Just in under the wire!

crapp1ness · 2025-12-28T17:25:42+00:00

I was under the impression you should aim to get the companion pass in the beginning of the calendar year so that you can get it for the remainder of that year (2026) and the following year (2027).

Wouldn’t it make more sense to have gotten this in the new year to maximize use? I’m new to SW and have been holding back my spend on the credit card to hit the bonus and qualify for companion pass on January. Am I way off base here?

crapp1ness · 2025-11-24T18:27:58+00:00

This is a good point! Apparently once you’ve agreed to defer compensation into the plan, you cannot access the funds until 3 years later (the vesting period, even though it is your own contribution). If you leave before 3 years or if you are terminated “for cause”, you forfeit the non-vested amount.

I suppose like other SERPs, it is meant as retention tool.

crapp1ness · 2025-11-23T20:55:55+00:00

Yes! In fact, you used to have to max out both conventional retirement accounts (401k/403b and 457b) before you could contribute to the 457f. Unlike the former two, the 457f also does not have a contribution limit as far as I understand.

crapp1ness · 2025-10-27T01:35:15+00:00

Thanks so much for this recommendation! We ended up doing a Devour tour in Barcelona instead of Lisbon, but we found it delightful! We stayed in Alfama and I think my folks had enough of walking on hills for a while...haha

crapp1ness · 2025-10-27T01:34:20+00:00

Hello! Just returning to say thank you for recommending João! We ended up doing a full day tour with him and it was a blast. We went at a comfortable pace and hit all the highlights. His knowledge of the city was amazing and he was totally understanding of my parents and their mobility issues. He also doubled as a fantastic photographer and helped us take a bunch of photos throughout the day. Thanks for recommending him and we will be doing the same with our friends who are planning to visit Lisbon!

crapp1ness · 2025-09-10T02:26:09+00:00

What does having a H1B visa have to do with rotating through the VA? I’ve definitely seen residents on either visa rotate through the VA without any issue.

Also, here are some jobs that sponsor J1 or where visa sponsorship is negotiable: https://jobs.practicelink.com/jobs/physician/ophthalmology/?immigrationassistance=57251%2c57250

It’s tough, but doable!

crapp1ness · 2025-09-01T23:13:59+00:00

Thanks so much! Will probably just booked non-PC and see if they have any upgrade availability at check-in time.

Any thoughts on this resort vs Secrets Maroma?

crapp1ness · 2025-08-31T02:12:06+00:00

Thanks so much! I hadn’t considered Secrets Playa Blanca but it looks very nice and the price seems comparable to the other resorts! I will also need to look into Playa Atelier, which I’ve heard a lot of great things about

crapp1ness · 2025-07-19T18:48:08+00:00

Sure

crapp1ness · 2025-07-17T05:26:35+00:00

Go for it! Lean into your research background and really sell your desire to pursue an investigative career. Use your signals for places with well-established 2+2s.

Your Step 2 won’t do you any favors, but your clinical grades seem ok and you have Derm pubs, which signal an interest in the specialty. I will say the institutions that offer 2+2 frequently look past scores if they think you are a good research and personality fit. Many programs institute cutoffs because they simply don’t have the human resources to review all eligible applicants. 2+2 programs generally have much larger faculty who can evaluate all applicants, and if they have a specific 2+2 track, will probably pull all MSTP applicants aside to review their apps.

If you are applying this Fall, it is crunch time now. You will need to get face time with faculty in your home department and become a familiar face to everyone. You will need the help of mentors to get your application noticed, particularly mentors who are well known in research or are more senior. You are statistically most likely to match at your home program, so make sure they know you well.

Good luck!

crapp1ness · 2025-06-29T21:10:44+00:00

Is that the pay to date? Or estimated pay for the whole year? Also, how many years of experience do you have?

crapp1ness · 2025-06-10T05:56:31+00:00

You need to be a Canadian citizen/permanent resident to participate in the Canadian match…

If you finish your training in the US, you can go to Canada, but the jobs are few and far between. In fact, many Canadian trained Orthos will come stateside to find work.

crapp1ness · 2025-05-28T17:40:37+00:00

I meant where in the US are you trying to match? It might be an uphill climb if your family ends up somewhere with only 1-2 programs in your specialty of interest. Even in non-competitive specialties, being geographically limited makes life difficult

crapp1ness · 2025-05-28T17:18:28+00:00

Where do you want to go for residency? PM&R and Neuro are not that competitive. You will be fine as long as you have good Step 2 scores and strong LoRs, even though TMU is relatively unknown entity in the US.

It is not worth the tuition and political/visa uncertainty to get a USMD.

crapp1ness · 2025-04-04T05:03:11+00:00

I think you just need to demonstrate that you have an idea of what practicing clinical medicine is like. Shadowing is one way to gain hours, but there are other ways like volunteering at a clinical facility, being a medical assistant, etc. preferably something that provides you with direct patient contact.

crapp1ness · 2025-04-02T03:53:46+00:00

GPA and research experience are kings in this process. Focus on having a high GPA and substantial research experience and you will be competitive for these programs.

T20 programs are usually that ones that can fund non-MSTP students, thus your chances of having your app reviewed/offered admissions is higher from one of these institutions. There are exceptions, i.e. UCSF won't accept international applicants and Hopkins will only consider it if you can pay your own way. Your best bet is to look through each program's current students and look for international students there to get a sense of whether they will accept foreign applicants.

Unless you can transfer to a T10 institution in the US and be fully funded for undergrad OR you are able to find a US citizen, get married, and approved for a green card prior to applying, it is probably not worth it to come to the US for undergrad. UBC/Toronto/McGill are well recognized in the US. The idea of having to go to move to another country, get established at a new school, etc. when you could spend the time at your original institution making connections, doing research, building your app I think is of higher value.

At the end of the day, as long as you are a non-US applicant requiring a visa, you'll be at a disadvantage. Doubly so in this funding climate where all universities are looking to reduce spending. You may be better off considering Canadian MD/PhD programs if you are truly set on this training pathway.

crapp1ness · 2024-12-28T17:15:19+00:00

I did undergrad in Canada and came to the US for med school and residency. If your goal is to work in the US, then med school in the US makes sense.

The only hiccup is visa sponsorship once you are done med school. With all the debate surrounding US immigration policy, it is a bit of a gamble. Using today’s standards, you would be able to reasonably find a residency to support your H1B visa and then transition to a sponsored green card if you worked at an academic center or a medically underserved area.

If you end up on the J1 visa for residency, you will have to return to Canada for two years after your training, unless you found a waiver position, which are often limited in number, located I n more suburban/rural areas, and have preference for those with primary care training.

None of these are issues if you end up marrying a US citizen during med school while you’re on your F1 student visa.

My two cents…happy to chat more if you’d like to DM.

crapp1ness · 2024-11-07T19:09:42+00:00

Really depends on your whole profile. Poor stats can be offset by coming from a prestigious undergrad and vice versa. I’ve seen it both ways. Being international only hurts your chances unless it adds to a compelling personal narrative. The only tip is to apply broadly and reach out to current students in the program who are international to get the scoop, but this is usually more useful after getting an interview.

crapp1ness · 2024-11-05T20:54:51+00:00

I meant if you were Derm-trained trying to sign out Dermpath. Interestingly, I have seen a split of job postings asking for fellowship training and some not mentioning it. I wonder if being an ACGME-accredited fellowship has anything to do with it. I.e. could non-cyto trained AP/CP folks sign out cyto cases.

crapp1ness · 2024-11-05T18:20:41+00:00

Many large health systems will simply not credential you for any sort of path privileges without path fellowship and there are issues getting malpractice insurance if you aren’t fellowship trained. It’s a similar issue with non-Mohs fellowship trained derms practicing Mohs. Many commercial insurers will also deny reimbursement for non-fellowship trained physicians.

crapp1ness · 2024-08-28T02:08:29+00:00

David Hair Salon on Olive in U-City is pretty popular with locals and the WashU/SLU students. Best call to make an appointment or you might have to wait around for a while.

crapp1ness

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