Residency connections

[deleted390966]

Many people say that "connections" are a plus to apply for residency - especially for IMGs. If I only stay at 1 hospital in the US for all my rotations and don't do away rotations, is it considered "networking"? Is it better than an IMG who only does 2 months of rotations in the US? Does "connections" mean that you have to do away rotations at the area you want to match in?

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[deleted390966]

anyone?

 

[TBV]

Nobody knows, depending on the hospital you could make the right corrections at one place. You could impress someone enough that they'd be willing to make phone calls on your behalf. I would think it would be better to have more lines in the water though.

 

[muqalia]

Its a toss up. For me, moving around definitely helped me get residency as more people knew me. But I can see the merits at staying at one hospital and getting to know everyone and making your name familiar to those who rank applicants.

 

[mimelim]

anyone?

30% of our residents and fellows have had some sort of connection to our program before they matched to us. While that may be high for most residencies, the point is that known quantities are preferred to unknown. Some people did research with us, some did aways etc.

This is especially important for IMGs because the quality of education is always up for question. Even with great scores and grades, you can still end up with a really ****ty applicant. Thus, having done a trial run or worked with them for a while satisfies most people's worries.

 

[Grizzly B.]

30% of our residents and fellows have had some sort of connection to our program before they matched to us. While that may be high for most residencies, the point is that known quantities are preferred to unknown. Some people did research with us, some did aways etc.

This is especially important for IMGs because the quality of education is always up for question. Even with great scores and grades, you can still end up with a really ****ty applicant. Thus, having done a trial run or worked with them for a while satisfies most people's worries.

How much of an influence can research experience at the same institution you're applying for residency at have on an applicant would you think? Would folks at that particular institution still look at it as beneficial even if nothing was published during your time there?

Also, on a somewhat unrelated note would this research opportunity help with lining up electives at that same institution?

 

[mimelim]

How much of an influence can research experience at the same institution you're applying for residency at have on an applicant would you think? Would folks at that particular institution still look at it as beneficial even if nothing was published during your time there?

Also, on a somewhat unrelated note would this research opportunity help with lining up electives at that same institution?

As with everything, it depends. For the residency match, the only people that matter are those that vote/influence the rank list. (and of course the PD has even more influence because they are generally who decides who is invited for an interview) Doing research or an away somewhere doesn't mean much if you don't impress those people. It can have a huge influence if you are productive and impress a PD. Will it wipe out everything else? No, absolutely not. But, will it give you a leg up, absolutely. Again, most programs/physicians are risk adverse. Known quantities are safer bets. Quantities that are vouched for by well respected individuals, are better than unknowns. But, doing research at our institution in an unrelated department with people we don't know doesn't mean a ton. It is a big place...

Regarding publications, it is odd to me that you would spend time somewhere and not get something done. But, that is a reflection of my field more than anything else. My expectation is that students that spend a month or more with us will have their name on at least a couple of things, albeit small things, before they leave here. May not actually be published, but on things that will eventually get out into the literature or at least to a conference.

Regarding electives, yes they would absolutely help. The standards aren't that high at most places to get an elective as a student as long as you are in good standing, have malpractice coverage (by your institution) and things are coordinated ahead of time. But, people knowing your name makes things go smoother. People are a lot more likely to go out of their way to make sure you end up with them if they know who you are, rather than the random one of dozen student bugging them.

 

[deleted390966]

This is especially important for IMGs because the quality of education is always up for question. Even with great scores and grades, you can still end up with a really ****ty applicant. Thus, having done a trial run or worked with them for a while satisfies most people's worries.

What if I'm an IMG (non-Carib) who rotates 2 whole years in a large hospital system (like Ochsner) here in the US?
Should I still do 1 or 2 away rotations at places I want to match at?

 

[Snoopy2006]

What if I'm an IMG (non-Carib) who rotates 2 whole years in a large hospital system (like Ochsner) here in the US?
Should I still do 1 or 2 away rotations at places I want to match at?

I'm not sure what your exact situation is (are you doing research for 1-2 years at a US hospital?), but the idea is simple: maximize your chances. If you can stay at a US program for a year doing research and develop strong connections, and still have 1-2 months free to rotate at other hospitals, you do it all. It makes no sense to handicap yourself by not giving yourself as many chances at possible. IMGs face an uphill battle. If you're a hard worker, strong clinically, get along well with others, then maximizing your face time with as many programs as possible is to your advantage.

 

[deleted390966]

Thanks.