How much trouble am I really in?

[RussianJoo]

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So as the invitation season comes to an end I am beginning to really worry about the number of interviews I received. Currently I have 5 interviews scheduled and 1 wait-listed. So I am posting here to see what the veterans have to say. Am I really screwed or am I not off as bad as I think I am? I tried looking up the NRMP charting outcomes but couldn't find the exact table that showed how many consecutive rankings I needed to successfully match, however, everyone keeps quoting the number 10. I know that no one can predict what's going to happen and that there have been people who interviewed at and ranked 15 programs and didn't match, and also there have been people who interviewed at and ranked 2 programs and matched. But it would be nice to know what the others think or even others in my situation. I am not looking for support or people cheering me on. I'd like your honest responses based on your experiences and your friend's and colleague's experiences.

Thanks in advance for your comments.

 

[powermd]

So as the invitation season comes to an end I am beginning to really worry about the number of interviews I received. Currently I have 5 interviews scheduled and 1 wait-listed. So I am posting here to see what the veterans have to say. Am I really screwed or am I not off as bad as I think I am? I tried looking up the NRMP charting outcomes but couldn't find the exact table that showed how many consecutive rankings I needed to successfully match, however, everyone keeps quoting the number 10. I know that no one can predict what's going to happen and that there have been people who interviewed at and ranked 15 programs and didn't match, and also there have been people who interviewed at and ranked 2 programs and matched. But it would be nice to know what the others think or even others in my situation. I am not looking for support or people cheering me on. I'd like your honest responses based on your experiences and your friend's and colleague's experiences.

Thanks in advance for your comments.

No one has any clue how you're going to do in the match. No one can truly reassure you without knowing ALL the details of your situation.

Look at the bright side, you only have to go on 5 @%$ing interviews. Use the money you save to buy something cool like Modern Warfare 2, and a good bottle of your favorite chemical coping agent.

 

[MCYan]

Keep your heads up, you still have 5 interviews to go to. I have heard the magic number is 8 - and if a program has both advanced and categorical tracks that count as 2.

 

[RussianJoo]

Keep your heads up, you still have 5 interviews to go to. I have heard the magic number is 8 - and if a program has both advanced and categorical tracks that count as 2.

thanks, I guess that puts me at 7...

I'll no doubt go out swinging but I guess I wanted to hear more from people who were in my situation.

 

[wmc24]

thanks, I guess that puts me at 7...

I'll no doubt go out swinging but I guess I wanted to hear more from people who were in my situation.

Where do u have interviews now and do these programs usually fill each year or are they often those with spots left in the scramble?

 

[RussianJoo]

I am pretty sure all of them filled every year. St. Barnabas, St. Joe's, U of Toledo, Wayne State, and U of Missouri Columbia. at least for the last 2 or 3 years.

 

[pmichaelmd]

Totally depends on your stats and where you applied. I was a non-traditional applicant and didn't apply far and wide. I think I went on 3 interviews and was offered a spot at 2 of them outside of the match. I went to my #1 rank through the match. Then again, this was a match for PGY-2 positions starting in 2004, so...take it with a grain of salt.

Only time will tell, but best of luck.

PMMD

 

[Southpaw]

I am pretty sure all of them filled every year. St. Barnabas, St. Joe's, U of Toledo, Wayne State, and U of Missouri Columbia. at least for the last 2 or 3 years.

RJ,

All you can do is make the most out of your five interviews. Convince every single person that you interview with that you're as committed to the specialty just as you've convinced everyone here who's been paying attention. Tell them you'll work hard, be a team player, and make them believe you'll be a good fit for their program. That's all you can do bro. I can't comment on your chances because last year I honestly thought it was a crapshoot, but I honestly wish you the best of luck. You'll be awesome for this specialty so I hope one of those programs is willing to give you a spot.

 

[Pilot Doc]

http://www.nrmp.org/data/chartingoutcomes2009v3.pdf

page 21

As i recall, you're an IMG so you're the teal line. 5 interviews = 5 ranks. You have a 50/50 chance of matching.

Course there are a lot of variables, but the general point is that
1) It's not a longshot to match
2) it's not a longshot to not match

 

[Bertelman]

Funny, I was going to tell him 50/50 just off the top of my head.

 

[RussianJoo]

thanks guys.. yeah I am really lucky that I found a specialty that I am passionate about. I feel that not too many people can truely say that. Unfortunately being an IMG blows, but than again I wouldn't expect anything less. US residency spots are meant for US med school grads, and leftovers can be filled by us. I am definitely going work hard and try to impress the pants off these people, I never was afraid of hard work. and 50/50 is better than 20/80.

 

[RussianJoo]

http://www.nrmp.org/data/chartingoutcomes2009v3.pdf

page 21

As i recall, you're an IMG so you're the teal line. 5 interviews = 5 ranks. You have a 50/50 chance of matching.

Course there are a lot of variables, but the general point is that
1) It's not a longshot to match
2) it's not a longshot to not match

thanks this is exactly what I was looking for. So even though some places have both categorical and advanced spots that would still count as one rank? if it doesn't than I'll have 7 contiguous ranks and that would bump me up to a 60/40 chance of matching..

 

[Pilot Doc]

thanks this is exactly what I was looking for. So even though some places have both categorical and advanced spots that would still count as one rank? if it doesn't than I'll have 7 contiguous ranks and that would bump me up to a 60/40 chance of matching..

Well, lots of things seem to influence your chances -number of ranks, step 1 scores, etc. And the n's for non-US seniors are small (not to mention that non-US seniors is a very inhomogenous group) Hard to say what the independent predictive factors really are. Certainly don't have the ability to differentiate 50/50 from 60/40. idk if adv vs categorical counts as two ranks or not.

As you say, 50/50 is better than 20/80. I agree and I think you're better than 20/80. 50/50 is also worse than 80/20 and I'm pretty sure you're not there either. The take home point is work hard in your interviews and start getting serious about plan B.

 

[Stillwater45]

It only takes one rank, looks like you have 5 shots at it. Best of Luck!

 

[guitarguy09]

thanks guys.. yeah I am really lucky that I found a specialty that I am passionate about. I feel that not too many people can truely say that. Unfortunately being an IMG blows, but than again I wouldn't expect anything less. US residency spots are meant for US med school grads, and leftovers can be filled by us. I am definitely going work hard and try to impress the pants off these people, I never was afraid of hard work. and 50/50 is better than 20/80.

You sound like you have the right attitude and whatever program you end up matching at is lucky to have you. Just do your best and display this attitude and self-motivated work ethic at your interviews. Also, after a couple weeks if you haven't heard from your wait-listed school I would shoot them an email (or call) to let them know of your continued interest (sometimes they have openings and you will likely "come to mind" when they look at their wait-list). Best of luck!

 

[fakin' the funk]

Two pieces of advice:

1. It only takes one

2. I strongly believe that you make or break your entire application based on your interview. If you shine, portray yourself as an applicant and resident that they HAVE to have, are likable, polite, professional, impeccably dressed, and can speak eloquently on your good points and turn your bad points into opportunities for growth -- you're in.

 

[lfesiam]

Two pieces of advice:

1. It only takes one

2. I strongly believe that you make or break your entire application based on your interview. If you shine, portray yourself as an applicant and resident that they HAVE to have, are likable, polite, professional, impeccably dressed, and can speak eloquently on your good points and turn your bad points into opportunities for growth -- you're in.

agreed with the above.

also start calling the waitlist place and places that did not get back to you yet to see if they can squeeze you in (tell them any date), don't email, just call. good luck bro.

 

[stargirl50]

Also, I would try to express to your interviewers at least a couple specific reasons why you want to go to the particular program you're interviewing at. If you really think these through and don't make them generic, I think that goes a long way. Good luck to you!

 

[RussianJoo]

thanks guys all great ideas and are all things i've been doing. I am definitely going to make it very hard for those programs that are interviewing me not to rank me high.


There are some programs where no one picks up the phone do you guys recomend leaving a message? or emailing them at that point?

 

[cfdavid]

RJ, I agree with many of the posts above.

The only thing to watch out for is to put too much pressure on yourself. Easier said than done, I know. That is, try hard to relax and be yourself during the interviews.

I agree, too, that having some good, specific reasons for wanting to be at each program. Research will be key for you, and try to get a feel for whom you'll be interviewing with. Look into their respective specialties (if fellowship trained) and research/clinical interests. People love to talk about themselves, so if you can go in armed with said info, I think it'll suit you very well.

Also, stay confident. You've received interviews. This means that you've passed their intitial screening, which says a lot about what they think of your overall application. Know that you have a lot to offer.

Good luck👍

cf

 

[Tuohy]

RJ:
As someone who interviews at a top program, just come across as confident but not desperate. Interviewers can sense both cockiness and subsequently desperation too. I try to put aside where someone trained and take them for the person that they are and what they may become as an anesthesiologist. Good luck-and like everyone has said, it only takes one rank!

 

[Pilot Doc]

Optimizing your chances to match are well and good ... but you should but a substantial amount of thought and energy into plan B. If you don't match do you want to

1) try to scramble anesthesia
2) try to scramble prelim
3) try to scramble some other specialty with a plan for a) staying b) reapplying gas ASAP c) reapplying gas after residency #1
4) avoid the whole issue by applying to some medicine or peds or whatever programs as well
5) do research and apply again
6) leave clinical medicine


Black monday is not the time to be thinking about this

 

[RussianJoo]

yeah my plan B for now is to do either a prelim year in medicine or Transitional year. I have plenty of those interviews and i'll rank them based on having an anesthesia program at the hospital or allowing me to do the most outside electives. Also i am interested in Critical Care so I might rank prelim medicine programs higher than TY and then reapply to ansethesia the second time around and then if that fails, try to find a pgy2 IM spot (I've seen plenty of those on the forums) and then just do Critical Care through medicine <cringe> .

 

[Pilot Doc]

EM just announced a CCM pathway as well - same fellwoship as IM but no medicine residency!

 

[exPCM]

You really need to prepare for these interviews to give yourself the best chance. See if you can get your interview schedules for each place ASAP and learn as much as you can about each place ahead of time. Then be sure to write thank you notes ASAP after the interview. You should already have the envelopes addressed before you get to the interviews to help save time.

 

[nycnyc]

...just keep your confidence up, at this point of the game good personality is all you need to be ranked high. GL and be yourself.

yeah my plan B for now is to do either a prelim year in medicine or Transitional year. I have plenty of those interviews and i'll rank them based on having an anesthesia program at the hospital or allowing me to do the most outside electives. Also i am interested in Critical Care so I might rank prelim medicine programs higher than TY and then reapply to ansethesia the second time around and then if that fails, try to find a pgy2 IM spot (I've seen plenty of those on the forums) and then just do Critical Care through medicine <cringe> .

 

[itwasalladream]

A classmate of mine was rejected from one of their top choices, and actually called them expressing interest in specific aspects of the program, and mentioned some other things not on their ERAS that might contribute, and ended up getting an interview AFTER already being rejected. There are many other stories of phone calls helping. A phone call goes a long way (you're dealing w/ people, not hard algorithms). I've sent some emails that seemed to help me get interviews as well.

Be proactive, and more opportunities will open up. As for the leave a message question, I've had no luck with people getting back to me once I've left a message (just one high-powered program though). Plus, you don't know if they got it and ignored it, or never got it, etc. I'd try to get someone on the phone directly.

Good luck.

 

[NRAI2001]

thanks guys.. yeah I am really lucky that I found a specialty that I am passionate about. I feel that not too many people can truely say that. Unfortunately being an IMG blows, but than again I wouldn't expect anything less. US residency spots are meant for US med school grads, and leftovers can be filled by us. I am definitely going work hard and try to impress the pants off these people, I never was afraid of hard work. and 50/50 is better than 20/80.

Good luck RJ👍 I ll be in your shoes in a year and a half; hopefully you ll be an inspirational story for other SGU students applying to anesthesia also😀

 

[Drsleepy]

I think you have a good chance. At least 50/50 probably more. Even if you don't match make sure you get a good prelim program. There are people who drop of anesthesia in the prelim year too all the time. So keep an eye out for these programs. I knew quite a few people who transferred from their categorical surgery, medicine or OB program to anesthesia spot. Heck, I know someone who didn't match in Derm and then found a derm spot in her prelim year for her Pgy II year. Anything is possible, just don't lose hope.

 

[RussianJoo]

I think you have a good chance. At least 50/50 probably more. Even if you don't match make sure you get a good prelim program. There are people who drop of anesthesia in the prelim year too all the time. So keep an eye out for these programs. I knew quite a few people who transferred from their categorical surgery, medicine or OB program to anesthesia spot. Heck, I know someone who didn't match in Derm and then found a derm spot in her prelim year for her Pgy II year. Anything is possible, just don't lose hope.

So how do you go about finding these spots? I am sure once they're posted on here it's a little late. So do I just randomly call programs once a week to see if anyone dropped out?

thanks for the encouragement.