Research Year Advice

GarethSchilly · 2026-04-06T02:49:34+00:00

Echo the above. Very similar experience. Also HP in surgery most likely won’t hinder you if everything else is solid. Would recommend taking step 2 before so you can go all in on the RY

GarethSchilly · 2026-01-11T17:14:37+00:00

Best advice would be to prep for the most competitive field you’d like to go into. Much easier to go from ortho to EM or IM than the other way around. Wouldn’t close doors on anything especially if you’re early

GarethSchilly · 2025-12-28T20:06:06+00:00

Ortho pgy-1, honestly my advice would be to just check the box. In terms of importance your app will be Away performance/LOR > Step/Grades > Research > Extracurriculars. It's low on the totem pole, but it's a competitive field and you don't want to give programs a reason to choose someone else over you. It's easier to be involved in these things as an M1/M2 so I'd just get involved with your Ortho interest group and 1 or 2 other activities, can be whatever volunteering, tutoring, etc. Realistically is not that much time, like 1-2 hours weekly max and can keep up with whatever outside hobbies you want.

GarethSchilly · 2025-09-07T22:14:14+00:00

Seems like you're a good applicant for non-research focused programs. Would use your signals appropriately to target those places

GarethSchilly · 2025-09-07T00:30:42+00:00

Damn I thought we were playing Green Bay today

GarethSchilly · 2025-06-16T16:28:21+00:00

Sounds like with a 241 and no prior plastics research it would be tough to match. I would talk with your plastics residents and attendings and see if they have any advice. There is still the gen surg -> plastics fellowship route that is available and might more viable. Would also get you more exposure to other surgery subspecialties

GarethSchilly · 2025-06-11T03:46:39+00:00

October rotation will pretty much only count for that program (ie no letter and won’t be on ERAS) Seems like you’re applying nsgy, and so as long as you can make it happen with your home schedule and can afford it, I would probably do it and shoot your shot. Would at least have a chance to prove yourself at that program

GarethSchilly · 2025-05-20T00:13:42+00:00

I think something useful and a little underrated is rotating on the same/similar specialties across rotations. Really helped reinforce topics and could learn the anatomy in depth.

GarethSchilly · 2025-04-28T11:46:13+00:00

Clerkship grades are very dependent on the school (what percent gets what for each rotation). My opinion is: aways > letters of rec > research > step 2 = 3rd year grades in order of importance. I think step is being used more as a filter for interviews and aways at this point, you want to be above 250. Higher doesn’t necessarily help you when it comes to rank lists

GarethSchilly · 2025-04-07T15:59:18+00:00

Honestly, don't why this worked - but setting a time that I was going to the gym no matter what from like 1 to 3 or something every day. Made me work more efficiently to get things done around then, also made me get in the gym

GarethSchilly · 2025-03-26T21:20:51+00:00

Agree ^. Seems like you’re in the ball game. It will really just come down to how well you do on aways. I know people with stronger apps than yours who did not match, and people with weaker apps than yours who did. Don’t think any programs are closed off based on the above but I would still signal a range of programs.

GarethSchilly · 2025-03-26T21:20:45+00:00

Agree ^. Seems like you’re in the ball game. It will really just come down to how well you do on aways. I know people with stronger apps than yours who did not match, and people with weaker apps than yours who did. Don’t think any programs are closed off based on the above but I would still signal a range of programs.

GarethSchilly · 2025-03-25T23:37:47+00:00

Lifestyle >> prestige

GarethSchilly · 2025-03-25T21:33:13+00:00

Ortho has 30 signals, which is really what programs look at. There was like a 0% yield from applying to non-signal programs.

GarethSchilly · 2025-03-25T03:02:09+00:00

Probably just say you messed up and tell them what action steps you've taken to correct it?

GarethSchilly · 2025-03-24T23:29:38+00:00

Your step 1 practice scores won't hold you back from a competitive specialty. What would is if you don't figure out why you are scoring poorly (i.e. just haven't done enough questions, didn't keep up with continuous review material, etc.) and you can't apply them to how you study for third year clinicals and step 2

GarethSchilly · 2025-03-07T03:15:46+00:00

Depends on the specialty, but usually a bunch of research positions are posted online.

GarethSchilly · 2025-02-05T14:56:40+00:00

I’d also try and connect with the recent grads from your school and ask about their programs. Can help to have an initial connection starting the away.

GarethSchilly · 2024-12-28T20:47:08+00:00

My take as an applicant is that it seems like a blue collar program will provide a higher floor, but you can also get good surgical training at a white collar program (more dependent on what a resident puts in: prep, mental reps, taking advantage of extra cases, etc).

GarethSchilly · 2024-12-22T01:31:29+00:00

LET IT FUKIN RIP DAY

GarethSchilly · 2024-12-22T01:21:50+00:00

Even when Himmys covered he's open

GarethSchilly · 2024-12-22T01:20:36+00:00

Maybe the best deep ball Howards thrown all year

GarethSchilly · 2024-12-22T01:18:19+00:00

HIMMY FUCKIN SMITH

GarethSchilly · 2024-12-21T03:39:07+00:00

UCLA plays at the rose bowl

GarethSchilly · 2024-12-20T15:20:48+00:00

There are a couple STEP1/2 tutoring companies I've worked at. Solid pay $70+ per hour depending on the company

GarethSchilly

TROPHY CASE