3rd yr in need of help for '06 gas match

[invitro]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Okay....just about finished my 5th rotation (one more to go) and am strongly considering gas. However my step I score (225/91) isn't that hot. So....three questions for people who just finished the interview/match process.

-1- Should I take step 2 early (october) or late (dec) to compensate. Then again, does it really matter?

oh yeah, allopathic US MD student, middle-tier med school, top 20% of class, may have shot at AOA (honored one 3rd yr course, psych, HP 2, others pending)

I want to go to a university program that is solid, and it doesn't matter if it is top tier (like UVA/Pitt/penn state/jeff/WVU/galveston/maine medical/UNC). Mayo-Jax would be amazing, but I don't know if I measure up with the people there.

-2- Does it matter if I do an away? A couple of the students in the year ahead at my school told me it wasn't worth it (they got great interviews even without aways) but something tells me I should. What do you think?

Finally....

-3- Who should I get letters from? I am planning to get one from a peds attending, and two from gas attgs at my school. Anybody else?

BTW congrats on everyone who matched....you guys are so lucky to be done!!!!

Anyway, back to tending to the kiddies on peds....working with the neonates is really fun. Plus my resident is so beautiful/warm-hearted/opposite of the ob-gyn chief I was assigned to last rotation....life is good. Too bad she's married. 🙁

thanx!

 

[chicamedica]

I think what people here have been saying lots o' times in the past (and as is written about in the FAQ) is that a score in the 220s give you a great shot at middle tier programs, without having to do any aways.

can't help you with the LOR issue, sorry, wondering the same thing.

 

[cchoukal]

Step II: This is a common question, and my own opinion (it's just an opinion) is that unless you're going to do something radically different to prepare for Step II than for Step I, you can expect to do about the same on the two tests. If, because of rotations, other committments, or whatever, you can't commit to working much harder or differently for step II, then it probably won't matter when you take it.

Aways: I did one and interviewed at many top tier programs, but I was also AOA with a high step I, so who knows. I think anything you do outside of the regular medical school stuff, like an away rotation, says that you're serious, a hard worker, and willing to go above and beyond to get what you want. Again, an opinion, but if you're already "thinking you should," go for it. In addition to being a good career move, it was really fun and when you're done, you feel tough for having done it.

Letters: the advice I got was Anesthesiology, SICU, Medicine, but this is subjective. The best advice I got was to get letters from the biggest names that know you well, whatever THAT means. So if your medicine attending will get a "chair's letter" for you, do it; if you do an away at a big name, try to work with one person enough to justify asking for a letter from the big name program.

Hope that helps.

 

[SouthernGas]

Dude, Relax.

Your board scores are more than adequate for even the top programs (even Mayo). You LORs, clerkship evaluations, and anesthesia grade are more important.

 

[jtw]

I agree with the above. Your board scores are fine, even for the top programs. I took Step 2 very early, mainly for convenience to have one less thing to worry about, but it probably doesn't matter. As far as letters, I had 2 anes and 1 peds letter. The advice I got is that it is most important to ask people who know you well, regardless of the specialty. Getting a "big name" letter is a bonus, but it is of limited value if the person doesn't know you very well. Naturally, at least one gas letter is required.
As far as aways, if you have the time and $$, then definitely do it. It is by no means a requirement for matching into gas (I did one on the west coast, and matched on the east coast), but it definitely helps in terms of gaining experience and a different perspective, getting a letter, and being able to picture yourself in a different town/program.
Hope this is helpful. Good luck, and enjoy 4th year. It IS as good as advertised.

 

[Zeffer]

Good luck, and enjoy 4th year. It IS as good as advertised.

AMEN!!!!! 4th year rocks, especially post match! To the OP...you'll be just fine with your step I. If you think you will do as well on step II then take it early and get it out of the way otherwise take it later on. I would definitely take the CS portion as early as possible though. It is the biggest pain in the arse. As for doing an away I don't think it helps much but this is very program dependant. If you have a certain program in mind then I would talk to the program directly and see what their particular view on the matter is.