anxious and need some advice

[Jtherang]

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I know this board is inundated with posts like mine, but I'm nervous and could use some advice. I am a fourth year who chose anesthesia late in the game, and am having a really hard time setting up any away electives, because they are all full now. My school doesn't have an anesthesia residency and I really don't know anyone that well as far as getting a letter goes. I have good stats I think: 239/99 on step 1 and decent grades. If I'm able to get a letter from an anesthesiologist, should I be okay come interview season? I'll have done a month of pulm and ICU by then and am trying to get in some SICU time. I guess I'm just realizing how long of a wait it's going to be until this all gets started and I'm starting to get nervous.

 

[amyl]

well you can rotate at your home program to get a letter....doesn't matter that they don't have residency. ask around and see if one of the anesthesiologists is really nice/approachable, often writes letters, etc. and hook up with him/her. you really do need a lor from an anesthesiologist...even if it is somewhat generic. besides, for your own benefit you really should rotate in anesthesia. a lifetime is a long time to do something you don't love and its not for everyone. congrats on boards...good job.
you really can't find any open rotations for august-october? where have you tried? what region are you into?

 

[Jtherang]

yeah, i'm in the northeast and am focusing on the philly/baltimore area. and everything is booked. its crazy. i dont know if non-anesthesia students want to do it because they hear its easy or if just a lot of people are interested this year, but most of the schools are booked until february.
i already talked to people at my school and they seemed open to working with me, i was just curious if a letter from a community hospital would be a strike against me. I'm not looking to match in like the #1 program, I'm just very interested in matching 🙂
I did have some experience in the field as a 3rd year and really liked it, but spent a good part of my day with CRNAs, so I wasnt able to get a letter out of that.

 

[amyl]

glad to hear you have some first hand knowledge....important to make an informed choice. you do not need a letter from a top program...a community program will suit just fine. so rotate at home and get a letter and you will be set and won't have to worrry about matching if you give a decent interview. if you really like a place, tell them....in general residencies seem to want people enthusiastic and excited to be there....worked for me ;-)

p.s. -- stop freaking out....like coastie pm'ed me, "you will match!"

 

[Jtherang]

thanks so much even though all logic points towards what you are saying, its still nice to hear! good luck with your residency!

 

[bigdan]

OP-

If at all interested in the east coast, you may wanna try an away at Stony Brook (in Long Island, NY). The Chairman is an EXTRAORDINARY individual with a big name in the field (concept of context-sensative half time, section editor in A&A), and you are scheduled at least one day in his OR so you get personal face time with him - which could help in getting a "big name letter". The rest of the faculty are tremendous as well, and the rotation seems well organized and not all that visiting-student-heavy.

dc