PCCM Application thread '08-09 version

[Moozy]

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I am not much aware of programs.. just breezed through the info from last year. .. Some is available on the websites......What information are you referring to?

 

[arjun29]

I am just referring to general information, that if anybody knows, like the good and bad things. Like strong points, just general (Am trying to make my list of programs).
So am trying to see if I can know anything other than the info on website and things program will say to you.

 

[Moozy]

Arjun!!so what information were you able to get for the rest of the programs?
As for the ones you have mentioned, I have heard that Uni of FL is a good program esp for pulm; prefer spanish peaking people in that region generally. Does not sponsor H1.

 

[Moozy]

Lets het some activity... how many programs are you all applying to. I have selected 30. Will go through my CAF and PS again this weekend and hit the button on Monday decmber 1st, i think,

 

[arjun29]

Yes, we need more activity.
I shortlisted 25 programs at present. May add few more. Will submit my applications some time in the first two weeks.
Moozy, I still did not call programs yet to have info, am relying on their websites. I will probably do that this monday.

 

[Moozy]

any views about Creighton.. how is the program? Do they take people from outside of their state and how FMG friendly are they? Also.. how is life in Omaha?

 

[renaldoc2be]

any views about Creighton.. how is the program? Do they take people from outside of their state and how FMG friendly are they? Also.. how is life in Omaha?

Creighton is a good program. Staff are wonderful (really, really smart) and very easy to work with.

ICU is about 25 beds at Creighton and there are 16 beds at the VA.

ICU team at Creighton consists of fellow, 4-5 residents, and 2-3 students. Average load in the ICU is 8-14 patients. It is obviously an open ICU. Divide those among the residents and students. Fellow oversees everything. Fellows do not round in the ICU on weekends at either location. All call is home call. At Creighton and the VA the pulmonary service and the ICU are covered by residents at night. Fellows are called with all new admissions and consults, but are not responsble for pages from the ICU or floor on admitted patients when that fellow is on call.

In general, it is a good program. Good learning envorinment with great teachers. Much of the overnight and after hours work is done by residents.

Definitely take people from outside their state. No problem with FMG status either. I would say about 2/3 of their IM residents are FMG, some of their current fellows are FMG as well.

 

[spiderdude]

Yes, we need more activity.
I shortlisted 25 programs at present. May add few more. Will submit my applications some time in the first two weeks.
Moozy, I still did not call programs yet to have info, am relying on their websites. I will probably do that this monday.

If you are FMG, I will recommend to apply at least to 40 programs. It is really competitive and each program receives 100-200 applications per position and the will see 5-15 applicants per position. So it is really competitive.

 

[arjun29]

......, spiderdude you got me thinking, now i need to add more programs to my list? actually my list became 30 today! Will scan tonight and add more. probably will submit my app this weekend.
Did any submit app?

called few programs, no new info other than what's on their websites.

spiderdude thanks for that info, really appreciate it. 👍 🙂 do you mind me asking where are you now (you did not say where you were in the old thread!

 

[Moozy]

Iam confused also.. will see what else to add.
I am also looking at the expenses of travelling. Will concentrate more on my neighbouring sttaes.

Applied to 20 already. Waiting for things to be uploaded.

......, spiderdude you got me thinking, now i need to add more programs to my list? actually my list became 30 today! Will scan tonight and add more. probably will submit my app this weekend.
Did any submit app?

called few programs, no new info other than what's on their websites.

spiderdude thanks for that info, really appreciate it. 👍 🙂 do you mind me asking where are you now (you did not say where you were in the old thread!

 

[Moozy]

Creighton is a good program. Staff are wonderful (really, really smart) and very easy to work with.

ICU is about 25 beds at Creighton and there are 16 beds at the VA.

ICU team at Creighton consists of fellow, 4-5 residents, and 2-3 students. Average load in the ICU is 8-14 patients. It is obviously an open ICU. Divide those among the residents and students. Fellow oversees everything. Fellows do not round in the ICU on weekends at either location. All call is home call. At Creighton and the VA the pulmonary service and the ICU are covered by residents at night. Fellows are called with all new admissions and consults, but are not responsble for pages from the ICU or floor on admitted patients when that fellow is on call.

In general, it is a good program. Good learning envorinment with great teachers. Much of the overnight and after hours work is done by residents.

Definitely take people from outside their state. No problem with FMG status either. I would say about 2/3 of their IM residents are FMG, some of their current fellows are FMG as well.

thanks renaldoc2be

 

[Moozy]

how are the two places in virginia and the washington hospital centre program in DC?

will appreciate any information.

 

[arjun29]

Am also looking at the same programs! 🙂 I looked at the info I collected in this thread on washington on page 1 (post # 21). Moozy I think you might have checked that.
Not much info on virgina however (just seems good programs, both vcu and uv). But will appreciate if anybody can address the following:

how is the call, (friendly) faculty? plus points and things you gained and missed ?
about these two programs

how are the two places in virginia and the washington hospital centre program in DC?

will appreciate any information.

 

[pmdoc]

😀😀😀 lol, with that heading, people must be thinking that i got an interview...sorry guys...just wanted to ask when do the programs start sending out interviews??

thanks in advance

 

[arjun29]

😀😀😀 lol, with that heading, people must be thinking that i got an interview...sorry guys...just wanted to ask when do the programs start sending out interviews??

thanks in advance

already applied pmdoc?
looking at the interview list we have from the last year, they actually started rolling in early jan (about 4 interviews only in dec) and picked up pace in late jan and early feb. I am expecting it will go the same way, this year as well.

 

[pmdoc]

yes arjun, i applied to 60 progs on dec 2nd. most of the progs downloaded my app and i guess, now i have to wait...🙁🙁

 

[JayneCobb]

If you are FMG, I will recommend to apply at least to 40 programs. It is really competitive and each program receives 100-200 applications per position and the will see 5-15 applicants per position. So it is really competitive.

If you look at the NRMP match data from last year's match, there were 567 applicants for 374 positions.

 

[drnomimi]

Got rejection form Uni of Missouri at Kansas city saying that they do not accept H1 visa applications.

 

[Kary]

Just got my first rejection- from Univ of Colorado.... and the fun begins 😛

 

[Moozy]

Colrado rejection today. That brings my list down to 34. Wondering if I should apply to 10 more.

Any news about University of Alabama and the city of birmingham, AL.

 

[Moozy]

How can one mention in personal statement that they would prefer a certain location due to family/spouse. I am unable to come up with a nice statement which does not sound strange but conveys the message.

I wish to add this sentenece at the end of my PS; it will look more appropriate in last paragraph. But Should I end my PS with such a senetence about geographical preference. Any suggestions?

 

[Lithoman]

how did colorado send such an early rejection? this seems like an automated rejection (i.e. no one read the PS/LORs). It must be based solely on visa status & USMLE scores

 

[Moozy]

my application is uploaded fully and no visa restrictions applied. They may have screened on some other criteria like USMLE scores or community hospital.

 

[JayneCobb]

Mine's submitted, and just about fully uploaded. I didn't apply to Colorado, I know I'm not that competitive.

 

[pmdoc]

how did colorado send such an early rejection? this seems like an automated rejection (i.e. no one read the PS/LORs). It must be based solely on visa status & USMLE scores

Hi,

Colarado is a very highly regarded pccm prog and thus very competitive. I did not apply there as I have no chance. But right now, they must be screening solely on usmle scores/your prog/research & publications. I don't think they must have even downloaded the lors/ps.

Good luck.

 

[arjun29]

Seems like I missed some fun!
Anyway got my applications submitted over the weekend and am ready for fun from my side. I finally went with 35 programs! Lets see how it pans out.
Interesting that colorado rejected already. I think pmdoc is right. This is one of those most awaited times (otherthan waiting for the match results to come out) I think. Good luck to all

 

[Moozy]

I did not realize that Colrado was competetive. Infact, I applied there thinking who would go in the middle of nowhere. they have 5 positions too. Anyways. I have applied to some big names just because they are close to where I am currently located, eventhough I am sure I will not hear from them.

Hi,

Colarado is a very highly regarded pccm prog and thus very competitive. I did not apply there as I have no chance. But right now, they must be screening solely on usmle scores/your prog/research & publications. I don't think they must have even downloaded the lors/ps.

Good luck.

 

[arjun29]

Anybody received the following email from EFDO saying problems with some of the uploaded documents, It came from the [email protected]


"We wanted to inform you that we are unable to view your MSPE due to an error message. The error message appears every time we try to open your documents. This has been happening to other applicants. Can you please email me your MSPE as an email attachment so we can have this part of your file as soon as possible? Please remember to send this as a PDF file. If you have any questions please email me back.

We are informing you of this issue as soon as we can. We can not see the actual documents until applicants apply to programs. All we can see before you apply is that your documents were uploaded. We are informing you of the problem as soon as we can.
Sincerely,

ERAS Fellowship Support Services/Lynne"

 

[JayneCobb]

Anybody received the following email from EFDO saying problems with some of the uploaded documents, It came from the [email protected]


"We wanted to inform you that we are unable to view your MSPE due to an error message. The error message appears every time we try to open your documents. This has been happening to other applicants. Can you please email me your MSPE as an email attachment so we can have this part of your file as soon as possible? Please remember to send this as a PDF file. If you have any questions please email me back.

We are informing you of this issue as soon as we can. We can not see the actual documents until applicants apply to programs. All we can see before you apply is that your documents were uploaded. We are informing you of the problem as soon as we can.
Sincerely,

ERAS Fellowship Support Services/Lynne"

Yeah, I got it this email too. I emailed back and forth with them a few times getting details on exactly what they wanted and they had it straightened out within a few hours. Their email response time was 30 minutes for me and they had the MSPE uploaded within 12 hours for me.

 

[arjun29]

EFDO is pretty good! They uploaded my document within two hours of emailing them.
I see that about 2/3rds of programs downloaded the applications. Moving along slowly, now just waiting for that one word - "interview"

 

[Groovy kid]

Hi everybody, I just discovered this forum! Wish I had done so much, much earlier! Let me first off introduce myself.

IMG
Presently working as 2nd year resident
Step scores: 96/97/84
Research experience: 2 in the pipeline
Publications/Posters: none
Extra qualifications: MPH
Visa status: H1
No of places applying to: aiming for about 30
Interviews received at: not applied yet 😛

So that was my main reason for posting. I haven't applied yet....if anybody can believe that!! Reason - LORs not in place yet :-(
So is it all over for me?

 

[pmdoc]

hi,
i received an email from a prog today saying, "we received your application and found it to be incomplete. although you have no control over the letter writers, please ask them to complete the recommendation letters".

what does this mean???

pmdoc.

 

[souljah1]

It means that they received your application and that it is incomplete. It is incomplete because your letter of recommendations have not been received. You should ask your letter writers whether or not they've been sent yet.

 

[arjun29]

groovykid, welcome, nothing is over, infact it just started. You don't need to wait for LORs, just request them, complete your eras application and submit it first. last year people sumitted as late as jan i think and still got interviews (though less #).

atleast 12 programs did not even download my app!

pmdoc, thats an interesting email, but guess they mean what they say (as souljah1 said)

 

[JayneCobb]

hi,
i received an email from a prog today saying, "we received your application and found it to be incomplete. although you have no control over the letter writers, please ask them to complete the recommendation letters".

what does this mean???

pmdoc.

There is also sometimes a delay between ERAS recieving the LORs and them fully uploading them. I've got 2 of mine in and it took ERAS over 2 weeks for the EDFO site to show they have recieved them. I'd nicely ask your writers if they've sent them in yet.

 

[arsa]

how are the two places in virginia and the washington hospital centre program in DC?

will appreciate any information.

Both places in VA are competitive and wont take H1. I intv'ed at VCU-good place but has no transplant anymore.

WHC is a decent program in DC. relatively new but lots of research months.scant brochs, no interventional, faculty not really that renowned except 2 but probably as good or better than other DC programs although a community hospital. 2 spots per yr.

 

[Kary]

Hey guys.... its been 10 days since the programs started downloading our apps.... but no interviews yet... has anybody got ANY iv calls yet? Or is it just me

 

[pmdoc]

It means that they received your application and that it is incomplete. It is incomplete because your letter of recommendations have not been received. You should ask your letter writers whether or not they've been sent yet.

Hi,
Thx for the reply. The letters were sent about 3 wks ago and they have been uploaded also. All the letters are also showing up on EFDO. Thats why it sounded weird..oh well..I am going to contact the prog directly.

😕😕

 

[souljah1]

Hey guys.... its been 10 days since the programs started downloading our apps.... but no interviews yet... has anybody got ANY iv calls yet? Or is it just me

Relax.

Most interviews aren't offered until 2009. Some programs will start in December. It's a long process.

 

[arjun29]

Hey guys.... its been 10 days since the programs started downloading our apps.... but no interviews yet... has anybody got ANY iv calls yet? Or is it just me

I keep checking my inbox more often now looking for that one email even though I know it is toooo early. Then take a deep breath and say to myself "CHILL" at the end of the day!!!!

 

[Moozy]

me too.. checking ERAS everytime i see a computer at work. All my LORs are uploaded now. Almost 60% programs have downloaded. Now it is just a long wait.

Could I add some more programs after new years if i do not see anything in my inbox in 2009 - just wondering if that will be late or waste of $$.

 

[arjun29]

Looks like the first interviews were trickling in haem/onc and nephrology.

 

[arjun29]

Just got an email from John Hopkins saying they are pleased that I applied!! I want to hear more than that (though I doubt they will call me)!!! Here is what they have sent:

We are pleased that you have applied to our Pulmonary and Critical Care
Fellowship Training Program. Applications are accepted from September
through February 1 and only through the ERAS system at www.aamc.org/eras.

We have a large program with an enthusiastic faculty whose expertise covers a
wide range of disciplines. Our dual goals are to provide an exciting clinical
year and a productive research experience with the ultimate aim of preparing
fellows for careers in academic medicine.

Our program is located geographically in two hospitals, and the clinical
training experiences in these locations are designed to be complementary. The
Johns Hopkins Hospital serves as a regional, national, and international
referral center as well as a general acute care hospital for the Baltimore
area. The Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center serves as a primary and
secondary care hospital and has a new Medical Intensive Care Unit, Regional
Burn Center, and a Chronic Ventilator Unit. After completion of the clinical
rotations, our fellows have had exposure to a wide range of clinical problems.


Research training is carried out under the direct supervision of a faculty
preceptor and may range from basic cellular biology or animal experiments to
clinical research in selected patient populations. The program has a long and
distinguished history of research accomplishments in all of these areas.

Stipend support for our fellows during their research training comes from an
NIH training grant, and the terms of the National Health Research Service
Award apply.* Like most of the major United States pulmonary training
programs, we are participating in the National Matching Plan, and applicants
for combined clinical and research training are required to sign up with the
match. We accept 8 fellows per year via the Fellowship Match.

Applications will not be considered complete until we have received the
application, CV, Dean's letter, ECFMG
status, 3 letters of recommendation, personal statement, transcript, and USMLE
transcript. We conduct our interviews in March and April and will be
interviewing only the most competitive applicants. If you would like a quick
glimpse of our Division, please visit our WEB site at
http://www.hopkins-lungs.org . If you need further information, you may
contact Brenda Jordan, Fellowship Coordinator at [email protected].


*Our federal training grant permits us to support postdoctoral fellows only if
they are U.S. citizens or hold an immigrant visa. Applications from foreign
nationals who are not eligible must therefore be accompanied by a clear
indication that they will provide their own support during their training.

 

[Moozy]

I am not quite sure what it means. But since I did not receieve any such email and I applied there too; I guess it is a good sign. Lets see what others say; but I think you could call PC to inquire?

With your credentials, PhD and bench research, you would be a great cnadidate.

 

[arjun29]

I am not quite sure what it means. But since I did not receieve any such email and I applied there too; I guess it is a good sign. Lets see what others say; but I think you could call PC to inquire?

With your credentials, PhD and bench research, you would be a great cnadidate.

The problem is, it clearly says that they consider only us nationals or immigrant visas. J1, my visa and the one I applied for, is not. But let's see, will call them early next week to see what they mean.
I sure do hope it is a good sign! Thanks moozy

 

[elresidante]

Looks like the first interviews were trickling in haem/onc and nephrology.

I was reading your guys thread because mine is currently boring. Am applying for ID and have 3 interviews so far - no rejections. Good luck!

 

[Kary]

Hey guys! I got the same email from Johns Hopkins this am... i guess its just an automated response to every one who has sent in their apps.... possibly in the order in which they dowloaded the apps. So moozy u shud be getting ur email soon enough, provided you have sent in all the things they need to see (they're listed on Arjun's post).

Just for reference, I have-
scores: 99/99/97
In 2nd year of residency
No papers published/no posters
Am working on 1 research right now.
Dont need a visa.

 

[Moozy]

my application was downloaded by John hopkins on 12/9. last lor just got downloaded today. anyways; my scores suck.. so cant blame anyone.

 

[souljah1]

My sense is that it is an automated e-mail once all the required documents are downloaded on their end. The language is vague and I don't think conclusions can be made from that sort of e-mail.

 

[arjun29]

Anybody else got any responses from other programs?