Anesthesiology Programs? How Many To Apply To? What Chances?

[nto514]

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Hey Everyone,

This is kind of one of those traditional 'What are my chances?' kind of posts. I am not 99%, but 101% sure that I want to pursue a career in Anesthesiology and have my 4th year schedule all lined up to follow that path. Here I am, another MS3 worrying.

Here are some stats:
Step 1: 214/90
Step 2: Not yet taken (June 2012)

Rotation Grades*:
Medicine: High Pass
Surgery (Sub: Vascular/Anesthesiology): Pass
Radiology: High Pass
Surgical Subspecialties (Ophthalmology/Neurosurgery): Pass
Family Medicine: Pass
Psychiatry: Pending Remediation for a Pass (Scored low on the Shelf exam)
Ob/Gyn: Clinical Honors so far (Shelf not taken yet)
Pediatrics: Not taken yet

*All my clinical grades and narratives have been excellent, but my exam grades have brought some of the final grades down.

So, as an average medical student applicant, what advice would there be? I am studying hard for my remaining shelf exams and for the Step 2. My Anesthesiology specific advisor is very supportive along with my Dean/Anesthesiology research preceptor. They were instrumental in convincing me to follow this career path.

When applying for programs, is there a certain amount and type of programs I should be aiming for? I want to try to stay on the East Coast; both North and South. I currently go to medical school in Boston. I came to medical school directly after completing a degree in Biomedical Engineering.

Any advice would be appreciated as I tackle the residency application process!

 

[Spartyon]

I have done pretty extensive research on this topic and am a MS III so take my comment with a grain of salt. The fact that you are a US MD grad gives your application huge weight in your favor as matching as an allopathic applicant is easier than FMG or DO. The fact that you also have good evals and are participating in research does wonders for your applications as well. Cast a wide net when applying and there are many programs on the east coast which makes it easier since your are from this region and are trying to stay here. If possible try to setup elective rotations and shine on them at potential places you may want to train at. In addition if you plan to pursue a fellowship make sure you try to land a spot at a place that has your desired fellowship. I imagine you will have no problem getting many interviews but cast a wide net of places to apply and go interview as monetarily allowable. Rock step II and study hard for it now as that will make up for the step I score. Good luck to you.

 

[droyt]

Just to give you an idea of what I did this interview season. I'm an MSIV from a Midwest allopathic school just matched into a very well respected residency on the east coast. I scored 220 on step I and II. All high passes except for one pass and one honors. Had great letters of rec (was told so numerous times otherwise don't know) and no anesthesia research. I applied to 20 or so places mostly midwest, went on 14 interviews and ranked 8 programs, matched first choice.
I think everything sparty said was great advice. I also felt like I interviewed very well. I tried to go into each interview having thought something about the things that I wanted to emphasize about myself to them. I also made sure the programs I was very interested in knew it(wether that was a youre my number one email, a second look, or just a hey I like you email). The only other thing I reccomend is to cast a wide net. Before I interviewed at my number one I found myself wishing I had more interviews just to try on programs and have options, by that could just be because I hadn't gotten to the program that was for me yet.
I don't know if any of that is helpful, but hope it does and good luck going forward

 

[w2011]

Hey guys! I am also interested in Anesthesia, I made a 239 on my STEP 1 , high passed my surgery and most my other rotations . I would like to go to one of the NE programs, such as Harvard, John Hopkins, UPenn, or Wash U but was wondering if I should take my STEP 2 to boost my chances that they will open my application at these places? I go to a top 20 medical school in the south. The only thing is that I have not done any anesthesia research and did not really have time in my schedule to squeeze in research before then. Also, it would be tight for me to try to take my Step 2 before the end of this year, but if my step 1 score is not good enough for these NE programs to open it , I can try to squeeze my step 2 in .... what does everyone think??? Sorry, I am frantically trying to figure out if I need to take my step 2.

Thanks!

 

[bcat85]

Hey guys! I am also interested in Anesthesia, I made a 239 on my STEP 1 , high passed my surgery and most my other rotations . I would like to go to one of the NE programs, such as Harvard, John Hopkins, UPenn, or Wash U but was wondering if I should take my STEP 2 to boost my chances that they will open my application at these places? I go to a top 20 medical school in the south. The only thing is that I have not done any anesthesia research and did not really have time in my schedule to squeeze in research before then. Also, it would be tight for me to try to take my Step 2 before the end of this year, but if my step 1 score is not good enough for these NE programs to open it , I can try to squeeze my step 2 in .... what does everyone think??? Sorry, I am frantically trying to figure out if I need to take my step 2.

Thanks!

Relax. A 239 on step 1 with better-than-pass clerkship grades is solid for most programs in the country. You may not get interviews at every single place you apply, but you should be very competitive overall. If you want to take step 2 early, go for it. I did, and it helped my application--most people improve from step 1 with much less intense studying. If you can't take it until later in your 4th year, that's also just fine.

 

[ashkenazi1234]

Hey guys! I am also interested in Anesthesia, I made a 239 on my STEP 1 , high passed my surgery and most my other rotations . I would like to go to one of the NE programs, such as Harvard, John Hopkins, UPenn, or Wash U but was wondering if I should take my STEP 2 to boost my chances that they will open my application at these places? I go to a top 20 medical school in the south. The only thing is that I have not done any anesthesia research and did not really have time in my schedule to squeeze in research before then. Also, it would be tight for me to try to take my Step 2 before the end of this year, but if my step 1 score is not good enough for these NE programs to open it , I can try to squeeze my step 2 in .... what does everyone think??? Sorry, I am frantically trying to figure out if I need to take my step 2.

Thanks!

I'd say study hard for it, take it, smoke it, then programs won't have to worry about whether you may be the dude who matches then fails it. plus it just looks confident if you do take it. i'd say a lot of places are starting to look at step 2 more. just my two pennies