Neuro 2 Path transition

[Magnus]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey guys

Great forum. I am a long timer reader and first time poster. Maybe you guys can help me out a bit with a few questions. So here is my situation ;In med school, I worked in a lab with a PI that was both a pathologist and a Neurologist. I choose Neuro over path and have just finished my first year in neuro. I totally did not like it and still miss path. I left Neuro and am applying for path this year.

1) How negative does this count against me in the match? Are there any out of match spots still open?

2) I am interested in path programs in the southeast and in the boston and NYC areas- anyone know of good but friendly programs to suggest?

3) Do path programs look at step 2 scores as seriously as step 1?. My step 1 is stellar but step 2 -which i took during internship w/o studying is not as stellar.

4)I didn't do a path elective in med school but worked in a lab (with a path/Neuro PI)- does this count as the same or close to it?

 

[yaah]

1) How negative does this count against me in the match? Are there any out of match spots still open?

It's not really a negative in and of itself. Most programs will take people who transfer in from other fields.

2) I am interested in path programs in the southeast and in the boston and NYC areas- anyone know of good but friendly programs to suggest?

It's an exhaustive list. Most path programs are fairly friendly, and most larger academic type institutions are good.

3) Do path programs look at step 2 scores as seriously as step 1?. My step 1 is stellar but step 2 -which i took during internship w/o studying is not as stellar.

How on earth did you get away with taking step 2 during internship? 😕 Isn't it a med school graduation requirement? They look at the scores they have. Most people apply without having their step II score back yet, so step I by default becomes the test they look at more closely. But if you have taken step 2, they will look at it. Some program directors say it is important, others say it's unimportant. In general though, step I is more crucial.

4)I didn't do a path elective in med school but worked in a lab (with a path/Neuro PI)- does this count as the same or close to it?

It is good in the sense you have research experience, but working in a research lab has very little to do with day to day practice of pathology.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

How on earth did you get away with taking step 2 during internship? 😕 Isn't it a med school graduation requirement? They look at the scores they have. Most people apply without having their step II score back yet, so step I by default becomes the test they look at more closely. But if you have taken step 2, they will look at it. Some program directors say it is important, others say it's unimportant. In general though, step I is more crucial.

Not all med students have to take step 2 to graduate. One of my friends was in that very situation...he would have put it off until after graduation but he decided to take it at the last possible moment so that he would avoid having to take step 2 BS.

It is good in the sense you have research experience, but working in a research lab has very little to do with day to day practice of pathology.

Yes, but research experience will help you distinguish yourself from other applicants. Again, having research experience always helps. Not having research experience doesn't necessarily hurt for pathology applications...yet.

 

[Magnus]

Thanks for replying guys. -About step 2, I was not required to take it before graduation. Andy are you in the Boston area? Any info about Programs There?

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Thanks for replying guys. -About step 2, I was not required to take it before graduation. Andy are you in the Boston area? Any info about Programs There?

Yeah, I'm in Beantown. I've elaborated upon my thoughts regarding MGH and Brigham quite a bit in the past (too lazy to type it all out again). Those are the two programs I interviewed at. There are other programs in the New England area as well and others who are better qualified to comment on those have also done so in the past.

Did you have any specific questions in particular?