What's more difficult to match into?

[CavsFan2016]

---

Members don't see this ad.

People always say you need to be at the top of your class for derm or another similarly competitive specialty, but don't you need to be at the top of your class for top programs in other specialties as well?

For example, matching into a good orthopedic surgery residency (but not one of the top) or matching into Cincinnati for EM - which is more difficult?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[MrChance2]

I remember someone awhile back saying family med in San Diego filled with like 250+ step 1 people. So yes, top programs in any specialty are highly competitive. Not all top applicants try to match into the most difficult specialty they can.

 

[DocFarnsworth]

Strange question. No clear cut answer as to which two specific programs in two different fields would be more difficult to get into for any given year or any given candidate. Yes hard residency spots are hard to get into.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

 

[ChordaEpiphany]

.

 

[CavsFan2016]

Ok thanks @MrChance2 @docfansworth just curious tbh


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[CavsFan2016]

@ChordaEpiphany thank you as well


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[aalamruad]

Strange question. No clear cut answer as to which two specific programs in two different fields would be more difficult to get into for any given year or any given candidate. Yes hard residency spots are hard to get into.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

Lol very helpful and informative answer

 

[Goro]

This is an impossible question to answer.

A rule of thumb can be found in the Program Director's survey, which will tell you median Board scores, floors, and what different PDs look for.

People always say you need to be at the top of your class for derm or another similarly competitive specialty, but don't you need to be at the top of your class for top programs in other specialties as well?

For example, matching into a good orthopedic surgery residency (but not one of the top) or matching into Cincinnati for EM - which is more difficult?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[manny24]

I don't understand why anybody would do family medicine with 250+ even if its at Harvard. I rather do another specialty in a crappy program at least I will be making 2x the salary.

 

[xffan624]

I don't understand why anybody would do family medicine with 250+ even if its at Harvard. I rather do another specialty in a crappy program at least I will be making 2x the salary.

Perhaps this is hard for you to understand as a pre-med, but people usually go into the specialty they're interested in, not the most competitive specialty that their board scores qualify them for. Some people want to do family medicine. 2x the salary isn't worth jack if you hate your career.

 

[neoevolution]

Perhaps this is hard for you to understand as a pre-med, but people usually go into the specialty they're interested in, not the most competitive specialty that their board scores qualify them for. Some people want to do family medicine. 2x the salary isn't worth jack if you hate your career.

To be fair, I've seen a lot of posts from people unsure about doing primary care with high Step scores or who want to reconsider after doing better than expected

 

[Astra]

Perhaps this is hard for you to understand as a pre-med, but people usually go into the specialty they're interested in, not the most competitive specialty that their board scores qualify them for. Some people want to do family medicine. 2x the salary isn't worth jack if you hate your career.

this is straight blasphemy.

Anyone who doesn't match derm is a failure

 

[y123]

If you are from a top school, it is a lot easier to get into top programs in non-competitive specialties than any program in competitive specialties.