Specialties open to me?

[28lamps]

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Posted here a while back about my situation..

During my MS1, had to remediate a class leading to a year off (that I dedicated to research). Came back strong from that year alone with the following stats:

5 publications (some 1st author, some 2nd)
25 abstracts presented (some 1st, some 2nd)
3 national research awards
254 step 1

Understanding I had to retake a class from my MS1, with my stats, what fields remain closed, or are all open.

Side note: I am intersted in radonc, IR, ortho, plastics, uro, or optho (I have pub/abstracts in all of these fields)

thanks!

 

[operaman]

Wow! Congrats on such a remarkable turnaround! This sort of stellar comeback is definitely not the norm which makes it somewhat difficult to predict how you will fare matching into such competitive fields.

(For other people reading this, if you're struggling academically, don't just assume that you can pull off this kind of comeback.)

A few thoughts:

1) much will hinge on how you tell your story. The honest truth is that I see someone with that step 1 score and a failed class and it makes me worry about mental illness and/or substance abuse. I think that's what most people think when they see very disparate numbers. Make sure your story doesn't even give off a whiff of either of those.

2) your best bet for matching any of those is at your home program. Once you settle on one, make it your mission to bust arse and show that department what an asset you would be. People who know you well are more likely to look past one red flag.

3) make sure that remains your lone red flag. Make sure you honor all or most of third year. Continue the streak of stellar performance on the wards.

4) you would also benefit from wisely selected away rotations when the time comes. Again, becoming a known and liked entity can help people look past the red flag. Obviously these can backfire more often than not, so make sure you're coming across well on rotations. If you're honoring everything, you're probably doing well.

 

[28lamps]

Thank you! I entered med school very young, so immaturity was the main driver. I will keep your guidance in mind in the coming months!

Anyone else?

Would also like to add I go to a top 10 NIH funded school.

 

[68PGunner]

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[OnePunchBiopsy]

Posted here a while back about my situation..

Side note: I am intersted in radonc, IR, ortho, plastics, uro, or optho (I have pub/abstracts in all of these fields)

Sounds like you really knocked that year out of the park! I'd say any of those fields are still open.

All that remains now is to decide on one of those fields, do away rotations are the right places, get some good letters, get a great Step 2 CK score and don't s*** the bed on CS. You're not out of the woods yet so keep it up!

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Maybe I'm massively misinformed, but one remediation is not going to close any doors to you. I also don't think it suggests you're substance abusing or mentally ill (WTF). You've had a great turnaround and doubt you have fields closed off to you as a US MD. That post by operaman sounds like your typical SDN gunner where anything <270 + no cancer cure = FM.

 

[JP2740]

Man that is crazy. Rarely do we see the story of a remediation leading to absolutely knock it out of the park numbers across the board. Congratulations on accomplishing all of that, seriously. I think a lot depends on how you tell it like the person above says. I do think you have a chance at those programs if you make great connections and people could vouch for you because all of those fields have great applicants without the remediation, so they can afford to be picky.

I was gonna call this a troll thread considering you have publications in 5 different fields lol. Who does that?

 

[JP2740]

Maybe I'm massively misinformed, but one remediation is not going to close any doors to you. I also don't think it suggests you're substance abusing or mentally ill (WTF). You've had a great turnaround and doubt you have fields closed off to you as a US MD. That post by operaman sounds like your typical SDN gunner where anything <270 + no cancer cure = FM.

Yea who knows? Death of a family member could do that to someone too. The remediation, for the competitive fields, will always hurt some.

 

[28lamps]

Man that is crazy. Rarely do we see the story of a remediation leading to absolutely knock it out of the park numbers across the board. Congratulations on accomplishing all of that, seriously. I think a lot depends on how you tell it like the person above says. I do think you have a chance at those programs if you make great connections and people could vouch for you because all of those fields have great applicants without the remediation, so they can afford to be picky.

I was gonna call this a troll thread considering you have publications in 5 different fields lol. Who does that?

It's all about the shotgun approach haha its pub or abstracts in those fields not all straight publications. My school luckily is really research focused, so with all the fellows and residents around, they are always required to have projects to jump on.

 

[28lamps]

Thanks for all the replies so far! Really encouraging, I think my next step would to also bring this up with my general residency directory at my school and of course continue working hard at subsequent rotations and tests 🙂

 

[TexasPhysician]

The biggest hurdle you will have is that most competitive programs automatically discard every application with a failure.

Your best bet is to demonstrate exceptional qualities to your home program. They know you best, and the failure would likely be overlooked. Also consider away rotations at weaker programs to help ensure interviews at realist matches.

You would have more options in less competitive fields, but in your competitive areas, you need to be open to anywhere and rock home rotations.

 

[28lamps]

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