I'm I disadvantaging myself?

[antispatula]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey kiddos,
if ones application is "too good" for a small community program (most of my applications are to places like this) will they discard it? Step 1 230's, step 2 240's, nothing weird on MSPE, 3 letters, two "excellent" ones from psychiatrists. Should I apply to some higher-tier stuff to be safe? PS this is not a question born out of pride, just classic med student anxiety. Thanks.

ty

 

[really_realistic]

Yes, I think you should apply to academic programs too, especially since your letters are excellent. Look at the "Current Residents" pages for the academic programs you want to apply to and see if their med schools are a similar tier to yours. That's how I narrowed down my list from 50 programs to fewer than 30.

 

[OldPsychDoc]

Hey kiddos,
if ones application is "too good" for a small community program (most of my applications are to places like this) will they discard it? Step 1 230's, step 2 240's, nothing weird on MSPE, 3 letters, two "excellent" ones from psychiatrists. Should I apply to some higher-tier stuff to be safe? PS this is not a question born out of pride, just classic med student anxiety. Thanks.

ty

We won't discard it, but we might waver awhile about extending the interviews. In our experience, applicants with stats like that end up going elsewhere, unless they're geographically restricted. That's why the quick "I've really heard great things about your program from my wife's parents who live across the street from your hospital and it's always been my dream to ____ " email to declare a specific interest in a program can really help a lot to get you an interview. Otherwise, we may be searching to fill our precious interview openings with people who appear to have a more tangible interest in our program.

 

[whopper]

Depends.

Some programs will look at it as a prized applicants, others will toss it out I wouldn't toss it out cause a major factor for a program is it's location. Friends, family, the love of the area are real factors in applying to a residency.. So if an applicant with stellar scores above the norm the residency accepts applied, I wouldn't toss it out.

Only reason I can suspect why a place would throw it out was if that place spent a lot of money (or other precious resources such as time) per applicant.

 

[DisorderedDoc417]

Is an applicant like this really considered so stellar? No offense, but the averages for steps these days are kissing 230s. I feel like it’s a comfortable place to be for matching, but it’s not unusually good. I’m actually suprised at the responses here, but perhaps I overestimated the typical applicant. Curious....

 

[Shufflin]

Is an applicant like this really considered so stellar? No offense, but the averages for steps these days are kissing 230s. I feel like it’s a comfortable place to be for matching, but it’s not unusually good. I’m actually suprised at the responses here, but perhaps I overestimated the typical applicant. Curious....

The way things are moving in psychiatry I wouldn't call 230 stellar. 220s and 230s are comfy spots (but not for competitive states).

 

[FlowRate]

Is an applicant like this really considered so stellar? No offense, but the averages for steps these days are kissing 230s. I feel like it’s a comfortable place to be for matching, but it’s not unusually good. I’m actually suprised at the responses here, but perhaps I overestimated the typical applicant. Curious....

Step 1 in mid-230's and step 2 in mid 240's are both above-average for psychiatry, although not dramatically so. "Stellar" is probably an overstatement but it is solid.

 

[DisorderedDoc417]

Step 1 in mid-230's and step 2 in mid 240's are both above-average for psychiatry, although not dramatically so. "Stellar" is probably an overstatement but it is solid.

Agreed.

 

[eleventy]

We won't discard it, but we might waver awhile about extending the interviews. In our experience, applicants with stats like that end up going elsewhere, unless they're geographically restricted. That's why the quick "I've really heard great things about your program from my wife's parents who live across the street from your hospital and it's always been my dream to ____ " email to declare a specific interest in a program can really help a lot to get you an interview. Otherwise, we may be searching to fill our precious interview openings with people who appear to have a more tangible interest in our program.

I know this has probably been asked a lot, but what is the best time to email programs that sort of email? I've heard various answers... was thinking of shooting for the second week of October if I haven't heard from a few programs where my geographic ties are not obvious.

 

[FlowRate]

I know this has probably been asked a lot, but what is the best time to email programs that sort of email? I've heard various answers... was thinking of shooting for the second week of October if I haven't heard from a few programs where my geographic ties are not obvious.

I don't know what the "right" answer is, but I sent a "hey I'm actually srs" email in mid-October a few years ago, with success. I think a little earlier is fine.