applying for PM&R this fall

[cistar]

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... how realistic is for an USIMG to get anesthesiology residency interviews, if they have Step 1 scores of below 80, Step 2 scores above 80, strong letters of recommendation, with 1 being from an anesthesiology department chair (from a no-name community hospital), and 2-3 electives in anesthesiology by the time of interview season?

obviously step 1 is a make or break factor as far as getting your foot in the door for invites, but does a barely passing Step 1 score completely slam the door shut?

... how competitive is it for someone with the above credentials to have a shot at interviewing at the bottom tier anesthesiology residency programs?

in the past, there has been a preception that anesthesiology programs seem to place emphasis on class rank, research, personal statement, etc, and more on board scores and recommendation letters. does this still hold true?

while i cant change my grades and board scores, is there anything i can do to improve my chances at landing some interviews? i have done a 4 week anesthesiology rotation, and i believe i could be a good anesthesiologist. i am willing to make any sacrifices to get a spot, anywhere, no matter how malignant. i would even consider doing 2 preliminary years in surgery if i had to.

if anyone could advise me, or give me some contacts of places where i could apply or rotate to solidify my chances, please reply or pm me. thank you.

this is my first post, but i have been an avid SDN follower and have read it for a while as it is a great resource.

anway, i saw this post in the anesthesiology forum. i am in the same position as this poster, except that i am an US citizen at a caribbean medical school, and interested in applying for pm&r. pm&r is pretty "hot" right now, and seems reasonably competitive to get now. but i truly desire to be a physiatrist. i have done 1 pm&r elective (at an East coast hospital that doesnt have its own pm&r residency program), and i loved it. my desire in medicine was lacking, until i came across pm&r. however, my narrowest pass of Step 1 puts me in the least desirable position as far as interviews go.

i am willing to go to any pm&r residency program and willing to do what i need to do to get there.

please dont confuse the purpose of this post; i am not looking for "hang in there sport, everything will be great" pep talk. I am looking for practical advice which i can use to help my situation out.

i feel like i am in a desperate situation akin to "looking in from the outside" of where i want to be with regard to my future career aspirations. please pm me if you can provide with some helpful advice or contacts that might bolster my position.

thanks to all the people who took the time to read my post.

 

[mehul_25]

Well I won't give you the hang-in there reply as you are often apt to get in these situations.

I will tell you that I was in essentially the same situation as you are now. I am an USIMG with borderline Step I scores.

My suggestions to you include doing additional rotations in PM&R and quickly. This is still a field where dedication and genuine interest is appreciated and even often rewarded. Additionally try to complete these rotations at hospitals with residency programs, you can try an inpatient and possibly even an outpatient rotation. Also make sure to try and complete them before september; october at the latest, especially if you want recommendation letters that are meaningful. Connections can't hurt.

Finally, I would consider taking Step II before interview season really gets going, try and do better than you did on Step I so that you can show improvement and claim an upward trend.

Even though PM&R has become more competitive it is still available to those who work hard, have good letters of recommendation and have decent scores. Don't automatically settle for a sub-par program out of perceived desperation. You definitely have a very good chance of finding at least a mid-level or higher program.

Mehul

PS let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[axm397]

agree with above - I would apply to MORE programs that you think necessary - include a wide range of programs to increase your chances.

A good LOR needless to say, would definitely help. Additional rotation highly recommended. If you can swing it, ask to rotate with a "name" Physiatrist or the PD/aPD. If you have time to do PM&R research, that will also help.

I took step II in July and got a higher score to make up for my low Step 1 score. I think that helped.

Personal statements - many PDs actually read your personal statement - reiterate your committment to PM&R, write why you are unique, etc... start working on that asap have PM&R ppl review it.

Consider joining the AAPMR or AAP to keep on top of the latest PM&R issues - this is just a little extra but will make you look well informed. I got asked about the latest legal medicare / PM&R issues during one interview.

Without knowing the details of your application, its hard to make too many specific recommendations but I think these are pretty standard for everyone. There are also some IMGs in PM&R on this forum - you may want to pm them to get their perspective.

good luck!

 

[cistar]

mehul_25 and axm397, thanks for the replies.

can anyone share their thoughts regarding this topic?

 

[nvrsumr]

Definitely take step 2/CSA before you apply-not only to improve scores but more importantly so programs know they wont be wasting time interviewing and ranking an applicant who might fail step 2/CSA and be unmatchable this year.

Send in application on first day(with all scores and supporting docs) and to 40-50 programs-I had my first interview in October. Accept interviews to 12+ programs( you can always be in the enviable position of accepting an interview and then later canceling-within a reasonable time period).

Have a great personal statement-write it now, set it aside for a couple weeks, revise, repeat, have mutiple people read and critique-including pm&r attendings.

Have all of your LORs mention your interest in PM&R-no generic boilerplate. I had no "big names" but very personalized LORs.

Be serious but personable during the mutiple interviews you will receive following above advice-most programs are small and residents and attending will be working closely with you. They want competent residents who are easy to get along with-not idiot savants with 260+ step one scores.

Buy a new suit.

Good Luck.