Anesthiology competition
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It is getting more competitive. Not to base this on scores alone...but you can see how Anesthesiology stand among other specialties. I would group Anesthesiology in the "MODERATELY COMPETITIVE" tier, along with Emergency Medicine.
From Charting the Match Outcome
Matched U.S. Seniors Step Mean
PM&R
Step 1 = 209
Step 2 = 214
Psychiatry
Step 1 = 210
Step 2 = 213
Family Medicine
Step 1 = 211
Step 2 = 218
Pediatrics
Step 1 = 217
Step 2 = 225
Emergency Medicine
Step 1 = 220
Step 2 = 227
Anesthesiology
Step 1 = 220
Step 2 = 223
Radiology
Step 1 = 235
Step 2 = 237
Radiation Oncology
Step 1 = 235
Step 2 = 237
Dermatology
Step 1 = 238
Step 2 = 242
Plastic Surgery
Step 1 = 241
Step 2 = 244
source: http://www.aamc.org/programs/cim/chartingoutcomes.pdf
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I agree with the above. Fairly competitive, but not so much that you have to be in the top 10% of your class. The difference is that, unlike derm, ortho, plastics, ophth, where residencies are relatively small, anesthesiology graduates many residents per year. Small programs are ones that only have 6-10 per year. So, basically, there are a ton of available positions. The more competitive you are, the more likely you will get your first choice. But, even if you are not the best candidate (modest step scores, average grades), there is still a good chance you can get a spot. It just may not be your first (or second or third etc) choice.
Some specialties are competitive because there are limited numbers of positions available (derm/ophth/plastics/urology etc). Others are competitive because a lot of people are going into it (anesthes/radiology/emerg med).
Thanks for the reply guys. Another question, as a DO, will it be harder to get into residency as opposed to going the MD route?
yes.
in primary care specialties, its unlikely.
at many programs its not an issue.
at malignant backward thinking institutions, its still an issue.
as a DO, i got the degree i wanted, in the place i wanted, and now will get the residency i wanted. 😍
in primary care specialties, its unlikely.
at many programs its not an issue.
at malignant backward thinking institutions, its still an issue.
as a DO, i got the degree i wanted, in the place i wanted, and now will get the residency i wanted. 😍
So your saying that it will be harder as a DO to get in? I'm looking to get into a my state DO school, but the thing is that they specialize in primary care, would that not be a good idea then?
Most D.O. schools focus on primary care. It doesn't really matter except that when you are looking into fields other than primary, you are pretty much on your own to find rotations, letters, etc.
It is a harder route but if you want it enough...
It is a harder route but if you want it enough...
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141837
Work your ass off and accomplish your goals, regardless. If you want to stay in your state, go for it. If you don't, great. If you want to be an MD, kudos. If you want to be a DO, right on.
It's only what you make of it. Don't believe the hype, trust yourself, and work hard. And watch out for your pride getting in the way of your heart.
Best wishes.
wow. weird that we have all these AOA, 240+ club, Ivy grads filling our and many area programs.
if you want to go to MGH, then yes its harder (they are the backward thinking program i refer to). they have said they refuse to take DOs. Maybe the PD's momma got slapped by one, *shrug*
most programs are DO friendly, so its not hard to get anesthesia...however if you are shooting for those so called big name programs (its just ego and not actually quality), then they have to see MD after your name. Their loss 👎
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141837
Then should I not submit my ROL? Maybe some of my interviewers didn't know that I was a DO student... 🙄
Perpetuating this DO/MD split to premeds is at the least tiring, and most not accurate. Please stop harshing the mellow.
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Unfortunately there are a few big name anesthesia programs out there who have never accepted a DO.
unless you got an interview at MGH (which i highly doubt) then the fact remains.
there are indeed big name programs that take DOs (CCF, Hopkins, BIDMC), but then there are some that do not (MGH, UCSF, Stanford)...although I heard a DO got an interview at UCSF with a step 1 of 267, maybe just a rumor though.
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Yes.
Are there fewer residencies to choose from? Yes.
Is the quality of the residency you get as a DO worse than what an MD would get? Sometimes, but not always.
Do DOs get some of the less competitive residency positions in anesthesiology? Yes.
Do DOs get some highly competitive residency positions? Yes, but they're probably in the minority and the majority go elsewhere.
To give you a ballpark idea:
- Does my residency accept DOs? No.
- Does my residency accept American IMGs who went to the Caribbean? No.
- Does my residency accept non-American foreign grads (FMG)? Yes. (Special case.)
Do DOs, American IMGs and FMGs all have approximately the same ability to match into similar residency positions? Who knows... I have no idea what the real statistics are on that question .
Should I think about DO anyway? Sure, why not? You just have to know it comes with its pluses and minuses. As a DO you might have a hard time going into neurosurgery. But as a DO you should be able to go into anesthesiology -- with some residency programs telling you "No" flat-out and others inviting you to interview.
Quality of life between MD and DO are the same. They just sometimes don't work in the same places.
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