I'm at the end of my third year of medical school, with PM & R as my top field of choice. I have a 219 step 1, two rotations with honors, no red flags, one poster presentation, and due to having small children at home, will not be able to do away/audition rotations next year. Average on everything else, and most likely an average step 2 score as well. american md school. How many programs should i be planning on applying to, and how many interviews to take? thanks all.
chances/number programs to apply to/interview at?
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http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/pm-r-advice-to-applicants.1114792/
I made the above thread for you.
Look at the list of all PM&R programs. Then cross off any programs you would be unwilling to attend (unwilling to bring your children to certain cities, for instance). Then apply to all the rest. You are an average applicant (if not slightly below average). You will need to level the playing field by having a strong specialty LOR and PS. Do what you can to improve your Step 2.
Then apply broadly on day 1.
Go on at least 12 interviews.
Good luck!
I made the above thread for you.
Look at the list of all PM&R programs. Then cross off any programs you would be unwilling to attend (unwilling to bring your children to certain cities, for instance). Then apply to all the rest. You are an average applicant (if not slightly below average). You will need to level the playing field by having a strong specialty LOR and PS. Do what you can to improve your Step 2.
Then apply broadly on day 1.
Go on at least 12 interviews.
Good luck!
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I think you'll be fine.
By your step 1 you're slightly below average.
I don't wouldn't apply to more than 35 programs.
I probably would apply to at least 25 though.
I think you'll get interviews at half or slightly less than half the number of programs you apply to.
If you apply to 30 programs, I expect you'll get about 12 interviews. That should be enough.
By your step 1 you're slightly below average.
I don't wouldn't apply to more than 35 programs.
I probably would apply to at least 25 though.
I think you'll get interviews at half or slightly less than half the number of programs you apply to.
If you apply to 30 programs, I expect you'll get about 12 interviews. That should be enough.
Going to piggy back here.
Also finishing 3rd year, my step 1 was in the low 240s, I have no research, school is not known well outside the region.
The biggest issue is I had a lot of family issues my first two years, didn't handle them well, and failed second year. I repeated and had no trouble.
3rd year grades have been all passes, with "excellent" grades in professionalism and interpersonal skills and clerkship comments to that effect, but no honors.
My dean seems to think that my step score negates the concern PDs will have for the early academic issues, but I'd like to get anonymous second opinions from people who have no vested interest in alleviating my concern.
Also finishing 3rd year, my step 1 was in the low 240s, I have no research, school is not known well outside the region.
The biggest issue is I had a lot of family issues my first two years, didn't handle them well, and failed second year. I repeated and had no trouble.
3rd year grades have been all passes, with "excellent" grades in professionalism and interpersonal skills and clerkship comments to that effect, but no honors.
My dean seems to think that my step score negates the concern PDs will have for the early academic issues, but I'd like to get anonymous second opinions from people who have no vested interest in alleviating my concern.
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Admittedly, my recommendations are on the conservative side. But they are conservative for a reason. I believe that not only matching, but matching well, is incredibly important in career progression...more so, than medical school. The skills you acquire in residency will define you for the rest of your career.
With that said...
You had a low 240s Step 1...which is fantastic. In 2014...there wasn't an MD who didn't match to PM&R with score above 240. Will your failed 2nd year be a red flag? Unlikely, considering that you rebounded nicely...but I would recommend applying more broadly on day 1 out of the concern that some PDs may hold it against you. I think that elite MDs applicants can get away with 30 applications to get 15 interviews. I would probably put you in the "good category" and suggest about 40-45 applications. If you get too many invites...that's a good problem to have. If you get a 240+ on your step 2...you could scale that back to 30-35.
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I don't think anyone cares about years 1 and 2, especially if you redeem yourself with a high step 1.
You should be able to get interviews to at about half the places you apply to.
I think you'd be fine with applying to 25-30 programs.
That would give you at least 12 places to rank, which is more than you need and leaves you plenty of wiggle room.
All the programs are accredited and I don't think the difference in the quality of education is as great as people make it out to be.
By all means, if you have a specific area of interest, pursue it.
I don't think there's a better place than Mayo for ultrasound, for instance.
But does anyone really believe that you'll be a better physiatrist for having gone to UW or RIC than you will be if you train at Case Western or UVA?
Apply to a few prestigious places.
Apply to plenty of solid, middle-of-the-road places.
Then apply to a few places that you'd like to save for back-up.
If you don't have a specific focus (research, MSK, Sports, etc) at this stage, I'd advise you to find a place where:
- you'd like to live
- you get along with the residents
- you get free, convenient parking
- you like the facilities
Work hard, study your ****, and you'll do well.
