How low can I go?

[m1forever]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I know that psych right now isn't competitive, but since psych is the ONLY field I can see myself in, I'm still a little worried because I'm afraid it might become more competitive in three years. I know that it will not be real competitive by US grad standards anytime soon, but even if it becomes mildly competitive I could be in some trouble because I can see my application being pretty mediocre to bad. I'm an m1, but I've already pretty much failed anatomy and am hoping I can remediate that over the summer. I think I can make B's/C's in everything else but I have no interest in shooting for anything better. Come third year I know I won't be very impressive on rotations and am just hoping I will learn how to do enough to get through 4 months of IM as an intern and hope to get by with pass/C rotation grades by not raising any huge red flags. With mediocre step 1/2 scores and very low preclinical grades and an unremarkable third year, do you think it will still be easy to match into decent psych programs? I come from an allopathic state US med school if it matters. I just want to work 40 hours a week doing mostly outpatient psych in a small to medium sized community(40-200,000 people). I'd like to get into university programs that are in the southeast(UF, MUSC, MCG, etc).

 

[john182]

I know that psych right now isn't competitive, but since psych is the ONLY field I can see myself in, I'm still a little worried because I'm afraid it might become more competitive in three years. I know that it will not be real competitive by US grad standards anytime soon, but even if it becomes mildly competitive I could be in some trouble because I can see my application being pretty mediocre to bad. I'm an m1, but I've already pretty much failed anatomy and am hoping I can remediate that over the summer. I think I can make B's/C's in everything else but I have no interest in shooting for anything better. Come third year I know I won't be very impressive on rotations and am just hoping I will learn how to do enough to get through 4 months of IM as an intern and hope to get by with pass/C rotation grades by not raising any huge red flags. With mediocre step 1/2 scores and very low preclinical grades and an unremarkable third year, do you think it will still be easy to match into decent psych programs? I come from an allopathic state US med school if it matters. I just want to work 40 hours a week doing mostly outpatient psych in a small to medium sized community(40-200,000 people). I'd like to get into university programs that are in the southeast(UF, MUSC, MCG, etc).

If you are not interested maybe why do it? Most of psych involves pharmacology, biochemistry, neurology, neuroanatomy and psychology. If you don't have an interest in medicine first of all (in general, and that includes IM, surgery, etc., and basically knowing the human body) you'll have a very tough time in psych.

No reason to believe you'll be mediocre in 3rd year. WHy is that exactly? Do you spend too much spare time slacking? 🙂 The people who start off coming first in the class are just as likely to be unimpressive with patients when it comes to clinical duties.

Don't write yourself off but if you aim 50% you'll fail. Aim for 1st in the class and you've a chance at honours. The worst part of what you said was "I just want to work 40 hours a week" etc., .

Dude it really sounds liek you are not suited to medicine at all, or at least, you have decided that you are not suited to it after just 1 year. Open the books and start learning, you'll find it's easier to catch up at the start then at the end.

 

[m1forever]

If you are not interested maybe why do it? Most of psych involves pharmacology, biochemistry, neurology, neuroanatomy and psychology. If you don't have an interest in medicine first of all (in general, and that includes IM, surgery, etc., and basically knowing the human body) you'll have a very tough time in psych.

I have a mild interest in pharmacology, biochem, behavioral science and how the brain works in general. I have absolutely no interest in knowing what the boundaries of the brachial plexus are, and I'm not sure how that relates to outpatient psychiatry.

I think I would have an interest(or at least *could do*) in general outpatient psych. Maybe working for kaiser or something. Med checks mainly I guess.

 

[MadPuppy2005]

I'm applying to psychiatry, mostly programs in the midwest, None ranked in the top 40 in the field. I want know just how competative is psych? Should I apply to some top programs? such as Mayo, Cleveland clinic, Jackson Memorial, Iowa, Havard South Shore, or any programs in the Top 25?

I know some students who are at the bottom of their class getting interviews at prestigious programs. Am I just out of my mind? I would like to go to a reputable program if possible. However, my grades are in the bottom 25% of my class, but my COMLEX is in the 65% percentile, didn't take USMLE though, and I have 3 pretty good rec letters.

Anyone know people with bad academic records getting into top programs?
Would it be waste of money for me to apply to any ranked programs? I would really appreciate your honest opinion.

 

[neutropeniaboy]

I have a mild interest in pharmacology, biochem, behavioral science and how the brain works in general. I have absolutely no interest in knowing what the boundaries of the brachial plexus are, and I'm not sure how that relates to outpatient psychiatry.

I think I would have an interest(or at least *could do*) in general outpatient psych. Maybe working for kaiser or something. Med checks mainly I guess.

Have you ever given consideration to working as a consultant of some nature after you graduate? Perhaps in the pharmaceutical industry as a "medical liaison" (i.e., drug rep who actually knows a thing or two about medicine) or some kind of overseer? Perhaps working for an insurance company 🙁 or legal firm (gads! 😱 )?

I ask this because frankly I'd be concerned to send a patient to you. You aren't motivated at all and seem genuinely disinterested in the medical field. And this, of course, begs the ultimate question: why do you bother to continue racking up the debt to become an M.D.?

 

[m1forever]

Have you ever given consideration to working as a consultant of some nature after you graduate? Perhaps in the pharmaceutical industry as a "medical liaison" (i.e., drug rep who actually knows a thing or two about medicine) or some kind of overseer? Perhaps working for an insurance company 🙁 or legal firm (gads! 😱 )?

I ask this because frankly I'd be concerned to send a patient to you. You aren't motivated at all and seem genuinely disinterested in the medical field. And this, of course, begs the ultimate question: why do you bother to continue racking up the debt to become an M.D.?

I am interested in psychology/neuroscience/mental disorders. That's what I stated earlier. Racking up debt to eventually become a general psychiatrist is a lot better than working a dead end job that I would have less interest in. I think the options out there in psychiatry- inpatient vs outpatient, psychotherapy vs. pharm-based practice, the various practice models, etc are numerous enough that I could be comfortable being a clinician under those circumstances.

 

[Kluver Bucy]

m1forever,

It sounds like your difficulties with your first part of medical school have really got to you. Do you think you might be depressed? I'm certain that the attitude of just getting by with C's did not land you in med school. This must be new. I think that you've really had the wind knocked out of your sails. First, realize that there has been a change in your attitude and self image. Then, get yourself into academic counseling (someone to help you with prioritization, scheduling and organization) and psychotherapy. It'll probably make you a better med student, and it will most certainly make you a better psychiatrist.

 

[MadPuppy2005]

can someone give me advise about my post.

I'm applying to psychiatry, mostly programs in the midwest, None ranked in the top 40 in the field. I want know just how competative is psych? Should I apply to some top programs? such as Mayo, Cleveland clinic, Jackson Memorial, Iowa, Havard South Shore, or any programs in the Top 25?

I know some students who are at the bottom of their class getting interviews at prestigious programs. Am I just out of my mind? I would like to go to a reputable program if possible. However, my grades are in the bottom 25% of my class, but my COMLEX is in the 65% percentile, didn't take USMLE though, and I have 3 pretty good rec letters.

Anyone know people with bad academic records getting into top programs?
Would it be waste of money for me to apply to any ranked programs? I would really appreciate your honest opinion.

 

[SeaviewMD]

Since matching in psychiatry at my program three years ago, I've been increasingly active in resident recruitment. Based on both national statistics and personal experience, I can assure you that psychiatry is becoming increasingly competitive; our current interns are all very well-rounded U.S. grads with outstanding academic records. Although my program is located in a very desirable part of the country and is considered "up and coming", it does not yet have the prestige that some of the Ivy League or New York programs have.

You may want to consider applying to a few "top" programs, a few "middle tier", and a few "safety" programs. You'll likely get invitations to interview at very least, and you'll gain needed perspective on the programs by interviewing more than less. You'll spend a few more dollars doing this in the short term, but considering you'll be spending at least the next four years of your life in the program, this shouldn't be your primary consideration. I'd advise you to keep an open mind as you interview, as in my experience more than a few of the "top" programs were lacking in their training experience and instead were drawing recruits based on their reputation.

I hope this is helpful; good luck and happy interviewing!

 

[PsychMD]

Re. program "ranking" (top vs. mid-tier vs. "safety")...I wonder is there a current formal or even informal ranking available anywhere in a compiled fashion? (Not just for Psych. but for other specialties as well).

Or is this more of a "historical tradition" point of view, passed on from generation to generation, based on...what exactly?

 

[csolado]

Re. program "ranking" (top vs. mid-tier vs. "safety")...I wonder is there a current formal or even informal ranking available anywhere in a compiled fashion? (Not just for Psych. but for other specialties as well).

Or is this more of a "historical tradition" point of view, passed on from generation to generation, based on...what exactly?

For what it's worth (hint: not much, as it's purely based on reputation), here is the US News & World Report rankings of Psych hospitals (not programs, per se): http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/hosptl/rankings/specreppsyc.htm

Here's the "Honor Roll": http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/hosptl/honorroll.htm

and the main page: http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/hosptl/tophosp.htm