See you out there on the interview trail this fall!
I'm going for the DO slots this year. Going to be doing some urology rotations starting in august-november. For now it's studying for boards so I can shine. My step I COMLEX wasn't stellar so I'm hoping to lay the smack down on Step II.
I am currently trying to setup another urology rotation for september at one of my top choices. I figured I'd drive up there and try to speak with the program director face to face. Might have a better shot at getting a rotation slot that way.
Thanks for the advice
For you DO applicants for 2008 match, I've freed up 4 spots for ya since I have not ranked any programs! My best to everyone!
I know, my bad, but that's what it is all about...finding what drives me more. Don't get me wrong, I love procedures but I think I like the thought process behind patient care more. Thinking IM with a fellowship in either GI, Endocrine, ID, or Oncology.). Express interest to the PD! . You future urologists have my utmost respect! Well a number of reasons:
#1: Getting married: As malignant as a surgical residency can be, I was prepared to plow through it on my own. Now that I am getting married on March 29th, I've learned I have to consider someone else other than myself in my career plans. I know that urology will have some long hours associated with it.
#2: My sewing ability: I have good hand-eye coordination and a steady hand. I can drive a scope like it was an xbox controller. I can blast a stone with a laser fiber. However, I suck at tying knots in tight spaces. I realize this is something that would get better with practice but the realization came to me when trying to throw some stitches during a pyeloplasty. I just have issues when tying surgical knots, especially the one handed ones.
#3: My draw towards medicine: I've been reprimanded more than once for writing Internal Medicine length notes on a handful of surgical patients.
#4: About 3 weeks ago, when I was feeling unsure about my career choice, I prayed that a door would open wide or God would slam it shut on urology. I became increasingly disinterested over the next week. I flat out asked the PD if I had a shot and was told that I was one of 3 candidates to interview and was told I was ranked #2 for a 1 slot program. That was the final decision maker for me.
#5: After making this decision, I can actually sleep easy at night again! I would toss and turn wondering if I made the right decision but I feel more at peace now. I realize I decided to go into urology originally based on the fact that all of my previous medical experience was working with urologists. Kind of a comfort thing.
Now my advice to you all future colleagues and urologists. Figure out that you want to do urology ASAP in your 3rd year...heck even your 2nd. Score high on USMLE/COMLEX Step I/II. Find as many urologists as possible as connections to one particular program you want to goto. Spend as much time as possible there in 3rd/4th year doing research projects and getting in face time. Do research at that program (and don't let others steal it
Above all though, I believe it comes down to face time. At least that was what was explained to me at my #1 pick.
It's a shame we can't have more time to pick a specialty in our clinical years. However, be swift and strike fast
See you on the flip side and rest assured that if you get a consult request from me, I know what I'm doing and I promise it won't be something that wastes your time.
Much love,
Richie
Was speaking of ureteral stones and bladder stones but still racking my brain on this one. 
A lil' help here *shoots you a confused look*
Read this one 3 times and don't get it. If you are poking fun at me, explain so I can play too!
<shudders at thinking of 8 hour rounds>
Sorry for the late reply. Doing my audition urology rotations right now so been getting up at 4:30am for rounds everyday to shine.
For Allo Urology, you are going to need a USMLE above 220+ to stay competitive as there are alot of applicants for a handful of spots. Apply very early in the cycle too and get a strong letter from your urology faculty.
Best of luck out there.
Ok need to go back and study so I can live my pee soaked urology dream.
Just some general stuff first:
DO programs don't look at USMLE scores just COMLEX scores, so do well on COMLEX if you can. Don't forget to study sacral/cranial OMT for that thing. Savarese (the big OMT Review green book) is the book of choice for that section.
As for board score competitiveness, just do the best you can on USMLE and shoot for above whatever number is considered "above average" this year.
I believe audition rotations are *THE* key to matching uro regardless of board scores. Set them up early and go for it!
As for rectal/genital exams: You get used to it. You do them in medicine also. If I don't do a rectal on someone who hasn't had one in awhile or is anemic, I'm not doing my job.
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As an aside.
Wow didn't realize this would start a mini flame war, of course I've gotten some correspondence from some friends I used to see at AUA meetings baffled by my decision. To each their own I guess.
As for the comment regarding the pyeloplasty, I didn't get the chance to reanastamose the ureter to the renal pelvis because I lacked the manual dexterity to do the fine suturing required. The senior resident ended up doing that and did a darn good job of doing so. Kinda shocked and scared the heck out of me also, but maybe they were rattling my cage to see if I had nerve. Who knows.
Let's get this straight now. Holy smokes, I'm not belittling surgical fields at all. It takes a hell of a lot of personal sacrifice to survive a 5 year surgical residency and if you have the motive and drive to go for it, I say go for it. Looking back at everything the past few months, I am definitely happy with my decision. My life is different now than it was in my 3rd year when I was single and driven to do whatever it took no matter the cost. Starting a family changed things for me personally, which may or may not for you.
Medicine and surgery are definitely two different worlds. But what it comes down to is what you are exposed to on a regular basis and how much you read about things you aren't exposed to. I could tell stories about a urology PD who didn't know how to work up a GI bleed or medicine attendings who couldn't work up an acute abdomen, but it just doesn't matter. I realize I could be in one of those situations myself someday due to getting academic "tunnel vision" but all I can do is try my best to read daily and continue lifelong learning. All that matters in the long run is that we work together as a team for the good of our patients.
So regardless, you can write me off as just a "bottom-feeding unintelligent Family Medicine doc" or understand why I pulled the plug on all surgical programs (not just uro) the day before the DO match. What is done is done. All I want to do is encourage people who want to do urology to keep on going. I've got nothing to hide, hence why I use my real name on the forums. Re-reading my post, I don't know how I could have been more honest and down-to-earth about things. I guess you can read into everything on the ole internet.
Urology is a fun field with lots of procedures, good money and a decent lifestyle once you get past residency. You also get to work with urological colleagues with alot of personality who are generally fun individuals. If you want it bad enough, go for it I say.
To all of the urologists I met during my years traveling to AUA meetings while developing vascenter.com and urostonecenter.com, thanks for your friendship and support. I'm truly glad I went to medical school. Hope you continue to receive patient referrals thru my previous efforts.
Blast a bladder stone for me, mmmkay?
. Wish you the best in your future, good luck!! 
