Prospects in NC

[rufio173]

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Hi All,

I've been spending some time reading the stuff on here and I was wondering how fickle the Match was... I'm really trying to get down to NC because I think it's a great state and my fiancee is down there at Duke getting her pHD.

It would be great if I could get somewhere close like Duke, NC chapel hill, or even Wake Forest University.

I'm just beginning my third year and have been enjoying it immensely, but the one thing about the rotation schedule is we only get a one week stint w/ anesthiology while on our surgery rotation, so I've been trying to find as much information on places as I can and also just a little more about the field. I know that Duke is fairly competitive and hard to match into as well as the other two schools that I mentioned so I'm not trying to get my hopes up.

So, just some quick stats...

I go to UVA and we have switched to the pass/fail system w/ honors pass if you are in the top 20%, however I didn't make the cut so I guess I fit somewhere in the middle.

Step 1: 231
Step 2: When should I take this? (Early so it can be considered in my profile or later so it won't affect my applications?)

I've been doing fine in my rotations, but of course they have only just started so who knows where I will end up, but I continue to push hard and try to learn as much as I can.

I'm working on getting some LORs, and I think I've got one solid one picked out, but I think I have some time left since it is just the beginning of my third year. I've heard that it is the quality of the LORs that matters, not so much who writes it, even if the guy is a big name, but if he just writes like 3 sentences then it's no good. I will however, work hard to acquire a letter from one of the people in my anesthiology program. Also, should they all be associated w/ anesthiology? I was told by a practicing anesthiologist that they don't have to be and was wondering if this was still true today. I feel like I have a good relationship with this one doc and he's had an extended period of time to evaluate me as a person as well as a student (~ 6 months and I feel like he would write a really great recommendation)

Publications: No anesthiology research, but I've got my name on one publication (One in a neuroscience journal from undergrad) and another one that is pending (One in Infectious Diseases from summer research in Med school)

I'm involved in some community service programs, enjoy fencing and reefkeeping. Hehe

Any info. , input or help would be much appreciated!

Thanks,
John H.

 

[zeusdoc]

Look at the sticky sections at the top of this forum. They are an excellent reference that will answer many of your questions and give you an inside look at the process.

On paper you have great stats, and you sound like a nice guy. Be optimistic, continue learning through each rotation, and you should be in great shape to apply for programs in NC next year.

 

[rufio173]

Look at the sticky sections at the top of this forum. They are an excellent reference that will answer many of your questions and give you an inside look at the process.

On paper you have great stats, and you sound like a nice guy. Be optimistic, continue learning through each rotation, and you should be in great shape to apply for programs in NC next year.

Thanks zeusdoc! I will continue pushing forward. This year definitely beats sitting and studying day after day. Hehe. I guess I won't worry what will happen w/ the match because what will happen will happen. 🙂

Peace,
John H.

 

[achieman]

Thanks zeusdoc! I will continue pushing forward. This year definitely beats sitting and studying day after day. Hehe. I guess I won't worry what will happen w/ the match because what will happen will happen. 🙂

Peace,
John H.

don't take step 2 until after interviews, 231 and a couple of good letters are good enough to get you interviews at all 3 NC programs, then it is up to the interviewing process, even if you do a few points higher on step 2 won't help much, but if you don't do well, it will hurt a lot more.
Also, don't dispair if you did not get interviews at all 3 schools. Things happen, I know for a fact that several people I know and a lot more people I talked to when I interviewed did not receive all 3 interviews. Also, it does not appear one program is harder to get interviews than another, just a matter of luck.

 

[rufio173]

don't take step 2 until after interviews, 231 and a couple of good letters are good enough to get you interviews at all 3 NC programs, then it is up to the interviewing process, even if you do a few points higher on step 2 won't help much, but if you don't do well, it will hurt a lot more.
Also, don't dispair if you did not get interviews at all 3 schools. Things happen, I know for a fact that several people I know and a lot more people I talked to when I interviewed did not receive all 3 interviews. Also, it does not appear one program is harder to get interviews than another, just a matter of luck.

Thanks achieman! I'm still not sure as to whether I should take the step 2. I think that I could do really well and hopefully break the 240s and just feel like I have to take it early anyways. At our school, we are supposed to take it before the end of October, so I might as well take it early.

Of course, it's nice to not be restricted by my score. I'm still debating it though. Sorry, I know I'm asking for advice and then I'm still debating the question. Hehe

Thanks a lot though, I really appreciate the additional input.

Peace,
John H.

 

[militarymd]

UVa has a very good anesthesiology residency program with attendings who are very approachable.

If you have interest in critical care medicine, get to know Charlie Durbin...he will give you his shirt off his back to help you if you do your part of showing interest and working hard.

 

[rufio173]

UVa has a very good anesthesiology residency program with attendings who are very approachable.

If you have interest in critical care medicine, get to know Charlie Durbin...he will give you his shirt off his back to help you if you do your part of showing interest and working hard.

Military MD,

Thanks for the tip! 🙂 I'll definitely get into contact with him in the next upcoming weeks.

A quick question, did you go to UVA for med school?

Peace,
John

 

[militarymd]

fellowship.

 

[rufio173]

fellowship.

Oh cool... fellowship in what? Critical care?

 

[militarymd]

yes

 

[Gator05]

I have to second about the props for UVa; it was an awesome program when I looked there.

Alas, I chose what I figured to be a better program for us: Southern Charlottesville, aka UF. Better football, warmer weather...

Military, did you do much time in their NeuroICU? I hear that place is rock-solid. Got some great words of respect in passing from one of our attendings the other day.

 

[jetproppilot]

I have to second about the props for UVa; it was an awesome program when I looked there.

Alas, I chose what I figured to be a better program for us: Southern Charlottesville, aka UF. Better football, warmer weather...

Military, did you do much time in their NeuroICU? I hear that place is rock-solid. Got some great words of respect in passing from one of our attendings the other day.

My two favorite teams are the Miami Hurricanes and whoever is playing the Gators.

 

[militarymd]

I have to second about the props for UVa; it was an awesome program when I looked there.

Alas, I chose what I figured to be a better program for us: Southern Charlottesville, aka UF. Better football, warmer weather...

Military, did you do much time in their NeuroICU? I hear that place is rock-solid. Got some great words of respect in passing from one of our attendings the other day.

Only one month, but Dr. Bleck is nationally recognized for his expertise as a neuro-intensivist....