All quiet on the western front

[StevenRF]

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Edit: Interviews started rolling in after the MSPE. Thanks for the recs everyone.

Anyone else still without any interviews? A majority of my classmates have had some already.

So far just rejections, granted my step scores suck, but I was hoping someone would bite. Anyone know what time one should start to panic?
Destination scramble?

 

[ICCONFETTI]

How many programs did you apply to?? Even with crappy step scores, SOMEONE should take a bite granted you applied to enough programs (big and small, community and university).

 

[Superstarz34]

are you getting rejections from top programs or mid tier places?

 

[StevenRF]

Applied to 45 total, 5 rejections so far. Pretty much everything in Cali, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, Florida, and NYC. Was hoping to get something coastal, but so it seems is everyone else. I wonder if I should broaden to midwest? So far rejected from UCI, Kaiser LA, a community program in SF, and a couple more.

 

[lordjesus]

Even if your board scores suck, if you are an AMG with decent medical school history you should have got some interviews by now.

 

[sluggo]

Hawaii can be tough if they do not think you are serious about going there because they don't want to have a ton of "vacationers" showing up and wasting their time. Most ot the Florida schools are "gimmes" for US grads (even with thin credentials), so if u are not getting bites there, you had better review your application with your schools admissions person and send a bunch of applications to back-up community programs. Good luck!

 

[boobelle]

Hawaii can be tough if they do not think you are serious about going there because they don't want to have a ton of "vacationers" showing up and wasting their time. Most ot the Florida schools are "gimmes" for US grads (even with thin credentials), so if u are not getting bites there, you had better review your application with your schools admissions person and send a bunch of applications to back-up community programs. Good luck!

My impression is that New York and California can have the same problem...they're considered great locations and so those programs get a ton of applications (and therefore can be more selective, and it helps if you have a local connection to suggest you're serious).

I agree, I'd schedule an appointment with your school's residency counselor and go through your application/program list...you're going to get more specific and solid advice than on SDN. Good luck!

 

[Arb]

Rejections after rejections! Starting to worry...only 7 interviews so far as IMG.

 

[Meerkatology]

Anyone else still without any interviews? A majority of my classmates have had some already.

So far just rejections, granted my step scores suck, but I was hoping someone would bite. Anyone know what time one should start to panic?
Destination scramble?

do you have any bad med school history? are you a DO or IMG?

i got a 204 on step1 and had 20+ interviews already and was forced to withdraw application from 20 programs

i also had 1 thing go wrong in med school - failed an M2 rotation

got 236 on ck but all of my invites I got before getting this score back.


even if you barely passed steps you should still have some interviews by now with 45 applications.

 

[myhandsarecold]

do you have any bad med school history? are you a DO or IMG?

i got a 204 on step1 and had 20+ interviews already and was forced to withdraw application from 20 programs

i also had 1 thing go wrong in med school - failed an M2 rotation

got 236 on ck but all of my invites I got before getting this score back.


even if you barely passed steps you should still have some interviews by now with 45 applications.

are you URM?

 

[Meerkatology]

are you URM?

no
but i applied to mostly community progs

 

[km11]

Applied to 45 total, 5 rejections so far. Pretty much everything in Cali, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, Florida, and NYC. Was hoping to get something coastal, but so it seems is everyone else. I wonder if I should broaden to midwest? So far rejected from UCI, Kaiser LA, a community program in SF, and a couple more.

I would start expanding your inclusion criteria at this point. It's been about a week since Deans letters have been passed out and schools should be replying back. If you were just waiting for a few schools I woudnt sweat it but in your situation it's probably in your best interest to start adding more programs.

Are you a DO or IMG? Or is there something unusual about your particular situation?

 

[StevenRF]

Nothing unusual. Just crappy board scores (204 on step 1, 186 on step 2, and passed cs) and 60+ people in my school going IM this year for some reason. Good evals and LOR's except for my obgyn who rode me. MBA and research. So far 4 interviews and 10ish rejections of 45 apps. I think the number of people going into IM pretty much washed out most of the LA area. As for the scores, took both steps cold figuring I was just going to do IM anyway and my practice tests were in the low 200's.

Anyway, will most programs get back or just leave you hanging until January?

Would it help to message the program director at a program or two I'm really interested in?

 

[boobelle]

Nothing unusual. Just crappy board scores (204 on step 1, 186 on step 2, and passed cs) and 60+ people in my school going IM this year for some reason. Good evals and LOR's except for my obgyn who rode me. MBA and research. So far 4 interviews and 10ish rejections of 45 apps. I think the number of people going into IM pretty much washed out most of the LA area. As for the scores, took both steps cold figuring I was just going to do IM anyway and my practice tests were in the low 200's.

Anyway, will most programs get back or just leave you hanging until January?

Would it help to message the program director at a program or two I'm really interested in?

I'm assuming you took Step 2CK before July when that was a passing score? Aside from the scores themselves, the drop in Step 2 is hurting you since most people improve on Step 2 and some IM PDs are rumored to value it as a predictor of ability as an intern.

I'd still agree with the advice to talk to your adviser about the best next step in terms of timing and how/who to contact your top programs (e.g. you or an attending calling on your behalf)...in terms of timing, I think it depends on whether they've been giving out invites for weeks vs. haven't invited anyone yet...again, stuff that will be specific to your list of programs. Good luck.

 

[km11]

Nothing unusual. Just crappy board scores (204 on step 1, 186 on step 2, and passed cs) and 60+ people in my school going IM this year for some reason. Good evals and LOR's except for my obgyn who rode me. MBA and research. So far 4 interviews and 10ish rejections of 45 apps. I think the number of people going into IM pretty much washed out most of the LA area. As for the scores, took both steps cold figuring I was just going to do IM anyway and my practice tests were in the low 200's.

Anyway, will most programs get back or just leave you hanging until January?

Would it help to message the program director at a program or two I'm really interested in?

Did someone give you this advice?

 

[Meerkatology]

Nothing unusual. Just crappy board scores (204 on step 1, 186 on step 2, and passed cs) and 60+ people in my school going IM this year for some reason. Good evals and LOR's except for my obgyn who rode me. MBA and research. So far 4 interviews and 10ish rejections of 45 apps. I think the number of people going into IM pretty much washed out most of the LA area. As for the scores, took both steps cold figuring I was just going to do IM anyway and my practice tests were in the low 200's.

Anyway, will most programs get back or just leave you hanging until January?

Would it help to message the program director at a program or two I'm really interested in?

the 20 point drop on CK is the big red flag here. if your scores were the other way around, 186 step 1 and 204 ck, it would be alot better.

also im assuming your in cali, cali programs are extremely competitive so if you applied to alot of cali programs, your chances might be lower.

i heard later in november is when they will send out alot of rejections/last major batch of invites.


i don't think it would do any good to message PDs with interest, it will just make you look desperate. it's ok, however, that after you interview at a place, to state interest in your thank you note/email and let the program know they would be your top choice etc.

edit: isn't 189 the MPL for CK?

 

[help79]

I would start expanding your inclusion criteria at this point. It's been about a week since Deans letters have been passed out and schools should be replying back. If you were just waiting for a few schools I woudnt sweat it but in your situation it's probably in your best interest to start adding more programs.

Are you a DO or IMG? Or is there something unusual about your particular situation?

Is it too late to be adding programs? Thinking of adding a few more safety programs. Any advice much appreciated!

 

[Renodoc]

I think it might be too late to apply now if you are not an AMG. I think USMLE scores matter only up to a certain point. It is just 1 exam taken on 1 day....anything can happen on that one day i.e. you might not be in your "zone" that day, maybe sick, etc

I think scores do matter to get an invite but after that it is your medical school transcript, experience, research if any, and maybe LOR's/MSPE also. I am an IMG (no visa required) and still got a good number of IM invites, some from pretty competitive programs too. I have a lot of US clinical experience though and also research. I just worked hard toward my goal despite a low step 1 score, which was really devastating given that I always did really well in med school.

I think you should not worry about the scores too much now but rather try to see what you can do to improve your resume. If you are an AMG then I guess research is the best way to go. If you are an IMG it would be a combination of research and US clinical experience.

Good luck to you and hope you will get invites soon.

 

[Renodoc]

Anyone else still without any interviews? A majority of my classmates have had some already.

So far just rejections, granted my step scores suck, but I was hoping someone would bite. Anyone know what time one should start to panic?
Destination scramble?

Did you get any invites yet? If you are an AMG, calling programs at this point to express interest would probably help you get some invites.

Don't let the "low" scores bring your morale down. Hope you will get some invites soon. Good luck.

 

[help79]

i know many of these posts regarding IM interviews apply to university programs but does anyone know if community programs are also done with sending out interview invites? i bought a smart phone thinking i would need it but over the past two weeks, it hasn't come in handy at all.