new anesthesia competitiveness thoughts

[neurotrancer]

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This year, GW's program got 1000 applications for 7 spots. That is crazy.

I have heard from some people on the interview trail that this year the number of anesthesia applicants has gone up tremendously. So looking at match data from 2006 might not be the most accurate.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the real deal as far as competitiveness of this field at current?

I have an average step I score, straight passes so far in my preclinical and clerkships, but am worried that I might not get into this field. If I am willing to go ANYWHERE for a residency, will it be an issue for me?

Thanks!

 

[smgilles]

This year, GW's program got 1000 applications for 7 spots. That is crazy.

I have heard from some people on the interview trail that this year the number of anesthesia applicants has gone up tremendously. So looking at match data from 2006 might not be the most accurate.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the real deal as far as competitiveness of this field at current?

I have an average step I score, straight passes so far in my preclinical and clerkships, but am worried that I might not get into this field. If I am willing to go ANYWHERE for a residency, will it be an issue for me?

Thanks!

It seems to me from talking to PDs and such on the interview trail there has been increase in applicants but the real increase has been due to the number of programs people are applying too. So instead of applying to 15-20 programs you have people applying 30, 40, 50+ programs, so by shear volume you are seeing this huge increase in applications.

 

[badgas]

It seems to me from talking to PDs and such on the interview trail there has been increase in applicants but the real increase has been due to the number of programs people are applying too. So instead of applying to 15-20 programs you have people applying 30, 40, 50+ programs, so by shear volume you are seeing this huge increase in applications.

I sure hope that's the case. I'm dealing with match anxiety that will last about 3 more months.

 

[smgilles]

I sure hope that's the case. I'm dealing with match anxiety that will last about 3 more months.

I too am feeling your pain.

 

[Bertelman]

If by "average" you mean nat'l average, like >215, then you'll be fine if you are willing to go anywhere. I would agree that there are more applicants because everyone is applying to more spots. Count me in the >40 pool.

Believe me, if I can get 9 invites with my abysmal Step1, you'll be fine.

 

[jennyboo]

I have an average step I score, straight passes so far in my preclinical and clerkships, but am worried that I might not get into this field. If I am willing to go ANYWHERE for a residency, will it be an issue for me?

It should not be a problem. I matched last year with straight passes (granted, it was last year -- and I think I matched extremely well at that).

Aim higher than you think you can match. Consider doing an away rotation at a program that's a "reach" for you. Much of the match process is about the connections you make and the people you meet during away rotations and electives -- the numbers (board scores, grades) are less important than the people who know you personally and have seen that you're someone they'd like to work with.

Don't stress about how competitive the field is supposed to be getting. Start applying early (like in January -- a month from now) for highly desired away electives and book them before other people grab 'em. Read as much as you can during your electives and ask plenty of questions. Get a letter of recommendation if you build a good relationship with an anesthesiology faculty member.

You should definitely be able to match somewhere, but if you're aggressive about doing an away and telling programs you're really interested in working for them, you'll probably even match better than you think.

 

[fakin' the funk]

Start applying early (like in January -- a month from now) for highly desired away electives and book them before other people grab 'em.

This is January of your 3rd year, right? As in, halfway through the 3rd year?

When is the best time to do an away at a program you're very interested in? Obviously not July, but if you have the chance in May or June (end of 3rd year) would that be better than August or September?

 

[ketafol]

I was talking to a PD the other day. He said that he doesnt think that this year is any more competitive than last year. He said the number of applicants is about the same, as well as stats. The only thing that may have increased slightly is number of programs applied to and interviewed at by each applicant.

Anyone hear anything else like this?

 

[Flycatcher]

I've heard the same from PDs. A couple essentially said that they believe a "panic" (their word) started among applicants this year about Anesthesiology's increasng competitiveness, so people more commonly applied to 50+ programs and went to 15+ interviews. It seems like the what applicants have been saying/doing around here would support that conclusion, but I have no idea about application trends of other years to use for comparison.

 

[Duckie24]

Well, even if applications are up (and if they are I think it is totally due to what others have said, in that people are applying to more programs) programs aren't interviewing more people than they were last year. Seems like all programs are interviewing about 10 appls per spot, which from what I have been told is unchanged from recent years. Of course, I totally reserve the right to freak out as well until I have that message saying I've fully matched. 😀

 

[VolatileAgent]

agree with most posts here.

remember: what is paramount is not the number of applications any particular program receives, but the overall number of applicants applying against the total number of available spots.

 

[GasMan72]

Agreed. I applied to close to 25 programs, and that was almost considered average...Lots of people applying everywhere in the hope of finding something...

EJ

It seems to me from talking to PDs and such on the interview trail there has been increase in applicants but the real increase has been due to the number of programs people are applying too. So instead of applying to 15-20 programs you have people applying 30, 40, 50+ programs, so by shear volume you are seeing this huge increase in applications.

 

[tacrum43]

This year, GW's program got 1000 applications for 7 spots. That is crazy.

So being an MSI, I have no real idea what I'm talking about when it comes to residencies, but it's good to hear that 1,000 apps per spot is an anomaly and not the usual. I was actually at a residency info session today, and the Dr. that was talking to us in the anesthesiology session told us GW had got somewhere around 100:1 for each spot.

So what is a normal number? And is GW's program especially good (i.e. why did they get so many applicants)? I can't seem to be able to find much info about it.

Thanks.

 

[Bertelman]

So being an MSI, I have no real idea what I'm talking about when it comes to residencies, but it's good to hear that 1,000 apps per spot is an anomaly and not the usual. I was actually at a residency info session today, and the Dr. that was talking to us in the anesthesiology session told us GW had got somewhere around 100:1 for each spot.

So what is a normal number? And is GW's program especially good (i.e. why did they get so many applicants)? I can't seem to be able to find much info about it.

Thanks.

100:1 is more or less what many residency programs are seeing this year. As mentioned above, it's not that everyone is picking one or two magical places. People are applying to 25-50 spots. That will drive up the # of applicants quoted by programs, and make it seem as though everything is so much more competitive this year. I know this example is only anecdotal, but at my med school, there are actually fewer students going into gas this year.


I can't comment on GW personally, and I'm sure it's a great program, but when I see discussions around here it's not being thrown around as the #1 program to which everyone should apply. It could have more to do with location, but really I think they are seeing what everyone else is.

 

[SleepIsGood]

Guys/Gals.

Being on the other side now and after talkin with ppl in the selection process, I can tell you this.

Grades and scores DO matter. It gets you in the door for sure. However, it's all the other 'stuff' like do they like you? have you rotated at said hospital. Do the residents and attendings like you? Are you a good fit? etc. Brains get you so far, the rest is..........