chances?????
By Guest on Friday, 15 January 2010
Posted in Match Center
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I am very new to this site, I have been reading alot of posts that sorta pertain to my situation but everyone is alittle different, just wanted some sound advise since my advisor is as clueless as a highschool advisor at this point.....
-Step 1 225....(dunno what happened NBMEs were all in middle 230s)
-Currently half way through M3 year All honors on clinical rotations
- working on 3 projects with one possible publication in this academic year... all ortho
- presentation at ACP conferance regarding septic sacro illitis


Going to take step 2 6 weeks after M3 year ends, giving myself a 4 week window to study for it.

Here are my questions.... I am looking to apply to away rotations (NOWish)... probably going to do one at USC and looking to do a few others, I keep hearing of these community programs that I can do aways at but I have no idea where to access that sort of information... also would it be better to do 2 aways at an academic institute and 1 at a community?

I dont care where I go, i would prefere to stay in the midwest or go back to cali ( but i am realistic, i know california would be a stretch with a 225)... if anyone know about any community programs that are good and I have a decent chance I would love the advise.

Also any input on my chances and anything i should do to maximize my chances, I am beyond in love with ortho and cant see my self doing anything besides it for the rest of my life.....


Thank you
Well, I'd start by never again saying things like "I am beyond in love with ortho"...

In all seriousness, as for the Midwest, there are a ton of programs in your district, and I wouldn't be quick to stratify between typically-academic university programs and community programs, since many of the latter produce outstanding (if not better) surgeons. Speaking towards Cali, that'll probably depend on which part of that state you're from, since many places stratify their lists in part on how likely the applicants are to stay in the area.

Your scores are good but put you in a middle-of-the-road area. Our (SEC) PD cuts-off at about 230, but it's a soft number and this is where letters from well-known guys will help you out a lot.

You should probably cast your nets wide for aways and test how you like the life at a typical academic program vs. a (usually-smaller) community program, ie you probably wouldn't gain much advantage to your rank list by rotating at both UM and OSU while you might find you prefer Kzoo (which is excellent, incidentally) to IU. For applications, you're probably looking at approximately 40-80 programs geographically centered around your medical school.

Just a few thoughts...
Guest
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16 years ago
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Hope u find this helpful.

Average step ones, nationally is 236ish last time I checked. California is about 6-8 pints higher and for reputable university program adds another 6-8 points. USC has a reputation of being rotator friendly, but you have to be a huge superstar to make-up for a 225. That means out of 50 guys you have to be top one they like for some reason.

You might be better off doing no California and only community programs. If u want to live in a city look at NY, and also plenty in Midwest.

You need to apply to 80+ schools and that is NOT including the top 20-30 programs.....

If you are sure you can do 240+ on step II then take it.

Consider taking a year off for research at a prolific lab and reputable university program

good luck
Guest
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16 years ago
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