Nervous about matching into a good program

[zindagi]

I'm coming to that point in third year when I have to make a specialty decision ... and that's looking more and more like Peds. I'm pretty limited geographically and would like to match in Ohio to be close to family. Ohio had some pretty amazing (read: competitive) programs and I could use some advice on how to be more competitive for Cincy/Nationwide/Rainbow Babies

Step 1: 256
Step 2 CK/CS: taking in June
Research: 4 experiences/5 abstracts/1 poster/ 1 pending pub
Clerkships: 4 H (including IM, peds), 1 HP, 1 P
Basic science: 1 HP, the rest H

Should I do aways? Peds-specific research? I may be coming off neurotic but I want to give myself the best possible chance to match in Ohio, preferably at a good program

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[GoSpursGo]

Nobody can ever tell you you’re for sure gonna match to a specific program, but you’re already incredibly competitive at any of the programs you mentioned. If you want to do some additional peds specific research that’s great, but the fact that you have any research at all is a plus.

Unless you have a reason to be extra interested about one of those programs specifically, an away probably isn’t necessary.

 

[zindagi]

Nobody can ever tell you you’re for sure gonna match to a specific program, but you’re already incredibly competitive at any of the programs you mentioned. If you want to do some additional peds specific research that’s great, but the fact that you have any research at all is a plus.

Unless you have a reason to be extra interested about one of those programs specifically, an away probably isn’t necessary.

Thanks for the input! Do you think it's appropriate to contact PDs during/before interview season to express interest in a specific program?

 

[GoSpursGo]

Thanks for the input! Do you think it's appropriate to contact PDs during/before interview season to express interest in a specific program?

I probably wouldn't do so right off the bat as I think you're likely to get interviews at all three, but if you're about a month in and haven't gotten invites to those programs and have seen others get invited, it wouldn't hurt to send a quick letter explaining why you're particularly interested in that specific program.

 

[oldbearprofessor]

I'm coming to that point in third year when I have to make a specialty decision ... and that's looking more and more like Peds. I'm pretty limited geographically and would like to match in Ohio to be close to family. Ohio had some pretty amazing (read: competitive) programs and I could use some advice on how to be more competitive for Cincy/Nationwide/Rainbow Babies

Step 1: 256
Step 2 CK/CS: taking in June
Research: 4 experiences/5 abstracts/1 poster/ 1 pending pub
Clerkships: 3 H (including IM), 1 HP, 1 P (peds pending, but likely H)
Basic science: 1 HP, the rest H

Should I do aways? Peds-specific research? I may be coming off neurotic but I want to give myself the best possible chance to match in Ohio, preferably at a good program

You are solidly competitive for all 3. Don't worry about reaching out now, see if you get interviews when the time comes and go for it. Although you'll likely match at any of those three, with Cincinnati the most competitive of them, consider adding Akron to the mix as a bit of a back-up. If you can stretch your geography a bit you add Pittsburgh, Indianapolis and Ann Arbor as excellent programs "near" Ohio (well in distance, Ann Arbor isn't really "near Ohio" in any spiritual way, ya' know...)

 

[FlowLimited]

I agree with OBP. Definitely consider Indiana University (Riley Hospital for Children), Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, and Akron Children's. I would be very surprised if you didn't end up landing a match in Ohio.

 

[zindagi]

Thanks so your advice everyone! Another question for you...do you think it's necessary to do my acting internship before interview season?

 

[oldbearprofessor]

Thanks so your advice everyone! Another question for you...do you think it's necessary to do my acting internship before interview season?

Necessary? No. You may want to get it out of the way so you can focus on interviews, but it won't really matter much for the actual interviews.

 

[GoSpursGo]

Thanks so your advice everyone! Another question for you...do you think it's necessary to do my acting internship before interview season?

Echo OBP. Certainly not necessary, but it's nice to get out of the way, and many use it as an opportunity to get their LORs.