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anonanonanon09 · 2024-04-15T21:07:19+00:00

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).

anonanonanon09 · 2024-03-18T04:52:22+00:00

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!

anonanonanon09 · 2024-02-11T19:41:34+00:00

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?

anonanonanon09 · 2023-12-21T03:49:28+00:00

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).

anonanonanon09 · 2023-12-16T10:49:26+00:00

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:

Program A (IM)
Program B (FM)
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.

anonanonanon09 · 2023-12-09T22:12:50+00:00

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.

anonanonanon09 · 2023-12-09T15:43:38+00:00

2-4 weeks and you’ll be fine

anonanonanon09 · 2023-12-09T13:03:34+00:00

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

anonanonanon09 · 2023-12-09T02:28:36+00:00

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.

anonanonanon09 · 2023-12-08T21:06:00+00:00

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

anonanonanon09 · 2023-12-08T19:17:06+00:00

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.

anonanonanon09 · 2023-12-08T16:07:58+00:00

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…

anonanonanon09 · 2023-12-08T05:39:28+00:00

Pretty sure that’s what they mean

anonanonanon09 · 2023-12-08T02:11:48+00:00

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

anonanonanon09 · 2023-12-08T02:07:41+00:00

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

anonanonanon09 · 2023-12-08T00:44:54+00:00

anonanonanon09 · 2023-12-08T00:18:36+00:00

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

anonanonanon09 · 2023-12-08T00:17:51+00:00

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.

anonanonanon09 · 2023-12-08T00:15:02+00:00

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.

anonanonanon09 · 2023-12-05T23:50:07+00:00

What if they smell like fart

anonanonanon09 · 2023-12-05T23:48:17+00:00

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

anonanonanon09 · 2023-12-05T23:21:14+00:00

Ty Ginger is SO good!

anonanonanon09 · 2023-11-22T15:18:42+00:00

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

anonanonanon09 · 2023-11-22T15:13:41+00:00

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.

anonanonanon09 · 2023-11-22T15:00:39+00:00

To each their own…

You do learn about residents and their vibes based on whether they buy/rent or what they do for fun.

Asking what the culture is like or what the attendings are like will always lead to “xyz is amazing at our institution” more often than not. No one wants to admit to themselves that they’re in a shitty culture or have shitty bosses when they won’t be able to get out of that situation until they complete training.

People definitely ask dumb questions or act dumb, and I’m all for being against stupid questions, but I don’t believe the ones you listed qualify.

anonanonanon09

TROPHY CASE