SOAP chances at Anesthesia
Started by Gen3ricDO
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That’s going to be a really tough sell for SOAP. You’ll be up against strong surgical subspecialty MD applicants who didn’t match as well, typically with board scores higher than yours. If you had applied in the main match straight off I think you would have been fine, just going by stats. Not having Step 2 will hurt, in my estimation.
You don’t have much to lose other than money by applying into the main Match and then going through SOAP... but you won’t have any day of where you will end up as you’ll be hoping for a position literally anywhere in the country.
The other questions are better answered by your school administration, to be honest. There are some PDs and helpers over in the general residency forum who can probably be of more assistance with your other choices. If you want, the mods can move this thread there for you.
You don’t have much to lose other than money by applying into the main Match and then going through SOAP... but you won’t have any day of where you will end up as you’ll be hoping for a position literally anywhere in the country.
The other questions are better answered by your school administration, to be honest. There are some PDs and helpers over in the general residency forum who can probably be of more assistance with your other choices. If you want, the mods can move this thread there for you.
That would be very helpful. I should have dual applied, but received bad advice and took it. That’s on me.
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How soon can you take step 2? Most programs offer interviews without step 2 score. Take it. Show that you took it -- and then apply to SOAP in March. There will be very solid programs that didn't fill. Trust me. I'd give it a shot.
If not, go for a transitional year. There are some cush ones out there. And then try to match anesthesia advanced next year.
If not, go for a transitional year. There are some cush ones out there. And then try to match anesthesia advanced next year.
I think your scores are great and will get you looked at by most if not all programs recruiting in the SOAP. I highly doubt taking Step 2CK will help you at all (especially since you already passed the COMLEX level 2).
Personally, I would my time making sure anesthesia is really something you’d be happy doing. Maybe take some more time doing rotations in it before the SOAP opens (if you can).
Personally, I would my time making sure anesthesia is really something you’d be happy doing. Maybe take some more time doing rotations in it before the SOAP opens (if you can).
I’d strongly consider taking a transitional year and then dual apply Ortho and Anesthesia for next years match. Your scores are very solid, you still have a shot at Ortho imo.
Is AOA ortho going to be around next cycle? I know most are transitioning.
There is that new anesthesia residency opening up in South Carolina. Maybe snag a spot, probably won’t be ideal but neither is going unmatched.
Good luck OP! People become doctors through pretty random routes sometimes. At the end of the day you’ll get where you want to be.
Is it really that terrible to go unmatched though? If I do research for a year, will anesthesiology programs look st my app unfavorably?
I understand that every year not practicing is a year of missed salary, but I’m ok with that. I want to make sure I’m happy during my residency too.
Yes.
People generally look at re-applicants unfavourably, since there are usually are good reasons why they failed to match in the first place. Not to say that it is impossible by any means, but it's a red flag.
