Question about matching IM.

[license43]

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[ninjaman22]

It all depends. Do you want university vs. university-affiliated community vs. pure community program? Do you want ACGME vs. AOA? Location? Northeast and California are harder than southeast and midwest. Some programs require you to have a USMLE score even if they are DO friendly. Some programs do not require USMLE and happy with just the COMLEX. If you want to go into a university program, I would definitely recommend taking the USMLE. Also, keep in mind, no matter how high your USMLE scores are, you aren't going to match to any of the top IM programs (Penn, MGH, Hopkins, Duke, BWH, UNC, UVA, UofChicago, Northwestern, Michigan, etc). I have personally learned this applying this cycle, unfortunately.

 

[ninjaman22]

thanks, just wondering why big programs are a No go? Because I'm a DO student?

Yes. Also, they can basically pick and choose anyone they want to interview from the amazing top applicant pool.

 

[sab3156]

thanks, just wondering why big programs are a No go? Because I'm a DO student?

The fact that you are a DO means your application is going to get thrown into the trash at top tier IM programs. Why would they risk taking you on board when they have a historical relationship with top schools from where they have successfully been taking applicants from for decades? Why would they make their program seem "less desirable"? Ivory tower academic medicine, for better or for worse, has a lot to do with ego and brand name.

The only reliable way a DO gets into very competitive programs in competitive specialties is by connections (preferably through strong research mentorship under influential faculty in your field of choice). This is really the only way to level the playing field. I know this because of direct communication with a large number of residents/fellows, chairs of departments, and PDs about this at a top tier ACGME program in an ultra competitive specialty. You have to not only perform exceptionally well and produce exceptionally good research compared to the MD applicants, you also need that phone call. From what I was told, even the top tier MD applicants were all super well-connected when they matched to the program - this might be true for a lot of the top tier programs.