Thread: Calling out Jim.....

Jim-

I enjoy all your posts (congratulations on matching by the way); they are all informative. I read on some other board where you stated you had 26 interview offers at major university programs. If you don't mind me asking, what field were the interviews in and what were your step 1 and 2 scores? Thx in advance

just call me indecisive. i originally wanted surgery. applied, started interviews. then hurt my back(actually a reinujry of an old one) started thinking long and hard. i was seriously afraid that if i did surgery, and had to stand up for like 12 hours a day , in 3 or 4 years i may end up on disablilty. after only 2 surgery interviews, i canceled the others, and added FP to my apps.(i had originally applied to IM as a back up)I had origiannly gotten a few IM and a few surgery interviews. i then started getting lots of FP interviews. I went to the interviews and was actually very impressed with most of the FP places i saw. I ended up ranking a couple Im programs #1 and 2, but a FP at #3. i matched at my #1 choice, greenville health systems med U of SC. very happy with them. I think I was teh first IMG they ever interviewed, as I had to explain the whole ECFMG system to them, tehy were quite confused about it. as for scores, they were pretty good, but I know many who did better. I think my indecision was more the reason for all the interviews, as i had started with 20 surgery and 20 IMs, then added 20 FPs. i actually cancelled a few interviews towarsd the end(besides the surgery ones i had cancelled early), and NRMP charges for more then 15 programs on your match list, so I only ranked 15. I was amazed at how much of a"complete picture" they were interested in. I got questioned and quoted form my personal statement at every single interview. they always mentioned my basic science grades(which were very good!) I also did alot on the island, AMSA and TAing, and health fairs and all that stuff. I also have an "ace in the hole". I speak fluent spanish. every interview I had except one mentioned that they were desperately in need of spanish speaking physicians. Is a mater of fact, i have already been contacted bya practice in the area that I matched at, looking for spanish speaking MDs , and asking what my plans were post residency. i mentioned cardio, and they asked for an interview with me. whats funny is before Miami for 5th semester, my spanish sucked. latin women make great teachers overall, i think my biggest mistake was the huge number of interviews, as now I am broke, after flying all over creation for 3 months. I wouldnt worry too much about scores unless you want something really tough like ortho, EM, etc. I know a couple people who got surgery with scores below 200. obviously the higher scores will get you there better, but I was very impressed with feedback i got about experience with ross grads at various programs. so it helps alittle to look at those old match lists. chances are, those places will be good ones to apply to.