hopeful
OSRR Newbie
Posts: 1
(12/8/01 6:58:40 pm)
Reply
Chances for an 'average' student
Here's my situation....
233 on step one, but average preclinical and clinical grades (right in the middle of my class). I also have a
few summers of neuroscience basic science and clinical research dep't with a high powered neurosurgery
attending at my med school, and will have 3 pubs pending+a 4-5 abstracts by the time I apply.
My question is...what are my chances of matching at an east-coast mid-atlantic program (NY, NJ, DC,
MD, VA, PA...) I have heard that many (if not all of these programs use AOA for a cutoff, and I'm
virtually assured of not making AOA).
Any info on my chances would be much appreciated. I'm esp. interested in DC area programs, I'd love
any specific info on those!
IamNikolas
OSRR Fellow
Posts: 86
(12/8/01 8:17:55 pm)
Reply
re:
Since none of us have matched yet (!), anything we tell you is speculation...all we've done so far is get
the interviews. I'm sure a lot of people are in the same boat as you wondering whether or not they will
match. You sounds like you'll probably get a bunch of interviews though.
DC programs: I can tell you that Georgetown only interviews those who rotate there...so you have to
set up a rotation with them if interested...It's a very intense month, and their expectations are very
high...lots of reading and you'll be expected to know a lot of orthopedics, even as a 4th yr med
student....and oh yes...one more thing...out of 3 residents, 1 or 2 is always from the home
school....something you may want to consider.
I haven't heard great things about GW (see previous thread), but don't take my word for it...look into it
yourself because what i wrote was all hearsay.
hopeful
OSRR Newbie
Posts: 2
(12/8/01 8:52:13 pm)
Reply
Re: re:
Hey IamNikolas-
Do you have any idea of the numbers for matched applicants at either g'town or gw? i was thinking that
since the dc area in general is a pretty sought-after region, that they get the cream of the crop?
IamNikolas
OSRR Fellow
Posts: 87
(12/8/01 9:45:20 pm)
Reply
re:
No I don't know of numbers...however, one thing i have heard about georgetown is that the chairman
(Wiesel) "loves AOA"...Is this a requirement to get in there? I have no idea. I would think you'd have to
make a pretty damn good impression on them either way during your elective to land a spot there. It's
funny, because I have heard from a couple of people that Georgetown is not even that great a program
-- it's just freaking hard as @&!#! to get into.
that's about the extent of my knowledge about those programs.
IamNikolas
OSRR Fellow
Posts: 88
(12/8/01 9:48:59 pm)
Reply
One more thing
By the way...it is simply not true that "most" programs use AOA as a cutoff...there are definitely some
that do...but hope is not lost if you're not AOA.
bonedoc2be
OSRR Junior
Posts: 46
(12/9/01 11:59:43 am)
Reply
Here is an example
I have done no research, am not AOA, am in the top 20 percent of my class, got in the mid 230's on
step 1 and 2. I got to look at my letters at one the interviews I have already been to and they looked
pretty good, saying stuff like "it is our hope he stays here for residency" and such. I have 15 interviews
out of 35 applied, and a couple at big name places i did not expect (Mayo, WashU, etc). Now I am aining
for the midwest, but I still feel 15 (16 offered) interviews is not too bad at all considering some on this
board say "ohh man, you have to have AOA and lots of research!!!" My strengths are good letters from
home and aways, and a good presonal statement (according to my program director). Hell, I may not
match for all I know, but I think I have a pretty good chance at at least matching period and maybe even
at one of my top choices. So I dont think you should sell yourself short just b/c you are not some
superstud on paper. Good Luck
IamNikolas
OSRR Fellow
Posts: 89
(12/9/01 12:59:07 pm)
Reply
re:
I totally agree with bonedoc2be...
one question for you: they let you look at your letters at the interview??? Did they offer or did you
sneak a peak? I'm wondering because no one has given me that opportunity and I'm very curious what's
been written about me!
bonedoc2be
OSRR Junior
Posts: 48
(12/10/01 4:35:12 pm)
Reply
seeing letters
na, everyone was looking through thier whole file, and i think they expect people to and dont care. I was
funny watching people try to look at them without looking like they were. I agree that I was dying to see
what a couple of people wrote.
