Hello all, looking for some advice for someone interested in anesthesia. So as of now, I'm a 3rd year DO student with a STEP 1 score of 230 and a COMLEX Level 1 of 620. I actually had the good fortune to speak to a PD of a program in NY and he gave me some tips: Focus on Step 2 (as my Step 1 is below average), they don't really care about research, and to hustle on my anesthesia rotations. He also said to make sure I have a good idea of why I want to do anesthesia. All pretty standard advice. My big thing is that he said my CV didn't really show my interest for anesthesia outside of being a member of AOCA. So I'm wondering, did people who matched into anesthesia or those of you who are planning to apply alongside me, does your CV scream anesthesia? I was really confused as to how to really show this as my school doesn't allow us to even take an elective 3rd year and my only window to take an anesthesia rotation is in 4th year at the very beginning for it to have an impact on apps (hopefully via a letter). I have an interest in pain medicine after anesthesia, so should I shadow an anesthesiologist in a pain clinic? I'm just wondering what I should do at this point to improve my chances. Also, I have research (no pubs) and some extracurriculars, but nothing insane. Thank you.
Showing interest in anesthesia
- Thread starter Tree1996
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Your step 1 is good enough for anesthesia as is your level 1. Improve your step 2 to be 240-250 range. Do an anesthesia elective your 3rd year if possible. I know people going for anesthesia at my school did 3rd year electives through our school where they really understood how to set up an OR, bag a patient, the different meds and how to intubate. The preceptor wrote them a good letter as well, then they used that experience to do well/crush their 4th year SUB-I's and get letters.
Edit- I saw that your school doesn't allow electives third year, that's a bummer but do your anesthesia elective as early as you can 4th year to get letters, do 2-3 SUB-i's if you can't get a third year elective/letter.
Edit- I saw that your school doesn't allow electives third year, that's a bummer but do your anesthesia elective as early as you can 4th year to get letters, do 2-3 SUB-i's if you can't get a third year elective/letter.
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Not having an anesthesia centric CV is probably OK even with the increase in applications to the specialty. Crush step 2 and do a sub i as early as possible to snag a couple rec letters. Shadowing in pain clinic is far removed of the bread and butter of most anesthesiologists and won't translate into helping your app a ton.
Been out of the game for a little bit, so take my advice with a grain of salt.
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Don't say you are interested in pain.
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Agree with this^^^ You can get certified in pain through other specialties too.PM&R, Psych, Neurology came up on Google.
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I agree. Anesthesiology works with a small group of people in the OR. Killing your audition, showing up early, staying late, getting along with everyone, making them tell you to go home, all play into residency selection. Be willing to help with anything. Having board scores within the programs metrics will be very important, so apply to programs where you feel competitive. Say your Step 2 ends up being mediocre. Check out some university affiliate programs. Some are quite good, Level 1 Trauma, neurosurg, hearts, transplants, OB, Peds, etc. If step 2 is is better, then some University programs should dominate your list. Remember, it's a small community so hard workers who get along are desirable. It's their job to train you, and these qualities make that easier. Good luck and best wishes!
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I don't think it's necessary that your CV "shows interest in anesthesia". All I had for research was a neuroscience project in undergrad and a urology publication in medical school. Sure it would be nice if an applicant had a publication in Anesthesiology, but let's be real, there are almost 2000 spots per year and not that many med students getting anesthesia pubs. You can show interest by getting an anesthesiologist to write you a LOR. If you choose to do away rotations, follow the above advice and show up early, be normal and easy to talk to, and be interested in learning about anesthesia.
