Anyone who matched at a Top program willing to share their stats?

[Deucedano]

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I am third year and seriously thinking about pathology. I start my rotation in pathology on Monday, but I just wanted to see where I stand. I have all honors except one block pre-clinical, Step 1 256/99, no 3rd year grades yet. I am working on a clinical research study evaluating restraint use. I would like to get involved in some path research, but I havent found a project that Im interested in. Not much volunteer work, but alot of hobbies beer brewing, biking, lifting, rock climbing, skiing, pretty much anything outdoors.

I know third year grades are important and letters, but is there anything else that I should do. The program reputation isnt that important to me, but if I fit there I would like to have a chance. Plus I have to get out of PA!

 

[simplesuture]

you'll get interviews wherever you apply with those numbers. beyond that, there's not much anyone can tell you other than you're in a good position to match.

 

[yaah]

I am third year and seriously thinking about pathology. I start my rotation in pathology on Monday, but I just wanted to see where I stand. I have all honors except one block pre-clinical, Step 1 256/99, no 3rd year grades yet. I am working on a clinical research study evaluating restraint use. I would like to get involved in some path research, but I havent found a project that Im interested in. Not much volunteer work, but alot of hobbies beer brewing, biking, lifting, rock climbing, skiing, pretty much anything outdoors.

I know third year grades are important and letters, but is there anything else that I should do. The program reputation isnt that important to me, but if I fit there I would like to have a chance. Plus I have to get out of PA!

Your stats are identical to mine. Seriously. Except for the beer brewing, lifting, and rock climbing. You have a good record, provided that you are at a reputable med school of course. Volunteer work doesn't really matter unless you are a superstar volunteer. The thing missing is what your interest in path is and how you have demonstrated it. The research would help. You will probably get interviews at most places (I did with those stats, although that was 7-8 years ago), and after that it's up to you and how you interview will be important.

 

[deleted314957]

I am third year and seriously thinking about pathology. I start my rotation in pathology on Monday, but I just wanted to see where I stand. I have all honors except one block pre-clinical, Step 1 256/99, no 3rd year grades yet. I am working on a clinical research study evaluating restraint use. I would like to get involved in some path research, but I havent found a project that Im interested in. Not much volunteer work, but alot of hobbies beer brewing, biking, lifting, rock climbing, skiing, pretty much anything outdoors.

I know third year grades are important and letters, but is there anything else that I should do. The program reputation isnt that important to me, but if I fit there I would like to have a chance. Plus I have to get out of PA!

I am so tired of saying this but have you considered the military? I have had, by any measure, a very successful career, 22 years post military (now age 58). Damned near my whole CV is on recent posts listed within the past 3 months. And screw the beer, rocks bikes' etc. If you want to go they will take you and you can write your ticket if you have any sense.

 

[gschl1234]

You have really great stats. All you have to do now is bond with a path attending so they can write a great letter for you and also, have a good reason for wanting to go into pathology. Bonding with an attending doesn't necessarily mean doing research. Just demonstrating enthusiasm as well as a good eye (if you're interested in AP) or being able to think through CP type problems/issues (which I'm sure you can pick up easily with your track record) is probably all you need. Good luck!

 

[pathstudent]

I am third year and seriously thinking about pathology. I start my rotation in pathology on Monday, but I just wanted to see where I stand. I have all honors except one block pre-clinical, Step 1 256/99, no 3rd year grades yet. I am working on a clinical research study evaluating restraint use. I would like to get involved in some path research, but I havent found a project that Im interested in. Not much volunteer work, but alot of hobbies beer brewing, biking, lifting, rock climbing, skiing, pretty much anything outdoors.

I know third year grades are important and letters, but is there anything else that I should do. The program reputation isnt that important to me, but if I fit there I would like to have a chance. Plus I have to get out of PA!

Similar to mine. I never climbed Mount EVerest though.

But you are more than fine with those numbers and interests and will get interviews at every program you apply to and will almost certainly match at your first choice assuming you can interview at all, but given your interests you will have a lot to talk about. So I think you qualify as a slam dunk pathstar applicant. It sounds like you should apply in Oregon, Washington, New Mexico or Colorado. Maybe even the California programs can be considered; they aren't too far from all that outdoorsy stuff.

 

[KCShaw]

I agree that you need to establish some real exposure to day-to-day pathology. The biggest 2 problems I saw with pathology applicants over the years, who were otherwise OK on paper, were 1) language/cultural problems, and 2) obviously had no idea what they were getting into with pathology. Every pathology program has matched people who ultimately decide pathology isn't for them. And most programs can't really afford to have residents dropping out every year. So, it sometimes gets harped on.

 

[Deucedano]

Well my path rotation starts tomorrow so I will know soon enough if pathology is the right specialty for me... While Im on the subject, anyone have some advice besides the obvious common sense things like be nice, smile alot, go in early/stay late, dont be negative, ect.. or any good high yield book recommendations?

I appreciate all the input so far. I would really like to live in Salt Lake City, so I want to increase my chances as much as possible. How is the education there? Based on some threads I read from several years ago, it seems like a good place to train, but others said the surgical path is somewhat lacking. Any current/past residents or anyone who knows the program want to share their opinion?

 

[TinyFish]

Well my path rotation starts tomorrow so I will know soon enough if pathology is the right specialty for me... While Im on the subject, anyone have some advice besides the obvious common sense things like be nice, smile alot, go in early/stay late, dont be negative, ect.. or any good high yield book recommendations?

Make sure you get in there and get dirty! Have some practice grossing and doing a little bit of previewing on your own, if you can. At my med school, most students (including me) just kind of sat in on sign-outs and conferences for the most part. Totally different when you're actually practicing - in my case, in a really good way, because I love what I'm doing. But it might not work out that way for others - make sure you get a good idea of what being a path resident is like before getting yourself elbow-deep in it.

Reading - brush up on normal histology and (bonus) most common pathologic processes related to each organ system. I used my med school histo book and path department books that were available to residents. Stick to 3-4 services during the month to have some continuity. That's probably the best you can do on a one-month rotation.

 

[KCShaw]

Really, Robbins is pretty useful at any level. Some of the medical school or other small histology study-books have a tendency to show obscure stains or very high power -- neither bread-and-butter views -- mainly because their goal is to teach microscopic anatomy that you can regurgitate on an exam, not because they're trying to help you learn practical surgical pathology. But, some of them are OK, and you probably will have ready access to a copy. Definitely not worth buying something heavy until you know it's what you want to do.

Many students who rotate through pathology have a tendency to show up 1 day and wane to nothing very rapidly (at least where I've been, and in talks with a few other places). Plain fact is the majority of students don't dig the actual life of pathology, even if they think they like the concept. So simply showing up and staying awake is perhaps a surprisingly big plus. Getting your hands as dirty as they'll let you, and staying interactive -- asking questions, etc. -- will usually also impress. To truly stand out, you have to actually learn something, become able to reliably recognize a few entities, etc.

If you find you like it, and end up doing some surgical rotations later, escorting specimens to pathology for frozen section, etc., will probably earn you bonus points.

Dunno anything really about the Salt Lake City area program(s).

 

[Deucedano]

Good to know. I have a sleep disorder so staying active is something I NEED to do to stay awake. Plus I ask lots of questions as it is so that shouldn't be a problem either.

Anyone have any thoughts about U of Utah program??

 

[Qex]

Here's the blog from a doctor who chose Path, but after two years, decided that he really missed the patient contact of primary care. So, he left and is now an intern doing Peds. He gives a really good overview of what day to day life is like in a Path program.

http://lonecoyotemd.blogspot.com/

 

[pathstudent]

Here's the blog from a doctor who chose Path, but after two years, decided that he really missed the patient contact of primary care. So, he left and is now an intern doing Peds. He gives a really good overview of what day to day life is like in a Path program.

http://lonecoyotemd.blogspot.com/

Good blog.

 

[malchik]

Utah has a strong reputation in CP (ARUP is there), and I would guess the anatomic pathology in terms of material and staff is decent but I don't know for sure. The chairman Peter Jensen is a great guy for what that's worth.

 

[Necromonger]

I am third year and seriously thinking about pathology. I start my rotation in pathology on Monday, but I just wanted to see where I stand. I have all honors except one block pre-clinical, Step 1 256/99, no 3rd year grades yet. I am working on a clinical research study evaluating restraint use. I would like to get involved in some path research, but I havent found a project that Im interested in. Not much volunteer work, but alot of hobbies beer brewing, biking, lifting, rock climbing, skiing, pretty much anything outdoors.

I know third year grades are important and letters, but is there anything else that I should do. The program reputation isnt that important to me, but if I fit there I would like to have a chance. Plus I have to get out of PA!

Some path electives on board would help you get letters. Away rotations in path would also help if there is a region you would like to be in. If you feel like coming to Detroit, we take outside med students for electives from anywhere (we have one from Thomas Jefferson at the moment). My fellow residents are all very good and very busy, besides we are a feeder program for some very good fellowships (memorial-sloan and MD Anderson took 3 of our exiting 4th years).

 

[zao275]

Even if you do not have time to schedule more rotations in pathology, just asking to come and observe for a half day or full day every once in a while is a great way to show interest and to see the day to day workings of a pathology program (you will not get to see this much on interview day). I agree that showing interest and enthusiasm for the specialty of pathology is one of the most important things. Being friendly and a team player is also extremely important. Having great step scores and grades will get you an interview, but you must have those other things to seal the deal usually. I have seen people with Step scores of 250+ ranked low or not at all because they were not sociable or interested. I don't say this to worry you, but just to highlight how important the social aspects of a candidate are so that you don't forget about those things.

The best med student rotators I have seen were the ones who managed to fit in with the residents and function on the level of a resident (not necessarily in knowledge but in involvement and responsibility). If you can get in there and "get your hands dirty" (with gloves of course) as was suggested, you will show that you are hard working and a team player. Most programs will really like that. Good luck!

 

[gschl1234]

As far as reading, try Molavi and the internet for reference. Try to take some cases to preview on your own and then sign out with the attending. Also, it would be helpful to learn to do frozens as well as grossing small things (gallbladder, appendix). If you're very ambitious, move onto bigger specimens (that need staging such as colon, kidney, etc...).