# Programs to Apply to

[stormjen]

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Given that Pathology is gradually increasing in competitiveness, it makes sense for a weaker applicant to apply to a few more programs. Okay, got that. So, say this applicant is an AMG, passed Step 1 on the first try but with a really low score (<80), did almost as bad as you could in the first two (which turned into three) years of med school, and is graduating from a bottom-to-mid tier med school...

What would be a reasonable number of programs to apply to? The programs would be a healthy mix of quality, maybe a name or two just to see what happens, but a fair amount of reasonable chances.

I know there are no hard rules here, just tell me what ya think.

thanks

 

[yaah]

Stormjen did you fail any classes? How about 3rd and 4th year? Did you get good LORs from path faculty?

Yes, it helps to have good grades and a higher USMLE, but it isn't everything. I think Crepitus is right - don't be afraid to apply to lots of programs. However, if you are going to apply to tons of programs since you are an AMG you might want to be prepared to get more interviews than you would think...so don't just randomly apply to everywhere. Definitely include some you might think are a reach though. A lot of university programs have a hard time recruiting AMGs so they may grant you interviews even if you think your qualifications are not so great...

 

[stormjen]

Yeah, I had some difficulties in my first year so ended up having to repeat, but then I never failed anything again. Decent clinical grades, decent recs, with one being a (hopefully strong) letter from a Path faculty member at my university.

I'm currently planning to apply to about 30 programs. I definitely have a good mix, I just hope it's enough. Who knows, Path may surprise us and get really competitive this year.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Yeah, I had some difficulties in my first year so ended up having to repeat, but then I never failed anything again. Decent clinical grades, decent recs, with one being a (hopefully strong) letter from a Path faculty member at my university.

I'm currently planning to apply to about 30 programs. I definitely have a good mix, I just hope it's enough. Who knows, Path may surprise us and get really competitive this year.

I hope not. And I don't think path will get dramatically more competitive this year. But you're right...who knows 🙂

 

[joedogma]

In the end I will probably apply to 20 programs or so. I can't imagine going on so many interviews but I would rather turn down some interviews than have too few. Since information on programs is hard to come by (from a resident's perspective anyway) I will try to interview at as many programs as possible. Any recent matchers care to share how many programs they applied to and how many interviews they went on? I would imagine that programs seem to blend after the 6th interview...

 

[yaah]

In the end I will probably apply to 20 programs or so. I can't imagine going on so many interviews but I would rather turn down some interviews than have too few. Since information on programs is hard to come by (from a resident's perspective anyway) I will try to interview at as many programs as possible. Any recent matchers care to share how many programs they applied to and how many interviews they went on? I would imagine that programs seem to blend after the 6th interview...

Yeah, I applied to about 16 I think, got interviews everywhere but cancelled 4-5. Programs did seem to blend somewhat, but you also got more familiar with what to ask, what to see, how to evaluate and compare. I highly recommend, in case you haven't heard this before, that you schedule some of your "safety" places earlier, and your top programs somewhere in the middle. That way you can cancel some if you see the ones you like, and you can prepare. Experience with interviews definitely helps, by #4 or 5 I felt like a pro.

Resident perspective can be hard to come by, but you also need to form your own opinion, difficult as that may be. Best to ask multiple residents when you are at the visits, get their emails, etc. Multiple perspectives help you to assure that the "outliers" among the opinions don't get too much influence.

 

[stormjen]

Yes, I definitely wouldn't do 30 interviews! If I get lucky and am invited to more than 10-15, I'll selectively decline some.

Good advice regarding when to schedule interviews. It would be a real bummer to get burned out on the interview trail before hitting my top choices.

 

[Doctor B.]

I agree with Crepitus, apply to a bunch of programs. It can't hurt and getting a spot is what you've worked so hard for during medical school. You can always turn down interviews if you get too many.

Scheduling your top choices in the middle is a good idea. However, I did that and it turned out that one of those "practice" interviews became one of my top choices. So don't write off some of the first places you interview; you may end up liking them best.

Once again, pardon the self promotion, but check out my website for an article on interviewing: http://pathdoc.blogspot.com. Go to the "Information for the Pathology Residency Candidate" link.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Doctor B,

That's a really good site by the way.