Applying for Intern. Med Resid. -Need advice

[krdstargate]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi! I am a 4th year applying for IM resid. I needed some advice on where to apply. I kind of screwed up during my step 1 and barely got 200. I worked hareder for step 2 and got 233. My 3rd year grades are pretty much B's and B-'s. I got a B- on my IM rotation. In terms of evals on average I usually get above average to good. I have some research and have decided to do a year of research this year (done with 4th year) and apply for 2010. I want to stay on the east coast or close to the east coast. I was looking at programs like of U of Mass. and U of Conn. I was wondering if anybody had any idea of what these schools are like or what schools I would be competetive at.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!

 

[DrJosephKim]

Are you an MD or DO?

Are you a US grad?

How strong are your letters of recommendation? Most programs put the most weight in those. Therefore, if you can get a stunning letter from your dept chair and several more to back that up, then I think you'll be in a fine position.

 

[krdstargate]

I am a US grad MD.

 

[dragonfly99]

I am unsure how the lower step 1 will affect you. The Step 2 score is good.

The grades mean nothing to me b/c it's all relative to what others have gotten/will get @your school. If a B is the lower 10%, then it's a bad grade, but if a B is the top 35% of people, then it's good.

I agree with above - having good LOR's is key, and having a good grade in your medicine subI will help.

The reputation of your med school will likely have some impact, particularly if it is one that the institutions to which you apply are familiar with. For example, if your school is in the northeast then U Conn and U Mass (and Yale, Boston schools, etc.) will likely be familiar with your school and what being a B/B- student there means.

I think IM is not that competitive, and that you should try for whatever residency programs you want, within reason. I don't think you sound competitive for UC San Fran, Brigham, etc. but stranger things have happened and if it was your life's dream to train @Harvard, then I would say go ahead and apply there, but use it as a "reach" school and have a backup. I don't know much about the 2 programs you mentioned, but would think you'd be competitive @places like that if your LOR's are good.