What are my chances?

[Corduroy345]

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Hey guys- any advice you can give me would be great, as I'm super-stressed about all this. I'm looking to switch from my general surgery program in NY to an anesthesia program in Los Angeles (my boyfriend is a neurosurgery resident there, which is why I'm really invested in being in LA.) I'm currently in my second year as a categorical general surgery resident. I got average grades in med school, Step 1 was 214 and Step 2 was 232. Did not do well on my in-service test for surgery this year. I'm expecting to get fairly good LOR's (my program director said earlier in the year that he would "find me an anesthesia spot" if I still wanted to switch... but I think he meant in NY.) I'm applying both outside the match (will probably get my packets with LOR's together by mid to end of August) and through the match. Two questions:

1. What are my chances of getting a spot outside the match to begin in 2008 in LA, or through the match to begin in 2009?

2. If I get a spot outside the match to begin in 2009, is there any chance I will have to repeat an intern year or continue in a residency program for that year? I'd obviously rather do something else during the time in between.

I am so stressed by this whole process! I feel like a 4th year med student all over again. I'd love some honest opinions.

 

[Planktonmd]

Hey guys- any advice you can give me would be great, as I'm super-stressed about all this. I'm looking to switch from my general surgery program in NY to an anesthesia program in Los Angeles (my boyfriend is a neurosurgery resident there, which is why I'm really invested in being in LA.) I'm currently in my second year as a categorical general surgery resident. I got average grades in med school, Step 1 was 214 and Step 2 was 232. Did not do well on my in-service test for surgery this year. I'm expecting to get fairly good LOR's (my program director said earlier in the year that he would "find me an anesthesia spot" if I still wanted to switch... but I think he meant in NY.) I'm applying both outside the match (will probably get my packets with LOR's together by mid to end of August) and through the match. Two questions:

1. What are my chances of getting a spot outside the match to begin in 2008 in LA, or through the match to begin in 2009?

2. If I get a spot outside the match to begin in 2009, is there any chance I will have to repeat an intern year or continue in a residency program for that year? I'd obviously rather do something else during the time in between.

I am so stressed by this whole process! I feel like a 4th year med student all over again. I'd love some honest opinions.

I am just curious:
Are you changing specialties just to go to LA or do you actually like anesthesia?

 

[VolatileAgent]

I'd love some honest opinions.

never make major life-altering decisions without a ring on your finger.

 

[Corduroy345]

I am just curious:
Are you changing specialties just to go to LA or do you actually like anesthesia?

I actually like anesthesia. I don't like surgery.

 

[The_Sensei]

Hey guys- any advice you can give me would be great, as I'm super-stressed about all this. I'm looking to switch from my general surgery program in NY to an anesthesia program in Los Angeles (my boyfriend is a neurosurgery resident there, which is why I'm really invested in being in LA.) I'm currently in my second year as a categorical general surgery resident. I got average grades in med school, Step 1 was 214 and Step 2 was 232. Did not do well on my in-service test for surgery this year. I'm expecting to get fairly good LOR's (my program director said earlier in the year that he would "find me an anesthesia spot" if I still wanted to switch... but I think he meant in NY.) I'm applying both outside the match (will probably get my packets with LOR's together by mid to end of August) and through the match. Two questions:

1. What are my chances of getting a spot outside the match to begin in 2008 in LA, or through the match to begin in 2009?

2. If I get a spot outside the match to begin in 2009, is there any chance I will have to repeat an intern year or continue in a residency program for that year? I'd obviously rather do something else during the time in between.

I am so stressed by this whole process! I feel like a 4th year med student all over again. I'd love some honest opinions.

With those stats, you're chances are slim for getting a spot, especially in LA. Don't mean to rain on your parade, but you and your boyfriend may be having a long distance relationship.

 

[jennyboo]

I think you're starting out in the right direction -- by applying both through the Match and by looking around outside the Match. Don't lose hope!

You do not need to repeat an internship, since a PGY-1 year in General Surgery is acceptable for an anesthesiology residency.

From my experience (2006 match), your profile of average grades, Step 1 214, Step 2 232, average LORs would certainly be enough to land you an average-to-above-average anesthesiology residency in the match somewhere. Your numbers seem fairly average and you don't seem to have any obvious red flags, and I think most people like you would be able to get a position somewhere without too much worry.

California is a tough market though -- you may need either better numbers, or regional connections (e.g. went to medical school there, or an anesthesiologist advocate to call on your behalf) in order to land a spot there through the Match.

Outside the Match for any spot (including California spots, perhaps even more importantly), connections would again help -- I've heard that sometimes, if PD or Chair calls another department, they may reserve a spot for a transferring resident. The good thing about anesthesiology is that the specialty still has many outside-the-match positions (and large interviewing budgets, they frequently pay for hotels and dinners!) as a result of its bottoming out as nation's most unpopular specialty ten years ago. The popularity has mostly recovered to the point of being average-to-slightly-above, but the programs still have their outside-the-match spots to offer and their recruiting budgets. So apply through the Match as you're planning to do, and also email or call to inquire about those quietly kept outside-the-Match positions that many of these programs don't advertise. Going outside the Match is your best chance of continuing without a year's interruption to your residency training.

 

[epidural man]

1. What are my chances?

Well, your first mistake is you are dating a neurosurgery resident. 🙂

 

[epidural man]

....as a result of its bottoming out as nation's most unpopular specialty ten years ago. The popularity has mostly recovered .....

Mostly recovered? Have you seen the most recent ASA newsletter? The numbers are pretty impressive. In 1995 (or 96, I can't remember exactly) there were over 600 unfilled positions. The last few years there were around 50 - which is pretty incredible. I would say we are completely recovered.

Go anesthesia!!!!!

 

[Corduroy345]

Well, your first mistake is you are dating a neurosurgery resident. 🙂

Haha... well I guess I can't argue with you there!