MD & DO co'21 Residency Panic thread

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any tips on how to adjust my headshot to < 150 KB? A found one sketchy converter online, but it made my photo blurry D:
 
theonlytycrane said:
did you use the same?
Click to expand...
I was going to compare it to irfanview and paint3d (formerly known as just... Paint) and if I'm not satisfied I'll send it to a photographer buddy.

My comment on it probably not getting better is just because the constraints just suck.
 
theonlytycrane said:
any tips on how to adjust my headshot to < 150 KB? A found one sketchy converter online, but it made my photo blurry D:
Click to expand...
I just opened the photo, and then did “save as jpeg” and adjusted the good/best bar thing a few times until I got just slightly under 150 (it always quoted me to be higher with the slide bar than it turned out and I wanted the max possible)
 
sunshinefl said:
ughh I wish this was all clearer. I've read the ERAS manual and multiple medical schools' info sheets. Can we only trigger a payment to USMLE which triggers them to send the transcript AFTER we have certified our app? Like does the order go: certify, apply to programs, then pay USMLE/ERAS fees together?! So if we don't certify until 10/21 at 7am and they take hours/days to send the transcript, we wouldn't be complete when the apps get sent?

I authorized release and assigned them to all of my saved programs 10 days ago, but the status is still just "authorized"
Click to expand...
Nothing processes until 10/21. you're fine. And it's very fast. And we will have thousands of apps. So no worries.
theonlytycrane said:
any tips on how to adjust my headshot to < 150 KB? A found one sketchy converter online, but it made my photo blurry D:
Click to expand...
Open the picture in Paint. Yes, good old Paint. Chances are, the picture is way too big. When you open it in Paint, you'll see it actual/full size.

Remember that your pic in ERAS is no more than 1x2 (for the most part). Having a pic that's more than 2x4 won't help.

In paint, on the toolbar, choose "Resize". In the pop up window, use the percent change and keep the Lock Aspect Ratio box checked. Reduce to 50-70%. You can keep reducing over and over again. Resave the file, and it will be smaller. The size of the file will decrease by the square of the reduction fraction -- so a 50% reduction will decrease the slide area (and file size) by 75% (approx, jpeg uses compression so it's not exact).
 
When are you guys actually submitting? Im torn between just finishing it up and forgetting about it or wait until a day or two before to make sure I got everything...
 
bigindian4891 said:
When are you guys actually submitting? Im torn between just finishing it up and forgetting about it or wait until a day or two before to make sure I got everything...
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I was thinking of this weekend just to get it over with. Might chicken out and wait til next weekend though haha
 
Can you submit app if still waiting for LOR?
 
Kgizzle said:
Can you submit app if still waiting for LOR?
Click to expand...
I certified and submitted an application to one less desirable preliminary program so there wouldn’t be any extra processing time later on. Still waiting on a couple LORs. You need at least 3 LORs to submit the application though (I have one extra)
 
I'm applying IM and I have 5 LOR, which 4 should I send:

1. IM residency faculty from M3 cores
2. Academic dean "chair" letter (was IM/pulm) from M3 core hospital
3. Gen surg residency faculty from M3 cores
4. APD of Critical Care fellowship from M4 ICU elective/audition
5. Community attending hospitalist from M4 elective
 
sunshinefl said:
I'm applying IM and I have 5 LOR, which 4 should I send:

1. IM residency faculty from M3 cores
2. Academic dean "chair" letter (was IM/pulm) from M3 core hospital
3. Gen surg residency faculty from M3 cores
4. APD of Critical Care fellowship from M4 ICU elective/audition
5. Community attending hospitalist from M4 elective
Click to expand...
I'd drop #3 (or 5) depending on whichever one you think isn't as good
 
My school gave out an award for students who met all compliance standards without ever missing a deadline. Dean says residency programs look kindly to this award as it shows responsibility and dependability. I'm not so certain getting my flu shots and BLS renewed on time is that eye-catching lol. What are your guys' thoughts?
 
WillianIAm said:
My school gave out an award for students who met all compliance standards without ever missing a deadline. Dean says residency programs look kindly to this award as it shows responsibility and dependability. I'm not so certain getting my flu shots and BLS renewed on time is that eye-catching lol. What are your guys' thoughts?
Click to expand...
At my school (and I’m guessing most) that was the expectation to get your stuff done on time...this is professional school not kindergarten. Seems very strange to award people for doing what they’re supposed to be doing...
 
sunshinefl said:
I'm applying IM and I have 5 LOR, which 4 should I send:

1. IM residency faculty from M3 cores
2. Academic dean "chair" letter (was IM/pulm) from M3 core hospital
3. Gen surg residency faculty from M3 cores
4. APD of Critical Care fellowship from M4 ICU elective/audition
5. Community attending hospitalist from M4 elective
Click to expand...
Like you, I had multiple letters including a community hospitalist and general surgeon. For university programs I sent the surgeon letter, and for community programs I sent the community hospitalist letter. Another thing to consider is most chair letters are extremely generic. If a program doesn't request one, which a third or less of the programs I applied to did, and you know your other letters are really strong then you may want to pass on sending the chair letter.
 
Chibucks15 said:
At my school (and I’m guessing most) that was the expectation to get your stuff done on time...this is professional school not kindergarten. Seems very strange to award people for doing what they’re supposed to be doing...
Click to expand...

Yikes— must mean that my classmates (and I) are not that responsible for admin to make this award...
 
WillianIAm said:
Yikes— must mean that my classmates (and I) are not that responsible for admin to make this award...
Click to expand...
eh I would bet its more just admins exploiting the neurotic nature of medical students to lessen the amount of work they have to do chasing people down. However, the original point still stands by this point in life everyone should be able to complete deadlines on crap like flu shots and other things...
 
WillianIAm said:
My school gave out an award for students who met all compliance standards without ever missing a deadline. Dean says residency programs look kindly to this award as it shows responsibility and dependability. I'm not so certain getting my flu shots and BLS renewed on time is that eye-catching lol. What are your guys' thoughts?
Click to expand...
Our school gives an award for students who don’t meet all compliance standards in the form of a professionalism violation.
 
Two weeks left and still waiting on my LOR from my one sub-I... anyone else?!:nailbiting:
 
kthals123 said:
Two weeks left and still waiting on my LOR from my one sub-I... anyone else?!:nailbiting:
Click to expand...
Yep still waiting on mine too. Had my sub-I three weeks ago so I guess there wasn't much turn around time but starting to get stressed.
 
Hey all,

You guys mind giving me some advice on how many/any ideas to target for neuro programs? I can make a new post if that's easier but I figured here would be fine. Basically I'm a super average to slightly below national average student at an original DO school. Currently have 36 on my list. Not sure if I really need all 36, and some of them will be safeties because I already know I won't want to be there. Focusing on the upper Midwest if possible but obviously have to expand due to limited neuro programs.

S1 and S2 right around 230. Comlex fine, dropped a little on Level 2 but I wholeheartedly blame the COVID nonense for that and not rising as much on S1.
1 poster, 3 first author case reports (1 neuro), and the neuro is actually COVID related and a first case ever so hopefully that'll help.
Middle of the pack class rank
All passes third year (1 HP in FM) due to stupid site grading policies, but great written feedback. 3 great letters and 1 good one if I need it. Also have a preceptor say he's gonna reach out to the program coordinator for me at my second choice place. Did an away at my first choice, loved it, but my board scores are a little low according to residency explorer. I got great feedback there and seemed overall that they liked me, plus that's where the novel case report is from, but I'm a bit paranoid still.

Any ideas/tips on how many to apply to? Should I be more confident on my chances at the away? I know I'm like the neurotic pre-med but man it is go time on ERAS stuff and I'm starting to freak out a bit. Thanks!
 
kthals123 said:
Two weeks left and still waiting on my LOR from my one sub-I... anyone else?!:nailbiting:
Click to expand...

Yup. I finished end of September so also didn't give them much time...still getting nervous though. Just sent an email reminder, which feels annoying, but hey. I hadn't ever given a specific due date so used that as an excuse, along with an updated personal statement.

Speaking of which, I've gone through SO many PS drafts and it still feels corny and lame. Ugh. My least favorite part of this process for sure
 
Chibucks15 said:
Hey all,

You guys mind giving me some advice on how many/any ideas to target for neuro programs? I can make a new post if that's easier but I figured here would be fine. Basically I'm a super average to slightly below national average student at an original DO school. Currently have 36 on my list. Not sure if I really need all 36, and some of them will be safeties because I already know I won't want to be there. Focusing on the upper Midwest if possible but obviously have to expand due to limited neuro programs.

S1 and S2 right around 230. Comlex fine, dropped a little on Level 2 but I wholeheartedly blame the COVID nonense for that and not rising as much on S1.
1 poster, 3 first author case reports (1 neuro), and the neuro is actually COVID related and a first case ever so hopefully that'll help.
Middle of the pack class rank
All passes third year (1 HP in FM) due to stupid site grading policies, but great written feedback. 3 great letters and 1 good one if I need it. Also have a preceptor say he's gonna reach out to the program coordinator for me at my second choice place. Did an away at my first choice, loved it, but my board scores are a little low according to residency explorer. I got great feedback there and seemed overall that they liked me, plus that's where the novel case report is from, but I'm a bit paranoid still.

Any ideas/tips on how many to apply to? Should I be more confident on my chances at the away? I know I'm like the neurotic pre-med but man it is go time on ERAS stuff and I'm starting to freak out a bit. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Better to overapply than shoot too low. If anything, I would expand your list a little to be safe. Try to apply to places you could see yourself at but you can pick and choose your interviews if you get too many. Seems like you have a solid app though. Check out the reddit spreadsheet from last year to help gauge how many to apply to.

Disclaimer- not too familiar with neuro but I'm applying PM&R so it's a smaller field too.
 
Is there a way to view the transcript uploaded in ERAS? I'm curious how it presents the data but I couldn't find an option!
 
Skittsie13 said:
Is there a way to view the transcript uploaded in ERAS? I'm curious how it presents the data but I couldn't find an option!
Click to expand...
I don't see an option either. It just says, "No action required" for that and the MSPE, so I would assume it would be uploaded automatically in due time.
 
redsox93 said:
Yep still waiting on mine too. Had my sub-I three weeks ago so I guess there wasn't much turn around time but starting to get stressed.
Click to expand...
banana_phone said:
Yup. I finished end of September so also didn't give them much time...still getting nervous though. Just sent an email reminder, which feels annoying, but hey. I hadn't ever given a specific due date so used that as an excuse, along with an updated personal statement.

Speaking of which, I've gone through SO many PS drafts and it still feels corny and lame. Ugh. My least favorite part of this process for sure
Click to expand...

Mine ended about eight weeks ago and I asked her the end of the week before, so it’s been nine weeks since she agreed lol. Killing meeeeee
 
Skittsie13 said:
Is there a way to view the transcript uploaded in ERAS? I'm curious how it presents the data but I couldn't find an option!
Click to expand...
It’s just a pdf uploaded by your deans office. Just email them and ask to see it!
 
I have a couple of pubs that might not get submitted by like oct 21, and it might take like 10 more days. Would it be ok to list this on eras or nah? Anyone heard anything about this? I have enough research but would like to have stuff in my specialty on there especially because it's so close
 
NotAnotherPreMed said:
I have a couple of pubs that might not get submitted by like oct 21, and it might take like 10 more days. Would it be ok to list this on eras or nah? Anyone heard anything about this? I have enough research but would like to have stuff in my specialty on there especially because it's so close
Click to expand...

You could always mention this as a bullet under research experiences. I don’t think there’s a place under pubs for manuscripts that haven’t been submitted yet. You could also always update programs later on once they’re submitted
 
NotAnotherPreMed said:
I have a couple of pubs that might not get submitted by like oct 21, and it might take like 10 more days. Would it be ok to list this on eras or nah? Anyone heard anything about this? I have enough research but would like to have stuff in my specialty on there especially because it's so close
Click to expand...

If you're sure they'll be submitted within 10 days I would just list as submitted. Worst case scenario it doesn't end up getting submitted and then the program would just assume it wasn't accepted for publication
 
Chibucks15 said:
Hey all,

You guys mind giving me some advice on how many/any ideas to target for neuro programs? I can make a new post if that's easier but I figured here would be fine. Basically I'm a super average to slightly below national average student at an original DO school. Currently have 36 on my list. Not sure if I really need all 36, and some of them will be safeties because I already know I won't want to be there. Focusing on the upper Midwest if possible but obviously have to expand due to limited neuro programs.

S1 and S2 right around 230. Comlex fine, dropped a little on Level 2 but I wholeheartedly blame the COVID nonense for that and not rising as much on S1.
1 poster, 3 first author case reports (1 neuro), and the neuro is actually COVID related and a first case ever so hopefully that'll help.
Middle of the pack class rank
All passes third year (1 HP in FM) due to stupid site grading policies, but great written feedback. 3 great letters and 1 good one if I need it. Also have a preceptor say he's gonna reach out to the program coordinator for me at my second choice place. Did an away at my first choice, loved it, but my board scores are a little low according to residency explorer. I got great feedback there and seemed overall that they liked me, plus that's where the novel case report is from, but I'm a bit paranoid still.

Any ideas/tips on how many to apply to? Should I be more confident on my chances at the away? I know I'm like the neurotic pre-med but man it is go time on ERAS stuff and I'm starting to freak out a bit. Thanks!
Click to expand...
36 is overkill. 20-30 should yield you 10+ interviews, which according to the data will land you in the 90%+ range to match.
 
Is an OOS personal statement really necessary? I feel I can convey that I'll go where good training takes me rather than explicitly state I'm ready to get out of Texas.
 
Trying to figure out the deal with USMLE/COMLEX score uploading-- if I understand it correctly, it can take up to 5 days for board scores to be added to your application after you certify, apply to programs, and pay EARS. So, if I were to submit the 20th, there's a chance programs download my app on the 21st and don't have any of my board scores. Is that right? Or, am I missing something?
 
goneriding said:
Trying to figure out the deal with USMLE/COMLEX score uploading-- if I understand it correctly, it can take up to 5 days for board scores to be added to your application after you certify, apply to programs, and pay EARS. So, if I were to submit the 20th, there's a chance programs download my app on the 21st and don't have any of my board scores. Is that right? Or, am I missing something?
Click to expand...

Very good question unfortunately there isn't clear answer to this. Hope someone from ERAS customer service can clarify.
 
throwaway199 said:
Very good question unfortunately there isn't clear answer to this. Hope someone from ERAS customer service can clarify.
Click to expand...
They have yet to answer my inquiry through the support form 7 days ago about my photo upload size (distorted a perfectly measured 2.5x3.5 from photographer so I uploaded from headshot and it accepted a photo that allegedly measures 6x8 ish).
 
goneriding said:
Trying to figure out the deal with USMLE/COMLEX score uploading-- if I understand it correctly, it can take up to 5 days for board scores to be added to your application after you certify, apply to programs, and pay EARS. So, if I were to submit the 20th, there's a chance programs download my app on the 21st and don't have any of my board scores. Is that right? Or, am I missing something?
Click to expand...
This is what I was trying to get at earlier in the thread. I’m going to try to certify a couple days early for this exact reason but it will be tight for me so maybe not.
 
goneriding said:
Trying to figure out the deal with USMLE/COMLEX score uploading-- if I understand it correctly, it can take up to 5 days for board scores to be added to your application after you certify, apply to programs, and pay EARS. So, if I were to submit the 20th, there's a chance programs download my app on the 21st and don't have any of my board scores. Is that right? Or, am I missing something?
Click to expand...

Is the 5 day delay mentioned somewhere?
 
goneriding said:
Trying to figure out the deal with USMLE/COMLEX score uploading-- if I understand it correctly, it can take up to 5 days for board scores to be added to your application after you certify, apply to programs, and pay EARS. So, if I were to submit the 20th, there's a chance programs download my app on the 21st and don't have any of my board scores. Is that right? Or, am I missing something?
Click to expand...
It's almost instantaneous, and if there's any delay it's for everyone so no one is impacted.
 
Not related to eras but question about looking at benefits offered by programs. I see some programs offer 15 days vacation and some 20, does this even matter? Like can residents even use this time? Or is just fluff benefits?
 
Scrubs101 said:
Not related to eras but question about looking at benefits offered by programs. I see some programs offer 15 days vacation and some 20, does this even matter? Like can residents even use this time? Or is just fluff benefits?
Click to expand...

It’s real. 15 days is 3 weeks since they don’t count holidays. 20 would be four weeks. I’d def take it into considerations
 
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