AOA required for top 20 programs?

[nychila]

Is AOA pretty much required (although it's possible to match without it, at least 80-90% of successful matches were AOA) for most of the top 20 general surgery programs, eg. Duke, UCLA, Beth Israel Deaconess, NYU?

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[Winged Scapula]

It sounds as if you already have the data to support your answer.

 

[Moose A Moose]

All DO medical students are automatically members of the AOA anyway, no?

 

[Smurfette]

All DO medical students are automatically members of the AOA anyway, no?

There are 2 AOAs. One is for American osteopathic association (for DOs). The other is alpha omega alpha, a medical school honor society. The OP is referencing the latter.

 

[Moose A Moose]

There are 2 AOAs. One is for American osteopathic association (for DOs). The other is alpha omega alpha, a medical school honor society. The OP is referencing the latter.

Face palm.

 

[SLUser11]

Is AOA pretty much required (although it's possible to match without it, at least 80-90% of successful matches were AOA) for most of the top 20 general surgery programs, eg. Duke, UCLA, Beth Israel Deaconess, NYU?

It's not required anywhere. "Top 20" is a moving target, as well. If you are interested in a prestigious academic program, I would work hard for AOA, but I would focus equally on other areas as well: Step 1 and 2 scores, strong LORs from famous surgeons, and research. It's often hard to complete meaningful research during medical school, so it's important to start early, and go with a surgeon whose known for cranking out pubs.

I feel obliged to mention that "top" programs don't necessarily offer the best training, and most students should fight the urge to focus on prestige, as it's only important to a very small, select group of surgeons and hospitals. I would aim for programs that offer strong operative experience, a robust surgical curriculum, high board pass rates, and a history of placing residents into positions that you want to be in when you're done.

.....now for some fun.....does anybody remember this wonderful thread?

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/top-10-general-surgery-residencies-rankings.31734/page-2

It contains my classic opinion that "All 7 of those (programs) re considered top 5."

 

[thedrjojo]

It's not required anywhere. "Top 20" is a moving target, as well. If you are interested in a prestigious academic program, I would work hard for AOA, but I would focus equally on other areas as well: Step 1 and 2 scores, strong LORs from famous surgeons, and research. It's often hard to complete meaningful research during medical school, so it's important to start early, and go with a surgeon whose known for cranking out pubs.

I feel obliged to mention that "top" programs don't necessarily offer the best training, and most students should fight the urge to focus on prestige, as it's only important to a very small, select group of surgeons and hospitals. I would aim for programs that offer strong operative experience, a robust surgical curriculum, high board pass rates, and a history of placing residents into positions that you want to be in when you're done.

.....now for some fun.....does anybody remember this wonderful thread?

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/top-10-general-surgery-residencies-rankings.31734/page-2

It contains my classic opinion that "All 7 of those (programs) re considered top 5."

i agree... so much so i went to the thread, read 30 posts of nonsense, to find it to "like" it

 

[windog]

Is AOA pretty much required (although it's possible to match without it, at least 80-90% of successful matches were AOA) for most of the top 20 general surgery programs, eg. Duke, UCLA, Beth Israel Deaconess, NYU?

No