Rearview mirror Match 2010 Special Edition

[Powdermonkey]

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I've never quite understood this question (and it gets asked a lot this time of year). How could this possibly happen? How many acceptance letters did you get from med schools you didn't apply to or who didn't offer you interviews? Same situation here...but more so.

There were ~30K applicants in the Match last year. Do you think some PD out there is going to rank all of them, on the off-chance that somebody s/he didn't interview would randomly put them on their rank list and that this person they'd never met would be a better fit for their program than all the people they did interview?

Well, I'm just asking because I don't understand how its possible to interview at 15-16 different places. Or even 10. So, if I'm only able to go on say, 5 interviews, can I rank more, even if I'm not able to go to their program and interview? Or does turning down an interview pretty much shoot your chances there down? We don't have any 4th years at my school yet, so you guys are my stand ins and I just don't know how it works yet.

 

[SoCuteMD]

Well, I'm just asking because I don't understand how its possible to interview at 15-16 different places. Or even 10. So, if I'm only able to go on say, 5 interviews, can I rank more, even if I'm not able to go to their program and interview? Or does turning down an interview pretty much shoot your chances there down? We don't have any 4th years at my school yet, so you guys are my stand ins and I just don't know how it works yet.

It's totally possible. I interviewed at 16 programs, took one full month off to interview (did 10 or 11) and did the remainder by missing occasional days in Nov and Jan.

Places that you don't interview won't rank you, period.

 

[deleted77919]

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[PurpleHaze]

Agreed!!! Drew Brees did it big today!

 

[RxnMan]

It's totally possible. I interviewed at 16 programs, took one full month off to interview (did 10 or 11) and did the remainder by missing occasional days in Nov and Jan.

Places that you don't interview won't rank you, period.

This is pretty much my plan:

Nov: Light rotation with time to interview 2-3x
Dec: Take vaca for entire month to do majority of interviews
Jan: Light rotation with time to interview 2-3x

I don't plan on doing as many as 16 interviews, though.

 

[Powdermonkey]

This is pretty much my plan:

Nov: Light rotation with time to interview 2-3x
Dec: Take vaca for entire month to do majority of interviews
Jan: Light rotation with time to interview 2-3x

I don't plan on doing as many as 16 interviews, though.

Hmmm, ok. Well, what about step 2 then? When do you take that? I was planning on taking my vacation month the first month of 4th year to have time to take the clinical exam portion and study for the month to take the written portion. But I've also been told that you can do it on a light month, like a rural primary care month and just study in the evenings.

Are most of the interviews in Nov/Dec? I thought that by that time most places have interviewed who they want since the interviews start in like September or so.

 

[Powdermonkey]

Oh, and go Saints. 🙂

 

[opb]

Hmmm, ok. Well, what about step 2 then? When do you take that? I was planning on taking my vacation month the first month of 4th year to have time to take the clinical exam portion and study for the month to take the written portion. But I've also been told that you can do it on a light month, like a rural primary care month and just study in the evenings.

Are most of the interviews in Nov/Dec? I thought that by that time most places have interviewed who they want since the interviews start in like September or so.

Most interviews are in December and January.

 

[deleted77919]

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[Seville]

What a brilliant game! No one thought the Saints would win. Who dat!?

That interception was awesome. I was screaming at the tv "go, go, go"!!!

As for the question about when to take Step 2, I think it's a personal decision. I know people who took a month off their first month and knocked it out. I wasn't ready to take it yet, plus had to do my away rotations. I did one at my home institution in June then two aways in July and August to make sure I got my letters. That left me with September or October to take the exam. I ended up signing up for a light month doing research and used that time to study for Step 2 CK. I'm glad I did that. As I said, I wasn't ready to take it before that and by studying harcorre during the research month + having the 3 EM months under my belt, I felt pretty confident going into the exam and did very well.

Again, it's up to you, but remember that you will likely be doing away rotations for EM as well and need to plan for those. Waiting on those letters is hell when everything else is basically complete in your application.

 

[deleted77919]

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[Seville]

Agreed. I took step II during the window where if I liked my score I could report it, and if I didn't then I wouldn't report it. I don't know if ERAS will work the same way next year but I think that's definitely the best strategy if you're happy with your step I score. No reason to risk taking it too soon, doing poorly, and having to report it.

That's a really good point.

Also, my school tried to scare us all with this graph showing that people who waited to take the exam did poorly and their scores went down from Step I. Again, I think it depends on the person and on what rotations you are taking. Sure, if you are a psych person who is doing an independent study followed by a research month, followed by one of the few required months we have, you may not be too sharp for the boards. For us though, I think it is different.

 

[Smashweasel]

I took zero time off to study or for interviews. Now I get a 4 month vaca before residency starts....FORE!

 

[RxnMan]

Hmmm, ok. Well, what about step 2 then? When do you take that?...

My school gives us time early in our MS4 year to study for Step 2:CK, so I'll take it at the end of August. I'm coming off of a research year, so I think I'll need to go through a few rotations to get back into the swing of things before taking CS. My full MS4 schedule in the other scheduling thread.

...But I've also been told that you can do it on a light month, like a rural primary care month and just study in the evenings...

I was planning taking ~ a month too. If CK is anything like Step 1, score is likely directly proportional to the time/effort invested.

...Are most of the interviews in Nov/Dec? I thought that by that time most places have interviewed who they want since the interviews start in like September or so.

Check out the SAEM student resource page (link in my sig). They talk about the timing of the interview season there. They also talk about when to take CK, too.

 

[SoCuteMD]

Hmmm, ok. Well, what about step 2 then? When do you take that? I was planning on taking my vacation month the first month of 4th year to have time to take the clinical exam portion and study for the month to take the written portion. But I've also been told that you can do it on a light month, like a rural primary care month and just study in the evenings.

Are most of the interviews in Nov/Dec? I thought that by that time most places have interviewed who they want since the interviews start in like September or so.

You could study for Step 2 during a rotation, but it's really going to depend on your step 1 score and how you need to do on Step 2. I was on an "easy" 9-5 month and tried to study for Step 2 in the evenings for the first two weeks. It didn't work very well. I did about 10 days of dedicated studying and that was enough. I think 2 dedicated weeks is about right for most people for Step 2.

 

[CaptainJack]

You could study for Step 2 during a rotation, but it's really going to depend on your step 1 score and how you need to do on Step 2. I was on an "easy" 9-5 month and tried to study for Step 2 in the evenings for the first two weeks. It didn't work very well. I did about 10 days of dedicated studying and that was enough. I think 2 dedicated weeks is about right for most people for Step 2.

I agree with this entirely. I took a whole month off for CK and in hindsight wish I hadn't. It wound up being a very inefficient use of precious vacation that I would be much happier having now. Two weeks would be pretty much perfect.

I don't think any time off at all is necessary for CS, aside from whatever you need to get there and back.

 

[Powdermonkey]

Awesome, thanks guys.

 

[EM2BE]

Taking time off has to do a lot with the position you are in. If you've always done well with little studying, 2 weeks will be enough. I took over a month and was happy I did. No regrets.

 

[Seville]

Completely off topic here but, I am bored and watching the biggest Loser. Something about it makes me want to eat chocolate. That's bad, right?

 

[EM2BE]

Completely off topic here but, I am bored and watching the biggest Loser. Something about it makes me want to eat chocolate. That's bad, right?

I was just thinking chocolate ice cream with bananas and peanut butter. Yours sounds healthier. Then again, the ice cream has half the fat

 

[HIJay]

funny how i am getting rejection emails from programs now...like i wouldnt have been able to figure out by now that i am rejected...

 

[Seville]

funny how i am getting rejection emails from programs now...like i wouldnt have been able to figure out by now that i am rejected...

I've gotten some recently as well, which is cute. There are still a couple of programs where I've heard nothing. I guess it's just too taxing to send an email to tell us we're not going to be interviewed.

 

[monkeybutt]

I've gotten some recently as well, which is cute. There are still a couple of programs where I've heard nothing. I guess it's just too taxing to send an email to tell us we're not going to be interviewed.

I'm still fully expecting to be interviewed by the programs that haven't contacted me yet. Anything else will be a huge disappointment. 🙂

 

[HIJay]

there should be a snow day for hospitals, cancelled all the clinic schedules and discharge home all the inpt for a day for the snow day

 

[Powdermonkey]

Completely off topic here but, I am bored and watching the biggest Loser. Something about it makes me want to eat chocolate. That's bad, right?

I usually want a whole large pizza and some breadsticks when I watch that show. Followed up by some vanilla bean ice cream and maybe some cucumbers 🙂. Gotta stay at least a little healthy... 😀

 

[Cerberus]

I've got some major matchitis and my condition is worsening. To make it worse, I'm on this awful surg-subs clinic month. ~32 work days left in medschool. Then sweet, sweet, tropical beaches.

 

[deleted77919]

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[fyourcouch]

Ugh...have to take CK tomorrow. The step 1 rule where you do nothing the day before the test applies to step 2, right?

 

[deleted77919]

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[SoCuteMD]

In case anybody was wanting the cure to Matchitis, I've found it a year too late.

Jamaica+Pina Colada (x4) = bliss

 

[Seville]

In case anybody was wanting the cure to Matchitis, I've found it a year too late.

Jamaica+Pina Colada (x4) = bliss

coupled with white sandy beach and crystal clear blue water somewhere, yes!

 

[deleted77919]

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[opb]

I tried getting a script for that; unfortunately it's not on formulary at our hospital.

I just go to the corner dealer for that stuff.

Only 2 weeks left until I'm done with all of my clinical responsibilities. Counting down...

 

[EM2BE]

6 weeks and counting! (although it's only rads for 4 of the weeks)

 

[EM2BE]

And then the bliss runs out when you go through all your bills and realize your current bills are greater than or equal to more than you currently have (which is meant to live from until the first paycheck). what to do....borrow or loans...next decision

 

[Powdermonkey]

I say borrow what you can/need to scrape by. So much easier than going through banks and paperwork for loans. If you could even get one with all the debt you currently hold.... I was denied a credit card in December because of my school loans. WTF???

 

[Kris1]

I say borrow what you can/need to scrape by. So much easier than going through banks and paperwork for loans. If you could even get one with all the debt you currently hold.... I was denied a credit card in December because of my school loans. WTF???

That seems unusual to me. I have average credit but have been getting numerous credit cards with limits that I have no intention of approaching. Of course I'm the guy who has to have the newest television and surround sound system, so we'll see how long that lasts. I wonder why they are considering your student loans. Unless they are not currently in deferrment.

 

[EM2BE]

I say borrow what you can/need to scrape by. So much easier than going through banks and paperwork for loans. If you could even get one with all the debt you currently hold.... I was denied a credit card in December because of my school loans. WTF???

Can still get a residency relocation loan. They don't look at school debt.

 

[Powdermonkey]

That seems unusual to me. I have average credit but have been getting numerous credit cards with limits that I have no intention of approaching. Of course I'm the guy who has to have the newest television and surround sound system, so we'll see how long that lasts. I wonder why they are considering your student loans. Unless they are not currently in deferrment.

Idk if thats the total reason, but all the letter they sent me said was something about too much debt or too many outstanding loans. I'm totally in deferment on all but a weenie 3k loan I got a while back and that gets automatically withdrawn on the 12th of every month and its through my credit union. It was weird to me too. Oh well. Didn't need it really anyways, just wanted to have one in case.

 

[Seville]

Idk if thats the total reason, but all the letter they sent me said was something about too much debt or too many outstanding loans. I'm totally in deferment on all but a weenie 3k loan I got a while back and that gets automatically withdrawn on the 12th of every month and its through my credit union. It was weird to me too. Oh well. Didn't need it really anyways, just wanted to have one in case.

I think it is getting more and more difficult to get these loans than it was in the past. I applied to all the residency relocation loans I could find and was turned down for all of them. They said it was because I had such a high loan amount already. The only way they would consider me was with a cosigner, and frankly, I'm not about to ask my parents to cosign on a loan for me when I'm getting ready to graduate med school.

 

[EM2BE]

I think it is getting more and more difficult to get these loans than it was in the past. I applied to all the residency relocation loans I could find and was turned down for all of them. They said it was because I had such a high loan amount already. The only way they would consider me was with a cosigner, and frankly, I'm not about to ask my parents to cosign on a loan for me when I'm getting ready to graduate med school.

I thought the point of those loans was that they didn't look at your current school debt. Is that no longer true?

 

[Seville]

I thought the point of those loans was that they didn't look at your current school debt. Is that no longer true?

I thought so too. They told me my debt:income ratio was too high. Hello, I have NO income.

 

[Kris1]

I thought the point of those loans was that they didn't look at your current school debt. Is that no longer true?

Yeah... this is a bit strange. I borrowed a small "Physician" loan last summer. The bank pre-determines how much one can borrow based on what year of training the student or doctor is in. Example: a first year med student can borrow $10,000. A fourth year who has matched can borrow up to $25,000. The website touted that it was not dependent on credit history. So I borrowed a mere fraction of that with no problems. When I asked to borrow just a teeny bit more a month later, they wanted proof of income. As if a medical student is likely to have a part-time job on the side.

 

[Cerberus]

Yeah... this is a bit strange. I borrowed a small "Physician" loan last summer. The bank pre-determines how much one can borrow based on what year of training the student or doctor is in. Example: a first year med student can borrow $10,000. A fourth year who has matched can borrow up to $25,000. The website touted that it was not dependent on credit history. So I borrowed a mere fraction of that with no problems. When I asked to borrow just a teeny bit more a month later, they wanted proof of income. As if a medical student is likely to have a part-time job on the side.

Who did you borrow from if I may ask? I was denied a residency relocation loan as well for having too much debt/no income😕😕

 

[CaptainJack]

Wow. I have massive debt (and no income, obviously) and got a residency relocation loan without any difficulty whatsoever.

Used Sallie Mae, for what it's worth.

 

[EM2BE]

Wow. I have massive debt (and no income, obviously) and got a residency relocation loan without any difficulty whatsoever.

Used Sallie Mae, for what it's worth.

This year?

 

[Kris1]

Who did you borrow from if I may ask? I was denied a residency relocation loan as well for having too much debt/no income😕😕

https://www.suntrust.com/portal/server.pt/community/rate_terms_conditions/559

 

[CaptainJack]

This year?

Yes. 2 weeks ago, as a matter of fact.

 

[Seville]

Yes. 2 weeks ago, as a matter of fact.

Did you have a cosigner?

 

[CaptainJack]

Did you have a cosigner?

LOL. No, I didn't have a cosigner.

I did actually read what you guys posted, you know. I wouldn't have thrown my 2 cents in if it weren't relevant to your situations. 🙂