Official 2011 IM "Where Did You Match" Thread

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anybody at scripps green in la jolla!?
 
Duke
HeartsHearts

MGH
vrq525

NY Hospital Queens
malingero

Stanford
Doctor&Geek

University of Miami
Jess
 
Duke
HeartsHearts

JHU-Osler
Eli Cards

MGH
vrq525

NY Hospital Queens
malingero

Stanford
Doctor&Geek

University of Miami
Jess
 
Duke
HeartsHearts

JHU-Osler
Eli Cards, Juxtaglomerular

MGH
vrq525

NY Hospital Queens
malingero

Stanford
Doctor&Geek

University of Miami
Jess
 
Duke
HeartsHearts

JHU-Osler
Eli Cards, Juxtaglomerular

MGH
vrq525

NY Hospital Queens
malingero

Stanford
Doctor&Geek

University of Miami
Jess

University of Iowa
docscience
 
Duke
HeartsHearts

JHU-Osler
Eli Cards, Juxtaglomerular

MGH
vrq525

NY Hospital Queens
malingero

Stanford
Doctor&Geek

UCSF
golftrippy

University of Miami
Jess

University of Iowa
docscience
 
Duke
HeartsHearts

JHU-Osler
Eli Cards, Juxtaglomerular

MGH
vrq525

NY Hospital Queens
malingero

Stanford
Doctor&Geek

UCSF
golftrippy

University of Miami
Jess

University of Iowa
docscience

University of Chicago
bigj626
 
Duke
HeartsHearts

JHU-Osler
Eli Cards, Juxtaglomerular

MGH
vrq525

NY Hospital Queens
malingero

Stanford
Doctor&Geek

UCSF
golftrippy

University of Miami
Less

University of Iowa
docscience

University of Chicago
bigj626

Just changing Jess for Less!! So stupid, but feels great see my real "name".
 
University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City !
 
Last edited:
Congrats again to all who matched!

Advice to those entering this process: Taking every opportunity to speak with housestaff wherever you interview is critical, second looks can help to clarify program culture and differences between your top choices, gut reactions about programs are important.

Edit: after further thought and reading the post below, also feel it's better to avoid posting stats. Please feel free to PM me for this information.
 
Last edited:
DrVanNostran said:
Word.

1. Matching hospital/university
2. Your home institution
3. Your statistics/honors
4. Research experience
5. Any pearls of wisdom to future doctors
Click to expand...

I prefer not to flash the stats; it feels a little like bragging. Feel free to PM if you feel this info will help you in some way.

I think #5 is much more useful. One thing that may be unappreciated about the application is that its essentially a marketing campaign for you. Central to this is the personal statement. Being able to narrate a unifying theme that coherently pulls together the key highlights of your career AND shows some personality went a long way for me. After reading the personal statement the faculty should have a simple, memorable idea of who you are. For instance: he is that funny hospitalist, she is that compassionate palliative care specialist, or he/she is that pragmatic geriatrician, ect.

BTW I think every program wants a diverse class, so marketing yourself as a person interested in the above three fields (hospitalist, geri, palliative) will make you stand out. How many cards/GI gunners can a program really interview?

And finally, back to the original post:
!!!!!Ucla!!!!!!
 
Duke
HeartsHearts

JHU-Osler
Eli Cards, Juxtaglomerular

MGH
vrq525

NY Hospital Queens
malingero

Stanford
Doctor&Geek

UCSF
golftrippy

University of Miami
Less

University of Iowa
docscience

University of Chicago
bigj626

University of Oklahoma Health Science Center
127hours

Ucla
IMnerd

​
 
Hey I wanna know where all the other amazing people who hang around this thread matched, why aren't you guys posting.

Anyway, also definitely willing to answer any PM's with questions any future applicants may have.

IMNerds advice is awesome. My 2 cents. Make sure you do research on programs and then try to take it all in on interview day (which can be hard since they all run together after a while). Then you have all the info you need to make a good decision so that when you go with your gut instinct (and you should go wit your gut) you'll be making a great decision.
 
golftrippy said:
Hey I wanna know where all the other amazing people who hang around this thread matched, why aren't you guys posting.

Anyway, also definitely willing to answer any PM's with questions any future applicants may have.

IMNerds advice is awesome. My 2 cents. Make sure you do research on programs and then try to take it all in on interview day (which can be hard since they all run together after a while). Then you have all the info you need to make a good decision so that when you go with your gut instinct (and you should go wit your gut) you'll be making a great decision.
Click to expand...

A lot of people may not have matched to their number one's, or even two's . . . and from what I'm hearing many are matching much lower on their rank lists than in year's past. There is a psychological component here. It's pretty easy for a guy like you who not only got his number one but aslo UCSF to be like, "hey guys come post in here!!" . . . your experience with the match will be fairly unique. I'm not hating, just giving you a little perspective. I've had MULTIPLE PM's from people who are simply not happy with their results. And they'll eventually get over it and have a good residency experience, but when you want one or two or three place(s) so much more over any of the others . . . matching to number 6, even if number 6 is a widely acknowledged awesome place, can be a tough pill to swallow or announce on a message board, even if annonymous.
 
jdh71 said:
A lot of people may not have matched to their number one's, or even two's . . . and from what I'm hearing many are matching much lower on their rank lists than in year's past. There is a psychological component here. It's pretty easy for a guy like you who not only got his number one but aslo UCSF to be like, "hey guys come post in here!!" . . . your experience with the match will be fairly unique. I'm not hating, just giving you a little perspective. I've had MULTIPLE PM's from people who are simply not happy with their results. And they'll eventually get over it and have a good residency experience, but when you want one or two or three place(s) so much more over any of the others . . . matching to number 6, even if number 6 is a widely acknowledged awesome place, can be a tough pill to swallow or announce on a message board, even if annonymous.
Click to expand...

I buy this.

I feel very fortunate to have even landed at my #2 this year (a program that I love, by the way) - this match cycle was BRUTAL for us middle-tier medical schools for some of the traditionally "safer" specialties like Internal Medicine, Emergency Med, and Ob-Gyn.

I have some positive impressions of programs (I will name the programs) that I'd like to post, as well as some anonymous dirty laundry (I will NOT name the programs) of some of my more interesting (and really horrifying) interview experiences, as well as some red flags that future applicants should be on the lookout for in upcoming cycles. I am wondering if this would be the right thread for me to post this, or if I should start a new one.
 
start another thread . . . call it something like: impressions/red flags/gossip/ from the 2010-2011 interview season

should be good

I just hope it doesn't get used as a program character assasination tool, but I agree post the good stuff about specific places, and I think instead of posting specific about certain places, refer to them as red flags, "if you see this at a program . . . fyi"
 
golftrippy said:
Hey I wanna know where all the other amazing people who hang around this thread matched, why aren't you guys posting.

Anyway, also definitely willing to answer any PM's with questions any future applicants may have.

IMNerds advice is awesome. My 2 cents. Make sure you do research on programs and then try to take it all in on interview day (which can be hard since they all run together after a while). Then you have all the info you need to make a good decision so that when you go with your gut instinct (and you should go wit your gut) you'll be making a great decision.
Click to expand...

Ranked Brigham and Women's Hospital #1 and that is where I will be next year!! Received a ranked to match call from them so they were definitely honest (it seems like based on years past, they're pretty candid about where you stand).

Just as an fyi for future years, a number of people in my class received ranked to match calls from MGH. However none of these individuals that received a call and ranked it #1 ended up matching there. This seems consistent with how they've operated in years past, and led to some pretty broken spirits on match day.

I found this thread in past years very helpful when people posted stats. I think it sets realistic expectations for where you should apply and where you have a shot at. That being said, if no one else is, I won't either.

Best of luck to all.
 
styleandsugar said:
I found this thread in past years very helpful when people posted stats. I think it sets realistic expectations for where you should apply and where you have a shot at.
Click to expand...

First, let me apologize. I think I am about to totally derail the original intention of this thread, but I think some important points have been brought up.

The "stats" threads still exist from last year. For those that believe this data is closely correlated with the match, that info is available.

I have a feeling that data set accrued on SDN is not likely representative of each residency class. It is easy for those with stats off the charts to confidently share. It takes a lot more bravery to share "average" stats. Even those who match at great institutions do not want to feel singled out as the wink link if they did not get 250+ on Step 1.

I totally agree with styleandsugar that it is important to apply broadly with an appropriate proportion of back ups, likely fits, and residencies that may be a reach. The best way to figure that out is with an accurate data set, which is probably not on SDN.

Instead, more realistic and representative information is available from your student affairs office, and multiple resident and attending mentors who know your complete package and the matching track record of your medical school.

For these reasons, I choose not to post my stats in fear that it may discourage entirely qualified applicants or give false hopes to applicants that have similar numbers. Flashy stats are only part of the story because everything that shines ain't always going to be gold.
 
jdh71 said:
A lot of people may not have matched to their number one's, or even two's . . . and from what I'm hearing many are matching much lower on their rank lists than in year's past. There is a psychological component here. It's pretty easy for a guy like you who not only got his number one but aslo UCSF to be like, "hey guys come post in here!!" . . . your experience with the match will be fairly unique. I'm not hating, just giving you a little perspective. I've had MULTIPLE PM's from people who are simply not happy with their results. And they'll eventually get over it and have a good residency experience, but when you want one or two or three place(s) so much more over any of the others . . . matching to number 6, even if number 6 is a widely acknowledged awesome place, can be a tough pill to swallow or announce on a message board, even if annonymous.
Click to expand...

Is this true? That people matched lower than expected this year? Or that it was "brutal" for people from mid-tier med schools (as mentioned in the post below yours)? Because I'll be honest, I matched at my #7. SEVEN. I almost fell out of my chair when I opened my letter. I was NEVER expecting to go that low, based on the feedback I had received from programs and from my advisors, and the fact that I was told almost all US AMGs match in their top 3. Well, not for me! I wish I had not been given false hope like that, because it would not have been as difficult to stomach had I been prepared to go so low on my list. I ranked mostly mid-tier academic program, and matched at a decent university program, which I am thankful for.

I come from a mid-tier med school. We matched amazingly well this year in all specialities BUT medicine, it was strange. I wonder if it had something to do with our advisors/committee letters? Or maybe it really was more competitive this year? Who knows.
 
blight said:
Is this true? That people matched lower than expected this year? Or that it was "brutal" for people from mid-tier med schools (as mentioned in the post below yours)? Because I'll be honest, I matched at my #7. SEVEN. I almost fell out of my chair when I opened my letter. I was NEVER expecting to go that low, based on the feedback I had received from programs and from my advisors, and the fact that I was told almost all US AMGs match in their top 3. Well, not for me! I wish I had not been given false hope like that, because it would not have been as difficult to stomach had I been prepared to go so low on my list. I ranked mostly mid-tier academic program, and matched at a decent university program, which I am thankful for.

I come from a mid-tier med school. We matched amazingly well this year in all specialities BUT medicine, it was strange. I wonder if it had something to do with our advisors/committee letters? Or maybe it really was more competitive this year? Who knows.
Click to expand...

It does appear so, based what I hearing from people here by PM and the M4s where I'm doing residency.

It will be interesting to see the match stats (are they even out yet?) because the experience in years past has been exactly that: AMGs basically match into one of their top three.

So I don't think it was you, I think it was the playing field this year, plus I think this year's class is one of the first to really feel the expansion of medical school classes that occurred starting about 2006/2007
 
So! ... I have been leeching from this forum for some years and never posted a thing. I know, shame on me! To be honest with you all, I am in a very unique situation and I had to compile information from every corner of the Interwebs and somehow pseudo-apply it to my case. I am a Foreign National graduate ... what the hell does that mean you ask? well, I am an international student, graduating this May from a US Med School ... not a permanent resident, not a citizen, but on a student-visa, graduating in May and Matched to my first choice -- super happy about that. I thought I would reveal this information because I am sure there might be another "foreign national" graduate (not an IMG, not an FMG ... I've been told for all purposes I am considered an AMG - if you want to know more? PM me -- and I am not Canadian, I know people make a distinction.

I did average on my STEP 1 and 2. I did alright on my clerkships and I've been doing alright on my Electives, Honors some of them (not IM), High Pass everything else with the exception of 2 passes, but I did Honors my IM Sub-I and have a Masters from before Med School on my CV plus my PS/LORs from what I was told, were quite memorable.

My ERAS apps were based a bit differently than your regular application: nationwide, I had a visa preference and no top10 dreams, I am quite realistic but also optimistic ... so I sent some apps here and there to your top11-20 (based on NIH funding rank list/IM rank list) and some mid-tier programs. I applied to 24 programs and got 14 invites, went to 10 and ranked all of them, matched to my first choice like I said, which I did not expect so I was beyond myself when I open that envelope. In any case, I probably picked your curiosity and now you want to know what program, I obviously won't reveal that info because it will become quite evident who I am by just saying it (and I don't mind revealing who I am, I'm also quite frank -- but this is the Interwebs and I want to believe I have some brains not to make such a ridiculous mistake) if you are dying to know PM me. I love my program, southern university-based, well-esteemed by jdh71 (that says it all, right? -- seriously dude, you have been incredibly helpful!) but you might be end up completely underwhelmed by it, which I could care less honestly 😉

Aight! this is it. I just wanted to put my info out there to help somebody who might have the same questions I had and couldn't find a single soul in my exact situation -- feel free to PM me. Also, thanks guys, I've enjoyed each of your informative and sometimes not-so informative posts. I'll try to contribute a bit more from my unique perspective.

Peace.
 
Jdh71 is right. It was a brutal year, and not just at the mid-tier schools. The top tier also saw more people dropping lower on their list than usual. Way more matches at #2-3s at my school this year. Friends at other top-tier schools describe the same thing. Friends from the mid-tier say that it was VERY (unusually) difficult in IM. Rough year all around.

BWH
Styleandsugar

Duke
HeartsHearts

JHU-Osler
Eli Cards, Juxtaglomerular

MGH
vrq525

NY Hospital Queens
malingero

Stanford
Doctor&Geek

UCSF
golftrippy

UCLA
IMnerd

University of Chicago
bigj626

University of Iowa
docscience

University of Miami
Less

University of Oklahoma Health Science Center
127hours
 
Last edited:
I'll be joining you at Duke (my #1) this summer!

BWH
Styleandsugar

Duke
HeartsHearts
jrly

JHU-Osler
Eli Cards, Juxtaglomerular

MGH
vrq525

NY Hospital Queens
malingero

Stanford
Doctor&Geek

UCSF
golftrippy

UCLA
IMnerd

University of Chicago
bigj626

University of Iowa
docscience

University of Miami
Less

University of Oklahoma Health Science Center
127hours
 
Congrats everyone! I'll be at the Brigham next year. For all of you guys coming to Duke, the faculty and residents are awesome.
 
styleandsugar said:
Just as an fyi for future years, a number of people in my class received ranked to match calls from MGH. However none of these individuals that received a call and ranked it #1 ended up matching there. This seems consistent with how they've operated in years past, and led to some pretty broken spirits on match day.
Click to expand...

That's unfortunate. No such case at my school (those who received the call matched there, one who didn't receive the call matched there as well and was pleasantly surprised). I would make a point, if it *is* indeed your #1, to really really tell them that during the phone call. Anything to boost your chance, you know.

My personal take-home from this: If you are very interested in a very competitive program, an away rotation definitely helps. You really get a better feel for the program (which you may end up not feeling so hot about), and that insider letter/phone call can really distinguish you from the restly of the motley crew. My home institution advisor generally recommends doing a subspecialty consult rather than a general subinternship, as the latter often focuses more on efficiency and how adept you are at navigating the hospital system--a natural handicap for visitors. It also make sense to do it in your area of choice, especially if it is a less popular area. Do a good job there and you can potentially get the whole subspecialty division rooting for you, which was my case and definitely helped me get to where I wanted (MGH).
 
omegaxx said:
That's unfortunate. No such case at my school (those who received the call matched there, one who didn't receive the call matched there as well and was pleasantly surprised). I would make a point, if it *is* indeed your #1, to really really tell them that during the phone call. Anything to boost your chance, you know.

My personal take-home from this: If you are very interested in a very competitive program, an away rotation definitely helps. You really get a better feel for the program (which you may end up not feeling so hot about), and that insider letter/phone call can really distinguish you from the restly of the motley crew. My home institution advisor generally recommends doing a subspecialty consult rather than a general subinternship, as the latter often focuses more on efficiency and how adept you are at navigating the hospital system--a natural handicap for visitors. It also make sense to do it in your area of choice, especially if it is a less popular area. Do a good job there and you can potentially get the whole subspecialty division rooting for you, which was my case and definitely helped me get to where I wanted (MGH).
Click to expand...

👍

gutonc and myself have been saying this and saying this and saying this

thanks for chiming in with your experience
 
jrly said:
I'll be joining you at Duke (my #1) this summer!

BWH
Styleandsugar

Duke
HeartsHearts
jrly

JHU-Osler
Eli Cards, Juxtaglomerular

MGH
vrq525

NY Hospital Queens
malingero

Stanford
Doctor&Geek

UCSF
golftrippy

UCLA
IMnerd

University of Chicago
bigj626

University of Iowa
docscience

University of Miami
Less

University of Oklahoma Health Science Center
127hours
Click to expand...

Hofstra North Shore LIJ
happyresidnet🙂
 
BWH
Styleandsugar

Duke
HeartsHearts
jrly

Hofstra North Shore LIJ
happyresidnet

JHU-Osler
Eli Cards, Juxtaglomerular

MGH
vrq525

NY Hospital Queens
malingero

Stanford
Doctor&Geek

UCSF
golftrippy

UCLA
IMnerd

University of Chicago
bigj626

University of Iowa
docscience
AZhopeful

University of Miami
Less

University of Oklahoma Health Science Center
127hours
 
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