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

[235009]

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School: Mid tier
Step 1: 256
Step 2 CK: 275+, CS Pending
Clinical Grades: School doesn't do honors, 89 in IM, 92 Peds 91 Surgery, 88 Psych 88 Family 87 OB GYN
Class Rank: 50th percentile (mostly due to poor first year grades)
AOA: No
Research: 1 publication pending, 2 poster presentations, currently on a 2 month research elective at a government institution
Extracurriculars: Volunteering overseas after first year, leadership role in a national health care reform advocacy organization, generic stuff
Letters: 3 IM (1 from chair), will be getting 1 more from research elective
Red Flags: Not sure if it is a red flag, but there is one comment from my psych rotation which will by on my deans letter along the lines of "Initially showed some unease and disorganization w/ challenging patients, but was eager to learn and incorporated recommendations from feedback, so skills showed improvement over time." It then goes on to describe improvements and other strengths. The rest of my comments are excellent.

My list is perhaps too ambitious:

West Coast:
Oregon Health and Science University
University of Washington
Stanford University
University of California San Diego
University of California San Francisco
UCLA

Midwest:
University of Chicago
McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University
Rush University Medical Center
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University (Case Medical Center)
Cleveland Clinic
Ohio State University
University of Michigan

East Coast:
Georgetown University Hospital
Georgetown University Hospital/Washington Hospital Center
George Washington University
Massachusetts General Hospital
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Boston Medical Center
Johns Hopkins University/Bayview Medical Center
Johns Hopkins University
New York University School of Medicine
Albert Einstein COM at Beth Israel
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Cornell
Columbia
Emory
Dartmouth

I would also appreciate any recommendations for programs - I am mostly looking for larger university programs. Thanks in advance for the feedback!

good list overall, the top tiers will be hit or miss since you aren't in the top quartile or AOA but your scores will definitely make them take a close look and you'll likely get some invites. don't worry about the psych comment. some schools let you edit out errant comments so if you can do that go ahead but if not it's not a big deal since it has a positive spin.

regarding programs ....definitely get rid of beth israel in NY it's a crappy community IM program...i think you might've been thinking of beth israel in boston which is a harvard affiliated university hospital. Also if you were looking for the albert einstein program it's in the bronx (called moses and weiler in ERAS), i'd recommend adding it. Also get rid of washington hospital center, another community program full of IMGs. If you want some more mid-tiers in the northeast consider a couple of the philly schools like jefferson and temple and if being in a city isn't a big deal then consider Brown and Yale.

 

[235009]

Haha. Hey come on! I'm serious, I really want to go to these places, and a 10 point drop from step 1 to step 2 is significant. Do you think that my app has been significantly damaged at all?

you're right that is quite a significant drop, especially when you consider that one score is 15 points above average and the other is below average however it sounds like you really aren't aiming for competitive programs. to be honest i know nothing about colorado or UAB (not even sure what that stands for, alabama?!) but odds are they'd be happy to have a US MD with respectable scores. CC is overrated on these boards and it's actually not a competitive program for IM residency.

 

[gutonc]

you're right that is quite a significant drop, especially when you consider that one score is 15 points above average and the other is below average

Both are well within 1 SD. Nobody gives a s***. Seriously, both scores will get you far enough. There are few programs that will screen you for a score of 230 on either Step, let alone 2CK.

 

[cardio22]

Step 1: 230
Step 2: not taken
Cinical: H medicine, rest all HS, H in sub I. preclinical H in most classes.
Research: one poster presentation
LoR: 2 IM (critical care attending where I did my sub I, 1 cardiology), 1 surgery, 1 FM, chair letter.
Applying all over: Would prefer to stay on the east coast, mainly NYC for family. However I am applying broadly. Interested in cardio, would like to go to a university program.

Stanford University Program, Stanford, CA
UCLA Medical Center Program, Los Angeles, CA
University of California (San Francisco)/Fresno Program, Fresno, CA

Yale-New Haven Medical Center Program, New Haven, CT
George Washington University Program, Washington, DC
University of Chicago Program, Chicago, IL
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Program, Boston, MA
Massachusetts General Hospital Program, Boston, MA
Johns Hopkins University Program, Baltimore, MD
Johns Hopkins University/Bayview Medical Center Program, Baltimore, MD
Albany Medical Center Program, Albany, NY
Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore (Moses and Weiler Campuses) Program Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (Queens Hospital Center) Program, NSLIJHS/Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine Program, New Hyde Park, NY
NSLIJHS/Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine at Forest Hills Program, Forest Hills, NY
New York Methodist Hospital Program, Brooklyn, NY
New York Presbyterian Hospital (Columbia Campus) Program, New York, NY
New York Presbyterian Hospital (Cornell Campus) Program, New York, NY
New York University School of Medicine Program, New York, NY
St Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center Program, New York, NY
University of Rochester Program, Rochester, NY
Winthrop-University Hospital Program, Mineola, NY
Temple University Hospital Program, Philadelphia, PA
Thomas Jefferson University Program, Philadelphia, PA
UPMC Medical Education Program, Pittsburgh, PA
University of Washington Program, Seattle, WA


Any other good programs I shoud apply to?

 

[235009]

Step 1: 230
Step 2: not taken
Cinical: H medicine, rest all HS, H in sub I. preclinical H in most classes.
Research: one poster presentation
LoR: 2 IM (critical care attending where I did my sub I, 1 cardiology), 1 surgery, 1 FM, chair letter.
Applying all over: Would prefer to stay on the east coast, mainly NYC for family. However I am applying broadly. Interested in cardio, would like to go to a university program.

Stanford University Program, Stanford, CA
UCLA Medical Center Program, Los Angeles, CA
University of California (San Francisco)/Fresno Program, Fresno, CA

Yale-New Haven Medical Center Program, New Haven, CT
George Washington University Program, Washington, DC
University of Chicago Program, Chicago, IL
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Program, Boston, MA
Massachusetts General Hospital Program, Boston, MA
Johns Hopkins University Program, Baltimore, MD
Johns Hopkins University/Bayview Medical Center Program, Baltimore, MD
Albany Medical Center Program, Albany, NY
Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore (Moses and Weiler Campuses) Program Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (Queens Hospital Center) Program, NSLIJHS/Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine Program, New Hyde Park, NY
NSLIJHS/Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine at Forest Hills Program, Forest Hills, NY
New York Methodist Hospital Program, Brooklyn, NY
New York Presbyterian Hospital (Columbia Campus) Program, New York, NY
New York Presbyterian Hospital (Cornell Campus) Program, New York, NY
New York University School of Medicine Program, New York, NY
St Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center Program, New York, NY
University of Rochester Program, Rochester, NY
Winthrop-University Hospital Program, Mineola, NY
Temple University Hospital Program, Philadelphia, PA
Thomas Jefferson University Program, Philadelphia, PA
UPMC Medical Education Program, Pittsburgh, PA
University of Washington Program, Seattle, WA


Any other good programs I shoud apply to?

Which med school are you at? (Just US News rank is fine), where will you be ranked and are you in the running for AOA? Your list is very strange. Would you really prefer to be at a terrible community program just so you can stay in NYC? Also there are a few decent university programs in NJ that are very close to NYC which you seem to have missed. Also unless you are at a top 30 school (assuming you are middle of the class and not AOA) there's little chance of matching at one of the big 4 schools in NYC, the big 3 in Boston, or Hopkins.

 

[cardio22]

top 50 school. AOA probably not. I have not done much research on programs which is why my list is strange and need help. No I woud not sacrifice program just to stay close to home. Which programs are you referring as terribe ones? Also which ones are the 4 big schools in NYC from the ones I applied?

 

[cloosh10]

School: Mid tier, Midwest

Step 1: 214
Step 2 CK: 232, CS Pass
Clinical Grades: 2.87 gpa
Class Rank: <50th percentile (mostly due to poor first year grades -- see gpa)
AOA: No
Research: little research in undergrad (no pubs), recent 2 oral presentations for public health
Extracurriculars: student free health care clinic, OB/GYN 3rd year rep (wanted to do this at that point)
Letters: 1 Department IM, 1 General IM, 1 Public Health boss
Red Flags: 2.87 GPA - really didn't do well first couple years

Other: got an MPH from Columbia University this past year, got good work experience

Plan to do public health with medicine so I'm playing that angle up a bit.

Schools applying to:
Have family in DC so applying to all those programs
UIC - Chicago
UChicago
UTMB - Seton (Austin, tx)

Other random south/midwest schools.

Have more listed but mostly going mid-tier. Really trying to go to DC though. Also, any chances of ANY university-affiliated California schools? Thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[235009]

top 50 school. AOA probably not. I have not done much research on programs which is why my list is strange and need help. No I woud not sacrifice program just to stay close to home. Which programs are you referring as terribe ones? Also which ones are the 4 big schools in NYC from the ones I applied?

the big 4 are columbia, cornell, NYU and mt sinai (which for some reason you've left off your list)

the subpar community programs i'm referring to are:
queens hospital center
methodist
NSLIJ Forrest Hills

...i would recommend deleting all three and replacing them with the NJ programs (RWJ and NJMS) and possibly stony brook depending on how you feel about living in the suburbs. Also why GW and not Gtown?

 

[Cefotetan]

...

 

[Red470]

just want to see if i should/cut back anything from this list- thanks!
School: Top 20, Northeast
Step 1: 245
Step 2 CK: 247, CS pending
Clinical Grades: H in IM and Family, HP in all the rest except Psych (P)
Class Rank: 1st or 2nd quartile- pending
AOA: No
Research: decent amount in undergrad (no pubs), research in med school: 1 poster presentation at nat'l conference and first author pub pending
Extracurriculars: executive board of student free clinic with extensive experience, Anatomy/Physiology TA, admissions committee, Anesthesiology 3rd year rep (wanted to do this at that point)
Letters: 1 Department IM, 2 General IM, 1 Anesthesiology

Northeast: Brigham, MGH, BID, BU, Tufts, Yale, Penn, Jefferson, Georgetown, Pitt, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, NYU, Sinai, AECOM, LIJ, Robert Wood Johnson
Midwest: Northwestern, Chicago, Michigan, Mayo, Wash U
West: Stanford, UCLA, UCSF
South: Duke, Vanderbilt, Emory, UNC

Let me know what y'all think

 

[prostotak]

Step 1: 237
Step 2 CK/ CS: pending (taking in Oct)
School: top 20
Class Rank: 75th percentile
Grades in Clekship: HP in medicine and primary care, psych, peds, Honors in neuro, Pass in OB/GYN and surgery, med-sub I grade is pending
AOA: No
Research/ Publications/ Extracurriculars: 4 years of research in undergrad, 1 publication (3rd author), no research in med school, some extracurriculars and global health experience
Overview of where you want to end up: good, non-malignant, academic IM residency in a large city
Places applying:
-U Washington
-OHSU
-U Colorado
-U Chicago
-Northwestern
-Rush
-Loyola
-University of Illinois Chicago
-NYU
-Albert Einstein (in the bronx)
-Georgetown University
-George Washington University
-Tufts
-Boston University
-Yale
-Brown
-Tulane university
-Louisiana State University
-University of N. Carolina
-Wake Forest

Is it worth it to apply to higher end programs like Mt. Sinai or Columbia in NYC? And are there any other programs in large cities (Chicago, NYC, Boston, DC) that you recommend I apply to that are not on my list?

Thanks for all the help!

 

[cardio22]

..

 

[cardio22]

the big 4 are columbia, cornell, NYU and mt sinai (which for some reason you've left off your list)

the subpar community programs i'm referring to are:
queens hospital center
methodist
NSLIJ Forrest Hills

...i would recommend deleting all three and replacing them with the NJ programs (RWJ and NJMS) and possibly stony brook depending on how you feel about living in the suburbs. Also why GW and not Gtown?

Thanks So much!! No reason why GW and not Gtown. Will apply there as well as NJ programs. I haven't heard much of the good/mid tier programs which is why I posted on SDN. Thats why list is strange. Any other good/mid tier programs suggestions?

 

[yettus]

I posted my list last week and didn't receive any feedback. I've talked to pretty much every resource available at my school, and everyone continues to tell me and my fiance (couples matching) that we should cut down our lists by half. I am wondering if you all think the same thing, or if you think it's a decent list. I'm not sure if I'm competitive enough for a lot of the top programs, especially couples matching. Thanks again! We could really use your help!

Step 1: 246
Step 2: 245
School: top 40 state school
Class Rank: top 25%
Grades in Clerkships: Honors - Medicine, Surgery, Peds, Ob/gyn, and all electives; High pass - Family Med; Pass - Psychiatry
AOA: possibly senior AOA (has not been announced)
Research/Publications/Extracurriculars: 3 manuscripts (1 undergrad, 1 undergrad at NIH, 1 while working at NIH for 2 years before med school), 1 manuscript to be submitted (from med school as 2nd author), several abstracts and poster presentations. Leadership role for various interest groups. Minimal community service during med school, decent amount while working between undergrad and med school.

Programs:
California - UCSF, Stanford, UCSD, UCLA, Harbor-UCLA, Cedars-Sinai, USC, UC Irvine
Colorado - U of Colorado
DC - George Washington, Georgetown
Illinois - Northwestern, Rush, U of Chicago, U of Illinois Chicago, Loyola, CMS at Rosalind Franklin
Indiana - IU
Kentucky - UK, U of Louisville
Massachusetts - BIDMC, MGH, BWH, BU, Tufts
Maryland - Hopkins, Hopkins-Bayview, U of Maryland
Michigan - U of Michigan, Detroit Med Cntr/Wayne State, Henry Ford, William Beaumont
Missouri - St Louis, WashU
Ohio - U of Cincinnati, OSU, Case, MetroHealth
Pennsylvania - Drexel, Pennsylvania Hospital, Temple, Thomas Jefferson, UPenn, UPMC
Tennessee - Vanderbilt
Utah - U of Utah
Washington - U of Washington

 

[ladoctor]

I posted my list last week and didn't receive any feedback. I've talked to pretty much every resource available at my school, and everyone continues to tell me and my fiance (couples matching) that we should cut down our lists by half. I am wondering if you all think the same thing, or if you think it's a decent list. I'm not sure if I'm competitive enough for a lot of the top programs, especially couples matching. Thanks again! We could really use your help!

Step 1: 246
Step 2: 245
School: top 40 state school
Class Rank: top 25%
Grades in Clerkships: Honors - Medicine, Surgery, Peds, Ob/gyn, and all electives; High pass - Family Med; Pass - Psychiatry
AOA: possibly senior AOA (has not been announced)
Research/Publications/Extracurriculars: 3 manuscripts (1 undergrad, 1 undergrad at NIH, 1 while working at NIH for 2 years before med school), 1 manuscript to be submitted (from med school as 2nd author), several abstracts and poster presentations. Leadership role for various interest groups. Minimal community service during med school, decent amount while working between undergrad and med school.

Programs:
California - UCSF, Stanford, UCSD, UCLA, Harbor-UCLA, Cedars-Sinai, USC, UC Irvine
Colorado - U of Colorado
DC - George Washington, Georgetown
Illinois - Northwestern, Rush, U of Chicago, U of Illinois Chicago, Loyola, CMS at Rosalind Franklin
Indiana - IU
Kentucky - UK, U of Louisville
Massachusetts - BIDMC, MGH, BWH, BU, Tufts
Maryland - Hopkins, Hopkins-Bayview, U of Maryland
Michigan - U of Michigan, Detroit Med Cntr/Wayne State, Henry Ford, William Beaumont
Missouri - St Louis, WashU
Ohio - U of Cincinnati, OSU, Case, MetroHealth
Pennsylvania - Drexel, Pennsylvania Hospital, Temple, Thomas Jefferson, UPenn, UPMC
Tennessee - Vanderbilt
Utah - U of Utah
Washington - U of Washington

I'll help you out with the CA programs since I just did residency at one of the ones you listed.
UCSF, Stanford, UCLA - maybe an interview (depending on AOA status) but without AOA likely no match
UCSD - definite interview, match up in the air
USC, UC Irvine, UCLA-Harbor, Cedars-Sinai - would match if you chose to go to one of those.

Of course this is one mans speculation.

 

[meatSWEATS]

Hello,

I really appreciate those providing advice in this thread. Thank you. Would anyone mind letting me know where I stand with the programs I am thinking about? Can I get a safe number of interviews and match with this list? Should I be considering other options? Which ones are reaches for me?

Step 1: 208
Step 2 CK/ CS: 238/Pass
School: Low-tier Midwest medical school
Class Rank: Bottom half.
Grades in Basic Sciences: Mostly HP, P in Pathology/Neuroscience, a few H
Grades in Clerkship: P in Pediatrics. HP in Med/Psych/OBGYN/Family/Neuro. H in Med Sub-I/EM/Surgey/MICU/Cardiology
GPA to date: 3.28
AOA: No
LOR: 2 strong letters from Internal Med attendings, 1 strong letter from MD I've been doing my research in GI with, 1 committee letter from medicine chair my school
Research/Publications/Extracurriculars: No pubs. 3 pending pubs that won't be submitted for publication until the winter. Have been involved in clinical research studies the past 1.5 years and am getting a letter from the MD I am working with.
Overview of where you want to end up: I'd like to end up at a university program and willing to go anywhere.

- University of AZ
- Loma Linda University
- UC-Davis
- UC-Irvine
- USC
- George Washington University
- Georgetown University
- Florida State University
- University of Florida
- University of Miami
- University of South Florida
- University of Iowa
- Loyola University
- Rush University
- University of Illinois-Chicago
- Indiana University
- University of Kansas
- University of Kentucky
- University of Louisville
- Boston University
- Tufts University
- University of Maryland
- Michigan State University
- Wake Forest University
- Creighton University
- University of Nebraska
- University of New Mexico
- Case Western Reserve-University Program
- Case Western Reserve-MetroHealth
- CCF
- Ohio State University
- University of Cincinnati
- Drexel University
- Penn State University
- University of Pittsburgh
- University of Oklahoma
- Medical University of South Carolina
- University of Tennessee-Memphis
- University of Utah
- VCU
- University of Virginia
- EVMS
- Medical College of Wisconsin
- University of Wisconsin

 

[Medstud1988]

US MD student
Step 1: 230-235
Step 2: pending
Clinical grades: combination of high pass and pass. Probably top half of class, maybe top third but unlikely
1 abstract and poster presentation, not in internal medicine
No major extracurriculars, just some volunteering
No away rotations

I would like to go to the best possible IM program I can get into. I am hoping to get a fellowship in cards. Here is a list of some programs I am hoping for, I have heard everything from you need a 250 step 1 to have a shot to you should get in no problem.

Yale, Brown, dartmouth, cornell, nyu

Are these programs out of my range? If so, I would appreciate any recommendations on good programs that might be in my range

If someone can tell me my chances at yale or brown that would be much appreciated. Are there any solid east coast programs that I have a shot at with my cv?

 

[shuto]

Hey guys,

This forum has helped me a lot over the years, and I would like to ask its members what my chances are for this years upcoming match.

Caribbean medical school (Canadian citizen seeking J1 visa sponsorship)
Step 1: 250
Step 2: 249, Pass (all first attempts)
LORs: 4, including 2 from IM (core, and elective)
Clinical grades: Honors in all core disciplines
Research: minimal (no pubs)

I am applying quite broadly, but my interests lie in NY, NJ, MD, PA, CT, and DC; please list any programs (preferably mid-top tier) that you believe would be receptive to my credentials.

Cheers!

 

[235009]

Hey guys,

This forum has helped me a lot over the years, and I would like to ask its members what my chances are for this years upcoming match.

Caribbean medical school (Canadian citizen seeking J1 visa sponsorship)
Step 1: 250
Step 2: 249, Pass (all first attempts)
LORs: 4, including 2 from IM (core, and elective)
Clinical grades: Honors in all core disciplines
Research: minimal (no pubs)

I am applying quite broadly, but my interests lie in NY, NJ, MD, PA, CT, and DC; please list any programs (preferably mid-top tier) that you believe would be receptive to my credentials.

Cheers!

no top tiers in the northeast will take a carib grad. you're of course welcome to apply but it just isn't going to happen, no matter what your scores/grades are.

basically if you want a university program you'll have to look to the low-mid tiers. your chance at some of these will also depend on which carib school you're coming from with SGU >> all others. some that come to mind are temple, drexel, stony brook, downstate, UConn, maybe UMass, GW, maybe Gtown (there was a SGU guy at my interview day).

you'll also need to load up your list with community programs in order to ensure that you'll match. if you're set on going to a univ program you need to expand your list geographically because most of the northeast univ programs won't even look at your app.

If someone can tell me my chances at yale or brown that would be much appreciated. Are there any solid east coast programs that I have a shot at with my cv?

brown: good chance at an interview
yale: unlikely

your clinical grades are a bit of an issue. with no honors clinically i doubt you'll be top third of the class. you might be able to make up for it with a solid ck score but probably not enough for yale. also from your initial list it looks like you are looking for a program with a recognizable name to laymen. yale, dartmouth, brown, nyu and cornell are quite different and there are programs that are similar to each of those in the northeast. you need to figure out your criteria.

 

[IMPD]

no top tiers in the northeast will take a carib grad. you're of course welcome to apply but it just isn't going to happen, no matter what your scores/grades are.

This is true.

Check your match list from last few years classes to see where the upper bounds for your school might be. Bear in mind that the occasional grad makes it to a mid-top tier through personal connections. We saw someone match like that this year into a very competitive specialty.

 

[disorder]

I'll help you out with the CA programs since I just did residency at one of the ones you listed.
UCSF, Stanford, UCLA - maybe an interview (depending on AOA status) but without AOA likely no match
UCSD - definite interview, match up in the air
USC, UC Irvine, UCLA-Harbor, Cedars-Sinai - would match if you chose to go to one of those.

Of course this is one mans speculation.

true story.

 

[shuto]

Thanks for the feedback. I am curious if some of the university programs in NJ such as UMNDJ and Rutgers would be options. Also, anything to be said of the programs in Ohio? (i.e. OSU, Case Western, Toledo, etc.); I am guessing CC is out of the question. Thanks again!

 

[loneranger89]

Step 1: 238
Step 2 CK/ CS: taking mid September
School: top 50
Class Rank: bottom third
Grades in Clekship: all 4/5, great comments just never got HH
AOA: no
Research/ Publications/ Extracurriculars: no real research, on the low side with extracurrics altho some are interesting
Overview of where you want to end up: NYC

was hoping for help building my list, main question: am I safe only applying NYC or should I apply more broadly

I assume I have no shot at the big 4, not sure what my chances are for other programs, (very interested to know if I'm competitive for places like Lennox, Beth Israel, St. Lukes, etc)

any help would be appreciated

 

[IMPD]

Step 1: 238
Step 2 CK/ CS: taking mid September
School: top 50
Class Rank: bottom third
Grades in Clekship: all 4/5, great comments just never got HH
AOA: no
Research/ Publications/ Extracurriculars: no real research, on the low side with extracurrics altho some are interesting
Overview of where you want to end up: NYC

was hoping for help building my list, main question: am I safe only applying NYC or should I apply more broadly

I assume I have no shot at the big 4, not sure what my chances are for other programs, (very interested to know if I'm competitive for places like Lennox, Beth Israel, St. Lukes, etc)

any help would be appreciated

Correct and correct. Most programs carry photos, names, home schools of the residents. Very helpful to look. You're an average AMG who will match in NYC if your list is long enough.

 

[235009]

Step 1: 238
Step 2 CK/ CS: taking mid September
School: top 50
Class Rank: bottom third
Grades in Clekship: all 4/5, great comments just never got HH
AOA: no
Research/ Publications/ Extracurriculars: no real research, on the low side with extracurrics altho some are interesting
Overview of where you want to end up: NYC

was hoping for help building my list, main question: am I safe only applying NYC or should I apply more broadly

I assume I have no shot at the big 4, not sure what my chances are for other programs, (very interested to know if I'm competitive for places like Lennox, Beth Israel, St. Lukes, etc)

any help would be appreciated

In general applying broadly then cutting down is always a good idea. You should be safe to match at one of the community programs you mentioned but would still be risky to not cast a wider net.

 

[loneranger89]

In general applying broadly then cutting down is always a good idea. You should be safe to match at one of the community programs you mentioned but would still be risky to not cast a wider net.

What are other options where I at least have a decent chance of matching/interviewing that are close to nyc

if apply to pretty much all of the programs in the 5 boroughs is that a wide enough net or should I be looking at NJ/CT too

 

[Yahooooo]

Step 1: 233
Step 2 CK/ CS: 246/passed
School: top 70
Class Rank: Middle to bottom third
Grades in Clekship: no Honors. 2 S and rest HS (including IM)
AOA: no
Research/ Publications/ Extracurriculars: no research. Volunteer at student run clinic
Overview of where you want to end up: California and New York preferably. Also applying neighboring west and east coast

I am taking my chances with top IM programs but having hard time finding programs (mid tier) that are more appropriate for my board scores. Any suggestions? Thank You.

 

[IM Hosp]

Step 1: 242
Step 2 CK: 250
School: Not top-50
Class Rank: top 1/2
Grades in Clerkship: pass FM and Psych, HP in IM, honors rest; Honors in IM-subIs in 4th year
AOA: most likely no
Research/ Publications: no pubs, just poster stuff
Extracurriculars: leadership/teaching EC stuff

Trying to consider locations with a low cost of living, but strong programs (difficult balance) looking at the following programs so far:
CT - Danbury, St Vincents
DC - GWU, GUH
MD - UMD, Hopkins (unlikely)
MA - BU, UMass, BWH (unlikely), MGH (unlikely), Lahey
NJ - RWJ, LIJ
NY - Stony Brook (unlikely)
OH - Case, CCF
PA - Jeff, Allegheny, Hershey (on the fence, heard some big negatives) and Lankenau

My list is really random, any help in expanding/refining my list would be greatly appreciated

Nervous about lack of honors in IM and FM

- gracias

 

[235009]

Step 1: 242
Step 2 CK: 250
School: Not top-50
Class Rank: top 1/2
Grades in Clerkship: pass FM and Psych, HP in IM, honors rest; Honors in IM-subIs in 4th year
AOA: most likely no
Research/ Publications: no pubs, just poster stuff
Extracurriculars: leadership/teaching EC stuff

Trying to consider locations with a low cost of living, but strong programs (difficult balance) looking at the following programs so far:
CT - Danbury, St Vincents
DC - GWU, GUH
MD - UMD, Hopkins (unlikely)
MA - BU, UMass, BWH (unlikely), MGH (unlikely), Lahey
NJ - RWJ, LIJ
NY - Stony Brook (unlikely)
OH - Case, CCF
PA - Jeff, Allegheny, Hershey (on the fence, heard some big negatives) and Lankenau

My list is really random, any help in expanding/refining my list would be greatly appreciated

Nervous about lack of honors in IM and FM

- gracias

I'm confused....

1. Why do you want a location with low cost of living?
2. LIJ is on NY not NJ
3. DC, Boston and Long Island are not cheap places to live.
4. Your salary at some programs will reflect the increased cost of living of that area while at others like Gtown and GW the salary does not at all reflect DC's cost of living.
5. Not sure why you wrote unlikely next to stony brook but it is in no way a competitive program.

I think you need to enlighten us on your reasoning and priorities before we can help you.

 

[IM Hosp]

I'm confused....

1. Why do you want a location with low cost of living?
2. LIJ is on NY not NJ
3. DC, Boston and Long Island are not cheap places to live.
4. Your salary at some programs will reflect the increased cost of living of that area while at others like Gtown and GW the salary does not at all reflect DC's cost of living.
5. Not sure why you wrote unlikely next to stony brook but it is in no way a competitive program.

I think you need to enlighten us on your reasoning and priorities before we can help you.

Thanks for the reply!

1. I have 2 children and will rent a 3 bedroom apt, which in some areas would be very expensive. I could always commute in to a city, but I'm sure sitting in traffic for an 1hr will get old fast and not be a good use of time.
2. lol
3. This is the tough balance*
4. Ok, didn't know the cost of living in DC was out of proportion to the resident salary.

*Trying to find a program that may keep the doors open on a fellowship (don't know if I want to do a fellowship, so I would like to keep my options open) - fellowship would be in endo.
So I'm trying to find a program located in an area that will allow me to provide reasonable housing for my children, pay off loans and possibly obtain a fellowship. My end goal after residency is practicing in a mid-sized city.

 

[235009]

Thanks for the reply!

1. I have 2 children and will rent a 3 bedroom apt, which in some areas would be very expensive. I could always commute in to a city, but I'm sure sitting in traffic for an 1hr will get old fast and not be a good use of time.
2. lol
3. This is the tough balance*
4. Ok, didn't know the cost of living in DC was out of proportion to the resident salary.

*Trying to find a program that may keep the doors open on a fellowship (don't know if I want to do a fellowship, so I would like to keep my options open) - fellowship would be in endo.
So I'm trying to find a program located in an area that will allow me to provide reasonable housing for my children, pay off loans and possibly obtain a fellowship. My end goal after residency is practicing in a mid-sized city.

I see. Definitely a legitimate reason for looking at cost of living. You'd be best served by looking through FRIEDA at salaries and searching the Internet to get an idea of how much a 3 br apartment/house costs in some of these places. It's gonna be very tough to make ends meet in Boston or DC with 3 kids on a resident's salary. You might be able to make it work in Long Island since its more suburban and LIJ compensates residents very well. In general though the most manageable cost of living won't be in the northeast. Have you looked at Texas, Ohio, or the southeast? Your salary would go a lot further in those areas, there are excellent programs and a few mid-sized cities.

 

[loneranger89]

Step 1: 233
Step 2 CK/ CS: 246/passed
School: top 70
Class Rank: Middle to bottom third
Grades in Clekship: no Honors. 2 S and rest HS (including IM)
AOA: no
Research/ Publications/ Extracurriculars: no research. Volunteer at student run clinic
Overview of where you want to end up: California and New York preferably. Also applying neighboring west and east coast

I am taking my chances with top IM programs but having hard time finding programs (mid tier) that are more appropriate for my board scores. Any suggestions? Thank You.

We seem to be in a similar boat. I've been told I'd be safe for NYC community programs by some told that I'm only average for them by others. Not sure which is right, but just my 2 cents.

 

[KBryant09]

.

 

[shuto]

Quick Question:

How important is it to submit applications on September 15th, especially as an IMG. My only set back at the moment is I am waiting for 2 LORs to be uploaded and I know it takes 2 weeks to process so it won't be available to the PD I am assuming. Please let me know your thoughts, or if I am just being a little bit too manic

 

[Bond03]

Comlex I: 390 🙁
Comlex I second attempt: 528

I am planning to take the dec 16 comlex 2 and PE feb 14. I hope to be ready for the dec 16th exam however I have a suspicion I have have to push back until mid Jan as I just found out I passed comlex 1 and have just begun studying for step 2.

Ranked lower half of med school class, decent LOR.
No research during medical school.

Do I stand a chance at any AOA IM programs in the NY/LI/NJ/Penn area for the 2014 AOA match? 😕😕

 

[Houmd]

Wow, got some good scoring people on this thread but I'll add on here in case it helps myself or someone in my position as well

Step 1: 209
Step 2 CK: 242
Step 2 CS: Pass
(All passed on 1st attempt)
School: Carib (not big name carib)
Class Rank: Top 10%
Grades in Clerkship: P/F system for clerkships, P on all of them (all rotations in the US)
AOA: Caribs aren't eligible for this
Research/ Publications: none
Extracurriculars: SGA, AMSA, Another one which offered healthcare to the underserved population on our carib island
US Citizen (no visa needed)

No Sub-I (No program was willing to schedule me one coming from a school they're not affiliated with)

Applying to ~135 programs throughout the entire country (Almost exclusively Community or University Affiliated) to which I'm eligible per their websites.

Honestly as an IMG I understand how the odds are stacked against me so I'm not picky and willing to match absolutely anywhere that gives me a chance to be an internist.

 

[disorder]

Step 1: 233
Step 2 CK/ CS: 246/passed
School: top 70
Class Rank: Middle to bottom third
Grades in Clekship: no Honors. 2 S and rest HS (including IM)
AOA: no
Research/ Publications/ Extracurriculars: no research. Volunteer at student run clinic
Overview of where you want to end up: California and New York preferably. Also applying neighboring west and east coast

I am taking my chances with top IM programs but having hard time finding programs (mid tier) that are more appropriate for my board scores. Any suggestions? Thank You.

Competitive for...
All programs in NY but Cornell, Columbia, MSSM, and NYU
All programs in CA but UCSF, Stanford, UCLA, UCSD... and maybe not UCI and UCD

 

[disorder]

Step 1: 238
Step 2 CK/ CS: taking mid September
School: top 50
Class Rank: bottom third
Grades in Clekship: all 4/5, great comments just never got HH
AOA: no
Research/ Publications/ Extracurriculars: no real research, on the low side with extracurrics altho some are interesting
Overview of where you want to end up: NYC

was hoping for help building my list, main question: am I safe only applying NYC or should I apply more broadly

I assume I have no shot at the big 4, not sure what my chances are for other programs, (very interested to know if I'm competitive for places like Lennox, Beth Israel, St. Lukes, etc)

any help would be appreciated

You'll be fine matching at any place in NYC but Columbia, Cornell, MSSM, and NYU.
If I were you, Montefiore and NSLIJ should be at the top of your rank list.

 

[Syncity]

Quick Question:

How important is it to submit applications on September 15th, especially as an IMG. My only set back at the moment is I am waiting for 2 LORs to be uploaded and I know it takes 2 weeks to process so it won't be available to the PD I am assuming. Please let me know your thoughts, or if I am just being a little bit too manic

I'm also curious about this.

 

[gutonc]

Quick Question:

How important is it to submit applications on September 15th, especially as an IMG. My only set back at the moment is I am waiting for 2 LORs to be uploaded and I know it takes 2 weeks to process so it won't be available to the PD I am assuming. Please let me know your thoughts, or if I am just being a little bit too manic

Submit ASAP. You can only control your part of the app. Don't screw around with it. Submit it and be done with it. When the rest of the pieces roll in, your app will get updated.

 

[prostotak]

I posted this last week but never got a response from anyone. Any suggestions you guys have would be really helpful. Thanks!

Step 1: 237
Step 2 CK/ CS: pending (taking in Oct)
School: top 20
Class Rank: 50-75th percentile
Grades in Clekship: HP in medicine and primary care, psych, peds, Honors in neuro, Pass in OB/GYN and surgery
AOA: No
Research/ Publications/ Extracurriculars: 4 years of research in undergrad, 1 publication (3rd author), no research in med school, some extracurriculars and global health experience
Overview of where you want to end up: good, non-malignant, academic IM residency in a large city (ideally Chicago or NYC)

Places applying:
West Coast: UWashington, OHSU
Midwest: UColorado, UChicago, Northwestern, Loyola, Rush, UIC
Southeast: Wake forest, UNC, Tulane, LSU, Emory
Northeast: NYU, Einstein Montefiore, NSLIJ-New Hyde Park, Yale, Brown, Georgetown, George Washington, BU, Tufts, Beth Israel

I have a couple questions:

1.Are there any other programs in large cities (Chicago, NYC, Boston, DC) that you recommend I apply to that are not on my list (mid-tier programs)?
2.I've heard a lot about NS-LIJ program (is this the new hyde park location or a different location? -I want to make sure I apply to the correct one on ERAS

Thanks for all the help!

 

[hereinafter96]

At a mid-tier state school in NY.
-Step 1: 240
-haven't taken step 2 yet
-Pass in medicine (first clerkship, and hardly anyone gets honors in medicine at our school), mix of pass/HP/Honors in other clerkships
-2 papers published before med school (one first author), no research during med school
-a few ECs/volunteer stuff during med school

I'm thinking that I'll get honors in my IM SubI based on my feedback from my seniors and attendings. Assuming I do, wamc at places like:

NE: Sinai, NYU, NSLIJ, Monte, Brown, Yale, Tufts, BU, URochester, St Lukes, Beth Israel (nyc)
Mid-atlanic/South: UMiami, Emory, USF-Morsani, Georgetown, GW, Mayo-Jax, Hopkins-Bayview
West: USC, UCLA-Harbor, Cedars-Sinai, Scripps-Green, UT-SW, UC-Irvine, UWash

 

[mercaptovizadeh]

.

 

[235009]

I posted this last week but never got a response from anyone. Any suggestions you guys have would be really helpful. Thanks!

Step 1: 237
Step 2 CK/ CS: pending (taking in Oct)
School: top 20
Class Rank: 50-75th percentile
Grades in Clekship: HP in medicine and primary care, psych, peds, Honors in neuro, Pass in OB/GYN and surgery
AOA: No
Research/ Publications/ Extracurriculars: 4 years of research in undergrad, 1 publication (3rd author), no research in med school, some extracurriculars and global health experience
Overview of where you want to end up: good, non-malignant, academic IM residency in a large city (ideally Chicago or NYC)

Places applying:
West Coast: UWashington, OHSU
Midwest: UColorado, UChicago, Northwestern, Loyola, Rush, UIC
Southeast: Wake forest, UNC, Tulane, LSU, Emory
Northeast: NYU, Einstein Montefiore, NSLIJ-New Hyde Park, Yale, Brown, Georgetown, George Washington, BU, Tufts, Beth Israel

I have a couple questions:

1.Are there any other programs in large cities (Chicago, NYC, Boston, DC) that you recommend I apply to that are not on my list (mid-tier programs)?
2.I've heard a lot about NS-LIJ program (is this the new hyde park location or a different location? -I want to make sure I apply to the correct one on ERAS

Thanks for all the help!

yes that's the correct LIJ program. the remaining programs in NYC and boston would be reaches. really just depends on whether you wanna spend the money trying your luck at them.

At a mid-tier state school in NY.
-Step 1: 240
-haven't taken step 2 yet
-Pass in medicine (first clerkship, and hardly anyone gets honors in medicine at our school), mix of pass/HP/Honors in other clerkships
-2 papers published before med school (one first author), no research during med school
-a few ECs/volunteer stuff during med school

I'm thinking that I'll get honors in my IM SubI based on my feedback from my seniors and attendings. Assuming I do, wamc at places like:

NE: Sinai, NYU, NSLIJ, Monte, Brown, Yale, Tufts, BU, URochester, St Lukes, Beth Israel (nyc)
Mid-atlanic/South: UMiami, Emory, USF-Morsani, Georgetown, GW, Mayo-Jax, Hopkins-Bayview
West: USC, UCLA-Harbor, Cedars-Sinai, Scripps-Green, UT-SW, UC-Irvine, UWash

looks like a pretty solid list. i think the thing you can do to really help yourself out would be to take step 2 CK early to try and make up for your 3rd yr grades.

 

[CDI]

On a scale of highly competitive (no IMGs), competitive (average scores), not competitive (free-for-all)...How tough is it to get interviews for an 'IM - Primary' residency? I know there are fewer spots, but are they less competitive because everyone wants to specialize and this closes that door?

 

[IMPD]

On a scale of highly competitive (no IMGs), competitive (average scores), not competitive (free-for-all)...How tough is it to get interviews for an 'IM - Primary' residency? I know there are fewer spots, but are they less competitive because everyone wants to specialize and this closes that door?

Here is the thing about all "tracks". And I know this is going to be hard to believe, but they are all MARKETING TRICKS. Seriously. They are used by programs to try and get more competitive applicants. IM is a buyer's market and the sellers (programs) are all looking for ways to distinguish themselves. Now, obviously I'm talking about mid-tier here. The top 30/40/whatev have already figured out their marketing trick. Being well-known.

So. Tracks. Women's health, global health, hamster health, primary care and whatnot. Their competetiveness depends primarily on the regular Categorical program that they are linked to. And, in general, they are slightly less competitive than the regular program. For the reason that you cite. Although there is NO EVIDENCE that tracks would close doors, people get anxious and figure that being in the Primary track will "close the door" and you'll wake up in your PGY3 year sweating because you finally figured that EP was your dream job and now you can't do it. Foiled!

In reality, the overriding of closing doors usually disappears for 95% of residents somewhere in PGY2, when the reality of fellowship training (and pay) gets weighed against Real Life (including mortgages, kids, marriage, Cancun).

So.....if you are one of the 1% of applicants who actually wants the little bit of extra training you get in a track (I'm talking about a 5% difference in training), go for it. If you wake up in a cold sweat as a PGY2, chances are good you can still make a non-competitive fellowship. You never are going to make a highly competitive fellowship without directed research, which is unlikely on a Primary track. You could still easily do Endo/ID/etc.

If you're just interested in the "idea" of a track more than actually knowing that you want to do that....just do the Categorical. If you're using a track to get into a program that you think you're not competitive for...well....sure, go for it. Using tracks as backdoors is pretty common, but it's very hard to quantify how much less competitive they are. Somewhere between somewhat and a middling amount.

 

[ceraphin]

A

 

[gutonc]

Applying to:
South: UTSW, Baylor
East Coast: Mt Sinai (reach), Yale, Tufts, Brown, Dartmouth, Jefferson, Temple, UPMC, Drexel, UNC, UVA, VCU, UMaryland
West Coast: UWash, UC Irvine, UCLA, USC
Midwest/West: UChicago, NW, Colorado
Complete reach: UPenn, Duke

I need more 2nd-3rd tier (I think that is where I am), especially for Northeast region (Penn, NY, Maryland), any suggestions??

I actually don't think you need any more than what you have, but since you asked...

South: UAB, Wake
East Coast: Bayview, Carolinas, Penn State, AECOM-Weiler(Monte..whatever they call it now), UMDNJ-RWJ/Rutgers (again...whatever they call it), UVM
West: OHSU, UC-Davis, CPMC, Utah, UNM, UA
Midwest: SLU, WashU (I mean, if you're putting yourself out there to get rejected by Penn, Duke and NW, why not WashU too?), OSU, CCF, UW-Madison, UMinn, Indiana, UIC

Hey...look at that. I just doubled your apps for you.

 

[IMPD]

Hey Sportsfans.

Thanks for the insights and questions. I hope some of what I said was found useful.

I'm back on service and then ERAS opens, so I'll be signing off for the duration.

I'll be back next year.

 

[Cefotetan]

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