aha!!! the time is back

[rirriri]

---

Members don't see this ad.

wow, this place has gotten alot crazier since last year 😀

well, i've taken my time, sorted out myself, and i'm back to repply this year. just finishing up some ERAS stuff today, what a pain in the arse to do this all again, but hopefully it will pay off.

just to recap, i applied for last year's match and got screwed by my CSA which i shockingly didn't pass. I was born and raised in the USA, and did my MD in Eastern Europe. I wasn't able to retake the exam in time for the match last year, so i had to postpone til this year. At that time, I was in the middle of my interviews. I had interviewed at 5 places and was looking forward to a few more interviews scheduled when i withdrew from the match. I re-took my CSA (now called Step 2 CS) in June and am still waiting for the results, hopefully there will be no surprises this time!

Back a few months ago, I said I was gonna go into research, and I gave it a good try, but it didn't work out according to plans. I did some random work here and there in Chicago and then proceeded to get invited by Johns Hopkins to work on a Prostate Cancer project. Unfortunately the funding for that fellowship never arrived and I've been kind of left on the side of the road. However I have built up some good contacts at some places and am hoping that they help me out when I need it. One of the guys at Johns Hopkins is still trying to find some funding for me to spend some time on his project, but it's unclear whether this will ever happen or not.

But yeah, so i'm back applying. Will be applying to alot of places again to try and make up for the weaknesses in my application (exam scores, mainly). Interviewing is definitely my strongest feature, so i'm just hoping I can even GET to the point of interviewing at these programs.

I'm thinking of doing some volunteer work around the city for the next few months, just to keep me busy and medical minded before I drift off into space and forget it all.

hope you guys are all well! i still see alot of familiar names! anything new and exciting I should know about? it's gonna take me ages to sit here and sift through all these posts.

CHEERS!
Rirriri

PS. thanks to all the people who sent me e-mails and messages over the past 6 months trying to help me. it's well appreciated.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Welcome back rirriri. I've enjoyed reading some of your previous posts before your leave of absence from SDN.

It sucks that you have to go through the application process again...but you're a seasoned veteran of the process. I'm sure you'll do well this year.

P.S. That whole CSA/Step2CS thing is all bullcrap.

 

[Brian Pavlovitz]

Great to see you around the forum again, rirriri!

It sounds like things are going to work out just fine.

 

[yaah]

Rirriri is back! Yay! I never spell your name right though.

Yes we have been busy in your absence, occasionally even posting things related to path! I too have been guilty on occasion of excessive posting, and my #s are nearing 1000 I am afraid.

And having been through interviews, I would say it does help a lot if you interview well. You can make a nice impression and impress as someone who would be good to have around. Good luck!

 

[rirriri]

thanks guys! really good to see you guys still here and also to see some new faces.

you think i should bust out with a radical personal statement to draw attention to my application? or should i keep it conservative?

my PS last year was a bit extravagant....the one i'm going with thus far is a bit "simple" and conservative. But i'm thinking of writing a new one tomorrow, one that is more creative and different. I'm not too sure if i wanna go with the "different" angle, or if i should just make it simple to fit in with the other applicants.

what are you guys up to? i'm really trying to get the energy to sift through all these posts, but i'm sleeeeepy now 😴 😀

cheers!
rirriri

 

[deschutes]

Hi rirriri (what does that mean?),

I mentally cheered you on when I read through some of the old posts! 🙂 Nice to see that you are back.

Re: the personal statement - Do you have access to a faculty advisor/mentor of some sort? I find those are the best editorial opinions with regards to the appropriate degree of racy-ness.

It does feel like a stab in the chest though, when all that creative sweat and tears comes back as the Red Sea. Just like high school all over again.

 

[rirriri]

hey!...thanks for the mental cheering 😀

the closest thing to a "mentor" i have is the director of a pathology program here in Chicago...i guess i could send it to him, although i feel i bother him enough as it is...haha. I could just send it around to some physicians i know and let them read it. I've let a few peers read it and they thought the current conservative one was alright, but I feel like I need to get some other things out of me.

I kind of wanted a PS that stood out from the others....that's what i did last year and i think it did me some good....but then again, who knows, maybe it didn't...i dunno.

i've been "stabbed in the chest" repeatedly, yet i refuse to be pronounced dead!

cheers!/thanks
-Rirriri

PS. if i revealed what "rirriri" meant, i'd probably melt into a puddle of fluid.

 

[augmel]

Glad to see you back with your characteristic enthusiasm. Good luck this year.

 

[yaah]

Rirriri I have heard from many people that the personal statement is not the place for controversy or risk taking. At the same time though, you do want to be memorable. I guess it depends on what kind of controversy you are trying to raise. I got compliments about mine from some interviewers because of certain phrases or thoughts, particularly one in which I described pathologists as being scholars - interested in history, teaching, science, continuously learning and improving their craft, being well versed in so many areas, etc. Don't remember how I worded it. But the compliments I got mostly had to do with how "It's nice to read about someone truly interested in all the field has to offer" or "I'm glad you mentioned that, because a lot of people don't see this part of the field." It's hard to be "generic" enough so that you don't turn people off but at the same time being memorable. I wouldn't do anything like writing poetry or getting political. And don't slam other fields of medicine. Be positive!

The place to make the impression is the interview - although of course if you are worried about getting interviews, I'm not sure how that changes. This is where your mentor can help - if you show your personal statement to him and just ask for his opinion on whether it is over the top, he might be willing to give you some advice - just ask nicely! 😉 If I remember this right, wasn't he offering you an interview last year and willing to support you in your quest?

The threads from the last year can be fun to read. No much new information I guess other than some personal info and new visitors. A little more slapstick and definitely more clinical medicine bashing that I guess I kind of started so I enjoy. I hope people don't take offense! Still lots of threads on "what are my chances" and "I heard that there are no jobs" or "where can I find salary info" or "does anyone have info on the NYC programs or CA programs" like that showed up last year as well.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Damn...I'm glad you told me that cuz my personal statement was gonna be a haiku...until about 3 minutes ago.

 

[rirriri]

Rirriri I have heard from many people that the personal statement is not the place for controversy or risk taking. At the same time though, you do want to be memorable. I guess it depends on what kind of controversy you are trying to raise. I got compliments about mine from some interviewers because of certain phrases or thoughts, particularly one in which I described pathologists as being scholars - interested in history, teaching, science, continuously learning and improving their craft, being well versed in so many areas, etc. Don't remember how I worded it. But the compliments I got mostly had to do with how "It's nice to read about someone truly interested in all the field has to offer" or "I'm glad you mentioned that, because a lot of people don't see this part of the field." It's hard to be "generic" enough so that you don't turn people off but at the same time being memorable. I wouldn't do anything like writing poetry or getting political. And don't slam other fields of medicine. Be positive!

yeah, i agree totally. i think the PS sort of follows the same advice as interview tips. i don't intend on being controversial, and i don't intend on being negative. I definitely think that it's the part of the application where I have some room to make a positive "sell" on my application. Making it memorable is the hard part. Last year I had some references to comparing science and art (the good attributes of both), and I think it went down quite well. I'll send it to the PD, and yes it's the same guy who was helping me last year.

i've done so many interviews (counting the match and in the post-match research saga) that i'm really looking forward to actually presenting myself IN the interviews. I was already a decent interviewer, but now i don't even think of this event as an interview, i kind of think of it as a meeting or conference. LOL

all this clinical medicine bashing is pretty brand new to this forum..haha. I think before we all thought about it, but just didn't say it....now it's just blatantly admitted! excellent!

yaah, where are you working again?

and i'm still laughing at Andy writing a Haiku poem....i'm just trying to imagine a PD downloading a PS and then a sparse set of words in the form of a haiku emerge onto the screen. HAHA

 

[yaah]

If someone wanted to be really ballsy, instead of doing something like writing a haiku they would make a personal statement out of characters to create a picture. You know, as the interviewer turns the page to see the personal statement they get an image of a middle finger or something. Either that, or instead of sending an actual headshot of yourself for the picture, send one of George Clooney or Cookie Monster or Saddam Hussein.

I'm at U of Mich, rirriri. Going well so far.

Nice to see your posts are still shifted to the right! The White House would be proud!

 

[b&ierstiefel]

If someone wanted to be really ballsy, instead of doing something like writing a haiku they would make a personal statement out of characters to create a picture. You know, as the interviewer turns the page to see the personal statement they get an image of a middle finger or something. Either that, or instead of sending an actual headshot of yourself for the picture, send one of George Clooney or Cookie Monster or Saddam Hussein.

I'm at U of Mich, rirriri. Going well so far.

Nice to see your posts are still shifted to the right! The White House would be proud!

ooo pictures pictures pictures. that's a good idea. what if i have a three-part picture...a pipetman, microscope, and a slide. will that make me look too geeky?

don't think the middle finger or axis of evil pictures would really fly.

 

[deschutes]

If someone wanted to be really ballsy, they would make a personal statement out of characters to create a picture.

...with a subliminal message embedded.... TAKE ME.... TAKE ME....

 

[b&ierstiefel]

...with a subliminal message embedded.... TAKE ME.... TAKE ME....

why don't you do this and post it on the forums 🙂

 

[yaah]

...with a subliminal message embedded.... TAKE ME.... TAKE ME....

No, that's my personal ad. 😉

 

[rirriri]

If someone wanted to be really ballsy, instead of doing something like writing a haiku they would make a personal statement out of characters to create a picture. You know, as the interviewer turns the page to see the personal statement they get an image of a middle finger or something. Either that, or instead of sending an actual headshot of yourself for the picture, send one of George Clooney or Cookie Monster or Saddam Hussein.

I'm at U of Mich, rirriri. Going well so far.

Nice to see your posts are still shifted to the right! The White House would be proud!

HAHA. that picture thing is such a fantastic idea.....i would send a picture of Che Guevara or Al Roker (doing a thumbs up of course).

U Of Mich eh?!? i'm glad it's going good so far...Ann Arbor is a pretty chill place actually..i always had a good time when i visited there too. Put in a good word for me when my Che Guevara application comes rolling through there! lol.

cheers
r

 

[rirriri]

...with a subliminal message embedded.... TAKE ME.... TAKE ME....

careful!! you might just end up with a 65 year old pathologist (male or female) trying to take you back to a hotel room across the street from the hospital!!!

 

[yaah]

careful!! you might just end up with a 65 year old pathologist (male or female) trying to take you back to a hotel room across the street from the hospital!!!

Or a resident. It's all about oil immersion.

Rirriri there is more about me on residentdiary.com where I am flexing my literary muscles.

 

[deschutes]

No, that's my personal ad. 😉

careful!! you might just end up with a 65 year old pathologist (male or female) trying to take you back to a hotel room across the street from the hospital!!!

Or a resident. It's all about oil immersion.

The sexual innuendo quotient is reaching an all-time high on this forum. It appears we are headed the way of the surgeons. Gutterminds.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

It appears we are headed the way of the surgeons. Gutterminds.

Deschutes! Lead the way! 😀

 

[deschutes]

Deschutes! Lead the way! 😀

Oh shush. 'Tis a hopeless proposition to wear white. Out, damned spot!

For the record, I meant "choose".
But you guys knew that.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Oh shush. 'Tis a hopeless proposition to wear white. Out, damned spot!

For the record, I meant "choose".
But you guys knew that.

Dude...it's gutter man! It's gutter.

"Uh...I didn't inhale?"

Here's another movie to put on your "To See List" if you haven't seen it.

Well actually, it wasn't spectacular but it had its moments.

 

[yaah]

I might be the only one who knows what movie you are talking about. Then again, perhaps not.

Wait a minute...there's no beer. Where's Gutter?
-Probably in a parking lot somewhere picking his nose.
(cut to a shot of Gutter in a parking lot picking his nose)

And Deschutes, as designated grammar cop for today, "guttermind" is not one word but two. Gutter as an adjective describing low class or vulgar. Perhaps in German we could combine the two. English, alas, nay.

But alas, perchance you were creating a new word? Then I salute you.

I predict this post to be replied to with a lovely and cheery, "Oh shut up, eh?" 😉

just kidding, I like you Deschutes. Your grammar is normally impeccable and beyond reproach.

 

[deschutes]

I thought he was referring to Jackass The Movie. I see that I was wrong. Is it PCU?

...as designated grammar cop for today, "guttermind" is not one word but two. Perhaps in German we could combine the two. English, alas, nay.

But alas, perchance you were creating a new word? Then I salute you.

Gosseverstand! (that is a ridiculous translation, but it looks cool 😎 )
You would be the last person on earth I would allow to reproach my grammar. 😛

Remember though, that it wasn't in the English language that I alluded to the concept of the "guttermind". It was American - the same language that allows for "jackass" and "*******" - the latter which, depending on how you split it, could quite conceivably be read as "dum-bass."

My pet grammatical peeve is the use (or rather, the un-use) of the hyphen.

I am afraid "guttermind" is not my baby. When I knew Sel 3 years ago, he had it on his cellphone screensaver.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

I thought he was referring to Jackass The Movie. I see that I was wrong. Is it PCU?

Yep you guessed it! It is PCU. Score one for deschutes!

 

[rirriri]

i have decided to now write my personal statement about porn!

 

[deschutes]

i have decided to now write my personal statement about porn!

I was sorely tempted to respond "You may use me as your muse" - but I think that would have been more than a little unsavoury, even for someone like deschutes.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

I was sorely tempted to respond "You may use me as your muse" - but I think that would have been more than a little unsavoury, even for someone like deschutes.

Uh...that's a yaah-ism btw.

 

[deschutes]

Uh...that's a yaah-ism btw.

I recognize that, but I really don't think his remark at the time was in reference to porn... 😉

 

[b&ierstiefel]

I recognize that, but I really don't think his remark at the time was in reference to porn... 😉

ahh...touche deschutes

touche

so what does this say about you? 🙂

 

[deschutes]

so what does this say about you? 🙂

Must you ask! It says simply that deschutes is a respectable woman of the first water, perfectly capable of carrying on polite and slightly boring conversation... 😎

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Must you ask! It says simply that deschutes is a respectable woman of the first water, perfectly capable of carrying on polite and slightly boring conversation... 😎

yup...that was my impression...exactly

 

[deschutes]

yup...that was my impression...exactly

I find your lack of faith disturbing.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

I find your lack of faith disturbing.

well as I said in my PM, you picked up on my sarcasm 🙂

it's all good...it's all jokes and teasing here.

damn....i need a taco.

 

[deschutes]

it's all good...it's all jokes and teasing here.

Yup, and I'll be damned if I let my end down.

damn....i need a taco.

Haha! It's the beer talking!
On the other hand, I get ravenously hungry if I'm up after midnight, whether it's on call or a night out..

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Yup, and I'll be damned if I let my end down.

Haha! It's the beer talking!
On the other hand, I get ravenously hungry if I'm up after midnight, whether it's on call or a night out..

i know...yo quiero taco bell...totally.

but i shall resist the temptation. but it's hard considering that taco bell is up the street from where i live. goddamn taco bell! why! WHY?!?!?


BTW it wasn't just beer. I took the plunge and did a tequila shot.

Bad move on my part.

 

[deschutes]

i shall resist the temptation. but it's hard considering that taco bell is up the street from where i live.

The only thing that would get between me and a taco is alcohol. It makes for this strange epigastric bubble which doesn't settle for ages.

There is a Wendy's across the road from where I am. Thing is, after 10pm, they only do drive-through. Oftentimes have I thought of dragging a tincan behind me to set off the sensor.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

The only thing that would get between me and a taco is alcohol. It makes for this strange epigastric bubble which doesn't settle for ages.

There is a Wendy's across the road from where I am. Thing is, after 10pm, they only do drive-through. Oftentimes have I thought of dragging a tincan behind me to set off the sensor.

Do it! That would be hilarious.

Speaking of alcohol getting between a person and a taco...I been sipping on vanilla stoly vodka since I got back. See now I'm really too drunk to drive...hence no taco bell in the near future for me.

 

[deschutes]

Do it! That would be hilarious.

Puttering up to the drive-thru window in my little tincan to collect my fries - that would be hilarious.

now I'm really too drunk to drive...hence no taco bell in the near future for me.

Walk, you twit!
(Is deschutes being rude again? No, it was merely the effects of the vod-tequila.)

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Puttering up to the drive-thru window in my little tincan to collect my fries - that would be hilarious.

Walk, you twit!
(Is deschutes being rude again? No, it was merely the effects of the vod-tequila.)

It's not actually walking distance as I implied...my bad

it's about a 5 minute drive. And again at this hour, the taco bell drive thru would only be open. which means i would have to resort to the tin can strategy.

quite ingeniuos i msut say.

 

[yaah]

Uh...that's a yaah-ism btw.

What did I say now? I believe she said "Unsavoury" which is I word I would never use unless I was deliberately using the King's English. I would say Unsavory and save myself the excess effort of typing that extra letter.

I really need a taco.

I hope you realize that the above statement can be construed as filthy and qualifies as severe excessive innuendo. In certain company, of course. You saying "I need a taco" would be the equivalent of a woman or 10% of men (from reports) saying, "I need a sausage."

Or so I have heard.

 

[rirriri]

I hope you realize that the above statement can be construed as filthy and qualifies as severe excessive innuendo. In certain company, of course. You saying "I need a taco" would be the equivalent of a woman or 10% of men (from reports) saying, "I need a sausage."

a sausage filled taco?

 

[deschutes]

What did I say now? I believe she said "Unsavoury" which is I word I would never use ...

Actually, we were both referring to "I'll be your muse". 😀

 

[b&ierstiefel]

What did I say now? I believe she said "Unsavoury" which is I word I would never use unless I was deliberately using the King's English. I would say Unsavory and save myself the excess effort of typing that extra letter.




I hope you realize that the above statement can be construed as filthy and qualifies as severe excessive innuendo. In certain company, of course. You saying "I need a taco" would be the equivalent of a woman or 10% of men (from reports) saying, "I need a sausage."

Or so I have heard.

"Taco taco taco...burrito burrito....would you like some taco kisses?"

 

[yaah]

My name is Hennifer Lopez!