Q about # of programs

[lvspro]

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Hey all.
I remember a while back that one of the pieces of advice I received was " apply far and wide". I applied to 32 programs, bunch of top notch, a number of mid-level, and a few backups. Anyone have any comments as to whether 32 scattered across the US is far and wide enough?

 

[Idiopathic]

I consider myself a fairly competitive applicant and I applied to 28. I dont think its a bad idea, but I couldnt see myself going on more than 12 interviews out of those.

 

[chicamedica]

uhoh, i only applied to 19. . . 😱

(and i thought THAT was a lot)

 

[ThinkFast007]

hey Lvspro

I think you are about right. IF I recall you had good board scores. And the recommendation for ppl with your board score level and say for example IDIO (who's i recall was good too) was 20 or less.

I always thought >30 were for ppl that didnt have as strong applications. ...But then again this is just what i've heard from reading posts on SDN. LOL when I asked my Dean this q, she thought applying to more than 20-25 was max. Her rxn to me was like, "its not like you're applying to ortho"....so go figure 😎

 

[lvspro]

Hey y'all
Thanx for the responses. b/c I'm an IMG, I am trying to increase my chances. Some places may automatically weed me out d/t that. Besides, it looks like the landscape for anes PD's is such that they can pretty much get the "pick of the litter" with everone perceiving it as a "lifestyle" specialty. I would be happy matching, but would be delighted to match somewhere with plenty of fellowship/cert opportunity. I'm not sure what others are thinkin', but I think intra-op TEE's and the like are pretty cool toys to have in my arsenal.

One other thing, I also applied to lots of really competetive places in hopes for the above. If I score, yippee... if not, at least I can say I tried.

 

[VentdependenT]

It doesn't hurt to apply to as many programs as you may have interest in. You can always turn down interview invites. You cannot however come begging for them if you are behind the 8 ball. Screw your visa bills and apply.

 

[lvspro]

Right on vent. I was thinking along the same lines.

 

[bignursemd]

It doesn't hurt to apply to as many programs as you may have interest in. You can always turn down interview invites. You cannot however come begging for them if you are behind the 8 ball. Screw your visa bills and apply.

TRUE words of wisdom....... I think between the Prelim/Transitional/ and the advanced programs....hmmmmmmm applied to 32, interviewed 18 , 14 gas.... I was a little worried because all the hype regarding increasing numbers etc.....bull****, just give yourself some options, and breathing room with the number of apps....
good luck

 

[chicamedica]

Hmm in that case i may send out some more.

 

[driverabu]

Well, would it make anybody who thinks they applied to too many programs feel better if I said I applied to 62 gas, 20 prelim med and 22 transitionals? Reason being that I'm an IMG (ross). Although I have really good step 1 and even better step 2 scores, excellent letters of rec and got A's on both of my gas rotations, I am just paranoid when it comes to even thinking that I won't match. If anybody has applied to more programs than me, please let me know so that I won't feel like the only crazy one out here! 😀

 

[lvspro]

Well, would it make anybody who thinks they applied to too many programs feel better if I said I applied to 62 gas, 20 prelim med and 22 transitionals? Reason being that I'm an IMG (ross). Although I have really good step 1 and even better step 2 scores, excellent letters of rec and got A's on both of my gas rotations, I am just paranoid when it comes to even thinking that I won't match. If anybody has applied to more programs than me, please let me know so that I won't feel like the only crazy one out here! 😀

Yikes!! I'm in the same boat man. Like I said b4, I'm just hedging my bets by applying far and wide.

 

[mms437]

applied to 68 programs...D.O. with a step 1 usmle=mean......scared sh**tless i wont match.....so i got you beat by a few....

good luck to everybody

 

[Etomidate]

applied to 68 programs...D.O. with a step 1 usmle=mean......scared sh**tless i wont match.....so i got you beat by a few....

good luck to everybody

That is the most ridiculous thing I've heard in a while. So you got a 217 on Step 1 and applied to 68 programs?

All you need is 10-12 interviews to match, which you should be able to easily land with ~20 applications.

unbelievable waste of money.

 

[ThinkFast007]

applied to 68 programs...D.O. with a step 1 usmle=mean......scared sh**tless i wont match.....so i got you beat by a few....

good luck to everybody

🙄

 

[DrMuscles]

Dang, at my school, everyone applies to 100 programs or more. 😱

It's an Asian medical school. Really competitive school, but Program Directors discriminate against us because of VISA issues and our IMG status.