How do you do it?

[Chimera]

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Guys I was hoping you could answer my question?

I know there is much debate over what are the "top 10" programs for IM, but my question is what kind of students get into these programs? Are they MSTP students, students with extensive research experience, amazing board scores, good recs, connections, etc.... You get the idea.

I'm willing to bet it's a combination of all of these qualities, but do I have a good shot at getting into these programs if I just honor third year and do well on step I (>240)? I just don't feel that I have an accomplishment that sets me apart from the masses. Is this necessary for these positions. Or do I have to have research with publications and the like?

 

[smackdaddy]

a good step 1 score will help a lot.
good scores on clinical rotations will help too, especially if the letter writer personally knows someone at the place you would like to go to.
most people will not have extensive research experience.
don't worry too much. if you are going into IM, it is not that critical to get into a top 10 program. you are better of finding a program where you will be happy and can do well than picking a place based on someone else's rankings. a program may be higher ranked for reasons which will not affect you at all. getting into residency isn't a finish line, it's just a stop along a long journey.

regardless, at this point i think the best thing you could do for yourself is to absolutely crush step 1.

 

[bluechip]

- so I agree- general academic excellence, some research, and being a nice person will probably get you into a top 10 IM program. I think however, that to get into the top 4, which in my (subjective and opinionated) book are Brigham, MGH, Hopkins, UCSF, you need something that makes you pretty unique. You end up seeing a lot of PhD types at these places, as well as a lot of people with international experience, and overall, people who simply have an interesting and compelling 'story'. Personally, I felt most humbled during an away rotation at the Brigham (also did one at hopkins). The brigham residents basically seemed like a group of friendly, unassuming superstars. Their opinion seemed to be that you need a 'story'- and somehow you need to look like someone who will be a leader, academic, global, local, pushing for social change... whatever.

Over the last several years, the students from my school who have ended up at Brigham/MGH have had great academic credentials PLUS they've also been the sort of folks I've read about in the local and university newspapers because of their other extracurricular accomplishments (helping to start a student-run clinic, being elected president of a national organization etc.). Yikes.
Myself, I have good scores and clinical grades and I'll be content going to some of the other " top-10" places I really don't think the training can be all that different between any of them- the only difference is a little bit of prestige. Big whoop.