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Is there a resource people typically use to find the low tier programs? I've mostly been using Residency explorer, but I am not sure if I should be trusting all the info on there regarding step scores, etc.
I dont know of any. For the south, Emory, UF Gainesville, UMiami, U of south FL, UNC, Wake Forest, Duke, U of AL (Birmingham), Tulane, Vandy, U of Va, Baylor, Methodist (Houston), U of Texas Southwestern, Medical Branch in Houston etc... These are mainly what come to mind as mid tier to close top tier (Emory, Duke, Vandy). Every other university programs in the south are consider low tier.
 
Your list is pretty all over the place. I will try and give advice where I can. With no research, I would say you are essentially donating money to Vandy, WashU, Duke, and Emory. Not saying you won't get an interview as your scores are very high, but your chance of being ranked to match is truly low because of the strength of the MD applicant pool (scores just as high as yours with research, letters from very high level/well known faculty) applying to these programs. UNC has not a single DO in their program so it will also be the same as the programs above.

Baylor dallas, SLU, KU, UMKC, UT-Dell, UT-San Antonio, UF, CCF-Fl, Mizzou, Orlando,

I have not heard great things about broward.

I am biased perhaps, but stay away from HCA, they will try to sell you hard on the amenities but at the end of the day, you'll understand and feel priority of the system.
Thank you for the advice, much appreciated!

I do realize that my list is a bit all over the place. I think the main reason for that is that location is my number one thing, and so after FL programs I had no idea where to turn. Quite honestly, those top-tier programs you mentioned were only added because I literally had no idea what else to add. With my numbers, adding random community programs seemed pointless, but I didn't want to only apply to like 20 FL places and call it a day.

The same goes for HCA. Given other options, they will certainly not be top of my rank list. But given my focus on location, I figured I would at least give them a chance and decide post-interviews where I stand.

You listed a bunch of programs (baylor, SLU, etc). Are those programs that you think are good?

Do you think my list is sufficient as is? It's just hard as a high numbers, no research, DO applicant to figure out where else to apply and whether I even need to bother applying to many more places. I'd rather be safe than sorry, but I also really want to match in one specific geo area and feel that my stats should be good enough to land me there, but then get super paranoid about it. So.....hence the all over the place-ness.
 
Your list seem too top heavy..
I believe it was Case that requires at least a HP on your IM core clerkship grade.
Yea I know I have too many reaches on here, but like I said...just shooting my shot and donating the money. I just want to make sure I have enough within reach programs to hopefully get 12-15 interviews and any other suggestions would be helpful! Thanks for the feedback.
 
Hi everyone!

Thought I'd this a shot. I applied for ENT last year and unfortunately did not match. This year, I will be applying again for ENT and applying for internal medicine. I would truly be happy in either speciality, and do not want to risk not matching again. After not matching last year, I ended up taking an ENT research position for this year.

My current stats:
Med school-Mid tier school in the mid-west
Step 1: 245, Step 2: 251
Clerkships: Honor Medicine, surgery. HP fam med, peds, neuro. pass psych
Research: Three publications in IM (1 nephro, 2 cardiology, including one first author) + 12 publications ( 3 first author) in ENT
EC: A few leadership positions and unique activities at my med school

My app screams ENT.....I have separate IM rec letters and a separate PS...any other way I should navigate this?

I am planning on applying to a wide range of IM programs in all tiers and not double dipping.

Any advice is appreciated. thanks!
 
Thank you for the advice, much appreciated!

I do realize that my list is a bit all over the place. I think the main reason for that is that location is my number one thing, and so after FL programs I had no idea where to turn. Quite honestly, those top-tier programs you mentioned were only added because I literally had no idea what else to add. With my numbers, adding random community programs seemed pointless, but I didn't want to only apply to like 20 FL places and call it a day.

The same goes for HCA. Given other options, they will certainly not be top of my rank list. But given my focus on location, I figured I would at least give them a chance and decide post-interviews where I stand.

You listed a bunch of programs (baylor, SLU, etc). Are those programs that you think are good?

Do you think my list is sufficient as is? It's just hard as a high numbers, no research, DO applicant to figure out where else to apply and whether I even need to bother applying to many more places. I'd rather be safe than sorry, but I also really want to match in one specific geo area and feel that my stats should be good enough to land me there, but then get super paranoid about it. So.....hence the all over the place-ness.
no problem! glad to help.

I think there are other strong IM places that are more reasonable for a DO. Look into other university hospitals in NE or MW that have at least a few DO's in each cohort.

Makes sense about the HCA! I totally get it.

Yes the programs I listed are strong places for sure.
 
no problem! glad to help.

I think there are other strong IM places that are more reasonable for a DO. Look into other university hospitals in NE or MW that have at least a few DO's in each cohort.

Makes sense about the HCA! I totally get it.

Yes the programs I listed are strong places for sure.
Thank you!! I'll give a final look to some more programs.
 
School: DO
Step 1: 250-260
Step 2: 260-270
Quartile: 1st
Research: 3 pubs, several posters
Clerkships: H on everything

Looking to match mid-to-upper tier academic IM with hopes of matching a competitive fellowship. I tried to scope out DO friendly programs but let me know if there are any I missed or if I am overshooting for some of these schools!

Top
Emory
Mayo Rochester
U Wash
UTSW
Utah

Mid
Baylor
Brown
Cleveland Clinic
Colorado
Dartmouth
Florida
George Washington
Georgetown
Indiana
Loyola
MUSC
Mayo Arizona
Mayo Jacksonville
Miami/JMH
OHSU
Ohio State
Rush
Tulane
U Arizona
U Mass
U Minnesota
UC Davis
USC
UVA
University of Illinois - Chicago
Wisconsin

Low
Baylor Dallas
Texas A&M
UT Dell
UT Houston
UT San Antonio
UTMB
 
Hi everyone, looking to add a few more programs to my list!

School: Midtier Midwest MD
Rank - 2nd quartile
Step 1 - 243
Step 2 - 265
AOA - no
Clerkships 4/6 honors (HP in peds, FM)
Research - light basic science research in college. A few abstracts in med school
EC: leadership/volunteering throughout college, fewer but more longitudinal leadership/clinic volunteering in med school, some teaching experience. Took 1 gap year before medschool to work at a corporate company

Goal is to match in or near California (close to family/partner) but also applying to some programs around midwest. Ideally would prefer academic program, but open to community programs with good fellowship opportunities (cards, pccm). Would love any suggestions others may have

California

Stanford
UCSF
UCLA
UCSD
Cedars Sinai
Harbor UCLA
UC Irvine
Oliveview UCLA
USC
UC Riverside
UC Davis
Santa Clara Valley Medical
Kaisers (Oakland, SF, SoCal, Santa Clara)
Scripps Clinic
California Pacific Medical Center
Huntington
UCSF Fresno

Other West/Midwest
U Colorado
U Wash
OHSU
Cleveland Clinic
U Chicago
Northwestern
Case Western
 
Updating my previous post a bit.

Med school: DO
Quartile: 4th
Step 1: 217
Step 2: not taking
Level 1/2 >500 (~40th percentile)
Clinical grades: all pass
LORs: should have 1-2 IM, psych, hopefully FM - should be at least 2 strong and 1 average
Research: none
Extracurriculars: none
Red flags: none

I would prefer to stay in Texas if I can. Do I have a realistic shot at at least some of these programs? Also, outside of Texas, any recommendations? I made a list of around 130 programs and narrowed it down to around 30-35 but I'd like to see compare at least a few from my list to see if I am on the right track.

HCA Medical City Healthcare UNT-TCU
Baptist Hospital of Southeast Texas - Beaumont
Methodist Health System – Dallas
Texas Health Resources Dallas
HCA Medical City Fort Worth
Baylor All Saints Medical Center Fort Worth
HCA Medical City Weatherford
TIGMER San Antonio
UT Health Science Center San Antonio
HCA Healthcare Corpus Christi Medical Center
UT Health Science Center Tyler
Texas AM Scott and White Medical Center Temple
Baylor Scott and White Medical Center Round Rock
UT Medical Branch Galveston
UT Health Science Center Good Shepherd Longview
HCA Houston Kingwood
 
USMD
Step1: 246
Step2: 248
Ended up in 4th quartile of my class (1H, 4HP, 2P) - got a P on IM during 3rd year clerkships unfortunately, but got Honors with very strong evals on my IM sub-I (the grade and evals from my sub-I are all put into my Dean's MSPE letter.. hoping it can help a bit).

Besides that ugly dent in my app, the rest of it I believe is solid, with good/well-rounded ECs.

In terms of research, I've been active in cardiology since M1 year - have about 3 publications currently (plus another 2 more by the time I graduate M4), 8 abstracts, 4 poster/oral presentations at ntl conferences, and 1 published case report.

I'm just wondering if the 4th quartile class ranking just completely destroyed my chances of matching back home to CA programs like USC, UC Irvine, UC Davis, UCSD, Cedars-Sinai, UCLA etc etc.

I currently go to medical school in the Northeast and would love to stay in the NYC/Philly areas too, if CA isn't an option anymore. My goal is to go academic program to set me up for fellowship, however, if not I'll take a community in CA. Hence my community selections were all in CA, while elsewhere I applied academic nationally. Is this safe?

I have no idea where I stand now as an applicant given my class ranking bomb of a news.
Can someone suggest what range of school programs I should apply for?

Current list as below -

CA:
California Pacific Medical Center
Cedars-Sinai
KP Oakland
KP San Francisco
KP Los Angeles
Santa Clara Valley Medical
Scripps Green - San Diego
Loma Linda
UCLA-Harbor
Olive View/UCLA
UC Davis
UC Irvine
USC
UCSD
UCLA
UCSF

West:
UWashington Seattle
OHSU
UColorado

Chicago:
Loyola
Rush
U of Illinois
Northwestern McGaw
UChicago

Texas:
UTSW
UTHouston
Baylor
UTSan Antonio

Upper NE:
Tufts
BostonU
Brown
UMass

DMV:
UMaryland
Hopkins-Bayview
Georgetown

NY/NJ:
Montefiore
Stony Brook
Manhattan big4 (NYU, Mt Sinai, Columbia, Cornell) - total crapshoot I know but I love Manhattan
Hofstra
Rutgers NJMS
Rutgers RWJ

Philly:
Sidney Kimmel
Temple
UPMC

Florida:
UFlorida Gainsville
UMiami

Other midwest (although I don't really want to go here location-wise, but I understand that beggars can't be choosers):
MCW
UWisconsin
Case Western
Ohio State
CCF
UCincy
Just an FYI, UPMC is nowhere near philly. It is the other side of the state with very different people and culture. Make sure you know that if you get an interview. Its basically like saying LA and SF are the same
 
School: DO
Step 1: 250-260
Step 2: 260-270
Quartile: 1st
Research: 3 pubs, several posters
Clerkships: H on everything

Looking to match mid-to-upper tier academic IM with hopes of matching a competitive fellowship. I tried to scope out DO friendly programs but let me know if there are any I missed or if I am overshooting for some of these schools!

Top
Emory
Mayo Rochester
U Wash
UTSW
Utah

Mid
Baylor
Brown
Cleveland Clinic
Colorado
Dartmouth
Florida
George Washington
Georgetown
Indiana
Loyola
MUSC
Mayo Arizona
Mayo Jacksonville
Miami/JMH
OHSU
Ohio State
Rush
Tulane
U Arizona
U Mass
U Minnesota
UC Davis
USC
UVA
University of Illinois - Chicago
Wisconsin

Low
Baylor Dallas
Texas A&M
UT Dell
UT Houston
UT San Antonio
UTMB
Good list. You will match somewhere. Not sure if Emory is DO friendly for IM.
 
Updating my previous post a bit.

Med school: DO
Quartile: 4th
Step 1: 217
Step 2: not taking
Level 1/2 >500 (~40th percentile)
Clinical grades: all pass
LORs: should have 1-2 IM, psych, hopefully FM - should be at least 2 strong and 1 average
Research: none
Extracurriculars: none
Red flags: none

I would prefer to stay in Texas if I can. Do I have a realistic shot at at least some of these programs? Also, outside of Texas, any recommendations? I made a list of around 130 programs and narrowed it down to around 30-35 but I'd like to see compare at least a few from my list to see if I am on the right track.

HCA Medical City Healthcare UNT-TCU
Baptist Hospital of Southeast Texas - Beaumont
Methodist Health System – Dallas
Texas Health Resources Dallas
HCA Medical City Fort Worth
Baylor All Saints Medical Center Fort Worth
HCA Medical City Weatherford
TIGMER San Antonio
UT Health Science Center San Antonio
HCA Healthcare Corpus Christi Medical Center
UT Health Science Center Tyler
Texas AM Scott and White Medical Center Temple
Baylor Scott and White Medical Center Round Rock
UT Medical Branch Galveston
UT Health Science Center Good Shepherd Longview
HCA Houston Kingwood
I think you are.on the right track Find another 20 programs close to TX to add (NM, OK, AR, LA etc...)

Why not the UT-RGV programs? They aren't bad.
 
@Splenda88 any feedback on my list? I know you are familiar with the FL programs. Do you think I need to add more programs? Currently have 52 (added a couple since posting my list).
 
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I wanted to be nice. I could have highlighted another 6-8 programs. Not sure why people can gauge their competitiveness... It's ok to have 3-4 dream programs in your list, but to have 10+ makes think you are not taking that process seriously.

It's amazing people think they can match at top programs with <230 step1 score!
You can probably tell my list is all over the place, but many of those programs are ones suggested to me by faculty and colleagues who told me I should throw an app in.

Thank you for the reality check! I know I have at least 10 reaches, but I have over 40 other programs I'm applying to as well.

I do take exception to you saying I'm not taking the process seriously, though. Obviously I am, or I wouldn't be looking for help.

Your implication that nobody matches strong programs with a step 1 score under 230 is certainly false, but I'm sure as a general rule it holds true. You might adjust to new metrics as step 1 becomes pass fail though! Holism in application review might have to become more than just the obvious lie that it is now. 🙂
 
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Jumping on here. Really did most of my research using residency explorer so I hope these options aren’t too outlandish. May seem a bit all over the place but really prioritizing big(ger) cities due to my s/o’s job. Have significant ties to Chicagoland area and Florida. My PS and supplemental application speak to this. Targeting Midwest/Florida programs. For what it’s worth, my app is pretty underserved-centric. 95% sure I want to do hospitalist.

School: Midwest DO
Step 1: 241
Step 2: 258
Quartile: 1st
Research: Nothing published. One poster in undergrad. Just hopped on a research project this month.
Clerkships: Honors in IM and Ped’s. Everything else Pass. School makes it difficulty to honor clerkships and there’s no “high pass.”
LOR: 1 strong LOR from IM Sub-I. Possibly 1 more strong letter from Sub-I. A good letter from IM preceptor 3rd year. 1 extremely generic chair letter (my school doesn't have interviews for this or anything).
EC’s: Nothing super impressive. Pretty underwhelming.


Programs:

University of South Florida Largo

Ascension St Vincent Indianapolis

OhioHealth/Riverside

University of Florida Jacksonville

Advocate Health Lutheran/Advocate Christ

Broward Health

Christ Hospital Cincy

Mercy St. Louis

Palmetto General

University of Tennessee Knoxville

University of Chicago Northshore

Brookwood Baptist

Western Michigan University

University of Louisville

Florida State University Sarasota

Carolinas Medical Center

Aurora Milwaukee

Cone Health Greenville

Case Western University

St. Louis University

Mount Sinai Miami

Jackson Miami

Henry Ford

University of Kansas

St. Joseph Ann Arbor

Medical College of Wisconsin

University of Kentucky

Indiana University

Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland)

University of Cincinnati

University of South Florida Morsani

University of Florida Gainesville

Ochsner Clinic New Orleans

Wayne State University

University of Tennessee Memphis

University of Tennessee Nashville

Louisiana State University

Cleveland Clinic (Florida)

University of Central Florida Orlando

Loyola

St Luke’s St Louis

Cook County

University of Illinois Chicago

Orlando Health

AdventHealth Orlando

University of Missouri KC

Ohio State University

Rush University
 
@Splenda88 any feedback on my list? I know you are familiar with the FL programs. Do you think I need to add more programs? Currently have 52 (added a couple since posting my list).
You will definitely match in one of the top FL program. You can trim down your list to 35-40 IMO since you are competitive for all FL programs.
 
2 questions
1. How much worse is having something accepted for publication vs actually published?
2. Do you think the supplemental application will help? Last year it seems like it was a bloodbath for competitive DOs with nearly perfect apps getting ghosted from academic places (this really scares me-Im reading the reddit interview spreadsheets for rank lists from last cycle and seeing insanely competitive DO applicants [250s/260s, pubs, all honors, top 10% types] just get crushed during the cycle its really disturbing haha). I was planning on applying to 50ish programs but now I am considering applying to 75
 
I think you are.on the right track Find another 20 programs close to TX to add (NM, OK, AR, LA etc...)

Why not the UT-RGV programs? They aren't bad.

Thank you for the feedback and I do have some of those on my list already so good to know. Last question, how important is having a tie to the area for lower tier residencies in Florida, Pennsylvania, midwest and northeast states?
 
Thank you for the feedback and I do have some of those on my list already so good to know. Last question, how important is having a tie to the area for lower tier residencies in Florida, Pennsylvania, midwest and northeast states?
None whatsoever. If you are a US student with no red flags, you should be ok for most low tier residency programs except for some in competitive states like CA, WA etc...
 
School: Top 20 MD
Step 1: 243
Step 2: 248
Clinical: H in 2/7, HP in 5/7 (including IM), got H into 2 other random electives if that matters
Research: 3 pubs (1 in JAMA), 2 submitted first author (unfortunately probably won't be accepted in time), like 10+ abstracts / posters
Letters: overall alright, 1 research, 1 from AI, 1 from department chair
Awards: No AOA at my school. Won some research award.

Yale
Colorado
Emory
NW
Chicago
Beth Israel
Michigan
Mayo
Minnesota
Wash U
Duke
UNC
Rochester
Columbia
Mt Sinai
NYU
Cornell
OHSU
Penn
UPMC
Vandy
UTSW
Baylor
UT Austin
UVA
Washington
Wisconsin
Case Western
Dartmouth
UAB

Feel like I don't have a chance at any Cali program, so won't be applying there. No geographic restrictions. I value good didactic education and quality of life, with some fellowship aspirations (not sure what).

Probably going to spend my "tokens" at Chicago, Beth Israel, Michigan, Vandy, WashU
Thoughts: I feel pretty average clinically. I feel like my list is top heavy, but all my mentors say just apply to the top programs because my school's name, which feels unearned and dumb. Any advice on places I should add or take away?
 
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Jumping on here. Really did most of my research using residency explorer so I hope these options aren’t too outlandish. May seem a bit all over the place but really prioritizing big(ger) cities due to my s/o’s job. Have significant ties to Chicagoland area and Florida. My PS and supplemental application speak to this. Targeting Midwest/Florida programs. For what it’s worth, my app is pretty underserved-centric. 95% sure I want to do hospitalist.

School: Midwest DO
Step 1: 241
Step 2: 258
Quartile: 1st
Research: Nothing published. One poster in undergrad. Just hopped on a research project this month.
Clerkships: Honors in IM and Ped’s. Everything else Pass. School makes it difficulty to honor clerkships and there’s no “high pass.”
LOR: 1 strong LOR from IM Sub-I. Possibly 1 more strong letter from Sub-I. A good letter from IM preceptor 3rd year. 1 extremely generic chair letter (my school doesn't have interviews for this or anything).
EC’s: Nothing super impressive. Pretty underwhelming.


Programs:

University of South Florida Largo

Ascension St Vincent Indianapolis

OhioHealth/Riverside

University of Florida Jacksonville

Advocate Health Lutheran/Advocate Christ

Broward Health

Christ Hospital Cincy

Mercy St. Louis

Palmetto General

University of Tennessee Knoxville

University of Chicago Northshore

Brookwood Baptist

Western Michigan University

University of Louisville

Florida State University Sarasota

Carolinas Medical Center

Aurora Milwaukee

Cone Health Greenville

Case Western University

St. Louis University

Mount Sinai Miami

Jackson Miami

Henry Ford

University of Kansas

St. Joseph Ann Arbor

Medical College of Wisconsin

University of Kentucky

Indiana University

Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland)

University of Cincinnati

University of South Florida Morsani

University of Florida Gainesville

Ochsner Clinic New Orleans

Wayne State University

University of Tennessee Memphis

University of Tennessee Nashville

Louisiana State University

Cleveland Clinic (Florida)

University of Central Florida Orlando

Loyola

St Luke’s St Louis

Cook County

University of Illinois Chicago

Orlando Health

AdventHealth Orlando

University of Missouri KC

Ohio State University

Rush University
@AlteredScale I would appreciate any input you may have!
 
Jumping on here. Really did most of my research using residency explorer so I hope these options aren’t too outlandish. May seem a bit all over the place but really prioritizing big(ger) cities due to my s/o’s job. Have significant ties to Chicagoland area and Florida. My PS and supplemental application speak to this. Targeting Midwest/Florida programs. For what it’s worth, my app is pretty underserved-centric. 95% sure I want to do hospitalist.

School: Midwest DO
Step 1: 241
Step 2: 258
Quartile: 1st
Research: Nothing published. One poster in undergrad. Just hopped on a research project this month.
Clerkships: Honors in IM and Ped’s. Everything else Pass. School makes it difficulty to honor clerkships and there’s no “high pass.”
LOR: 1 strong LOR from IM Sub-I. Possibly 1 more strong letter from Sub-I. A good letter from IM preceptor 3rd year. 1 extremely generic chair letter (my school doesn't have interviews for this or anything).
EC’s: Nothing super impressive. Pretty underwhelming.


Programs:

University of South Florida Largo

Ascension St Vincent Indianapolis

OhioHealth/Riverside

University of Florida Jacksonville

Advocate Health Lutheran/Advocate Christ

Broward Health

Christ Hospital Cincy

Mercy St. Louis

Palmetto General

University of Tennessee Knoxville

University of Chicago Northshore

Brookwood Baptist

Western Michigan University

University of Louisville

Florida State University Sarasota

Carolinas Medical Center

Aurora Milwaukee

Cone Health Greenville

Case Western University

St. Louis University

Mount Sinai Miami

Jackson Miami

Henry Ford

University of Kansas

St. Joseph Ann Arbor

Medical College of Wisconsin

University of Kentucky

Indiana University

Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland)

University of Cincinnati

University of South Florida Morsani

University of Florida Gainesville

Ochsner Clinic New Orleans

Wayne State University

University of Tennessee Memphis

University of Tennessee Nashville

Louisiana State University

Cleveland Clinic (Florida)

University of Central Florida Orlando

Loyola

St Luke’s St Louis

Cook County

University of Illinois Chicago

Orlando Health

AdventHealth Orlando

University of Missouri KC

Ohio State University

Rush University
I don't have much to add. This is a good list. Speaking from experience, you probably won't get a huge exposure to working with underserved populations at KU but they do have free clinics that you can get involved with. UMKC is much more up your alley with having Truman medical center as a large portion of your training. With your scores you'll definitely get enough interviews.
 
I don't have much to add. This is a good list. Speaking from experience, you probably won't get a huge exposure to working with underserved populations at KU but they do have free clinics that you can get involved with. UMKC is much more up your alley with having Truman medical center as a large portion of your training. With your scores you'll definitely get enough interviews.
Thank you!
 
2 questions
1. How much worse is having something accepted for publication vs actually published?
2. Do you think the supplemental application will help? Last year it seems like it was a bloodbath for competitive DOs with nearly perfect apps getting ghosted from academic places (this really scares me-Im reading the reddit interview spreadsheets for rank lists from last cycle and seeing insanely competitive DO applicants [250s/260s, pubs, all honors, top 10% types] just get crushed during the cycle its really disturbing haha). I was planning on applying to 50ish programs but now I am considering applying to 75
1. Doesn't matter IMO and I have never heard of it being an issue. If you put accepted that means it will get published.
2. Who knows as it is the first time it's being integrated. Only the data will tell and ERAS is keeping that data to itself for the first year. I would suspect it may for those programs who have a ton of applications but again this requires more reading which doesn't cut out the fact that in order to make it more efficient they will apply filters prior to even seeing the answers to this supplemental including filters that state "USMD only". Such is life. If you are applying to a lot of strong programs, then you need to increase your number of programs. If you are applying to smaller community programs then 50 should be fine.
 
1. Doesn't matter IMO and I have never heard of it being an issue. If you put accepted that means it will get published.
2. Who knows as it is the first time it's being integrated. Only the data will tell and ERAS is keeping that data to itself for the first year. I would suspect it may for those programs who have a ton of applications but again this requires more reading which doesn't cut out the fact that in order to make it more efficient they will apply filters prior to even seeing the answers to this supplemental including filters that state "USMD only". Such is life. If you are applying to a lot of strong programs, then you need to increase your number of programs. If you are applying to smaller community programs then 50 should be fine.
Thank you AlteredScale. Would you mind looking at my list if I PM you?
 
Hi. I am new 4th year DO medical student on this internal medicine journey. Like many of you, I thought I obtain some feedback. I am applying to the northeast mainly as my spouse lives in Philly. What are my chances?
Quartile: 3rd
Step 1: 218-220
Step 2: 233-235
Clinical grades: Honors in both Family medicine and internal medicine
LORs: 3 strong letters
Research: 1 publication and 2 other research experiences at top university
Extracurriculars: Barely any.
Red flags: none

UVA
Carolinas Medical Center
George Washington
UPMC
Sidney Kimmel Thomas Jefferson
Tower Health
Nazareth Program Trinity Health
Georgetown University
Rutgers: Robert Wood Johnson
SUNY Upstate
Albany Medical College
Carilion Clinic
Virginia Commonwealth University
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Howard
Kaiser Permante Maryland
Medstar Baltimore
Sinai Baltimore
ChristianaCare
Bayhealth Medical Center
East Carolina University
St Luke's University Philly USF: Leigh Valley
Geisinger Danville
Penn State Hershey
York Hospital PA
Robert Packer Hospital / Guthrie
Mercy Catholic Medical center
Hackensack University
Cooper Medical School of Rowan
Rutgers-Newark
Newark Beth Israel
Hofstra
Stony Brook South Hampton

Safety Schools:
Anne Arundel Medical Center
St Agnes Health Care
Campbell university Southern Regional Center
Carolinas Healthcare System Blue Ridge
Cone Health Program
Geinsinger Wilkes Barre
St Mary Medical center program
st lukes hospital anderson campus
Rowan SOM, stratford

Is this a good list? I am ranging around 50-60.
 
Hi. I am new 4th year DO medical student on this internal medicine journey. Like many of you, I thought I obtain some feedback. I am applying to the northeast mainly as my spouse lives in Philly. What are my chances?
Quartile: 3rd
Step 1: 218-220
Step 2: 233-235
Clinical grades: Honors in both Family medicine and internal medicine
LORs: 3 strong letters
Research: 1 publication and 2 other research experiences at top university
Extracurriculars: Barely any.
Red flags: none

UVA
Carolinas Medical Center
George Washington
UPMC
Sidney Kimmel Thomas Jefferson
Tower Health
Nazareth Program Trinity Health
Georgetown University
Rutgers: Robert Wood Johnson
SUNY Upstate
Albany Medical College
Carilion Clinic
Virginia Commonwealth University
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Howard
Kaiser Permante Maryland
Medstar Baltimore
Sinai Baltimore
ChristianaCare
Bayhealth Medical Center
East Carolina University
St Luke's University Philly USF: Leigh Valley
Geisinger Danville
Penn State Hershey
York Hospital PA
Robert Packer Hospital / Guthrie
Mercy Catholic Medical center
Hackensack University
Cooper Medical School of Rowan
Rutgers-Newark
Newark Beth Israel
Hofstra
Stony Brook South Hampton

Safety Schools:
Anne Arundel Medical Center
St Agnes Health Care
Campbell university Southern Regional Center
Carolinas Healthcare System Blue Ridge
Cone Health Program
Geinsinger Wilkes Barre
St Mary Medical center program
st lukes hospital anderson campus
Rowan SOM, stratford

Is this a good list? I am ranging around 50-60.
Please further explain where your letters are from. For your research, were you co-author? first author? acknowledgement? what does research experience mean?

Throwing money to the wind with applying to UVA and UPMC, they are very highly ranked and have little or no DO's in their roster from PGY-1 to residency alumni list. Jefferson is also a very rare one to accept a DO. Howard is fine if you meet their mission statement. The rest on that first list is fine. The safety schools are REALLY low balling there. You need really make sure those residencies fit what you want to do because if you are thinking fellowship you will make it pretty hard matching at some of those places.
 
I have one from cardiologist, one from another speciality, one from IM PD. For research, I did 3 oral presentations and one publication in a small journal. I plan on being hospitalist for now but possible interest in CC. Should I add more schools on this list then? Thank you for taking the time to respond. I really appreciate it.
Are these letters from when you did a Sub-I or are they preceptor letters from third year? Are these faculty members or just community physicians?

I think your numbers are fine, but again if you are looking into fellowship, maybe make sure the places on your list either a) have an in-house critical care fellowship or b) show success in their fellowship match rate and placement.
 
Are these letters from when you did a Sub-I or are they preceptor letters from third year? Are these faculty members or just community physicians?

I think your numbers are fine, but again if you are looking into fellowship, maybe make sure the places on your list either a) have an in-house critical care fellowship or b) show success in their fellowship match rate and placement.
One of my letter is from academic hospital Sub-I and the others are from 3rd year. T
 
School: Top 20 MD
Step 1: 243
Step 2: 248
Clinical: H in 2/7, HP in 5/7 (including IM), got H into 2 other random electives if that matters
Research: 3 pubs (1 in JAMA), 2 submitted first author (unfortunately probably won't be accepted in time), like 10+ abstracts / posters
Letters: overall alright, 1 research, 1 from AI, 1 from department chair
Awards: No AOA at my school. Won some research award.

Yale
Colorado
Emory
NW
Chicago
Beth Israel
Michigan
Mayo
Minnesota
Wash U
Duke
UNC
Rochester
Columbia
Mt Sinai
NYU
Cornell
OHSU
Penn
UPMC
Vandy
UTSW
Baylor
UT Austin
UVA
Washington
Wisconsin
Case Western
Dartmouth
UAB

Feel like I don't have a chance at any Cali program, so won't be applying there. No geographic restrictions. I value good didactic education and quality of life, with some fellowship aspirations (not sure what).

Probably going to spend my "tokens" at Chicago, Beth Israel, Michigan, Vandy, WashU
Thoughts: I feel pretty average clinically. I feel like my list is top heavy, but all my mentors say just apply to the top programs because my school's name, which feels unearned and dumb. Any advice on places I should add or take away?
Anyone got thoughts before Wendesday?? 🙃
 
Anyone got thoughts before Wendesday?? 🙃
Is that normal that a T20 MD school doesn't have AOA?

Anyways, with your scores your list is fine. But I agree it's pretty top heavy. I think you could fair at CA sites and would recommend adding Cedars sinai, UCSD, UC Irvine, Scripps Green (people sleep on it but it has to be one of the most research available community programs out there and is literally on the UCSD campus/research park with Salk, SRI, LIAI, Sanford). Since you are already shooting for the stars just apply to UCSF, UCLA, and Stanford.

Why aren't you applying to MGH and BWH?
 
Is that normal that a T20 MD school doesn't have AOA?
Yeah, we just removed it this year due racial discrepancies in past AOA winners. My understanding is that a lot of the upper schools are getting rid of it too for the same reason. Additionally, there's the added benefit of getting rid of it for people who wouldn't have won it anyways (me probably). Why make your students compete against one another for an award you can advantage everyone by letting them click the box "no AOA at my school."

I think you could fair at CA sites and would recommend adding Cedars sinai, UCSD, UC Irvine, Scripps Green
Thanks, I'll add them.

Why aren't you applying to MGH and BWH?
Don't want to donate to more money to ERAS than I have to lol. I don't really have a wow factor in my app, though BWH is my dream program b/c I'm really interested in health policy. I'll hazard an app there too.

I just got an H in my sub-I too, so I guess that's a needed piece of the app too.
 
Hi guys,

I want to apply for next years match and need your help determining the significance of a single failed exam (1 attempt, successful remediation, but delay of 6 months in total academic time). A short run through of the profile:

Non-US IMG (visa required)
YOG 2020
Step 1: 250+
Step 2: 255+
3 PUBMED indexed research publications (co-author)
2 months of electives, 3 months of observerships. (some specialty specific, not all)

I know this probably doesn't matter as much, but following the failure (again, 1 subject, failed by 1.5%, successfully remediated on second attempt. Subject was Pre-Clinical) there were no more failures in ANY subjects, with an immediate rise of over 15% over-all raw percentage evidenced on transcripts. Its bothering me that this 6 months delay will come up on the MSPE, and I want to figure out, through your opinions, just how screwed I really am. Not that screwed? Dead in the water as a non-US IMG?
Non US IMG at Carib?
 
Unfortunately, no. Hopeful from South-East Asia.

Your board scores are competitive. Also, it's s preclinical course, I doubt that will have a great impact on your application. I know many IMGs who switched schools (due to failures in preclinical courses and matched)
 
Does anyone know which is a better program-UofAZ tuscon or phoenix? they both seem to have mostly MDs from decent med schools and fellowship match at tuscon seems solid. Cant seem to find phoenix fellowship match?
 
Does anyone know which is a better program-UofAZ tuscon or phoenix? they both seem to have mostly MDs from decent med schools and fellowship match at tuscon seems solid. Cant seem to find phoenix fellowship match?
Phoenix is associated with banner where Tucson has it's own medical center as well. That's really the biggest thing.
 
Hey, I just want to echo what I said above.

For anybody reading this topic in the future, go ahead and apply to reaches if it's even somewhat reasonable for you. I'm at a mediocre school and my step 1 is awful-awful, I have no graduate-level research, but I reached for the stars and I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes for the third time. I have a unique story, and I think that played a big part, but... As for me, I have no regrets.

I'm totally not an expert or anything, ymmv and all that, but holy cow I'm glad I blew those few extra dollars.
 
Hello
Still only a 3rd year but starting to do some research about programs and things. This is just a starting point, I'm reading online and asking mentors about their experiences at some of these programs. I'm hoping to get some guidance regarding the programs on my list in terms of fellowship possibilities, ranking, strength of training, how much time is spent in the ambulatory setting, rep for malignancy, and how mid-level friendly they are overall.

Background: Non-URM, ties to both east and west coast. STRONG clinical background in emergency medicine and cardiology. Low to mid tier east coast MD school. Looking to be in CA or east coast mainly Around DC, VA, or PA. Open to more suggestions that would fit my criteria.

Step 1: 240's
Step 2: N/A
AOA: not sure, my school is kind of a crapshoot with AOA. Have heard of people who have honor'd almost every clerkship and still not being nominated.
GHHS: I have a better shot at this than at AOA given the feedback I've gotten from peers on clerkships together. Not counting my chickens yet.
Clerkship grades (so far): Honors in 1 outpatient block. HP in Surg, Peds, and IM*
Clinical feedback literally includes the words "functioning at the level of an intern/resident" but I have been narrowly missing the shelf exam cutoff scores set by my school to achieve honors.
Research: nothing published yet but working on an abstract with potential to turn into a low-impact journal article. 1 clinical research project that will generate an abstract and poster presentation, may or may not be published. 1 case report that has high likelihood of being published in a major case report journal.
Extra curricular - extensive clinical volunteering while in med school, previous work history in medicine. Student club president but the club couldn't function that year because of covid restrictions.

Reach/NFW - Without an "H" in IM should I even bother considering these places?
UCSF - totally a reach school and I acknowledge it, but I impressed a mentor who had a significant academic position here (albeit not in IM) who is willing to help me network. I like that there is minimal time scheduled specifically rotating through ambulatory. The HPE track sounds interesting. 12/36 months of elective time sounds like a lot but is this standard for most programs? Do most programs have more/less? I figure why not apply but keep realistic expectations.
Penn - considering taking off the list with their recent NP expansion going on.
Cornell - still researching about this program.
Northwestern - Still researching about this program.
Stanford - because why not?

Target
UC Davis - has a similar med ed. track where you can work with UC Davis med students. Seems like a lot of ambulatory time (8-10 wks first year, 10 wks minimum 2nd and 3rd year) but they mention it can be done in specific subspecialties like endocrine and cards.
UPMC - surprised by this one. Seems to be a dark horse in that its underrated/undermentioned but seems to have great training. Not a great fellowship match list though? Lots of ambulatory time too.
UMMC - not a lot of elective time 5.5 months if I'm reading their site correctly
UCSD
UChicago
GW
Georgetown
Tulane
UNC
Boston University
Rush
Tufts
Wake Forest


Safeties?
Jefferson
Temple
UVA


Not on the list
USC - allegations of SA in their cardiology program made me want to steer clear even if its a CA program.
UCLA - Have a mentor who did residency here and did not recommend it, specifically mentioned he felt like it was very transplant focused and he didn't feel like he got a well-rounded education here.

Elective time and required ambulatory medicine time are only the first two factors I'm looking into when comparing residencies. I don't know what other things I should look at and could use some advice.

*The other thing I could use some advice on is my IM clerkship grade. Our school has an honors cutoff (set by the school) for the shelf, and you have to hit this minimum to get honors, regardless of how well your clinical evaluations are. My clinical evaluations are pretty great, and I missed the cutoff by less than a handful of points. Should I try to appeal if my attendings would support me? I'm not sure how successful anyone has been at this before at my school, but should I give it a try if that Honors in IM would help put me on the radar for places like UCSF, Penn, etc?

Thank you all in advance.
 
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Hello
Still only a 3rd year but starting to do some research about programs and things. This is just a starting point, I'm reading online and asking mentors about their experiences at some of these programs. I'm hoping to get some guidance regarding the programs on my list in terms of fellowship possibilities, ranking, strength of training, how much time is spent in the ambulatory setting, rep for malignancy, and how mid-level friendly they are overall.

Background: Non-URM, ties to both east and west coast. STRONG clinical background in emergency medicine and cardiology. Low to mid tier east coast MD school. Looking to be in CA or east coast mainly Around DC, VA, or PA. Open to more suggestions that would fit my criteria.

Step 1: 240's
Step 2: N/A
AOA: not sure, my school is kind of a crapshoot with AOA. Have heard of people who have honor'd almost every clerkship and still not being nominated.
GHHS: I have a better shot at this than at AOA given the feedback I've gotten from peers on clerkships together. Not counting my chickens yet.
Clerkship grades (so far): Honors in 1 outpatient block. HP in Surg, Peds, and IM*
Clinical feedback literally includes the words "functioning at the level of an intern/resident" but I have been narrowly missing the shelf exam cutoff scores set by my school to achieve honors.
Research: nothing published yet but working on an abstract with potential to turn into a low-impact journal article. 1 clinical research project that will generate an abstract and poster presentation, may or may not be published. 1 case report that has high likelihood of being published in a major case report journal.
Extra curricular - extensive clinical volunteering while in med school, previous work history in medicine. Student club president but the club couldn't function that year because of covid restrictions.

Reach/NFW - Without an "H" in IM should I even bother considering these places?
UCSF - totally a reach school and I acknowledge it, but I impressed a mentor who had a significant academic position here (albeit not in IM) who is willing to help me network. I like that there is minimal time scheduled specifically rotating through ambulatory. The HPE track sounds interesting. 12/36 months of elective time sounds like a lot but is this standard for most programs? Do most programs have more/less? I figure why not apply but keep realistic expectations.
Penn - considering taking off the list with their recent NP expansion going on.
Cornell - still researching about this program.
Northwestern - Still researching about this program.
Stanford - because why not?

Target
UC Davis - has a similar med ed. track where you can work with UCSD med students. Seems like a lot of ambulatory time (8-10 wks first year, 10 wks minimum 2nd and 3rd year) but they mention it can be done in specific subspecialties like endocrine and cards.
UPMC - surprised by this one. Seems to be a dark horse in that its underrated/undermentioned but seems to have great training. Not a great fellowship match list though? Lots of ambulatory time too.
UMMC - not a lot of elective time 5.5 months if I'm reading their site correctly
UCSD
UChicago
GW
Georgetown
Tulane
UNC
Boston University
Rush
Tufts
Wake Forest


Safeties?
Jefferson
Temple
UVA


Not on the list
USC - allegations of SA in their cardiology program made me want to steer clear even if its a CA program.
UCLA - Have a mentor who did residency here and did not recommend it, specifically mentioned he felt like it was very transplant focused and he didn't feel like he got a well-rounded education here.

Elective time and required ambulatory medicine time are only the first two factors I'm looking into when comparing residencies. I don't know what other things I should look at and could use some advice.

*The other thing I could use some advice on is my IM clerkship grade. Our school has an honors cutoff (set by the school) for the shelf, and you have to hit this minimum to get honors, regardless of how well your clinical evaluations are. My clinical evaluations are pretty great, and I missed the cutoff by less than a handful of points. Should I try to appeal if my attendings would support me? I'm not sure how successful anyone has been at this before at my school, but should I give it a try if that Honors in IM would help put me on the radar for places like UCSF, Penn, etc?

Thank you all in advance.
This is my opinion as a lowly MS4 who is almost done with (what I believe to be successful) interview season. I think you have a solid list but wouldnt consider UVA Temple and Jeff safeties-Id say theyre good fits for you. I would maybe move UPMC and definitely move UChicago to reach. I think rocking Step 2 (260+) and working hard to continue to publish research and possibly get a PI letter if you end up finding/securing a mentor would really set you up well and give you a shot at even some of your reaches like UChicago NW and Cornell. HUP UCSF will be hard (its hard for anyone) but nothing is impossible. You very will have a shot at matching anywhere as a USMD from a midtier school with solid board scores (step 2 pending) and continued research. I hate telling people something is impossible so dont let anyone tell you that just work as hard as you possibly can and you will match somewhere thats right for you
 
I am also an MS4 going through interview season, so I am by no means an expert. First things first, I agree with everything the above poster said. There are many factors that play a part in determining one’s competitiveness for IM residency, including (but not limited to): step 1 score, publications (quantity and quality), class rank, number of clerkship honors, AOA, GHHS, and step 2. Many of these things you are months away from having, so I doubt any of us here will be able to give you significant advice on which programs you're competitive for. However, I’ll offer a few suggestions as someone who has interviewed a few of your listed programs.

The biggest advice I’d give is to focus on your current and upcoming rotations instead of trying to appeal your IM grade. Considering your school has a shelf cutoff, arguing that external circumstances might have affected your performance will pose a significant uphill battle. While it’s beneficial to have support from mentors in the field, I wouldn’t risk the possibility of burning bridges with them over a grade appeal when they could possibly elaborate on it in a LOR or phone call to a PD. While a HP is not ideal, there is very little you can realistically do now to change that. Focusing on honoring your remaining rotations and crushing STEP 2 might be a better use of your time and energy.

Additionally, I don’t see much utility in comparing elective time when evaluating programs. From your post, I am assuming you want to pursue a subspecialty like cardiology, and some programs have subspecialty wards such as cardiology (GI, Onc, or Pulm, etc). It's during those rotations where you'll make connections and meet mentors which would have been formed during medical student electives. Elective time at many programs is generally used for POCUS rotations, procedural services, research, or global health rotations. That will not be the case everywhere, I would suggest focusing on factors like traditional vs. X+Y schedule, if the program has a dedicated night float or expects teams to take overnight call when making your list of programs. Also I think your current list is fine, I personally wouldn't have felt comfortable applying to only 20 programs when many people with competitive stats are struggling to get 10-12 interviews after applying to 40-50. Try to apply to enough programs that you will be able to interview and rank 15. If you have any more questions, I'd be happy to answer them to the best that I can.
 
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I am also an MS4 going through interview season, so I am by no means an expert. First things first, I agree with everything the above poster said. There are many factors that play a part in determining one’s competitiveness for IM residency, including (but not limited to): step 1 score, publications (quantity and quality), class rank, number of clerkship honors, AOA, GHHS, and step 2. Many of these things you are months away from having, so I doubt any of us here will be able to give you significant advice on which programs you're competitive for. However, I’ll offer a few suggestions as someone who has interviewed a few of your listed programs.

The biggest advice I’d give is to focus on your current and upcoming rotations instead of trying to appeal your IM grade. Considering your school has a shelf cutoff, arguing that external circumstances might have affected your performance will pose a significant uphill battle. While it’s beneficial to have support from mentors in the field, I wouldn’t risk the possibility of burning bridges with them over a grade appeal when they could possibly elaborate on it in a LOR or phone call to a PD. While a HP is not ideal, there is very little you can realistically do now to change that. Focusing on honoring your remaining rotations and crushing STEP 2 might be a better use of your time and energy.

Additionally, I don’t see much utility in comparing elective time when evaluating programs. From your post, I am assuming you want to pursue a subspecialty like cardiology, and some programs have subspecialty wards such as cardiology (GI, Onc, or Pulm, etc). It's during those rotations where you'll make connections and meet mentors which would have been formed during medical student electives. Elective time at many programs is generally used for POCUS rotations, procedural services, research, or global health rotations. That will not be the case everywhere, I would suggest focusing on factors like traditional vs. X+Y schedule, if the program has a dedicated night float or expects teams to take overnight call when making your list of programs. Also I think your current list is fine, I personally wouldn't have felt comfortable applying to only 20 programs when many people with competitive stats are struggling to get 10-12 interviews after applying to 40-50. Try to apply to enough programs that you will be able to interview and rank 15. If you have any more questions, I'd be happy to answer them to the best that I can.
Totally agree. He should also be fine (100% probability of matching) ranking 10-12 programs as a USMD statistically speaking
 
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