CV Checklist for A Pre-Med, Medical School, or Residency CV
- Aubrey Jackson
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
A professional CV can set you apart when applying to medical school, residency, or fellowship. Whether you're at the beginning of your medical journey or deep into your training, this checklist will help you present your accomplishments with clarity and confidence. Let’s walk through exactly what your CV should include, how it should look, and what common mistakes to avoid.
Why a Great Medical CV Matters
More Than Just a Resume
A CV in medicine is more than a list of previous jobs: it's a reflection of your academic path, professional growth, and potential as a future physician.
Make the Right First Impression
Selection committees may spend just seconds scanning your CV. A clean, concise, and well-organized document ensures your strengths don’t get overlooked.
Formatting Essentials Every Medical CV Must Have
Layout and Design
Your CV should look professional at first glance. That means clean lines, matching fonts, and consistent formatting.
Basic Formatting Checklist
11 or 12-point font (Times New Roman or Calibri)
1-inch margins
Last name and page number on all pages starting with page 2
Entries in reverse chronological order
Personal mailing address, cell phone, and LinkedIn URL (optional)
Tailor Each Section for Maximal Impact
Education
List each institution, degree, and graduation dates. Include Latin honors (e.g., cum laude). Do not include activities from gap years here.
Residency Training
For residents, list this directly after education so it’s visible on the first page. Include specialty, institution, and dates.
Honors and Awards
Include all scholarships, honor societies, and academic awards (e.g., Dean’s List). You don’t need to include scholarship dollar amounts.
Extracurriculars and Community Service
Use bullet points with active verbs. Clarify your specific roles and dates. Avoid full sentences and keep your descriptions concise. Do not include shadowing or preceptorships.
Research, Presentations, and Publications
Research Experience
Bold the project title
State your role clearly (e.g., Research Assistant)
Include mentor’s name, degrees, and institution
Add 1–2 bullets summarizing the research and your contributions
Presentations and Publications
List all authors in the correct order
Bold your name
Include conference name, city, and date for presentations
Only include published or accepted work and omit anything still pending
Additional CV Sections to Strengthen Your Application
Professional Memberships
Include national organizations only (e.g., AMA, AMSA). Do not list campus interest groups here. Include only active memberships.
Work Experience
Include relevant roles with short bullet points describing responsibilities. Focus on transferable skills and professionalism.
Hobbies and Languages
Mention personal interests and any additional languages with fluency level noted (e.g., conversational Spanish).
More CV Tips
Keep It Updated
Maintain a living CV. Add experiences as they happen so you’re not starting from scratch each time.
Be Consistent
Check formatting, alignment, bullet points, and font size across the document. This shows attention to detail and professionalism.
Get a Second Opinion
Always ask someone to review your CV for grammar, structure, and clarity.
Build Your Medical School CV from Scratch with Expert Guidance
The course includes the following:
A downloadable CV template
Walkthrough videos
A discount on professional editing services after course completion
This is an ideal resource if you’re applying to away rotations, leadership positions, or residency. It's also vital to have a strong CV to send to letter of recommendation writers and for the Dean to write you an MSPE. Learn more about the course here.
A standout CV reflects the time, care, and professionalism you bring to your medical career. Use this checklist as a tool to ensure you're putting your best foot forward—no matter where you are in your medical journey.
If you’re looking for personalized help, visit my services page to learn more about one-on-one CV editing services.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to Craft a Standout Medical CV
1. What formatting should I use for a medical CV?
Use a clean and professional layout with 11–12 point font (Times New Roman or Calibri), 1-inch margins, and consistent headings and bullet points. Add your last name and page number starting on page 2.
2. What sections should I include in my medical CV?
Include education, residency training (if applicable), honors and awards, extracurriculars, research, presentations/publications, professional memberships, work experience, hobbies, and languages. Shadowing and preceptorships should not be included.
3. How should research and publications be listed?
For research, bold the project title, list your role, and provide a 1–2 bullet description. For presentations and publications, list all authors in order, bold your name, and only include accepted or published work.
