Psychiatry Residency

[psyche1]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I'm a medical student from India, will be graduating in 2023/2024 depending on when I complete my internship. I plan to apply for residency in 2024. I have a step 1 score of 262 but most of the applicants will have p/f when I apply. Will definitely try to do some US rotations and maybe some research as well if possible.
I don't have anything in terms of extracurriculars, leadership experiences in my CV. How important are they to match considering psychiatry has been pretty competitive in the last few years?

 

[deleted1100659]

Speaking from the perspective of a residency program in the southeast that I graduated from, used to they took a fair number of IMGs, but the recent crop of people has been a lot more american MDs with a few DOs.

I got to sit in on ranking the applicants. Experience was a huge deal, and applicants were scored on various domains and given a total numerical score with a "rank high" "rank middle" "rank low" "dont rank" etc. Experience was one of the domains essentially. I don't think leadership was make or break, but it did help.

Audition rotations would be huge, because if the attending here liked you they would make it known, and if they had clout their opinion would often take priority.

I think it helps that your application clearly answers the question "why psychiatry"

 

[heartsink]

Audition rotations would be huge, because if the attending here liked you they would make it known, and if they had clout their opinion would often take priority.

I've heard mixed opinions on doing auditions. Some say it can crater your chances if you have an awkward interaction or just don't happen to subjectively vibe well while you're there, and you would have been better off not appearing until interviews.

I have my heart set on returning to my home state for their state university's psychiatry residency; I have strong roots and ties to the area and thought about auditioning or at least telling the PD of my connection and my intent, but I'm worried this will shoot me in the foot.

 

[deleted1100659]

I've heard mixed opinions on doing auditions. Some say it can crater your chances if you have an awkward interaction or just don't happen to subjectively vibe well while you're there, and you would have been better off not appearing until interviews.

I have my heart set on returning to my home state for their state university's psychiatry residency; I have strong roots and ties to the area and thought about auditioning or at least telling the PD of my connection and my intent, but I'm worried this will shoot me in the foot.

if you are at a disadvantage, then an audition rotation has more potential for reward than risk. Since it is inherently harder for IMGs.

Keep in mind you still will have to interview with 4-5 people for the interview, so no matter what youll have to power through any awkwardness. Of all the people who did auditions at my former program, there was only 1 who left a bad impression, but this person literally fell asleep during our didactic day. Everyone else it helped.

Also if you dont vibe well at the program may be better to find out during a month audition instead of a four year residency.

There is no harm in at least reaching out to the PD. No one will look at you in a negative way for a friendly email.

 

[robellis]

I'm a medical student from India, will be graduating in 2023/2024 depending on when I complete my internship. I plan to apply for residency in 2024. I have a step 1 score of 262 but most of the applicants will have p/f when I apply. Will definitely try to do some US rotations and maybe some research as well if possible.
I don't have anything in terms of extracurriculars, leadership experiences in my CV. How important are they to match considering psychiatry has been pretty competitive in the last few years?

Why are you trying to go into psychiatry? Why not IM?

 

[FlowRate]

this person literally fell asleep during our didactic day

Of the things I would hold against an auditioning student, falling asleep during boring-ass didactics would be at the bottom of the list.

 

[Monocles]

Why are you trying to go into psychiatry? Why not IM?

Not OP but psychiatry is great whereas IM is, uh... IM. 🤣

 

[psyche1]

Why are you trying to go into psychiatry? Why not IM?

I started studying for step 1 thinking I would be applying to IM, but even back then I was more interested in an IM fellowship than IM itself. I haven't been enjoying the IM rotations lately, especially the inpatient side which is what you train in for the majority of residency.
I have always liked psychiatry, so considering that now, haven't completely ruled out IM though.

 

[deleted1100659]

Of the things I would hold against an auditioning student, falling asleep during boring-ass didactics would be at the bottom of the list.

The person giving the lecture was the program director.

 

[Psychresy]

IM is hell.

 

[psycharmed]

I'm a medical student from India, will be graduating in 2023/2024 depending on when I complete my internship. I plan to apply for residency in 2024. I have a step 1 score of 262 but most of the applicants will have p/f when I apply. Will definitely try to do some US rotations and maybe some research as well if possible.
I don't have anything in terms of extracurriculars, leadership experiences in my CV. How important are they to match considering psychiatry has been pretty competitive in the last few years?

I was in your shoes 3 years ago and successfully matched into a great program. Psychiatry is at present very competitive for IMGs but there are still many programs which are IMG heavy and recruit IMGs every year. Some factors which can contribute to a successful match in psychiatry for IMGs include - high step scores (try to score well on CK, this can make you stand out amongst a pool of US psych applicants), demonstrated interest in psychiatry (through authorship, clinical experience, volunteer experience, membership in professional organisations), a well written personal statement and excellent interpersonal / interview skills. It can also be helpful to network through conferences- but I recognise that a lot of them are virtual now so it’s a different beast. Feel free to PM me with any questions! Best of luck!

 

[MacDonaldTriad]

I disagree with the advice that you shouldn't do an "audition" rotation (and I hate the term "audition rotation"). If you work at a program and leave a less than favorable impression, you don't want to train there anyway. If you do a sub-I somewhere and don't like the program, you are both better off for that knowledge. If you do well and they like you, win win. How could it help you to not let program's have an accurate impression of what you are and are not capable of? If you are mildly above average and have a very small standard deviation, you will be a better bet than someone who is well above average but can range between an A and a D.