chances of getting in

[eatapita]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi,

I'm sure this question has been asked before, but I can't seem to find a thread about it, so here goes:

If you make only high passes and passes (B's and C's), and get a 210 on Step 1, what are your chances of getting into a path residency?

 

[deschutes]

Hello pita,

Path programs run the gamut from the big names that everyone's heard of to places that no one knows (kidding!)

Since you're asking at this time of the Match cycle I'm assuming you're not in the current match!

This year applicant numbers are up from the year before, and from the year before that. Who knows what the coming years will bring.

You can improve your application with strong evaluations from electives in path, studying your butt off and scoring high to top-notch on Step 2 before the time of your application or before the rank-order list is due, or presenting/publishing path-related research.

Note that these are all "or"s and not "and"s - i.e. you don't have to achieve ALL of them, just as many of them as possible.

Path is still very much looking for interest in or dedication to the field. That's why there is such a huge variety in applicant backgrounds. That's why we rule!

If you look through old posts there are tons of "what are my chances" threads. The individual cases might be able to give you a better Gestalt of where you stand among the 700+!

 

[pathdawg]

Hi,

I'm sure this question has been asked before, but I can't seem to find a thread about it, so here goes:

If you make only high passes and passes (B's and C's), and get a 210 on Step 1, what are your chances of getting into a path residency?

It depends. Do you have a criminal record? Because if you do, thats okay. Seriously, you should not have a problem getting into a good path program. The absolute scarry top places may or may not be a challange, but there are plenty of good programs out there that would welcome you with open arms.
Good luck.

 

[yaah]

The best answer to this is "you never know until you try." Two people with seemingly identical scores and resumes will likely have totally different experiences and be ranked differently. Your application is more than the sum of its parts, and a good board score for one person may not add as much to your application as it does to another applicant. Likewise, for a stellar "numbers" applicant, a bad interview may not make a ton of difference. But for an average applicant, a good interview could get you much higher on their rank list.

High passes and passes means that you are an "average" med student in terms of your grades. And what people seem to forget is that the average med student is smart, intelligent, and is going to be a great doctor provided that there aren't too many skeletons in the closet like a criminal record, drug habit, gambling problem, or a severe foot fetish.

Based on what you said, you likely don't have anything that will throw up red flags to programs so that they don't interview. However, if all you have are these scores, you also may not have something that will take your application from the "application" pile to the "interview" pile at many places.

Programs, even the most competitive, are always on the look out for great people to fill their program. Grades are not the most important thing.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

My experiences with pathology interviews so far is that folks focus on your strong points of your application whether it be letters of recommendation, grades, board scores, extracurriculars, etc. I've met with over 30 interviewers and 5 program directors. They either did most of the talking or discussed my application with me. And when they did, my preclinical grades, clinical grades, and board scores have NEVER EVER been the topic of discussion.

I totally agree with the above posts when they say, "you never know until you apply." If you are serious about pathology and are excited about becoming a member of this very close-knit community, your passion will be evident to the programs. There are plenty of people who go into pathology and their hearts are not in it for whatever reason. People can sniff that out easily. Pathology interviewers are sensitive to this...

Random example...and in the spirit of political correctness, I intend no offense to those interested in derm path OK? One interviewer asked me, "What specialty field of path are you interested in?" My response was along the lines of, "I am interested in continuing research in epithelial cell biology...I believe fields such as GI path or dermpath are a few options...but I favor GI path because I simply have less interest in the skin and I see a wealth of research opportunities in the GI field in general."

She then went on a mini-tirade about dermpath after this response and essentially said that if people go into pathology wanting to do dermpath from the get-go, they should apply to dermatology and NOT pathology!

 

[stormjen]

I don't understand why Pathologists have such a chip on their shoulders about dermpath. It's a perfectly great sub-specialty with the fascinating research subject of malignant melanoma, but Pathologists seem to think that anyone interested in it is a gold digger. I've become afraid to even mention my interest at interviews.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

If one is interested in doing a pathology residency and getting that training background but is especially interested in the skin, I think going dermpath is perfectly acceptable! Pathology and dermatology training have some key differences so everyone who is interested in skin shouldn't all be shunted off to a derm residency. And so what if people are doing it for the money? C'mon we're not applying to medical school. That was so yesterday! This money topic is so not taboo anymore! Graduating med students are up to their knees (or neck) in debt. It's perfectly acceptable to think about financial issues. We're not getting any younger...and we're hella poor!

 

[deschutes]

...except where there is a dermpath fellowship! 😉
One of my interviewers who was a prof in dermpath and director of said fellowship told me he is always looking for academically-oriented applicants.

I will echo Andy - during interviews, my preclinical grades, clinical grades, and board scores have NEVER EVER been the topic of discussion.

provided that there aren't too many skeletons in the closet like a criminal record, drug habit, gambling problem, or a severe foot fetish.

So a mild foot fetish is okay? Phew! For a moment there you had me worried.

Just kidding. I have nothing against feet. Mine serve me well. But they have this disturbing ability to develop frightful ulcers in diabetics.