do i have a chance?

[jiffywerk]

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I am an ms4 at a us allopathic school who is very interested in going into emergency medicine, but I am worried about my grades and scores with the increasing competitiveness of em.
I got a 205 on my step 1 and got Bs in all my 3rd year rotations (including emergency medicine), with a C in pediatrics.
I am in the bottom 25% of my class.
I am currently doing an em rotation and hope to get a letter out of it and will hopefully try and do a second one in October (I am trying to move it to september but don't know if it will be possible).
I am also planning on taking my step 2s by end of august/early september. lets assume I do average (low 220s).

Do I have a realistic shot of matching into em?
How many programs should I be applying to?
Anything else I can do to better my chances?

Thanks

 

[EM_Rebuilder]

Everyone is going to ask 'have you searched'.. and I would recommend that as well to see what other reponses have came up to essentially your same question...

You got a >200 and mediocore medical school scores.. With that alone, chances are high that you WILL match in EM.

To seal the deal, You need to take Step 2 early and DO WELL. The >220 is a GREAT goal. The other thing you need to do is to be an all star on your away rotations...

Lastly, APPLY EARLY... I would apply to about 40+ programs if I were in your situation. Apply to them all from the start. Make sure you have some that are 'off the beaten path'. Without calling ANY program out.. simply ask yourself... "Is XYZ, State a popular place to live.. do you hear about that place a lot, etc"... if its a town you really never heard or its undesirable for whatever reason, chances are the program there is slightly less competitive.. DO NOT think that means 'the program sucks'... I think in EM, and many people on here agree, EM competivness is based on location/popularity much more so that education quality. Most people feel that generally any accrediated program you go to will provide adequate education...

Good Luck

 

[gro2001]

Also, there are several great threads lined in the FAQ (scroll down to the 'what are my chances?' section).

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=758725

 

[blackavar]

I'll echo what's been previously said, basically just to emphasize it.

#1 Work hard on your away rotations, this is your best opportunity to shine. People are going to evaluate you on your medical knowledge, work ethic and also "is this someone I want to work with in my field." You will have the most impact on your application during these EM months and the letters they help create.

#2 Take step 2 early and do as well as you can on it. Programs will want to see how you've progressed.

#3 Submit your application early and complete it early; that means letters, grades, personal statement, everything. You can't control when a letter writer uploads a SLOR, but you can ask early and gently remind them/check it with them. Applying early is KEY. Every interview spot a program gives out is one less they have available to give you, and as more time passes, more applications will come in = more applicants for less spots.

#4 Apply broadly. I posted this previously, and I think it works here:
"If you're goal is to just match into any EM residency regardless of type or location, you'll need to have passed your boards (but can be below avg [80% of US senior applicants with step I scores between 191-200 matched- that said, we don't know how they subsequently did on step II]), done okay in school (passed everything, or maybe 1 fail if you've got a good reason for it and can talk about it), have a good attitude (ie interview well), prove you're a hard worker (EM rotations) and get some good letters of rec (SLORs). If you do all that and apply broadly, most people will find an EM program to match in (90% of US senior applicants who applied to EM matched in EM in 2011). If you have more specific goals about your match (ie, "i want a specific type of program, geographical location, higher salary, whatever) you're going to reduce the number of programs available to you and potentially put yourself into a more competitive pool. "

Good luck!

 

[rustycabin]

I am a DO with a 223 on step 1 and a 247 on step 2 looking to go allopathic EM. I was hoping that someone could give me advice on where to apply. I know that 247 is a respectable score, however, 223 is not great and I have the uphill battle of being a DO going allopathic. Should I apply to lower tier programs, or ones that strictly have taken DO's in the past, or do you think I should try and apply to some more reputable places?For example, I heard Duke took a DO last year, are places like that completely out of the question for me? Any replies would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[dotcb]

jiffywerk - also be prepared with a back up plan of what you'll do in case you don't match in EM this year.

rustycabin - my numbers were very similar to yours, and I matched at my top choice. I'm a MD, but most allopathic programs take solid DO applicants. I bet you'll match well.

 

[rustycabin]

Hey thanks for replying Dotcb, but could you elaborate more on the type of programs I could potentially match, like Cali? Duke, UNC, Hopkins etc??? and places that I would have no chance at? Thank you!

 

[dotcb]

I think the only programs out for you are ones that either formally, informally, or historically don't take DO's. For example, my residency took a DO about every 3 years, historically. There was no policy; it just worked out that way. The residency I work in now (undisclosed) has never taken a DO. I don't know if there's a policy or just a bias. I can't say it's right, but I'm just describing reality. You can read the residency websites and scan the classes and alumni. You can call the residency coordinators and ask them. I think you'd have a good shot at any of the places you mentioned, though I'm not familiar with the specifics of them. All that being said, I still think you'll match well.

 

[rustycabin]

thank you for replying!

Anyone else have good insight??

 

[Docuronium]

Rustycabin--based on my research you'll be a competitive applicant at academic institutions outside of premier locations (ie Cali, etc). I think DOs matching at Cali institutions usually have top notch everything.

 

[coca]

Hey Jiffywerk, the advices posted before me are all good. I would also apply a large number of programs on September 1, like 70+. Aim for at least 15 interviews (traditional 10 interviews to have 99% chance of matching only apply to those with average to above average stats). I don't just believe in statistics. If we consider statistics, everything is possible, really. I was in a similar situation last year. Apply a bunch of programs early on (if you add more programs later, they would think you're not serious about their programs and less chance to get interviews), get letters in early, go to as many interviews as possible, and be interactive/show interest during interviews. And of course, give your best shot at step 2.

 

[jiffywerk]

Thanks a lot for all the great advice guys, also helped get my spirits up about there still being a chance for me. From what I have been reading it seems that competitive em programs are different then other residencies in that location matters more. I wanted to ask if people knew of some of the LEAST competitive programs? I have been doing some of my own research on it but was hopefully hoping to get some feedback from previous students who applied and others that might know more so as to best maximize my chances of getting into a program. Also I am thinking about possibly doing an away rotation at one of these lesser competitive rotations to hopefully increase my chances (being from chicago I have heard all the programs here are fairly competitive). Thanks guys!