Unexpected Match Results

[Silas Wright]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Sometimes it seems as though all SDN anesthesia posters are 250+ AOA types. There is more myth that reality here, but you can't help but wonder sometimes.

As a tribute to mortal anesthesia applicants, can anyone provide details of mediocre or below average applicants who matched very well? e.g. someone with a 207 who matched at a top program or one who got so many invites that he/she had to turn down offers to interview....

cheers

 

[guitarguy09]

I would say don't worry about the USMLE score so much. Yes, it's true that some programs have specific cutoffs but whatever, there are plenty out there that are strong programs that don't. I will say that I know a few people from my class in that board score range and did fine matching at well-respected programs... (I guess it depends on what you consider a "strong" program as well because everyone values different things, but I won't get into that). Also, the people I know in this score range also got a good amount of interview invites as long as there weren't any other red flags on their app... but you NEVER know... so don't limit yourself by not applying to enough programs. What's a couple hundred dollars more when this could affect the rest of your life... just my thoughts.

I guess some would say these are "top" programs to consider and I know for a FACT that some of these will look at applications with those USMLE scores (so don't take the board score range post in this thread too seriously)... hope this helps when trying to consider things...
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=551964&highlight=top+ranked+anesthesia

And this is a thread talking about specific program cut-offs...
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/sho...light=2009+highest+ranked+list+anesthesiology

Just know that everyone is in a different situation and value different things... there is no "top" program that fits the best for everyone. However, here are the some of the most recent SDNer's anesthesia program "highest-ranked" final match lists...
2009: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=608384&highlight=2009+top+ranked+anesthesia
2008: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=503677&highlight=top+ranked+anesthesia

 

[mstudent12345]

I got a 211/220 and got interviews at 14 of the 19 programs I applied to including Columbia, Cornell and UCLA the first two the first time they sent out invites. I ended up staying at my home school (Sinai) very much by choice, but definitely felt like I had options.

I did however have some very significant research, not only to just list but to talk about as a future career interest.

As others have said, don't worry so much about the board scores (or grades even) but if you don't have them you should have other feathers in your cap (ie stellar recs, reserach etc. )

Sometimes it seems as though all SDN anesthesia posters are 250+ AOA types. There is more myth that reality here, but you can't help but wonder sometimes.

As a tribute to mortal anesthesia applicants, can anyone provide details of mediocre or below average applicants who matched very well? e.g. someone with a 207 who matched at a top program or one who got so many invites that he/she had to turn down offers to interview....

cheers

 

[Phineas]

I did about average on step 1, though I did redeem myself by doing really well on step 2 - and I matched at an excellent program, my top choice!