Hey guys,

Anybody have any info on what kind of stats needed to get interviews at these schools?


BID
BW
BU
TUFTS

Thanks for the help.

So, Im actually a 4th year at BU right now and after talking to my program director about this, I think I have a pretty good handle on what they are looking for. We send a lot of kids into our own program and the BI as well. One or two will go to BW or MGH.

My program director says the most important things are an Honors in medicine, an Honors in your Sub-I, and good board scores (both 1 and 2). I was suprised when he told me that you should take your step 2 early in the 4th year even if you did well on step 1. He said it is basically the only way to distinguish yourself in your 4th year. Everybody gets honors in the electives, so that isnt very impressive. I would say you would want above a 220 or so. The schools you listed are all above average programs, so you would want above average scores. But as they always say, it is the whole picture that matters and not just your scores so dont freak if your scores arent stellar. The strength of your medical school also matters. If you are at like a top 25 school, that will help you. Finally another honors or two in 3rd year would be nice, but medicine is by far the most important. Preclinical grades dont matter much.

The BI is very similar in terms of competetiveness. My understanding is that it is a strong program, but the program director is not one that always "goes to bat" for the residents. It obvioulsy is a Harvard affiliate, and that is always nice, but it isnt anywhere near as prestigious as BW or MGH. In fact, I would rather do a residency at BU probably (biased). Faculty I have talked with would obviously agree, but again, they are biased.

As far as Tufts is concerned, I know a lot less. My feeling is that it is the least competetive of all the ones you mentioned. Still a very strong program, but I dont think it is as prestegous as the others. Probably the easiest to get an interview at...

BW and MGH are in a class of their own. These are both fantastic programs, but you would definetely have to be at the top of your class with excellent board scores. That being said, there is no harm in applying! The only thing about the harvard programs is that I hear than can be a bit stuffy. Have to wear short coats... old school in that regard.

I suppose I could tell you a little more about BU. We work mainly in two hospitals in Boston that are literally across the street from one another and at the VA across town. We have mostly an immigrant and uderserved population. very diverse. This distinguishes it from the Harvard programs in that they serve more patients with private insurace, middle class, etc. You see a lot of interesting pathology and you will work very hard. You will have a ton of autonomy. However, BU places its fellowships EXTREMELY well. You will have no problems doing cards of GI or whatever out of here.... and the program director is great.

Hope this helps




Hey guys,

Anybody have any info on what kind of stats needed to get interviews at these schools?


BID
BW
BU
TUFTS

Thanks for the help.

My program director says the most important things are an Honors in medicine, an Honors in your Sub-I, and good board scores (both 1 and 2).

Great post bipperbear. Thanks for the info.

What about those of us that didn't get Honors in the IM rotation, (High pass) but still had decent board scores (mid-230s, mid-240s) and Honors in the Sub-I.

Do I need to have something additional (e.g., papers, research) to get those coveted interview slots at BI, BW, MGH, BU?

I would say with your board scores, you are well above any cutoff point that BU or BI would set, and probably BW and MGH for that matter. As long as you honored maybe one or two rotations in 3rd year, I would say you will absolutely get an interview at BU and BI. As far as BW and MGH, that will be a lot tougher. Like I said, though, your board scores will keep the doors open for you. THe problem is that these programs (BW and MGH) get hundreds of applicants with those scores or better. That's where the whole picture of grades, school rep, research, etc comes into play.

If you REALLY want to do BW or MGH, I would say do a rotation there, and talk to your program director about how realistic it is (School program directors all know each other :) ).

As far as research is concerned, yes, some meaningful research and publications would help, but I doubt scrambling to do something now would help much if at all.

The good news is that I think you sound like a strong applicant in general. I dont know the strength of your school, but if it is reasonable, I would say you have a good chance at getting an interview almost anywhere you apply.