Community/Academic

[deciding]

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Is it possible to match at an academic program with Step I < 230? How about in the 220's with research? Is there is a big difference in training other than research between the two types of programs?

 

[hans19]

Is it possible to match at an academic program with Step I < 230? How about in the 220's with research? Is there is a big difference in training other than research between the two types of programs?

Yes, its POSSIBLE.
Yes, see above.

You need to be more specific, which programs are you comparing? In what region. There can be HUGE differences between two academic programs. There can be huge differences between two community programs. Some Academic programs don't require research. Some community programs are run like academic programs, etc.

First ask yourself what you are looking for in a program. Do you plan to go to private practice? Then you can go to either type of program. Do you plan on a career in academics? An academic program would serve you better. If you aren't sure and academic program would still give the most flexibility.

Check out the FAQ and then if you have specific questions, we can try to help you.

 

[deciding]

Right now my plan is to stay in academia in some form, that means I would like to end up at a University based program for training. If I end up in private practice, as you said having been trained at an academic institution will certainly not hurt. I would like to train in the West preferable CA, OR, WA, CO, UT or AZ. In a program I'm looking for an option to do research, good teaching faculty, thorough training and Location. I don't care about training at a top tier program, I would rather end up in my desired location. From what I can gather the programs out West are more competitive. Are there academic programs in the aforementioned states where I would be considered competitive?

What should one be looking for in a program?

 

[hans19]

Right now my plan is to stay in academia in some form, that means I would like to end up at a University based program for training. If I end up in private practice, as you said having been trained at an academic institution will certainly not hurt. I would like to train in the West preferable CA, OR, WA, CO, UT or AZ. In a program I'm looking for an option to do research, good teaching faculty, thorough training and Location. I don't care about training at a top tier program, I would rather end up in my desired location. From what I can gather the programs out West are more competitive. Are there academic programs in the aforementioned states where I would be considered competitive?

What should one be looking for in a program?

You are in a tough position. If your priority is to stay in the west, and you did not go to school in the west, you have to take what interviews you can get, even if its a community program. Especially if you don't have a competitive Step 1.

If you match at a community program, there is no reason you couldn't work in a mid-level academic program later on as they are HURTING for man power. Its a different story if you have dreams of working at one of the elite institutions.

As for competitiveness, it depends on your stats, see the first FAQ. You've done research AND...? What kind? Did you publish? See the first FAQ.

If you want to know what to look for in a program check out FAQ 2 (The FAQs are stickied for a reason) and it holds true for both community and academic programs.

 

[deciding]

If you match at a community program, there is no reason you couldn't work in a mid-level academic program later on as they are HURTING for man power.

This is good to know. I would be content working at many Universities. I just enjoy teaching.

As for competitiveness, it depends on your stats, see the first FAQ. You've done research AND...? What kind? Did you publish?

Step I 227, Top 40% M1-M2, H in IM M3 thus far and some great LOR's though none from Rads yet. I have worked on several project, some in Ortho and IM. I should have 3-4 pubs out by the time I apply, though only 2 will be related to research. Neither first author, but one with second author. Competitive enough? I'm still thinking of applying to all the programs out West just in case I have something they are looking for.

If you want to know what to look for in a program check out FAQ 2 (The FAQs are stickied for a reason) and it holds true for both community and academic programs.

Sorry, I completely missed this post. This tells me everything I need to know. This is fantastic.

 

[hans19]

At this rate, you look like a pretty solid candidate.

I would be on the fence about taking step II. Take it if you are confident you can rock it AND you are aiming for top tier programs. Otherwise, you could hold off till after you match.

Good luck!
-H

 

[deciding]

Thanks for all the information. At this point my plan is take Step II in September or October. I figure this way I can either hold the score or submit it before they make their final decision. Of course if I take in October that will probably be too late to affect my interview status unfortunately. As of right now I am fairly confident I can do better than on Step I, however I am not shooting for top tier programs. I guess western programs can be considered top tier though just because they are more competitive.

 

[BIMS 01]

Plan on taking it in September or EARLY October. I took it in late October and ended up scoring almost 30 points higher on Step 2 (from a Step 1 in the low 230's). Unfortunately for me, most of the programs I had applied to had already filled alot of their interview slots and it really didn't effect the number of interviews I got. I think (maybe incorrectly) that if I'd had my score two or three weeks earlier it may have resulted in a few more interview invites. Best of luck.