What are my chances for residency - 225 step 1

[Thatotherguy]

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I've completed 2nd year, am currently on a leave of absence, and have become intrigued by anesthesiology. That being said, I was an average student during those first two years. That combined with my mediocre step score is a little concerning. Last I checked, a 225 is slightly above the cutoff score for most anesthesiology programs. Realistically what are my chances of getting a spot? Apart from busting my ass 3rd and 4th year, and getting awesome LOR what can I do to increase my chances?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[partydoc]

Apply broad you will be fine

 

[Gern Blansten]

Okay, I'll ask...why the leave of absence?

 

[Alfresco]

I've completed 2nd year, am currently on a leave of absence, and have become intrigued by anesthesiology. That being said, I was an average student during those first two years. That combined with my mediocre step score is a little concerning. Last I checked, a 225 is slightly above the cutoff score for most anesthesiology programs. Realistically what are my chances of getting a spot? Apart from busting my ass 3rd and 4th year, and getting awesome LOR what can I do to increase my chances?

Any help would be appreciated.

From looking at the NRMP match - 225 is right around the average for Anesthesiology, no?

 

[Thatotherguy]

Okay, I'll ask...why the leave of absence?

Taking it to graduate with my wife so we can participate in the couple's match. Just as a followup, I read in the PD survey that gaps in medical education were considered by many programs when ranking applicants. I've spent my year as a full time father so that my wife could focus on her studies. Would this have a negative impact? Or is it something that program directors could appreciate?

 

[Thatotherguy]

From looking at the NRMP match - 225 is right around the average for Anesthesiology, no?

I've only been able to find data from 2011. Not sure if those numbers have gone up recently.

 

[Gern Blansten]

Taking it to graduate with my wife so we can participate in the couple's match. Just as a followup, I read in the PD survey that gaps in medical education were considered by many programs when ranking applicants. I've spent my year as a full time father so that my wife could focus on her studies. Would this have a negative impact? Or is it something that program directors could appreciate?

Hard to say. I have never seen that as a reason for a year off. I have seen a female be a year behind because of having a kid. I have not seen it in a male.
I have also seen many couples who were a year apart. I have never seen anyone intentionally fall behind in their class to go through the couple's match. This would be a new twist for me. Not sure how it might affect you. Be prepared to discuss it though. You will be an outlier.

 

[chessknt]

Taking it to graduate with my wife so we can participate in the couple's match. Just as a followup, I read in the PD survey that gaps in medical education were considered by many programs when ranking applicants. I've spent my year as a full time father so that my wife could focus on her studies. Would this have a negative impact? Or is it something that program directors could appreciate?

You will find life 1000x easier if you can find some kind of research fellowship (in a field you might be interested in) and eat the bullet on childcare costs, assuming your wife can't take care of the child and study (several supermoms in my class did this). You are going to run in to all kinds of prejudice if you do nothing and list paternity leave as a reason.
Not to mention that staggering your 3rd years would have been a better plan since now neither of you get to be home with Jr for a year. Ideally, you should re-insert yourself off-cycle into third year, then find a research fellowship while your wife catches up.

If it is already done, then all you can do is move forward and apply broadly.

 

[BobBarker]

Why didn't you ask us before deciding to do this leave of absence?!?

 

[AnesThrow]

Are you an American MD, DO, or IMG?

As an American MD, you will probably match. As a DO, it will be harder but still doable. As an IMG, it is probably an uphill battle. Either way, since you've been home for a year, you really should try to destroy Step 2 as well as come up with an extremely good reason why you've decided to stay home with the kid for a year. (Waiting to couples' match is not a very good excuse)