Midwest Programs

[Indie4]

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Can anyone comment on the relative competitiveness of the programs in the midwest, specifically the University of Kansas (Kansas City and Wichita), the University of Missouri at Kansas City,and the University of Oklahoma?

Also, how important is rotating through the program when it comes to getting interviews/matching?

 

[Dr Serenity]

Can anyone comment on the relative competitiveness of the programs in the midwest, specifically the University of Kansas (Kansas City and Wichita), the University of Missouri at Kansas City,and the University of Oklahoma?

Also, how important is rotating through the program when it comes to getting interviews/matching?

I don't see any of the programs you mentioned as uber-competitive...at least not on the level of say, Wash U or some of the Boston programs...that does NOT mean that they're not good programs. I actually liked the Univ of Oklahoma a lot...very solid program, with friendly, down-to-earth people. You'd get good training there.

As far as rotating through programs you may be interested in...it may help you in getting an interview, but I'll say that I didn't do any away rotations, and I still got plenty of interviews to some top-notch places. And I'm not an ultra-competitive applicant in terms of board scores, grades, etc.

If your grades and board scores are reasonably good and you get some good LORs, you should do fine.

 

[Coastie]

Can anyone comment on the relative competitiveness of the programs in the midwest, specifically the University of Kansas (Kansas City and Wichita), the University of Missouri at Kansas City,and the University of Oklahoma?

Also, how important is rotating through the program when it comes to getting interviews/matching?

Those are very easy to get into. You won't have any trouble. I'd avoid UMKC.

 

[Plead the Fifth]

Those are very easy to get into. You won't have any trouble. I'd avoid UMKC.

Why not UMKC? Just curious of your opinion of it. I interviewed there earlier this month and didn't notice and glaring discrepancies from what I thought it would be.

 

[Indie4]

I don't see any of the programs you mentioned as uber-competitive...at least not on the level of say, Wash U or some of the Boston programs...that does NOT mean that they're not good programs. I actually liked the Univ of Oklahoma a lot...very solid program, with friendly, down-to-earth people. You'd get good training there.

As far as rotating through programs you may be interested in...it may help you in getting an interview, but I'll say that I didn't do any away rotations, and I still got plenty of interviews to some top-notch places. And I'm not an ultra-competitive applicant in terms of board scores, grades, etc.

If your grades and board scores are reasonably good and you get some good LORs, you should do fine.

My USMLE was a bit below average. Im a DO student. Should I take step 2 to make up for below average USMLE?

 

[Dr Serenity]

My USMLE was 211, Im a DO student and my COMLEX was 589 (87%), GPA of 3.6 in top 1/3 of class. Should I take step 2 to make up for below average USMLE?

Being in the top 1/3 of your class is a big plus for you. Taking the USMLE step 2 will likely help IF your score improves over step 1. Having said that, your step 1 score isn't all that bad...you should get at least some interviews at some good programs.

I'm not a DO student, so I'm speaking only based on what I've heard from them. Perhaps some of you DO applicants can weigh in on this question...Amyl, you got any thoughts?

 

[Salt Creep]

I was very impressed with the program at OKC. I think their didactics are second to none. It ended up very high on my list, and very well may have been #1 if it were closer to me geographically. Nonetheless, i did rank it highly.

To answer your question about chances, I'd say I really am not a very competitive candidate, and I got an interview. My data is one of the profiles on anesthesiology.matchapplicants.com if you want to see the numbers.

As for aways, they do go a very long way toward interviews, but IMHO, they should just as much be for you to get a very close look at somewhere you think you might be interested in. I did an away to get an interview, but had originally planned on it being a back-up, and I ended up loving the place (it's now my #1).

You can just see so much more and make such a more sound decision for ranking after rotating there. I found it very hard to figure out much about "fit" from a dinner and a day of interviews. No problems with that in 4 weeks.

 

[RickKane]

I'm not a DO student, so I'm speaking only based on what I've heard from them. Perhaps some of you DO applicants can weigh in on this question...

A 211 is a decent score but I think Serenity is right, take Step 2 early and kill it to solidify yourself as competative applicant. About rotating I would pick 2-3 places where you would really like to go (not where you think you have a good chance of getting in) and rotate there. Nothing is more helpful. Last bit of advice, apply early. Make sure your stuff is in Sept 1.

 

[amyl]

Being in the top 1/3 of your class is a big plus for you. Taking the USMLE step 2 will likely help IF your score improves over step 1. Having said that, your step 1 score isn't all that bad...you should get at least some interviews at some good programs.

I'm not a DO student, so I'm speaking only based on what I've heard from them. Perhaps some of you DO applicants can weigh in on this question...Amyl, you got any thoughts?

I cannot speak about the other programs but I can tell you Oklahoma rocks. one of the best intern years, great moonlighting schedule, excellent cost of living, expanding the hospital to add a cancer center, etc. They are also DO friendly and seem to have at least a couple each year. Check the program reviews. Dr Fitch is awesome, has turned the program around and is staying on despite wake forest and ccf trying to take her. the residents there seemed really really happy. pm me if you want more info.
Oklahoma is one of those programs that requires step two in time for rank lists due dates. They will accept comlex but prefer the usmle. A rotation will help for sure.

as far as step two, I would take it early but make sure you are going to improve your score. do questions on usmleworld.com. there is a sdn thread with an equation to convert your percent on uw.com into a score and according to me and my friends its pretty accurate.
I think you need both usmle steps, but others disagree.
Maybe ask again after match day.... when we all find out how we really did.

 

[PoorInvestment]

Kansas City, KN was quite nice. The people are incredibly friendly and the residents seem to be super happy with the place. They also are very big on medical simulation. Very, very big on medical simulation. Add in close proximity to Arthur Bryant barbecue and you've got a winner! Downsides for me were comparatively low stipend and a pretty darn goofy benefit system. Had to knock it down my rank list for that.

 

[Dr Serenity]

Last bit of advice, apply early. Make sure your stuff is in Sept 1.

This is key. The earlier you're able to get your application submitted, the better. LOR's don't have to be in by this date, but try to get everything else done as soon as you can (at the LATEST mid-September).

There are programs that start sending out interview invites in September as soon as they start reviewing applications, and it's really a first-come, first-served game when it comes to the breadth of choices that you have for interview dates. You don't want to miss out on interview opportunities because your application was submitted late.

 

[sevogirl]

I am a DO student with very similar USMLE and comlex scores. Also, top 1/3 in class, and I took step 2 and did better-although not a lot. And I was still told that I wouldn't have gotten interviewed without it. Granted, only about 5 places told me this, but they were my top choices so I am glad I did. Just study hard, do USMLE World and you will do great. Good luck!

 

[Indie4]

Thank you all very much for your replies. I appreciate the input.

 

[Laryngospasm]

Those are very easy to get into. You won't have any trouble. I'd avoid UMKC.

I love it when people talk out of their azz about programs they know very little about. What is your experience with UMKC? I spent four years there, our board pass rate was excellent and it was not malignant at all. So your experience was what?