MD & DO co'21 Residency Panic thread

[sunshinefl]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Completely separate note. Thinking ahead to May, what do you guys and gals think the travel landscape will be by then? I'm really itching for a flight, an all-inclusive resort, and maximum relaxation leading up to my graduation. Do you guys think things will be any improved by May? Granted, I'm thinking a Mexico trip. I see so many COVID-deniers already traveling there every weekend now, but I'd like to be a bit more responsible and wait until around middle of May. Maybe I'm a hopeless COVID romantic, but I'm starting to think it should be better by then, no?

Man I was supposed to go to Ireland June 2020 for 2 weeks, and several southern African countries May 2021 for 2 weeks. Now I just have travel credit with the company that I can’t even use pre-residency because the earliest they are resuming travel is July 1st.

Luckily my husband is also vaccinated due to his job as a respiratory therapist. So now I have to debate how things are looking later, and decide if we can go to an all inclusive resort in Mexico or take a domestic trip. Either way I am taking a freaking trip.

 

[Oligodinero]

Man I was supposed to go to Ireland June 2020 for 2 weeks, and several southern African countries May 2021 for 2 weeks. Now I just have travel credit with the company that I can’t even use pre-residency because the earliest they are resuming travel is July 1st.

Luckily my husband is also vaccinated due to his job as a respiratory therapist. So now I have to debate how things are looking later, and decide if we can go to an all inclusive resort in Mexico or take a domestic trip. Either way I am taking a freaking trip.

I've seen so many friends post on Facebook lately pictures of their Mexican vacations. Seems like that is the easiest option right now.

 

[underthesun]

Not to make this political, but I'm missing the evidence in the article that you linked that backs-up your assertion that "the goal numbers were already being met under Trump".

From the article you linked: "On Thursday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the Trump administration had averaged about 500,000 vaccinations a day — half the 1 million daily needed to meet Biden’s target. But the seven-day average has risen steadily, from 482,865 two weeks ago to 1,022,342 Friday, according to Post data." Of note, the article was written on Friday 1/22, Biden was sworn into office on Wednesday 1/20. The seven day average as quoted above would presumably be from 1/16-1/22.

From my understanding of that article, an average of 500k vaccinations/day under the Trump administration is not the same as the Biden administration's goal numbers of 100 million in 100 days (i.e. 1 million vaccinations/day).

There is also this quote, "'If a good chunk of the speedup happened under the Trump administration, let’s celebrate that and say the challenge is now to maintain it,' said Matthew Ferrari, an epidemiologist at Pennsylvania State University." But a "speed-up" does not necessarily mean that the Trump administration was already meeting the Biden administration's goals...

So while it seems like the vaccination rate had been rapidly increasing over the past 7 days prior to this article's print on 1/22, I don't see evidence that the Trump administration was consistently meeting Biden's goal of vaccinating 1 million people/day. I may have missed something, so please feel free to clarify...

Consistently meeting the goal? No. But that irrelevant, since there is a huge lag time in getting up to speed and no one in their right mind would expect to go from 0/day to 1M/day. That 1,022,342 number is a seven-day average, which started before Biden took office. So at the end of Trump's presidency, the pace of vaccination was essentially at Biden's goal of 1M/day.

I found the article funny because the Washington Post is actually being critical of Biden for trying to somehow claim it as his victory. Even the media is like 🙄

 

[Banco]

Sent my LOI to my #1 today - have always considered it a bit of a reach, and so I felt pretty uneasy. Furthermore they have a policy that they will not send any "rank-to-match" emails or calls etc.

Got a response back from the PD just now that was extremely positive that came as close to saying the magic words without saying them directly. Trying not to read too much into it as I know it means nothing concrete until match day, but damn it did feel a bit good to read it haha.

Please don't be playing with my heart.

 

[deleted697308]

Sent my LOI to my #1 today - have always considered it a bit of a reach, and so I felt pretty uneasy. Furthermore they have a policy that they will not send any "rank-to-match" emails or calls etc.

Got a response back from the PD just now that was extremely positive that came as close to saying the magic words without saying them directly. Trying not to read too much into it as I know it means nothing concrete until match day, but damn it did feel a bit good to read it haha.

Please don't be playing with my heart.

Good luck!!! I got a similar sort of response from my top choice but my Pd told me NOT TO READ INTO IT....but I’m saying there is a chance 🥺 mine isn’t a reach since I put my number one in my husbands city - but congrats Branco!!! Hope you match to your top choice 🙂 50% chance even without this nice response- si se puede

 

[NotAnotherPreMed]

Step 2 cs officially forever canceled. Reported on the usmle website. Rejoice class of 2021

 

[LutGholein]

Step 2 cs officially forever canceled. Reported on the usmle website. Rejoice class of 2021

I tried to find that on the website but I just see the temporarily suspended announcement. Where is it exactly? If this is true that would be awesome!
Edit: wait I’m dumb, I just found it. Yesssss

Recent Announcements | USMLE

www.usmle.org

 

[AzBasRad]

"The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and NBME, co-sponsors of the United States Medical Licensing Examination® (USMLE®), are today announcing the discontinuation of work to relaunch a modified Step 2 Clinical Skills examination (Step 2 CS). "

Recent Announcements | USMLE

www.usmle.org

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

It’s a miracle.

United States Medical Licensing Examination | Announcements

After reviewing current and anticipated progress with the exam and in consideration of the rapidly evolving medical education, practice and technology landscapes, we have decided to discontinue Step 2 CS. We have no plans to bring back Step 2 CS, but we intend to take this opportunity to focus on working with our colleagues in medical education and at the state medical boards to determine innovative ways to assess clinical skills.

 

[Neopolymath]

Hollllyyyyy ****tttt

 

[slowthai]

What a beautiful sight!

 

[LutGholein]

Now COMLEX PE needs to die off.

 

[deleted697308]

ugh today I woke up with a pit in my stomach because my step 1 was so low (ok not low just average) but I feel like it's low and I'm worried about matching to my top 3 choices. why did i do so bad on step 1 ugh

 

[Banco]

Step 2 CS was such a blatant waste of >$1k. Glad it's gone.

 

[Lawpy]

Step 2 cs officially forever canceled. Reported on the usmle website. Rejoice class of 2021

YAY! Now make it permanent!

 

[Lawpy]

Now COMLEX PE needs to die off.

For good.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

YAY! Now make it permanent!

It is permanent. That's what forever means. 😛

 

[Lawpy]

It is permanent. That's what forever means. 😛

Idk if CS is required for future classes?

Wait gonna read the announcement i got too hyped

 

[Lawpy]

WAIT

We have no plans to bring back Step 2 CS, but we intend to take this opportunity to focus on working with our colleagues in medical education and at the state medical boards to determine innovative ways to assess clinical skills.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Idk if CS is required for future classes?

Wait gonna read the announcement i got too hyped

Yeah, no it's gone for good. They aren't bringing it back. NBOME has to get on this now so our DO colleagues can be equally excited.

 

[Lawpy]

Covid 19 and many small variants of concerm suddenly and in a cruel ironic twist of fate became the hero for med students nationwide by ending the CS scam for good

 

[Lawpy]

Now that's definitely WW and movie worthy.

 

[holdthemayo]

Idk if CS is required for future classes?

Wait gonna read the announcement i got too hyped

It's dead

 

[efle]

Gotta wonder if its going to rear its ugly head in some new way. Like having an FM Shelf Clinical Skills component that schools can opt into.

And while the data has always made it clear that CS was ridiculous for US MD/DO students to take - 95%+ passing first time and vast majority who failed passing the second time, so it almost looked arbitrary who had to repeat.

But, something like 1/4 or 1/3 international graduates was failing CS, seems like something needs to be in place for residency applicants from other nations to reassure PDs. Would hate to see a stigma against IMG/FMG as a result of this change.

 

[Neopolymath]

Gotta wonder if its going to rear its ugly head in some new way. Like having an FM Shelf Clinical Skills component that schools can opt into.

And while the data has always made it clear that CS was ridiculous for US MD/DO students to take - 95%+ passing first time and vast majority who failed passing the second time, so it almost looked arbitrary who had to repeat.

But, something like 1/4 or 1/3 international graduates was failing CS, seems like something needs to be in place for residency applicants from other nations to reassure PDs. Would hate to see a stigma against IMG/FMG as a result of this change.

The exam should still exist for FMGs like it was originally intended. I see nothing wrong with that. I agree. It's like a vote of confidence for FMG applicants that a program can rest easy knowing the aren't some outlier who doesn't know English or doesn't get the culture at all.

 

[MakeLifeHappen13]

I don't think NBOME will ever give up their cash cow. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if they open it up to non-US IMGs and charge them double.

 

[PipetteDreams]

I don't think NBOME will ever give up their cash cow. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if they open it up to non-US IMGs and charge them double.

They've already reached out to DO schools:

"Our plans to provide access to Level 2-PE again in April 2021 are progressing along well"

The End of USMLE Step 2 CS – Winners and Losers Edition

By now, you’ve heard the big news: the National Board of Medical Examiners and Federation of State Medical Boards announced today that they were permanently discontinuing their plan to relaun…

thesheriffofsodium.com

 

[Prehealth1011]

They've already reached out to DO schools:

"Our plans to provide access to Level 2-PE again in April 2021 are progressing along well"

The End of USMLE Step 2 CS – Winners and Losers Edition

By now, you’ve heard the big news: the National Board of Medical Examiners and Federation of State Medical Boards announced today that they were permanently discontinuing their plan to relaun…

thesheriffofsodium.com

Are there still schools out there that are forcing PE as a graduation requirement?

 

[Ho0v-man]

 

[MerYangBey]

Can we cancel step 3 too?

 

[kraskadva]

Can we cancel step 3 too?

Legit, I would pay them the money to let me *not* take it.

 

[Lawpy]

Why does Step 3 even exist? Use Step 2 and the boards for fellowship stuff idc

 

[MerYangBey]

Why does Step 3 even exist? Use Step 2 and the boards for fellowship stuff idc

To take another 900 dollars from us I think.

 

[sunshinefl]

Okay the ROL update no one asked for lol.

I did some more shuffling after talking with more residents and going over more materials. I have increased my "pretty much locked in" range to #1-6 and #11-17. However, I still need to mull over 7-10.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Why does Step 3 even exist? Use Step 2 and the boards for fellowship stuff idc

I dunno. Seems more legit than CS. They had a select group of NP volunteers study for and take a watered down step 3 that was cherry picked for midlevels and the pass rate was less than 50% every year except one (they did it for 5 years). One year it was 33%.

 

[Jack Donaghy]

I dunno. Seems more legit than CS. They had a select group of NP volunteers study for and take a watered down step 3 that was cherry picked for midlevels and the pass rate was less than 50% every year except one (they did it for 5 years). One year it was 33%.

I've heard this before but never seen a source. Can you link the study? I wanna have firepower when I bring this up in the future lol

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

I dunno. Seems more legit than CS. They had a select group of NP volunteers study for and take a watered down step 3 that was cherry picked for midlevels and the pass rate was less than 50% every year except one (they did it for 5 years). One year it was 33%.

Step 3 is more of a remnant from when everybody did a true internship and rotated through a bunch of different specialties still. So pretty outdated seeing as most fields don’t do that anymore, but it’s P/F and not terribly difficult so I’m not sure it a battle worth fighting right now

 

[AzBasRad]

Why does Step 3 even exist? Use Step 2 and the boards for fellowship stuff idc

Step 3 grants you license to practice medicine and can be useful for folks who either do not complete a full residency or want to moonlight during residency (provided you also complete 1 or 2 year PGY training based on AMG or IMG status). From a content perspective, step 3 tests on clinical cases (on the second test day) where you act like a physician and write out orders, assessment and plan.

Edit: I like your idea though. Those of us who completes residency and pass individual boards should have step 3 requirements waived. If one fails to complete residency, they can take step 3 and apply for a medical license.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I've heard this before but never seen a source. Can you link the study? I wanna have firepower when I bring this up in the future lol

It’s in Patients at Risk. But the body that worked with nbme to do the experiment no longer exists and tried to remove all the stuff from the internet. Someone on Reddit used the wayback machine to find it.

 

[efle]

People who are trying to match and live in SF, NYC, Boston, LA, etc on 60-65k per year - what's your reasoning that makes it worth the CoL? Nearly all my friends are trying to go to these kinds of cities, and many didn't even bother applying to programs anywhere but the coasts.

Having spent my adult life in "undesirable" places like St Louis and Baltimore, can someone clue me in on why? These are real cities with metros of 2-3 million people, plenty of restaurants and bars and movie theaters and concert venues and sports arenas, mild winters, safe suburbs all the docs live in, and for the same price as renting a 600 sqft studio in california you can pay the mortgage on a 2000 sqft house.

So help me out folks. What are y'all planning to do in a place like Boston or coastal california cities that you couldn't find elsewhere? What is it about these places that trumps your housing situation, and having plenty of spending money?

 

[deleted697308]

People who are trying to match and live in SF, NYC, Boston, LA, etc on 60-65k per year - what's your reasoning that makes it worth the CoL? Nearly all my friends are trying to go to these kinds of cities, and many didn't even bother applying to programs anywhere but the coasts.

Having spent my adult life in "undesirable" places like St Louis and Baltimore, can someone clue me in on why? These are real cities with metros of 2-3 million people, plenty of restaurants and bars and movie theaters and concert venues and sports arenas, mild winters, safe suburbs all the docs live in, and for the same price as renting a 600 sqft studio in california you can pay the mortgage on a 2000 sqft house.

So help me out folks. What are y'all planning to do in a place like Boston or coastal california cities that you couldn't find elsewhere? What is it about these places that trumps your housing situation, and having plenty of spending money?

I think part of it is family. Most of the population in the US is located in these metros so there is the appeal to go back.

 

[OverlyRomantic]

People who are trying to match and live in SF, NYC, Boston, LA, etc on 60-65k per year - what's your reasoning that makes it worth the CoL? Nearly all my friends are trying to go to these kinds of cities, and many didn't even bother applying to programs anywhere but the coasts.

Having spent my adult life in "undesirable" places like St Louis and Baltimore, can someone clue me in on why? These are real cities with metros of 2-3 million people, plenty of restaurants and bars and movie theaters and concert venues and sports arenas, mild winters, safe suburbs all the docs live in, and for the same price as renting a 600 sqft studio in california you can pay the mortgage on a 2000 sqft house.

So help me out folks. What are y'all planning to do in a place like Boston or coastal california cities that you couldn't find elsewhere? What is it about these places that trumps your housing situation, and having plenty of spending money?

I think part of it is family. Most of the population in the US is located in these metros so there is the appeal to go back.

It's definitely about family. trust me, I am not looking forward to living like a peasant as a doctor in a big metro city, but family is family

 

[Scrubs101]

People who are trying to match and live in SF, NYC, Boston, LA, etc on 60-65k per year - what's your reasoning that makes it worth the CoL? Nearly all my friends are trying to go to these kinds of cities, and many didn't even bother applying to programs anywhere but the coasts.

Having spent my adult life in "undesirable" places like St Louis and Baltimore, can someone clue me in on why? These are real cities with metros of 2-3 million people, plenty of restaurants and bars and movie theaters and concert venues and sports arenas, mild winters, safe suburbs all the docs live in, and for the same price as renting a 600 sqft studio in california you can pay the mortgage on a 2000 sqft house.

So help me out folks. What are y'all planning to do in a place like Boston or coastal california cities that you couldn't find elsewhere? What is it about these places that trumps your housing situation, and having plenty of spending money?

Ive never lived in a city like NYC or LA and have no desire to, however my best guess would be dating purposes. Datings all a numbers game now that dating apps are the popular method of meeting people.

also square footage of apartment isnt everyones priority, even in a mid sized city/metro area I’d be perfectly happy in a 600sqft apartment as long as im close to some good take out spots, a gym, and a coffee shop or two

 

[Dr.Bruh]

It's definitely about family. trust me, I am not looking forward to living like a peasant as a doctor in a big metro city, but family is family

Never thought i'd be thankful that my family sucks and I have zero desire to ever live near them lol. Kinda liberating actually. Knowing I can go wherever I truly want to.

 

[efle]

Ive never lived in a city like NYC or LA and have no desire to, however my best guess would be dating purposes. Datings all a numbers game now that dating apps are the popular method of meeting people.

also square footage of apartment isnt everyones priority, even in a mid sized city/metro area I’d be perfectly happy in a 600sqft apartment as long as im close to some good take out spots, a gym, and a coffee shop or two

Dating is a good point I totally hadn't considered. I also was totally content living in a small bedroom with a bunch of room mates for many years...but after experiencing my own much bigger apartment with my SO we could never go back and are hype for even more space, privacy, and convenience with a house. It's funny to think a few years ago we were happy in dorms with communal bathrooms, handwashing our dishes, and dragging laundry to the communal washers/dryers!

 

[Lawpy]

You sound white.

What

 

[Neopolymath]

You sound white.

This is ridiculous. Please tell all the minorities living all over the US that they are ignorant. Please go educate them that they aren't actually happy where they are.

 

[efle]

You sound white.

Bruh Baltimore and St Louis both have more african american than white residents, if anything there's less diversity in SF, Boston etc? What's white about liking the quality of life on 60k salary?

 

[NecrotizingFasciitis]

I've had residents kinda indirectly ask about my interview season, where I've interviewed, what my rank list looks like, etc. on away rotations (on my last one) at programs I have interviewed at (& even one attending)...

I've been super protective of this information thus far & not given too much away; am I being overly protective? The nightmare paying out in my head is one of the residents telling a PD or something where else I've interviewed & being bumped to the bottom of their rank list hah.

 

[efle]

I've had residents kinda indirectly ask about my interview season, where I've interviewed, what my rank list looks like, etc. on away rotations (on my last one) at programs I have interviewed at (& even one attending)...

I've been super protective of this information thus far & not given too much away; am I being overly protective? The nightmare paying out in my head is one of the residents telling a PD or something where else I've interviewed & being bumped to the bottom of their rank list hah.

I mean it depends how you're ranking them. If they're going to be a top choice, it can't hurt to tell them that.