Insight into getting into residencies

[xResolution3]

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Hey everyone,

This is a long, complicated post. So you are warned. I'm looking for insight from multiple people.

So I'm currently a pre-med applying MD/DO. Long story short, my MD application hasn't yielded an interview yet (and I'm a re-applicant), however i luckily extended my application to DO schools in October. I now have three interviews to DO schools, UNECOM, Rowan, and NYCOM. I'm just waiting on PCOM to respond, but I have a 30+ with a nice GPA, so prospect looks good.

Now I'm trying to create a personal ranking list for the schools I have applied to (PCOM, UNECOM, NYIT, and Rowan). By far the most important factor is the school that will get me into best residency program (or a residency program) in the specialties I am considering.

A little more background information relevant is that my parents have income to help me through med school and even potentially set up a private practice. Therefore, if the residency I have selected can yield my own practice, it is a plus.

I am currently considering, in the order of interest:

1) cardiology - interventional - electrophysiology
2) anesthesiology
3) surgery - trauma/ CC
4) family medicine

I just feel like I need to start thinking about this (correct me if I'm wrong about this) to match a decent or any residency program. This way I can begin research in the field or set up rotations early to get a LOR.

So my questions for you lovely people:

1) Which school(s) should I choose in an ideal world if I were accepted to all four to reach the best possible residency program for each of those residencies? I'll just mention that I'm leaning towards cards at the moment.

2) What activities besides a good step 1 and doing well in courses should I pursue from day one? Maybe even the summer before (i.e. research)

3) Anything you can advise me for my goals or anything you would personally do differently if given a second chance in medical school?


Thanks guys.

 

[67552931811]

Hey everyone,

This is a long, complicated post. So you are warned. I'm looking for insight from multiple people.

So I'm currently a pre-med applying MD/DO. Long story short, my MD application hasn't yielded an interview yet (and I'm a re-applicant), however i luckily extended my application to DO schools in October. I now have three interviews to DO schools, UNECOM, Rowan, and NYCOM. I'm just waiting on PCOM to respond, but I have a 30+ with a nice GPA, so prospect looks good.

Now I'm trying to create a personal ranking list for the schools I have applied to (PCOM, UNECOM, NYIT, and Rowan). By far the most important factor is the school that will get me into best residency program (or a residency program) in the specialties I am considering.

A little more background information relevant is that my parents have income to help me through med school and even potentially set up a private practice. Therefore, if the residency I have selected can yield my own practice, it is a plus.

I am currently considering, in the order of interest:

1) cardiology - interventional - electrophysiology
2) anesthesiology
3) surgery - trauma/ CC
4) family medicine

I just feel like I need to start thinking about this (correct me if I'm wrong about this) to match a decent or any residency program. This way I can begin research in the field or set up rotations early to get a LOR.

So my questions for you lovely people:

1) Which school(s) should I choose in an ideal world if I were accepted to all four to reach the best possible residency program for each of those residencies? I'll just mention that I'm leaning towards cards at the moment.

2) What activities besides a good step 1 and doing well in courses should I pursue from day one? Maybe even the summer before (i.e. research)

3) Anything you can advise me for my goals or anything you would personally do differently if given a second chance in medical school?


Thanks guys.

1&3 are fellowships. If you get into more than one of these schools then go where you'll be happiest.

 

[Shinobiz11]

1) get accepted
2) go to the place you like the most, feel the best fit, cheapest, etc.
3) chill the eff out. Once you start school, then you can worry about matching.

All of those are solid schools with great match lists. Wait until you're actually in 3rd/4th year before you commit to any specialty, you never know what you're going to enjoy/hate. All of those specialities are doable from any school, granted you work hard and play your cards right.

 

[xResolution3]

It's those cards I'm wondering about. I'm wondering if there is anything anyone can advise me to put me in a better position for the future.

 

[cabinbuilder]

It's those cards I'm wondering about. I'm wondering if there is anything anyone can advise me to put me in a better position for the future.

No one can advise you. Residency comes down to your board scores, audition rotations, and whether you are granted an interview at that specific residency program. Getting into residency you have to apply just like getting into medical school. You are putting the cart WAAAYYYYY before the horse here and worrying about things you have no control over.

You are not even in med school yet and have no idea how bad the material is going to kick your butt or how you will do on boards or how you will do on rotations. You may decide your likes today are your hates tomorrow. Relax.

 

[xResolution3]

You guys are def right. My question was if my choice of school mattered between those four i mentioned. But from posts, it seems as if comfort is the most important factor. And I was wondering if activities such as research, clubs, internships specifically mattered to my future interests, but I'm guessing all of these schools will provide ample opportunity, from which I can reach my goals. Thank you

 

[cliquesh]

All of those schools are fine. I'm not sure how hard interventional/EP is for a DO, but cardiology is a reasonable goal. Anesthesia, trauma surgery, and family medicine are also reasonable.

You seem like you know what to do. Get a good Comlex score (aim for 600+, but 520 is probably good enough for AOA internal medicine and general surgery) and/or a good usmle score (240+ would be ideal, but a 230+ should be good enough for a decent university program, except acgme general surgery. You might have to do general surgery at a community program). Do a summer research project ( like http://www.mskcc.org/education/students/summer-fellowship). Join your school's anesthesia/cardiology/surgery interest club. Become an officer in the club. Join the national organization for the speciality. Try to present a poster/abstract at a conference. Consider some of the AOA surgery residencies and, maybe, some of the AOA internal medicine residencies. I personally wouldn't consider the AOA anesthesia programs. I personally would aim for an acgme residency from day one (take the Comlex and usmle), but perhaps readjust your plan once you get your board scores back.

Trauma surgery isn't too competitive and some AOA surgery programs, like PCOM, send many of their graduates to acgme trauma fellowships. Cardiology is somewhat competitive, so your goal would be to match at the best internal medicine program you can, which will probably be a state university program. Some AOA residencies have good relationships with AOA cardiology fellowship programs, which ones? I don't know, but it's probably worth investigating when you apply for residency. Anesthesia and family medicine are DO friendly, and many programs will welcome you.

Don't try to start your own private practice. Join one. The buy in price to become partner is usually hundred thousand or so.

 

[xResolution3]

Wow thank you so much. I was just looking for a little guidance and direction to put my best foot forward. This helps a lot.

All of those schools are fine. I'm not sure how hard interventional/EP is for a DO, but cardiology is a reasonable goal. Anesthesia, trauma surgery, and family medicine are also reasonable.

You seem like you know what to do. Get a good Comlex score (aim for 600+, but 520 is probably good enough for AOA internal medicine and general surgery) and/or a good usmle score (240+ would be ideal, but a 230+ should be good enough for a decent university program, except acgme general surgery. You might have to do general surgery at a community program). Do a summer research project ( like http://www.mskcc.org/education/students/summer-fellowship). Join your school's anesthesia/cardiology/surgery interest club. Become an officer in the club. Join the national organization for the speciality. Try to present a poster/abstract at a conference. Consider some of the AOA surgery residencies and, maybe, some of the AOA internal medicine residencies. I personally wouldn't consider the AOA anesthesia programs. I personally would aim for an acgme residency from day one (take the Comlex and usmle), but perhaps readjust your plan once you get your board scores back.

Trauma surgery isn't too competitive and some AOA surgery programs, like PCOM, send many of their graduates to acgme trauma fellowships. Cardiology is somewhat competitive, so your goal would be to match at the best internal medicine program you can, which will probably be a state university program. Some AOA residencies have good relationships with AOA cardiology fellowship programs, which ones? I don't know, but it's probably worth investigating when you apply for residency. Anesthesia and family medicine are DO friendly, and many programs will welcome you.

 

[allantois]

No AOA fellowships for you after you graduate residency.

 

[xResolution3]

No AOA fellowships for you after you graduate residency.

How do you mean?

 

[allantois]

How do you mean?

Since you will be graduating med school in 2019, you could match an AOA residency. But when 2020 kicks in (unless that date is delayed), the AOA and ACGME will merge into a single GME accreditation system. How that will affect matches into residency/fellowship is a subject of debate.

 

[cabinbuilder]

No AOA fellowships for you after you graduate residency.

This is not true. Here are a list of fellowships from the AOA website:

http://opportunities.osteopathic.org/search/search.cfm

 

[cliquesh]

Since you will be graduating med school in 2019, you could match an AOA residency. But when 2020 kicks in (unless that date is delayed), the AOA and ACGME will merge into a single GME accreditation system. How that will affect matches into residency/fellowship is a subject of debate.

This is a possible concern, which is why I'd aim for an acgme accrediated residency. I don't think anyone is going to be left high and dry. There will probably be a grace period, but things could be a little chaotic during the merger. Who knows, the merger may never happen. I'd only seriously consider an AOA residency if you end up wanting to surgery.