Didn't match, chance of SOAPing?

[why_do_trees_grow_up]

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So I'm a DO who applied Ortho. Was surprised last Monday about not matching, has great feed back and strong COMLEX (601, 742). I just finished an anesthesia rotation and realized how much I enjoyed the physiology, intubating, managing airways, giving epidurals, etc.

My question is how should I attack the SOAP to eventually end up in anesthesia. My USMLE are (240 and 252). Should I just take a research year and reapply next cycle or should I do a surgical prelim and either reapply or hope that an advsnced spot opens up .

Thanks and any advice and comments, good and bad, are appreciated

 

[Man o War]

So I'm a DO who applied Ortho. Was surprised last Monday about not matching, has great feed back and strong COMLEX (601, 742). I just finished an anesthesia rotation and realized how much I enjoyed the physiology, intubating, managing airways, giving epidurals, etc.

My question is how should I attack the SOAP to eventually end up in anesthesia. My USMLE are (240 and 252). Should I just take a research year and reapply next cycle or should I do a surgical prelim and either reapply or hope that an advsnced spot opens up .

Thanks and any advice and comments, good and bad, are appreciated

These are 2 very different fields. The OR is about all they have in common, so you need to figure out what you really like about ortho vs anesthesia.
I too was between these 2 specialties. I never actually applied ortho because I figured out I hated rounding and continuity of care. Detested it actually. I liked the operative part of ortho, but nothing else.
I ended up in cardiac anesthesia, which I really enjoy. Plenty of procedures, and I like the challenge of the patients we get for heart surgery at our hospital. Don’t SOAP into a crappy program IMO.

 

[BLADEMDA]

So I'm a DO who applied Ortho. Was surprised last Monday about not matching, has great feed back and strong COMLEX (601, 742). I just finished an anesthesia rotation and realized how much I enjoyed the physiology, intubating, managing airways, giving epidurals, etc.

My question is how should I attack the SOAP to eventually end up in anesthesia. My USMLE are (240 and 252). Should I just take a research year and reapply next cycle or should I do a surgical prelim and either reapply or hope that an advsnced spot opens up .

Thanks and any advice and comments, good and bad, are appreciated

Try to get a preliminary spot in anything like surgery or medicine but look for places with decent anesthesia programs. You goal is to do the one year then get a spot in the same place as your PGY-1 location. Your scores are good so this plan should work

Second option is to contact program directors during your PGy-1 year and find an open spot. Your scores make it possible that even a top tier program may take you.

Final option is to do a research year. I don't like this option because that year is much better spent doing a fellowship or 2 fellowships.

So, SOAP away but only accept upper and middle tier programs.

 

[dannyboy1]

Try to get a preliminary spot in anything like surgery or medicine but look for places with decent anesthesia programs. You goal is to do the one year then get a spot in the same place as your PGY-1 location. Your scores are good so this plan should work

Second option is to contact program directors during your PGy-1 year and find an open spot. Your scores make it possible that even a top tier program may take you.

Final option is to do a research year. I don't like this option because that year is much better spent doing a fellowship or 2 fellowships.

So, SOAP away but only accept upper and middle tier programs.

Gonna disagree here. SOAP into whatever program will take you. Options of delaying a year for research etc. will cost you at least 350k (typical starting salary of an attending anesthesiologist). Almost all programs will train you to the point of competency and prestige does not matter too much, if at all, in anesthesia.

 

[Wiscoblue]

I agree with Dannyboy. One year makes a big difference. Get what you can right now.


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[Mehd School]

First of all, figure out if you really like it. You have very strong numbers, a friend of mine interviewed at Harvard with numbers a little higher than you.

There were some really good programs with unfilled positions last year. Research which programs are good, and aim for those. If not do a prelim year and try to get advanced next year.

My understanding is that programs will be very reluctant to take you as you have no real ties to the field. An applicant that has proven he/she wants anesthesia will likely get a spot over you, even with much less numbers. I was told this by one PD (at a top 15 program), so grain of salt.

 

[Orin]

It's a bit of a crap shoot either way but a lot depends on you, your finances, your support system, and your long term goals.

1. Step back and figure out what you really want to do. Getting knocked off the conveyor belt is a good time to remind yourself why you're doing this and what your goals are not for residency but your life.
2. Have an honest debrief with someone about why you didn't match. Great feedback suggests people blew smoke up your ass so I'd find someone who is able to be critical and can look at your entire application.
3. Decide if you could realistically get into ortho if you re-apply. I suspect the odds are lower than you think despite your numbers, but I'm not aware of the data surrounding this.
4. If not ortho, figure out what else you would love to do or find acceptable to do. Consider whether you'd be happier in Anesthesia, PM&R, or something else all together. Anesthesia does let you transition to something like interventional pain where you'll still get to be more like a surgeon, but it's really your call. If so, you have a few months left to interact with the local folks to get exposure/guidance/letters setup. You could still get lined up with a prelim or transitional program, and then apply for a CA-1 or even repeat your intern year while still making some minimal bank.

The number one thing is to figure out the endpoint. The rest is just leg work.

 

[GaseousClay]

These are 2 very different fields. The OR is about all they have in common, so you need to figure out what you really like about ortho vs anesthesia.
I too was between these 2 specialties. I never actually applied ortho because I figured out I hated rounding and continuity of care. Detested it actually. I liked the operative part of ortho, but nothing else.
I ended up in cardiac anesthesia, which I really enjoy. Plenty of procedures, and I like the challenge of the patients we get for heart surgery at our hospital. Don’t SOAP into a crappy program IMO.

rounding and clinic are not as bad when most of the surgeons have PA and NPs. if you really want to operate and want to be a surgeon, anesthesia prob won't cut it

 

[Psai]

rounding and clinic are not as bad when most of the surgeons have PA and NPs. if you really want to operate and want to be a surgeon, anesthesia prob won't cut it

I feel like a lot of us thought about being a surgeon. I thought pretty hard about being a surgeon.

 

[BLADEMDA]

So I'm a DO who applied Ortho. Was surprised last Monday about not matching, has great feed back and strong COMLEX (601, 742). I just finished an anesthesia rotation and realized how much I enjoyed the physiology, intubating, managing airways, giving epidurals, etc.

My question is how should I attack the SOAP to eventually end up in anesthesia. My USMLE are (240 and 252). Should I just take a research year and reapply next cycle or should I do a surgical prelim and either reapply or hope that an advsnced spot opens up .

Thanks and any advice and comments, good and bad, are appreciated

Do the preliminary year and look for a program with an open spot. I'd avoid bottom feeder programs but that's your decision to make.

 

[Nivens]

Agreed. Look at what’s happening with WashU’s cardiac match this year. Rumor has it theyre filled internally 2 years out. Do future you a favor and do what you have to to get to a solid program with good fellowship options.

 

[19pieces19]

I also might have to SOAP into anesthesia. How do you know which programs are "bottom feeder" programs that you should avoid?