the odds are even better this year, as they are only interviewing 10 candidates for 3 spots. there are usually about 15 rotators each year and obviously not everyone gets an invite.

volkl7,

Thanks for the relpy. I had a few more question for you. Does the program have any kind of step 1 cut-off? Also, in trying to decide what community program to rotate at I'm looking at whether rotators are given an interview or not. Are all/most of those 10 interviews this year going to rotators?

about half of the interviewees are rotators. the step I cutoff for the rest of the applicants is around 230 which i think is fairly universal. step I scores for rotators are somewhat irrelevant, however, if one scores less than 190-200, he/she'd better be an exceptional sub I in order to compensate.

bottom line is that when you show up as a sub I anywhere, number one priority is fitting in. each program has its own personality (essentially like frats), clicking with the residents and attendings is perhaps more crucial than busting your ass.

Pardon my ignorance, but what are the pros/cons of going to a community program like St. Mary's vs. an academic one? Is it seen as being "lower" echelon in terms of fellowships and job opportunities? What level of schools would St. Mary's compare to?

Thanks!
b

There are several excellent community programs around the country that turn out great docs. There have been several threads on here that you should be able to find that talk about them. As far as fellowships, a lot of that is based on who knows who and can make phone calls/recommendations, so that that will vary b/t places (both academic and community). At our community program we have had several people go to "big name" fellowships recently (joints at harvard, spine at case, hand at mayo, spine in denver, shoulder at penn and columbia, trauma at carolinas, foot at Uwash and baltimore) I know when i interviewed at other community places they also had good luck with fellowshps, so i would say that you certainly can get quality fellowships coming out of a community place.