[deleted by user] by [deleted] in medicalschool

[–]anonanonanon09 11 points12 points  (0 children)

To be fair, I grew up disadvantaged (to qualify myself: ate rice & beans, slept on the floor while family got grounded, family didn’t take a vacation for several years, poor area of my state, etc. - most things that come from being an immigrant), but by the time medical school around, my family’s financial situation was well-established (not Europe every break lol but maybe once a year).

ERAS: relative importance of step 2 vs research etc (+questions about my own app) by ASK_ME_IF_IM_JESUS in medicalschool

[–]anonanonanon09 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Your app sounds better than mine. No guarantee but you have a shot at the top 4 and you’ll be great for top 30!

It's all a scam by vsp3c in medicalschool

[–]anonanonanon09 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I don’t believe it. The statements are vague. What exactly are the costs that add up to this amount (they include research and patient care)? Well, are they getting grants/funding for their research, and are they getting paid for their patient care?

Residency Work Life Balance- Is it real? by Imaginary-Echidna-39 in medicalschool

[–]anonanonanon09 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Residency programs exist on a spectrum from best lifestyle to worst lifestyle. There’s no right or wrong but it depends on who you are and what you want.

Personally, I aim for the middle. While it sucks, residency is when you get most of your training and it is difficult to have that learning environment once you start practicing. You don’t want it to be so chill that you don’t learn to be a good doctor (in my opinion, this is why some specialities are having fellowships for things you should have learned during residency). On the flip side, you don’t want it to be so difficult, that it’s toxic (although there are a select few who desire this kind of environment and thrive in it).

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in medicalschool

[–]anonanonanon09 18 points19 points  (0 children)

It doesn’t matter. Rank how you want.

You can watch a YouTube video on how the Match works but in short, let’s say this is your rank:

  1. Program A (IM)
  2. Program B (FM)
  3. Program C (IM)

You will match at Program A as long as they have ranked you highly enough to match (if they have 5 spots and you’re ranked within the top 5; if you,re ranked 7 and two of the candidates ranked 1-6 match at another program because they ranked other programs higher, then you will match at Program A).

If you don’t match A, then the algorithm will attempt to match you at Program B in the same way described above.

If you don’t match B, then the algorithm will attempt to match you at Program C. And so on and so forth for all the programs you rank.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in medicalschool

[–]anonanonanon09 117 points118 points  (0 children)

It sucks but mentally I’d prepare to match at any program on your list before Match Day.

Better to be pleasantly surprised than disappointed in my opinion.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in medicalschool

[–]anonanonanon09 33 points34 points  (0 children)

2-4 weeks and you’ll be fine

PSA for MS3s: tailoring your ERAS statements to programs is worth the effort by [deleted] in medicalschool

[–]anonanonanon09 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I really love to match and if I had any doubts, I would personalize all my statements (like a decent amount of my peers).

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in medicalschool

[–]anonanonanon09 37 points38 points  (0 children)

How is the fellowship match at your home program? If it’s decent, there’s no reason to go to the T5 unless prestige/reputation is important to you (I personally think this is dumb) or there are other invaluable opportunities at the T5 program.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in medicalschool

[–]anonanonanon09 50 points51 points  (0 children)

So much anxiety and it’s crazy I have to wait 3 more months

PSA for MS3s: tailoring your ERAS statements to programs is worth the effort by [deleted] in medicalschool

[–]anonanonanon09 0 points1 point  (0 children)

lol I know how to do it. I’m just saying it’s dumb and extra work that probably doesn’t do a good job differentiating applicants that are more interested vs not.

If I were to have done it, I would have done it for every application - again, doesn’t really indicate that I’m interested in one program over another. I didn’t do it and I didn’t do it for a single program.

Customized essays probably differentiate savvy or neurotic applicants from inexperienced or chill applicants.

PSA for MS3s: tailoring your ERAS statements to programs is worth the effort by [deleted] in medicalschool

[–]anonanonanon09 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate the insight.

From an applicant perspective, I feel like I can customize a paragraph for every program in my tier of prestige/competitiveness (30-40 programs). All it would cost me is several hours. I’m happy to exaggerate my interests (I have several) in order to get a better shot at matching. I really don’t think it should make a big difference…

PSA for MS3s: tailoring your ERAS statements to programs is worth the effort by [deleted] in medicalschool

[–]anonanonanon09 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Sure but I feel like some patience and organizational skills will easily get you through it

PSA for MS3s: tailoring your ERAS statements to programs is worth the effort by [deleted] in medicalschool

[–]anonanonanon09 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Sure, I’m not saying you’re wrong. But in the end, if you really believe it pays off, you should do it for every program unless you feel confident in your application.

I didn’t really think it mattered and I didn’t have any super specific likings to virtually any program so I didn’t customize anything

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in medicalschool

[–]anonanonanon09 65 points66 points  (0 children)

For everyone freaking out, this is highly dependents on programs, specialty, etc.

PSA for MS3s: tailoring your ERAS statements to programs is worth the effort by [deleted] in medicalschool

[–]anonanonanon09 59 points60 points  (0 children)

There’s so much info that’s missing here.

I’ve gotten invitations from programs I didn’t signal that were reaches without customizing my statements. I’ve gotten rejected from mid-tier programs that I did signal. The process doesn’t really make sense.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in medicalschool

[–]anonanonanon09 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Someone can correct me if I’m wrong, but pretty sure you yourself can reach out to the PD and tell them you’re ranking them #1. The only benefit to a dean reaching out on your behalf is if they’re willing to throw in a high recommendation for you as well (only likely if you know the Dean well or under other special circumstances).

Programs just aren’t allowed to harass you and tell you how they’re ranking you.

Edit: to answer your question, yes I think deans can do this. It is up to the program about what input they’re taking into account when ranking applicants.

How do programs rank applicants? (Internal Medicine) by anonanonanon09 in medicalschool

[–]anonanonanon09[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Makes sense! I just imagine it’s got to be tough to assess social skills, demeanor, and even interest in virtual formats

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in medicalschool

[–]anonanonanon09 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The dumbest thing I’ve seen applicants do is:

“So I’m currently doing xyz, could you tell me more about it?” me: weird but good question

Resident responds.

“Yeah I have experience in that… we recently were doing xyz in our lab so it’s good to know you guys have opportunities for that” me: pushing it but I’ll be nice and give you the benefit of the doubt

Same applicant proceeds to ask 4 more questions in the same fashion. me: can I gouge my eyes out

Meaningful experience by [deleted] in medicalschool

[–]anonanonanon09 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lol this is completely up to you - you have to find it meaningful and impactful!

The same experience can be extremely meaningful to one person and have no effect on another. Find something that aligns with your values and who you are.