Where should I start??? Please help!!!

[IMhopeful]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I am an MS-2 and am interested in internal medicine but I have no idea where to start on where to start... I am in the middle tier of my class....I have not taken any boards yet (will this coming june)... Any advice would be greatly greatly appreciated!!

 

[Mumpu]

The good news is that IM is not competitive so you are guaranteed to land a spot in an IM residency. Congratulations, unless you fail out of med school you will become an internist.

If you want a specific program (academic more than community) or location, things may get more competitive (figure top quartile of your class for places where people have non-rhotic pronounciation or run through warzones on the way to work every day).

Having said all that, pay attention to your third-year rotations -- you may find something else (after all, half of the people change their mind during med school (and half of those change back to their original choice)) or you may reaffirm your choice. There is nothing you need to do in your third year except try to do well in your IM clerkship. I'm sure you'll get the whole drill when you get into the fourth year. The whole process is pretty straightforward -- the expense was the worst part for me.

 

[IMhopeful]

Does anyone have any ideas about where some good strong programs are that are suitable for a middle-tier student??? I do not think that I am competitive enough for a really competitive school. Thanks so much!

 

[CTKN2]

It's hard to say at this point what programs would be good for you because you're only a second-year and haven't taken Step 1 yet. I would talk to your advisor or a dean during your third year about where you might want to apply. Most people try to aim for some "reach" programs because you never know, strong programs where they would have a decent shot, and then the back-up places where they have a great shot. There are plenty of programs out there! And since there are so many IM programs, I think most people think first about location, and then try to go from there. Eventually, you can go to FREIDA online and look for programs in your ideal locations and look at program websites.

For now, do what the previous poster said and just try to do your best during the rest of second year and on your third year rotations. Good luck!

 

[medlaw06]

from my experiences so far, it seems like LOTS of places determine whether or not to interview you in IM (which is what I am applying for as well) based on the strength of your Board scores...KICK BUTT on Step 1 and you'll not only have opened yourself multiple doors @ top places in IM, but also in other fields (rad onc, rads, derm, optho, anes.) as well should you decide to switch while you are doing your 3rd year rotations....

Also, try to get some research experience as a 3rd year....doesn't necessarily have to be published (if it is, then that's grrraavvvvvvyyyyy), but atleast get involved in research in your IM department.....

hope that helped

 

[IMhopeful]

I have been [trying] to do some more research on different programs... and i noticed that some "top" school residency programs went unfilled this last year and past years... like UCLA int med, and northwestern internal med...

can this be??

also.. what is the difference between categorical internal medicine and preliminary internal medicine??

thanks so much!!

 

[kcumbDO]

aim for step 1> 230 for the top IM programs

 

[TommyGunn04]

also.. what is the difference between categorical internal medicine and preliminary internal medicine??

Preliminary positions, often called "prelims," are only 1-year positions, and are typically filled by applicants who need to do a year of more general training before beginning their subspecialty residency in, for example, radiology, dermatology, neurology, anesthesiology, etc.

"Categorical" positions are the traditional, 3-year positions which enable you to become board-certified in internal medicine, and potentially pursue fellowship training in any number of specialty fields available to internists, such as cardiology, gastroenterology, hematology/oncology, endocrinology, etc.