programs 1 , rirriri 0

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rirriri

rirriri

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i was shot down by Yale like a diseased bird that got hit by a fighter jet over the skies of the atlantic ocean.

at least they took the time to snail mail me a nice rejection.
 
sorry rirriri,
better things await. who wants to live in new haven anyway, right?

augmel
 
I wouldn't worry about it ririri. It might be small comfort, but it's always nicer to get rejected before the interview rather then after. It's less personal that way, plus you save all the money/effort of going out there (Yale is almost 1 hr away from the closest airport).
 
thanks for the encouragement...it does make me feel a bit better.

i just wish my first contact could have been an interview....since opening that letter with the rejection, i feel like i'm already digging myself out of a hole....again.

who needs Yale anyway!! ivy league shmivy league blah blah blah blah
 
*update*

Programs 3
Rirriri 0

shot down by: Mt. Sinai (NY) and Cornell today. Snail mail and E-mail, respectively.

doh!
 
Don't get discouraged, Rirriri! From what I've read on this forum so far, any program that gets you will be better off!

Best of luck to you and everyone else who is waiting for responses :clap:

Brian
 
thanks Brian! haven't seen you around here much lately.

i think i'm just gonna relax and see what happens instead of getting all anxious about all this.

cheers!
 
In the words of the unsophisticated, chillax! Some programs will see past weaknesses. Time will tell. Rejection will happen undoubtedly to all of us probably more than we wish to believe. Each program has its pet peeve, or a particular characteristic they are looking for. Seriously--It's like applying to medschool all over again-unpredictable and with or without any rhyme or reason. At least we don't have all those secondary apps to fill out.
 
Rirriri, are you an AMG or a FMG? If you are an AMG, you do not need to worry at all. Good luck!
 
i will be an IMG.

so that gives me the RIGHT to worry! haha
 
The game isn't over until every single program you've applied to has rejected you, and even then, it only means you get to try again later.
Guess who wins if the final tally is Programs 1000, Riri 1 ?
 
rirriri,
Did you apply to some of the smaller programs and a few of the less desirable places as backups?
 
without getting into the WHOLE scenario of my application process, let me summarize what i have done *coughs*

i have applied to 65 programs.

most of them being in the following states:
Michigan
New York
Massachusetts
Illinois
Ohio
Wisconsin
Minnesota

and then there are scattered applications in other states: Rhode Island, Connecticut, Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri, Pennsylvania, etc...

I have decided that i don't wish to pursue a residency in a "rural" part of the USA. I would like to pursue a more "academic" setting for possibly a future in academics, thus i have applied more to bigger markets. I have applied to community programs as well, but the majority (about 75-80%) are University programs.

I also began my Elective Rotation *YESTERDAY* at my #1 Choice....it's a large metropolitan university program in the Midwest. I dunno how great of a chance i have of getting something here, but i'm sure trying.

*IF* for some reason, i didn't match this year (god forbid)....i will look to do research for a YEAR and then reapply next year....

currently:

Programs 6
Rirriri 0

*rejection from SUNY-Syracuse today*
 
rirriri, If you don't mind me asking, what is your background like?

Do you have publications?
Are you ECFMG certified?
Are you a US citizen?
What medical school do you attend?
Do you have recommendations from pathologists?

Thanks
 
Sorry about your rejections. IMG is the key point here. NRMP says AMGs have the priority over IMG (although I think your background may be over-quanlified). You still have a lot chance. See: path has over 400 positions last year and about 60-70% were filled by AMGs. There are about 150 left for IMGs. I think this year's situation may be quite similar to last year. Be patient and try to apply more in South. Good luck!
 
First of all, you guys are fantastic! Thanks for all the encouragement, it really does make me feel better....really.

to answer Cesar's questions:

-no publications

-i WILL be ECFMG certified when i finish my US Clinical Rotations (i'm on the same timeframe as a US student)

-was born/raised in the US (am a citizen)

- I attended Medical School in Eastern Europe (Poland to be exact)

-i'm doing my first REAL Pathology rotation this month (3 days into it, i LOVE it) and i'm not sure if i will get an LOR from them or not...but maybe. I have 3 very STRONG LORs from Internal Medicine, OB/GYN, and Hematology/Oncology
 
I am sorry you are struggling. continue to aim high and you will make it.

It is very early and interviews go until the end of January in many cases.

All the best
 
I did not make anxiety for IMGs because i am an IMG too. I am telling the truth. I know programs separate AMGs' application form IMGs', and they review AMGs' at first. After that, if some interview slots left, they may pick up several IMGs. Some PD do not have chance to look at IMGs' files because some IMGs' application can not pass coordinators' selection. IT IS PATHETIC!
 
In fact, some coordinators do screen IMG and AMG. Because you know many IMG have visa issues and they do need J-1 or H-1. So it is "reasonable" for coordinator to take these IMG out as it is unpleasent for some deparments to go through paperwork relevant to visa issues.
 
Originally posted by dalian
I did not make anxiety for IMGs because i am an IMG too. I am telling the truth. I know programs separate AMGs' application form IMGs', and they review AMGs' at first. After that, if some interview slots left, they may pick up several IMGs. Some PD do not have chance to look at IMGs' files because some IMGs' application can not pass coordinators' selection. IT IS PATHETIC!
Click to expand...

that is true for the most part.

i know for a fact that there are several "filters" in the application review (i have been told this directly by a PD)

AMGs are selected/offered/preferred. Then US-IMGs/IMGs with no visa issues. then foreign IMGs with visa issues. there *may* also be a USMLE score filter in effect, although i think that is used more in IM/Surgery/etc...

the PD i spoke with told me that their secretary is the one who does the "initial screening" and that he doesn't really even look at the applications until the screening is finished....and since this program (which is a decently competitive University program) definitely prefers AMGs (as most do)...not many IMGs even made the initial screening.

CHEERS!
 
Originally posted by wolfe
In fact, some coordinators do screen IMG and AMG. Because you know many IMG have visa issues and they do need J-1 or H-1. So it is "reasonable" for coordinator to take these IMG out as it is unpleasent for some deparments to go through paperwork relevant to visa issues.
Click to expand...

it's not just "unpleasant" for the programs....it COSTS them quite a bit of money out of the program's pocket to sponsor a Visa. I think alot of Foreign IMGs are very well qualified, but for each IMG who needs a Visa costs the hospital thousands of dollars to process and sponsor. (the government has many many restrictions/fees they impose)
 
I agree with you. I do not complain the system, and actually, I think it is quite normal. What I am trying to tell is to make people better understand IMGs' situation and how hard for us to find a position here. We do work hard to suceed, like every immigrant in the past 200 years. I believe, in this free land, every hard worker will make it finally.
BTW, my situation: 2 interviews, 3 rejections so far. HOLD ON, RIRRIRI. YOU CAN MAKE IT!
 
i agree Dalian. For someone like me (a US-IMG)...i have no one to blame but myself for the position i am in.

Had i worked harder in Undergraduate coursework, i may have joined a US Medical School. Had i done better on Step 1, i would have increased my chances for being accepted as an IMG.

It is a constant struggle, but i agree with you in that HARD WORK will always pay off in the end...

take the long road and walk it. it's what i'm doing.....and i don't mind.

cheers and thanks!
 
You'll get there! You seem to have a pretty good attitude about the whole thing, and I think when you do go on interviews your enthusiasm and desire to improve yourself will come across, which will impress the programs. For various reasons, programs have to go by very unpersonal characteristics when beginning the interview process. As one would say, the measure of a man is not in the numbers in his application. But they have to start somewhere!

p.s. rirri why are your posts always indented slightly to the right of everyone else's? Is this some kind of vague reference to political leanings? Displayed in prominence for all to recognize and see.
 
LOL

no! i'm not leaning towards the right...it's nothing political.

when i set up my SDN account, i noticed a "loophole" to make my posts indent to the right slightly so i fully took advantage of it. hehe. it helps me notice what i've already posted on.

thanks for the words of encouragement, i keep them all in my pocket every single day.

cheers
-rirriri
 
jeez you know a lot about this stuff. I still can't use a smilie, "quote a previous post" in my posts, or indent. But really who gives a ****.

Rirri, out of curiosity. You state your location as CHicago, but say your med school is on Poland. Do you do your rotations in Chicago or something? If so where? Chicago has a lot of path programs. Surely, you will get an interview at one of them.
 
can you believe they bleep out swear words. How ridiculous. What? Are there pre-school kids on the path forum? We are adults and adults ****ing swear when speaking informally.
 
yeah, my med. school is in Poland.

we have US Clinicals (similar to carribbean schools) so even though they are limited in locations we can choose from, they are still in the US.

Electives are much better, as they can be arranged more freely (usually) with surrounding hospitals.

I would love to stay in Chicago, so yeah, i HOPE you are right about me landing something here!
 
Hey ririrri, you went to medschool in Poland? In Lodz? Jak sie masz, I'm Polish. How did you like it there?
 
Worrying is like a rocking chair,
it gives you something to do,
but it doesn't get you anywhere.
-???
 
Nice user name sertraline. 😉
 
Nilf,

yes, i went to Poland! check your private messages...i PM'd you
 
BUMP.

let's keep this thread alive.

How has it been going ririri?

It has been a quiet week.
 
very quiet week. didn't hear ANYTHING.

i have a feeling the next wave of responses will come after the dean's letter on November 1st.
 
Ririri,
for your talk, just keep it simple. just cover what robbins says about it and fill in some more details with a review article or two.

do you think this program will offer positions outside the match?

i'm curious to know how many do, i have heard that even the top programs do it.

i have been told that a top program on the west coast has already committed their neuropath fellowhip to a junior at NYU for 2008 which means that she will for sure do two years of AP there prior to the NP.
 
hey Pathstudent,

from much of the information i have gathered over the past few months, *most* big University programs (like the one I am at right now) don't seem to use the pre-match very often anymore....i think in the 80s it was used when there was a shortage of applicants, but since the field is getting more popular, i think they are getting plenty of applicants.

I have still heard of a few Community programs who offer pre-matches though, so I think that is the most likely spot to be offered one.

that's CRAZY about the 2008 graduate..lol.....they might as well signed him for a pre-match when he was born!!!

CHEERS!
 
REJECTION: Thomas Jefferson University by E-mail.

that's not even a great program is it!? damn.
 
WOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I FINALLY SCORED!!

INTERVIEW @ TUFTS/BAYSTATE!

Rirriri has a pulse! the DNR orders that I had placed by my nightstand are gonna be removed!!

Programs 8 Rirriri 1

and...oh, THIS FORUM RULES

*ahem....regains composure*

normally, i guess people wouldn't be THIS happy to get an interview, but honestly, i was really getting scared.

CHEERS!
 
congratulations and good luck
 
That's awesome, rirriri! I was waiting to hear that! I'm sure plenty more are on the way, but, as they say -- one's all you need. Once they meet you and see your strong interest in path, you're a shoo-in. :clap:
 
Originally posted by Ludy
Once they meet you and see your strong interest in path, you're a shoo-in.
Click to expand...

I think that's a good point. I was wondering about this the other day, and whether it is hard to fake an interest in path for those out there who may be applying as a backup for whatever reason, or those who are applying for the lifestyle. I guess some people can fake anything though. If I was on a residency committee, I would put "enthusiasm for the field" near the top of my list of qualifications.
 
...and the crowd goes WILD!!!!

Good for you, Rirriri! :clap:
 
lol.

thanks alot guys.....i'm just hoping this is just the beginning. i appreciate the support...i really do.

and Brian, thanks for PMing me with the topics of the lecture on Friday.....i appreciate it....BUT my topic has been changed!!! LOL

i'm now giving a lecture on Tuesday about Amyloidosis and presenting a case of a patient with multi-system Amyloidosis....seems like a much more manageable topic, if anything....

CHEERS and THANKS!
-rirriri
 
tomorrow is a BIG BIG day for me.

i finish my Path. elective and the PD has told me that we are going to discuss whether or not I am recieving an interview at this program. OUCH.

sure i've impressed them with my enthusiasm/presentation/friendliness.....BUT i don't know if that's enough........tomorrow will be pretty dramatic either way.

say a small prayer for me as you go to sleep, will ya?

cheers!
 
GOT IT!

Programs 7 Rirriri 2

Northwestern University!

the PD was very enthusiastic and VERY KIND in his comments towards me...he essentially said...."you are very very enthusiastic and you will be very successful"

i'm also gonna fill you in on something else. 1 week prior to starting this elective, i was rejected by this very program....i have hence had to work my ass off to overturn the rejection...and it worked!

WOO HOO!!! THANK YOU to all of you for your continued support.

THE UNDERDOG STRIKES AGAIN.........and lands one of his top choices!

CHEERS!
 
congratulations! you're a beast ririri! that's seriously impressive what you just did, overturning a rejection. it kind of makes me think that they want you because if they didn't think they would end up ranking you anyway, they never would have gone to the trouble of reversing themselves. so, i think that invite means much more than just the regular invitiation that usually comes. i know i would have been crapping my pants before a meeting like that to determine my fate. keep it real ri, you're on your way up.

would you mind sharing a little about the nw program? i applied there but don't know much about it other than it's a good program and chicago is a great city to live in. i've received an invitation from nw-evanston but not the chicago program. what do you (or anyone else) know about either or both of them?
 
I'm a frequent lurker of this board, but I've got to use my first post here to say "YOU ROCK" to rirriri!!! That is super duper awesome, even though everybody had faith in you from the very beginning. :clap:

:hardy: :hardy:
 
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