Anesthesiology residency

[DocDO2B]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

M3 here applying to Anesthesiology in the next 9 months or so. My questions are the importance of factors in matching. From what I understand, the most important is USMLE scores>>>> Clinical grades>>>>>>>>> basic science grades>> research? experience?. Can anyone who has matched please give me feedback on these factors and clear up anything I am off on here. thanks

 

[DocDO2B]

Also, forgot to mention I am a DO. I would like some REAL honest feedback on the effect this will have on the whole residency process for me. again thanks for any and all input.

 

[TeamZissou]

Also, forgot to mention I am a DO. I would like some REAL honest feedback on the effect this will have on the whole residency process for me. again thanks for any and all input.

It's gonna make it rough, people from my school had to apply to ~70 programs OR have >215 to get any significant number of interviews.

 

[scudrunner]

It's gonna make it rough, people from my school had to apply to ~70 programs and have >215 to get any significant number of interviews.

That's ridiculous. Just apply intelligently, based on your application/stats, and do an away rotatioin or two. A good DO applicant could easily get by with 20 applications, based on my observation of previous year's threads.

 

[Vergie]

I'm a DO from a new school. I'll get back to you after Monday 🙂

 

[TeamZissou]

That's ridiculous. Just apply intelligently, based on your application/stats, and do an away rotatioin or two. A good DO applicant could easily get by with 20 applications, based on my observation of previous year's threads.

Sorry but I think we are talking about different ends of the spectrum. Not even taking into account the fourth years at my school just my impression from SDN this year was 70 programs was reasonable if you didn't score >215 on Step I or if you don't even have a step I.

I hope I'm wrong but just saying for that kind of candidate it might take more.

It's gonna be a different story once you score in the 220's on Step I.

 

[TeamZissou]

I'm a DO from a new school. I'll get back to you after Monday 🙂

Would be great if you could make some public comments, or PM me. Thanks.

 

[Somethinologist]

Sorry but I think we are talking about different ends of the spectrum. Not even taking into account the fourth years at my school just my impression from SDN this year was 70 programs was reasonable if you didn't score >215 on Step I or if you don't even have a step I.

I hope I'm wrong but just saying for that kind of candidate it might take more.

It's gonna be a different story once you score in the 220's on Step I.

Um, 225+ is the national average...

If you are DO, definitely need a better score to stand out than around a 215

 

[TeamZissou]

Um, 225+ is the national average...

If you are DO, definitely need a better score to stand out than around a 215

Right, I'm saying once you hit ~220+ it becomes much less of a "long shot" and more about putting together an intelligent application.

 

[anes121508]

Hey im a DO. Pm me and ill share anything you have q"s about. You are right though Usmle is important. No clue what scores you need as far as how wide to apply. I scored 230"s/250"s. applied to sixty something programs and only got like 18 interviews. I didnt really apply to competitive west coast or ivy"s either. Not sure if 18/65 is the average but I would suspect that md with the same scores would have more interviews. So Id say anesthesia is fairly competitive, as a do you might be at a disadvantage, and shoot for high scores. Unless I have a red flag on my app that im not aware of. So in the end im really happy that i didnt only apply to 20 programs like my advisor told me to. Hopefully im still bappy come friday!

 

[GasMan2012]

DO here too... Had step 1 in the 240's, applied to 30ish got 13. Had friends with 230's who applied to 50 and got 10. Get your ap in early and overaaplying > underapplying

Feel free to pm

 

[IDBasco]

I applied to 49, including probably 15 from the western part of the US since I'm from out that way. I only received 2 out west which I guess isn't a big surprise. In total, I got 12 with most being in the midwest/northeast.

Try to do a rotation where you think you want to go. And yes, USMLE is important. It was brought up at least 2 or 3 times during interviews that it was good that I took it.

 

[scudrunner]

70 programs was reasonable if you didn't score >215 on Step I or if you don't even have a step I.

It's gonna be a different story once you score in the 220's on Step I.

Absolutely. I would think it would be more like 230.

 

[TeamZissou]

Thanks for the info guys. Does anyone know how DOs with Step 1 215-225 and step 2 ~230 did with interviews? What is a good number to consider applying to?

 

[MilkmanAl]

I'd apply to as many programs as you can afford to. Why not? You spent ~$150k-200k on your education. Why not drop another grand on applications to make sure it's all worth something?

For what it's worth, I was on several interviews at programs I liked a lot that had quite a few DO applicants there. I don't know what their scores were, but it seems like there's a decent amount of DO love in the Midwest.

 

[Gern Blansten]

That's ridiculous. Just apply intelligently, based on your application/stats, and do an away rotatioin or two. A good DO applicant could easily get by with 20 applications, based on my observation of previous year's threads.

To get by with only 20 apps, you would have to be an excellent candidate. As a D.O., you will still face a few people that still have the stigma that used to be associated. For me, a top D.O. candidate=a top M.D. candidate. Not everyone shares that belief. So you need to be better than the average MD standard. Too me, that means, top quartile of class, better than average USMLE scores (average for anesth has been around 228 and 235 for steps I and II),

Also, you should know that there are many DO students out there this past year who were scoring in the 245-270 range. I think a lot of the schools teach specifically to that exam, just like the Caribbean schools do. Therefore, you see a whole bunch of really high scores. So competition is fierce just among your D.O. colleagues, because there are a bunch of candidates out there. You see some actual reports from people above who had excellent scores and only received invites from 20-30% of the programs they applied to.

If I was an "average" DO student, I would apply broadly. If you are a fourth quartile student, I would also have some contingency plans.

 

[scudrunner]

To get by with only 20 apps, you would have to be an excellent candidate. As a D.O., you will still face a few people that still have the stigma that used to be associated. For me, a top D.O. candidate=a top M.D. candidate. Not everyone shares that belief. So you need to be better than the average MD standard. Too me, that means, top quartile of class, better than average USMLE scores (average for anesth has been around 228 and 235 for steps I and II),

Also, you should know that there are many DO students out there this past year who were scoring in the 245-270 range. I think a lot of the schools teach specifically to that exam, just like the Caribbean schools do. Therefore, you see a whole bunch of really high scores. So competition is fierce just among your D.O. colleagues, because there are a bunch of candidates out there. You see some actual reports from people above who had excellent scores and only received invites from 20-30% of the programs they applied to.

If I was an "average" DO student, I would apply broadly. If you are a fourth quartile student, I would also have some contingency plans.

30% of 70 is 21. Why not do some investigation and just try to pick the schools most likely to interview you, based on your stats, and save yourself some money. I suppose applying broadly is just the safe way to do it, especially for an "average" applicant. 70 just struck me as very excessive. Maybe it's not. I'll find out this fall 🙂

 

[MilkmanAl]

I applied to 66 programs and am roughly an average MD applicant. It's better to have to turn down some interviews than to not have enough. Like I said, if you have the cash, you might as well drop as many apps as you can.

 

[Gern Blansten]

30% of 70 is 21. Why not do some investigation and just try to pick the schools most likely to interview you, based on your stats, and save yourself some money. I suppose applying broadly is just the safe way to do it, especially for an "average" applicant. 70 just struck me as very excessive. Maybe it's not. I'll find out this fall 🙂

Seems odd to give advice on the topic as a 3rd year student without giving the disclaimer that you have no experience on which to base this opinion. I'm sure you are trying to help, but it just seems odd to call someone out like that and tell them it is excessive and that 20 should be fine. You base your recs on reading a few internet threads?
And how do you expect a candidate to investigate programs to see who would be willing to interview them? If you knew the answer to that riddle, you could save everyone a lot of trouble.🙂
Good luck to you next year! I sincerely hope you do well. If and when the bottom falls out, your recs may be dead on.

 

[scudrunner]

Seems odd to give advice on the topic as a 3rd year student without giving the disclaimer that you have no experience on which to base this opinion. I'm sure you are trying to help, but it just seems odd to call someone out like that and tell them it is excessive and that 20 should be fine. You base your recs on reading a few internet threads?
And how do you expect a candidate to investigate programs to see who would be willing to interview them? If you knew the answer to that riddle, you could save everyone a lot of trouble.🙂
Good luck to you next year! I sincerely hope you do well. If and when the bottom falls out, your recs may be dead on.

Thanks.

I wasn't calling anyone out though. Nor was I trying to state my opinion as fact or based on experience. I said my opinion was based on reading previous years' threads. Plus, directly under my username is MS-III. I didn't think I needed to say more.

Regarding the matter at hand- my main point is to apply intelligently and do some rotations at your top choices and you could probably cut down the number of apps. If this is bad advice, so be it, but that is my plan as I have limited funds.

Oh, and as for investigating programs, call or email some PDs or go to the PD meet and greet at the ASA annual meeting and talk to them face-to-face, as I have done. I've gotten some great info this way... from the horse's mouth.

 

[Gern Blansten]

Thanks.

I wasn't calling anyone out though. Nor was I trying to state my opinion as fact or based on experience. I said my opinion was based on reading previous years' threads. Plus, directly under my username is MS-III. I didn't think I needed to say more.

Regarding the matter at hand- my main point is to apply intelligently and do some rotations at your top choices and you could probably cut down the number of apps. If this is bad advice, so be it, but that is my plan as I have limited funds.

Oh, and as for investigating programs, call or email some PDs or go to the PD meet and greet at the ASA annual meeting and talk to them face-to-face, as I have done. I've gotten some great info this way... from the horses mouth.

Good ideas.
Some don't update their status under their name, so I wasn't sure if you were now a resident prior to your statement.

The one downside I have noticed since ERAS began is that over all apps are way up. It is nice in a way for the programs because they get to see more candidates from all over the country. In a way it is also bad, because the cancellation rate is higher and there is also the issue that you know they have also applied to over 50 other programs. So gauging interest level based simply on an application is very difficult unless they mention your region of the country or your specific program by name in their personal statement.

The downside for the applicant is that now everyone is applying to 70 programs, so you have to as well. The top candidates will get offers from 50 programs. You hope that they will narrow their choices quickly and free up those remaining spots. That doesn't always happen and many are left without interviews at places they really want to be while some high quality candidates are interviewing there knowing full well they have no interest in the program. Or even worse, they cancel late making it impossible to fill the slot with someone else.

In the days of the paper application, people only applied to 10-15 because each program had a separate application and it got really tiring filling all of those apps out and giving your letter writers the names and addresses and stamped envelopes on where to send the letters. We thought it was awesome when some programs started accepting the "Universal Application" because we could use less energy and submit the same app to a few extra programs. But in those days, if an applicant applied to your program, you felt relatively certain they at least had a moderately strong interest in being there.

Now, it just takes a few clicks of a button and a some extra $$ and you can all of a sudden apply to 70+ programs. Like I said, it has upsides and downsides.

 

[DocDO2B]

thanks for all the feedback! just to add more about me since its anonymous. usmle step 1= 226, research as a grad student before med school ( 1 as first author , 2 publications) volunteering at health clinic during grad school, and top 50% of my class. appyling to as many as 60-70 programs

 

[DocDO2B]

thanks for all the feedback! just to add more about me since its anonymous. usmle step 1= 226, research as a grad student before med school ( 1 as first author , 2 publications) volunteering at health clinic during grad school, and top 50% of my class. appyling to as many as 60-70 programs

sorry, i meant volunteering at health clinic during medical school, not grad. not sure if that matters at all

 

[crossfitisfun]

Here's how I applied to programs. Think of cities you would like to live in. Go to the website of programs in that area. Click on the resident roster and see if they have DO's in the program. If they have DO's, then be sure to apply to the program. If you end up with a short list of programs from there....add a couple of programs that may be a reach and sound great to you and add a couple of programs that have tons of positions and may not be as competitive as the usual UCSF, Brigham, Columbia, Stanford. If you are really interested about living in a specific area, write the program a nice email after your applications are submitted. Let them know of your genuine interest since they are getting thousands of applications from people just clicking the mouse a few extra times.

 

[DocDO2B]

Here's how I applied to programs. Think of cities you would like to live in. Go to the website of programs in that area. Click on the resident roster and see if they have DO's in the program. If they have DO's, then be sure to apply to the program. If you end up with a short list of programs from there....add a couple of programs that may be a reach and sound great to you and add a couple of programs that have tons of positions and may not be as competitive as the usual UCSF, Brigham, Columbia, Stanford. If you are really interested about living in a specific area, write the program a nice email after your applications are submitted. Let them know of your genuine interest since they are getting thousands of applications from people just clicking the mouse a few extra times.

thanks! i will most likely use a strategy similar to this. Can anyone please add to how many programs I should apply to and interviews/ my general chances of receiving interviews based on my stats I have recently posted. thanks

 

[Per4mer8]

thanks! i will most likely use a strategy similar to this. Can anyone please add to how many programs I should apply to and interviews/ my general chances of receiving interviews based on my stats I have recently posted. thanks

I think the advice in this thread is accurate and not much more is needed. You have a PD giving you the "real scoop" in regards to current competitive environment. In general its fair to say scores are going up esp among DO's and will likely continue.

Your 226 step 1 is point blank right at the average..... So as a DO I would recommend applying broadly (40-50ish), mostly very realistic programs. Sure throw some at "top programs" esp if in the area you want to end up or have contacts near. Do an away at a couple programs you would love to go to. And do well on Step 2...... your choice of taking early and trying to bolster the app or late to avoid hurting it. I would take it early and try to improve on your step 1 by 20+ pts. I got more comments on my step 2 than my step 1 by far.......

 

[karizma098]

I'm a DO that matched this year. I had a "average " step 1 score and far above average step 2 score. I had great letters, average ms1/ms2 grades and mostly high pass ( B 's ) on rotations. I also went to ASA and hustled pretty hard. I applied to more than 70 programs, went on about 16 interviews, and ranked nearly all of them. In no way was I "confident" I'd match. I would say a >220 step 1 and >230 step 2 are key. I have a few DO friends that had 210-215 step 1 and average or no step 2 and they did not match.

 

[deleted245139]

I apologize for thread-hijacking, but my question may be one others have as well...
I (regrettably) opted to not take USMLE step 1 as a DO to focus on COMLEX.
I will be taking USMLE step 2

the questions:
-is there such a thing as a sufficiently high COMLEX step 1 score that might make up for no USMLE step 1?
-will a high USMLE step 2 score offer something competitive to an application without a step 1?

 

[heronmd]

I apologize for thread-hijacking, but my question may be one others have as well...
I (regrettably) opted to not take USMLE step 1 as a DO to focus on COMLEX.
I will be taking USMLE step 2

the questions:
-is there such a thing as a sufficiently high COMLEX step 1 score that might make up for no USMLE step 1?
-will a high USMLE step 2 score offer something competitive to an application without a step 1?

some programs use a COMLEX to USMLE converter

see:

http://www.jaoa.org/cgi/content/full/106/9/568

step 1 equation is: 67.97 + (0.24) x (COMLEX 1 score) = USMLE 1 score

step 2 equation is: 102.2 + (0.18) × (COMLEX 2 score) = USMLE 2 score

 

[anes121508]

doing the math.... 646 comlex is only as good as a 223 step 1? I took comlex 1/2 and usmle 1/2.....the formula isn't even close for my situation....either i had way better days on usmle test day or candidates are much better off taking the actual usmle than submitting themselves to the formula estimator thingy...am i missing something?

to irjanus....I would take usmle step 2 and kill it. This would suck, but take usmle step 1 too...erase any doubts on your application and it might say something about your dedication....can you do that as a third year?

 

[GasMan2012]

doing the math.... 646 comlex is only as good as a 223 step 1? I took comlex 1/2 and usmle 1/2.....the formula isn't even close for my situation....either i had way better days on usmle test day or candidates are much better off taking the actual usmle than submitting themselves to the formula estimator thingy...am i missing something?

Ditto, 40 point underestimation for me.

IRJANUS- You should definitely match with just a decent usmle 2/comlex1, but you will definitely be shutting some doors to a few places that screen step1. If you could take USMLE 1 and get >230 than I would do it (do a few nbmes). Good Luck!

 

[DocDO2B]

I apologize for thread-hijacking, but my question may be one others have as well...
I (regrettably) opted to not take USMLE step 1 as a DO to focus on COMLEX.
I will be taking USMLE step 2

the questions:
-is there such a thing as a sufficiently high COMLEX step 1 score that might make up for no USMLE step 1?
-will a high USMLE step 2 score offer something competitive to an application without a step 1?

Not a problem at all. This actually confirms my questions about the relevance of taking the USMLE as a DO. Not that I really had any doubts at all, but the feedback confirms that ALL DO's should take the USMLE in my opinion.

 

[deleted245139]

it just keeps doors open at the end of the day.
my deal was that I entered medical school 100% aiming for EM and was happy with the variety of DO programs available. With this in mind, I wanted to nail COMLEX, and knock-on-wood, I did. But as I did an Anesthesia rotation to perfect my intubation skills, I fell in love with GAS. Really took me by surprise.
I guess moral of the story is, no matter HOW sure you are about a specialty (and I'm almost 30 and was an EMT for years so I had a frame of reference)... you're never really SURE, sure. No point in closing those doors early.

Step 1 as a third year is do-able for sure, but personally, I would say (for me) risk>>>reward. Step 1 prep is over and done for me and I think/I know I would spread myself too thin to attempt Step 1 now. I am pretty confident I can prep and do very well on USMLE step 2 and was hoping that might suffice. I suppose it might give me an interesting story during interviews as well.

That conversion calculator really dampens a good step1 COMLEX too... I don't know how it was created, but it seems to consistently underestimate real world performance. I still convert to a decent score, but it's a massive disadvantage if programs actually use that.

 

[TeamZissou]

it just keeps doors open at the end of the day.
my deal was that I entered medical school 100% aiming for EM and was happy with the variety of DO programs available. With this in mind, I wanted to nail COMLEX, and knock-on-wood, I did. But as I did an Anesthesia rotation to perfect my intubation skills, I fell in love with GAS. Really took me by surprise.
I guess moral of the story is, no matter HOW sure you are about a specialty (and I'm almost 30 and was an EMT for years so I had a frame of reference)... you're never really SURE, sure. No point in closing those doors early.

Step 1 as a third year is do-able for sure, but personally, I would say (for me) risk>>>reward. Step 1 prep is over and done for me and I think/I know I would spread myself too thin to attempt Step 1 now. I am pretty confident I can prep and do very well on USMLE step 2 and was hoping that might suffice. I suppose it might give me an interesting story during interviews as well.

That conversion calculator really dampens a good step1 COMLEX too... I don't know how it was created, but it seems to consistently underestimate real world performance. I still convert to a decent score, but it's a massive disadvantage if programs actually use that.

I know a few (3+) third years at my school doing just that. We'll see how it turns out. They aren't going for anesthesia though. Peds, Psych & Surg I think.

 

[scudrunner]

some programs use a COMLEX to USMLE converter

see:

http://www.jaoa.org/cgi/content/full/106/9/568

step 1 equation is: 67.97 + (0.24) x (COMLEX 1 score) = USMLE 1 score

step 2 equation is: 102.2 + (0.18) × (COMLEX 2 score) = USMLE 2 score

This formula sucks. Underestimated my USMLE by 26 pts.

 

[IDBasco]

This formula sucks. Underestimated my USMLE by 26 pts.

I only took step 2 but compared to comlex 2, it underestimated my step 2 score by 20 points.

 

[GasMan2012]

some programs use a COMLEX to USMLE converter

see:

http://www.jaoa.org/cgi/content/full/106/9/568

step 1 equation is: 67.97 + (0.24) x (COMLEX 1 score) = USMLE 1 score

step 2 equation is: 102.2 + (0.18) × (COMLEX 2 score) = USMLE 2 score

R^2 = .68 and .46 respectively.... Not a great predictor. If pd's actually use it, it's more of a reason to just take the test

 

[Gern Blansten]

I agree. Just take the test. If you want to go to an allopathic residency, the best way is to take the same exam the allopathic applicants are taking. That way you are compared on a level playing field.
It kind of sucks, but unfortunately, that is what you are faced with in order to give yourself the best chances.
I am curious if you med school advisors tell their students to take it. I think that years ago, they used to discourage it because the COMLEX was their identity, but now it seems that most DO students have taken it. I am wondering if the school's philosophies have changed.

 

[TeamZissou]

At our school they only recommended you take it if you are in the top 1/2 of the class or if you want a specialty/location that needs it. Their stance has become more progressive in the last 3 yrs but it's still not very encouraged.

You may find this thread interesting, it's about a study that came out on whether 4th year students recommended taking it.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=889606

I think some of the newer DO schools may teach toward it more than the established ones.

 

[anes121508]

for what it is worth....my school does not teach towards either the COMLEX or the USMLE. The professors teaching the classes don't really care what is on the board exam. While paralleling my board study topics with the current topics being covered in class, I convinced myself that most of the professors had never even opened up a first aide, kaplan,BRS, goljan RR book. Test questions were nothing like the board examination questions.

Not only do they not encourage their students to take the USMLE, but they really didn't seem to stress board exam scores at all. Faculty told many of us just to take COMLEX and forget about USMLE. Don't think many students listened though considering somewhere around 65% of us took USMLE (probably an underestimation).

The school dean and assistant deans really won't beat around the bush when telling you the primary goal of the school is to produce DO primary care physicians for the state. In fact, a portion of funding depends on reaching that goal. I guess if your goal is to produce primary care physicians for the rural midwest, scoring 260's on USMLE and obtaining competitive residency spots really doesn't matter. Not saying this is a good or bad thing, but simply a fact of the DO school I'm at. Wonder if it's like that elsewhere...

 

[DocDO2B]

for what it is worth....my school does not teach towards either the COMLEX or the USMLE. The professors teaching the classes don't really care what is on the board exam. While paralleling my board study topics with the current topics being covered in class, I convinced myself that most of the professors had never even opened up a first aide, kaplan,BRS, goljan RR book. Test questions were nothing like the board examination questions.

Not only do they not encourage their students to take the USMLE, but they really didn't seem to stress board exam scores at all. Faculty told many of us just to take COMLEX and forget about USMLE. Don't think many students listened though considering somewhere around 65% of us took USMLE (probably an underestimation).

The school dean and assistant deans really won't beat around the bush when telling you the primary goal of the school is to produce DO primary care physicians for the state. In fact, a portion of funding depends on reaching that goal. I guess if your goal is to produce primary care physicians for the rural midwest, scoring 260's on USMLE and obtaining competitive residency spots really doesn't matter. Not saying this is a good or bad thing, but simply a fact of the DO school I'm at. Wonder if it's like that elsewhere...

I can agree with you 1000% that it is exactly this way at the DO school I attend.

 

[Gern Blansten]

Sounds like the school philosophies have not changed but students are hearing through word of mouth that they should strongly consider taking the USMLE.

 

[anes121508]

Yes exactly. And it put some students at odds with the administration and faculty of the DO schools that have specific agendas. Students pay tuition and expect support from the faculty that helps them reach their career goals. Problem is that if your goals arent aligned with the agenda ofthe school, you can expect not only a lack of support but resistance secondary to school policy and backlash from administration. There is a palpable level of tension amonst those entering acgme residencies and the assistant dean.

 

[TeamZissou]

Mixed up my schools...

 

[dozitgetchahi]

Yes exactly. And it put some students at odds with the administration and faculty of the DO schools that have specific agendas. Students pay tuition and expect support from the faculty that helps them reach their career goals. Problem is that if your goals arent aligned with the agenda ofthe school, you can expect not only a lack of support but resistance secondary to school policy and backlash from administration. There is a palpable level of tension amonst those entering acgme residencies and the assistant dean.

Wow, this is really something. At my institution, fully 2/3 of the class of 2012 opted for the ACGME match. While I'd say the school still tried to direct people towards the COMLEX/AOA matches, ultimately there was relatively little pushback against students going allo.

 

[buccsmf1]

DO here that has recently become interested in anesthesia. 237 step 1 usmle. Just started my 3rd year so only 1 clinical score back, surgery (A). Not sure about class rank but definitely top 50%. From, statistically, one of the best DO schools, we match about 50% MD.

What are my chances of matching MD? I'm open to applying broadly, 50+ programs and I'm willing to go just about anywhere as long as it means matching.

 

[TeamZissou]

DO here that has recently become interested in anesthesia. 237 step 1 usmle. Just started my 3rd year so only 1 clinical score back, surgery (A).

What are my chances of matching MD? I'm open to applying broadly, 50+ programs and I'm willing to go just about anywhere as long as it means matching.

50 apps with ~15 interviews and your boards score should give you 97% probability of matching.

(Or something very high, I didn't actually calculate it)

 

[MasterYi]

So is the general consensus that osteopaths who score lets say 10 points below avg on usmle both steps (214 / 224) have very little chance at matching unless they apply to 70 programs?

 

[IlDestriero]

50 apps with ~15 interviews and your boards score should give you 97% probability of matching.

(Or something very high, I didn't actually calculate it)

Yes, very high likelihood of matching, just make sure you apply widely enough to get at least 10-15 interviews.

 

[TeamZissou]

So is the general consensus that osteopaths who score lets say 10 points below avg on usmle both steps (214 / 224) have very little chance at matching unless they apply to 70 programs?

Naw you could probably get it because your step II is above 220 which seems to be a cutoff commonly used for interview. But from friends last year's experience you take it upon yourself to contact them and convince them to take the step II as your score that meets their cutoff.

My thoughts would be 75+ apps plus 10-15 interviews should give you a fighting chance but you should do at least two always and get LORS from them.

Anyone who went through last year have more info?