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[asu_admit]

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[Chibucks15]

I'm applying to IM programs this fall. I was wondering if or how programs weed out applicants that are only applying to IM as a back-up plan. I know of many applicants that have no intentions of doing IM, but are applying for the sake of not going into SOAP or scrambling. I know that it's the same story with surgery applicants applying GAS as a back-up.

Applicants don't walk in and say, "Hey, you're just my back-up option," or even say that they're applying to another specialty, but do you think most programs are aware that they could just be a just in case safety valve?

It’s all about how your application looks. If your entire app is geared towards a specialty (letters, etc) then it’s pretty obvious

 

[Jbirdski]

Don't worry about other applicants. Just worry about the things you can control, i.e., your application, letters, personal statement, etc. People lie all the time in this process unfortunately, its part of the game. I met quite a few applicants with IM as backup, or told/emailed every program to say they were their number 1 choice... It happens, med students are neurotic. Makes me happy to be on the other side and done medical school.