1. How early in medical school should I start building my plastic surgery CV?

Ideally, start in your first or second year:

• Join a plastic surgery interest group
• Seek a mentor in the plastic surgery department
• Begin a small research project or help with data collection

This early involvement allows you to accumulate meaningful activities over time rather than rushing to fill your CV in the final year. Even if you decided later, focus now on high-yield experiences (research, sub-Is, and strong letters).

2. How many publications do I need for an integrated plastics match?

There is no fixed number, but in recent years many successful applicants report:

• Multiple research experiences
• Several abstracts and presentations
• Often 2–5+ peer-reviewed publications, with at least some related to plastic surgery

However, quality and relevance matter more than sheer quantity. A smaller number of well-conceived plastic surgery projects with clear impact can be competitive, especially paired with strong clinical performance and letters.

3. Should I include hobbies and non-medical interests on my residency CV?

Yes—briefly. Plastic surgery values creativity, manual skills, and well-rounded personalities. Including interests such as painting, photography, sculpture, architecture, or musical performance can reinforce your fit with the specialty and provide interview talking points. Keep this section concise and professional, avoiding anything overly personal or controversial.

4. How should my CV differ from my ERAS application?

Your ERAS application is structured and limited by platform design, while your CV is a flexible, narrative-friendly document. Use your CV to:

• Present a visually clear, customized narrative emphasizing plastic surgery
• Group related content (e.g., plastic surgery research, clinical exposure) more intuitively
• Provide a polished PDF to share with mentors, letter writers, and program representatives

Both should contain the same factual information, but your CV allows for more control over layout, order, and emphasis.

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By approaching your CV as a strategic, evolving document rather than a static list, you can show plastic surgery programs that you are not only accomplished, but also focused, reliable, and genuinely committed to the field. As an MD graduate entering the allopathic medical school match, your residency CV is one of your most powerful tools—invest the time to craft it thoughtfully, and align every section with the story of you as a future plastic surgeon.