Chances of Matching Into Psychiatry Based on Step Scores and # of Apps

[evutpath]

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I am an MS4 at a mid-tier Texas medical school. I was wondering what were my chances of matching based on my step scores. I know that scores are not everything, but I would appreciate your input.

Step 1: 230
Step 2: 242

Based on these scores, should I apply to 50 or 60 programs? My goal is to match in Texas, so I am applying to the 17 programs in the state. I do not plan on applying to very competitive states such as California or the northeast.

Thank you.

 

[NickNaylor]

Here you go: https://mk0nrmp3oyqui6wqfm.kinstacd...utcomes-in-the-Match-2020_MD-Senior_final.pdf

 

[nexus73]

Here you go: https://mk0nrmp3oyqui6wqfm.kinstacd...utcomes-in-the-Match-2020_MD-Senior_final.pdf

what is a contiguous rank?

 

[Splenda88]

what is a contiguous rank?

Per NRMP, "Number of contiguous ranks: The number of programs ranked in the preferred specialty before a program in a different specialty appears on the rank order list."

 

[J ROD]

Numbers are fine to match. I do not think Texas would be an issue since you are in state. Texas prefers in state.
Most important than other fields of medicine is ability to have emotional intelligence and come off as someone you might want to work with or tell your problems to. Social skills is highly important. I have met plenty of folks in medicine with a 260+/260+ that could not come off weird no matter how much they tried. Does not work in Psychiatry. Got to be able to have the skill set. People are not numbers.

 

[brosa]

I had lower scores (227 and 239 or something like that) and did very well (18 IVs last cycle), plus I am an IMG (did not need visa though).

Your scores wont be a problem, but psych has a more holistic view, or so I have been told.

Good luck on the cycle!!

 

[untapped]

You should be fine, but the cost/benefit ratio is so ridiculously skewed towards applying broadly, that I can't think of a good reason why applicants shouldn't just apply to 100 programs. Especially with zoom interviews. What's the downside of doing 30 zoom interviews? You'll spend an extra maybe 5k on apps, which will be a drop in the bucket once you're an attending.

 

[ridethecliche]

You should be fine, but the cost/benefit ratio is so ridiculously skewed towards applying broadly, that I can't think of a good reason why applicants shouldn't just apply to 100 programs. Especially with zoom interviews. What's the downside of doing 30 zoom interviews? You'll spend an extra maybe 5k on apps, which will be a drop in the bucket once you're an attending.

Because doing that many interviews is exhausting and there are other ways to get the attention of programs that don't involve shotgunning the ever living daylights out of applications. The downside is that you're going to have to take time off rotations at med school which may be challenging for some if you're doing so many interviews. I also can't imagine how annoying that would be to sit and be present 30x for 6hrs a pop attempting to be enthusiastic about a program you don't care about. It sounds like the 7th circle of dante's inferno.

The bonkers thing is that 20 interviews doesn't sound outlandish in this climate, but I'm a couple of years into residency and I feel like my year was the first one where everyone was like.... 'wait whats up with psych' after the match.

 

[MacDonaldTriad]

I know I'm on the other side of this conversation, but 30 interviews? With a half a dozen slots to fill, that would average 180 interviews to fill. That will never happen. Please be realistic about where you are likely to be willing to train. It is relatively obvious when you are not interested in us.

 

[FlowRate]

You should be fine, but the cost/benefit ratio is so ridiculously skewed towards applying broadly, that I can't think of a good reason why applicants shouldn't just apply to 100 programs. Especially with zoom interviews. What's the downside of doing 30 zoom interviews? You'll spend an extra maybe 5k on apps, which will be a drop in the bucket once you're an attending.

I feel like I always started to get a bit stale/canned after around 6-8 interviews. At that point it takes a real creative/attentive interviewer to ask something you haven't heard yet. Conversational interviews are obviously something different but not everyone takes that approach. I can't imagine trying to seem interested/genuine during interview 25 with my hypothetical likely number 30 rank.

 

[Sushirolls]

Agreed, I think my zeal took a hit around the 7 mark, too. Had rely on meticulous notes and spread sheets because it became one big blur. Made me glad I wasn't a travel based sales worker or in some other travel heavy business.

Ultimately I think I pulled off 13 total, but if others can do more than 10, well done, because its tough and logistics also will ultimately limit your total number, too.