Top MSK/Sports Programs

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APDoc

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I would like to ask for everyone's advice about which of the below programs you would consider to be the best MSK/Sports programs. I'm looking for soild all-around programs that have strengths in MSK/Sports so I can apply to them for an away rotation next year (most likely two of them). Please let me know what you think about these places-- thanks in advance!

Georgetown/NRH
Emory
Michigan
UVA
MCV
UNC
Eastern Virginia
Carolinas Medical Center
Pittsburgh
UPenn
Thomas Jefferson
Johns Hopkins
Ohio State
 
APDoc said:
I would like to ask for everyone's advice about which of the below programs you would consider to be the best MSK/Sports programs. I'm looking for soild all-around programs that have strengths in MSK/Sports so I can apply to them for an away rotation next year (most likely two of them). Please let me know what you think about these places-- thanks in advance!

Georgetown/NRH
Emory
Michigan
UVA
MCV
UNC
Eastern Virginia
Carolinas Medical Center
Pittsburgh
UPenn
Thomas Jefferson
Johns Hopkins
Ohio State
Click to expand...

I would say that UVa, Hopkins, OSU and Carolinas are prob the best on your list
 
normalforce said:
I would say that UVa, Hopkins, OSU and Carolinas are prob the best on your list
Click to expand...

My suggestions would be Hopkins and Pitt if limited to your list, however, I would also hasten to suggest you look at Mayo and RIC (the head of the fellowship at Hopkins trained at Mayo, and the Head of the Penn/Radnor Sports/MSK fellowship is a grad of the RIC fellowship)
 
What are the top MSK/Sports PM&R programs looking for in applicants? My grades are fairly good (not AOA good, but pretty good), I still haven't taken Step 1, and I have no research experience. I previously worked as a PT prior to beginning Med. School. Any advice on stacking my resume to be more appealing to the top MSK/Sports Med. programs would be appreciated. Thank you.
 
UVa for sports/MSK
OSU and Michigan for MSK
agree with Mayo for sports/MSK
Utah also has good sports/MSK and would be a fun place to do a rotation
 
Does anyone else have opinions to share regarding these programs? Drusso, Finally M3, axm? What does everyone think about the MCV program? Thanks again!
 
Sorry, only interviewed at two of the programs on your list (UMich, OSU), so I don't have that much to add to the discussion :laugh:

Would agree, however, that UMich & OSU have very good MSK experience. OSU has stronger sportsmed experience than UMich. Through the grapevine, I heard that Pitt had a very strong MSK/Sports experience, but that is just heresay.
 
Like MS3, I didn't really interview at many of those programs... Of the programs on your list, I interviewed at Michigan and UPenn.

I think in general, there are several ways to get to a good MSK fellowship.

1. Go to a highly regarded "name" program regardless of the strength of the MSK aspect of the residency. (i.e. RIC, Mayo, Baylor, UWash, Kessler etc.)

2. Go to a small program with 1 or 2 names in MSK and score a good personal LOR from that doc - if you're a bit shy or your strengths seem to be appreciated on a more long term basis, this is probably the way for you. Smaller programs with no fellowships may also mean more procedures you can log as performed. JFK comes to mind -> there's only 4-5 per class AND they have 1 - 2 MSK names.

3. Go to a program with a MSK fellowship associated with it - i.e. UPenn, UMich, Kessler, RIC, etc. This can backfire - for example, UPenn residents don't usually stay for the Slipman fellowship.... (although now with Larry Chou, more residents may stay for the MSK fellowship)

4. Go to a program with a non PM&R fellowship associated with it - (this would be for pain management)

5. Go to a program with many elective months and generous travel allowances. (spaulding is probably the best example)


In answering 2nd year's questions: The most important components to your residency applications are:

1. Letters of recommendation - the more personal the better, and the "name" of the letter writer counts. Preferably get more than 2 physiatrists.

2. Research - even case studies count - or piggy back on existing research. It always looks nice to have something on your CV - good for applying to academic programs.

3. Electives at potential residency programs - I think most people do 1-2 at their "reach" programs. Can also score LORs, get advantages in terms of interviews (some programs have separate files for applicants who rotated there - like NYU)

4. Personal Statement - you'd be suprised how carefully some PDs and interviewers read this. Show at least a basic understanding of the field and a clear explanation of why you want to go into PM&R.

5. Extracurricular activities - this gets you bonus points

6. Board Scores - if you didn't do well on step 1, try to take step 2 early

7. Grades - can't really change this now

** As a second year, you have time to polish these aspects of your application. Good luck.

I think as a whole - you should be careful not to be too one-track-minded about MSK/Pain/Interventional Spine/Sports -> Many academic physiatrists are old school rehab docs who may get offended if you don't at least show them you have had exposure to inpatient rehab. A friend of mine (a 3rd yr) contacted RIC for a rotation and was told she could not do an outpatient RIC rotation unless she did at least a month of inpatient rehab. It's great to have an interest but try to keep an open mind. Good luck sorry I'm not of much help... Am stuck in the MICU right now... counting down the days... 😴
 
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