applying to only 1 progam because of geographical restrictions, any advice?

[AwesomeO-DO]

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I am going to be severely restricted to applying to 1 program in Milwaukee due to my wife already having a job there... any advice on maximizing my chances? Already going to take Step 1. Not sure if I need Step II. Very good COMLEX score. Planning on spending my entire 4th year in Mil.
thanks

 

[avanb803]

I am going to be severely restricted to applying to 1 program in Milwaukee due to my wife already having a job there... any advice on maximizing my chances? Already going to take Step 1. Not sure if I need Step II. Very good COMLEX score. Planning on spending my entire 4th year in Mil.
thanks

Sorry, but I don't think that anyone can honestly tell you it's a good idea.

 

[Gas]

Not a good idea at all. If anything, apply to other programs and interview at them prior to your number one for practice. And who knows - you may find a program you like better anyway.

This goes without saying, but you need to have a backup plan. I don't know your personal situation, but keep in mind if you restrict yourself to one program and don't match there, you need to find another job or live off your wife.

 

[2ndyear]

You've got a few things on your side in this one. MCOW is a BIG program with about 20+ residents per year. They're friendly to DO's with many in the program already. It's also a very strong program in pretty much every possible area. They do a ton of big cases, have a big children's hospital (that you won't find in Madison to the west), and are a heavy hitter in US anesthesia research.

You need to study for Step 1 and do as well on it as possible. I'm not sure about Step 2. You'll want to do an away month there. You'll also want to make your situation known around the department, to the program director, etc. Nothing is better from a program's standpoint than a strong applicant who is a sure bet in the rank list. I'm pretty sure that this will work out quite favorably for you.

 

[RT219]

At least apply to UW-Mad and Chicago progs.

UW is prob way harder to match into but it increases the number of slots you are vying for.

Chicago is not that far away either. IF you want to be an anesthesiologist for sure, I would do the above.

 

[VentdependenT]

What do you want out of your medical career? I could never advise on somebody gambling on one program.

 

[adleyinga]

I am going to be severely restricted to applying to 1 program in Milwaukee due to my wife already having a job there... any advice on maximizing my chances? Already going to take Step 1. Not sure if I need Step II. Very good COMLEX score. Planning on spending my entire 4th year in Mil.
thanks

Do as many rotations with the anestehsia dept as possible- OR, pain, ICU etc
Shine do they know who you are and let them know your situation.
Oh- take part I and get 250 or greater- that will definetly help

 

[Trisomy13]

how committed are you to this whole marriage thing? 😀

seriously though - explain your situation to the PD at your "one choice" and bust your @ss making an impression.

then explain to your boss why you are applying to a couple other programs and sign her up at monster.com. is her job unique to your location, or is it within the realm of possibility that she could relocate to help you realize your career goals without seriously crippling hers in the process?

 

[Mman]

As others have said, gotta at least go for more then 1 program.

Would you rather not match than match in Madison or Chicago? UW and UC and NU all offer very good training. I'm not sure how much of a commute either one of you (or both) would be willing to tolerate, but depending on your career goals a crappy commute for a few years might be worth the rest of your professional career.

 

[aredoubleyou]

Sounds like a good time to start making some babies - she can take a few years off (or more) doing the whole mom thing and you can do residency anywhere....ok, maybe not NY or SF...but seriously dude, you're both gunna kick yourselves later for going into a specialty you didnt want just to stay in milwaukee (of all f-ing places!) cause your wife has a good gig. Unless its her life's goal to be in the dairy industry, cant see a reason not to move from wisconsin (no matter how bad the pay cut) for 3 years of training.

 

[VolatileAgent]

advice?

try as hard as you can - at all costs, no matter what it takes, no matter how much "appropriate" begging it requires - to secure a pre-match spot.

if that's not possible, apply to other geographically desirable programs as you can as others have said. other than that, you should have a back-up plan that includes applying to as many programs in your geographical restriction area as you can (i.e., fp, im, etc.). i had friends who had to scramble. trust me, that process completely sucks. better to have something (even in a field that's not you're #1 choice) than to be unemployed with a medical degree on july 1st.

good luck.

 

[jennyboo]

Or extend your residency applications to include a few other locations, but apply to all of your prelim/transitional years in Milwaukee. That would allow a year to clean up and move if necessary.

 

[pillowhead]

Or extend your residency applications to include a few other locations, but apply to all of your prelim/transitional years in Milwaukee. That would allow a year to clean up and move if necessary.

I'm absolutely restricted to one city/program because my husband is in the middle of his PhD program. It's not even like a job where one could theoretically move even if it would royally suck to give up a good job--you can't exactly move your thesis to another school. Even so, I'm still going to apply to more than one program. I'd say apply to anything within a 2-3 hour drive. I mean, what else are you going to do? Not match and try to scramble? I do have the 250+ Step I score which I'm extremely happy and grateful for, but I don't think any one thing like that makes me shoo-in.

 

[jennyboo]

I'm absolutely restricted to one city/program because my husband is in the middle of his PhD program. It's not even like a job where one could theoretically move even if it would royally suck to give up a good job--you can't exactly move your thesis to another school. Even so, I'm still going to apply to more than one program. I'd say apply to anything within a 2-3 hour drive. I mean, what else are you going to do? Not match and try to scramble? I do have the 250+ Step I score which I'm extremely happy and grateful for, but I don't think any one thing like that makes me shoo-in.

I had 230 < my score < 240, with very average grades (honored nothing but my 3 anesthesia rotations), no publications, pretty good letters, and a well written personal statement. In other words, nothing special. Although I was asked about my grades a couple of times (usually by medicine prelim interviewers, not anesthesiology), I got very few rejections and ended up with interviews at most "top" academic residency programs. So I don't think you'll have any problem at all.

 

[AwesomeO-DO]

Well here is where I'm at. Taking the USMLE on Valentines Day, Hopefully I'll get near the 250 mark, I'll spend my 4th year in Mil. doing 4 months at MCW in various rotations. I am willing to expand my fields of interest to also include radiology, which there are programs at MCW and Aurora. I wouldn't mind putting in some backup programs like IM, Peds, as long as I knew I could become a hospitalist (don't want to have my own patients). But Anesthesia would still be my number one.
What is a "pre-match spot"?

 

[VolatileAgent]

What is a "pre-match spot"?

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/archive/index.php/t-32982.html

 

[AwesomeO-DO]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/archive/index.php/t-32982.html

thanks

 

[avanb803]

thanks

I emailed the program director today asking for info and asking about chances for a qualified DO at their program. He told me there is a new program director and that he wants to focus on allopathic students. He said that most likely FMG/IMGs will no longer be accepted and DOs will have a tougher path to follow. PM me if you want more info.

 

[LonghornJPS]

Hey AwesomeO-DO,
I'm starting my CA1 year at MCW this July.
I sent you a private message.

 

[VolatileAgent]

He said that most likely FMG/IMGs will no longer be accepted and DOs will have a tougher path to follow.

heard that one before...

 

[Crash cart]

I am going to be severely restricted to applying to 1 program in Milwaukee due to my wife already having a job there... any advice on maximizing my chances? Already going to take Step 1. Not sure if I need Step II. Very good COMLEX score. Planning on spending my entire 4th year in Mil.
thanks

Do you enjoy pain and stress? That's what awaits you in fourth year when you apply to only one program. You need to critically evaluate your priorities because if you don't match there you'll need to scramble and move away from the area anyway, and the choices you'll have will not be on your terms at all. Those who fail to plan, plan to fail.

As a D.O., you could approach them and try and get signed out of the match. That's probably your best bet.

You could also give the PD a BJ and see if that helps. Good luck.

 

[yomama]

I got matched to the one program to which I applied - and I might have given a BJ to the PD...but it was worth it. Seriously, give it a go.

Do you enjoy pain and stress? That's what awaits you in fourth year when you apply to only one program. You need to critically evaluate your priorities because if you don't match there you'll need to scramble and move away from the area anyway, and the choices you'll have will not be on your terms at all. Those who fail to plan, plan to fail.

As a D.O., you could approach them and try and get signed out of the match. That's probably your best bet.

You could also give the PD a BJ and see if that helps. Good luck.

 

[AwesomeO-DO]

So here is an update.
took the COMLEX back in June and did AWESOME....O
didn't know i needed to take the USMLE until later into my 3rd year. Finally took this in the middle of my rotations, so I didn't have any time off to "board study", and this was about 6 months after my COMLEX study, so I've forgotten most of the important things and all of the non important things. Needless to say, I didn't do as well. And I know they say you can't really compare between the COMLEX and USMLE, but it's pretty easy to see a difference between my two scores.
So my question is this: if the residencies I plan to apply to will take the COMLEX, do I just give them my COMLEX score. And if I get an interview, and they ask if I ever took the USMLE, can I just say yes, but not give them the score. My USMLE score isn't "horrible", but just not as outstanding as I wanted it to be. I'll even say it was slightly above average.
I plan on applying to IM, Peds, IM/Peds, and Anesthesiology. All are ACGME, but I've been told they will take the COMLEX. That doesn't mean they wouldn't like to see a USMLE score to compare me to everyone else.

Also: these residencies are all in one city (one institution), so I'm guessing PDs from different residencies will talk to one another. If one program finds out my USMLE score, would it be likely the rest will find out even if I don't tell them?


sorry for the long post

thanks for any advice

 

[avanb803]

So here is an update.
took the COMLEX back in June and did AWESOME....O
didn't know i needed to take the USMLE until later into my 3rd year. Finally took this in the middle of my rotations, so I didn't have any time off to "board study", and this was about 6 months after my COMLEX study, so I've forgotten most of the important things and all of the non important things. Needless to say, I didn't do as well. And I know they say you can't really compare between the COMLEX and USMLE, but it's pretty easy to see a difference between my two scores.
So my question is this: if the residencies I plan to apply to will take the COMLEX, do I just give them my COMLEX score. And if I get an interview, and they ask if I ever took the USMLE, can I just say yes, but not give them the score. My USMLE score isn't "horrible", but just not as outstanding as I wanted it to be. I'll even say it was slightly above average.
I plan on applying to IM, Peds, IM/Peds, and Anesthesiology. All are ACGME, but I've been told they will take the COMLEX. That doesn't mean they wouldn't like to see a USMLE score to compare me to everyone else.

Also: these residencies are all in one city (one institution), so I'm guessing PDs from different residencies will talk to one another. If one program finds out my USMLE score, would it be likely the rest will find out even if I don't tell them?


sorry for the long post

thanks for any advice

What kind of scores are you talking? I have an email from Dr Ebert at MCW saying the cutoff for Step one for DO students is 220.

 

[usnavdoc]

WOW. This is just my opinion so take it for what its worth.

I really think you need to re-evaluate and apply more broadly. What is wrong with being separated for a few years. You more than likely will be the "bread winner" in your family and your career is just as important as his.

Honestly, If I were a PD and you applied to several specialties and were just looking to stay in the area. I would be very concerned about accepting you before I ever looked at your CV, scores, etc...

Also think about it ten years from now when you had wanted to be an anesthesiologist and you are a pediatrician. You may have resentment pop up in your relationship. Hopefully not but marriege is certainly hard at times. If I were your husband I would hate it that you gave up something that you likely didnt have to give up.

 

[AwesomeO-DO]

WOW. This is just my opinion so take it for what its worth.

I really think you need to re-evaluate and apply more broadly. What is wrong with being separated for a few years. You more than likely will be the "bread winner" in your family and your career is just as important as his.

Honestly, If I were a PD and you applied to several specialties and were just looking to stay in the area. I would be very concerned about accepting you before I ever looked at your CV, scores, etc...

Also think about it ten years from now when you had wanted to be an anesthesiologist and you are a pediatrician. You may have resentment pop up in your relationship. Hopefully not but marriege is certainly hard at times. If I were your husband I would hate it that you gave up something that you likely didnt have to give up.

not that it matters but i'm the dude, and she's the one with the job already

 

[AwesomeO-DO]

WOW. This is just my opinion so take it for what its worth.

I really think you need to re-evaluate and apply more broadly. What is wrong with being separated for a few years. You more than likely will be the "bread winner" in your family and your career is just as important as his.

Honestly, If I were a PD and you applied to several specialties and were just looking to stay in the area. I would be very concerned about accepting you before I ever looked at your CV, scores, etc...

Also think about it ten years from now when you had wanted to be an anesthesiologist and you are a pediatrician. You may have resentment pop up in your relationship. Hopefully not but marriege is certainly hard at times. If I were your husband I would hate it that you gave up something that you likely didnt have to give up.

and what is probably more funny is she will still make more $$$ than me 🙂 so i'm not going into gas for the $$$

 

[no oxygen]

So here is an update.
took the COMLEX back in June and did AWESOME....O
didn't know i needed to take the USMLE until later into my 3rd year. Finally took this in the middle of my rotations, so I didn't have any time off to "board study", and this was about 6 months after my COMLEX study, so I've forgotten most of the important things and all of the non important things. Needless to say, I didn't do as well. And I know they say you can't really compare between the COMLEX and USMLE, but it's pretty easy to see a difference between my two scores.
So my question is this: if the residencies I plan to apply to will take the COMLEX, do I just give them my COMLEX score. And if I get an interview, and they ask if I ever took the USMLE, can I just say yes, but not give them the score. My USMLE score isn't "horrible", but just not as outstanding as I wanted it to be. I'll even say it was slightly above average.
I plan on applying to IM, Peds, IM/Peds, and Anesthesiology. All are ACGME, but I've been told they will take the COMLEX. That doesn't mean they wouldn't like to see a USMLE score to compare me to everyone else.

Also: these residencies are all in one city (one institution), so I'm guessing PDs from different residencies will talk to one another. If one program finds out my USMLE score, would it be likely the rest will find out even if I don't tell them?


sorry for the long post

thanks for any advice

I personally think you need to sit down with your spouse and have a long talk about what you really want in your medical career. If you really want to be an anesthesiologist, you'll do what it takes to get there...I simply think applying to 4 different specialties just so your wife doesn't have to find another job is a bad idea.

 

[usnavdoc]

and what is probably more funny is she will still make more $$$ than me 🙂 so i'm not going into gas for the $$$

Sorry I just skimed through the thread and thought you were a girl for some reason. no0t that it matters as you said. I understand money isnt a prime consideration but when talking family issues you always have to consider that.

So she is a Phd candidate and will make more than you as a practicing anesthesiologist? Then I guess you have it more figured out than I do. My GF is living off me lol

 

[avanb803]

Its not as much about the money as it is about the fact you'd be dealing with parents who bring their kids in every time they sneeze, among many other things that make me want to drop out. However if you enjoy all of those fields and apply to all of them, you will certainly have some explaining to do at interviews.

 

[AwesomeO-DO]

Its not as much about the money as it is about the fact you'd be dealing with parents who bring their kids in every time they sneeze, among many other things that make me want to drop out. However if you enjoy all of those fields and apply to all of them, you will certainly have some explaining to do at interviews.

but how likely will it be that the PD at each of my interviews knows that I am applying to other programs? Only if I tell them right? Like the gas PD might not know that I'm applying to IM and the other way around. Now the PDs for IM, Peds, and IM/Peds will all probably know each other well, maybe some cross over there too, but that isn't unreasonable to try to apply to each of these, since there is so much similarity.

 

[AwesomeO-DO]

Sorry I just skimed through the thread and thought you were a girl for some reason. no0t that it matters as you said. I understand money isnt a prime consideration but when talking family issues you always have to consider that.

So she is a Phd candidate and will make more than you as a practicing anesthesiologist? Then I guess you have it more figured out than I do. My GF is living off me lol

worse, she'll be a high paid lawyer

 

[usnavdoc]

worse, she'll be a high paid lawyer

I had you confused with someone else on this thread lol thats why I thought you were a grl. sorry lol

 

[pillowhead]

I had you confused with someone else on this thread lol thats why I thought you were a grl. sorry lol

Ha ha--that's me. I'm a female married to a guy who is in the middle of a PhD program so leaving isn't an option at all (unlike if he had a job where he could always find another job in another city even if it sucked to give up a good job.) That said, I will apply to multiple programs in this region of the country because I can't even imagine only applying to my home school even though I think I have a good shot. Too scary to think about scrambling. That said though, with regards to your statement:

What is wrong with being separated for a few years.

I have to ask--are you married or in a long term relationship? Because we've been there done that for three years, will be doing that again just over the summer for a few months, and the thought of having to do that again makes me sick. It's horrible. Beign separated from a spouse is not something to take lightly.

 

[dodo2]

Are you following the UK fiasco? What if the only program you rank has problems with ROL...none of your grades, scores would matter. You will be screwed.

 

[jdubya]

The point that applying medical students often miss is that a program director has a good deal less time than you do to think about things like what other programs you are going to apply to, what board exams you have or have not taken and so on. Make it easy for him because if he has to search for a score he wants on your application, it'll go in the garbage can unless he has a reason to go out of his way for you.
On a minimalist level, these are human beings that you are dealing with who have struggles and so on of their own. To tap into this you have to present yourself to them as a genuine and likeable person for whom they are willing to bend their ideal candidate rules for. You can't be this and hide information at the same time. Be open, be honest and don't whine about your situation but admit that it is a challenge that will require some creativity and good fortune on your part. Make that good fortune via connections with the people at MCW who can help you and go out of your way to prove to them that you are worth the risk.

 

[AwesomeO-DO]

Are you following the UK fiasco? What if the only program you rank has problems with ROL...none of your grades, scores would matter. You will be screwed.

i know you and everyone else here is going to laugh at this, since most of you know for sure you want to do anesthesiology, but I am not all that set on one field. I think I could be good at it and even like it, but I feel the same way about IM (as a hospitalist). As long as I don't have to do office based work I'll be HAPPY. So applying to just one gas program since that is all that is available where I'm going is fine with me. If I don't get in, I'm pretty sure I will get in IM, or IM/Peds, or Peds, and still live a productive happy life. Sure that would suck if something went wrong with the match and I didn't get into gas when I should have. But I have things to fall back on.