A student should choose surgery in general if they:

• love to be in the OR
• love to fix a problem with their hands
• love helping sick patients
• have a dedication to working hard 

A student could choose plastic surgery specifically because there is a breadth of very disparate subspecialties within plastics (microsurgery, hand surgery, craniofacial, aesthetics, etc.), each with their own appeal.

A student should choose plastic surgery if they:

• enjoy problem-solving
• have an interest in anatomy
• enjoy working with other specialties
• love helping patients in a distinct way

Plastic surgeons have the unique opportunity to operate all over the body and help patients with both form and function through various surgeries. It is a very technical and rewarding specialty for those who enjoy working with their hands.

It's recommended starting a research project or two so that it can be finished and published by the time you begin applying. Having multiple in-process projects which are unpublished is less impressive.

Logically, it is recommended to take the Plastic Surgery Sub-I.

Away rotations are strongly recommended for the integrated plastic surgery residency route, as this provides opportunities for students to work within other programs and obtain other letters of recommendation outside of their home institution. Away rotations should be treated as an interview for the program you are rotating at, as many students match at programs that they do away rotations at.

If you have a research mentor, and if you plan to continue research in residency, then it's recommended to get a fourth letter from this person. There are a few Pediatric Residency programs that still require a Chair Letter. Pay special attention to program application requirements.

In this specialty, research sets applicants apart in a competitive field and gives them something to talk about in their interviews. This research doesn't necessarily have to be specialty specific, but it would help if it was at least related to surgery and would be best if it were relevant to some domain of plastic surgery.

IU has one of the larger programs with 18 residents and Fellows in Plastic Surgery as well as Fellowships in Burns (two per year), Hand (two per year) and a Fellowship in Craniofacial Surgery It depends on which pathway. Integrated - 6 years plus any research time. Independent - 5 years of general surgery, plus any research time (now a part of many general surgery programs), plus 3 years of plastic surgery.)

For the independent pathway, secure at least one letter from a plastic surgeon, one from your general surgery program director, and another from a surgeon of any specialty who can provide a strong endorsement based on their familiarity with you.

For the integrated pathway, aim for multiple letters from plastic surgery faculty who can attest to your strengths. Establishing early relationships with several faculty through mentorship or research is beneficial. Whenever possible, gather a diverse range of letters, including from a research mentor, clinical faculty you've worked with, and a division or department leader.

The most valuable resource for prospective plastic surgery applicants is to engage with current residents and fellows. Their insights into their experiences, specialties, and preferences can provide invaluable guidance. Additionally, exploring the research areas and focuses of plastic surgery attendings at IU or other institutions can offer insight into potential areas of interest. Utilizing resources like the ACAPS website for medical student resources and application assistance materials can also aid in exploring plastic surgery as a specialty and navigating the application process.

The Plastic Surgery Interest Group offers students the chance to engage with plastic surgery residents and faculty. Residents and faculty are eager to meet with medical students and mentors as required.