fellowship question

[apellous]

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I was wondering if anyone had any info on what they are looking when it comes to anesthesia fellowships. I am a DO and only took USLME step I, and then took the colmex exams which I did pretty good on them all. (above average on USMLE and 70-95 percentile on the 3 comlex exams) I am going to good Anesthesia program that doesnt get much credit on this forum for whatever reason .Indiana University was my top choice over places that are considered top tier again for whatever reason. Anyway my question is do you think I need to take the USMLE II and III for fellowship or am I waste the $$. Are other factors more important like inservice exam scores, research, good looks, etc

Truthfully I am not sold on a fellowship yet but if I did one it would be pain, CCM/cardio, or peds. My other plan is to do an MBA if I dont do a fellowship.


Thanks

 

[bchang74]

I was wondering if anyone had any info on what they are looking when it comes to anesthesia fellowships. I am a DO and only took USLME step I, and then took the colmex exams which I did pretty good on them all. (above average on USMLE and 70-95 percentile on the 3 comlex exams) I am going to good Anesthesia program that doesnt get much credit on this forum for whatever reason .Indiana University was my top choice over places that are considered top tier again for whatever reason. Anyway my question is do you think I need to take the USMLE II and III for fellowship or am I waste the $$. Are other factors more important like inservice exam scores, research, good looks, etc

Truthfully I am not sold on a fellowship yet but if I did one it would be pain, CCM/cardio, or peds. My other plan is to do an MBA if I dont do a fellowship.


Thanks

I am applying to a fellowship in CT anesthesia and in my opinion applying for fellowships in anesthesiology are more about who knows you and is willing to write you a good letter of recommendation / willing to call their friends at other places. This may change if the CT anesthesia becomes a ACGME accredited fellowship and they start using a match process for fellowship though. Personally, I would not waste the time and money with taking USMLE steps II & III.

Regarding other things for the fellowship application, both of my fellowship applications only asked for basic personal data (including USMLE scores), a personal statement, and 3 letters of rec. There was a blank on the app for research experience / publications, but during my interviews, nobody ever asked me a single question about my research time: I got the feeling that if you have it, research makes your CV look nice, but the lack of it is not a deal breaker.

 

[djipopo]

Are they looking for research primarily during residency or does research from medical school count as well?

 

[Noyac]

I've said this b/4 and will continue to say this.

Do yourself a favor and take the USMLE's.

Even if it isn't needed for fellowship w/c it should be, it will make you a better candidate for jobs. And you won't have to answer the questions all the time like: "why didn't you take the USMLE's"? Also plan on taking the ABA's as well.

 

[apellous]

I took USMLE Step I and it got me great interview at "top" programs according to SND and I am only going to take ABA exam. I would rather not waste the $$ another >$1000 out the window.

I appreciated your opinion but are employers going to ask me for my USLME scores or are they going to look at the fact that I have ABA boards, my residency program, and my fellowship program. I really dont think employers are going to care. It is like the MCAT no one care that I got a 30 and no one cares that I never took the SAT. I really just am looking at the fellowship process and if they will look at the USMLE scores or like the earlier poster said someone making a call is what is important and the the USLME is probably a waste.


Thank you for the replies

I've said this b/4 and will continue to say this.

Do yourself a favor and take the USMLE's.

Even if it isn't needed for fellowship w/c it should be, it will make you a better candidate for jobs. And you won't have to answer the questions all the time like: "why didn't you take the USMLE's"? Also plan on taking the ABA's as well.