Im a third year at NSU, and im impressed by how many of our colleagues in the class of 2008 were able to match into great anesthesia programs.
As someone who's numbers dont shine or boost my application, i was just hoping for more of you who matched to post info into your board scores, gpa, number of audition rotations, and just more or less specific details that would help someone who may be statistically subpar boost their application.
Well, there are a couple of questions that help determine what your best options are.
1) As some people's definition of "performing well" vary, I will just go out and say it: Is your USMLE step I >220? If the answer is yes then with good letters you can apply to the majority of programs. Work your butt off on your Anesthesiology rotations(I did about 2) and get good letters! Remember, you want to have your letters in a timely manner so don't wait till the last minute to get them. I don't need to tell you that the NSU office can give you headaches sometimes. I can't emphasize this enough, good letters can be HUGE, particularly from the right people. With >220, many people have gotten into Anesthesiology even if they are in the middle of the class. If your step I is <220, see #2.
2) If you did poorly on step I, Try to rock USMLE Step II which by many is considered easier to do. While you will still probably lose out on several programs that screen based on Step I, many will still look at you if you redeem yourself with step II. Again, your letters of recommendation will be HUGE. If you wind up doing below average in both Steps I&II (as in <220 in both), your options are more limited but don't give up hope!
3) Well if you fall into this category, things are a bit tougher but still not impossible. Many programs will screen you out based on your board scores alone. That being said some of the students at NSU that matched into some pretty competitive programs (UF and Miami) looked only average on paper. Your best chance if you fall in this category is the places you do your audition rotations at. These students worked their #$% off on their audition rotations, were pleasant to work with, and blew their socks off. Now don't be silly thinking that you can do this to get into UCSF or Johns Hopkins this way, but it just goes to show you can still get into some very solid programs with some good old fashioned hard work. Again letters are still big here.
Also do your homework on "hidden gem" programs that provide very solid training but are not neccesarily "Big Name" programs. In many cases you will get better exposure because the Anesthesia Fellows won't be snatching up all the really cool cases from you.
Hope that helps.
@ anesguy.
