NYC Programs -- competitive?

[kidsthesedays]

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I'm a third year interested in pediatrics. I'd ideally like to move to New York for residency.

How competitive are the programs?

I have a slightly above average step 1 score, and a handful of extracurriculars (no huge leadership roles), and no research (yet!). I expect to get a few strong letters. I'm at a pass/fail and nonranking school.

1) Do I have a shot at a NYC residency?
2) What programs are the best?
3) What programs are in my reach?
4) Where should I do an away rotation, with that in mind?

Thanks!

 

[pooh86]

I'm a third year interested in pediatrics. I'd ideally like to move to New York for residency.

How competitive are the programs?

I have a slightly above average step 1 score, and a handful of extracurriculars (no huge leadership roles), and no research (yet!). I expect to get a few strong letters. I'm at a pass/fail and nonranking school.

1) Do I have a shot at a NYC residency?
2) What programs are the best?
3) What programs are in my reach?
4) Where should I do an away rotation, with that in mind?

Thanks!

There are a wide variety of NYC residencies that ranges from very competitive to not, from the big names to Harlem hospital which takes mostly IMGs. Therefore if you're sole concern is to be in NYC (or the vicinity), you will.

As far as the best programs, there's no way to answer without knowing what type of programs you like. One person's dream program is very different than another. Do you want heavy research focus programs? programs that's fellow heavy? Primary care focused? Free standing children's hospital? etc. etc.

 

[kidsthesedays]

One person's dream program is very different than another. Do you want heavy research focus programs? programs that's fellow heavy? Primary care focused? Free standing children's hospital? etc. etc.

Thanks! I think I'm 70/30 at this point for pursuing fellowship (vs not). I'm not particularly interested in a free-standing children's hospital.... socially, I think it might be nice to be with other docs.

Do I need to be a rockstair to get into Columbia or Cornell? What about Einstein or Sinai? NYU?

I have a laid-back personality and I'm not fond of gunners, so not sure the first two mentioned are my style.

 

[Rutgers06]

I'm a third year interested in pediatrics. I'd ideally like to move to New York for residency.

How competitive are the programs?

I have a slightly above average step 1 score, and a handful of extracurriculars (no huge leadership roles), and no research (yet!). I expect to get a few strong letters. I'm at a pass/fail and nonranking school.

1) Do I have a shot at a NYC residency?
2) What programs are the best?
3) What programs are in my reach?
4) Where should I do an away rotation, with that in mind?
5) Do I need to be a rockstair to get into Columbia or Cornell? What about Einstein or Sinai? NYU? I have a laid-back personality and I'm not fond of gunners, so not sure the first two mentioned are my style.

1) Yes, you have a shot because there's a wide range of programs

2) This is pretty subjective, but the impression I got when interviewing at a bunch of NYC programs last year (Columbia, Cornell, Jacobi, Montefiore, NYU) was that Columbia is considered the "most academic". I believe that Columbia, Montefiore and LIJ/Northshore are considered to be the 3 freestanding children's hospitals in NYC.

3) It's hard to predict what's in your reach because I feel that peds programs take into account lots of things outside of board scores/grades (ie LOR, personal statement, extracurriculars). My advice would be to meet up with a peds advisor at your program and get an honest assessment of where you stand. Also, I would apply broadly because you don't really know how competitive you are until you start getting interviews.

4) Can't really answer this question...basically go for a program that you would like to be at.

5) I don't think you really need to be a "rock star" per se and your step 1 score probably won't be your major limiting factor. Try to do well in your 3rd yr rotations, get SLOR, and beef up some other parts of your application, either through leadership or research, and you'll definitely have a chance of getting interviews at those places.

FWIW, I felt that all the residents I met were pretty laid back. In general, there aren't too many true gunners in pediatrics which is why it's an awesome specialty to be in 🙂 If you want to read people's reviews of the NYC programs from previous years, you can look at the following threads:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=352368&highlight=new+york
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=772985&highlight=new+york

Good luck with the rest of 3rd year!