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

[Instatewaiter]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Step 1: failed the first time, passed it a couple wks later (barely) - in just enough time to miss only one rotation.
Step 2 CK/ CS: June for CK, not sure for CS yet
School: midwest (not a top school - just a regular USMD school)
Class Rank: no clue but def in the upper 50%
Grades in Clerkship: no honors at my school, but I did very well in all of third year (all my clerkship scores were over 80%)
AOA: hell no
Research/ Publications/ Extracurriculars: nothing - just been trying to keep my head above water (and do well in third year).

I've searched in the old WAMC thread and there is nobody with my kind of low scores.

I screwed up on step 1 - i get that... also, I failed first year. Went through A LOT of family issues during it, which I can explain on my PS. No issues with the repeat year. No issues with second year. Doing great in third year.

I've literally turned my life around for 3rd year and I'm expecting a solid score on CK. Planning on taking CK in June so that it can be included on my application when I submit it.

My whole family lives in Ohio, so I would very much like to go there for residency (the closer to columbus the better). Is this something possible or should I be getting myself ready to take some spot in the middle of nowhere? I really don't care what kind of program I end up at, as long as it's IM. Location is definitely my number one priority though.

I literally have no clue what my chances are and I am too embarrassed to even talk to other students who ended up matching around the area I am interested in. So, any advice you may have for me would be very much appreciated.

thanks in advance 😳

This is going to be tough. Failing step 1 and first year do not look good at all. You will have to apply BROADLY. Every program in Ohio and broadly outside of Ohio. I think Case and CCF are going to be next to impossible to match at.

For you I do like the idea of an away. Where I am, we give very little emphasis to subspecialty services. You rarely get exposed to anyone that really matters. That said, a new hospital and system and electronic record can make the smartest 4th year look like a *****.

 

[Instatewaiter]

Step 1:221
Step 2 CK/ CS:not taken
School:Average State school
Class Rank:bottom 1/2
Grades in Clekship:All Pass
AOA:No
Research/ Publications/ Extracurriculars: Summer research program, presented at conference, no pubs. Nothing special on EC's, director at student run free clinic.
Overview of where you want to end up: South East/Midwest

What kind of program are you looking for?

Some programs I can think would be worth your while:
VCU, maryland, Georgetown, Georgia, UNC (stretch), UVA (stretch), UAB (stretch), UF, UT, MUSC all come to mind. A few of these you will be a borderline applicant for, a few will be reaches. You should add a couple of community programs for safety.

 

[AlexTheGreat41]

What kind of program are you looking for?

Some programs I can think would be worth your while:
VCU, maryland, Georgetown, Georgia, UNC (stretch), UVA (stretch), UAB (stretch), UF, UT, MUSC all come to mind. A few of these you will be a borderline applicant for, a few will be reaches. You should add a couple of community programs for safety.

Would prefer mid-sized university program, but not opposed to community based program.

Right now I'm looking at:

Vanderbilt
UT- Nashville
UT-Knoxville
Memphis
Kentucky
Louisville
Ohio State
Cinci
Indiana
St. Vincent's
Loyola
Rush
VCU
MUSC
UF
UAB
New Hanover in Wilmington

 

[dozitgetchahi]

Step 1: failed the first time, passed it a couple wks later (barely) - in just enough time to miss only one rotation.
Step 2 CK/ CS: June for CK, not sure for CS yet
School: midwest (not a top school - just a regular USMD school)
Class Rank: no clue but def in the upper 50%
Grades in Clerkship: no honors at my school, but I did very well in all of third year (all my clerkship scores were over 80%)
AOA: hell no
Research/ Publications/ Extracurriculars: nothing - just been trying to keep my head above water (and do well in third year).

I've searched in the old WAMC thread and there is nobody with my kind of low scores.

I screwed up on step 1 - i get that... also, I failed first year. Went through A LOT of family issues during it, which I can explain on my PS. No issues with the repeat year. No issues with second year. Doing great in third year.

I've literally turned my life around for 3rd year and I'm expecting a solid score on CK. Planning on taking CK in June so that it can be included on my application when I submit it.

My whole family lives in Ohio, so I would very much like to go there for residency (the closer to columbus the better). Is this something possible or should I be getting myself ready to take some spot in the middle of nowhere? I really don't care what kind of program I end up at, as long as it's IM. Location is definitely my number one priority though.

I literally have no clue what my chances are and I am too embarrassed to even talk to other students who ended up matching around the area I am interested in. So, any advice you may have for me would be very much appreciated.

thanks in advance 😳

Would definitely add at least Summa, Metro and Wright State for starters. Toledo is also probably a reasonable option for someone in your shoes, as well as Akron General. I agree that you really may need to just apply to every program in OH too (and lots and lots of programs outside OH).

 

[DrSnips]

Would prefer mid-sized university program, but not opposed to community based program.

Right now I'm looking at:

Vanderbilt
UT- Nashville
UT-Knoxville
Memphis
Kentucky
Louisville
Ohio State
Cinci
Indiana
St. Vincent's
Loyola
Rush
VCU
MUSC
UF
UAB
New Hanover in Wilmington

You should be aware Vanderbilt and UAB are competitive, even for people with very good stats.

 

[AlexTheGreat41]

You should be aware Vanderbilt and UAB are competitive, even for people with very good stats.

Obvious reaches.

What about the rest of the list?

 

[disorder]

Would prefer mid-sized university program, but not opposed to community based program.

Right now I'm looking at:

Vanderbilt
UT- Nashville
UT-Knoxville
Memphis
Kentucky
Louisville
Ohio State
Cinci
Indiana
St. Vincent's
Loyola
Rush
VCU
MUSC
UF
UAB
New Hanover in Wilmington

you're going to have tough times with OSU, Rush, Loyola, Vandy, UAB.
the rest, not quite sure.

 

[Scean]

removed to remain anonymous.

Thanks for the info - the post-match thread was great to look through as I develop a list.

 

[disorder]

Step 1:251
Step 2 CK/ CS: 262
School: Top 25
Class Rank: None
Grades in Clerkship: Honors in Medicine, Surgery, Ambulatory Care, Pediatrics; HP in OBGyn, Neuro, Psych
AOA: Probably not
Research/ Publications/ Extracurriculars: Year of research (1/2 abroad) in inherited arrhythmia/EP, one mid-author paper on a rare disease submitted to a major journal, one abstract, one second author review submitted to a no-name journal, good project in the works currently that I can talk about and will be publishable.

Overview of where you want to end up: No real preference, will mostly apply on the east coast/south, probably aim to stay in NYC but also planning to throw a handful of apps to Cali as well.

Vibes with the people and prestige are my major desires in a program.

did you look at last year's thread? find your answers there and we'll spare you the flogging.
ps- you won't match.

 

[Syncity]

their stats in this thread....go look at the 2013 match outcomes and compare your stats to the applicants who posted there!

Are you not concerned they'll be led astray by the dangerous and misleading information contained within the 2012-2013 thread?

 

[darkelven29]

Vibes with the people and prestige are my major desires in a program.

You might have a shot at senior AOA, which would be another boost.

Obviously you're a star candidate regardless. Basically apply to all the top 20 programs (unless you have something against Midwest) by referring to official ranking and last year's match list threads for approximate for what those programs are. I hate to list them and trigger a ranking tirade response. And then pick 10-15 solid programs in NYC, Cali, and where-ever locations you prefer, in case you don't get love from those prestigious places. No more than 30-35 programs.

 

[235009]

Are you not concerned they'll be led astray by the dangerous and misleading information contained within the 2012-2013 thread?

to be clear i'm referring people to the match results thread: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=991293

 

[The kitchen sink]

Hi,

I will be applying in the 2014 match. Can someone please comment on the Lankenau IM residency in philly in terms of strength of didactics, location, fellowship placement and resident camaraderie and anything else you feel is important information?

Thank you so much.

feel free to PM

 

[disorder]

Hi,

I will be applying in the 2014 match. Can someone please comment on the Lankenau IM residency in philly in terms of strength of didactics, location, fellowship placement and resident camaraderie and anything else you feel is important information?

Thank you so much.

feel free to PM

i doubt you will find a response about the program in here.

if you go to a DO school, ask your administration if you have any alum who go there and get their contact information.

 

[s65doc]

Thanks in advance for your suggestions. I realize that my application is far from being moderately competitive, so with that in mind, I would appreciate program suggestions. I am completely flexible on location - my only long-term goal is to match into a Cardiology fellowship, which is what I am truly passionate about.

Step 1: 218
Step 2 CK/ CS: Not yet taken - goal score is 235+
School: Top 50
Class Rank: Mid 1/3 (perhaps ~ 50th percentile)
Grades in Clekship: All HP including IM , no Honors
AOA: No way
Research/ Publications/ Extracurriculars: Submitting 2 publications by this fall
Overview of where you want to end up: Southeast/South-central/California/West coast preferred. Anywhere that will get me into a cardiology fellowship is the goal, and I am flexible with going anywhere in the 50 states if necessary.

 

[disorder]

Thanks in advance for your suggestions. I realize that my application is far from being moderately competitive, so with that in mind, I would appreciate program suggestions. I am completely flexible on location - my only long-term goal is to match into a Cardiology fellowship, which is what I am truly passionate about.

Step 1: 218
Step 2 CK/ CS: Not yet taken - goal score is 235+
School: Top 50
Class Rank: Mid 1/3 (perhaps ~ 50th percentile)
Grades in Clekship: All HP including IM , no Honors
AOA: No way
Research/ Publications/ Extracurriculars: Submitting 2 publications by this fall
Overview of where you want to end up: Anywhere that will get me into a cardiology fellowship. West coast preferred, but will really go anywhere if needed.

Regional preference will help narrow suggestions.

 

[s65doc]

Regional preference will help narrow suggestions.

Thanks for the suggestion. Southeast, south-central or California would be preferred, but again, I am really open to any program nationally that you might see as a viable option.

 

[disorder]

Thanks for the suggestion. Southeast, south-central or California would be preferred, but again, I am really open to any program nationally that you might see as a viable option.

I think you'll need to apply broadly. Many of the university based programs in desirable regions are fairly tough to get into.

I can scale CA for you:
University- You won't be competitive for any UC based program except for maybe UCR (which has a strong primary care emphasis). No chance at Stanford. Slim chance at USC. You should have a chance at Loma Linda.
Community- Apply to CPMC, SCVMC, Scripps Green, UCLA Harbor, UCLA Olive, Kaisers (can probably track you into a Kaiser cards spot). I think you should at least get a couple interviews (although all of them are getting decently competitive) and cardiology should be somewhat plausible from each if you work hard/get research done.

 

[Aeterni]

Step 1: 258
Step 2 CK/ CS: In July
School: Top 40-ish
Class Rank: Second quintile,60-79%
Grades in Clekship: H in neuro, IM, peds, radiology; HP in surgery, family, psych, currently in ob/gyn
AOA: Maybe...probably depends on ob/gyn and AI grades.
Research/ Publications/ Extracurriculars: Fairly good record of community service/school involvement with tutoring, AAMC involvement and whatnot. 1 case report poster presentation at state ACP meeting. Working on ID research, probably 1-2 publication by interview time. One unique hobby I can talk about.

Want to stay academic because I don't know what I want to do yet. No regional preference, just want a strong program with a good atmosphere that will make me an excellent internist. Trying to avoid super cold weather (Minnesota, Michigan) for the lady. Not really feeling LA or NYC.

List discussed with my advisor looks like this so far:

Reachy:
MGH, BWH, BID, UCSF, Stanford, UChicago, Duke, Penn

Decent shot:
UCSD, NW, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Vandy, Pitt

Safer:
Loyola/Rush/UIC, Arizona, UNC, UCincy, Ohio State

Any strong programs I'm missing that would be worth an application? Are these appropriate categories for these programs?


Thanks!

 

[disorder]

Step 1: 258
Step 2 CK/ CS: In July
School: Top 40-ish
Class Rank: Second quintile,60-79%
Grades in Clekship: H in neuro, IM, peds, radiology; HP in surgery, family, psych, currently in ob/gyn
AOA: Maybe...probably depends on ob/gyn and AI grades.
Research/ Publications/ Extracurriculars: Fairly good record of community service/school involvement with tutoring, AAMC involvement and whatnot. 1 case report poster presentation at state ACP meeting. Working on ID research, probably 1-2 publication by interview time. One unique hobby I can talk about.

Want to stay academic because I don't know what I want to do yet. No regional preference, just want a strong program with a good atmosphere that will make me an excellent internist. Trying to avoid super cold weather (Minnesota, Michigan) for the lady. Not really feeling LA or NYC.

List discussed with my advisor looks like this so far:

Reachy:
MGH, BWH, BID, UCSF, Stanford, UChicago, Duke, Penn

Decent shot:
UCSD, NW, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Vandy, Pitt

Safer:
Loyola/Rush/UIC, Arizona, UNC, UCincy, Ohio State

Any strong programs I'm missing that would be worth an application? Are these appropriate categories for these programs?


Thanks!

Your list looks about right; I might put Washington into "reachy" but it likely falls somewhere in between "Reachy" and "Decent Shot". Also, I am not sure about putting UNC in "safer". Super cold = Chicago. Not sure why you would cut out other strong place like UMich. What about UWisc, UVa, Yale, JHU, Utah, Baylor, UTSW, BU?

You'll be fine just applying to the places you have... you're probably going to get interviews from a couple places in the Reachy bracket... but the lack of AOA might hurt. Regardless, strong app.

 

[HoldTheCoffee]

Your list looks about right; I might put Washington into "reachy" but it likely falls somewhere in between "Reachy" and "Decent Shot". Also, I am not sure about putting UNC in "safer". Super cold = Chicago. Not sure why you would cut out other strong place like UMich. What about UWisc, UVa, Yale, JHU, Utah, Baylor, UTSW, BU?

You'll be fine just applying to the places you have... you're probably going to get interviews from a couple places in the Reachy bracket... but the lack of AOA might hurt. Regardless, strong app.

I think those are good suggestions and would tend to agree that UMich is probably not going to be much worse weather-wise than UChicago or NW. Of course, Chicago is Chicago...

 

[trep14]

Does research tend to factor in at smaller community based hospitals? I'm concerned that my lack of research will hold me back

 

[HoldTheCoffee]

Does research tend to factor in at smaller community based hospitals? I'm concerned that my lack of research will hold me back

Probably doesn't matter that much. I guess the other thing is that most applicants who have a lot of research will probably tend to apply mainly to academic programs so your competition for the smaller community programs shouldn't be as intense.

 

[gutonc]

Does research tend to factor in at smaller community based hospitals? I'm concerned that my lack of research will hold me back

No, in fact it can hinder you sometimes. If you walk into Bob's Big House of Medificating with 3 first author Nature/NEJM/Cell papers and tell them you really want to go to a mediocre community program because you love working with people they're going to laugh you out of the room. If they invite you for an interview at all.

 

[umean2tellme]

No, in fact it can hinder you sometimes. If you walk into Bob's Big House of Medificating with 3 first author Nature/NEJM/Cell papers and tell them you really want to go to a mediocre community program because you love working with people they're going to laugh you out of the room. If they invite you for an interview at all.

 

[gutonc]

Not actually joking. An MD/PhD (also AOA) classmate of mine really wanted to stay in the area so applied to basically every program, community and academic in the immediate vicinity. He got interviews at all the academic programs (matched at a "Top X" program where X is a number between 1 and "holy crap, get a life") and got rejections from most of the community programs. One of the ones that did invite him flat out asked "why do you want to come here, you could be at Famous Hospital Uptown or 3 Other Famous Hospitals Across Town?".

 

[np207]

Step 1: 213
Comlex 1: I bombed it, my computer shut off and I completely freaked out - 466
Step 2 CK/CS: june 21 / passed
School: Osteopathic
Class Rank: not sure yet, I get it in July but my GPA: 3.82
Grades in Clerkship: Honors in Medicine, Surgery, FM, Pediatrics, OBGyn, Psych
AOA: in the DO version called SSP
Research/ Publications/ Extracurriculars: lots of volunteer and leadership through student government, scholarships.

I'm applying both DO and MD

OH: Metrohealth, CCF, Summa Akron, Akron gen, UH Case (reach i know!), south pointe, Summa cuyhoga, riverside columbus, doctors columbus, St johns medical center - west shore
IL: lutheran, st james, UIC, north shore, loyola, christ, masonic, rush, swedish
FL: UF jacksonville, UF gainesville, mt sinai
GA: emory (reach i know!)
LA: Oschner
NC: carolinas
CT: uconn
PA: lehigh valley, st lukes, harrisburgh, AGH, YORK

i am doing a sub - I at metro and away rotation at lutheran and trying to get a sub - I at summa akron.

 

[thierryhenry]

Step 1: 213
Comlex 1: I bombed it, my computer shut off and I completely freaked out - 466
Step 2 CK/CS: june 21 / passed
School: Osteopathic
Class Rank: not sure yet, I get it in July but my GPA: 3.82
Grades in Clerkship: Honors in Medicine, Surgery, FM, Pediatrics, OBGyn, Psych
AOA: in the DO version called SSP
Research/ Publications/ Extracurriculars: lots of volunteer and leadership through student government, scholarships.

I'm applying both DO and MD

OH: Metrohealth, CCF, Summa Akron, Akron gen, UH Case (reach i know!), south pointe, Summa cuyhoga, riverside columbus, doctors columbus, St johns medical center - west shore
IL: lutheran, st james, UIC, north shore, loyola, christ, masonic, rush, swedish
FL: UF jacksonville, UF gainesville, mt sinai
GA: emory (reach i know!)
LA: Oschner
NC: carolinas
CT: uconn
PA: lehigh valley, st lukes, harrisburgh, AGH, YORK

i am doing a sub - I at metro and away rotation at lutheran and trying to get a sub - I at summa akron.

Could add Geisinger to the list in PA, DO Friendly, and more reputable than the community places listed for PA

 

[darkelven29]

Trying to avoid super cold weather (Minnesota, Michigan) for the lady. Not really feeling LA or NYC.
List discussed with my advisor looks like this so far:
Reachy:
MGH, BWH, BID, UCSF, Stanford, UChicago, Duke, Penn
Decent shot:
UCSD, NW, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Vandy, Pitt
Safer:
Loyola/Rush/UIC, Arizona, UNC, UCincy, Ohio State
Any strong programs I'm missing that would be worth an application? Are these appropriate categories for these programs?

Yeah move Washington (Seattle?) reachy. Keep UNC and Ohio State. Forget Loyola/UIC/Rush unless you want to be in Chicago. Skip Arizona.

You forgot Hopkins in reachy and WashU in decent. Definitely add Yale, Brown, UTSW, Emory, and Baylor. UWisc is kind of cold, but UVa, UMaryland, and UAB might be good depending on where you want to be.

Chicago and Ohio are not any warmer than Minnesota (Mayo if interested) and Ann Arbor. You should definitely apply to Michigan. Why not just apply to UCLA or Colombia/Cornell? If you are intent on applying everywhere, don't restrict yourself in the beginning. You can always cancel interview if too many or rank it low if you don't like it after the interview.

 

[np207]

overall do you think I have a good shot at the IL or OH places? those are my top choices for where I would like to be. are there any other places I should be looking at?

 

[montezwalker]

Step 1: mid 230's
Step 2 CK/ CS: taking in a few months
School: average state school; not top 50
Class Rank: mid tier
Grades in Clekship: high pass in everything
AOA: nope
Research/ Publications/ Extracurriculars: no research, some volunteering
Overview of where you want to end up:
I'd really like to end up back in ohio. I want to be close to my family. What are my chances of getting a spot somewhere in columbus or cleveland areas? No real preference between university affiliated and non-university affiliated hospitals.

 

[darkelven29]

Step 1: mid 230's
Step 2 CK/ CS: taking in a few months
School: average state school; not top 50
Class Rank: mid tier
Grades in Clekship: high pass in everything
AOA: nope
Research/ Publications/ Extracurriculars: no research, some volunteering
Overview of where you want to end up:
I'd really like to end up back in ohio. I want to be close to my family. What are my chances of getting a spot somewhere in columbus or cleveland areas? No real preference between university affiliated and non-university affiliated hospitals.

Chance is probably pretty good. But you might want to say a few words in the personal statement so the selection committee knows early on.

CCF, Case, and Ohio state are decent mid-tier programs. CCF also takes in house GI and heme/onc (not cards though), and if that happens, you would be at a top tier fellowship.

You might still want to apply to Michigan and Pitt for comparison if you get lucky. And also Henry Ford, Cincinatti, and a few Northeast mid-tier programs.

 

[dulala]

Step 1: 247
Step 2 CK/ CS: In July
School: Average top-50
Class Rank: top 1/3
Grades in Clekship: High pass in IM
AOA: Maybe?
Research/ Publications/ Extracurriculars: Weak on research, some community and volunteer activites
Overview of where you want to end up:
I really want to end up in NM because of family. Thank you for your help and advice.

 

[NewYorkDoctors]

Top 20 med school may make more of a difference than you might think.

Let's say you had everything else, including the research, but went to a mid to low tiered med school.... that'll still be a toss up. These top places want physicians who can publish and do not want to be seen as if they are reaching from the "used bin."

Offensive? To whom? I hope not... as I am speaking from the "used bin." But oh well.

 

[mercaptovizadeh]

I go to a top 20 med school and got 253 on step 1. However, my clinical grades are a mix of pass and high pass, no honors, More importantly, my medicine and primary care grades are both pass. No research, little extracurricular activities. Wanted to know what you all think my chances are top NYC programs such as Cornell, Mt. Sinai, NYU, Montefiore, and LIJ.
Thanks!

Medicine is less obsessed with Step 1 than certain other residencies, so while a 253 is nice, it actually counts for less than it would in, say, radiology. The big issue is that your medicine grade is a pass, which almost automatically knocks you out from many top programs. The next issue is that you have no clinical honors, which is seen as a blemish. Having some honors - even in what is not your specialty of choice - demonstrates that you have potential to excel in rotations and ultimately in clinical medicine. Lack of research is not a fault per se, it's just a lack of compensatory factors to help out your application. I would say you have a good chance at mid-tier programs but not top-tier programs.

 

[RosenthalFiber]

Hey guys...my goal is to get to a program that could set me up for fellowship. I don't know exactly what I want to do, but heme/onc, GI, endocrine all sound good. So I assume I need a top 50 for those?

**I am worried my clinical grades and Step 1 may be a barrier**

Step 1: High 230s
School: Top 15
Grades: All HP (medicine included), and Pass in surgery
Research: 2 pubs pending, 2 posters, many research projects w/ abstracts but nothing on pub med yet...conferences etc.
Service: Organized a good size fundraiser for heart dz

 

[kjamess]

You will most definitely match into a top 50 program. Your best shot at a top program will be your home program, but I still think you can match into a top 20 if you do well on step 2/subI. Stop worrying, you will be fine. It wont be a UCSF, but still a great place.

 

[RosenthalFiber]

You will most definitely match into a top 50 program. Your best shot at a top program will be your home program, but I still think you can match into a top 20 if you do well on step 2/subI. Stop worrying, you will be fine. It wont be a UCSF, but still a great place.

Good enough for me man, time to tie up my application and then enjoy MS4.

Yeah honestly I see myself happy in a lot of the IM fellowships anyways, just don't wanna be "trapped" in primary care so to speak.

 

[jdh71]

We have a single dedicated thread for these questions. Perhaps you should actually check the forum before posting created a whole thread dedicated to your own self-indulgent anxiety and silly need for reassurance. It spams up the forum with the same garbage. It's already lame enough in here the way it is without 50 separate threads asks the SAME question, which almost always boils down to: "am I awesome enough for people to love me". Normally followed by a set of solid stats. This is freaking IM!!

I can't.

I just CAN'T any longer!

 

[gutonc]

We have a single dedicated thread for these questions. Perhaps you should actually check the forum before posting created a whole thread dedicated to your own self-indulgent anxiety and silly need for reassurance. It spams up the forum with the same garbage. It's already lame enough in here the way it is without 50 separate threads asks the SAME question, which almost always boils down to: "am I awesome enough for people to love me". Normally followed by a set of solid stats. This is freaking IM!!

I can't.

I just CAN'T any longer!

QFT.

Merged with the megathread. I'll just be closing any future threads that crop up.

 

[Rusty90]

New MS4 with my "What are my chances?" question, and I'd appreciate any input since I'm thinking about a late switch to IM.

Throughout 3rd year, I had been thinking Plastics --> Uro --> Ortho --> decided I didn't like surgery that much despite loving the atmosphere and people --> Rad Onc. While I love the Rad Onc lifestyle (not just salary, but pace), the subject matter is "meh" and the people are weird.

I think I could really enjoy GI, H/O, or less likely Cards - so I'm thinking about a very late switch to IM.

Here's the nitty gritty:
Top 10 med school, probably Top 5 for IM
Step 1: 250
Step 2: taking in September
Clinical Grades: 4 Honors (Medicine, Surgery, OBGYN, Family), 1 HP (Psych), Peds pending
AOA: Nope.
Research: No journal publications, but 1 first-author abstracts and poster. I'll also have submitted 1 first-author surgical oncology manuscript to a high profile journal by the time of applications. I'll also be in the manuscript-writing process for 1 first-author Uro pub and 1 first-author Rad Onc pub.
LORs: I got placed at a private community hospital for my Medicine rotation, so my IM letter writers won't be remotely recognizable. I could get letters from a fairly high profile Urologist, Oncologist, or Surgical Oncologist - but they might be more "high profile" in their field, and not to any IM program directors.
Extracurriculars: Probably average amount of volunteer work. President of the Urology Interest Group, Chair of the RadOnc Interest Group, Officer of the Surgery Interest Group (although I'm not sure if I'm even going to mention any of these)

A potential problem: I go to a competitive IM school so all of the IM Sub-I's were claimed long ago. Plus, I have a RadOnc Sub-I in July that I'd like to keep because I don't know enough about the day-to-day life of the field to definitively exclude it, even though it's 85% IM and 15% RadOnc for me right now. That only leaves August and September to do non-SubI medicine clerkships (Pulm, H/O, Rheum, whatever scraps everyone else didn't want).

So, after all this text (sorry!), my question is: If I don't do an IM Sub-I, do I still have a chance at matching at a top school?

 

[HoldTheCoffee]

New MS4 with my "What are my chances?" question, and I'd appreciate any input since I'm thinking about a late switch to IM.

Throughout 3rd year, I had been thinking Plastics --> Uro --> Ortho --> decided I didn't like surgery that much despite loving the atmosphere and people --> Rad Onc. While I love the Rad Onc lifestyle (not just salary, but pace), the subject matter is "meh" and the people are weird.

I think I could really enjoy GI, H/O, or less likely Cards - so I'm thinking about a very late switch to IM.

Here's the nitty gritty:
Top 10 med school, probably Top 5 for IM
Step 1: 250
Step 2: taking in September
Clinical Grades: 4 Honors (Medicine, Surgery, OBGYN, Family), 1 HP (Psych), Peds pending
AOA: Nope.
Research: No journal publications, but 1 first-author abstracts and poster. I'll also have submitted 1 first-author surgical oncology manuscript to a high profile journal by the time of applications. I'll also be in the manuscript-writing process for 1 first-author Uro pub and 1 first-author Rad Onc pub.
LORs: I got placed at a private community hospital for my Medicine rotation, so my IM letter writers won't be remotely recognizable. I could get letters from a fairly high profile Urologist, Oncologist, or Surgical Oncologist - but they might be more "high profile" in their field, and not to any IM program directors.
Extracurriculars: Probably average amount of volunteer work. President of the Urology Interest Group, Chair of the RadOnc Interest Group, Officer of the Surgery Interest Group (although I'm not sure if I'm even going to mention any of these)

A potential problem: I go to a competitive IM school so all of the IM Sub-I's were claimed long ago. Plus, I have a RadOnc Sub-I in July that I'd like to keep because I don't know enough about the day-to-day life of the field to definitively exclude it, even though it's 85% IM and 15% RadOnc for me right now. That only leaves August and September to do non-SubI medicine clerkships (Pulm, H/O, Rheum, whatever scraps everyone else didn't want).

So, after all this text (sorry!), my question is: If I don't do an IM Sub-I, do I still have a chance at matching at a top school?

You have a bunch of honors, a strong step score, and go to a "top 10" school. You'll probably be competitive at most places.

Not sure how the lack of a medicine sub I affects things... most people I knew had 1 or 2 prior to applying, but I think if you continue to get Honors on most rotations, it probably won't matter as much. If you can get in a MICU rotation instead of Pulm/Heme-onc/whatever, that would probably help the most.

 

[Rusty90]

You have a bunch of honors, a strong step score, and go to a "top 10" school. You'll probably be competitive at most places.

Not sure how the lack of a medicine sub I affects things... most people I knew had 1 or 2 prior to applying, but I think if you continue to get Honors on most rotations, it probably won't matter as much. If you can get in a MICU rotation instead of Pulm/Heme-onc/whatever, that would probably help the most.

Good to know, thanks. Does that include "elites" like MGH, UCSF? Maybe it's an ego thing, but I'd be upset at myself if I screwed myself out of those programs just because I decided on IM late or didn't do as well on Step 1 as I wanted.

 

[jdh71]

New MS4 with my "What are my chances?" question, and I'd appreciate any input since I'm thinking about a late switch to IM.

Throughout 3rd year, I had been thinking Plastics --> Uro --> Ortho --> decided I didn't like surgery that much despite loving the atmosphere and people --> Rad Onc. While I love the Rad Onc lifestyle (not just salary, but pace), the subject matter is "meh" and the people are weird.

I think I could really enjoy GI, H/O, or less likely Cards - so I'm thinking about a very late switch to IM.

Here's the nitty gritty:
Top 10 med school, probably Top 5 for IM
Step 1: 250
Step 2: taking in September
Clinical Grades: 4 Honors (Medicine, Surgery, OBGYN, Family), 1 HP (Psych), Peds pending
AOA: Nope.
Research: No journal publications, but 1 first-author abstracts and poster. I'll also have submitted 1 first-author surgical oncology manuscript to a high profile journal by the time of applications. I'll also be in the manuscript-writing process for 1 first-author Uro pub and 1 first-author Rad Onc pub.
LORs: I got placed at a private community hospital for my Medicine rotation, so my IM letter writers won't be remotely recognizable. I could get letters from a fairly high profile Urologist, Oncologist, or Surgical Oncologist - but they might be more "high profile" in their field, and not to any IM program directors.
Extracurriculars: Probably average amount of volunteer work. President of the Urology Interest Group, Chair of the RadOnc Interest Group, Officer of the Surgery Interest Group (although I'm not sure if I'm even going to mention any of these)

A potential problem: I go to a competitive IM school so all of the IM Sub-I's were claimed long ago. Plus, I have a RadOnc Sub-I in July that I'd like to keep because I don't know enough about the day-to-day life of the field to definitively exclude it, even though it's 85% IM and 15% RadOnc for me right now. That only leaves August and September to do non-SubI medicine clerkships (Pulm, H/O, Rheum, whatever scraps everyone else didn't want).

So, after all this text (sorry!), my question is: If I don't do an IM Sub-I, do I still have a chance at matching at a top school?

Well . . . you've got a lot of good things about your application, but nothing that will necessarily cinch an elite residency spot. I think you get interviews at more places than you'll be able to go to and I think you match to a greta program. Will you get an interview at an elite or two? Probably. Based on school reputation. So you can roll those dice and be fine.

However, it doesn't sound like that will be good enough for you Sooooooo . . . I think your first step should be the medicine sub-I clerkship people and make your case - you really need/want that Sub-I. If they still say, "sorry, no spots for you," then, and I almost NEVER recommend this, but you sound gunner enough, try and get a sub-I at another place you'd potentially like to go to, and do your best to get a letter out of it. Showing interest in another big name program might mean something with your other stats going in and could make up for your letters, which I'm sure are good, but as you said could be concerning for lack of name recognition or position on the academic totem pole.

Life isn't over if you don't match to UCSF.

 

[RedRaider2014]

Step 1 - 228
Step 2 CK - To be taken later this month
School - Middle of road state school
Class Rank - Bottom 1/2
Grades in Clerkship - Honors in IM and Psych, high pass in everything else
AOA - No
Research/ Publications/ Extracurriculars - Research done at major cancer center with a resulting poster and several presentations; president of an organization and started a student-run free clinic
Letters - Should be getting very good letters from chair of department of medicine, residency program director and another medicine attending from a respected institution
Where I'm applying - All over without a regional preference:

Brown
Georgetown
George Washington
NYU
Montefiore
Beth Israel Deaconess
Tufts
Mayo
UVA
Yale
UIC
Rush
University of Chicago
UPMC
Wake Forest
UNC
Emory
University of Colorado Denver
University of Florida
University of Miami
Baylor (Houston)
UTMB
OHSU
University of Arizona
University of Missouri Columbia
USC
UC-Irvine
UCSD

 

[jdh71]

Step 1 - 228
Step 2 CK - To be taken later this month
School - Middle of road state school
Class Rank - Bottom 1/2
Grades in Clerkship - Honors in IM and Psych, high pass in everything else
AOA - No
Research/ Publications/ Extracurriculars - Research done at major cancer center with a resulting poster and several presentations; president of an organization and started a student-run free clinic
Letters - Should be getting very good letters from chair of department of medicine, residency program director and another medicine attending from a respected institution
Where I'm applying - All over without a regional preference:

Brown
Georgetown
George Washington
NYU
Montefiore
Beth Israel Deaconess
Tufts
Mayo
UVA
Yale
UIC
Rush
University of Chicago
UPMC
Wake Forest
UNC
Emory
University of Colorado Denver
University of Florida
University of Miami
Baylor (Houston)
UTMB
OHSU
University of Arizona
University of Missouri Columbia
USC
UC-Irvine
UCSD

You'll get most of those. The 228 might miss Mayo's cut, but they do have some "trouble" recruiting in certain years (but it's still Mayo) and I think a rockin' CK could improve chances there.

Drop Missouri Columbia if you start getting more interview, unless things have changed, I can't highly recommend it, and I don't "mother****" any program really ever - buyer beware and get more info form there.

(Any any Missouri Columbia Residents want to send me a anonymous PM and let me know your honest thoughts, I'll post them, not verbatim, but will synthesize wether I think they may have come around - I do want to be fair on this board if possible)

University of Chicago tends to be very choosey locally, meaning Chicago metro, so unless you are from Chicago, I doubt they send you an invite, and even if you were in Chicago, not sure you'd make their cut.

 

[jdh71]

QFT.

Merged with the megathread. I'll just be closing any future threads that crop up.

I may have been overly harsh from lack of sleep, but the people here need to remember this isn't Sparta it's IM

AMG, with solid scores (220-235), decent letters, no red flags, and no visa issues? Slam dunk going to find an academic residency somewhere, and probably somewhere nice to live too (by the applicant's definition).

 

[chargersfan]

Thanks for your help in advance!

Step 1: 247
Step 2 CK/ CS: Pending in Sept.
School: Lower-end private school
Class Rank: Top half to top third
Grades in Clerkship: High pass in medicine (first rotation), 1 other HP, 2 pass, 2 honors
AOA: Not sure
Research/ Publications: 1 paper accepted in journal, 2 first author abstracts, 1 poster, 1 presentation (all in plastic surgery though)
Extracurriculars: Nothing extraordinary, volunteer with at-risk kids, student free clinic, various interest groups, tutoring

I am very interested and passionate about teaching and I talk about it a lot in my PS.

Overview of where you want to end up:
I want to stay on the west coast and ideally in Socal. I know my HP in medicine will screen me out of the top places like UCLA, UCSF, etc. I am wondering what are my chances at other west coast academic institutions like USC, UCSD, the UCLA affiliates, UCI, UW, OHSU.

I am also applying to other bigger city institutions in Chicago, Boston, New York, etc. Is this worth it or should I just forget about them.

Thanks!

 

[Syncity]

Thanks for your help in advance!

Step 1: 247
Step 2 CK/ CS: Pending in Sept.
School: Lower-end private school
Class Rank: Top half to top third
Grades in Clerkship: High pass in medicine (first rotation), 1 other HP, 2 pass, 2 honors
AOA: Not sure
Research/ Publications: 1 paper accepted in journal, 2 first author abstracts, 1 poster, 1 presentation (all in plastic surgery though)
Extracurriculars: Nothing extraordinary, volunteer with at-risk kids, student free clinic, various interest groups, tutoring

Is the journal a Plastics journal, or what type of journal is it? Are all your other research experiences in Plastics?

 

[chargersfan]

Is the journal a Plastics journal, or what type of journal is it? Are all your other research experiences in Plastics?

Yea its in Annals of Plastic Surgery. All of my research came from a summer research experience between first and second year when I was still interested in surgery lol. Would this hold me back?