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You've probably answered this a zillion and one times...but I need advice on good path programs. How competitive is it to get into U of Michigan? board scores? publications?
UMich path program
- Thread starter Harbster
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I dunno. People here is pretty smart. I think it is probably one of the harder path programs to match at. One problem I think is that there are usually a couple of stellar internal candidates looking to stay here. It isn't necessarily a "research heavy" program like U Chicago or Penn where the more highly competitive combined degree candidates are attracted to, but there are still usually a couple of members of each residency year who are these types of candidates. It's also pretty well balanced in terms of CP vs AP, such that people come here to do either individually or combined. That's always a good sign. But that happens at most big programs.
It's probably easier than matching at Johns Hopkins or Brigham or Wash U but I can't be certain. The reason I would say that is there are lot of candidates going into path who have credentials so impressive they almost appear to be farcical. And a lot of times, they want to go to one of the "World's Best Hospitals" for various reasons. Sometimes one of these places is the best fit for them, to be sure, but many times they simply don't look anywhere else. That being said, however, there are people that match into all of these programs every year who are "just" MDs and happen to be good students who are fascinated by pathology. Like I said before, I am "just" an MD and I got interviews everywhere I applied.
In regards to here though, I would say you would want something good on your application, whether that is a high board score or lots of research/honors or past experience. You don't need everything. You are coming here, after all, to train as a pathologist, not to refine your craft and get some good references for your future application to be chairman of a department. That may be your ultimate goal, but if so, it is mostly up to you, not the place where you train. You have to pick a place that fits your goals and expectations the best. Thus, my past rank list of 1) Michigan 2) MGH 3) Hopkins 4) Dartmouth 5) Iowa. Michigan was my top program for the reasons I have said and I am happy I made that decision.
Of course, I sent you that PM a little bit before I came on here and read this, so I already told you a bunch of what I said...
The most important thing I would say is that you never know until you try.
It's probably easier than matching at Johns Hopkins or Brigham or Wash U but I can't be certain. The reason I would say that is there are lot of candidates going into path who have credentials so impressive they almost appear to be farcical. And a lot of times, they want to go to one of the "World's Best Hospitals" for various reasons. Sometimes one of these places is the best fit for them, to be sure, but many times they simply don't look anywhere else. That being said, however, there are people that match into all of these programs every year who are "just" MDs and happen to be good students who are fascinated by pathology. Like I said before, I am "just" an MD and I got interviews everywhere I applied.
In regards to here though, I would say you would want something good on your application, whether that is a high board score or lots of research/honors or past experience. You don't need everything. You are coming here, after all, to train as a pathologist, not to refine your craft and get some good references for your future application to be chairman of a department. That may be your ultimate goal, but if so, it is mostly up to you, not the place where you train. You have to pick a place that fits your goals and expectations the best. Thus, my past rank list of 1) Michigan 2) MGH 3) Hopkins 4) Dartmouth 5) Iowa. Michigan was my top program for the reasons I have said and I am happy I made that decision.
Of course, I sent you that PM a little bit before I came on here and read this, so I already told you a bunch of what I said...
The most important thing I would say is that you never know until you try.
