For DO students interested in plastics

[Blunt Dissection]

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I thought I’d share so that anyone interested can get an idea of what previous DO applicants brought to the table based on the data that’s available for the past 4 years. This is specifically looking at osteopathic seniors - not the entire pool of applicants.

Quick summary:
2014 - 4 applicants, no matches
2015 - 1 applicant, 1 match
2016 - no applicants
2017 - 2 applicants, 1 match, 1 unmatched
2018 - 4 applicants, 2 matched, 2 unmatched

Similar amongst all matched: 240+ Step 1, 240+ Step 2, at least 1 publication, at least 1 conference/poster presentation, at least 5 volunteering activties reported.

Except for 1 outlier in 2014, the unmatched applicants had the same issues of having very weak research experience. Connections and network likely played a significant role in helping the successful matches, but the matched applicants definitely had the academic profiles to pull their own weight.

 

[BMRMike]

Fun fact, both 2018 matches came from the same school.

 

[_Rod_of_Asclepius_]

I know integrated PRS is brutal for anyone applying but how has the traditional GS —-> PRS route been?

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

I know integrated PRS is brutal for anyone applying but how has the traditional GS —-> PRS route been?

It’s better. Most of the MDs who want plastics tend to go straight to integrated and GS residents in general don’t really go for plastics except for IMGs, or other less competitive applicants who wanted plastics but weren’t competitive for integrated. It kinda just depends on the residency you go to and what kind of connections/research you can get done there. That’s what I’ve been told. We had a plastics match from our former AOA program just a few years ago so it’s possible.

 

[_Rod_of_Asclepius_]

It’s better. Most of the MDs who want plastics tend to go straight to integrated and GS residents in general don’t really go for plastics except for IMGs, or other less competitive applicants who wanted plastics but weren’t competitive for integrated. It kinda just depends on the residency you go to and what kind of connections/research you can get done there. That’s what I’ve been told. We had a plastics match from our former AOA program just a few years ago so it’s possible.

I think this seems to be the trend with CT and vascular as well. The traditional pathway is becoming the back up. I guess nothing wrong with it aside from losing a few years and enduring GS, but at least we know it still produces great surgeons since it’s tried and true.