Posted on WAMC, want to know how many programs to apply to

[NicMouse64]

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Hello all,
I would like some advice on number of programs to apply to. I am applying Anesthesia in September. I go to a school with no home program, but will be doing an away in critical care...My school said that applying to 70-80 programs was unnecessary.

My stats:
USMD-low tier
STEP 1: 228--around the 45th percentile
Clerkship grades: 2P, 3 HP, one honors
Letters: 2 from anesthesiologists, one community one academic. IM PD at my school for my 3rd. May have a 4th from a psych preceptor....All strong and highlight my personal characteristics which will emphasize why I would be a good anesthesiologist.
Research: 4-5 pubs, none directly related to anesthesia.
Other: spanish speaking, free clinic volunteering.

How many programs should I apply to and what "tier" is considered out of my reach? Upper tier? Upper mid tier?

Thanks all!

 

[NICMAN]

Glad to see you have chosen the correct path little mouse.

 

[NICMAN]

Apply to a few “dream” programs and many middle tier schools as well as a few safety schools.

write letters to program directors and focus on places where you see yourself and sell yourself. As long as the letters are heartfelt complementary and direct then no program director will ever fault you. Also write letters to every single person you interview with. I did this even though I had program directors calling me on the phone asking me to consider their program. It will only help your case to send a thank you card to everybody who took a few moments out of their day to interview you.

 

[deleted697535]

6. Mid

 

[NicMouse64]

6. Mid

huh?

 

[APA 32]

Hello all,
I would like some advice on number of programs to apply to. I am applying Anesthesia in September. I go to a school with no home program, but will be doing an away in critical care...My school said that applying to 70-80 programs was unnecessary.

My stats:
USMD-low tier
STEP 1: 228--around the 45th percentile
Clerkship grades: 2P, 3 HP, one honors
Letters: 2 from anesthesiologists, one community one academic. IM PD at my school for my 3rd. May have a 4th from a psych preceptor....All strong and highlight my personal characteristics which will emphasize why I would be a good anesthesiologist.
Research: 4-5 pubs, none directly related to anesthesia.
Other: spanish speaking, free clinic volunteering.

How many programs should I apply to and what "tier" is considered out of my reach? Upper tier? Upper mid tier?

Thanks all!

I had similar step 1 to you. Went up significantly on step 2 to the 250s and applied to 30 programs. Matched into a pretty good program

 

[NicMouse64]

I had similar step 1 to you. Went up significantly on step 2 to the 250s and applied to 30 programs. Matched into a pretty good program

How many interviews did you get?

 

[GassYous]

Apply to a few “dream” programs and many middle tier schools as well as a few safety schools.

write letters to program directors and focus on places where you see yourself and sell yourself. As long as the letters are heartfelt complementary and direct then no program director will ever fault you. Also write letters to every single person you interview with. I did this even though I had program directors calling me on the phone asking me to consider their program. It will only help your case to send a thank you card to everybody who took a few moments out of their day to interview you.

aint nobody got time fo dat

 

[APA 32]

How many interviews did you get?

At least about 15 I only went on 10. Mind you this was pre covid

 

[Ravenclaw90]

Your Step 2 will play a big role in how competitive you are. But since you have to turn in your application before the score comes out, it's best to apply on the defensive and make a plan based on your Step 1 of 228, knowing that this past year, there was a problem with how the top med students were getting most of the interviews. Anesthesiology got a lot more competitive this past year, 10% of people did not match, and a lot of speculation says this is because EM is less desirable and/or people now apply anesthesia as a backup to their competitive surgical subspecialties.

If I were you, I would apply to 50+ and make sure that within that 50, you include low tier along with mid tier. You need to make an educated guess in regards to how many apps you need to send out in order to receive ~15 invites. That said, although you're from a "low tier" USMD school, you may be competitive for top tier if you knock Step 2 out of the park (because your Step 1 should make it past typical screening), so it would be worth applying to even more programs, in order to include top tier. If interviews are actually in person, then you have the opportunity to boost your application further. If interviews are still virtual, then you are at a disadvantage without a home program as a safety. Do all that you can to ensure you match, even if it means spending money on extra applications. Just my two cents.

 

[NicMouse64]

Your Step 2 will play a big role in how competitive you are. But since you have to turn in your application before the score comes out, it's best to apply on the defensive and make a plan based on your Step 1 of 228, knowing that this past year, there was a problem with how the top med students were getting most of the interviews. Anesthesiology got a lot more competitive this past year, 10% of people did not match, and a lot of speculation says this is because EM is less desirable and/or people now apply anesthesia as a backup to their competitive surgical subspecialties.

If I were you, I would apply to 50+ and make sure that within that 50, you include low tier along with mid tier. You need to make an educated guess in regards to how many apps you need to send out in order to receive ~15 invites. That said, although you're from a "low tier" USMD school, you may be competitive for top tier if you knock Step 2 out of the park (because your Step 1 should make it past typical screening), so it would be worth applying to even more programs, in order to include top tier. If interviews are actually in person, then you have the opportunity to boost your application further. If interviews are still virtual, then you are at a disadvantage without a home program as a safety. Do all that you can to ensure you match, even if it means spending money on extra applications. Just my two cents.

thanks for the advice! I am taking a month off to study for step 2 in july. Hopefully I can shoot in the 250 range and have it in before ERAS is submitted.

 

[APA 32]

thanks for the advice! I am taking a month off to study for step 2 in july. Hopefully I can shoot in the 250 range and have it in before ERAS is submitted.

Good luck. That was my plan and it worked out well for me