Advice Needed Please!

[fuego]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi- I'm finishing medical school now, and have secured a transitional residency for the upcoming year. I am really interested in Anesthesiology, however, I am not sure of what my chances of matching are.

My step 1 200-82, step 2CK 197-80, failed CS on first attempt, and subsequently passed it. I am studying for the step 3 currently.

I had a sick parent with cancer while I was in school, and this really had me unfocused during the basic science years. I was able to re-take 2 courses I had failed, however, this took me one extra year in medical school. Some honors during the clinical years, and two research experiences.

Previous to medical school, I worked for a pharmaceutical company, had a publication in a peer-reviewed article and have a strong chemistry background.

How do these factors play into getting anesthesia?

I am a US citizen at an LCME accredited school.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

 

[Antigunner]

I think the biggest obstacle that you're going to run into is that a lot (most? all?) programs have a cutoff for Step 1 scores that you're likely to be below. Unfortunately (unlike the MCAT), you don't have the option of retaking it to increase your scores, so I would say your best bet would be to try and open lines of communication with programs you might be interested in. I would imagine that if you're successful with that, you'd have a better chance of getting some interviews.

Hope that helps - best of luck to you

 

[Mac4]

Your best shot is your home program. Get to know the PD, do WELL in your anesthesia rotation, etc. You would need a backup plan (pre-lim, FP..) also.

 

[coprolalia]

Hi- I'm finishing medical school now, and have secured a transitional residency for the upcoming year. I am really interested in Anesthesiology, however, I am not sure of what my chances of matching are.

My step 1 200-82, step 2CK 197-80, failed CS on first attempt, and subsequently passed it. I am studying for the step 3 currently.

I had a sick parent with cancer while I was in school, and this really had me unfocused during the basic science years. I was able to re-take 2 courses I had failed, however, this took me one extra year in medical school. Some honors during the clinical years, and two research experiences.

Previous to medical school, I worked for a pharmaceutical company, had a publication in a peer-reviewed article and have a strong chemistry background.

How do these factors play into getting anesthesia?

I am a US citizen at an LCME accredited school.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

Just don't make excuses. If you are going to mention this, put a positive spin on it such as, "I still managed to keep my commitments to my education despite having a difficult family crisis to deal with during this time. Now that this is behind me, I know that I can focus on and succeed in any program that is willing to offer the opportunity to prove that I am capable of becoming an excellent clinician."

Good luck.

-copro

 

[fuego]

Thank you so much for your responses!

 

[lfesiam]

I empathized with the position that you were in.

Agreed with the above advices. Best shot is at your home program. Get to know the PD well, tell him/her your story. I would apply to every programs + have a back up plan. Complete internal medicine/peds/etc... then re-apply to Anesthesiology as a 2nd specialty. Other options: complete step 3 + get a license early and work part time as a general practitioner for a year or two (earning a decent income) while completing an MBA, MPH, NIH research year & apply to Anes.

Your steps scores aren't the end of the world. I think you will have a shot at matching. Getting through the interview invites cut off is the hard part. So apply everywhere!

Good luck dude! 👍

 

[DrJosephKim]

Would you be willing to do additional research in this field and get some more publishing under your belt? Also, would you be willing to commit 1 year of research if you were promised a position? These may be some options to consider.

 

[RussianJoo]

Would you be willing to do additional research in this field and get some more publishing under your belt? Also, would you be willing to commit 1 year of research if you were promised a position? These may be some options to consider.

do you know any programs in particular in which you can sit down with and say i am will to do an extra year of research before starting my residency with you. of course contracts would need to be signed for both the research year and the residency prematch.

 

[fuego]

Would you be willing to do additional research in this field and get some more publishing under your belt? Also, would you be willing to commit 1 year of research if you were promised a position? These may be some options to consider.

I would definitely be willing to do that. I will be applying this upcoming year for an advanced position, so that would leave one year in between to do more research. My other question is... does having the transitional year under my belt and the step 3 make me a stronger candidate considering my history as previously described?

 

[boggy]

I am afraid with today's anesthesiology market you have virtually no chance of being chosen as an anesthesiology resident. This can of course change if the field becomes unpopular again as it was in the 1990s--timing is everything----one year with those scores you would be going to solid programs as a LCME medical student--today very difficult--tomorrow who knows? good luck

 

[mudshadow]

v