Official 2013-2014 IM Residency WAMC (What Are My Chances) Thread

[gutonc]

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Programs: I'm from the midwest and have no connections, but would really like to go to California, so I'd be concentrating my applications there, but also looking at a few Chicago, NY, DC, and Seattle programs; mostly concerned about combination of location and strength of program, but not interested in certain places (e.g., Hopkins in Baltimore, MGH in Boston - not that I'd probably have a shot anyway):
Stanford, UCSF, UCLA, UCSD, UCI, USC, kaiser - LA, kaiser - SF, Cedars-Sinai, UCLA - Harbor, Scripps, UWashington, Northwestern, UChicago, Rush, UIC, Georgetown, GW, NYP, Mount Sinai, NYU

I know that I'd have to add a few safety programs in, as most of the ones I listed are obviously reaches for anybody, but I'm interested in my chances. I know my Step 1 is solid, but I don't feel like I have a sense of the odds given my school's location and the so-so clinical grades

I'd argue that the bolded programs above are safeties for you. Not bad programs, just less competitive than the others. If you're shooting for CA, add CPMC and SCVMC.

*My school has pretty stringent clerkship grading, with at most 10% getting honors, the next 15% getting high pass and only if you meet cut-off criteria for both shelf and clinical evals; for example, my peds shelf score was 96, but still only got high pass because didn't quite meet clinical eval score cut-off; similar story with surgery; not a single person in the first cohort from my year going through IM qualified for honors at all (my school kind of sucks in this regard)

If this is how your school has always done it, PDs will know that and it will be included in your MSPE. Also, they're only going to care much about your IM and SubI grades (not peds or OB...assuming you don't fail anything) so focus your energy on those.

 

[anbuitachi]

currently student in low ranked NY medical school
Stats: Passed most of my clerkships except high pass in OBGYN
First 2 years were a good mix of P, HP, H
Class rank: My guess is around top 50-75% (my clerkship grades really hurt. my school gives much more emphasis on clerkship grades when ranking students...)
Step 1 250
Step 2: didn't take yet, but predicted 230 but planning on taking it late so programs dont see it.
No research.

I'm mainly aiming for mid tier programs (and non paper chart programs) with a relatively good fellowship match list and job prospects. Anyone got suggestions on what programs I should apply to (looking to apply to around 50 programs)? Looking to work in NY/NJ or Texas in the future. Do not want absolutely middle of no where hospital but Ok with semi rural as long as good training/pay/matchlist.

 

[johncalvin]

currently student in low ranked NY medical school
Stats: Passed most of my clerkships except high pass in OBGYN
First 2 years were a good mix of P, HP, H
Class rank: My guess is around top 50-75% (my clerkship grades really hurt. my school gives much more emphasis on clerkship grades when ranking students...)
Step 1 250
Step 2: didn't take yet, but predicted 230 but planning on taking it late so programs dont see it.
No research.

I'm mainly aiming for mid tier programs (and non paper chart programs) with a relatively good fellowship match list and job prospects. Anyone got suggestions on what programs I should apply to (looking to apply to around 50 programs)? Looking to work in NY/NJ or Texas in the future. Do not want absolutely middle of no where hospital but Ok with semi rural as long as good training/pay/matchlist.

I'd take the Step 2 early (but *AFTER* submitting your application) and do really well. If you don't like your score, you don't have to re-send your transcript, and nobody will know.

 

[serialsevens]

I'd take the Step 2 early (but *AFTER* submitting your application) and do really well. If you don't like your score, you don't have to re-send your transcript, and nobody will know.

...Unless you are applying in Massachusetts or Cali (or is it only UCSF?) - reported Step 2 CK & CS are required to be ranked.

 

[anbuitachi]

I'd take the Step 2 early (but *AFTER* submitting your application) and do really well. If you don't like your score, you don't have to re-send your transcript, and nobody will know.

I would if i could but i can't cause my schedule doesn't work out. the only way is to take step 2 before i take pediatrics which isn't advised according to everyone ive talked to. my pediatrics rotation finishes in november . . .

...Unless you are applying in Massachusetts or Cali (or is it only UCSF?) - reported Step 2 CK & CS are required to be ranked.

i think he meant for interviews.

my problem is i dont know how i can get to know programs before i apply to them especially programs in other statesss, which is why i'm asking here.

 

[pantherpride1]

Step 1: 223
Step 2 CK/ CS: not taken yet (i'm class of 2015)
School: top 30 med school
Class Rank: not known (assumed to be 50%, mainly pass and high pass)
Grades in Clekship: mainly pass and some high pass (unfortunately just pass in internal medicine)
AOA: no
Research/ Publications/ Extracurriculars: 2 research projects so far, volunteered at children's homes, cardiology interest group president, volunteered at free student clinics
Overview of where you want to end up: I know I'm not the strongest of candidates. My first concern is just matching somewhere, hopefully either east coast or texas. Looking at programs such as VCU, UVA, MUSC, UNC-chapel hill, wake forest university, Vanderbilt, among other programs. I'm not sure what my competitive level is, if i should apply to more reach programs (or are these my reach programs) and how many programs should i apply to in general and what programs on the east coast would be considered "safety" programs for me.

 

[Phillipeis52day]

step 1: 210
step 2: 262
School: top 25 US allopathic
Class Rank: unknown
Clerkship Grades: As and A minuses in all except Family Med (B) and IM (B+)
AOA: no
Research: 1 research project (awarded grant), no publications, involved in 2 extracurriculars (clubs) but little volunteering
Where I want to be: NYC, Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Philly (or near these places).
Wondering what my chances are for reaches (columbia, northwestern, uchicago, MSSM, NYU, Cornell, Yale, BID) and others (tufts, maryland, miami, boston medical center, pitt, emory, temple, umass, uva, einstein, georgetown, gwu, brown, BU, tulane, jefferson, drexel)
Hoping for advice on more target/ safeties schools in the NYC area given my low step but still looking for an academic/ university environment.

 

[amine2086]

step 1: 210
step 2: 262
School: top 25 US allopathic
Class Rank: unknown
Clerkship Grades: As and A minuses in all except Family Med (B) and IM (B+)
AOA: no
Research: 1 research project (awarded grant), no publications, involved in 2 extracurriculars (clubs) but little volunteering
Where I want to be: NYC, Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Philly (or near these places).
Wondering what my chances are for reaches (columbia, northwestern, uchicago, MSSM, NYU, Cornell, Yale, BID) and others (tufts, maryland, miami, boston medical center, pitt, emory, temple, umass, uva, einstein, georgetown, gwu, brown, BU, tulane, jefferson, drexel)
Hoping for advice on more target/ safeties schools in the NYC area given my low step but still looking for an academic/ university environment.

Your step 1 score and no honors in medicine put you at BIG disadvantage. You may be filtered out by many of the top places just based no IM honor and poor step 1 score. But you would definitely have a shot at mid-tier programs given strong step 2 and overall strong clinical performance.

 

[lymphohystiocytosis]

Holy **** the 2014-2015 thread will be mine.

Of course, people are clearly using the tail end of this thread for 2014-2015. But I'll wait my turn.

 

[Trogghunter]

step 1: 210
step 2: 262
School: top 25 US allopathic
Class Rank: unknown
Clerkship Grades: As and A minuses in all except Family Med (B) and IM (B+)
AOA: no
Research: 1 research project (awarded grant), no publications, involved in 2 extracurriculars (clubs) but little volunteering
Where I want to be: NYC, Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Philly (or near these places).
Wondering what my chances are for reaches (columbia, northwestern, uchicago, MSSM, NYU, Cornell, Yale, BID) and others (tufts, maryland, miami, boston medical center, pitt, emory, temple, umass, uva, einstein, georgetown, gwu, brown, BU, tulane, jefferson, drexel)
Hoping for advice on more target/ safeties schools in the NYC area given my low step but still looking for an academic/ university environment.

There's a post somewhere in this IM forum about a person that had like a 20x in 1 with a 260 plus on 2, from a top 10 school that matched into a top 20 program. I'd look for that post.

 

[lymphohystiocytosis]

Anyone know which programs require step 2 for an interview? I've heard some do. For instance, UPMC says it requires Step 2 on Frieda. If I want to apply there, should I have the number in before submitting on Sept 15? I was originally planning on taking it in late September, but if I have to I can push it forward.

My question is just about needing it to get an invite. I have a score I'm very comfortable with on step 1, so I'm not in a situation of needing to show dramatic improvement.

 

[disorder]

Anyone know which programs require step 2 for an interview? I've heard some do. For instance, UPMC says it requires Step 2 on Frieda. If I want to apply there, should I have the number in before submitting on Sept 15? I was originally planning on taking it in late September, but if I have to I can push it forward.

My question is just about needing it to get an invite. I have a score I'm very comfortable with on step 1, so I'm not in a situation of needing to show dramatic improvement.

I don't think anyone knows this answer this. However, I think Step 2 is becoming more important (in interview invites and ranking) and scoring well on it can get your foot into the door at some places if you score well regardless if your Step 1 score is high/low. No one will fault you for your 250/250 and say "Oh, you scored the same on Step 2 when everyone scores 'better'".

 

[Stedari]

DO Student
Step 1: 249
Step 2 260
CS: Pass first time
Class Rank: Top 5%
Grades in Clerkships: 3 honors (including IM), 2 high satisfactory, 1 satisfactory-lady parts medicine
AOA: the DO version: SSP
Research/ Publications/ Extracurriculars: 1 bench work hematology project with no pubs. Lots of extracurricular involvement, positions, volunteer, etc. I feel like an awkward candidate because I think I can land some mid-low level academic IM places, but don’t really have a chance at anything above general mid-level. I want to pursue Heme/Onc and just want the best training I can get, so location isn’t a concern. Opinions on programs and add-on considerations would really be appreciated.

Safety Schools: SLU, UMKC, Mizzou

Hopeful mid-levels: U of I Chicago, VCU, Rush, Temple, Wake Forest, Loyola, Arkansas, Minnesota, Tennessee, Indiana, Mayo-Jax, GWU, U Chicago Northshore

Dream Programs: OHSA, Dartmouth, Georgetown, USC; Colorado, Yale and Mayo as big reaches (probably not even worth the app)

 

[Trogghunter]

DO Student
Step 1: 249
Step 2 260
CS: Pass first time
Class Rank: Top 5%
Grades in Clerkships: 3 honors (including IM), 2 high satisfactory, 1 satisfactory-lady parts medicine L
AOA: the DO version: SSP
Research/ Publications/ Extracurriculars: 1 bench work hematology project with no pubs. Lots of extracurricular involvement, positions, volunteer, etc. I feel like an awkward candidate because I think I can land some mid-low level academic IM places, but don’t really have a chance at anything above general mid-level. I want to pursue Heme/Onc and just want the best training I can get, so location isn’t a concern. Opinions on programs and add-on considerations would really be appreciated.

Safety Schools: SLU, UMKC, Mizzou

Hopeful mid-levels: U of I Chicago, VCU, Rush, Temple, Wake Forest, Loyola, Arkansas, Minnesota, Tennessee, Indiana, Mayo-Jax, GWU, U Chicago Northshore

Dream Programs: OHSA, Dartmouth, Georgetown, USC; Colorado, Yale and Mayo as big reaches (probably not even worth the app)

You should get several ii's at your 'hopeful' with some good letters and no red flags. Add Emory, UF-shands. I'd apply to USC-South Carolina, MCG, VT carilion, UF-jax as well, and have your app ready when ERAS opens. That day. That is 29 programs, or about $300 all in all after you've paid the match fee. If I recall, that's the price of applying to 3 med schools.

 

[forsparta]

Step one: 220
Top 30 Medical School
IM honors
20+ papers (mix of reviews, basic science, clinical)

Looking to match in NYC, Boston, Philly, or Chicago.
Do I have any chance at MSSM, NYU, Cornell, Northwesten, Uchicago, Penn? What step two score would I need to give myself a legitimate shot?

 

[epicccfail]

.

 

[DermViser]

--- deleted since only AMG's seem to get help ---

 

[Kchen22]

Step 1: 244
Step 2: pending
Medical school: mid-tier school just north of NYC
CS: pending
Class Rank: second/third quintile
Grades in Clerkships: 2 honors (Neurology and Psychiatry), 2 Passes (Surgery and Medicine...had attendings that rarely gave out H/HPs on these rotations..) and HP the rest. Honors in medicine Sub-I and will be doing away "audition" electives at Brown and Yale (will be gunning my *** off to shine on these).
AOA: no
Research/ Publications/ Extracurriculars: 2 first author publications (one in cardiology which I also presented in a national conference and one in child psychiatry) and lots of mentoring/tutoring experience back in college.

Programs I'm interested in: Cornell, MSSM, Yale traditional tract/Yale Primary Care Tract, Brown, Georgetown, Dartmouth, Northwestern, UChicago, Mayo, OHSU, Hopkins Bayview, UMich, UMD, BU, UCLA/UCI/UCSD, UVA, Emory, Tufts, VCU, Monte.

Thoughts? Any other schools with solid fellowship matches I'd have a shot at?

 

[Aabbccddd]

Step 1: high 250s/low 260s
Step 2: pending, but say 250s
Research: one project from first year, presented poster at my home school
Grades: preclinical almost all honors, third year all honors except medicine hp. Honor subi

Chances at a top 20?

 

[IM2GI]

Step 1: high 250s/low 260s
Step 2: pending, but say 250s
Research: one project from first year, presented poster at my home school
Grades: preclinical almost all honors, third year all honors except medicine hp. Honor subi

Chances at a top 20?

Did you take it twice? God this thread is annoying.

 

[Aabbccddd]

Did you take it twice? God this thread is annoying.

No. 262. Sorry, used to trying to maintain anonymity.

 

[Kchen22]

Hey guys,

Sorry for the extra post but I was wondering if any one would be kind enough to assess my chances at the programs I listed above? I'm mostly interested in knowing what I can do to overcomes my two passes (one in IM clerkship) and whether doing an away elective at Yale will help?

 

[gutonc]

Hey guys,

Sorry for the extra post but I was wondering if any one would be kind enough to assess my chances at the programs I listed above? I'm mostly interested in knowing what I can do to overcomes my two passes (one in IM clerkship) and whether doing an away elective at Yale will help?

You mean the one you also posted in this year's thread?

No.

I'm going to close this thread. One WAMC thread is annoying enough. Two is redonk.