What are my chances?

[zqfmbh]

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Hey guys, I was unable to find a "chances" thread for this forum, but I am a new M3 interested in matching at a large research university (UCSF, MGH, UCSD, etc.) and wanting to know what you guys think-

Step 1: 245
Grades: Honors (top 10%) in Med1/2
School: Solid/top 40ish state school
Research: First author Neurology abstract and oral presentation at national conference, 2nd author ENT paper. Looking to take a year off for research (HHMI, etc) after M3.
ECs (if this matters): president of 2 free clinics.

I would ideally like to pursue an academic career and wondering if my stats are good for the bigger research programs? Thanks for your help!

 

[HirsuteAnthony]

Hey guys, I was unable to find a "chances" thread for this forum, but I am a new M3 interested in matching at a big research university (UCSF, MGH, UCSD, etc.) and wanting to know what you guys think-

Step 1: 245
Grades: Honors (top 10%) in Med1 and 2
School: Solid/top 40ish state school
Research: First author Neurology abstract and oral presentation, 2nd author ENT paper. Looking to take a year off for research (HHMI, etc) after M3.
ECs: president of 2 free clinics and a food bank representative for the med school

Also is there anything you guys would recommend I focus on (AOA? More research??). Thanks for your help!

I would guess 99% chance of matching at one or more of the above mentioned residencies. Am I right psych veterans?

 

[OldPsychDoc]

I'm just wondering who's giving them feedback such that there is any doubt...

 

[Bartelby]

You have an excellent chance of matching to one of the best programs.

 

[TexasPhysician]

Great chance even without HHMI

 

[zqfmbh]

I guess I was just concerned because I may or may not honor most of my 3rd year rotations due to the subjectivity of the grading, and I don't attend a top 10 med school which many residency programs seem to value (going by their resident rosters). Maybe the sdn neuroticism has freaked me out a bit?

 

[Bartelby]

Maybe the sdn neuroticism has freaked me out a bit?

I think so. Third year clerkships are of course important, but you don't have to honor everything and given your performance so far you will likely do pretty well and get good narrative eval comments.

I think you are also right in your assessment that some residency programs like to take people from the most prestigious schools. I applied with an app similar to yours (except top 25 school, more average preclinical grades) and did not get interviews at every program I applied to. I still matched at one of the programs that regularly gets mentioned as one of the best here on SDN. You may not get *the* exact program you want (although there is a good chance you will), but I am convinced you will get *a* top program.

 

[Leo Aquarius]

... one of the programs that regularly gets mentioned as one of the best here on SDN.

Cool. Where are these discussions? The list of top county psych programs differs from the list of top academic programs by a healthy margin.

 

[Bartelby]

Cool. Where are these discussions? The list of top county psych programs differs from the list of top academic programs by a healthy margin.

Mostly discussions like these:
- http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=906704.
- http://forums.studentdoctor.net/archive/index.php/t-77516.html
- http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=888140&highlight=top
- http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=887721&highlight=top

I was thinking more along the lines of top academic programs. Outside of SDN I haven't found other places that rank or discuss psychiatry residencies really, and I think the lay public will probably just equate the prestige of the associated medical school or university with the quality of the residency.

 

[drno31]

............

 

[vistaril]

Hey guys, I was unable to find a "chances" thread for this forum, but I am a new M3 interested in matching at a large research university (UCSF, MGH, UCSD, etc.) and wanting to know what you guys think-

Step 1: 245
Grades: Honors (top 10%) in Med1/2
School: Solid/top 40ish state school
Research: First author Neurology abstract and oral presentation at national conference, 2nd author ENT paper. Looking to take a year off for research (HHMI, etc) after M3.
ECs (if this matters): president of 2 free clinics.

I would ideally like to pursue an academic career and wondering if my stats are good for the bigger research programs? Thanks for your help!

it's going to be tough....I suggest that instead of just wasting one year of your life postponing residency for vague research that wont help you much at this stage, take 2-3 off......that will put you in a much better position to match.

 

[vistaril]

What are my chances:

I'm a US citizen, starting MS 4 now, studying at one of the top Carib schools, hoping to apply to psych programs in the NYC/NJ area.

Step 1: 226, first attempt
Step 2CS: Pass, first attempt
Step 2CK: Awaiting results
Basic Science Grades: 40th ish percentile in my class during basic science years (was given this info when I was given a review copy of my MSPE), with Honors in Behavioral Science (but not much else)
Clerkships: Honors in psych, IM, peds, OB. Awaiting surgery grade - expecting high pass.
LORs: Director of psych department from top 10 hospital in NYC area (although the hospital's psych program is not very highly regarded). Asked for a letter from the director of inpatient psych, was told by him that I could write it for myself (although not sure if I should avail myself and may ask another attending that I worked closely with)
I don't have any unique extra-curricular activities, and no publications.

Regarding programs in the NYC/NJ area, besides the info I'm hoping to gather from interviews, I can't seem to find any reliable resources to rate the quality of the programs or to rate my competitiveness for them. It would obviously be a dream to train at places like MSSM, Columbia, Cornell and NYU, but I don't know if it would just be a waste of money applying to the these places. Also, I'd definitely like to train at a program that gives a strong background in psychotherapy, as opposed to solely psychopharm. Every program's website lists training in psychotherapy as part of the didactic curriculum, but I'm wondering how much is true and how much is just for show.

Any insight would be of help. I tried to put off making one of these posts, but it seems like the community here is really knowledge and has been helpful for others making similar posts about related topics and programs in other geographic areas.

because of the carrib thing, places like columbia and cornell are going to be tough if not impossible......

I think you are a very strong candidate overall, and you will def match at a good program somewhere you like.....

 

[TexasPhysician]

because of the carrib thing, places like columbia and cornell are going to be tough if not impossible......

I think you are a very strong candidate overall, and you will def match at a good program somewhere you like.....

I'll agree in that Columbia/Cornell would be a waste of money.

 

[zqfmbh]

it's going to be tough....I suggest that instead of just wasting one year of your life postponing residency for vague research that wont help you much at this stage, take 2-3 off......that will put you in a much better position to match.

I was planning on doing HHMI to get a year of dedicated experience so I could "hit the ground running" with research once I get into residency, not just to bolster my CV (though that would be a nice perk). I knew the top programs were competitive, but I did not realize that it would take an additional PhD degree to be able to match at those programs. Unfortunately, I don't think I could prolong my medical education for 3 years just to make my resume look better.

 

[Bartelby]

I was planning on doing HHMI to get a year of dedicated experience so I could "hit the ground running" with research once I get into residency, not just to bolster my CV (though that would be a nice perk). I knew the top programs were competitive, but I did not realize that it would take an additional PhD degree to be able to match at those programs. Unfortunately, I don't think I could prolong my medical education for 3 years just to make my resume look better.

I think vistaril was being sarcastic (although I could be wrong, these things don't come across well on message boards). You have the right attitude-- do what interests you, not what pads your resume. This is psych, you are a competitive applicant for most fields and you will be fine!

 

[Bartelby]

I'll agree in that Columbia/Cornell would be a waste of money.

I agree there. Programs that are probably not worth applying to include MGH, UCSF, Columbia, Cornell (all seem to like very prestigious US schools or MD/PhD). drno, you seem like a solid applicant and I think many programs would be very happy to have you. That said I know that being from the Carribean will be a handicap and I don't know how much of a handicap, so I don't think I can tell you much about how likely you are to match at any given place. Check splik's guide (in the stickies), he seems to know his stuff, and maybe some others will chime in who know more.