Basic Science and Matching

[TheSeanieB]

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Just curious which basic science classes aspiring anesthesia residents should try and stand out in. I have heard that strong performane in physiology is a good idea. Is this true and are there any others classes that factor into a sucessul anesthesia applicant?

 

[Freak]

The simplest answer is all of them, as you need to be clinically sound.

The other common answer though is Pharm.

 

[Per4mer8]

Just curious which basic science classes aspiring anesthesia residents should try and stand out in. I have heard that strong performane in physiology is a good idea. Is this true and are there any others classes that factor into a sucessul anesthesia applicant?

I agree with the previous post but will provide this anecdote. Anesthesia is commonly thought of as the field that "physio and pharm people" gravitate towards. On two of my interviews this came up in general conversation, I said something like "I tend to be more of a phys and pharm guy just like the cliche' ". Interviewer stopped, looked at my transcript and looks back up and said something along the lines of "good, just checkin to see if you really are interested in those or not, you'd be surprised how often I hear that then see a C or pass on the transcript".

But seriously do as well as you can in everything.

 

[fakin' the funk]

Just curious which basic science classes aspiring anesthesia residents should try and stand out in. I have heard that strong performane in physiology is a good idea. Is this true and are there any others classes that factor into a sucessul anesthesia applicant?

Um, all of them?

Classically people will tell you that anesthesiologists apply physiology, pharmacology, and anatomy more than, say, microbiology or pathology. However, you have to know all that $hit to rock Step 1, and rocking Step 1 is really important for residency applications. So, in short, do your best in every class and you'll be fine.

 

[rsgillmd]

Just curious which basic science classes aspiring anesthesia residents should try and stand out in. I have heard that strong performane in physiology is a good idea. Is this true and are there any others classes that factor into a sucessul anesthesia applicant?

Become a solid physician first -- to do that you need to have a solid basic science background. The clinical classes/rotations build on that. The rest will follow. Your patients are not going to care that you are strong in one subject, if you can't put all of your information together to provide the best care for them.

Besides, from a purely test taking standpoint, you need to know all your material well for the USMLE exams.

 

[BigRedder]

I'm pretty sure that basic science grades are kind of irrelevant as long as you don't fail. This is born out by the NRMP Program Director Survey. If you do well on Step 1 it indicates that you know the information. That said you should of course do as well as you can, and Step 1 is easier if you learn it the first time around.

 

[Per4mer8]

I'm pretty sure that basic science grades are kind of irrelevant as long as you don't fail. This is born out by the NRMP Program Director Survey. If you do well on Step 1 it indicates that you know the information. That said you should of course do as well as you can, and Step 1 is easier if you learn it the first time around.

Maybe.....

Imagine this scenario though:

Applicant A: Step 1 230, Top third class rank

Applicant B: Step 1 240, bottom third (or middle) class rank.

Both interview solidly, still think grades don't matter? Even in times like today when people are waaaaayyyy over-applying? Check out the rank list thread, you have people who interviewed at 15-20 places, 10 of which are top 15 programs......

Not saying a great Step 1 can't cover some inadequacies, its just obviously better to do well in your actual classes as well.

 

[BigRedder]

Maybe.....

Imagine this scenario though:

Applicant A: Step 1 230, Top third class rank

Applicant B: Step 1 240, bottom third (or middle) class rank.

Both interview solidly, still think grades don't matter? Even in times like today when people are waaaaayyyy over-applying? Check out the rank list thread, you have people who interviewed at 15-20 places, 10 of which are top 15 programs......

Not saying a great Step 1 can't cover some inadequacies, its just obviously better to do well in your actual classes as well.

I agree, class rank matters, and 2/3 of overall class rank is basic science. However, the MSPE reports both your clinical and your preclinical rank.

Anecdotally, I did maybe a bit above average the first two years, but extremely well during my clerkships. I had many interviewers who said, "Wow, you did really well in medical school". Not one asked, "Why did you only get a P in physiology?" In fact, no one brought up any preclinical courses at all.

Again, I'm not saying you shouldn't try to do well in basic science coursework; by all means try as hard as you can in everything. I'm just saying that you don't need stellar grades in Physiology and Pharmacology to get great interviews.