Maybe I'm beating a dead horse but I've got some match questions.

[AnesThrow]

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DO in Northeast.
5 Clinical Honors
USMLE Step 1: low 230's
USMLE Step 2: high 250's
No research/publications.

I would like to stay in the Northeast USA preferably Mid-Atlantic. How many programs minimum do I have to apply to in order to 'statistically' be guaranteed a match? I've heard that receiving at least 12 interviews statistically gives you over a 95% chance of matching.

If I do not apply outside the Northeast, am I taking a huge risk? There are 30 Mid-Atlantic programs listed on Frieda (obviously some are going to be automatically weeded out based on malignancy), but many of them have never even taken a DO before. If I do apply wide, how wide should I apply (midwest as well?)

Thanks for the input.

 

[gasblaster]

DO in Northeast.
5 Clinical Honors
USMLE Step 1: low 230's
USMLE Step 2: high 250's
No research/publications.

I would like to stay in the Northeast USA preferably Mid-Altantic. How many programs minimum do I have to apply to in order to 'statistically' be guaranteed a match? I've heard that receiving at least 12 interviews statistically gives you over a 95% chance of matching.

If I do not apply outside the Northeast, am I taking a huge risk? There are 30 Mid-Atlantic programs listed on Frieda (obviously some are going to be automatically weeded out based on malignancy), but many of them have never even taken a DO before. If I do apply wide, how wide should I apply (midwest as well?)

Thanks for the input.

I'm going to preface that I'm not a DO, but those programs that have never taken a DO are probably not going to start even for the most stellar of applicants. The ones that have taken a few probably only do take the most stellar of DO applicants (i.e. Hopkins, Penn, etc). A previous poster that was DO with pretty good stats had listed some northeastern/mid-atlantic schools they had researched (has accepted DOs) and were planning to apply to. I would look and see which ones those were.

 

[AnesThrow]

I'm going to preface that I'm not a DO, but those programs that have never taken a DO are probably not going to start even for the most stellar of applicants. The ones that have taken a few probably only do take the most stellar of DO applicants (i.e. Hopkins, Penn, etc). A previous poster that was DO with pretty good stats had listed some northeastern/mid-atlantic schools they had researched (has accepted DOs) and were planning to apply to. I would look and see which ones those were.

Yes, I've researched those threads extensively and have looked up the programs and do plan to apply there. However, in past threads, I've seen DO applicants state that they've applied to 50-70 programs and other posters stated that was way too excessive of a number. So I guess what I'm wondering is what exactly is the number that a person with stats like mine can apply to in order to be almost 'guaranteed' (I know there's no such thing as a guarantee in the match) to get at least 12 interviews to have a statistical chance of matching.

 

[WholeLottaGame7]

yes, i've researched those threads extensively and have looked up the programs and do plan to apply there. However, in past threads, i've seen do applicants state that they've applied to 50-70 programs and other posters stated that was way too excessive of a number. So i guess what i'm wondering is what exactly is the number that a person with stats like mine can apply to in order to be almost 'guaranteed' (i know there's no such thing as a guarantee in the match) to get at least 12 interviews to have a statistical chance of matching.

42

 

[AnesThrow]

42

I know that you're probably joking and I realize that my question is sort of ridiculous but I guess I just wish that the Charting Outcomes in the Match included the number of programs applied to; and the only way I see to gather that information outside of talking to the limited number of residents that I am in contact with is to collect a few n=1 experiences from the internet.

 

[beerog2003]

You have great stats and you will match by applying broadly. I feel like a good question to ask yourself is do you just want to go to 'any' program or one which is the best fit for your life/career goals? While no one can predict a number or give you a guarantee, I feel like applying broadly is money well spent. Most medical students will have >100,000 worth of debt and while you should always maintain a budget it is my opinion that splurging on well selected programs (programs that have taken DOs in the past) and maybe a few stretch schools would be a good idea. You don't want to work so hard (getting good board scores) and settle now with something so important as residency program choice. You may want to do a fellowship/research in the future. Don't limit yourself! Good luck!!!

 

[AnesThrow]

You have great stats and you will match by applying broadly. I feel like a good question to ask yourself is do you just want to go to 'any' program or one which is the best fit for your life/career goals? While no one can predict a number or give you a guarantee, I feel like applying broadly is money well spent. Most medical students will have >100,000 worth of debt and while you should always maintain a budget it is my opinion that splurging on well selected programs (programs that have taken DOs in the past) and maybe a few stretch schools would be a good idea. You don't want to work so hard (getting good board scores) and settle now with something so important as residency program choice. You may want to do a fellowship/research in the future. Don't limit yourself! Good luck!!!

You hit the nail on the head. I don't want to go to just ANY program. I want to go where I will get the best training for my future career. On the other side of that is balancing a social/family life. I think I would be miserable to be far away from my family and friends and that sort of situation will not be compensated by great training. I guess I'd rather train at a mid-tier program in the Northeast than the best program in the Midwest. Not sure if that is a stupid decision or not.

 

[WholeLottaGame7]

I know that you're probably joking and I realize that my question is sort of ridiculous but I guess I just wish that the Charting Outcomes in the Match included the number of programs applied to; and the only way I see to gather that information outside of talking to the limited number of residents that I am in contact with is to collect a few n=1 experiences from the internet.

What you're looking for is an MDapplicants-type website where you can filter based on your degree, school, board scores, rotation grades, evals, interviewing skills, and personal hygiene to find 100 people identical to yourself and see exactly how many and where they got inteviews, what order they ranked them, and where they got in, because you're insecure and nervous. Not happening.

News flash #1: Everyone's insecure and nervous about matching.
News flash #2: Deep down you already know about where you stand and what you have to do, you just want people to tell you.

You're a DO, your board scores are a smidge above average, without knowing how your school grades people, I'm guessing your rotation grades are probably average to slightly above average, you don't have any research or publications. You're trying to stay in a competitive area of the country, but with lots of programs. Nobody really knows how well you interview except you, and maybe not even you. Your school's dean or admissions officer probably knows better.

You're going to have to apply to a fair number of schools; the DOs around here probably have a better idea of numbers and there are numerous threads about numbers/DO-friendly schools, etc. Whatever that number is, have about 1/3 reach, 1/3 safety, 1/3 in the middle. Or 1/4th reach, 1/4th safety, 1/2 middle. Whatever. Don't bother with places that haven't taken DOs. You may very well have to stretch your net out past the NE/Mid-Atlantic. If so, that's fine. The goal is to become an anesthesiologist, not the guy on the street corner who's unemployed because he's "holding out for a management position."

Best of luck, you'll do fine.

 

[okayplayer]

Dude, applications are (relatively) cheap in the grand scheme of things. Apply to your desired NE programs and then apply to another 20-25 good programs in the midwest/south/west/etc. If you get enough interviews in the NE (ie. >10-12) then cancel your interviews elsewhere and don't go. If you don't get enough interviews at desired programs in the NE, then go elsewhere.

You are making this more complicated than it needs to be.