Where I stand?

[Interferon15]

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[yaah]

I don't think there are ever any designated number of spots for certain types of candidates. Most top programs like to get a couple of strong research-type candidates each year, but there are no rules.

Hard to say if you are a "strong" candidate, since quality of applicant has gone up recently. Your numbers seem fine. Your data which includes research and volunteer activities are good, many other candidates have similar backgrounds (although they are also strong candidates). I think you will do fine. Pathology research is not critical for US grads with otherwise strong applications. As to whether you need to do an away rotation, you don't need to. If your school is not in California and you want to go to california, it might help to show interest by doing some rotation out in that area (shows you are serious about it).

 

[LADoc00]

Christ, do people realize what horrendous shape California is in business-wise?
And its only going to get worse.

Do NOT set your sites on California, trust me go live somewhere else in the country and you will enjoy a far higher standard of living and happiness.

 

[lionel hutz]

I would agree that you should do an away rotation in California at one of the better programs if that's where you want to be. I had similar stats to yours, and this year had 20-30% increases in applications at more than a couple places, and I was able to get interviews at all the "top programs" in my region. The only programs where I was unable to get interviews from were ones outside my region, which I thought were at least on par with the big name programs in my region. I can only crudely assume that all things being equal, your school being closer to the program or stated interest in being in that particular area is something that programs do look at when evaluating applicants for interviews.

You will probably be able to get interviews at many programs in CA without an away rotation even if you go to a podunk school in the northeast, but maybe not at a place like UCSF (FWIW- I did not get one, although I withdrew my CA apps once I realized I did want to stay in my region, but I still received a rejection letter from them anyway.)

One thing I didn't appreciate until I did an away rotation is that it can definitely work against you, as many people had said when I asked whether I should do one. You have to do some soul searching and see if you think you can make a good impression on the program you are doing it at. One month is a long time. If you come off as awkward, arrogant, inconsiderate, smelly, no one remembers you, or you say something really dumb it may kill your chances at matching there. Fortunately, I had a good experience.

 

[gbwillner]

Christ, do people realize what horrendous shape California is in business-wise?
And its only going to get worse.

Do NOT set your sites on California, trust me go live somewhere else in the country and you will enjoy a far higher standard of living and happiness.

Doooode,
My sister is an architect in Venice and bought a one bedroom condo in Century City for like $450K (with $600 monthly fees) about a year ago. I think it's like 700 sq ft. She thought it was a STEAL since they were selling for about $800K in her building 6 months previously (same unit). I told her she was NUTS to spend that kind of cash on a one bedroom condo. Fast forward a year- she was forced to take a 20% pay cut at her job, and can't afford her mortgage. I don't even want to ask what her condo would sell for today.

Meanwhile I just bought a 2,000 sq ft home in the midwest in a nice historic neighborhood with a subway stop 2 blocks from my house and a 1,000 sq ft unfinished basement that will be my home improvement project for the next 4 years. I paid just over $200K. I had to get insurance- they told me it would cost $300K to rebuild the house if it burned down. And I never, ever have to be stuck in traffic ever again.

 

[LADoc00]

Doooode,
My sister is an architect in Venice and bought a one bedroom condo in Century City for like $450K (with $600 monthly fees) about a year ago. I think it's like 700 sq ft. She thought it was a STEAL since they were selling for about $800K in her building 6 months previously (same unit). I told her she was NUTS to spend that kind of cash on a one bedroom condo. Fast forward a year- she was forced to take a 20% pay cut at her job, and can't afford her mortgage. I don't even want to ask what her condo would sell for today.

Meanwhile I just bought a 2,000 sq ft home in the midwest in a nice historic neighborhood with a subway stop 2 blocks from my house and a 1,000 sq ft unfinished basement that will be my home improvement project for the next 4 years. I paid just over $200K. I had to get insurance- they told me it would cost $300K to rebuild the house if it burned down. And I never, ever have to be stuck in traffic ever again.

Dooode-The Century City condos are where all the strippers who work down by LAX and all the medium rent call girls who ply the West Side live, that was her first mistake.

 

[Interferon15]

Is the job market really that bad? For me, California isn't some fantasy land that is going to make me buy a surfboard and jump into the ocean. Was born and raised there and is where most of my friends and family still reside. But hell, I might end up moving to one of these states if things are as dismal as people say.....

http://www.physicianspractice.com/index/fuseaction/articles.details/articleID/934.htm

 

[LADoc00]

they are more dismal than they say because very few people know the full truth about what is going on deep inside California's political and economic machines.

To anyone who watched 30 Rock last night: if you are in California listen to sage advice of Tracy Jordan. Now is not the time be calm, now is the time to panic, buy guns and hide. Leave if you can, run if you are able.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=De8Aj8eZlyo&feature=related[/YOUTUBE]