WAMC: Top Tier IM

[archibaldhaddock]

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[deleted1192955]

Hey, hopefully this helps you.

The LoR thing concerns me greatly. EXCELLENT LoRs are a must if you want to match at your dream program/super competitive specialties.

Do you think that you would be happy in an IM program that is not top tier?
Is your goal to eventually match into another subspecialty after IM?

Your research doesn't concern me much but the misdemeanor does a bit. Can you explain why you've put this behind you and it's not something that the school doesn't need to take into consideration? Can you explain why you grew from it and you're a better person as a result? Remember to be as positive as you can about this.

I don't think that west coast is too competitive for you, but why does it have to be T20?
Can you do some quick networking or reach out in order to get some better LoRs in time for the match? Best of luck and I hope that it all works out in your favor.

 

[futureapppsy2]

Why do you think you'll have meh LORs?

 

[true_royal]

"Meh" LORs and a misdemeanor will make T10 hard but otherwise I think you're good for most other T20-30 programs

 

[m1redsox]

There are only 4 T20 West coast IM programs, so this is a pretty tall ask. Your app is good, but when your goals are too specific, you should prepare for disappointment. Getting into any T20 IM program is a massive accomplishment. Getting the one *specific program* of your choice is very difficult.

I say this to answer your question of, “how assured can I be of this goal?” to which I’ll reply: you should not be assured at all of this goal. In your case, it may be a reasonable goal, but if you end up at UNC or UPMC, you should not be disappointed at all. T30 programs can get you the specialty/career setting of your choice too. Heck, a T300 program could.

 

[archibaldhaddock]

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[futureapppsy2]

Honestly I might be overthinking the letters. I am getting a couple letters from preceptors I've worked with for 1-2 weeks on my sub-i where I performed very well and got great feedback, but it feels weird to get a letter from someone you've known for that little time. But maybe that's just par for the course for residency and I should adjust my expectations?

As for the misdemeanor, I'm very comfortable talking about growing from it and putting it behind me. I am hoping my strong record for service and altruism since will make for a somewhat strong narrative.

I would potentially be happy at a non-"top" IM program, but I would really like to match into as strong a program as possible to have the best training possible, as well as maintaining competitiveness for fellowship.

Yeah, those don’t sound like they’d be meh LORs to me.

 

[pigsinacloth]

Honestly I might be overthinking the letters. I am getting a couple letters from preceptors I've worked with for 1-2 weeks on my sub-i where I performed very well and got great feedback, but it feels weird to get a letter from someone you've known for that little time. But maybe that's just par for the course for residency and I should adjust my expectations?

As for the misdemeanor, I'm very comfortable talking about growing from it and putting it behind me. I am hoping my strong record for service and altruism since will make for a somewhat strong narrative.

I would potentially be happy at a non-"top" IM program, but I would really like to match into as strong a program as possible to have the best training possible, as well as maintaining competitiveness for fellowship.

That was legit all of my letters. The most I worked with an attending for one of My LOR was 2 weeks, it's just the nature of medical training. As long as they are reasonable faculty who write LORs at least somewhat regularly, they should understand the name of the game and potentially even ask around to see what people thought of you.

 

[Kanye's Psychiatrist]

bro thinks his T20 school is "meh" and a red flag