advice

[PHHM]

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Hello All,
I graduated med school last year and didnt match (IM). I failed st 1 on first attempt, and thats the reason why i didnt match (according to the PDs i spoke to after the fact). In addition, my grades were low for the first 2 yrs- mostly pass (bottom quintile in my class), no fails. St 2: 222, good research, 2 publications, lots of extracurricular and volunteering, good letters. Much better grades 3rd and 4th yr- mostly HP and H.
I am re-applying. How many programs (IM) should i apply to? are there any specific programs you think would consider me? any advice? Im worried about not matching again.
Also, i hear last year was one of the most competitive matches in history. Do we know how this year is looking?
Thanks!

 

[Doctor Bob]

Hello All,
I graduated med school last year and didnt match (IM). I failed st 1 on first attempt, and thats the reason why i didnt match (according to the PDs i spoke to after the fact). In addition, my grades were low for the first 2 yrs- mostly pass (bottom quintile in my class), no fails. St 2: 222, good research, 2 publications, lots of extracurricular and volunteering, good letters. Much better grades 3rd and 4th yr- mostly HP and H.
I am re-applying. How many programs (IM) should i apply to? are there any specific programs you think would consider me? any advice? Im worried about not matching again.
Also, i hear last year was one of the most competitive matches in history. Do we know how this year is looking?
Thanks!

The first thing we're looking at with reapplicants is "what have you done in the year off to improve your application".

 

[PHHM]

ive done tons of research, published, volunteered at a homeless clinic... my resume is significantly better than last year

 

[gutonc]

ive done tons of research, published, volunteered at a homeless clinic... my resume is significantly better than last year

All good things...but the fact of your steps remains, and there's nothing you can do about it at this point, so you just need to roll with it. You don't mention what your re-take on Step 1 was but many programs filter multiple attempts anyway so it's kind of a moot point. So what can you do to maximize your chances of matching?

1. Don't bother applying to places that rejected or even interviewed you last year. If they didn't want you then, they're not going to want you now. Don't waste your money.

2. Aim low. You didn't mention whether you were an AMG or IMG but I'm going to assume AMG. You need to be looking at lower tier academic places (I define lower tier as places that neither you, nor your grandma has heard of...it's kind of a joke...kind of not) and community places. Look into some decent community programs as well. Put your ego on ice.

3. Apply broadly. Spend as much money as you can at the application stage (with the caveats of 1 and 2 above). This is not the time to cheap out. You need to be sending out 50+ (100?) apps at a minimum. Once you've got 15+ IVs, you can start to be picky.

4. Reach out to your med school program. They're your best shot...unless you're an IMG in which case this isn't an option.

5. If you're an IMG, you need to focus on the scutty, malignant community programs in the northeast (particularly NYC and environs).

6. Once you do match (and I'm going to be optimistic here), you need to go to work with a smile on your face every single f***ing day, no matter what. Getting a spot will be a hurdle, keeping it is a much bigger deal.

 

[PHHM]

hey- thanks
my step 1 score was 208.
many program told me i was close to matching there.... they told me to reapply- others didnt so im not applyin there...
im an amg
im applying to 110 places, about 50 univ 50 com and 10 fm. i have some better programs there (more known univ prog and good big comm) but there are loooots of lower tiers as well
my med school is more "competitive" and im not sure i have a shot- pd said for sure theyll interview me but no guarantees on the spot
how many interviews should i try to go to?

 

[DocBlin]

Also think about tasking STEP III and get a high score!!! I also would apply to FM , at least 200 programs. Go for 20 interviews at a minimum. If at one of the interviews you really would like to be matched there TELL THEM!! Also I might try and find a semi permanent position in medicine even if no pay that allows semi direct patient contact. For example a medical scribe in hospital.. That would allow you in person contact with attendings, residents, hospital administration. Good luck.

 

[gutonc]

hey- thanks
my step 1 score was 208.
many program told me i was close to matching there.... they told me to reapply- others didnt so im not applyin there...
im an amg
im applying to 110 places, about 50 univ 50 com and 10 fm. i have some better programs there (more known univ prog and good big comm) but there are loooots of lower tiers as well
my med school is more "competitive" and im not sure i have a shot- pd said for sure theyll interview me but no guarantees on the spot
how many interviews should i try to go to?

As many as you have the time/money for. None of the statistics on matching really apply to you. Don't assume that 10 interviews will be enough. If you don't match this year, your chance of matching in the future is going to drop to near zero. Don't chance it.

 

[PHHM]

yeah... im gonna try to make it to as many interviews i can- i am hoping for 30. Last year i went to 12 (but much more competitve programs im applying to this time), and still didnt match. I got offered 16, but i felt that 12 was enough- bad choice.
I am also registered to take step 3 in a few weeks. i hope it goes well, im studying a lot.
any last piece of advice? I'd like to try to focus on what I CAN do, rather than what's irreparable.
Thanks!