Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum but I took an anesthesia elective and loved it and want to go into it now but wanted to get a gauge of my chances. I scored 218 on step 1, and my clinical grades are mostly high pass with 1 honor and 1 pass. I am currently working on doing research that I can present as a poster (hopefully at the ASA) . Other than that, I have had a few positions at my medical school but nothing on a larger level. Please let me know what you honestly think based on your experiences. Thank you.
Current MS 3 interested in anesthesia - what are my chances? Where should I look
- Thread starter gasjones
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You are OK if you are an allopathic AMG. If you are an osteopathic student, you will need to improve on step 2, and I think if you are an IMG/FMG you are on a very very thin ice.
Off of what the NRMP data published your USMLE score is just below what the average AMG in anesthesia has. So your doing ok so far. However, if you are not an AMG, you will have to bump yourself up to make yourself look attractive for programs. Straight up, USMLE scores play a HUGE role into interview invites. The higher the better...
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Aways could be hit or miss, but your boards, grades, and LORs are not. Concentrate on doing well on step 2, get great LORs, and do not sink to the bottom of the class as far as grades are concerned. Provided you have no obvious red flags on your record, you should match.
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You should match somewhere, provided you go on enough interviews and aren't too picky about location... East Coast/West Coast/Chicago tend to be a little more competitive, although some of the lower prestige programs in those areas might be doable for you.
IMO a second anesthesiology rotation away from your medical school is probably not necessary or beneficial for you unless there's a "stretch" program you really want to match at AND you have a '+' personality.
Just do well on the remaining factors that you still have control over... there's ~40% of your total application still pending.
IMO a second anesthesiology rotation away from your medical school is probably not necessary or beneficial for you unless there's a "stretch" program you really want to match at AND you have a '+' personality.
Just do well on the remaining factors that you still have control over... there's ~40% of your total application still pending.
Hmm... I would actually suggest doing a 2nd anesthesiology rotation. This is what I did 🙂 You look like a superstar (since your realtively good at doing procedures, and you will probably be fairly knowledgeable), and if you do it at the institution you want to match at, it will definitely add perks to your application.
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Also, make sure your LORs are chosen well. If you can, try and choose people who you worked with (and performed well with, got along with, etc) who may have ties to programs that you are looking at (or are nationally/regionally recognized), if possible. Good LORs can push you over the "average joe" hump a little, that being said, you never know what interview invites you'll get. Apply broadly to both "reach" and "backup" programs (some "back up" programs are actually not bad programs but might just be in undesirable locations, like U of Rochester for instance, good program but not the best location IMO).
[no offense to people at U of R, I did like the program and I thought the chair was an awesome guy... it's just too bad he'll only be there for about 2 more years when his contract is up and he retires]
[no offense to people at U of R, I did like the program and I thought the chair was an awesome guy... it's just too bad he'll only be there for about 2 more years when his contract is up and he retires]
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This is great advice. I really think it's important to apply REALISTICALLY, relative to your level of competitiveness. Let the "hot shots" have the hot shot programs. If your goal is to get good training and do anesthesiology as your chosen profession, there are PLENTY of places that are hardly on most people's radar....
cf
What are some of the other programs that have good programs that aren't as well known? Thanks for all of the help so far I really appreciate it !
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Hey there!
I'm wondering the same thing....I'm a DO student, 3rd year, doing a research year next year, 217 on usmle 1, 591 on comlex. what are my chances of getting several interviews? I'm just below 50%-ile in my class, strong LOR so far....
let me know what you think and thanks in advance!
I'm wondering the same thing....I'm a DO student, 3rd year, doing a research year next year, 217 on usmle 1, 591 on comlex. what are my chances of getting several interviews? I'm just below 50%-ile in my class, strong LOR so far....
let me know what you think and thanks in advance!
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you are competitive for third and fourth tier programs.
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Hi, I'm an M3 at an allopathic school in Illinois. I am needing some serious advice on what to do about my M4 year. BLESS YOU if you actually take time to answer my exhaustive list of questions. Here are my stats so far:
Step 1: 216 (unexpected upset, but oh well, I'm over it)
Step 2: plan on taking 3 weeks after end of M3; will likely do very well
Clerkships are graded P-proficient; A-advanced; O-outstanding
(in order taken)
IM--A (O for clinical)
FP--O (O for clinical)
Surg--O (O for clinical)
Ob/Gyn--O (O for clinical)
Currently on Peds, then Psych
Extensive CV
2 Poster Presentations (1 in Pain Management--2nd place, 1 in Internal Medicine); currently working on publication for Surgery.
LOR: Will get a great LOR from the Chair of Surgery, who also thinks I should reconsider my career choice and join his program, hahaha!
Also planning on 2-3 other LORs, but not sure from whom. One will be from an anesthesiologist I rotate with here during M4.
We do NOT have an anesthesiology residency at my med school. I have sought experience during this year by shadowing anesthesiologists in my free time. I am planning on doing a 2-4 week anesthesiology rotation at the beginning of my M4 year.
Questions:
1. Should I do an away rotation? If so, WHEN/where? (I have been researching some anesthesiology programs, but most seem similar, and I can't find a good source for program reviews)
2. What should I look for in an anesthesiology program?
3. Where should I apply? (I would like to stay Midwest and Southeast US).
4. What are my chances of matching at top-ranked programs (btw...what ARE the top-ranked programs and by what criteria are they ranked?)
5. Which programs should I consider my 'reach/mid-tier/safer' ones?
6. With all the apparent drama in the gas world, would it be smart to do a fellowship? I would like to eventually move back near home around central Illinois (not big city) and practice. Is a fellowship good for job security? I could see myself doing many of the fellowships that I find interesting, but I'm not sure which would benefit my patient population AND my security level the best. Or am I just worrying too much because of all the ASA/AANA/AAAA drama?
Again, I appreciate ANY and ALL advice that you care to throw at me. As you can imagine, I feel lost without a proper residency program here to help guide me.
Thanks!
Step 1: 216 (unexpected upset, but oh well, I'm over it)
Step 2: plan on taking 3 weeks after end of M3; will likely do very well
Clerkships are graded P-proficient; A-advanced; O-outstanding
(in order taken)
IM--A (O for clinical)
FP--O (O for clinical)
Surg--O (O for clinical)
Ob/Gyn--O (O for clinical)
Currently on Peds, then Psych
Extensive CV
2 Poster Presentations (1 in Pain Management--2nd place, 1 in Internal Medicine); currently working on publication for Surgery.
LOR: Will get a great LOR from the Chair of Surgery, who also thinks I should reconsider my career choice and join his program, hahaha!
Also planning on 2-3 other LORs, but not sure from whom. One will be from an anesthesiologist I rotate with here during M4.
We do NOT have an anesthesiology residency at my med school. I have sought experience during this year by shadowing anesthesiologists in my free time. I am planning on doing a 2-4 week anesthesiology rotation at the beginning of my M4 year.
Questions:
1. Should I do an away rotation? If so, WHEN/where? (I have been researching some anesthesiology programs, but most seem similar, and I can't find a good source for program reviews)
2. What should I look for in an anesthesiology program?
3. Where should I apply? (I would like to stay Midwest and Southeast US).
4. What are my chances of matching at top-ranked programs (btw...what ARE the top-ranked programs and by what criteria are they ranked?)
5. Which programs should I consider my 'reach/mid-tier/safer' ones?
6. With all the apparent drama in the gas world, would it be smart to do a fellowship? I would like to eventually move back near home around central Illinois (not big city) and practice. Is a fellowship good for job security? I could see myself doing many of the fellowships that I find interesting, but I'm not sure which would benefit my patient population AND my security level the best. Or am I just worrying too much because of all the ASA/AANA/AAAA drama?
Again, I appreciate ANY and ALL advice that you care to throw at me. As you can imagine, I feel lost without a proper residency program here to help guide me.
Thanks!
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forgive my naivete- but that seems like a pretty subjective label for a program- can you give some examples of what a 3rd-4th tier program would be? For example, ideally I'd like to go to Texas, though I'm willing to travel...so....San Antonio? I would think Southwestern would be a higher tier program....but enlighten me. Is there an official list of tiers that I'm not finding?
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I have pretty similar stats (a little worse step I, a little better clinically) and based on the NRMP you have about a 93% chance of matching. I imagine it just depends on your goals, where you want to be, how many places you apply to, how many places you rank, etc.
But Im a third year who hasnt gone through the process yet. Hopefully somebody with similar stats who just matched (or didn't) might comment...
http://www.nrmp.org/data/chartingoutcomes2009v3.pdf
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I matched this year with a step 1 below avg, avg GPA/rank, but a well above avg Step II.
If you do well on StepII , you shouldn't have a a problem matching provided you get some good LORs and your interviews go decent. If there is a program at your school, at least 1 letter should be from gas faculty (ive heard it sends up a red flag if you dont manage to show support from at least 1 anesthesia faculty). If there is no anesthesiology faculty at your institution and you still feel you need one, you can try to do an early away and get one from an attending- that might be a little harder to do b/c sometimes you have to physically chase faculty down to gently remind them they owe you a letter and its due by X date.
as far as number of interviews- if i remember correctly, you can rank 9 to have above a 90% chance of matching. I did 11- honestly couldn't have done more if I wanted, i was sick of traveling by the end.
People have different opinions about aways- in my case, i think aways played a big role in my match (gave me a chance to meet residents/interact with the PD/Chair 1:1, showed me I liked the environment overall). I chose to do aways at 2 institutions which I thought would be my top 2 ranks. I ended up ranking them both at the top, and got my number 1. One word of advice: if you are aware you have a difficult? abrasive? personality or for whatever reason you know you'll be having a bad month (family issues etc), you might want to rethink doing aways.
Good luck guys
I agree with SweetHex. I matched my #1 as well and rotated at my top 2 (which I believe were the same places she rotated). I have a barely above average step 1 score (from last years numbers) and a well above average step 2 score.
I had 2 anesthesia letters, 1 FM letter, and 1 surgery letter. I think those really helped.
I think that I got my #1 choice for a few reasons (#1 probably most important).
1. Rotation...I worked my butt off when I was there. I stayed late at least twice a week (overnight call was not an option). I was there before my resident every day, and I read something pretty much every night. I did AT LEAST 4-5 pre-ops every day. On several occasions, I left the OR to help residents get their preops done so they could get home. By the end, most of the CA-1s knew me (as well as many others) and knew I was a hard worker. That really goes a long way...they might not have a say, but they can definitely put in some nice words for you (and they did my eval).
2. Scores...like I said, my step 1 score was competitive, but I really rocked step 2. That helped a ton. With many programs, step 2 is just about as important as step 1. I was not AOA and didn't have a class rank (because I transferred) but I don't think those would hurt.
3. I let the program know I wanted to be there...at the program, in the city. I also told them before rank lists were due that they were my #1. I've been told that often programs will increase your rank # if you rank them highly.
4. LORs. I think that LORs can help you if they are good but probably don't make much of a difference unless they are bad. Be sure your letters aren't bad. I think mine helped because they all had the same theme.
Good luck!
I had 2 anesthesia letters, 1 FM letter, and 1 surgery letter. I think those really helped.
I think that I got my #1 choice for a few reasons (#1 probably most important).
1. Rotation...I worked my butt off when I was there. I stayed late at least twice a week (overnight call was not an option). I was there before my resident every day, and I read something pretty much every night. I did AT LEAST 4-5 pre-ops every day. On several occasions, I left the OR to help residents get their preops done so they could get home. By the end, most of the CA-1s knew me (as well as many others) and knew I was a hard worker. That really goes a long way...they might not have a say, but they can definitely put in some nice words for you (and they did my eval).
2. Scores...like I said, my step 1 score was competitive, but I really rocked step 2. That helped a ton. With many programs, step 2 is just about as important as step 1. I was not AOA and didn't have a class rank (because I transferred) but I don't think those would hurt.
3. I let the program know I wanted to be there...at the program, in the city. I also told them before rank lists were due that they were my #1. I've been told that often programs will increase your rank # if you rank them highly.
4. LORs. I think that LORs can help you if they are good but probably don't make much of a difference unless they are bad. Be sure your letters aren't bad. I think mine helped because they all had the same theme.
Good luck!
