Q about competitive programs

[reneef8]

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Does anyone know if any peds residency programs use cutoff scores for step 1 or step 2, or which score might be more important (Iserson's Getting Into a Residency says Step 2 is more important)?

Also, has anyone found that so-called "top" peds residency programs look for anything specific in their applicants (i.e. AOA, honors in clinical years, "connections", research experience). I would consider places like CHOP, Boston Children's, and Children's National (for example) as "top" places. I'm just wondering what makes such programs so competitive.

I'd appreciate any feedback, especially firsthand knowledge from people who have gone through the process. Thanks!

 

[michigangirl]

Just a clarifcation to your last point..i wouldn't call children's national competitive...they didn't fill last year since their merger with howard peds. chop, boston, hopkins, those are the top three, and they typically look at third year clerkship grades and letters first and foremost, of course with the interview. board scores are important, but most make decisions without even looking at step 2..step 2 is good if you take it early and kick ass on it compared to step 1. most of my fellow intern colleagues at one of the places mentioned above didn't take step two until after all the app deadlines had passed.

the interview is always key..you have to show you're a compassionate person who's committed to children's health.

hope this helps!

 

[jdog]

Ahh, some of my favorite subjects. I am an intern but I love to talk of this stuff. It always amazes me the misconceptioins out there, so let me clear a few things up for you peps.

1. As I have said on this forum many times, the U.S. News Report names only the top hospitals, not the top residency programs, so be careful.

2. Having an average or above step I gets you in for an interview just about anywhere. Boston Chil, CHOP, and Hopkins can be kind of a crap shoot. A lot has to do with connections. If you do not go to a big name school, it helps to have a chairman who knows the other schools chairman, or a resident at that program from your school has done well there in the past.

3. West Coast is a little hesitant to outsiders to say the least, so Seattle, Denver are very tough for easterners to crack, again especially from a regular medical school. You do need to be a stud to match in from east coast, have connections, have connections to the west, or come from big name place. but it certainly can be done and has been done many times in past, but without at least 220's I would say forget about Denver, Seattle, or good Cali programs.

4. I think a lot of better programs cut off at 210 step I. UNC on their website posts that the cutoff is 210.

If anyone knows differently please speak up.

Once you have an interview, your interview is HUGE and I can not emphasize this enough. When you get into residency you will understand how little it matters whether someone got a 218 or a 258, but whether that person is someone who you would like to hang out with, share call with, check out patients to, depend on, trust, etc.

DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE INTERVIEW.

Most peds program directors are pretty down to earth and normal people and they are looking for the same.

That being said, a few places do portray an arrogant tone, but that is easy to figure out, and easy to discard from your list if this pisses you off.

good luck