How many programs are you applying to??

[BlueJasper]

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I actually really want to know the answer to this question, based on the opinion of those that just matched in the past 1-2 years..

Assuming that one's grades/third year clerkships are excellent (probably senior AOA), has lots of research, good LORs... what are the ranges of step 1 that will make you competitive for 1) low tier 2) mid 3) top (or top top) programs.. And, is step 2 necessary, assuming a strong step 1? If programs do not get the score until december, is it really worth it? Do the still grant interviews at that time?

Any thoughts? Feel free to post your plans in regard to # programs you are applying to. I would like to apply broadly and widely, but I need to take the cost into consideration, as well as there are only about 12 or so programs that I would be really happy at (based on location, etc).
Please please offer your advice...

🙂 😳 🙂 😳

 

[amyl]

matched last year. step two isn't necessary if step one >220 imho but it helps solidify your app. step two is easier and you will likely score as well if not better with less prep. just mho.
if you will only be happy at 12 places then apply to those 12.
it is one price for 20 applications so apply to 20 at least.... you will always have the luxury of cancelling some interviews. if you have issues in your app, apply to a few more than that.

 

[scotchnwater]

I actually really want to know the answer to this question, based on the opinion of those that just matched in the past 1-2 years..

Assuming that one's grades/third year clerkships are excellent (probably senior AOA), has lots of research, good LORs... what are the ranges of step 1 that will make you competitive for 1) low tier 2) mid 3) top (or top top) programs.. And, is step 2 necessary, assuming a strong step 1? If programs do not get the score until december, is it really worth it? Do the still grant interviews at that time?

Any thoughts? Feel free to post your plans in regard to # programs you are applying to. I would like to apply broadly and widely, but I need to take the cost into consideration, as well as there are only about 12 or so programs that I would be really happy at (based on location, etc).
Please please offer your advice...

🙂 😳 🙂 😳

I would totally agree with amyl and apply to the 20 programs that you're paying for anyways - your perspective may change as the application season rolls by (i.e. you may decide you want to interview in more small towns vs. big cities or vice versa after you go on a couple of interviews).

Given the way you're stating the question, I'd guess you've got good grades and whatnot - your Step I is probably pretty strong too.

It's hard to pin down ranges for Step I because programs tend to look at your total application. This includes your grades, activities, research, letters, as well as your Step II if you've taken it.

If your Step I is > 220 with good grades, activities, research, etc, you're probably fine pretty much wherever you apply (and I mean pretty much anywhere - according to my experiences).

If there is a deficiency in a category (like a few mediocre grades, scant activities, etc) you may need to have a higher Step I to get the interview. Also, if your Step I is average-ish to below average (which I'm guessing yours isn't, but this may apply to other people) then taking Step II earlier (if you are REALLY sure you will improve on it...) is obviously helpful.

I see no reason why anyone with > 230 on Step I should take their Step II early at all.

 

[Sifilis]

So how important are things like activities and research? I just started third year and am interested in anesthesiology, but I haven't really done anything as far as the aforementioned areas...

I scored above 230 on Step I and have pretty good grades for the first two years, but I just haven't been interested in getting involved in clubs or doing research. Does that really matter?

 

[scotchnwater]

So how important are things like activities and research? I just started third year and am interested in anesthesiology, but I haven't really done anything as far as the aforementioned areas...

I scored above 230 on Step I and have pretty good grades for the first two years, but I just haven't been interested in getting involved in clubs or doing research. Does that really matter?

You're going to get a lot of different answers on this one.

Just joining a club and paying dues is not going to help you out much, if at all. Having an ongoing, documented involvement in an organized activity, however, (it doesn't even have to be medically related) is something that shows that you're more than 2-dimensional and can "balance" your workload with the rest of your life.

Your Step I is clearly solid, and paired with great grades you should be fine. I guess my thought is that if all you have is a great set of numbers, then what really sets you apart from the other 45 people who also have great numbers?

Regarding research, I don't think that not having any necessarily hurts you, per se. Again, it's just something that can add to your resume and makes your application more than just a pretty set of numbers.

 

[BlueJasper]

However, I am also applying to prelim/TY programs...
Should I apply to 10 prelims/TY and 10-12 anesthesia programs?

 

[bigdan]

I'm applying this year. Mediocre Step I (216), good clinical grades; plan Step 2 at end of Aug.

I've got 26 Anes programs listed as of now, and have 6 TY programs. I'll let you know how it goes.

dc

 

[amyl]

However, I am also applying to prelim/TY programs...
Should I apply to 10 prelims/TY and 10-12 anesthesia programs?

i can't remember...isn't it one fee for 20 anes programs and one fee for 20 prelims or tys.

from my experience, clubs and activities don't matter at all really. maybe research helps but i really think grades and board scores get you the interview. don't discount the interview... i think this is very important.

 

[neuroride]

I applied to 30 programs last year and it was overkill. 1. It is expensive to apply to all of those. 2. For me, it was difficult to find the time and more so the money to go on all of the interviews. I did 6 interviews and matched.

 

[surrender903]

right now i have ummm i think about 46 programs anes programs and 26 prelim year. yay me...

 

[darkmansaad]

im not sure exactly how overkill this is...one of the residents i rotated with is IMG but got 99's on Step 1 and 2...only got 7 interviews after applying to 70 programs. He did match however into a really good program but besides that program his interviews were sparse. So i guess im asking does it matter if your IMG/Carib IMG when it comes to applying broadly even if you have stellar board scores?

 

[scotchnwater]

im not sure exactly how overkill this is...one of the residents i rotated with is IMG but got 99's on Step 1 and 2...only got 7 interviews after applying to 70 programs. He did match however into a really good program but besides that program his interviews were sparse. So i guess im asking does it matter if your IMG/Carib IMG when it comes to applying broadly even if you have stellar board scores?

I'd say yes. My med school had an infinitely higher standard to even grant an interview to an IMG. I think if you look you'll even find that some programs have the same type of double standard with offering interviews to DOs. Good, bad, or indifferent, there are certainly stigmas that exist when applying for residency.

There is a definite disadvantage if you're applying as an IMG. There have been other posts which discuss which programs are IMG-friendly, so that's a good place to start.

Is this something that is addressed when you're applying to a non-US med school? I mean, do they tell you that it's generally harder to get into a residency once you're done than if you toughed it out and tried to get into a US school? From every single person I've every talked to, it appears there is definitely a higher standard if you're an IMG applying to residency, and it would seem a bit unfair if you are not made aware of that when you sign up to go to that school.

 

[amyl]

i over applied, interviewed at too many and matched at my number one. lots of wasted time and money but if i had to do it all over again i think i would. i learned a few things on the interview trail and met some cool people....but i also picked my number one without ever thinking the grass might be greener and thats priceless.
DOs should probably apply to a few more programs than AMGs in general and there are a few programs that are likely a waste of a DOs time regardless of scores, etc. search and you guys will find which ones.
FMGs/IMGs should also apply much more widely, even more than DOs in my opinion. i met a great girl with practically the same application as me, except she was a carib grad and i was a DO. we applied many of the same places but i got way more interviews than her which was weird but oh well. carib grads can match well for sure but i think casting a wider net is a good idea. best of luck guys.

 

[darkmansaad]

I'd say yes. My med school had an infinitely higher standard to even grant an interview to an IMG. I think if you look you'll even find that some programs have the same type of double standard with offering interviews to DOs. Good, bad, or indifferent, there are certainly stigmas that exist when applying for residency.

There is a definite disadvantage if you're applying as an IMG. There have been other posts which discuss which programs are IMG-friendly, so that's a good place to start.

Is this something that is addressed when you're applying to a non-US med school? I mean, do they tell you that it's generally harder to get into a residency once you're done than if you toughed it out and tried to get into a US school? From every single person I've every talked to, it appears there is definitely a higher standard if you're an IMG applying to residency, and it would seem a bit unfair if you are not made aware of that when you sign up to go to that school.

haha well im well aware of the stigma mind you, not trying to pretend it doesnt exist. But i think i was told by some docs, some people in class, basically through word of mouth that a 240+ step 1 score/similar score in step 2 with good Letters of rec would be enough to put me on equal footing for the most part. I guess i can officially start stressing out now cuz i really wasnt worried before i realized that only about 10% of the programs i apply to will call me back.

 

[Uegis]

So how many prelim/TY programs did most people apply to? I am really worried about not having enough time and money for regular interviews and prelim/TY interviews. Right now, I'm thinking applying to 20 anesth programs and 10 prelim programs. Does that sound okay? I had >240 Step I and honored 4/6 clerkships, but letters and EC's are on the weak side.

 

[Leverage]

So how many prelim/TY programs did most people apply to? I am really worried about not having enough time and money for regular interviews and prelim/TY interviews. Right now, I'm thinking applying to 20 anesth programs and 10 prelim programs. Does that sound okay? I had >240 Step I and honored 4/6 clerkships, but letters and EC's are on the weak side.

Chances are you will be fine!!!

If you apply to 20 programs and all offer interviews, I would only go on max 8. But if you apply to 20 programs and only half or so offer interviews, go on all of them. You get the picture...This will tell you how competitive you are. This also assumes you are not an idot on interviews...

As far as the prelim issue...some programs will let you interview the same day or the following day you have your anesthesia interview. This helps out with the time and money situation... Many programs really try and accomadate you.

Good luck, hope this helps. Wish someone would have told me this.

 

[lord_jeebus]

I interviewed at way more programs than I needed to for matching, but I think it was a good move.

It's very hard to get a good feel for a program without going there. I found that what I had read and heard from faculty I worked with was often outdated or just inaccurate. At the end of the process my rank list was very different from how I would have constructed it in September of 4th year.

It didn't even cost me that much - I was able to consolidate all my East Coast interviews (5 anesthesia, 4 prelim) in a single round-trip flight.

 

[Uegis]

Chances are you will be fine!!!

If you apply to 20 programs and all offer interviews, I would only go on max 8. But if you apply to 20 programs and only half or so offer interviews, go on all of them. You get the picture...This will tell you how competitive you are. This also assumes you are not an idot on interviews...

As far as the prelim issue...some programs will let you interview the same day or the following day you have your anesthesia interview. This helps out with the time and money situation... Many programs really try and accomadate you.

Good luck, hope this helps. Wish someone would have told me this.

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I'm a bit worried because all my classmates who are applying are just super stellar applicants who would kick my behind any day. So thinking of "competing" against them scares me.

 

[DrN2O]

20 anesthesia is a good number. I applied to more than 20, had an open schedule, ran up the credit card, and 12 was all I had energy/patience for.

Prelim is a different beast. Never heard back from any east coast program. Rejections galore from CA. I recommend focus on two to three cities--home program/city, family home, and MAYBE the area around your number one. Moving twice, regardless how cush the pgy1 is, SUCK ***** (time, money) especially if you are completely new to the area. Remember the end of pgy1 will not be as relaxing as the end of M4. I would also apply to 20, and rank at least 7 if you can, fewer if you don't mind staying at home program.

 

[climbingdocs]

To apply for prelim should we use the same PS or should we write different one?

 

[scotchnwater]

To apply for prelim should we use the same PS or should we write different one?

I used the same basic PS, then modified it in a couple of spots to be more "general". Not really sure I needed to do that at all, though.

 

[lord_jeebus]

I added a rather BS paragraph at the end about the importance of internal medicine to the practice of anesthesia - probably not necessary but I didn't want to look too lazy to write something directed towards their program.

 

[Steric]

I used the exact same personal statement, word for word, and nobody ever made any mention of it.