surgical resid ny?

[futuresurgeon]

i think the topic line says it all

everyone seems to be writting in questions about residencies so i figured i would too....

anyone know anything about getting surgical resid. in ny post auc?

is surgical generally a more difficult resid to get....

im hoping to eventually go into reconstructive and so i would have to match with a surg. resid.

any input is greatly appreciated....thanks everyone

[bbpmedic]

From everything I can tell... EM, and Surg are two of the hardest to get into. I am sure that Anest. is up there too but with the pay and schedule of EM and Surg (and the new 80 hr/wk max during residency) its gonna be a pain. But again, the USMLE is the flat playing field, so if you work your tail off, you CAN get in.

The Bum

[wifeofDr2b]

How are you guys telling which resid are the hardest to get into? Is there a list somewhere? Just a few weeks ago I thought Derm was the hardest to get into. I'm not saying anyone is wrong I just wondering how you find out which is hard and which is not? Or is everyone just guessing?

[bbpmedic]

I am really just going by what every one else tells me... As far as self attained factual knowledge on the matter, I am pretty worthless :lol: If anyone knows of a "hardest residency" list.. I know I would sure like to see it.


Later
The Bum

[viancca2000]

The hardest residencies, or more competitive residencies to get into, are the ones where the lifestyle of the doctors in that specialty is the best . By a better lifestyle, they mean, doing work that is less time consuming (a more nine to five job), with a high salary.

The US Med students that I know, who applied for this years residencies have told me that Radiology, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Orthopedic Surgery, and of course Plastic Surgery are the hardest residencies to get into right now (I think I might be forgetting one). In any case, I have also heard that University based programs are the most desirable, with a few exceptions.

Well, I hope I have been of some help, just remember that what I mentioned above came from students in both top, and not so top US Medical Schools. Thus, I never asked them for numbers, or statistics, or anything, so if you want to know more about the subject, just research a bit. Always remember, that a competitive residency now, does not mean it will be in four years, the only exception to the rule is Plastic Surgery.

[teratos]

The residencies seem to be competitive based on lifestyle and money. Fields like plastics can have a pretty bad lifestyle (but can have a very good one, depending on the person) but you can make huge amounts of money. Optho also has the potential of huge amounts of $$$ and a great lifestyle if you do stuff like Lasik. Derm is fantastic in terms of lifestyle and money...no weekends, no call etc. There are also very few derm spots in the country (around 200, i think). ER is all shift work. You don't even need a beeper, and it pays well.

Surgery is becoming far less competitive over time. There are a couple of reasons for that. The lifestyle is horrible. You are on call, when someone calls you it often requires a trip to the hospital, cause you can't cut over the phone. So your hours don't change a whole lot after residency. Money-wise, thanks to managed care, a general surgeon doesn't make much more than an internist. It is a tough field. Only people who really love it are doing it, so it is getting much easier to get a surgical residency. People tend to have slightly above average board scores, but don't have to be stellar. It is becoming more IMG friendly as time goes on.

Anesthesia is somewhat competitive, but a lot of IMGs have been able to secure residencies. Very Doable.

Summary:
Ortho, Derm, Plastics, Ophthalmology- very hard
Radiology- can be tough, but doable if you da man
Surgery,Anesthesia- some competition, but very doable

G

[FLK]

How are you guys telling which resid are the hardest to get into? Is there a list somewhere? Just a few weeks ago I thought Derm was the hardest to get into. I'm not saying anyone is wrong I just wondering how you find out which is hard and which is not? Or is everyone just guessing?

Look at a few factors.
One: Number of spots. Orthopedic surgery, and Derm are two residencies, without a ton of spots.
Second, look at the number of applicants, the stats of the applicants and look at the match list to see the stats of those that matched.

For a caribbean grad: Impossible ( or as close to impossible as you can get ) Derm, ortho, neurosurgery, plastics, ENT
These are tough for US grads to get. Must be AOA, very high USMLE and typically know somebody or really be outstanding ( for Derm anyway )

Quite competative, but you can definately do it with stats:
Gen surgery, ER, OBGYN, Radiology, PM&R...anesthesiology is becoming more competative

Easy to get:
FP, IM, Peds, Psych, path
Then there are the medical and peds subspecialties like rheumatology, endocrinology, pulmonology, critical care, gastroenterology, nephrology, allergy and Immunology. These are usually easy to get, but more competative fields and at really great academic centers are also competative.

Great USMLE scores open a lot of doors. Bad scores, cam really put you up against the wall and limit your choices and locations

[futuresurgeon]

what is all this talk about resid. for plastics....i thought the way to get into plastics is to complete a gen surg residency and then go on from there....that is what i have always heard and read regarding specializing in plastics....reconstructive or otherwise.....where is everyone else getting their info from? because i guess i may be wrong . . .

[tRmedic21]

I think in the last couple of years, there has been a rise in so-called 'categorical' surgical residencies, where you don't have to go the traditional 5-yr surgery + plastics fellowship.

This also applies to some other programs, too. A major concern is whether these residencies are ACGME accredited or whatever. I may have missed the boat, but this is what I understand to be a fairly recent trend to cut down on some of the 'extraneous' years for those who want to work in very narrow specialties.

That about right, guys?

[viancca2000]

Ok, so this is what I know for plastics. Plastic surgery residency is quite competitive, at most, one or two positions at a very small number of programs, however, that doesn't mean you can go through other avenues to become a plastic surgeon. Since it is a really hard residency to get into straight from Medical School, people tend to do a three to five year training in general surgery, and then apply for a two to three year residency in plastic surgery.

In any case, I know of a doctor who went this last route, and does not recommend it to anyone, unless it is your last option, and of course you can get in. He says it takes a longer time, about three years longer and it's a stress, since you have to apply to the plastics program, and hopefully get in to the one you want. He also said that doing the first route, allows students to see, and experience more plastic surgeries than general surgeries. Also remember, reconstructive surgery is a fellowship you have to also apply, after you finish your plastic surgery residency.

Anyways, if this is what you are thinking of doing, do a lot of research on the subject, and find out what's the best route for you, and go for it. BTW, the first route I told you about is called an "integrated plastic surgery residency", the other is called an "independent" or "advanced plastic surgery residency".

Well, good luck futuresurgeon, for this is the beginning to a great journey :D