IM application competitiveness

[MukashiMukashi]

I'm applying to IM this cycle and was wondering to what type of schools I should apply. Stats are:

Step 1: didn't take
Step 2: 239
Comlex 1: P
Comlex 2: 573
Research: 1 pub, several posters
Class rank 75th-ish percentile
Some club stuff, nothing major.

I was thinking of applying 1/3 "reach" schools but i'm wondering how far is a reach. Are top 50 out of reach?

Thanks

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[voxveritatisetlucis]

Top 50 out of reach as at least 40 of them only take 0 or 1 DO. Also you would want a step score of 250+ most likely. shoot for lower tier academic programs in your region

 

[DO2015CA]

oof not taking step 1 but taking step 2 and doing well. It’s easy to filter if any steps are missing. Those will be the higher tier ones of course. Your listed stats are competitive for community, community with in house fellowships, and low tier university. Most likely still competitive for mid tier but a portion might filter you for not having step 1.

 

[MukashiMukashi]

oof not taking step 1 but taking step 2 and doing well. It’s easy to filter if any steps are missing. Those will be the higher tier ones of course. Your listed stats are competitive for community, community with in house fellowships, and low tier university. Most likely still competitive for mid tier but a portion might filter you for not having step 1.

I was considering only applying to programs with >10% DOs. Would that be reasonable or should I look for those with a higher percent?

 

[DO2015CA]

I was considering only applying to programs with >10% DOs. Would that be reasonable or should I look for those with a higher percent?

I am not in IM but I think that’s fine. IMO take a swing at a few. We keep getting people placed into more impressive places each year because people are willing to. For your higher ranked university places, I would huddle them in the Midwest and south as they tend to be more DO friendly as a whole. Then for the coasts play a little safer. If you have the money to spend then I’d take a swing at about 10 programs you have interest in but wouldn’t count them into your app count strategy

 

[ToKingdomCome]

Might have a shot at top 50 if everything else is strong and interview well

 

[Redpancreas]

I'm applying to IM this cycle and was wondering to what type of schools I should apply. Stats are:

Step 1: didn't take
Step 2: 239
Comlex 1: P
Comlex 2: 573
Research: 1 pub, several posters
Class rank 75th-ish percentile
Some club stuff, nothing major.

I was thinking of applying 1/3 "reach" schools but i'm wondering how far is a reach. Are top 50 out of reach?

Thanks

I review apps. Step 2's a bit below average. I've noticed class average also isn't weighted highly for DOs unless it's an outlier. Research is solid, but post-Step 1 we have to nitpick: when was it done? who was involved? is it IM related. As you can imagine, a 1st author in a Pubmed indexed journal related to IM you completed in medical school with someone who wrote a letter for you probably outweighs the Step score whereas as a 4th author publication in organic chemistry you did 5 years ago in undergrad doesn't.

Overall, I think you'll have success matching at a regional academic center that won't limit your career/subspecialty choices provided you're not looking to make your way to the ivory towers one day. Where you match might be outside your arbitrary top 50, but I would still apply to the programs you want to because you never know. I've seen DOs with 250s match at lower tier and upper mid-tier academic places alike. I think a lot of more nuanced factors are being weighed now. I also look for any markers of success/hobbies prior to medical school as those to me demonstrate aptitude/critical thinking/balance so highlight those if able.

 

[MukashiMukashi]

I review apps. Step 2's a bit below average. I've noticed class average also isn't weighted highly for DOs unless it's an outlier. Research is solid, but post-Step 1 we have to nitpick: when was it done? who was involved? is it IM related. As you can imagine, a 1st author in a Pubmed indexed journal related to IM you completed in medical school with someone who wrote a letter for you>>>4th author publication in organic chemistry you did 5 years ago in undergrad.

Overall, I think you'll have success matching at a regional academic center that won't limit your career choice. It might be outside your arbitrary top 50. I would still apply to the programs you want to because you never know. I've seen DOs with 250s match at lower tier and mid tier academic alike. I think a lot depends on the other stuff.

We also look for any markers of success prior to medical school to predict future success so highlight those if able.

Thanks for the advice! If you don't mind me asking further- would you recommend I apply to equal percents lower/mid-tier academic/affiliated programs and community programs?

 

[Redpancreas]

Thanks for the advice! If you don't mind me asking further- would you recommend I apply to equal percents lower/mid-tier academic/affiliated programs and community programs?

It depends on your budget. I would just apply broadly to programs you’re competitive at and safeties because you obviously can’t afford to not match and are applying as a DO. Matching below what you want isn’t ideal. Then have some reaches…but who knows which ones are going to show you love? Probably the ones in your area but then it’s still unpredictable. I would just spent the extra few hundred and apply broadly overall but that’s me. The speculation’s not worth it.