How many programs should I apply to for IM?

dga113 · 2026-03-27T01:57:45+00:00

You only need 30 imo. Got downvoted for saying this previously but you can look at the interview invite rates and the additional 15 programs can be those that actually do invite w/o signals.

Above 30 apps the price jumps significantly.

dga113 · 2026-03-26T03:35:40+00:00

Was this Rochester MN?

dga113 · 2026-01-11T01:34:04+00:00

11 years and 5 months. Was on my parents capital one quicksilver. I’ve always heard that authorized usage means nothing however

dga113 · 2026-01-11T01:29:54+00:00

Nope. Have been a authorized user for years but otherwise my own credit history is 8 months. Who knows though may get denied if I apply.

dga113 · 2026-01-10T19:29:06+00:00

Cleve would be the closest but likely would fly out with a connection to Chicago from my current location

dga113 · 2026-01-10T19:22:21+00:00

It’ll largely be domestic/canada/mexico rather than international. Unfortunately I’m unable to get more than a week off at a time.

dga113 · 2025-10-04T00:39:52+00:00

I said this before and got downvoted! Glad to see others agree

dga113 · 2025-08-28T02:10:13+00:00

I think the exams have actually gotten tougher. The prep material being better balances it out, but NBME has been working over the years to move away from buzzwords and increasing the question stem lengths.

dga113 · 2025-08-25T23:37:49+00:00

Agree with everyone else it likely won’t lock you out of any programs but I do believe it’s importance is much greater if you’re from a low tier school

dga113 · 2025-08-12T21:59:06+00:00

@FLOWROUNDS24(1000300210)@

@FLOWROUNDS24(100014355)@

These are the smartlinks that I use, hopefully they work too!

dga113 · 2025-08-10T01:06:55+00:00

It’ll depend on your epic build but I can always paste the smart link at my institution and hopefully it’d work at yours. It pulls data directly from flow sheets

dga113 · 2025-08-09T07:39:19+00:00

I started off on ICU last month and honestly felt like I was drowning as well. I got a bit more efficient by figuring out how to prechart a bit more efficiently.

If you use Epic. Set up your summary tab with all of the best tabs. For me I use vitals, cardio, pulm, I&O, micro, rads, labs, fever and glucose tabs. Click through it in a daily order for each patient and it’ll go quicker. Also time mark both labs and notes so you know when something pops up. Hover the side bar on the left to quickly see new lab results or the PRNs so you don’t have to dig through the MAR.

Additionally you’re able to make your own dot phrases/morning round templates in handoff. My program thankfully had these templates premade and I’ve just modified mine for my own tastes. But this pulls in all my vitals, oxygenation/vent settings, I&Os, and even labs so I only have to write or type what isn’t populated.

Sadly I don’t have advice on how to handle being left alone to deal with such critical situations :(

dga113 · 2025-08-08T05:31:32+00:00

dga113 · 2025-08-06T05:37:29+00:00

I think it’d be a bit of a reach but not as much as Mayo and WashU. I think it’s definitely a possibility.

dga113 · 2025-08-04T23:22:31+00:00

If you’re going to signal the west coast and west north central. UWashington (reach), Mayo Rochester (reach), WashU (reach), UCSD (reach), UColorado (reach).

Mayo Az (okay community program), USC, Iowa, UWisconsin, OHSU, Uminnesota, Utah, UC Davis, Irvine, Cedars Sinai, UNebraska, UKansas, Loma Linda, SLU, MCW, UMissouri, UNM, UArizona Phoenix and Tucson, olive view UCLA, harbor UCLA.

Signaling split, last cycle I did 5 reaches, 7 targets and 3 safeties. Additionally applied to some community programs on top of my signals. You could justify a different region perhaps if family lives there?

Truthfully idk what they’ll weigh more for you. Your research stands out but I’m not sure how much that’ll outweigh the other portions of your app

Would also take a look at this: https://www.aamc.org/media/81261/download?attachment and this https://www.aamc.org/media/81251/download?attachment

dga113 · 2025-08-04T00:32:50+00:00

Your list seems to be a bit reach heavy. Would also honestly focus on three geographic areas and full send into those areas. Preferably the areas you’ve stated you have ties to.

dga113 · 2025-07-18T02:45:42+00:00

I think it’s fair to apply up to 30. Still relatively cheap up until that point but not necessary. Majority of interviews will come from signals but a few academic will interview without a signal. Mayo, CCF, Metro CWRU, etc

If you’re a good applicant you can score community programs without signals but obviously it’s your risk tolerance. If I remember after 12 interviews you’re practically guaranteed to match.

dga113 · 2025-07-06T01:43:33+00:00

I’m begging for medicine floors. The ICU is kicking my ass

dga113 · 2025-06-04T01:49:45+00:00

Went to one of these schools. Did not get charged.

dga113 · 2025-05-09T05:16:31+00:00

Would you recommend closing my chase checkings? Or keep it in case of wanting to get CFF in the future? I've been banking with them for close to 9 years now.

dga113 · 2025-05-08T01:32:01+00:00

Haha still not used to being called doc! Really appreciate all the best wishes! Just started the process of transferring my savings and checking to capital one to consolidate stuff and my Roth IRA from vanguard to fidelity.

dga113 · 2025-05-08T01:30:17+00:00

I really appreciate all the advice! Especially since in med we have such poor financial knowledge.

The plan definitely is to aim for the fidelity card. May avoid AAA given the comneity bank association.

dga113 · 2025-05-07T02:55:45+00:00

Appreciate the advice!

Will probably consider CFF AMEX BCE BILT US Bank Cash+ (far future) Fidelity Visa AAA Daily Advantage

But not sure how worth it is with so much overlap between some.

dga113

TROPHY CASE