Matching to Top Programs

[Cardsfan]

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For those of you who successfully matched into historically top programs this year or in the past, what things would you consider on your application that made you a competitive applicant?

For example, ranking the importance of the following:
Board scores (and specific numbers would be great)
Letters of recommendation
Grades/Honors
Research
Away rotations
Or any other things you consider vital to your application

Feel free to PM me if you don't feel like making your stats public. Thanks!!!!

 

[GeneGoddess]

Boards: Step 1 only and was far from stellar (65-70%ile then, 50%ile now).
LORs: I was told they were stellar and one was from a woman "everyone" knows (in my field of interest). I also had a LOR from a psychiatrist, and was told by several programs that they really liked seeing that I could related to people (writer was a child psychiatrist).
Grades/Honors: better than average, but probably less than other interviewees at top programs. I only honored two core clinical rotations (pedi was one), but honored every 4th year rotation I'd taken in time to send off transcripts (four).
Research: I'm an MD/PhD, and I'm convinced that is the sole reason I got interviews at 9/10 of the "Top 20" programs I applied to.
Away rotations: didn't do any (no time, no "favorite" place)

 

[DrEvil06]

Where did you match?

 

[GeneGoddess]

One of the Top Ten Programs. Forgive me if I don't want to say where here. PM me if you really want to know.

However, I want to stress that just because a program is ranked by someone, somewhere does not mean that it is the best prorgam for you. I ranked Boston Children's (often considered to be the #1 program) below several non-ranked programs. Not saying that the rank is wrong, but it wasn't a #1 for me. Cardsfan, I've heard incredible things about the Cinci program (consistantly wonderful things), but it also wasn't for me. But I just adored Brown in RI, which is not ranked. Look for programs that will fit YOU best.

 

[Morgul]

I matched at Cinci children's. I knew I would match in peds, but when I applied I was a bit surprised by the number of interviews I received at "top" programs. Perhaps I was just underestimating myself but I knew some of these places are very competitive (I was told Denver Children's often has ~70% AOA, not sure if that's true). I did pretty well on step 1, around 240, and just slightly worse on step 2. I only had a couple of honors in my first two years, and a few more during clinical rotations. However, I did high pass any rotation I didn't honor, which probably helped.

Overall I think my Step 1 helped overcome the lack of honors. I also combed through my dean's letter and made sure in interviews to highlight some consistant points that attendings had made in my evaluations. I had absolutely no research, which was mentioned once in all of my interviews and I think was a non factor.

I think you need something that sets you apart to get a foot in the door for many of these programs, and it could be AOA, research, good board scores, amazing extracurricular activities, or slamming your rotations. If you don't have any of those you can always try to do an away rotation at your favorite places and hope you impress them. (One of my friends matched at Denver this year most likely for this reason) After you do that its mostly about the interview, shine and you'll get a spot. Suck it up and you'll get a "thanks for your interest..." Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

Oh, one last thing. I don't think school name is as big a factor for peds spots. I go to a smaller southwest state school and the four in my class trying to get "top" peds spots did (Denver, Cinci, Duke, Vandy)