Competitive?

[HolyMoly]

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Hey guys, I go to a mid-tiered medical school and have recently developed an interest in Anesthesiology. I am currently a 3rd year (got through the first two years with average grades) and pulled a 220 on Step 1. I have had a decent year so far, with mixes of mostly HP (high passes) and a Pass or two. I do not have any research experience, but I did have a small leadership role in a student organization.

What should I be doing to make myself a better candidate? How competitive am I for the field (i.e. which programs would I have a good chance of matching, and which would be reaches)? Who should I get letters from? Thanks in advance for your help and any advice or comments are more than welcome!🙂

 

[oudoc08]

Hey guys, I go to a mid-tiered medical school and have recently developed an interest in Anesthesiology. I am currently a 3rd year (got through the first two years with average grades) and pulled a 220 on Step 1. I have had a decent year so far, with mixes of mostly HP (high passes) and a Pass or two. I do not have any research experience, but I did have a small leadership role in a student organization.

What should I be doing to make myself a better candidate? How competitive am I for the field (i.e. which programs would I have a good chance of matching, and which would be reaches)? Who should I get letters from? Thanks in advance for your help and any advice or comments are more than welcome!🙂

Take Step 2 fairly early (at least by Sept 1st), try to do anesthesia electives early on in 4th yr. to get LOR's.

 

[mmag]

Also join the ASA as a student member; it's only 10 bucks.

www.asahq.org/studentapp.pdf

You get Anesthesiology (the journal) and various newsletters. Browse through if you have time so you can get an idea of what's going on in the field.

I also second trying to get anesthesia electives early in your M4. Now is also the time to start planning/applying for aways. You don't have to spend 3 months in the OR. You can also do a month in the ICU with an anesthesiology attending or the pain clinic.

 

[Arch Guillotti]

If you apply broadly to a wide range of programs, includigna few that are a reach and a couple that are a backup, go on 10 interviews - then your chances of matching are 99.3%. You can't be a sociopath either.

 

[MErc44]

I got a 220 on step 1 and got average grades year 1 and 2. Third year was mostly HP and P w/ no honors. I was a little worried so I took step 2 very early and did significantly better. I know that this has helped me this year and I have interviewed at great programs. 220 is not bad at all, but there is room for improvement. Use USMLE World for step 2.

 

[HolyMoly]

thanks for the responses guys...keep em coming🙂

 

[Salt Creep]

You'll have better info in a couple months, when a bunch of us find out just exactly how competitive we really were for this year...

 

[Magnus67]

If you apply broadly to a wide range of programs, includigna few that are a reach and a couple that are a backup, go on 10 interviews - then your chances of matching are 99.3%. You can't be a sociopath either.

My victims would disagree with you ........MUAWAHAHAHAHHAHA😀
You just have to hide the crazy for half a day..............

 

[DocSooner08]

Go to your department, or a faculty member who you can talk to and let them know you'd like to help write up some case report posters for ASA or some other meeting. Usually the faculty and residents need the help and this are totally things a med student is capable of doing. Work hard at it and see if you get one or two - very doable and you will be amazed how different people look at you - even with a couple of "soft" publications.

 

[Canrenone]

You'll have better info in a couple months, when a bunch of us find out just exactly how competitive we really were for this year...

😀