Chances for IM Residency in California?

[fowler54]

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I'm a rising 3rd year currently at a mid-tier medical school in the East Coast. I'm a California resident who's originally from the greater LA area. My goal is to match into an IM residency program in Southern California, preferably in the LA/OC area. My overall question is given my application so far, what are my chances?

Bottom half of class throughout 1st 2 years of medical school. Step 1 score 231. All P's in 3rd year so far (go to a school where top half get High Pass, top 15% Honors on clinical rotations). Unfortunately...a P in the Medicine Rotation. I plan on taking Step 2 CK at beginning of 4th year. Took Step 2 CS already and waiting to get score back. No research. Extracurriculars mainly consist of sports/outdoor activities and helping out with sunday school at a nearby church, and volunteering at a local elementary school. Don't plan on doing any away rotations as I'm concerned about the need to be a "rockstar" on an away rotation. Also, my school is pretty strong in IM overall and I'm confident I can get good education/training here. Any help? I don't mind going to a community program. I do plan on applying for fellowship later on down the line but it'll be most likely Pulm/Critical Care. I don't foresee myself applying for Gastro/Cards/Heme-Onc. Thanks.

 

[gutonc]

67.3%

You're in the bottom half of your class with a Step 1 score that will get you past most of the screening cutoffs but in no way makes up for the rest of your CV. Aim low.

LLU, UCR, UCI, Scripps Mercy, the Kaisers, SCVMC, UCSF Fresno. That's your target.

Forget the rest of the UCs and the better known/ranked community programs...not happening.

Be sure you apply outside of Cali as well. Matching is way more important than matching in SoCal.

 

[krps85]

I just applied this last cycle so maybe my results can give you a sense of where you might stand. Here are my stats: like you, almost all P's through the first 3 years including medicine clerkship, step 1 240, no standout ECs. I did boost up my app somewhat in 4th year before ERAS by taking an early step 2 (260) and honoring medicine sub-I.

offered interview: USC, cedars-sinai, ucla-harbor, ucla-oliveview, scripps, loma linda, kaisers, cal pacific
rejected: irvine, davis, ucsd, real ucla
didn't apply: riverside

Basically the UCs are tough, but the ones you may have a shot at are Irvine and Davis. There's still a few other decent programs that you may have a decent shot at (USC, cedars, the fake UCLAs are probably the best among the non-UC programs). I would still apply broadly because you never know what might happen, and also consider places outside of California (which is what I ended up doing). Hope this hlelps.

 

[disorder]

67.3%

You're in the bottom half of your class with a Step 1 score that will get you past most of the screening cutoffs but in no way makes up for the rest of your CV. Aim low.

LLU, UCR, UCI, Scripps Mercy, the Kaisers, SCVMC, UCSF Fresno. That's your target.

Forget the rest of the UCs and the better known/ranked community programs...not happening.

Be sure you apply outside of Cali as well. Matching is way more important than matching in SoCal.

this is about right.

CA is a tough market to break into.

I just applied this last cycle so maybe my results can give you a sense of where you might stand. Here are my stats: like you, almost all P's through the first 3 years including medicine clerkship, step 1 240, no standout ECs. I did boost up my app somewhat in 4th year before ERAS by taking an early step 2 (260) and honoring medicine sub-I.

offered interview: USC, cedars-sinai, ucla-harbor, ucla-oliveview, scripps, loma linda, kaisers, cal pacific
rejected: irvine, davis, ucsd, real ucla
didn't apply: riverside

Basically the UCs are tough, but the ones you may have a shot at are Irvine and Davis. There's still a few other decent programs that you may have a decent shot at (USC, cedars, the fake UCLAs are probably the best among the non-UC programs). I would still apply broadly because you never know what might happen, and also consider places outside of California (which is what I ended up doing). Hope this hlelps.

i would beg to differ. Harbor probably. Olive no. CPMC, Cedars and Scripps Green deserve to be amongst the "best" non UC's

 

[krps85]

I think you mis-highlighted what I said. And yes I would agree that Harbor > OV, the only downside to Harbor was the old hospital and having to handwrite notes. I actually got one of the best vibes from Harbor of the 14ish interviews I went on.

 

[gutonc]

CPMC, Cedars and Scripps Green deserve to be amongst the "best" non UC's

They're also the programs I intentionally left off my list because they're nearly as competitive as the UCs.

Back to the OP...if it's really CA or bust, just apply to them all (yes...I really mean all of them). It's just money, and not really all that much. If you don't have at least 10 (preferably 15) interview offers by Thanksgiving, apply to another 30 or so (again...just money) outside of CA.

Not applying to at least half a dozen programs in your current region that traditionally take students from your school is stupid.

Your priorities for the match should be:
1. Match
2. Match
3. Match
4. Match West of the Mississipi
5. Match West of the Rockies
6. Match West of the Sierras
7. Match in CA
8. Match in SoCal

 

[RedRaider2014]

You don't think he would have a shot at USC?

 

[disorder]

You don't think he would have a shot at USC?

1. USC is getting pretty competitive mainly because of the great changes that have been made over the past 3-4 years (PD change)
2. despite interviewing a **** ton of people, their IM class is still filled with a ton of their own.

 

[gutonc]

You don't think he would have a shot at USC?

I also intentionally left several other programs off my list just to see how many people would get their panties in a wad.

Success!

 

[fowler54]

I also intentionally left several other programs off my list just to see how many people would get their panties in a wad.

Success!

I've also heard about USC being a less competitive program than others. I realize matching is the ultimate goal but...Cali is the mission.

 

[jdh71]

I also intentionally left several other programs off my list just to see how many people would get their panties in a wad.

Success!

justice has been served

 

[disorder]

I've also heard about USC being a less competitive program than others. I realize matching is the ultimate goal but...Cali is the mission.

it is. i think you'll probably land an interview. whether you match there or not is a different story.

i don't think you'll get play from any other of the university programs in CA, to be honest.

 

[Knowmedge MD]

Overall, landing a spot at a California IM program is very much doable. There's a really nice mix of academic, university-affiliated and community programs available. As you probably know, there are several Kaiser residency programs. The training there is excellent. Although I attended residency on the East Coast, I was a med student at a school that had multiple clerkships at Kaiser hospitals in SoCal. The residents seemed very well-prepared for life as an attending/fellow. Best of luck to you for residency, Pulm/Critical Care fellowship, and beyond!