What are my chances of matching into Gas if I apply to ALL the programs in the US?

[Laito]

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I have hx of failed comlex level 1 and below average score on second attempted. I haven't taken step 1 yet, but I am getting 220-230s on my practice exams. I haven't taken step2 yet. I also have hx of a failed course during my first semester. Assuming that I get 220-230s on my step 1 and 2, what are my chances of matching into ANY anesthesiology program by applying to literally all the programs? I don't care about if the program is no named in a **** hole.

 

[abolt18]

I have hx of failed comlex level 1 and below average score on second attempted. I haven't taken step 1 yet, but I am getting 220-230s on my practice exams. I haven't taken step2 yet. I also have hx of a failed course during my first semester. Assuming that I get 220-230s on my step 1 and 2, what are my chances of matching into ANY anesthesiology program by applying to literally all the programs? I don't care about if the program is no named in a **** hole.

I'd say come back after you have more data points for a better assessment (aka step 1 score).

 

[Consigliere]

Hell to the no! Good luck getting into some no name family practice program dude. Seriously.

 

[Laito]

Hell to the no! Good luck getting into some no name family practice program dude. Seriously.

I know I have red flags. But you still don't think I have ANY chance at all?? What could save my application?

 

[GravelRider]

So you’re going to apply to ALL programs? Maybe one of the Harvard programs will accidentally rank you? That doesn’t seem like a practical approach to me.

 

[Laito]

So you’re going to apply to ALL programs? Maybe one of the Harvard programs will accidentally rank you? That doesn’t seem like a practical approach to me.

No I'm not going to apply to any of the top tier programs. I know I have no chances in those programs. I was more implying on applying to those programs that more unknown/community programs.

 

[NukHopkins]

Apply to all programs you believe you have a reasonable shot at getting an interview. Target former AOA programs or programs less than 3-5 years old for auditions. Network with anyone and everyone who will go to bat for you.

Most importantly, have a back up. Community FM or IM. It is a real possibility that you do not match into anesthesiology based on previous failures and those two letters behind your name. It sucks, but its the reality of the situation.

SOAP/Scramble is not "a fall back" anymore, especially with failures.

I hope you match into what you want, where you want. Good luck!

 

[AdmiralChz]

A failed COMLEX is a brutal red flag, and a low retake doesn’t help. That’s not something we see around here a lot in terms of a WAMC thread. The only way you have a whisper of a prayer to get in is to score above average on Step 1 AND 2 prior to applications going out (that’s 230 or above on both, preferably >240). Even then you’ll probably need an away or two with good impressions. The odds are stacked way against you given past performance, and unless there were extenuating circumstances it’s nearly impossible to overcome.

You really, really need to be realistic here. If I’m a PD at an anesthesia program I’d have real concerns about your ability to pass future licensure and board exams.

Applying to “EVERY” program won’t help. You can try to target new community programs or DO programs converting to ACGME... but blindly applying to the Stanford’s and Dukes and brand-name University programs is a waste of money.

Talk with your advisor about this. FM, likely at an osteopathic program, is your best bet. You will definitely need to dual apply as you can’t afford to SOAP/Scramble as the poster above said.

 

[okayplayer]

0% if you ever call it gas again.

 

[Section31]

just try anyway. If anesthesia is what you want then at least attempt it. You only live once. Someone might take a flyer on you.

 

[UrbanAchievers]

zero.

 

[Section31]

zero.

His chances are higher than zero. He’s actually eligible for the job. Standards got pretty low in the early 90s

 

[nimbus]

His chances are higher than zero. He’s actually eligible for the job. Standards got pretty low in the early 90s

It was actually ‘97-‘98. Around 1996 the WSJ published an article about a Stanford trained anesthesiologist who couldn’t find a full time job and had to travel around piecing together temporary gigs. I was junior faculty then and our program director took the unprecedented step of traveling to Germany to find qualified residents. He recruited 3. Two of them were outstanding but one of them had to be let go after 6 months because he was dangerously inattentive in the OR. (Surprisingly he is now a successful academic anesthesiologist/ICU doctor and chief of a department in Germany.)

Anyway, things actually were MUCH worse then. Given the current shortage of GME spots overall, I doubt we’ll see that in the foreseeable future.

 

[ricksimmonsrafowens]

I didn't go through the match for anesthesia this year, but I can extrapolate. I think your chances are very very very low and you need back-ups in FM, community IM, or path. You have significant red flags (pre-clinical course failure, a failed Level 1, no Step 1 score yet) that essentially prohibit you matching to anesthesia. An MD student from my decent state school wouldn't match anesthesia with red flags like a course failure and a failed Step/Level 1. Unless you come back with a 230+ Step 1 Score (is there an option not to report your Comlex scores?), you will not match anesthesia. even if you do get a 230+ on Step 1, you still will likely not match anesthesia. I would focus on applying broadly in family medicine and community IM, because it will be a struggle to get decent interviews in these specialties.

 

[2Fast2Des]

It was actually ‘97-‘98. Around 1996 the WSJ published an article about a Stanford trained anesthesiologist who couldn’t find a full time job and had to travel around piecing together temporary gigs. I was junior faculty then and our program director took the unprecedented step of traveling to Germany to find qualified residents. He recruited 3. Two of them were outstanding but one of them had to be let go after 6 months because he was dangerously inattentive in the OR. (Surprisingly he is now a successful academic anesthesiologist/ICU doctor and chief of a department in Germany.)

Anyway, things actually were MUCH worse then. Given the current shortage of GME spots overall, I doubt we’ll see that in the foreseeable future.

How does ones career bloom like that??

 

[IMGASMD]

Close to zero. Do well on step 1. That’s really the only play here.