Advice on how to get a Path Residency

[1490]

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Hi!

I am a first year medical student, and I know pathology is the only fit forme (I don't mean to be narrow minded… but I guess I am :-/). Do you have anyideas of how to maximize my next 4 years of school? What should I be doing withthe little free time I have?

For any residents or medical students applying to pathology residencies: Ifyou knew from the moment you started school that pathology was for you- what wouldyou have done prepare for the match and interviews?

Thanks inadvance for your time responding to this post!

 

[Thaitanium]

Hi!

I am a first year medical student, and I know pathology is the only fit forme (I don't mean to be narrow minded… but I guess I am :-/). Do you have anyideas of how to maximize my next 4 years of school? What should I be doing withthe little free time I have?

For any residents or medical students applying to pathology residencies: Ifyou knew from the moment you started school that pathology was for you- what wouldyou have done prepare for the match and interviews?

Thanks inadvance for your time responding to this post!

Do the best you can your first two years and ace the Step 1. Like a previous poster said, Step 1 is the most important part of your application for residency. Use your clinical years to learn more about fields that are relevant to pathology, like surgery, hematology, gynecology, dermatology, etc. Do as many path rotations as you can to get enough exposure to the field (and recommendations) so that you have something to talk about when you go on interviews. Get as much experience as you can at signout. Attend lectures. I dont think research is all that important if you have a good Step 1 score (I dont think research is all that important unless you want to go to a research heavy program). You can do all the research you want in residency if you choose.

 

[mlw03]

Do the best you can your first two years and ace the Step 1. Like a previous poster said, Step 1 is the most important part of your application for residency. Use your clinical years to learn more about fields that are relevant to pathology, like surgery, hematology, gynecology, dermatology, etc. Do as many path rotations as you can to get enough exposure to the field (and recommendations) so that you have something to talk about when you go on interviews. Get as much experience as you can at signout. Attend lectures. I dont think research is all that important if you have a good Step 1 score (I dont think research is all that important unless you want to go to a research heavy program). You can do all the research you want in residency if you choose.

Agree with most of this, although I'd say 2-3 path electives is enough. Use the remaining time to learn as much clinical stuff as you can, which is helpful in the CP world. Strongly agree step 1 is the single most important thing in an application.

 

[pathchic1]

Agree with Step 1-

Would add - shadow, shadow, shadow - be an ever present ghost in your path department, even when you aren't rotating. Find out who the big names are, and start working to get "in" with them early - you want their letters.

Also- Meet with you friendly neighborhood Program Director, he SHOULD be able to give you great advice on the ins and outs of applying and can be a huge resource.

 

[KCShaw]

👍 Step 1 + local path program.

Really, since the rate of med students going into pathology is relatively low (1 or 2, -maybe-, in any given class), you would be well positioned for a spot at your local path residency program -- if there is one, and if you're not real weird or failing classes. If there isn't, it's still useful to stick your nose into the path department and see how helpful they will be. Note: don't bother with the PhD lecturers in the path department at the medical school who may be the only "pathologists" you're introduced to as a first year, go find where they actually sign out cases, and if anyone gives you funny looks when you ask for that then go find someone practicing in surg/surg-onc and ask them -- they'll at least be able to get you to the frozen room. With any luck the local MD pathologists will turn into your best resource, regardless of whether they have residents. I also agree that while getting a path rotation/experience under your belt is critical, a couple or three dedicated months at a couple of different places is really all you need. Get experience with the things you'll otherwise never get to do again.