interested in specializing in peds but poor grades

[frostedkwami]

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hi everyone, i want to go into peds but my grades aren't very good 🙁
anyone had a similar situation but was able to still match?

im currently doing research with peds, trying to get to know faculty and residents at the school by shadowing them whenever i can, i volunteer for GKAS each time, and every other class has been A or B

 

[JacquesVallee]

Does your school have a home program?

 

[Lemillion]

Sounds like you are on a steady track! I would add in shadowing some private practices where adjunct faculty work. Good way to network and they may be able to write a rec letter on your behalf. Do some residency program externships (I did about 3 and that was good for me). I would say for peds, demonstrating a record of being interested in peds, working with peds while having grades in the A/B range is still good. There are a lot of peds programs out there and in post-match, there have been a good amount of available spots still which allows for a second attempt. Otherwise, consider a GPR, or private/corporate practice where they treat a lot of kids while re-applying. Last thought, try to attend AAPD and network that way as well. Usually fun conference and will keep you up to date on current peds topics while getting opportunities to meet residents and faculty members.

 

[frostedkwami]

Sounds like you are on a steady track! I would add in shadowing some private practices where adjunct faculty work. Good way to network and they may be able to write a rec letter on your behalf. Do some residency program externships (I did about 3 and that was good for me). I would say for peds, demonstrating a record of being interested in peds, working with peds while having grades in the A/B range is still good. There are a lot of peds programs out there and in post-match, there have been a good amount of available spots still which allows for a second attempt. Otherwise, consider a GPR, or private/corporate practice where they treat a lot of kids while re-applying. Last thought, try to attend AAPD and network that way as well. Usually fun conference and will keep you up to date on current peds topics while getting opportunities to meet residents and faculty members.

thank you so much!! may i ask where you did your externships ? i want to try applying broadly but i'm trying to see when the dates would work best for me. do you recommend during D3 or D4?

 

[Lemillion]

I recommend between towards end of D3 and summer before D4 year. I did mine at UT Houston, UT San Antonio and Nebraska. I'm from Texas so it made it easier for me in that way!

 

[frostedkwami]

I recommend between towards end of D3 and summer before D4 year. I did mine at UT Houston, UT San Antonio and Nebraska. I'm from Texas so it made it easier for me in that way!

thank you so much! did you just reach out to schools to see if they have externships? i looked through AAPD but i dont know if it's comprehensive of all the externships!

 

[Lemillion]

Yes I emailed their program coordinator! I think San Antonio had a formal application at that point and they would email you for acceptance

 

[Saddleshoes]

A year in a good GPR trumps weak DS grades.

 

[stuartn7878]

There are job opportunities that will allow you to work with the pediatric population. This will allow you to develop the clinical skills while sharpening your resume so that you will have more opportunities to specialize if this is the path that you want to pursue. I would be happy to chat about some options and opportunities if you would like direct message me!