General Surgery in California

[Ezangjen]

Hello, all. I applied to 15 programs in California; interested particularly in southern cal. Wondering what my chances are and perhaps what programs to focus on. Step1 230, middle-tier in my class, great LOR, small school in the midwest. Family in California. Any feedback would be appreciated.

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[dynx]

Hello, all. I applied to 15 programs in California; interested particularly in southern cal. Wondering what my chances are and perhaps what programs to focus on. Step1 230, middle-tier in my class, great LOR, small school in the midwest. Family in California. Any feedback would be appreciated.

I'd give you a 62.384% chance based upon the "DYNX matching calculator" (patent pending) with the information you have given, id need to know what you had for breakfast last tuesday and if you have a fuzzy toilet seat cover to make my predictions more accurate.

the stars say your lucky school is loma linda

 

[Winged Scapula]

For those of you who have yet to purchase the Dynx 2.0 code encriptor, what he is saying to the OP is that it is practically impossible to determine someone's chances in matching. There are too many variables at work.

Traditionally, some of the less competitive programs would be both Kern and UCSF-Fresno, but as surgery gets more popular, even less competitive is competitive.

 

[medstudent99]

230? g-surg? i would say ur chances r pretty good

 

[ivan lewis]

230? g-surg? i would say ur chances r pretty good

I'd say you're a bit misinformed there.

Ezangjen - Just from your numbers I'd venture an educated guess that you wouldn't be interviewed from UCSF, Stanford or UCLA. I think you are +/- for UCSD and UC-Davis (Davis might be tougher b/c I believe they interview less people) and likely would get one from USC and UCI. The community programs I am not as familiar with but California is notoriously tough to get into. Having said that, you have solid numbers and don't see why you wouldn't be competitive for the community programs there.

I think you'd be very competitive for many academic centers around the country but it's tough when you limit yourself geographically, esp. to an area that is extraordinarily competitive.

 

[Blade28]

Agreed that limiting your applications to California-only makes it more difficult for you. Do you absolutely have to be in CA? Did you apply anywhere else, just in case?

 

[Ezangjen]

Agreed that limiting your applications to California-only makes it more difficult for you. Do you absolutely have to be in CA? Did you apply anywhere else, just in case?

Blade28, yes I applied to 35 other programs throughout the US, so I do have my bases covered. Thanks.

 

[Winged Scapula]

230? g-surg? i would say ur chances r pretty good

Gotta agree with Ivan Lewis here.

While 230 is a good score, above the national mean, all programs in general surgery are seeing applicants with scores much higher and California is particularly competitive, so no score, even a 230 is a shoe-in.

My program, not nearly as competitive as most of the Cali programs, routinely got apps from people with Step 1 scores > 240.

 

[Blade28]

Blade28, yes I applied to 35 other programs throughout the US, so I do have my bases covered. Thanks.

Ah, good. 👍

 

[SLUser11]

Gotta agree with Ivan Lewis here.

While 230 is a good score, above the national mean, all programs in general surgery are seeing applicants with scores much higher and California is particularly competitive, so no score, even a 230 is a shoe-in.

Maybe he means for prelim surg...........

 

[Winged Scapula]

Perhaps you is right.

 

[medstudent99]

230? and not match in California? maybe not but believe me anyone who doesn't interview is an idiot. and that's the truth. in any speciality not just g-surg

 

[medstudent99]

of course i'm assuming ur normal...even though i have seen some straight freaks match at good CA g-surg programs who were, just... well tools

 

[Winged Scapula]

of course i'm assuming ur normal...even though i have seen some straight freaks match at good CA g-surg programs who were, just... well tools

Perhaps that's because where you are (a program known for bright residents who are a bit strange).

 

[Winged Scapula]

230? and not match in California? maybe not but believe me anyone who doesn't interview is an idiot. and that's the truth. in any speciality not just g-surg

I might take the above comment from a prelim resident with a grain of salt. Matching is not just about the numbers nor is even interviewing.

I have seen people with scores > 230 not get interviews, although there is generally a good reason why:

- they have a letter in their file which dooms them
- they have some other major red flag in their application
- they have applied unwisely; ie, generally very limited geographically or only top tier programs for which they may not be competitive

I will thank you for not contiuing to comment that someone with a 230 who doesn't interview is an idiot. While we don't need to blow smoke at people, there is also no reason to be demeaning.

 

[Doc Ivy]

Can I highjack the thread for a minute to ask a question.

Any one know about UCSF-East Bay? Good, bad? How much affiliation do they really have with UCSF?

thanks