- Joined
- Apr 18, 2012
- Messages
- 4
- Reaction score
- 3
- Points
- 4,551
- Medical Student
First off congrats to everyone that matched! I'm looking forward to my chance next year.
Been looking for a thread that mirrors my situation but haven't found one so I figured I'd ask.
Trying to put together a list of programs that I'm going to apply to but I'm not sure how competitive I am- as in if there's programs I shouldn't bother with due to being too much of a reach.
Totally set on pediatrics with intention of specializing in H/O (major interest), NICU, or PICU. Only applying ACGME.
OMS3 in top 1/2 of class. Step 1 USMLE-226 COMLEX 1-566 with both USMLE (CK only) and COMLEX step 2 scheduled for end of August. Rotation grades: 2-Honors, 3-High Pass (including peds), and 2-Pass so far. Never had a preceptor give me under a 90% but some of the end of rotation tests have been killer especially with how my school handles grading (need above a 90 to honors, 80 to high pass no matter the other factors going into the grade).
In terms of ECs nothing to write home about- member of a club or 2 but no leadership positions. Some volunteer time coaching kids. A tiny bit of research experience in undergrad but no publications. I've got a few preceptors willing to write me strong LOR but only one pediatrician. I did have the opportunity to write a protocol for a local hospital ER but not sure how important that is.
I'm trying to stay off the east coast (and the west coast for that matter). My dream would be Colorado, but also interested in Cleveland Clinic, UH, University of TN (Memphis, and Chattanooga), Louisville, Carolinas are at the top. Really my list is about 40 programs long at this point and I'd like to bring it down but not cut myself off in terms of interview offers. Wondering if I shouldn't bother with some of the more prestigious programs or if I'm cutting myself short and should cut off the less prestigious programs off the bottom ... or if I should just stick with applying to the 40 and see what happens.
Thanks!!
Been looking for a thread that mirrors my situation but haven't found one so I figured I'd ask.
Trying to put together a list of programs that I'm going to apply to but I'm not sure how competitive I am- as in if there's programs I shouldn't bother with due to being too much of a reach.
Totally set on pediatrics with intention of specializing in H/O (major interest), NICU, or PICU. Only applying ACGME.
OMS3 in top 1/2 of class. Step 1 USMLE-226 COMLEX 1-566 with both USMLE (CK only) and COMLEX step 2 scheduled for end of August. Rotation grades: 2-Honors, 3-High Pass (including peds), and 2-Pass so far. Never had a preceptor give me under a 90% but some of the end of rotation tests have been killer especially with how my school handles grading (need above a 90 to honors, 80 to high pass no matter the other factors going into the grade).
In terms of ECs nothing to write home about- member of a club or 2 but no leadership positions. Some volunteer time coaching kids. A tiny bit of research experience in undergrad but no publications. I've got a few preceptors willing to write me strong LOR but only one pediatrician. I did have the opportunity to write a protocol for a local hospital ER but not sure how important that is.
I'm trying to stay off the east coast (and the west coast for that matter). My dream would be Colorado, but also interested in Cleveland Clinic, UH, University of TN (Memphis, and Chattanooga), Louisville, Carolinas are at the top. Really my list is about 40 programs long at this point and I'd like to bring it down but not cut myself off in terms of interview offers. Wondering if I shouldn't bother with some of the more prestigious programs or if I'm cutting myself short and should cut off the less prestigious programs off the bottom ... or if I should just stick with applying to the 40 and see what happens.
Thanks!!
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