California Peds Residencies

[flipflopsnsnow]

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I am originally from California, but in med school in the Midwest. I would REALLY love to go back to California for residency in Pediatrics. How competitive are the programs in California? From reading threads here, it seems people always talk about Cali as being tougher, more competitive, etc.

What kind of applicant--scores, grades, LOR, extra stuff are we talking that they look for??? Unfortunately, I have done about as average as can be in medical school. Lots of passing grades, passing boards scores, average LOR....am I dreaming to go back somewhere where I can wear flip flops year round???

😕

 

[calichi]

I am originally from California, but in med school in the Midwest. I would REALLY love to go back to California for residency in Pediatrics. How competitive are the programs in California? From reading threads here, it seems people always talk about Cali as being tougher, more competitive, etc.

What kind of applicant--scores, grades, LOR, extra stuff are we talking that they look for??? Unfortunately, I have done about as average as can be in medical school. Lots of passing grades, passing boards scores, average LOR....am I dreaming to go back somewhere where I can wear flip flops year round???

😕

I am a Californian from the midwest and "average" myself. I have an above average board score, did not honor anything (but had a couple unofficial high passes-my school just has honors, pass and fail). I can tell you a lot more after thursday, but here's my take. California programs are indeed more competitive but not impossible. It was much easier getting interviews from top programs in the midwest (Rainbow, Wash U, Cincy), while I did not get interviews from UCSF and Stanford and Davis. I applied to 7 programs in California and ended up getting four (Oakland, CHLA, UCLA and Harbor) I don't think it's impossible, there are enough programs to go around. But I think your expectations on which programs you can match at might need to be lower. Places like Loma Linda, Harbor, UCI and CHOC might be places that you want to consider applying to. I would definitley recommend that you do away electives in California though, I felt like they were helpful in letting programs know how interested I was in getting back home.

 

[flipflopsnsnow]

did you by chance apply to the ucsf fresno program? are they as competitive as the regular ucsf? did you choose not to apply at any certain places?
i am doing aways at fresno and oakland, and thinking of one more, but not sure where.
🙂 do you think taking my step 2 early would be helpful at all?
thanks for the info. 😳

 

[calichi]

I did an away elective at Oakland and LOVED it. It's my number one choice and I think you'll like it too. I did not apply to UCSF Fresno but had a friend that did. She actually liked the program, it's a nice new hospital and residents are friendly. Plus you are in the Central Valley, meaning a large underserved pediatric population. In terms of taking step 2 early, I think if you did ok on step one (like above 210), then you should be ok. I don't think progarm directors in peds place a large emphasis on the boards. My advice is to apply to enough programs, and consider what you want to do in the future. If you think you'll likely do primary care peds, consider the Kaiser programs. Just remember there are a bunch of good programs and a good amount aren't super competitive. And from my interview experience, I saw fellows at CHLA and UCLA who did residencies at CHOC and Loma Linda so don't think doors are closed if you don't go to the super elite programs. Hope this helps!