Hi guys. Im a 3rd year Caribbean student who is interested in both Orthopedics and Anesthesia. Coming from the Carib. Ortho is a real long shot but i love it so im going to give it a shot. However, I'm finding that i really enjoy anesthesia alot as well. Unfortunately, i really cant apply to both at the same time since i will be spending time getting my Ortho LOR's etc. My question is, if i didn't match into Ortho but was able to get a transitional year spot, what is the likely hood of getting into a PGY-2 Anesthesia spot the following year? Thanks for the help.
matching into PGY 2
- Thread starter jackets5
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I think you should apply to both at the same time. All you really need is one anesthesia LOR, and since you're applying to Ortho as a carib student then your step1 score is at least in the mid 240's. Or should be to even consider applying unless you know people which then you shouldn't worry about matching into Ortho.. anyway what I am trying to say is apply to both matching into a pgy2 year occurs at the same time as matching into a pgy1 year so there will be a very limited number of spots available to you, however, it's possible to find a pgy2 spot, plenty have done it especially when you're a strong applicant like you should be.
Anesthesia however, isn't that hard to get and Ortho is. I know a few carib grads who matched into anesthesia without LORs in anesthesia so it's possible.
Anesthesia however, isn't that hard to get and Ortho is. I know a few carib grads who matched into anesthesia without LORs in anesthesia so it's possible.
As above, there aren't that many PGY-2 spots open in anesthesiology nationally. You should really evaluate what your legitimate chances of getting ortho interviews are because you'll need to prepare your application perfectly. Ask yourself whether your chance in ortho is reasonable enough to affect your chances of matching anesthesiology.
Best way to approach this would be to cram an early anesthesiology elective in around the same time as your multiple ortho sub-Is so you can apply to both simultaneously.. that should honestly be not that difficult to pull off.
Best way to approach this would be to cram an early anesthesiology elective in around the same time as your multiple ortho sub-Is so you can apply to both simultaneously.. that should honestly be not that difficult to pull off.
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Be very careful, they can see your letters and how many electives you've done. I wasnt applying ortho but I did have an excellent ortho LOR in my app when I applied. At my #1 and #2 choice they both asked me repeatedly why I had that letter and if I was applying to ortho as my first choice even though I only had one ortho elective under my belt as opposed to the 3-6 that other students do. Some of the lower programs may not care, but I felt they were not satisfied with my answer and it may have cost me those programs. I would recommend picking one, and going with that as there is zero overlap with anesthesia and ortho; at least with anesthesia and gen surg you can use the SICU overlap
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You've got to admit, including an Ortho LOR in your Anesthesiology application is a total boner move...
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Agreed. That probably alone hurt ...not so much doing the elective, I'd think.
Having surg, cardio, pulm, ICU, etc. would be okay I'd think?
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Haha yes, total boner move. Honestly the attending offered me the letter without me asking and he knew I was applying anesthesia so I thought it was just going to focus on me being a hard worker/go getter type deal. Anyways, it obviously blew up in my face haha but am the wiser for it
