What are the Chances?

[buggle]

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Hey Guys! This is my first time posting on these boards. I hope you can give me some insight as to what my chances are at getting a match into a residency program.

I am a DO graduate (already received degree). I have 12 interviews (5 AOA FP residencies and 7 ACGME residencies).
I like about 2 of the AOA residencies, but LOVED all 7 of the ACGME programs I interviewed at.
I am pretty much 100% sure I will get into a AOA residency if I ranked all 5 programs. But, I really want to go for the ACGME programs more. I am trying to make an assessment on whether it is 'safe' to try and go for ACGME and skip over the AOA match.

1. My grades are mediocre (honestly, bottom 25% of class in the rank). :-(
2. Passed Comlex first time with okay scores.
3. Passed USMLE with >80 scores (Step 1 on 2nd attempt and did well on Step 2 CK).
With that said, still had 12 interviews. 5 AOA, 7 ACGME

When I spoke to my academic adviser, she says my chances are something like 70-80% likely to match into a ACGME residency with 7 interviews. Is this generally true (based on a very rough estimate of 10% possibility for each program).

Can I still scramble into the AOA residencies if I do not match into ACGME and do you think those programs will be 'okay' if I scramble in even though I did not initially rank them?

I am sooooo freaked out about the entire match process. ARG! Thanks for your help.

 

[DocEspana]

1) why do you have the degree and not the residency? A previous failure to match may tell us much more about your odds than your tests scores do

2) No clue on odds. I always hear that 5-8 interviews is a "good" response rate and lets you know you're a desirable candidate. But those are anecdotal comments, so I have no stats to base that on outside of trusting the people (and they did match).

3) yes, you can scramble into the AOA a month late, even if you rank zero programs.

 

[buggle]

Well, if you absolutely have to know, there are several reasons why people delay going into a residency. For me, I went on maternity leave. So, no 2011 entry. Programs are not receptive to people who come into an interview with a pregnant belly knowing full well they will be out for a couple of months to take care of an infant in the start of the program. Even though they claim they do not discriminate against that, as a pregnant candidate, I can tell you it puts ya at a HUGE disadvantage. So, I did not apply. And honestly, every interview I have been through so far this year (I just completed my 10th interview), they did ask about that. But, not a single one had any issue with the year off.

My experiences so far have been great on my interviews . . . all were extremely positive. Not sure how heavily interviews weigh on possible ranking. But, they all went great.

Has anyone here ever scrambled into an AOA program they interviewed at, but did not rank? How was the program's reaction to you? If they are dual credited (both AOA and ACGME), can you rank them with NRMP?

 

[Rollo]

Well, if you absolutely have to know, there are several reasons why people delay going into a residency. For me, I went on maternity leave. So, no 2011 entry. Programs are not receptive to people who come into an interview with a pregnant belly knowing full well they will be out for a couple of months to take care of an infant in the start of the program. Even though they claim they do not discriminate against that, as a pregnant candidate, I can tell you it puts ya at a HUGE disadvantage. So, I did not apply. And honestly, every interview I have been through so far this year (I just completed my 10th interview), they did ask about that. But, not a single one had any issue with the year off.

My experiences so far have been great on my interviews . . . all were extremely positive. Not sure how heavily interviews weigh on possible ranking. But, they all went great.

Has anyone here ever scrambled into an AOA program they interviewed at, but did not rank? How was the program's reaction to you? If they are dual credited (both AOA and ACGME), can you rank them with NRMP?

Congratulations on the baby!

I am under the impression that interview is a SIGNIFICANT, if not the number 1, factor in how you will be ranked.

And it sounds like you made the right choice by postponing entering the match because of pregnancy. I think you probably did yourself and the program a favor by taking a maternity leave before starting residency. I couldn't imagine the stress you would have been under raising an infant and starting residency. Not to mention, the stress your co-residents would have been under to cover for you in case you had to leave early or whatever to take care of the baby.

 

[dermpathdoc]

ECHO rollo
congrats on the Baby..and interview ranks higher than comlex/usmle scores and slightly higher than doing a rotation at a program you want to go to. Also get really good reference letters from programs you did rotations at...
step 2 CK is a plus if you did really great compared to step I
in any event, go with the rpgprams you really like. I doubt you will have to scramble for an AOA spot but if you do it will be there.