Whole bunch of stuff!

[staydin]

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It sucks that I found this forum now, because it would have been useful over the few years. Ever since I finalized my ERAS, and scheduled my first interview, my anxiety has risen to an all new high.

I have known I was interested in PMR since I was a second year. I have been to conventions, shadowed a physiatrist in my free time, and done and published research. Grades are ok, boards are crap, well average.

My class alone, a class of 75, has 9 students applying to rehab. It's crazy...and if that is any indication of the rest of the country, there are certainly not enough spots. My concern is how tough is the match going to be this year. I heard last year's match was a competative one, can anyone shed some light on this, or is this a 'dumb' question.

I guess my motivation for asking or addressing such an issue, is where and how do I place my standards? which schools do I really put most of my stock into? Should I reach for the stars, or do I consider the less competative and even less desirable programs?

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[axm397]

I say, cast the net wide then narrow it down. Apply to any and all programs you would consider going to. Some students narrow it by geography, others by size, etc. Then, as you get the interview invitations, you can start narrowing down.

Don't pay attention to all the hype about how competitive it was or is, just stay focused on your task and you'll be fine. Listen to other ppl's opinions but don't take them as facts. See for yourself.

I think you'll feel better as you start to get interview invites.

 

[rehab_sports_dr]

I would definitely aim high.

I went to a middle-tier medical school, and our academic advisors constantly tried to temper our expectations (I suspect because they wanted to tell incoming students that people tended to match at their top 3 programs)

I am now a resident at what is generally considered one of the top 5 PM+R residencies, and I think the reputation is warranted.

But if you look at the quality of the residents within our program, I don't think there is a huge correlation between what they looked like on paper and good they became while they were here.

So I definitely say shoot for the moon. The worst that happens is that you get turned down for some interviews.