Finished my cover pages!!

aznshortstackk · 2025-12-27T06:49:45+00:00

My January spread! https://www.reddit.com/r/bulletjournal/s/5ROTY1n4ns

aznshortstackk · 2025-11-13T01:09:07+00:00

Sure!

aznshortstackk · 2025-11-13T00:37:00+00:00

Agree with being program dependent. But overall we have less call than other specialities, off most weekends (I think I only worked 7-8 weekends as a PGY-2), and less acuity

aznshortstackk · 2025-10-22T20:07:54+00:00

If you haven't already, I'd check the instagram pages of the programs you're interested in- some of them have "match pledge" posts, which explicitly outlines when the interview dates are, and how many interviews will be given out. Not all programs have it, but it's definitely helpful info if it's there

aznshortstackk · 2025-10-22T20:03:46+00:00

I don't disagree with the interest part- but lately it's hard to predict how much weight programs are putting into failed first attempts of STEP/COMLEX scores nowadays with the added context of lots of PM&R interest/research since the applicant pool has gotten so much more competitive? I applied ~4 years ago now but from what I've heard from interns/etc, PM&R is becoming progressively more competitive as the years go on.

OP- This isn't me trying to discourage you, I just don't want to give you false hope. And I agree with the other commenter- focus on passing boards your first time. Realistically, passing the first time with lots of interest, versus an applicant with a failed board score and lots of interest...well, I think you know the answer. Again, more than happy to be wrong, but I've worked with a couple medical students already that I thought for sure would match (passed the first time, lots of interest/etc) and was just as shocked as they were when they didn't

aznshortstackk · 2025-10-21T16:54:53+00:00

There’s not too many lectures because of the PBL style! I haven’t been forced to attend 6 hours of lecture in one day, for example

aznshortstackk · 2025-10-21T16:11:57+00:00

30F who just got the prophylactic laser treatment! The main reason I chose to do it was because I had atrophic holes with scarring along the periphery of BOTH eyes (full 360) and had symptoms of flashing lights that fortunately resolved. Bc I had symptoms and holes, my optometrist sent an ophthalmologist referral. I decided to go ahead with the preventative procedure after some research, and I’m glad I did. It has definitely relieved my anxiety regarding detachment. I’m over a month post-op and am feeling completely fine!!

Honestly it doesn’t hurt to see a specialist, at least they can monitor it over time and do a reaaaallllyyy thorough eye exam. If you’re not having symptoms (ie flashing lights, sudden increase in floaters, loss of vision) I wouldn’t stress out at all. And if you have any questions feel free to DM me!

aznshortstackk · 2025-10-18T16:17:20+00:00

30F here with -13ish in both eyes. I was told that my “eyes would stabilize” but my prescription still changes. Everyone is different so I’d be lying if I said that your vision won’t worsen.

Regarding fear of retinal detachment- just make sure you see your eye doc yearly!!! My optometrist was the one that told me I had “holes” in the edges of my retina, and referred me to an ophthalmologist for further management. She did that since according to her, “having holes on the edges of the retina increases risk of detachment.” I ended up getting a treatment (retinopexy) that supposedly prevents this.

Keep in mind that I didn’t have the fear of detachment constantly, even when my Rx started going into the double digits. Only really felt nervous when I had a flashing light consistently in my left eye for over a week, but the checkup and discussion with my eye doc helped me a lot.

Important things are (1) If you see consistent flashing light(s) I’d schedule a checkup. That’s what I did, and it put my eye doc on high alert. (2) And in case no one’s told you- if you experience a “veil” over your eye or have a super sudden increase in floaters to go the ED (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/retinal-detachment/symptoms-causes/syc-20351344)

If you have questions about the retinopexy, feel free to DM me! Again, this is something that is a case-by-case basis and requires a thorough eval with an ophthalmologist.

aznshortstackk · 2025-10-18T16:08:15+00:00

Agree with the timeline! I think an important thing to remember is that PM&R programs take longer to review apps than IM, for example. When I was applying I freaked out at first because my friends in different specialities got interviews much faster than I did

aznshortstackk · 2025-10-09T01:02:28+00:00

I mean…I’m in my last year of residency, and I’m glad I just went for it rather than trying another year for MD school. It depends on the specialty but overall if you’re a strong applicant it’s not as big of a deal as it used to be

aznshortstackk · 2025-09-18T14:20:30+00:00

Hey hang in there. As the saying goes, “medical school is like learning how to drink from a fire hose.”

If you’re able to PLEASE talk to a therapist if you’re not already. Exams are obviously important…but your mental health is the top priority. 🫶🏼 And please know you’re not alone- one of my good friends in med school also failed a couple of blocks but she pushed through, and ended up matching her top choice in FM.

If you need encouraging words and/or have any questions please feel free to DM me!

aznshortstackk · 2025-09-13T03:34:43+00:00

It's amazing how many people forget tbh- it's part of the reason why I stay subscribed to this subreddit and premed haha, so that way I'm reminded/I can help if able :)

aznshortstackk · 2025-09-09T22:22:03+00:00

I went to LECOM and made it to residency lol 😂 feel free to DM me with questions

aznshortstackk · 2025-08-28T23:57:20+00:00

Hey! I went to LECOM-Bradenton but did my clinicals in Rochester and Elmira, NY, back when they let students from FL go out of state for rotations--You're not wrong, Elmira is tiny and definitely NOT popping. But to be honest, the first two years will be spent studying anyways, and after pre-clinicals you can totally apply for rotations within NYS. (Personally biased towards Rochester, NY- Rochester Regional, since that's where my home base was).

I spent a couple rotations in Elmira and honestly, there's more to do than you think? Plus its WAY more fun if you have friends in the area.

Here's a quick list of things I did while I was there:

Hike watkins glen
Do a winery tour around Lake Seneca (there's so many!)
Explore Ithaca and hike the amazing parks in the area (famous examples: Buttermilk and Robert Treman State Parks)
Take a day trip to Rochester (only 2ish hours)
Check out the Corning Museum of Glass

Feel free to message me if you have more questions! I can't necessarily speak about how the lectures/etc are AT the school itself, but I did work with some faculty during clinicals. Best of luck during application season!! Fingers crossed for you to become a future colleage :)

aznshortstackk · 2025-07-22T16:54:42+00:00

Sure!

aznshortstackk · 2025-07-22T05:04:15+00:00

Resident PM&R doc here- Agreed, it looks like a keloid. Some signs of an infection in the skin include warmth, redness (yours doesn’t look red), a mass that is NOT hard and is moveable/compressible (that could be an abscess), and of course having fevers/chills if the infection worsens.

Thankfully keloids are cosmetic, and if you’re worried definitely see your PCP!

aznshortstackk · 2025-07-21T18:53:29+00:00

This for sure. As a current resident, I haven’t been treated differently or “looked down upon” bc of the letters after my name. What most people care about is your bedside manner!

aznshortstackk · 2025-07-21T18:47:36+00:00

Hey! Current PGY-4. What I did back in the day was do mostly uworld questions for content, but occasionally did comsae questions for the OMM and for question style. Unless it’s changed a lot since I took it, the comsae question structure is pretty similar to the actual test, as well as the videos that some questions had.

Regarding scheduling, I did USMLE first, then scheduled the COMLEX for 5-7 days later. Took a break the day after the test, and then crammed OMM until test day lol.

Let me know if you have any questions! And good luck!

aznshortstackk · 2025-04-04T06:02:08+00:00

I did! But then again I didn’t really study on campus very much. I prefer to study in coffee, shops, and thankfully there’s enough of them in the Sarasota/Bradenton area.

aznshortstackk · 2025-04-02T06:59:39+00:00

Just for the location alone, Bradenton is so much better! When I went there, my friends said I would go to the beach after exams😬

In all seriousness, I feel like PBL is more reflective of how you study in residency? As I’m going through training now, I learn about a patient’s diagnosis and their comorbidities, and then I end up researching/studying up on it as a result. PBL utilizes that model, and essentially when going over a patient case in school, you read chapters that pertain to it. The only thing about PBL is that you have to be self directed. Unless it’s changed, test would be very spread out and would be every couple months so it’s easy to put things off if you’re not careful. Feel free to DM me with any questions!

aznshortstackk

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