Genuinely need help

[Gilgamesh417]

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Stats
DO student
USMLE Step 1: 227
USMLE Step 2: 251

Submitted ERAS today, 65 programs in IM and IM/Peds that are primarily located in the NYC and Tri-State area.

The things that worry me are

1. Will I match? The odds say yes, but some anecdotal support might be nice.
2. I really enjoyed surgery but I don't think my application is competitive enough. I think I would enjoy the slightly less insane hours of internal medicine but why can't I shake the feeling of regret of not doing surgery.
3. Could I be surgery competitive?

 

[samac]

Do you have an application together for surgery? Will your letters work for it?

If it’s what you really want throw 10 on there and you have the letters for it go for it.

 

[DO2015CA]

You can get gen surg. It just won’t be in the NYC/tristate. But I am of the opinion go for the specialty you’ll be happy in. You would only train for 5 years.

 

[Gilgamesh417]

Do you have an application together for surgery? Will your letters work for it?

If it’s what you really want throw 10 on there and you have the letters for it go for it.

I have one internal medicine, one OBGYN and one surgery LOR. Might be able to grab another.

 

[BorntobeDO?]

Apply surgery a bit broader and include the midwest (ohio, Mi etc). I think you can get it, and it sounds like its a better choice for you. You have enough letters now to apply, so give it a shot.

 

[Gilgamesh417]

You can get gen surg. It just won’t be in the NYC/tristate. But I am of the opinion go for the specialty you’ll be happy in. You would only train for 5 years.

The problem is I genuinely have lots of interests. Trying to stay local is important because both my parents are getting older and having health problems. If I do general surgery, I'd have to double dip into some current programs but I hear that it hurts my chances in both.

 

[DO2015CA]

The problem is I genuinely have lots of interests. Trying to stay local is important because both my parents are getting older and having health problems. If I do general surgery, I'd have to double dip into some current programs but I hear that it hurts my chances in both.

You have to decide what’s more important. You can prob get into IM easily there

 

[Gilgamesh417]

You have to decide what’s more important. You can prob get into IM easily there

Double dipping does hurt though, yeah?

 

[samac]

Double dipping does hurt though, yeah?

it makes you seem non-committal. (Doesn’t) help you with your career, just a little.

Sorry couldn’t resist.

 

[Gilgamesh417]

it makes you seem non-committal. (Doesn’t) help you with your career, just a little.

Sorry couldn’t resist.

Yes, that's what I understand. Hmmm... Much to think about.

 

[DO2015CA]

Yes, that's what I understand. Hmmm... Much to think about.

I’d apply to surg programs you are competitive for then apply to IM back ups in the area. That either don’t have surg or that you aren’t competitive for surg but are for their IM.

Just FYI, most IM programs are malignant in the city. But jersey and other places have good programs

 

[Gilgamesh417]

I’d apply to surg programs you are competitive for then apply to IM back ups in the area. That either don’t have surg or that you aren’t competitive for surg but are for their IM.

Just FYI, most IM programs are malignant in the city. But jersey and other places have good programs

What do you mean by malignant? They are cancerous, neoplastic growths that chew their residents up and spit them out?

 

[DO2015CA]

What do you mean by malignant? They are cancerous, neoplastic growths that chew their residents up and spit them out?

That is a very realistic depiction of what malignant programs are. Uhh in NYC outside of Columbia, Cornell, NYU there a lot of programs that have a reputation of malignant training programs. Whether it be an extremely powerful nursing union that essentially allows for bad nurses. Nurses can literally make or break a residents day. Also, a lot of the programs are IMG sweatshops (hearsay, but it’s a reputation) that break training hour rules and what not. This is because for FMGs this is there one shot at US medicine so they put up with it. There is more but those come to mind