Apply HCA if non-competitive student?

[WhatIsGoingOn219]

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Not so competitive student - 6year grad, Repeated 1 year med school, LOA, failed Level w/ 39x, got 48x on remediation. Did average to above average on OMS2, OMS3, and 48x on Level 2. Applying FM.

I was offered an away rotation at an osteopathic recognized HCA program in a location I really want to be at. I've heard HCA programs only rank students based on highest board scores. Am I wasting my time if I take that audition rotation? What are the chances that they'll rank me well? I don't know much about HCA. Thanks!

 

[deleted898021]

Does FM even need auditions? I thought it was more like IM, I would just apply to a bunch of places and see what happens

 

[fldoctorgirl]

Does FM even need auditions? I thought it was more like IM, I would just apply to a bunch of places and see what happens

For someone with multiple red flags, an audition can be a way for them to get a leg up. Auditions are not recommended for applicants without red flags.

OP, I would do it, especially since you say it's a location you'd like to be at. You've got nothing to lose. Also, just because the program may rank in order of board scores doesn't mean they'll match that way, especially since many people don't want to go to HCA residencies.

 

[Tragal Pointer]

Do it because it’s a program you are interested in. You need to apply to every program in the country.

 

[getfat]

Would look up the program on NRMP and see if the program has to SOAP in years past. A lot of HCA programs go unfilled every year.

If the program goes unfilled then you're more than likely going to make their list. Even if they rank by board scores. (This is assuming you're applying to non-competitive specialities like IM, FM)

If you're adamant about going to this specific program then the audition may be good for you.

 

[katiemaude]

HCA has minimum STEP and Comlex score requirements. If you don't meet it might as well rotate somewhere you have a chance of matching.

 

[UCRWSP]

HCA hospitals are very specific on the type of applicants that they want. They have a specific cut off step 1: 220. The reason for the unfilled spots are for a reason. 1. People don't want to do residency at a for profit hospital 2. HCA PD have no power in their choice of applicants thus it is the HCA administrators that choose. Thus, they will rather go into soap than match applicants that are qualified. They use this strategy to soap medical students that have high Step scores to boost the recognition of their program.

I know all this information cause my medical school is affiliated with one of the HCA hospitals and the PD program told us the workings of their system. Summary: Yes. HCA only ranks top students and soaps students within their Step 1 cut off scores.

 

[Redpancreas]

Not so competitive student - 6year grad, Repeated 1 year med school, LOA, failed Level w/ 39x, got 48x on remediation. Did average to above average on OMS2, OMS3, and 48x on Level 2. Applying FM.

I was offered an away rotation at an osteopathic recognized HCA program in a location I really want to be at. I've heard HCA programs only rank students based on highest board scores. Am I wasting my time if I take that audition rotation? What are the chances that they'll rank me well? I don't know much about HCA. Thanks!

I heard a rumor IM HCA programs screen for 230 on Steps. Not sure if it’s true.

 

[Redpancreas]

HCA hospitals are very specific on the type of applicants that they want. They have a specific cut off step 1: 220. The reason for the unfilled spots are for a reason. 1. People don't want to do residency at a for profit hospital 2. HCA PD have no power in their choice of applicants thus it is the HCA administrators that choose. Thus, they will rather go into soap than match applicants that are qualified.

I know all this information cause my medical school is affiliated with one of the HCA hospitals and the PD program told us the workings of their system. Summary: Yes. HCA only ranks top students and soaps students within their Step 1 cut off scores.

Regardless of what that HCA person says, that sounds like a terrible way to build prestige or more importantly recruit good applicants. You’re going to build infinitely more good will by accepting the identity of a program that may not take the highest scorers but residents with grit who really want to do this.

HCAs are the least desirable already. No fellowship director or job recruiters are going to see that their resident average on Step 1 is high and consider that to mean their residency’s strong/prestigious. I don’t even think Doximity looks at Step 1 average when looking at rankings so it’s not like they’re boosting their media outlet rankings either. With that recruiting strategy they’re probably getting people who didn’t want to do that field in the first place.

Also. It may be 220. I remember hearing 230 because I remember thinking that was pretty high.

 

[Ho0v-man]

Community HCA programs I don’t think care about scores.

 

[getfat]

Community HCA programs I don’t think care about scores.

Not sure where OP or the posters above me are talking about but personally I confirmed w/ the program i rotated at 4th year, (HCA Program in Florida w/ IM, FM and emergency).

HCA in Florida for non competitive specialties are not screening american grads (USMD, USDO). There is a screen for IMG, FMG (230 from last i heard).

OP if you're really in doubt about your competitiveness for the program i would just email the PC about it. The only issue is you may get a generic answer.

 

[fldoctorgirl]

I confirmed w/ the program i rotated at 4th year, (HCA Program in Florida w/ IM, FM and emergency)

Curious to know which program and your thoughts on it if you wouldn't mind sharing!

 

[Rekt]

HCA wants slave labor. They have minimum cut offs to teach as little as possible. You can find evidence everywhere that even attendings at these programs didn't want to start them. Someone with a 230 is going to teach themselves. Someone with a 198 will need a lot of work. They don't care about prestige. They don't care about applicant quality. They could not care less what you even do after residency.

They care about free labor and saturating every specialty to dilute salaries and fill their pockets of their MBAs at the same time pushing low level providers into independent practice. They are a deathly malignant cancer in medicine, just like all the other CMCs. Even going to one is furthering the death of medicine.

 

[hungrydoc710]

I don't understand the sentiment of not doing aways for IM.
I certainly am.

Not the end of the world if you can't get them all, but why not a few?

 

[Mass Effect]

Ugh, HCA is just horrible. I know location is important, but seriously, apply everywhere and rank other places first.

One thing no one's mentioned yet, if you work for HCA (or any for profit), your years in residency won't count for PSLF if you're trying to get forgiveness.

 

[Splenda88]

HCA (Envision) is killing medicine.


You are a US student with no criminal hx; therefore, you should be able to match into FM or community IM.

 

[deleted845868]

For someone with multiple red flags, an audition can be a way for them to get a leg up. Auditions are not recommended for applicants without red flags.

OP, I would do it, especially since you say it's a location you'd like to be at. You've got nothing to lose. Also, just because the program may rank in order of board scores doesn't mean they'll match that way, especially since many people don't want to go to HCA residencies.

Did you apply for residency this year and if so how did interview season go?

 

[deleted845868]

Not so competitive student - 6year grad, Repeated 1 year med school, LOA, failed Level w/ 39x, got 48x on remediation. Did average to above average on OMS2, OMS3, and 48x on Level 2. Applying FM.

I was offered an away rotation at an osteopathic recognized HCA program in a location I really want to be at. I've heard HCA programs only rank students based on highest board scores. Am I wasting my time if I take that audition rotation? What are the chances that they'll rank me well? I don't know much about HCA. Thanks!

How is interview season going for you?

 

[deleted845868]

Not so competitive student - 6year grad, Repeated 1 year med school, LOA, failed Level w/ 39x, got 48x on remediation. Did average to above average on OMS2, OMS3, and 48x on Level 2. Applying FM.

I was offered an away rotation at an osteopathic recognized HCA program in a location I really want to be at. I've heard HCA programs only rank students based on highest board scores. Am I wasting my time if I take that audition rotation? What are the chances that they'll rank me well? I don't know much about HCA. Thanks!

Not so competitive student - 6year grad, Repeated 1 year med school, LOA, failed Level w/ 39x, got 48x on remediation. Did average to above average on OMS2, OMS3, and 48x on Level 2. Applying FM.

I was offered an away rotation at an osteopathic recognized HCA program in a location I really want to be at. I've heard HCA programs only rank students based on highest board scores. Am I wasting my time if I take that audition rotation? What are the chances that they'll rank me well? I don't know much about HCA. Thanks!

Hey I am in the same boat as you! Not the most competitive applicant but hoping to do residency in IM or FM. How has the interview season been for you? Any advice is appreciated

 

[fldoctorgirl]

Did you apply for residency this year and if so how did interview season go?

Good. Received over 20 invites.

 

[deleted845868]

Good. Received over 20 invites.

Did you also experience a board failure? Or do you have any insight on how HCA handles board failures even in SOAP?

 

[fldoctorgirl]

Did you also experience a board failure? Or do you have any insight on how HCA handles board failures even in SOAP?

No, I did not.

 

[MatchGod]

1) cost - probably the biggest factor
2) possibilty of looking unimpressive and risking not getting an invite. There’s much more room for you to look silly in an IM rotation than Rads/Anesthesia etc

There’s no right/wrong answer here. To each its own

What about thoughts for transitional year for HCA programs?