Do I have a shot at an excellent EM program

[Dr. Andy]

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Hello everyone,

Here's my story. I graduated from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine this year (2005). I have elected to enter the Peace Corps and will be working in a health related program in the Dominican Republic until November, 2007. I have 2 excellent ER clerkship evaluations, average Med school grades, strong letters of rec., 67th and 69th percentile scores on the COMLEX I and II, 225/91 on the Step 2 of the USMLE, and the desire to be the best EM physician I can.

My question is when I apply for residency in 2008 will I have a shot at a ulra competitive program and will my time away from medical education in the Peace Corps help or hurt me when I apply.

I've been having a little anxiety over my future in medicine.

Thanks..

 

[DrQuinn]

Hello everyone,

Here's my story. I graduated from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine this year (2005). I have elected to enter the Peace Corps and will be working in a health related program in the Dominican Republic until November, 2007. I have 2 excellent ER clerkship evaluations, average Med school grades, strong letters of rec., 67th and 69th percentile scores on the COMLEX I and II, 225/91 on the Step 2 of the USMLE, and the desire to be the best EM physician I can.

My question is when I apply for residency in 2008 will I have a shot at a ulra competitive program and will my time away from medical education in the Peace Corps help or hurt me when I apply.

I've been having a little anxiety over my future in medicine.

Thanks..

"Ultra Competitive program?" I don't know of any. I think the fact that you volunteered for the Peace Corps will make you a strong applicant. Don't fret about it. Enjoy the toughest job you'll ever love, learn a lot and learn to be a good doctor/human being and apply.

Q

 

[pinbor1]

"Ultra Competitive program?" I don't know of any. I think the fact that you volunteered for the Peace Corps will make you a strong applicant. Don't fret about it. Enjoy the toughest job you'll ever love, learn a lot and learn to be a good doctor/human being and apply.

Q

Ditto... Have fun, learn, and grow

I know that my PD along with the rest of the interview committee would find you a strong candidate.

 

[docB]

One of the excellent programs may be out of reach. You should concentrate on the mediocre programs. Check the FREIDA site under “EM/ so-so” or “EM/ middle of the pack.” Avoid the “EM/ sucky programs” section as those are only for people with really bad blemishes on their records.

 

[Seaglass]

Not to be contrary but I think that the peace corp thing depends on the program as to whether it will help or hurt. I some programs like to get people straight out of medical school. Also if by ultracompetitive you mean Denver/Charlotte/etc. I think that realistically you are at a disadvantage as a D.O.

 

[EMApplicant]

Hello everyone,

Here's my story. I graduated from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine this year (2005). I have elected to enter the Peace Corps and will be working in a health related program in the Dominican Republic until November, 2007. I have 2 excellent ER clerkship evaluations, average Med school grades, strong letters of rec., 67th and 69th percentile scores on the COMLEX I and II, 225/91 on the Step 2 of the USMLE, and the desire to be the best EM physician I can.

My question is when I apply for residency in 2008 will I have a shot at a ulra competitive program and will my time away from medical education in the Peace Corps help or hurt me when I apply.

I've been having a little anxiety over my future in medicine.

Thanks..

Just curious as to why you chose to take 2 years off at this point? You could have just gone into residency and been finished a mere year after your prospective peace corps gig will expire.

I think you would be much more of an asset post-residency. Having said that, i'm all in favor of unusual career paths so more power to you.

what exactly will you be doing in the peace corps? sounds interesting!

 

[Dr. Andy]

Just curious as to why you chose to take 2 years off at this point? You could have just gone into residency and been finished a mere year after your prospective peace corps gig will expire.

I think you would be much more of an asset post-residency. Having said that, i'm all in favor of unusual career paths so more power to you.

what exactly will you be doing in the peace corps? sounds interesting!

I've always loved traveling a have wanted to learn fluent in spanish for some time. I also think it will be a growing experience. I thought now would be a good time to do the PC. It's true I could have done residency first. However, with the prospect of making $200+ and starting a family I feel it would be more practical to it now. I guess sometimes you have to take that chance. It's a gamble. But I think the chance to do some great work, learn spanish, and live in another country for 2 years will be worth the $600,000 plus the accumulated interest on my unsubsudized (I can't spell) loans.

 

[mfrederi]

Go to the Texas Tech- El Paso EM residency. You will live in another country (Texico), do great work, and quickly learn fluent spanish (in fact you might even forget English while you are there). There, problem solved. See you in 'Paso!

 

[Dr. Andy]

Go to the Texas Tech- El Paso EM residency. You will live in another country (Texico), do great work, and quickly learn fluent spanish (in fact you might even forget English while you are there). There, problem solved. See you in 'Paso!

I'm from Queens, New York. I don't know if Texas and I would jive. But I apperciate your encouraging words. Thank you.

 

[hakksar]

Not to be contrary but I think that the peace corp thing depends on the program as to whether it will help or hurt. I some programs like to get people straight out of medical school. Also if by ultracompetitive you mean Denver/Charlotte/etc. I think that realistically you are at a disadvantage as a D.O.

I don't know if being a DO would hurt you for at least Denver. Denver has one DO in its new EM class and another DO just graduated from Denver's program. Although that is not an exceptionally large number of DO's it proves that DO's can match at programs like Denver (I do not know anything about the rest of their applications though, just the med schools they graduated from). Not quite sure if there is a real disadvantage.

 

[Jeff698]

I'm from Queens, New York. I don't know if Texas and I would jive. But I apperciate your encouraging words. Thank you.

As a Texan, if I could make it through grad school in New York with relatively few long-lasting emotional scars, you could probably do OK in Texas. 🙂

Take care,
Jeff

 

[DrQuinn]

Dr. Andy-

I remember being in your shoes. I didn't think there was any way that I would match at an MD program... much less any of my top 3. Dont' worry about it, things will work out. I matched at my #1 and can't believe I am interviewing already at lots of places (well, maye not LOTS). Stick with SDN and you'll learn a lot.

Q

 

[EMApplicant]

I've always loved traveling a have wanted to learn fluent in spanish for some time. I also think it will be a growing experience. I thought now would be a good time to do the PC. It's true I could have done residency first. However, with the prospect of making $200+ and starting a family I feel it would be more practical to it now. I guess sometimes you have to take that chance. It's a gamble. But I think the chance to do some great work, learn spanish, and live in another country for 2 years will be worth the $600,000 plus the accumulated interest on my unsubsudized (I can't spell) loans.

so what exactly will you be doing on this assignment?

 

[Dr. Andy]

so what exactly will you be doing on this assignment?

"What Exactly?" still remains to be seen. I know it involves HIV prevention in young people, teaching young mothers on proper nutritional practices to ensure their babies gain adequate weight, and a few other things but I think those two will be my main concentration.

 

[wrigliarows]

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