505 COMLEX 1/No Step 1 Score. Competitive enough for Psych?

[Peach Newport]

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To not out myself entirely. I have 24x, a 26x and high COMLEX scores. I had 15 interviews out of 70 to 90 programs. 10 of them were Mid-tier programs. not a single high tier. 3 of them were from Sub-Is. A couple of programs I had to send LOIs to get out of their filters. Many programs I was the only DO applicant in the room. Psychiatry this year was an absolute crap show.

I will not understate that if you're considering psychiatry and you're not packing a solid set of scores you'll need to be applying extremely heavily towards the lower tier programs and need to consider back ups if you don't want to try to scramble/try next year.

Hey Celty, few questions, do you have research, big name LORS, or previous psych experience? Are you mostly applying to programs in the Midwest or everywhere? Do you have any particularly special achievements?

Would you feel comfortable sharing the names of some mid tiers you’ve gotten interviews at?

For what it’s worth, I know a guy who’s psych faculty at a top 10 program. He’s just one guy, but when I asked him about a very high-scoring DO’s chance at a place like Uchicago or NYU, he, uh...was not enthusiastic.

From what I’ve gathered, it’s actually not so much psych as a field, but Psych programs in urban areas that are getting very competitive very quickly.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Hey Celty, few questions, do you have research, big name LORS, or previous psych experience? Are you mostly applying to programs in the Midwest or everywhere? Do you have any particularly special achievements?

Would you feel comfortable sharing the names of some mid tiers you’ve gotten interviews at?

For what it’s worth, I know a guy who’s psych faculty at a top 10 program. He’s just one guy, but when I asked him about a very high-scoring DO’s chance at a place like Uchicago or NYU, he, uh...was not enthusiastic.

From what I’ve gathered, it’s actually not so much psych as a field, but Psych programs in urban areas that are getting very competitive very quickly.

Uchicago rides the name of the institute and isnt actually a very impressive program. Lots of less impressive applicants have chances of getting interviews there.

I applied everywhere except California. I had solid LORs including some solid names. I had some research.

most of my mid tier programs were very solid programs. Dont get me wrong many of them are impressive institutes and many DO applicants would drool at the chance to interview where I did.

The problem is psych is as a whole field becoming more competitive. The more urban programs more so because the truth is they offer better if not honestly adequate training in domains of psychiatry. And psych programs are very fit dependent. I.e do you want biological or do you want to know how to do therapy well.

Most residents can tell you that its harder to know how to talk to people than it is to manage their meds.

Sent from my SM-G950U using SDN mobile

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

but sure feel free to message me as well.

Sent from my SM-G950U using SDN mobile

 

[alprazoslam]

Crazy. When I was applying I went IM as a backup, didn't even send a personal statement, and got replies from 4/8 versus 10/60 in psych

May have something to do w not good boards on his part

 

[Candidate2017]

I’ve been told on several occasions by people who work in mental health that I have a calming demeanor and would be a good fit, disposition-wise. I’m happy to hear that such things are taken into consideration.

And you’re saying apply FM (or in my case, peds would be a more appropriate backup) and then go for PGY2 positions? I’m not tied down region-wise, at least not so long as it would take to train.

Thanks doc!

I'm not an expert on transferring since I've never done it. As I understand it, psych programs will give a non-psych resident credit for IM and neuro months but not full PGY-1 credit. I really can't say if you should back up with FM/peds/TY/etc, as I was speaking only about my plan when I applied (apply all-in to psych, let the chips fall, scramble into FM if needed). Only you know your competitiveness and risk tolerance.

There are about 10 places that offer a 2 year child psych fellowship for peds-trained docs. So there's that. I don't know how competitive they are. Good luck whatever you choose.