Big name IM programs, what do they look for?

[badasshairday]

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What do programs specifically: UCLA, UCSF, UCSD, UChicago, Northwestern and other comparable programs look for in an applicant?

I am currently an 3rd year student at a mid-tier medical school in the midwest. I would love to go back home to CA, or go to a program in Chicago. My dream program is probably UCLA.

I never really was interested in IM until I did my rotation in it and am seriously thinking about it. Also what do programs look for in fellowship apps?

For fellowships, I'm assuming the program you go to matter, what about Step 2 and Step 3. My Step 1 is 250 and I have research in basic science Cardiac Anesthesiology. I may only get a High Pass in IM clerkship unfortunately. I did the research between 1st and 2nd year of med school but didn't get anything published, just a poster presentation at my med school. I am about to get started on ENT research related to airways and indications of tonsilectomies as I am also interested in ENT. However, GI and Cards are very interesting to me as they have cool procedures like ENT. And the whole hospitalist gig sounds good too if I decide I don't want to specialize. I really am just feeling IM these days because it is so broad and you get to see the full broad scope of all organ systems.

 

[WashMe]

Bump.

I want to know the answer to this as well, particularly with regard to Mass General, Brigham & Women's, Hopkins, UCLA, and UCSF. Currently at a top 5 school and I haven't taken Step I yet... Looking to do straight IM -> academic medicine.

Any advice is appreciated 🙂

 

[Instatewaiter]

At least a 230 on step 1 to get an interview, probably more like >/=240s to match

Generally honors in IM and honors in most clerkships + honors in SubI

Excellent LORs

Some research although you don't have to have an absolute ton of research

A good interview

 

[pandoraone]

At least a 230 on step 1 to get an interview, probably more like >/=240s to match

Generally honors in IM and honors in most clerkships + honors in SubI

Excellent LORs

Some research although you don't have to have an absolute ton of research

A good interview

Have the numbers increased now that we are about 4 years ahead of this post?

 

[gutonc]

Have the numbers increased now that we are about 4 years ahead of this post?

Maybe. Who knows? But be wary of the obsession with numbers. There's a lot that goes into evaluating an applicant for both interviews and matching. Step scores are just 1 (of many) things that matter. There's no argument that they're an easy way to do a first pass screen of apps. But there are lots of other things that programs look for as well.

I had a Step 1 score below any of the mythical cutoffs listed above and elsewhere, and HP in my IM clerkship and SubI. And yet I got interviews at most of the "Top X" programs to which I applied (half of the ones listed in the OP). Why/how? I had other things going on (PhD and senior AOA) which made up for that stuff.

So just because you've heard that Program Y only takes applicants with Step 1 >250 is no reason not to apply.

 

[EaglesPA]

Agree with gutonc. There are many factors that they look at. The more of these you have, the better, but again the only way to find out is to apply. Some of these factors, not in any order, are:
- something that makes you standout (ex. "I found the cure for baldness", or for the earthlings other things that demonstrate potential for being a leader in the field down the line)
- being from a top ranked med school or one from which the program has seen "strong" residents in the past.
- AOA
- PhD
- publications
- step 1 scores
- honors in clerkships especially IM and IM subI
- strong recommendation letters
- ties to the school ex. did undergrad there ( for some programs)

 

[jdh71]

Most big name programs look at your bench press. But if that isn't like huge, you can make up for it with a combined total for bench, squat, and deadlift.

Sub three hour marathons are also looked upon favorably, but you can probably get an invite with 3:30 or better.