Need some advice

[Adam638]

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As someone entering his first year of med school next fall, I'm wondering what advice you would give me in order to best prepare myself to match into anesthesiology. I know Step 1 scores are the biggest, but if you guys could give me a little more advice I would appreciate it immensely. Any tips, tricks, etc. would be appreciated. I've looked at previous threads, but any additional info would be great

 

[Gern Blansten]

Read Kenneth Iserson's book, Getting Into a Residency. By the time I read it in my 4th year, it was too late to use most of his advice. You are at the perfect stage of the to read it and fully utilize its value. Some of the data on competitiveness of residencies and salaries for different specialties may be outdated, but the basic ideas and strategies are very useful.

 

[amyl]

for first year, focus on physio.
a friend bought first aid for step one and made notes in it during first and second year -- something i wish i had done as first aid is really an outline of the stuff you need to know.

 

[Anesdawg]

Dominate all your boards...ask around and use good review books for each and every class......and dominate dominate step 1. That will get you off to a good start. Most importantly have fun and keep an open mind during your 3rd year rotations.

 

[lord_jeebus]

I found that a summer research project in anesthesiology really impressed some of my interviewers -- most applicants decided on the field late in the process. One chair sent me an e-mail complimenting me on my "commitment to anesthesia."

I think that if you're cut out for this field, physio will stand out as a particularly enjoyable class.

 

[treasurefull2]

As a 3rd year med student, I think the above post regarding doing well on Step 1 is quite important. I'll tell you why...

During your clinical years you will really find out what you want to do, and it is very possible that you will change your mind about what specialty you may want to go into. You may not believe this, but it's true, I never even considered doing Anesthesia until 3rd year. BUT, what I knew before starting 3rd year is that I had to do well on Step 1, simply because you cannot predict the future and you want to have the strong scores so that all your doors are open when you finally do make that decision.

Point being, Anesthesia is great, but as a 1st year med student, you may change your mind in 2 years, so keep your doors open by doing well in classes and step 1.

So, some basic things to consider
(1) Do well in your courses
(2) Do well on Step 1
(3) Get involved in clubs, ex, anesthesia club, if there isn't one at your school, start one
(4) Get involved with ASA at a national level. I forget right now what the student committee is called, but they have one
(5) Do research b/w 1st and 2nd year, in anesthesia or something else. Look at FAER. (Considering perhaps doing something international)

Anyway, my 2 cents...

Good luck...

 

[lord_jeebus]

Oh yeah, join the ASA!

$10 / yr, and you get Anesthesiology as well as the newsletter. Awesome

 

[Adam638]

Thank you everyone. Great tips!