Phi Sigma Sigma...? Is it worth it to join? If it ok not to join in?

[license43]

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[SpartanWolverine]

You must mean SSP or Sigma Sigma Phi. Schools can have whatever application criteria they want but it's limited to 25% of the class. It's kind of a joke, in my opinion, but doesn't hurt to be in... it's our janky version of AOA without the strict criteria. I can say I certainly was NEVER asked about it during interviews but it's a box to check on ERAS, at least.

 

[license43]

I have never heard of this before. From a quick search it looks like a sorority?

... After thinking for a minute, you must mean SSP or Sigma Sigma Phi. Schools can have whatever application criteria they want but it's limited to 25% of the class. It's kind of a joke, in my opinion, but doesn't hurt to be in... it's our janky version of AOA without the strict criteria. I can say I certainly was NEVER asked about it during interviews but it's a box to check on ERAS, at least.

why joke? u say

 

[SpartanWolverine]

why joke? u say

Because it's not awfully difficult to get into and can be seen as a popularity contest at some schools. Most of the people who apply get in. But this may be variable by school. For example, for your school, what does a 3.0 and 6 hours of volunteering really mean? Not much. SSP is theoretically supposed to be a marker of being at the 'top of your class' but clearly it is not always objectively so.

 

[68PGunner]

Nobody cares about your clubs or leadership positions — just A bunch of fluffs. As a DO, the followings are important for your specialty matching:

1) Step1 score, not Comlex 1 score
2) Step 2 score, not Comlex 2 score
3) Honor for that specialty rotation during third year
4) Doing well in away rotations
5) ECs like research or maybe a unique background like ex-military. Other ECs don’t matter.

 

[jw3600]

SSP is an absolutele joke. An honors society you pay for? Ridiculous.

And “honors” being like average in your class. Lol.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

SSP is a joke honestly. Our schools basically just takes the top 20% of the class and gives it to them..... but after the first semester...

Giving it to the top students is what is meant to be happening, but after only the first semester is a little dumb.

 

[Tozanzibarbymotorcar]

Hey all, there is an option for me as a DO Medical student to join Phi Sigma Sigma. Apparently in my school you need a 3.0 GPA and have done 6 volunteer hours.

Is it worth it to join this? Will there be an advantage when trying to match into residencies like Internal med or psych. Those are the fields I'm really interested in.

I heard many people are not even asked about that during interviews. Look for some expert opinions from MS 3, 4s and anyone else knowledgable about this.
K thanks.

If you are interested in being a part of that organization go for it. Make sure you know people in the org because admissions is usually done by popularity and who you know. Even though it is a blind process, they can still figure out who you are. You can have over a 3.0 etc and still not be chosen because they don't know you or don't like you. I have never heard a PD mention SSP. Only extracurriculars that I have heard a PD mention are student govt prez and getting a gold humanism award.

 

[pericardium]

It doesn't mean much considering plenty of people in SSP at my school are definitely not top 25%

 

[ortnakas]

If you get invited, might as well join.

If you don’t get invited, don’t sweat it.

 

[sab3156]

SSP is a joke. From what I know, program directors at ACGME programs either don't know about it, or don't care about it. It's not the same thing as AOA, because AOA is actually reputable and known. SSP is a very weak attempt at copying AOA. It's not going to open any doors and it's just going to be weird to talk about it with an ACGME PD. I almost DON'T want to be in it so that I don't have to answer any humiliating questions about its relevance.

 

[Oh_Gee]

If you get invited, might as well join.

If you don’t get invited, don’t sweat it.

but it's $40...

 

[SpartanWolverine]

SSP is a joke. From what I know, program directors at ACGME programs either don't know about it, or don't care about it. It's not the same thing as AOA, because AOA is actually reputable and known. SSP is a very weak attempt at copying AOA. It's not going to open any doors and it's just going to be weird to talk about it with an ACGME PD. I almost DON'T want to be in it so that I don't have to answer any humiliating questions about its relevance.

Don't worry, you'll never be asked about it.