Anyone else overwhelmed searching for IM Residency programs?

[kdhmed]

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With 400+ programs, it seems very daunting. I'm looking for a site similar to this for those looking for OB programs: http://www.apgo.org/component/residencedirectory

It breaks down all the programs into every conceivable way and I've yet to find anything like it for IM.

I've used the ACP website and the CIM website but all I'm really getting are lists after lists with some contact info. No breakdown by USMLE score, number of residents, etc.

Anyone find a better way to research these programs?

 

[ArcGurren]

With 400+ programs, it seems very daunting. I'm looking for a site similar to this for those looking for OB programs: http://www.apgo.org/component/residencedirectory

It breaks down all the programs into every conceivable way and I've yet to find anything like it for IM.

I've used the ACP website and the CIM website but all I'm really getting are lists after lists with some contact info. No breakdown by USMLE score, number of residents, etc.

Anyone find a better way to research these programs?

I think you're taking the wrong approach. I'd sort by first which cities you are interested in going to; most cities have at least a few very good IM programs that you might be interested in.

You can compile a list off of FREIDA and then search each program's website. Not as nicely compiled, no, but given the volume, you want to be more discerning.

 

[Kaputt]

I think you're taking the wrong approach. I'd sort by first which cities you are interested in going to; most cities have at least a few very good IM programs that you might be interested in.

You can compile a list off of FREIDA and then search each program's website. Not as nicely compiled, no, but given the volume, you want to be more discerning.

I think what he's getting at is asking if there is a good standardized database of information on IM programs. That OB/Gyn site looks pretty awesome and user-friendly, wish there was something like that for IM. I agree with the OP that it's difficult to wade through the vast number of programs.

 

[235009]

There's no such resource for IM programs. Best way to approach it is by asking yourself the following:
1. Geographic location?
2. University vs. Community program?
3. Interested in primary care or research track?

Then you can stratify according to your step 1 and academic performance. The avg step 1 score for IM is 226 (if i remember correctly) however unlike with many other specialties there is extreme heterogeniety. Upper tier programs are extremely competitive (think 250+, top school, AOA). Then there are a lot of programs that are just looking for passing scores and a pulse. Of course in the middle you have every shade of grey. Unfortunately being a DO automatically makes you basically ineligible for most top programs no matter what your scores are. Generally, in terms of university programs, IM program competitiveness is pretty closely related to the corresponding med school's competitiveness, particularly toward the top. The rest is just hearsay and rumor.

 

[sunset823]

I feel your pain OP, I really had very few restrictions on where to apply, so I made a spreadsheet of all of the 380 whatever programs, then whittled it down by places I definitely knew I didn't want to live (deep south), places I would have liked to live but wasn't really competitive for (namely a few in the west), and then ones that had decent reputations, regardless of community vs. university. I ended up applying to 70 programs, which is way more than the average US MD applicant, but again, with no restrictions, I dare other people to try to cut down a list of nearly 400. FWIW, all of my iv's have come from regions of the country I've physically lived in (the midwest and the northeast), so even though you may not have a location bias, the programs may want to see you have some sort of tie to the area or past experience with it.

 

[ArcGurren]

I think what he's getting at is asking if there is a good standardized database of information on IM programs. That OB/Gyn site looks pretty awesome and user-friendly, wish there was something like that for IM. I agree with the OP that it's difficult to wade through the vast number of programs.

Right and I agree it would be nice to have all 400 or so on a website. But typically people self select by region anyway is all I'm saying so it would be a better place to start.

 

[Raryn]

Holy crap, that APGO site is friggen awesome for OB. I wish there was something like it for medicine...

Really, the only way I know that everyone got it down to the 15-30 almost every US IM graduate applies to is: 1) Pull up the list on FREIDA 2) Start with the places you want to live. 3) Go to the websites to at least get a general sense of the program and where their residents are from (all from top 10 schools? tons of IMGs? etc) 4) start arbitrarily cutting to get to your right number. Based on said general sense, scuttlebutt you hear from your advisors and on SDN, or whatever else.

If you're a competitive applicant you'll probably get interviews at the majority of the places you apply, less some of the top programs. I applied to a good mix of reach/decent/safety (without any of the really, truly, take-only-IMG safeties) and am sitting at around 2/3 of my programs having given me interviews, and I know folks that are higher. Unless you're applying to MGH/BWH/UCSF/JH and all the programs right below them only, don't go higher than 30 (many even say 20). You couldn't go on those interviews if you tried.