Is this guy for real???

[TheMightyAngus]

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I posted this in the plastics forum but since there's hardly any traffic there...

I know a guy who is beginning his second year at an unranked medical school who wants to go into plastics. He's an average student, definitely not AOA material--earning P/LP in all his classes. However, his uncle runs a successful plastic surgery practice in California and he intends to work with him after residency. This guy claims that since plastics is "a brotherhood" he can basically have his uncle get a famous plastic surgeon to write him a recommendation, which would guarantee him a plastics residency. Is this possible? I doubt he'd be pushing 220 on the boards, so if a program accepts him it's definitely not because of merit. Personally, I think this is bull**** and would love to see this cocky, arrogant, SOB go unmatched. Is this guy for real???

 

[tupac_don]

I posted this in the plastics forum but since there's hardly any traffic there...

I know a guy who is beginning his second year at an unranked medical school who wants to go into plastics. He's an average student, definitely not AOA material--earning P/LP in all his classes. However, his uncle runs a successful plastic surgery practice in California and he intends to work with him after residency. This guy claims that since plastics is "a brotherhood" he can basically have his uncle get a famous plastic surgeon to write him a recommendation, which would guarantee him a plastics residency. Is this possible? I doubt he'd be pushing 220 on the boards, so if a program accepts him it's definitely not because of merit. Personally, I think this is bull**** and would love to see this cocky, arrogant, SOB go unmatched. Is this guy for real???

It seems to me you are just a jealous SOB!!!! Don't player hate, congratulate!!!!!

 

[TheMightyAngus]

It seems to me you are just a jealous SOB!!!! Don't player hate, congratulate!!!!!

Maybe so, but it really sucks that other people have to bust their ass to get into competitive residencies, while others roll in without breaking a sweat!

 

[bigfrank]

You want this guy to scramble? That's not very nice. Do you believe in Karma?

As to your original question, yes it's possible. You'd be surprised how much connections can help in fields like Plastics, Derm, and RadOnc.

 

[hot hot heat]

Why so bitter? I'm willing to bet if you were in the same situation you'd take full advantage of your resources and put aside any moral dilemmas you may have.

Connections help a lot, but don't forget that people bull$hit even more. You were/are? a premed, so you probably already know how that goes especially conercning grades, connections, etc.

But letters matter a pretty good deal from my experiences. If his uncle is really that famous of a surgeon then his pedigree will help, but somehow I'm thinking he's more talk then anything else.

 

[TheMightyAngus]

Why so bitter? I'm willing to bet if you were in the same situation you'd take full advantage of your resources and put aside any moral dilemmas you may have.

Connections help a lot, but don't forget that people bull$hit even more. You were/are? a premed, so you probably already know how that goes especially conercning grades, connections, etc.

But letters matter a pretty good deal from my experiences. If his uncle is really that famous of a surgeon then his pedigree will help, but somehow I'm thinking he's more talk then anything else.

Probably true. I just received a group e-mail from the guy bragging about his situation, how little studying he does, how much money he's gonna make, how everyone in his class are suckers, etc. So that explains my ill will. It's hard to convey subtle emotion in posts, so exaggeration is the easiest way to get your point across.

 

[callendm]

Maybe so, but it really sucks that other people have to bust their ass to get into competitive residencies, while others roll in without breaking a sweat!

As is life..."not fair". I wouldn't worry about this guy. Doesn't sound like the brightest crayon in crayon box. He will probably brag all the way to the top. Then in perfect darwinesc fasion do something stupid like walk in front of a car.

 

[BaylorGuy]

As is life..."not fair". I wouldn't worry about this guy. Doesn't sound like the brightest crayon in crayon box. He will probably brag all the way to the top. Then in perfect darwinesc fasion do something stupid like walk in front of a car.

God bless natural selection!! 👍 👍

 

[Dr Who]

I wouldnt look too much into this guy. First of all, no matter how many "connections" this guy might have, if he isnt up to snuff with his grades and cualifications then he probably isnt going into plastics. The only way I see a person like that getting into such a competitive residency is if his dad personally knew the program director of a plastics residency program, and even then nothing is garanteed.
Dude forget about this guy and go on living your own life. The medical profession due to its competitive atmosphere is filled with as*holes like this. You will no doubt meet up with many during your career.
My advice to you is when you do meet up with a person like this dismiss him as a nobody with no relevance in your head and keep doing what you do. In the end, they dont matter.

 

[njbmd]

I posted this in the plastics forum but since there's hardly any traffic there...

I know a guy who is beginning his second year at an unranked medical school who wants to go into plastics. He's an average student, definitely not AOA material--earning P/LP in all his classes. However, his uncle runs a successful plastic surgery practice in California and he intends to work with him after residency. This guy claims that since plastics is "a brotherhood" he can basically have his uncle get a famous plastic surgeon to write him a recommendation, which would guarantee him a plastics residency. Is this possible? I doubt he'd be pushing 220 on the boards, so if a program accepts him it's definitely not because of merit. Personally, I think this is bull**** and would love to see this cocky, arrogant, SOB go unmatched. Is this guy for real???

Hey there,

Medical school and residency is about running your own race. Most(if not all) of the folks who resort to bragging have nothing to back up the brags. The best way to determine your own fate (no matter what medical school you attend) is to get the best grades possible, do well on USMLE Step I and put forth a competitive residency application. Does it really matter what happens to this guy or does it matter what happens to you?

In the long term, whose career is most important? Yours! Living well is the best way to deal with folks who find it necessary to brag about anything. Just quietly get your own competitive match and never look back.

Good luck!
njbmd 🙂

 

[Blade28]

I agree with njbmd - don't worry about this guy. Even if you're considering plastic surgery, it's not like he's "taking your spot." Unfortunately, yes, having connections doesn't hurt (especially in the more competitive fields when every possible advantage is used), but again, don't let that bother you.

 

[Lemont]

We all know life isn't always fair. Not everybody who matches into top residencies gets there purely based on hard work or their credentials. Sometimes who you know who can pull strings for you is just as important as any grades, class ranking, or standardized exam scores. And not just for residency either, but it's true the farther you try to advance in your medical career. Why do you think most med students who are trying for competetive residencies want good letters of recommendation from the most well-known doctors they can get them from? It's basically the same principle, but more "politically correct". This isn't just true in medicine, but in all high profile careers.

 

[Medikit]

I've always been told that who you know can be very much a part of nailing a residency.

 

[Indryd]

I wouldnt look too much into this guy. First of all, no matter how many "connections" this guy might have, if he isnt up to snuff with his grades and cualifications then he probably isnt going into plastics. The only way I see a person like that getting into such a competitive residency is if his dad personally knew the program director of a plastics residency program, and even then nothing is garanteed.
Dude forget about this guy and go on living your own life. The medical profession due to its competitive atmosphere is filled with as*holes like this. You will no doubt meet up with many during your career.
My advice to you is when you do meet up with a person like this dismiss him as a nobody with no relevance in your head and keep doing what you do. In the end, they dont matter.

I bet you speak spanish.

 

[Blade28]

I've always been told that who you know can be very much a part of nailing a residency.

Unfortunately, that's how it is for residencies, fellowships, and jobs.