Can a peron from the carib. with "blah" step 1 scores make it anywhere? HELP PLEASE

[rossuniversity]

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Hello all,

This is my first post! I went to ross university (in the carib.) and my step one scores are not that great at all...186 (had things going on..but was forced to take the step....school rules). and I want to do anesthesiology..Is there any way i can get an anesthesiology residency (low tier...etc..just anywhere!) I am an M3. What plan of action should I take? or am i just kidding myself.....

thanks so much...

 

[Audrey Hepburn]

You should start by getting really good grades this year in your clinical year. Take the step II's early (mid July or a few weeks after), study like a crazy man, and do much better than your step I's. Get some good letters of rec. early from doctors you have worked with. Start doing some research into programs, and see what anesth programs have taken FMGs/Carib graduates, and consider doing a month rotation in anesthesia somewhere you ould like to go. Work hard during your month there. Then you will have a very good chance of getting a spot in anesthesia.

Good luck!

 

[hoyden]

You'll have to apply to a lot of programs. I mean really a huge number - around 50 the least. It's also helpful to call the programs before applying. Apply early.
You are considered FMG, so you'll need an ECFMG certificate - try to be certifed by the time you apply - you may want to take CS exam even before step 2. Be really well prepared for step 2 - if you need, take some test-prep courses, they are very helpful.
Good luck!

 

[timtye78]

Agree with above post, apply to large number of programs, but if it all possible look at websites of programs, and see where they have taken your alums in the past. Your money will be better spent on programs you have researched. OU Anesthesiology has several alums from Ross for example. Obviously sometimes competition will change for certain programs. DO NOT eliminate yourself if this what you WANT to do. Also, if you feel weak and you want some back up programs, you can look at www.scutwork.com to see which programs didn't fill in preceding matches. Sometimes you can gauge the competition or lack thereof of programs by this, again just by broad strokes. I think most unfilled programs in US this past year were in NY area.

Anesthesiolgy may sound competitive, and to some extent its true, but many programs still have attendings that were IMGs and FMGs who are excellent anesthesiologists. And once upon a time, gas was not competitive at all. I think it is humorous that the tone of some of these posts tries to elevate anesthesiology to some 'ultra-elite' status. Believe me, it has the spectrum of medical grads-brilliant creme-de-la-creme Ivy leaguers, but also has its slackers, and how-did-I-get-in residents as well! 😎

Hope this helps!

 

[rossuniversity]

thank u guys for answering my questions and giving me some confidence. Where is a good website to look into for reserach programs?

 

[CambieMD]

Hi Rossuniversity,

crush step-II and get excellent letters. Apply widely to an extremely large number of programs. Anything is possibleif you work hard.

CambieMD

 

[dr2b0804]

Hi Rossuniversity,

crush step-II and get excellent letters. Apply widely to an extremely large number of programs. Anything is possibleif you work hard.

CambieMD

I sent you an IM. 🙂

 

[sandman1]

The guy who authored Crush The Boards is a Ross grad as a matter of fact. 😀

Hi Rossuniversity,

crush step-II and get excellent letters. Apply widely to an extremely large number of programs. Anything is possibleif you work hard.

CambieMD

 

[InductionAgent]

Hello all,

This is my first post! I went to ross university (in the carib.) and my step one scores are not that great at all...186 (had things going on..but was forced to take the step....school rules). and I want to do anesthesiology..Is there any way i can get an anesthesiology residency (low tier...etc..just anywhere!) I am an M3. What plan of action should I take? or am i just kidding myself.....

thanks so much...

In addition to the other good advice, I would strongly consider retaking Step 1. Improving your score is the best way to neutralize it as a major factor in your application.

 

[impetigo]

In addition to the other good advice, I would strongly consider retaking Step 1. Improving your score is the best way to neutralize it as a major factor in your application.

Since when can you retake any of the Steps if you've passed?

 

[Skip Intro]

Since when can you retake any of the Steps if you've passed?

You can't. Once you pass it, you're done.


As far as the OP's question, you can get into Anesthesiology with "blah" steps. But, it's harder. I have above average Step scores (although certainly not breaking the record books), but coming from Ross I've been relegated to the "2nd tier" in the app process. One of my classmates who has better scores than I do isn't getting any interviews, although I expect that my letters are much better than his (don't discount the value of good letters). Remember, Step scores aren't the be-all, end-all. They rule people out; they don't rule people in. I'm positive that there are U.S. grads with much weaker scores than I have that are getting invitations to interview over me.

Still, I applied mostly to mid-tier University-based programs (although the majority of anesthesia programs are University-based). Having said all of that, I have gotten 13 invitations to interview to date. They are still rolling in. I've actually gotten to the point now where I can't possibly go on all of these interviews, and I'm starting to turn them down. That's a good position to be in.

So, as long as you don't expect to get into MGH or Stanford (unless you know someone and/or your app makes you look like you walk on water), you can get a gas spot somewhere. You just can't be all that picky. But, I've actually been surprised at both who's turned me down as well as some of the programs I've gotten invitations to interview. Proves the point that you should apply far and wide, and not expect to get a lot of invitations early on or assume which programs will invite you and which programs won't.

Good luck.

-Skip