NRMP and SOAP Blow!! Time to Look forward...

[vjd83]

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Now that SOAP is over and there's no chance of getting into residency this year unless an off-cycle position opens up, I can't sit in a dark room envisioning the end of the world. Gotta start planning ahead and improve my chances of getting in next year, especially since I'm a US-IMG.

I started looking into starting an online MPH program, but have also considered a MHA program. Does anybody have any thoughts on that? Which would be more beneficial to getting into residency? What jobs would be available if you complete either degree programs? Does anybody know someone who this has worked for?

What about research?? How and where do you people find places to do research?

Please provide any insight if you have any. Remember, many people have been our situation before and have survived and gotten to the promise land eventually. The low points points in life are only temporary and can turn into a high if you approach it properly. Good luck to all.

 

[Noegrus]

Do a full-time degree that gives you a specific, marketable skill set - MBA, MPH or MS with a concentration in epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy and management, public policy, environmental health etc. MPH degrees are usually too non-specific to be very helpful. Online degrees are a very bad idea.

 

[LossForWords]

Do a full-time degree that gives you a specific, marketable skill set - MBA, MPH or MS with a concentration in epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy and management, public policy, environmental health etc. MPH degrees are usually too non-specific to be very helpful. Online degrees are a very bad idea.

I second this. I doubt anyone would look too favorably on getting an online degree when you're applying for a job in a very not-online field.

 

[HIJay]

MHA is usually more marketable than MPH. stay away from online programs.

 

[HIJay]

also you can look into getting a certificate to being a project management(PMI, PMP). there are usually lot of position for various project management positions, can pay pretty decent as well.

 

[hola27]

Truthfully there isnt a diff btw online and traditional MPH program.the most important thing is-the program must be CEPH accredited...Most CEPH accredited online programs are university programs....feel free to PM me for more info because I am doing an MPH program...In terms of concentration, there are a lot of opinions out there but the key question is what do you intend to do with it....MPH w/ no concentration opens more doors because you can work anywhere an MPH is needed; most jobs dont ask for concentrations..its like comparing an MBA to an MD degree
MPH-spend less time in school but you are likely to get a job because its a broad degree, the amount of money you make depends on what you do with it
MD: concentrated degree, more money but you must apply it to healthcare

 

[Noegrus]

Truthfully there isnt a diff btw online and traditional MPH program.the most important thing is-the program must be CEPH accredited...Most CEPH accredited online programs are university programs....feel free to PM me for more info because I am doing an MPH program...In terms of concentration, there are a lot of opinions out there but the key question is what do you intend to do with it....MPH w/ no concentration opens more doors because you can work anywhere an MPH is needed; most jobs dont ask for concentrations..its like comparing an MBA to an MD degree
MPH-spend less time in school but you are likely to get a job because its a broad degree, the amount of money you make depends on what you do with it
MD: concentrated degree, more money but you must apply it to healthcare

This is bad advice.

 

[JamesPhilly]

Unless it's tied to some great research, I think an MPH is a waste of time. It didn't help me get accepted to medical school, what makes you think it will help with residencies? And you're talking to someone who is MPH, CPH

 

[picasso777]

How would a year attachment as a postdoctoral research fellow at a research lab fare for improving resume for residency? Keep in mind that most of these labs do research that is on very molecular level, so if I am applying to IM or Peds, will research topics focusing on an inflammatory modulator help to make me a more complete candidate come next year?

EDIT: and by basic I mean non clinical.

 

[gutonc]

How would a year attachment as a postdoctoral research fellow at a research lab fare for improving resume for residency? Keep in mind that most of these labs do research that is on very molecular level, so if I am applying to IM or Peds, will research topics focusing on an inflammatory modulator help to make me a more complete candidate come next year?

EDIT: and by basic I mean non clinical.

It won't hurt. It might not help.

The root problem is that, if you're not competitive enough without the research, you're probably not going to be competitive at programs that value research once you have it. And community programs (where you may or may not be competitive without the research) won't care.

But on the flip side, you'll have a job for a year.

 

[picasso777]

It won't hurt. It might not help.

The root problem is that, if you're not competitive enough without the research, you're probably not going to be competitive at programs that value research once you have it. And community programs (where you may or may not be competitive without the research) won't care.

But on the flip side, you'll have a job for a year.

Point well made. Thanks.
So speaking in terms of IM with FM and Peds as backups, am I competitive enough with the following credentials?

22x/21x/Cs/ all first attempts/ require visa/ targeting mid and low tier community programs across the country.

Sent from my MB865 using Tapatalk 2

 

[gutonc]

Point well made. Thanks.
So speaking in terms of IM with FM and Peds as backups, am I competitive enough with the following credentials?

22x/21x/Cs/ all first attempts/ require visa/ targeting mid and low tier community programs across the country.

If I said "no, you're not competitive enough" what would you do? Serious question. That's not what I'm saying, but if I did, how would that change your approach?

Your scores (for a Visa-needing IMG) are mediocre at best. Assuming you're a Carib grad with 2 full years of USCE, you should be able to score something, at least at a place where you rotate. But you definitely need a plan B and a plan C.

 

[picasso777]

If I said "no, you're not competitive enough" what would you do? Serious question. That's not what I'm saying, but if I did, how would that change your approach?

Your scores (for a Visa-needing IMG) are mediocre at best. Assuming you're a Carib grad with 2 full years of USCE, you should be able to score something, at least at a place where you rotate. But you definitely need a plan B and a plan C.

Yes I do have plans B and C, but all I am asking is what I can do to improve my chances for next year. I know I can't change my scores. What I can do is to get some research experience ( how much will it help, I don't know) or do observership at places that generally take in more IMGs.

Sent from my MB865 using Tapatalk 2

 

[gutonc]

Yes I do have plans B and C, but all I am asking is what I can do to improve my chances for next year. I know I can't change my scores. What I can do is to get some research experience ( how much will it help, I don't know) or do observership at places that generally take in more IMGs.

Again, research won't hurt you and may help you if you get pubs out of it. No way to know how much benefit it will provide.

Observerships are a real problem. They're not "real" clinical experience and it's hard to get much good experience or letters out of them. But they do at least let you meet people in programs that might be a good shot for you.

There's no right answer to your question. You're going to have to make a choice and just hope for the best.