DO student applying for FM residencies in CO/Mt. States

[dorothyntoto]

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Hi everyone, I'm new here!

I'm a DO student who passed both my USMLE and Comlex on the first try, but due to some family issues right around the tests, didn't do fabulously. I am just under 200 on my USMLE, which is sadly probably my stronger score. Wondering if anyone has any advice for places that are in CO or the mountain states? Any other advice, information, or thoughts are certainly appreciated!

Thank you!!

 

[SLC]

I'd recommend St. Marks in Utah, and perhaps UofA south campus in AZ (if you consider that a mountain state). Also if interested in AZ, St. Josephs and Scottsdale Health might be options.

Unfortunately I think the rest of the programs in the Mountain States are pretty competitive (for FM). I scored at the national average on USMLE-1 and didn't get interviewed in Montana, Idaho or Oregon. Colorado was pretty friendly to me though, so definitely apply broadly there.

 

[rachmoninov3]

look into CO and NM

 

[dorothyntoto]

Definitely will be applying broadly in CO. Was also going to apply in AZ, Albuquerque, WY, NE, and maybe western KS and Abilene TX. Would love to stay within driving distance of Denver/C.Springs, but Phx is a cheap and easy flight to either. I will have excellent LORs, and dean's letter, just not sure how competitive things are for FM. @SLC which places gave you the most love in CO? I am sure you scored better than I did, but I'm still curious where you applied. As for UT, I'll look into the place you mentioned. I wasn't really considering MT, ID, or OR mainly due to distance and not having any major airports nearby.

 

[SLC]

Definitely will be applying broadly in CO. Was also going to apply in AZ, Albuquerque, WY, NE, and maybe western KS and Abilene TX. Would love to stay within driving distance of Denver/C.Springs, but Phx is a cheap and easy flight to either. I will have excellent LORs, and dean's letter, just not sure how competitive things are for FM. @SLC which places gave you the most love in CO? I am sure you scored better than I did, but I'm still curious where you applied. As for UT, I'll look into the place you mentioned. I wasn't really considering MT, ID, or OR mainly due to distance and not having any major airports nearby.

I got invites from basically everywhere in Denver except the main campus of UC. I also got invites from the program in Pueblo, Colorado Springs (I think), and Fort Collins. I interviewed at St. Mary's in Grand Junction but declined interviews at all other CO programs as I decided I didn't want to live anywhere but GJ if I go to CO.

Good call on Wyoming, I forget they have a program there. And I've heard good things about the program in Albuquerque. Can't comment on anything in KS as I never looked there. But I'd say Scottsdale health in particular is very DO friendly and doesn't seem too competitive. Would be a good fallback (or maybe a good pick if you liked it).

Utah is pretty competitive for the most part. There are 4 programs, and I interviewed at 3, didn't get an invite to UofU despite being an undergrad alumni.

 

[dorothyntoto]

Much thanks for the help!!!

 

[SLC]

Much thanks for the help!!!

Yeah, no problem. And I should say that though Utah is competitive; if you'd consider living there it doesn't hurt to apply. Utah Valley Regional has lots of DO's and is an extremely legit program. I'd recommend a Sub-I at any program(s) you have particular interest in.

 

[dorothyntoto]

Could I live there for 3 years? Probably, could I live there forever, not sure...

 

[SLC]

Could I live there for 3 years? Probably, could I live there forever, not sure...

When people come, they seldom want to leave.

It's getting them to come that's often difficult.

 

[NurWollen]

When people come, they seldom want to leave.

It's getting them to come that's often difficult.

Haha, this is true.

 

[dorothyntoto]

There's pretty much nothing I do in life that mormons would approve of... and I don't think my husband would be happy about the liquor laws...

 

[SLC]

There's pretty much nothing I do in life that mormons would approve of... and I don't think my husband would be happy about the liquor laws...

Why would you worry about getting approval from Mormons? And also, even if they (we) didn't approve, Mormons aren't going to tell you about it or anything. We're very happy to leave you alone.

But if it worries you that much, it's probably best to look elsewhere.

 

[dorothyntoto]

It's more about that going for 3 years is possible, but I doubt I would move there. I have several friends who are mormon and I have no issue with the religion, I just don't know how well I'd do living there long term is all...

 

[Dharma]

Why would you worry about getting approval from Mormons? And also, even if they (we) didn't approve, Mormons aren't going to tell you about it or anything. We're very happy to leave you alone.

But if it worries you that much, it's probably best to look elsewhere.

Some of my mormon friends are the coolest cats I know. Plus if someone is telling a story about some wild weekend or back-in-day throw-downs, they usually laugh and do so without a hint of judgmental righteousness. People are people.

 

[dorothyntoto]

Fair enough...

 

[krispyyo]

How important are audition rotations at the Colorado programs? Is it doable to interview/match without?

 

[SLC]

How important are audition rotations at the Colorado programs? Is it doable to interview/match without?

I didn't audition anywhere except one Utah program. I got interviews to more than ¾ of the Colorado programs I applied to.

 

[MD505]

Here is my $0.02 for whatever it is worth...I just applied for FM residencies, was also looking into Mountain West states. I am actually student at UNM in Albuquerque. Would mst definetly look into their FM program, it is great and highly ranked. Well respected department, great training including great OB. Great diverse population as well, good opportunities if wanting to use spanish although not required whatsoever (I don't speak a bit of Spanish). They have "rural tracks" in Silver City and in Santa Fe which are great depending on your desired training. ABQ/Santa Fe is only 6-ish hour drive from Denver, and can usually get cheap flights roundtrip as well.

Colorado has tons of programs, so I would also apply broadly there, I got all interviews I applied for. Many programs have tons of DO (as there is DO program in Littleton) so for sure there, as well as other cities like Pueblo, Grand Junction, Fort Collins, Greeley. I went to undergrad in Colorado and like it there so applied. All great programs.

Utah is also great mountain state. If into skiing/snow sports in general, much more attainable during a residency in Utah than Colorado, mountains much close, ski areas closer. Salt Lake City is an awesome city, so don't decide not to interview there just because of higher percentage of LDS. As mentoined on previous posts, they are all very friendly and I don't see what is wrong with having friends/training with LDA members, in fact I have many. There are 2 programs that are a big more LDS heavy (one in Provo obviously and one in Ogden) but the UofU and St. Mark's people were all awesome, very similar to my husband and I, outdoorsy, active, laid-back. Hell, they took us to Wasatch Brewery for our applicant dinner.

I know you said you weren't interested in these states, but thought I would still put a plug in for Idaho and Montana. Idaho well known for training great broad spectrum residents, and Boise has direct flights to Denver, drive is about 13 hours though. By IMO I would rather live in Boise than in Wyoming 😉 Montana also beautiful, outdoorsy. Guess it just depends what you are looking for in program, if distance from Denver is your biggest thing, that is quite limiting. Just keep in mind the other things that are important to you re: FM training. You should be OK with the number of programs in Colorado though since there are so many. Feel free to ask my any questions if you have any!

 

[NurWollen]

I've gotta put in a plug for Idaho. I don't know anything about the residencies there, but it's a beautiful state, IMHO. Summers there are too short, but man, are they beautiful.

Just to comment of the Mormon thing a bit... I am LDS, I'm not from Utah but I have spent some time there. I really think a lot of non-LDS people would be surprised at how much they would enjoy Salt Lake City. SLC could probably confirm or debunk this, but it's been my (admittedly outsider) observation that there is quite community of outdoorsy types there, very much the kind of scene you might find in Colorado. Kind of a hipster vibe, believe it or not.

 

[dorothyntoto]

I guess I've heard that ID isn't very non-ID resident friendly. Also, it's neither an easy drive to Denver, nor is there a major airport... Kinda why it didn't make my list...