Advice on applying

[ballerz]

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Hey guys,

I've been lurking for a bit and figured I would try to get some of you more experienced guy’s opinions. I'm a 3rd year and earlier this year decided to go into PMR. I was just wondering how competitive I am and how far I should "reach" when applying to programs. Also, I was wondering how much region bias plays into the specialty when applying. Some of my basic stats are below

Top 50%-Top 25% at a "Top 40 school"
Step 1: 216
Step 2: will be taking early and expect to do well based on shelf grades
2-3 PMR rotations at home program that has a PMR residency
I will have a pub in an ortho journal and some pretty good research to talk about
Strong letters from at least two physiatrists in the "Top 1%" based on US world news
Good extra curricular stuff and pretty cool conversation for interviews

I'm debating doing an away rotation and was thinking UCLA, does anybody know how competitive I would be for this program?

Thanks for all the posts and advice on here. It’s a small field and hard to find good information sometimes, but this forum is an excellent source.

 

[JuliusErving]

PM&R is getting more popular and more competitive, so I think it's up in the air as far as next year goes. Our school, for example has 9 people applying compared to 3 the year before and 2 the year prior. Some programs have a screening process with Step 1 scores, but you'll definitely get interviews with a 216 if you don't have any red flags. Your grades and research make you a pretty strong candisate. Sky is the limit for rotations, though. In this field, it's essentialy an interview period, and doing well on a rotation can make up for some glaring weaknesses on paper. I'd do maybe one or two at a reach program and another at a safety program. Letters of rec go a long way as well. Shoot me a message if you'd like any personal details.

 

[MedBronc23]

Hey guys,

I've been lurking for a bit and figured I would try to get some of you more experienced guy's opinions. I'm a 3rd year and earlier this year decided to go into PMR. I was just wondering how competitive I am and how far I should "reach" when applying to programs. Also, I was wondering how much region bias plays into the specialty when applying. Some of my basic stats are below

Top 50%-Top 25% at a "Top 40 school"
Step 1: 216
Step 2: will be taking early and expect to do well based on shelf grades
2-3 PMR rotations at home program that has a PMR residency
I will have a pub in an ortho journal and some pretty good research to talk about
Strong letters from at least two physiatrists in the "Top 1%" based on US world news
Good extra curricular stuff and pretty cool conversation for interviews

I'm debating doing an away rotation and was thinking UCLA, does anybody know how competitive I would be for this program?

Thanks for all the posts and advice on here. It's a small field and hard to find good information sometimes, but this forum is an excellent source.

Looks like you will have a solid application. Especially if step 2 score is higher than step 1. UCLA sounds like a great place to get exposure out west from other posters. Some larger programs have an arbitrary >220 cut off but I think if your step 2 score goes up you will be fine and have no problem at 90% of PMR programs with your step score. Wow I didn't know us news and world ranked physiatrists as well. Sounds like two stellar letters. Make sure those big names also are people who know you well and will have favorably things to say about u as potential resident and person.

PM me if further questions. I have some good resources for interested med students looking to apply.