3rd year DO student trying for cards

[gikthechamp]

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So I'm in the NJ/NY area right now doing rotations. I'd either like to stay in the northeast or Chicago area for residency and hope to apply for a cardio fellowship when the time comes. I'm a DO student with a 236/99 step 1. I have authorships to a couple conference papers from undergrad in biomedical engineering but did not present and am not 1st author. I also did some epidemiology research last summer but don't have a publication to show for it. Are there any programs I should be looking at? I'm a little discouraged at the overall DO-unfriendliness of the NY area. Thanks!

 

[dragonfly99]

That is a good Step 1 score...you seem to have at least some research background as well, which will help. See if you can do at least 1 month of cardiology during 4th year, in addition to your sub-I, and then try to spend a month or two doing some sort of research with a cardiology faculty member.
I'm not familiar with the NYC area so I can't give specific info about that. I'm also not that familiar with Chicago. I would think that some IM programs like UIC, Rush, etc. might give you a look (for IM and possibly cardiology also). In your situation you need to think outside the box, look at IM programs in placed like Iowa, Kentucky, North Carolina, etc. (pick some other states where you'd be willing to spend time). Or if not that, then perhaps places like Dartmouth (used to take DO's into their IM residency, I know...), maybe upstate New York, placed other than Manhattan and city of Chicago where you'll be competing against more people for residency and/or fellowship.
Just be persistent...even MD students/interns/residents have to be persistent to get cardiology...and persistent counts, ultimately.

 

[BGriffin]

I didn't see any do's at any of my cards or medicine interviews, but I suspect if you go to the "best" (most academically prestigious) IM program that would enhance your chances. Papers might help a little but not as much as coming from Hopkins or brigham or Columbia, but they don't take do's that I know of. But definitely go to a university program with a decent cards program where you can get good letters.

So I'm in the NJ/NY area right now doing rotations. I'd either like to stay in the northeast or Chicago area for residency and hope to apply for a cardio fellowship when the time comes. I'm a DO student with a 236/99 step 1. I have authorships to a couple conference papers from undergrad in biomedical engineering but did not present and am not 1st author. I also did some epidemiology research last summer but don't have a publication to show for it. Are there any programs I should be looking at? I'm a little discouraged at the overall DO-unfriendliness of the NY area. Thanks!