Seeking advice

[quant]

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Hi all,
I am a new person to these forums and have been reading quite avidly the posts on the forums. I would like to seek some kind of guidance with regards to a hopeful career in pathology.
My question to members of the group (yaah,turd and all the other cool guys on the group), Is my background going to be a disadvantage as far getting into a path residency is concerned? (heavy emphasis of math and engineering)
As an IMG what kind of scores would i need to get to be competitive for a good research path program? (if i can't do research i don't think ill be interested,research is my life...)
Can anyone provide me with a rough estimate of what kind of scores on step one and two would be considered competitive?

What are the kinds of things that i need to be doing in order to strengthen my candidature?

People tell me contacts are everything in USA...but how does one going about doing that?? Do i write to them? do i work with them?

I still have 2 years to go finish my PhD, but i thought i d better start getting prepared....

Thanks all for your time and look forward to getting some great advice....I have been reading all the posts up on here,and i can definitely tell one thing for sure...you guys seem to be more relaxed and less uptight than the other people on other forums. Though im not lazy or anything....i think it is necessary to have a cool attitude about life. I have seen enough in life to know that it is short,there is a whole lot that is out there that is infintely more interesting than worrying about being able to start an IV line at 3 in the night.I think path guys rock....

Regards
Quant

 

[Brian Pavlovitz]

First off, welcome!

With your background, I would think you would be considered quite competitive. My only concern would be the time lapse from your graduation from medical school until now. You've obviously been busy, but I wonder if Program Director's might ask why you're so heavily involved in the Electrical Engineering if it's really a research-oriented Pathology program you ultimately want.

A friend of mine was a Physician in China, and came to the USA with her family and tried to get a Pathology Residency. When she couldn't, she went to Cytology school, worked as a cytotechnologist, eventually did on-the-job training as a Pathologist's Assistant, and finally got into a program in Connecticut. She had some good contacts with the Pathologists at our hospital, but was also getting work experience in the field, and I bet that helped out immensely.

As far as contacts are concerned, obviously working in some capacity in a Path Department helps out a lot. But, you may try getting in touch with someone in Pathology at your local hospital, meet with them, and explain your situation. It certainly couldn't hurt.

There are many programs out there that are research-oriented with a good number of IMG's (SUNY Upstate in Syracuse, where I did my cytology training, is one of them), so you shouldn't have a problem finding some.

Again, I'm a lowly third year, so perhaps our more seasoned veterans could give some more info?

Best of luck!

 

[quant]

Dear Brian
As much as i like engineering, I was thinking why should any program be interested in taking me since it is obviously seems quite diverse fields. But then what i was hoping to say in my defense is probably the unique perspective i can bring in terms of research to the field of pathology. Obviously this would hold water only in places where there is some kind of active research related to the subject. But theat is only thing i can think of i can i say for now.
However, thank you very much for your reply.......i absoultely agree with the points you made in the post. It seems i shall need to redouble my efforts
Thanks again Brian
Regards
Quant

 

[Brian Pavlovitz]

I forgot to mention--the fact that you are doing some sort of research, although not directly Pathology related, is certainly going to make you stand out.

All the best!

 

[HotSteamingTurd]

I agree...just because your research wasn't pathology oriented doesn't mean it can't help your application. Grad school research teaches you how to do science...it doesn't restrict you in what kind of research you can do in the future (that depends more on post-doc and fellowship experiences). What's important is that you've identified pathology as a field you want to go into...and that's awesome. So when you prepare your application, just stress that you want to be an academic pathologist if you're interested in that kind of thing in the long run.

 

[quant]

Dear Turd (It is SO bizarre...)..🙂
Thanks for your reply. Much more than my prospects im quite encouraged by the relaxed attitude that i notice in the replies of the group.I agree that a post doc is the defining experience for anyone s research career.
Look forward to being more involved the group
regards
Quant

PS- Your suggestion 'ratemypoo.com" was a killer.......🙂