Chances...

[MedStudAnesth11]

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Step 1: 204/84
Step 2: awaiting results

Three letters from anesthesia attendings including 1 chairman's letter.

Quite a bit of anesthesia research.

Applying widely across the country...no ties to any particular region.

Do I have a chance? Even at a lesser known programs? I'll go anywhere.

Thanks in advance!

 

[bigdan]

From a US medical school?

I'm just an applicant this year like you, but I'd say yes. I know with of three students from my school that matched into programs last year with Step I scores lower than yours.

Good luck.

dc

 

[Arch Guillotti]

Step 1: 204/84
Step 2: awaiting results

Three letters from anesthesia attendings including 1 chairman's letter.

Quite a bit of anesthesia research.

Applying widely across the country...no ties to any particular region.

Do I have a chance? Even at a lesser known programs? I'll go anywhere.

Thanks in advance!

You have a pretty good chance.

 

[Osteopathology]

Ya man good luck ... I am sure it will go well for you!

 

[NOUSEFORANAME29]

I am applying this for gas as well.

My stats: caribbean grad, 215/89 step 1, Step 2: waiting for score, 3+ basic sciences GPA, doing well in clinicals mostly A's. An anesthesia elective. decent LORs. Not too picky about location. Any chances?

 

[RxBoy]

MedStud- Pretty good chance if US MD med grad. If you base it on 2007 charting outcome stats: of 159 applicants that US Med step 1 200-210, 151 matched. So >90% match. Apply widely though, and interview at your favorite 10 programs. You're chances of matching will dramatically increase the more interviews you attend. At about 10, it pretty much plateau's. If you want to be efficient, call programs ahead of time and see if they have a cutoff (you can do this anonymously). 84 may break the bank for some of the 85 cutoffs. But apparently a high step 2 can redeem cutoff scores from what I heard.

NOUSEFORANAME- Not the greatest shot (of 66 people independent with step 1 210-220, 30 matched). Your best bet to increase your chances: apply to every FMG friendly residency. I'm not too sure which ones are but I know there are a bunch, just search the forums. Don't waste your money on big names. Be smart, and apply as efficient as possible. Apply very very widely. Don't get cheap on the homestretch, whats another 1000 compared to your total debt... Attend every interview and give it your all. An away at a place you think you have a good shot so they can get to know you is always smart too.

 

[NOUSEFORANAME29]

Thanks RxBoy. Yea, i am applying to alot of programs. hopefully i will land some IVs.

From what what i heard, caribbean grad who's a US citizen has a better shot at matching than a true IMG granted everything being equal. out of 259 indepedent applicants matched accoring to "charting outcomes of 2007", i think ~140 are from USIMG especially caribbean schools. I think Ross and SGU had 50 among them. And yes, iam from one them.

So now, iam just waiting to see for them to show me some love.🙂

 

[RxBoy]

You're right from what I heard because they don't have to sponsor you a visa. The only situation that I might say that may not be true is a foreign grown anesthesiologist wanting to do residency here all over. I know there are some of those out there.

But regardless, your chance of matching is better than not matching. I am rotating with a US citizen currently doing his pain fellowship with 214 score that went to the Caribbean. His step 2 was stronger but not by much. He interviewed at over 15 places, so you will def. get interviewed.

 

[A-non-y-mous]

Step 1: 204/84
Step 2: awaiting results

Three letters from anesthesia attendings including 1 chairman's letter.

Quite a bit of anesthesia research.

Applying widely across the country...no ties to any particular region.

Do I have a chance? Even at a lesser known programs? I'll go anywhere.

Thanks in advance!

How many places should a person with these stats apply to and interview at?

Is there any chance of matching into a East Coast (NYC) or West Coast program? Or should the majority of applications go to the middle of the country?

 

[fakin' the funk]

Is there any chance of matching into a East Coast (NYC) or West Coast program? Or should the majority of applications go to the middle of the country?

As is true for medical schools, the majority of anesthesiology programs are located in the major East Coast cities. Boston, NYC, Philadelphia have 6-10 programs in their metro areas each; they also have a wide variety of level-of-competitiveness. Most of the larger cities in the Southwest and West have 1-2 programs each (and many of those programs are competitive), and the Midwest is somewhere in between.

Personally, my answer to your question is YES there's a chance, NO you can apply wherever. Check out FREIDA.

 

[climbingdocs]

I am starting to feel that I underapplied. I applied to 20 programs

 

[RxBoy]

I am starting to feel that I underapplied. I applied to 20 programs

Our department head of anesthesia told us to Apply for 15 if your 215+ and top half of your class. Otherwise 30. So if you're the former, you're in great shape.

 

[A-non-y-mous]

Our department head of anesthesia told us to Apply for 15 if your 215+ and top half of your class. Otherwise 30. So if you're the former, you're in great shape.

I have a 204. I was encouraged to apply to 50, go on 20 interviews. And this isn't even including prelim applications and interviews. I'm wondering if I should consider something else, take out an extra loan, or reconsider specialty options.

 

[neuroride]

Easy guys, I think you will be alright. I am a D.O. in allopathic anesthesia. I applied to 30 and really broke the bank. I ended up going on 6 interviews and matched to my first spot. My scores are not stunning by any scope but I am willing to work in training and was able to tell all of my interviewers this directly.

Take a breath, you will be fine with what you have. I would say that 10 interviews would be plenty. Scheduling more than that is very difficult.

Just keep checking your email, don't get impatient, and wait for the interview offers to start rolling in.

You can PM me if you have questions and I will try to answer them

 

[RxBoy]

I have a 204. I was encouraged to apply to 50, go on 20 interviews. And this isn't even including prelim applications and interviews. I'm wondering if I should consider something else, take out an extra loan, or reconsider specialty options.

I'm right there in the match with you, but I researched this crap inside and out. If you're a US MD with a 204... 50 programs is excessive... Who ever told you that was just fear mongering. Even for a DO, that is excessive. And if you can do 20 interviews... your my hero. People tell me you get burned out by 10... 20 is over kill. if you look at match success, after 10 interviews... you plateau. At 11+ interviews you approach 100% match rate. Would you be so anal to increase your chance from 99.3% to like 99.6%?


If your FMG... its a good strategy (for that score) if you have the cash. But then again I don't even think there are 50 FMG friendly programs. I could be wrong, I'm not too sure. Just make sure you don't blow your money on Cali, texas, and ivy league places. I mean yeah they may interview you, but you have to ask yourself.. do you really think they will take you? I got in the single 200 digits too and just skipped the really competitive places and focused on some good reaches, middle teir, and lower teir for safetys. I took my step 2 and got in the 220s so hopefully that should help. If you haven't taken step 2 yet.. you still can do it (study 1 month + 3 weeks to get scores) and you'll have them in by Nov. But only if you feel you'll do better. If you get in the single 200 digits again, it will probably hurt you.

People forget... there are >1200 spots. If you want to match and have a decent strategy... you'll match. Just ask your upper classmen that matched if you don't believe me.

This is residency competiveness:
IM=Ped < Anesthesiology << Rad < Speciality surgery < Derm


Well its Sat. night... time to hit the bar 🙂

 

[amyl]

do not go on 20 interviews. i went on 14 and it was too much. especially because i interviewed at what i knew i was going to rank first early on. and i matched there, so the rest was all a waste of time and money. you will be poor and tired and not interview well at all any ways. people told me the same thing, don't do more than 10, and i didn't listen. at a couple of programs i could barely act interested and couldn't wait to get out of there.

 

[climbingdocs]

Our department head of anesthesia told us to Apply for 15 if your 215+ and top half of your class. Otherwise 30. So if you're the former, you're in great shape.

I am the former. I am gonna be a DO though, hope that won't matter THAT much. And I am planning on going to 10 or less interviews.

 

[bigdan]

I am in the same boat as all of you guys.

I have a 216 Step 1, and I applied to 23 programs anes/9 TY + prelim medicine. $350. Of course I have no idea who will give me interviews, but my chairman went over my list, listened to my desires in terms of location and program type, and gave me the green light. What else can I do? Gotta have confidence in the chair, right?

But I gotta admit - I'm nervous as hell. ESPECIALLY when I see that some folks (that's you, Funk) have gotten invites al-freakin-ready!!!

dc

 

[climbingdocs]

I am in the same boat as all of you guys.

I have a 216 Step 1, and I applied to 23 programs anes/9 TY + prelim medicine. $350. Of course I have no idea who will give me interviews, but my chairman went over my list, listened to my desires in terms of location and program type, and gave me the green light. What else can I do? Gotta have confidence in the chair, right?

But I gotta admit - I'm nervous as hell. ESPECIALLY when I see that some folks (that's you, Funk) have gotten invites al-freakin-ready!!!

dc

What will be worse when you see people getting interviews to places you have applied but you have not gotten one!

 

[FutureDocDO]

.

 

[RussianJoo]

Hi, guys I am a third year Carib student wanting to apply to anesthesia. my stats so far are boarder line: 227/95 on Step1, 2.65 Basic Science GPA, and I am busting my butt during clinicals to raise that GPA as much as I can. I also believe that I can score well above 230 on step2.

I am in the process of making my 4th year schedule and I was just wondering at how many places did you do your anesthesia electives? I know that everone encourages people to do electives at places you're going to apply to so that the program director and attendings get to know you. Right now I am thinking of doing 3 anesthesia electives. I asked my school and they said I can do all my 22 weeks of electives in one specialty if I want to but they don't recommend that.

Also since this thread is titled chances I was also wondering if you guys can comment on my chances as well. I also don't really care where I do my residency and plan to apply widely accross the country.

thank you very much for your comments and good luck to all of you on your interviews.

 

[Arch Guillotti]

hi, guys i am a third year carib student wanting to apply to anesthesia. My stats so far are boarder line: 227/95 on step1, 2.65 basic science gpa, and i am busting my butt during clinicals to raise that gpa as much as i can. I also believe that i can score well above 230 on step2.

I am in the process of making my 4th year schedule and i was just wondering at how many places did you do your anesthesia electives? I know that everone encourages people to do electives at places you're going to apply to so that the program director and attendings get to know you. Right now i am thinking of doing 3 anesthesia electives. I asked my school and they said i can do all my 22 weeks of electives in one specialty if i want to but they don't recommend that.

Also since this thread is titled chances i was also wondering if you guys can comment on my chances as well. I also don't really care where i do my residency and plan to apply widely accross the country.

Thank you very much for your comments and good luck to all of you on your interviews.

78.3%

 

[RussianJoo]

lol I like those odds. Thank you for you comment.

 

[Southpaw]

lol I like those odds. Thank you for you comment.

I doubt I can give you advice you don't already know but here goes...

Things that won't help include your low GPA. Even though I've heard grades are low on the differential of criteria that PDs look at, it's the accumulation of 2 years of medical school work. To me, that seems important.

What can you do to help yourself?

• Perform well (honors and As as much as possible) on your clinical rotations
• Perform >230 on Step 2. I'd still take Step 2 early even though your Step 1 is fine, given your mediocre grades. This is, assuming you're prepared to perform > on Step 2 than Step 1. Don't take Step 2 until you're ready to rock it.
• Work hard and get along with everyone on your away rotations.
• Garner letters of recommendation from people who believe you will make an excellent Anesthesiologist.
• Apply early and broadly.

 

[Arch Guillotti]

lol I like those odds. Thank you for you comment.

I was being somewhat facetious obviously because WAMC threads sometimes get everyone riled up but I think that you will be OK. Apply widely to a lot of places.

 

[RussianJoo]

I doubt I can give you advice you don't already know but here goes...

Things that won't help include your low GPA. Even though I've heard grades are low on the differential of criteria that PDs look at, it's the accumulation of 2 years of medical school work. To me, that seems important.

What can you do to help yourself?

• Perform well (honors and As as much as possible) on your clinical rotations
• Perform >230 on Step 2. I'd still take Step 2 early even though your Step 1 is fine, given your mediocre grades. This is, assuming you're prepared to perform > on Step 2 than Step 1. Don't take Step 2 until you're ready to rock it.
• Work hard and get along with everyone on your away rotations.
• Garner letters of recommendation from people who believe you will make an excellent Anesthesiologist.
• Apply early and broadly.

yes I definitely plan to take my step2 early and already have time set aside for studying. I also plan on taking my step2cs early as well. I have also heard that grades aren't as important, and I even heard that PD's especially don't look at grades if you went to a foreign school because they don't trust the educational level at those schools. I might also be able to squeeze in a month of research or do some research on the side during one of my electives.

Thank you for your reply.

 

[RussianJoo]

I was being somewhat facetious obviously because WAMC threads sometimes get everyone riled up but I think that you will be OK. Apply widely to a lot of places.

I know you were being facetious, I am a more active poster on another SDN type forum (Valuemd) and I constantly deal with the WAMC threads, so I understand that no one on here really knows and can give me an answer that's not a guess. But still it's reassuring that people who have researched the different residency programs and are now residents or attendings can say yes you have a shot, and a decent shot at that. I am sure that you didn't just hit the number pad and whatever number came out was the % probability. There was some thought involved and from someone who has experience because they went through the process that's all one can really ask for on here.

once again thank you for your comment.

 

[Nuriko]

I am starting to feel that I underapplied. I applied to 20 programs

I am in the same boat as all of you guys.

I have a 216 Step 1, and I applied to 23 programs anes/9 TY + prelim medicine. $350. Of course I have no idea who will give me interviews, but my chairman went over my list, listened to my desires in terms of location and program type, and gave me the green light. What else can I do? Gotta have confidence in the chair, right?

But I gotta admit - I'm nervous as hell. ESPECIALLY when I see that some folks (that's you, Funk) have gotten invites al-freakin-ready!!!

dc

Isnt this a breath of fresh air!

I got a 215/89 on my Step 1. Im from a US med school. I applied to 30 anesthesia programs and 10 prelim med programs.

Dont get me wrong. I have very realistic expectations. I dont expect to match at Harvard or UCLA, but I dont think a decent middle/upper-middle tier program is out of my reach, and I applied to all different ranges of compettiveness within those 30. But ****ing A... the more I talk to people (ie, my classmates), the more I start to second guess myself.

A part of me thinks I should just be safe and apply to 5-10 more Anesthesia programs... but on the other hand, I dont want to get intimidated and underestimate myself when there is really no need to!

I really need to stop talking to classmates about my ERAS. Yea...

P.S. Dont feel bad, I havent gotten any interviews either! Keep your head up! 🙂

 

[treasurefull2]

Isnt this a breath of fresh air!

I got a 215/89 on my Step 1. Im from a US med school. I applied to 30 anesthesia programs and 10 prelim med programs.

Dont get me wrong. I have very realistic expectations. I dont expect to match at Harvard or UCLA, but I dont think a decent middle/upper-middle tier program is out of my reach, and I applied to all different ranges of compettiveness within those 30. But ****ing A... the more I talk to people (ie, my classmates), the more I start to second guess myself.

A part of me thinks I should just be safe and apply to 5-10 more Anesthesia programs... but on the other hand, I dont want to get intimidated and underestimate myself when there is really no need to!

I really need to stop talking to classmates about my ERAS. Yea...

P.S. Dont feel bad, I havent gotten any interviews either! Keep your head up! 🙂

Dude, what's the big deal? Just apply to ten more programs, and then if you get enough interviews just cancel them!

 

[Nuriko]

Dude, what's the big deal? Just apply to ten more programs, and then if you get enough interviews just cancel them!

But do I really need to?? I may just be saying that out of nerves after talking to people. But I even thought 30 would be a little more than I needed before applying! And its not like theyre all (or even most) top tier programs! Argh, stupid anxiety mind games!

 

[treasurefull2]

But do I really need to?? I may just be saying that out of nerves after talking to people. But I even thought 30 would be a little more than I needed before applying! And its not like theyre all (or even most) top tier programs! Argh, stupid anxiety mind games!

No one can really predict the future, but I think it's better to be safe than sorry... Personally, I think you'll be fine, but I just think it's alot easier to apply to a few more programs and ensure that you will get more interviews than worry about...

 

[escape78]

What will be worse when you see people getting interviews to places you have applied but you have not gotten one!

Firstly I think this site is fantastic! I just happened to stumble across it today and have spent a significant amount of time perusing the forum.

Having moved to America to get married to my US citizen IMG husband, I am living the 2009 match nightmare. I trained in the UK for over 2 years (Foundation Year 1 and 2 training which is similar to a Transitional Year X 2yrs and Emergency Med training)
I have scores of 219/91 and 240/99 and a Green card.
I initially underestimated the competitiveness in getting a residency in Anesthesiology and so I applied to about 30 programs (not including prelims). In England I never felt I had to stick to 'lower tier' programs but I am just realizing that I applied to too many programs that are 'way' beyond my reach.

Do you think I have a chance in Anesthesiology?
God.. I couldn't imagine doing ANYTHING else!

 

[Code Brown]

Firstly I think this site is fantastic! I just happened to stumble across it today and have spent a significant amount of time perusing the forum.

Having moved to America to get married to my US citizen IMG husband, I am living the 2009 match nightmare. I trained in the UK for over 2 years (Foundation Year 1 and 2 training which is similar to a Transitional Year X 2yrs and Emergency Med training)
I have scores of 219/91 and 240/99 and a Green card.
I initially underestimated the competitiveness in getting a residency in Anesthesiology and so I applied to about 30 programs (not including prelims). In England I never felt I had to stick to 'lower tier' programs but I am just realizing that I applied to too many programs that are 'way' beyond my reach.

Do you think I have a chance in Anesthesiology?
God.. I couldn't imagine doing ANYTHING else!

Of course you have a chance... the big question is where you went to medical school. Also, is your husband already practicing, or looking for residency spots?

That said, since you are new, please take whatever you read on this site with a grain of salt and don't get scared away by people with high numbers not getting in.

 

[escape78]

Of course you have a chance... the big question is where you went to medical school. Also, is your husband already practicing, or looking for residency spots?

That said, since you are new, please take whatever you read on this site with a grain of salt and don't get scared away by people with high numbers not getting in.

Thank you! I suppose everyone needs some encouragement at this time especially when you are totally new to the system.



Thanks again, and Good luck with your future endeavors.

 

[bkaqm6]

Kind of a repeating theme here...
Anyways, Step 1 201/82, Step 2 224/92. Applied to 38 mainly midwest programs...GPA 3.0. Core rotations aren't that great, satisfactory and high pass. Hopefully thats good enough?