What to do during down time to improve neuro app

[Chibucks15]

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Hey everybody I'm an M3 at an original DO school who pulled us off rotations. Unfortunately my neuro clerkship was supposed to be during this time. I tentatively have a rotation with the same hospital set up for July before I do a few auditions but any other tips on what I can do during this off time to improve my app for neuro?

I'm not looking anywhere top tier or whatever hopefully sticking in the upper Midwest. In terms of stats I have a ~230 step 1, a poster done (cards) and a couple case reports (peds, pulm) working their way through the system. Super average in terms of class ranks and such, good evals so far and have 2 good letters both not in neuro (was planning on getting a third during these lost rotations). I guess I'm gonna crank through and hope to snag a letter in July from my neuro doc and ideally get one from an audition prior to ERAS. Obviously COVID isn't exactly helping with pre-made plans.

Any tips? Currently I'm just doing these online modules and such and studying for my boards. My school is useless so any help is much appreciated. I have a specific program list I'm looking at as well in case there are any program specific feedback. Thanks!

 

[DerpyNeuroMD]

I'm an M3. I spoke with my neuro department and am now working on a research project.

 

[Telamir]

Ideally LOR wise you'd want 1-2 neuro, 1 IM and 1 psych (that's kind of how I did it anyway). Your scores are perfectly fine. Take Step 2 CK early and try to score higher. Other than that if you can get into some neuro based research (doesn't have to be complicated) that would help too. Away rotations are good but can be a double edged sword. If you don't "impress" a program you might end up being ranked lower than if you had ever rotated there at all. I'd do one either somewhere that's a reach program (unlikely to match with your stats) but you might snag a good LOR, or do one somewhere you have ties to that you can realistically match in. Apply early and you'll be fine. Your stats are similar to mine and I ended up in a "brand name" place. You'll be fine.

 

[Chibucks15]

Ideally LOR wise you'd want 1-2 neuro, 1 IM and 1 psych (that's kind of how I did it anyway). Your scores are perfectly fine. Take Step 2 CK early and try to score higher. Other than that if you can get into some neuro based research (doesn't have to be complicated) that would help too. Away rotations are good but can be a double edged sword. If you don't "impress" a program you might end up being ranked lower than if you had ever rotated there at all. I'd do one either somewhere that's a reach program (unlikely to match with your stats) but you might snag a good LOR, or do one somewhere you have ties to that you can realistically match in. Apply early and you'll be fine. Your stats are similar to mine and I ended up in a "brand name" place. You'll be fine.

So I currently have a good FM, Peds, and was going to get an IM And neuro but COVID hit. That’s my big concern is getting enough letters in the right specialties because my entire plan is all over now haha

 

[Chibucks15]

I'm an M3. I spoke with my neuro department and am now working on a research project.

Thanks! Unfortunately not a ton of neuro projects goin on which is hard. Do you think I should try to work on a new project of whatever I can find?

 

[Telamir]

Keep in mind, you're not the only one whose plans have changed/are suboptimal. I'm sure that a lot of programs will run into that this season.

 

[DerpyNeuroMD]

Thanks! Unfortunately not a ton of neuro projects goin on which is hard. Do you think I should try to work on a new project of whatever I can find?

Sorry, I wouldn't know where to start if I were going to do something completely new. I usually direct my research around existing questions that the clinicians have. Maybe learn Spanish or something? I hear some programs won't even interview you if you don't speak Spanish (e.g. Miami)