What are my chances for neurology residency?

[Bluerobin123]

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US MD School, 4th quartile, Step 1 206, step 2 CK 219. Three strong LOR's, but none from a neurologist. I also have no neurology research, and I was never in a neurology club.

I applied late for neurology, so I only did 6 neurology interviews. I am for sure not matching in one of them, based on not-so-positive feedback from the PD. But would it be possible for me to match at all in neurology this year?

 

[typhoonegator]

Yes, it is possible.

 

[Bluerobin123]

How possible? Without SOAPing, I mean.

 

[Mattchiavelli]

You really can't quantify how possible because much of it will depend on who else was interviewing at the place and a surprising amount of weight is put on stuff that's not part of the actual application like did you honk anyone off on interview day and how the actual interview went. If you want to go somewhere let them know, it can't hurt you, just don't lie and tell everyone that they are your #1.

I realize you are really anxious but there is nothing short of divination at this point that can tell you your chances. It would probably be helpful to get a backup plan ready in case you don't match, like if you're scrambling who is going to help you contact programs to find you a spot or if you want to do an MBA or MPH. People can scramble and come out alright in it but the only thing worse than scrambling is scrambling with no gameplan. Like typhoonegator said it is possible to match to a neurology program but 6 is a below average number of interviews and I would have a backup plan just in case.

Anyway if you plan to do something else for a year and re-apply next cycle- I think not having a LOR from a neurologist would be something that wouldn't be hard to do and would make your application much stronger.

 

[typhoonegator]

Well said. Listen, we'd all love to help you, but literally anything we say would be wrong.

Stay positive, try not to let nerves get to you, and wait for match day. Let programs you liked know they are high on your list. Other than that, you've done all you can.

 

[Terpskins99]

Anyway if you plan to do something else for a year and re-apply next cycle- I think not having a LOR from a neurologist would be something that wouldn't be hard to do and would make your application much stronger.

👍

Not the end of the world if this happens. Better to do this than match someplace you're not happy at, imo. Good luck!

 

[Domenech]

While your USMLE scores are not really so high, you're an American and in an American MD program. I personally think even with 6 interviews, I don't really see a strong reason why you shouldn't match if all your rotations and MSPE don't have anything significantly negative in them, like a failing grade.

For International grads, I'd definitely say they need high scores >230, at least 1 visiting MS rotation in neurology in any US hospital, and also US Neurology LORs. Some form of neuroscience research either bench or clinical, definitely boosts chances. But none of that really applies to you.