ustmd2006
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 156
|
Hi everyone!
Thought I'd start this year's applications and interviews thread...I've gone through last year's stuff and found it to be helpful. Besides info on what programs are inviting and how interviews are at certain places, it helps to keep you sane knowing you're not going through this very stressful process alone!
Anyway, here are my so-so stats: US citizen IMG. Step 1 - 83. Step 2CK - 87. Awaiting CS results (Oct. 10 is supposedly the first day of score release for my testing period). Graduated 2006. Currently in my second month of a path observership with a private group (although they do have a forensics rotation for med students and residents so it's pretty structured and I actually get to do stuff...not just shadow). One LOR uploaded. One sent. One still to be sent. So aside from the 2 LORs, I'm still missing the actual ECFMG certificate (once I'm certified) and the MSPE (which I'll be sending next week even though the release won't be until Nov. 1). Regardless, I've sent my applications to 30 programs on the 4th...some have started downloading (although I doubt anyone has actually read through them yet). So far no word from any programs (but given my stats I'm not surprised).
Well, hope others will join up soon. Let everyone know about you. And we'll all keep each other company this Match season.
Good luck everyone!
ustmd2006 
|
| ustmd2006
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 156
|
Where are all the Path applicants? 
|
| bbh
Forum Junior
Topics: 9
Posts: 59
|
Hi USTMD2006, count me in. IMG with Green Card. OLD MD in 1997, PhD in 2002, postdoc till now. 95/99/Pass/95. Applied to 36 programs. No news yet. GL to us!
|
| ustmd2006
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 156
|
hi bbh! impressive scores...it's still very early in the process, so i'm not too worried (yet!). hopefully we'll hear from some programs soon though.
so far (from another forum), looks like UNM has sent out a few invites (but these are to AMGs and i'm sure they have awesome scores and credentials).
welcome...glad i'm not the only one here. good luck!
|
| Brainlights
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 6
|
Hi ustmd2006 and bbh:
You both impress me a lot. I'm very old, 1990 graduated, naturalized US citizen, 80/81/pass. I have been working as Medical Technologist for 6 years, blood banker actually, very interested in the field. I did Laboratory Medicine in my home country. I've got 3 very strong LOR. Picked 37 programs. I'm really worried, my scores are poor and on top of things I found myself pregnant, this a very dear surprise that I wasn't expecting at my age and it is wanted and welcome, a miracle. The problem is, if a program decides to interview me, my belly will be showing big time and although it is against the law to discriminate pregnant women, I'm afraid it is going to be taken into consideration. I'm glad I can talk to you guys. I'll keep you posted about any other miracle in my life, like an invitation for example. Good Luck and God Bless You!
|
| ustmd2006
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 156
|
welcome brainlights!
first of all, you deserve a very big congratulations! i love that you refer to your future baby as a miracle...great attitude.
thanks for the compliments, but i'm really not that impressive. as for your scores, i think they're fine...most programs i've applied to require 80 and above and you meet those. you just have to impress them when you do your interviews (as i plan to do) in order for them you rank you highly.
you have other things going for you...like the fact that you're a med. tech. (like myself!)...they should view you as having been exposed to path and that you give the impression that you know what you're getting into and you still want to go into it! at least that's what i'm hoping.
great that you have strong lors...another plus. i wouldn't worry too much about being pregnant. bring the same attitude you have to your interviews with regards to this aspect of your life...that your baby is a blessing...and i'm sure they'll understand.
great to meet more path applicants...this forum really helps for us to release some of our anxiety!
no word from anyone yet...but 26 of the 30 programs i've applied to have downloaded my application. i'm sure they're waiting for the othe 2 lors and my cs result though. at least i know the app got to them...if that's any consolation...hehe.
well, God bless us all... 
|
| zrf80
Forum Elite
Topics: 40
Posts: 236
|
For some reason, Pathology fascinates me. Im always reading up on the field. Unfortunately, I havent the "experience" to apply to any programs. Ive spent a lot more time geared towards IM and FP, and it stinks that I'll be limited to those 2 fields this upcoming match season. I tried finding an observership/rotation related to Path., but was unsuccessful
Credentials: 81/90/CS pending (October will have results)
Any advice, fellow applicants ? 
|
| ustmd2006
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 156
|
well, i say why not send out your apps to path anyway zrf80! most applications i'm sure have not had any significant experience in pathology...i think programs know that (med school doesn't give us enough exposure...and the practice of path is so much more than just looking at slides). it's important to show interest in the field and a desire to learn about it. i say give it a shot...
now, if you're looking for an observership, etc., i guess it would be best to email programs directly. i guess i was just fortunate to have a pathologist for an aunt and hence my rotation here in michigan.
i've been reading up on another forum and it seems that aside from UNM, BID and Jefferson have also sent out a few invites. sigh...i haven't heard anything. good news this morning though, ecfmg has received my 2nd lor (finally! after 2 weeks!)...at least that should be up on eras in a few days (i hope).
well, good luck everyone!
|
| Brainlights
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 6
|
Ustmd2006: You are truly kind and positive. I'll try to keep on the sunny side of the street as we walk this nerve wrecking match process. Thank You very much for your words of encouragement. All the best for you!
Zrf80: Give a try to Path, you won't regret it. This is the field where everything you ever studied comes together and makes sense. Pathology makes you feel you are the owner of the truth and this is always a great feeling to own. Good luck!
|
| bbh
Forum Junior
Topics: 9
Posts: 59
|
Hi Brainlights, congratulations! I can not agree more to ustmd2006. You have more exposure to Path, which is a positive thing. For the scores, I saw very few, if any, programs require 90s. I believe your strong LORs are from US pathologist since you work here, which will be very helpful. Maybe they can make some calls for you and that is much more important than any scores. Besides, your baby will give you support. Let's work together!
Zrf80: Right. Why not give it a shot? This is America. Dream bigger!
|
| churgstrauss
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 27
|
good to see patho people here i am 2006 IMG
i have passed my step 1 with score of 99
waiting for my ck and cs result i took my ck on 11 th august but this time ecfmg have delayed the scores i dont want to send my applications without ck score which hopefully i will get by next week so do i stand a chance of getting some interviews if i apply after sep 20 th? best of luck to you all who have already applied.
|
| bbh
Forum Junior
Topics: 9
Posts: 59
|
Hi Churgstrauss, I heard that Path starts sending out IV later than IM. Any time b4 Oct. should be fine. With your excellent scores and fresh graduation. I am sure you will get IVs. GL
|
| churgstrauss
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 27
|
thanks bbh
|
| ustmd2006
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 156
|
Welcome Churgstrauss...awesome step 1 score! With regards to applying after the 20th, I don't think that would be a big deal...As long as you meet the programs deadlines.
I'm hoping bbh is right that Path send out invites later, cause I haven't heard anything. Although I'm thankful I haven't gotten any straight-out rejections! I sent out apps way early (still pending cs results...and 2 lors) and so far it has not been an advantage.
Anyway, more pips from the other forum got invites...american grads...big name schools...bid, cleveland clinic, emory, jefferson, u of maryland, methodist (texas), unm, u of penn...but these are probably stellar candidates to begin with. So I hope no one's anxiety worsened by this news. Still early...
Any news from anyone here?
|
| bbh
Forum Junior
Topics: 9
Posts: 59
|
No invitation, nor rejection. Got an e-mail from Jefferson "application is complete. No actions required."
|
| ustmd2006
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 156
|
well bbh, at least they were courteous enough to inform you of your status...it would be kind of nice if programs did that...at least we wouldn't be left in the dark...oh well, this isn't an ideal world...
got good news though...my third lor is written and will be sent by tomorrow (i hope!)...it will take ecfmg a few weeks to actually get it and scan it, but at least the time will be rolling and i'll be waiting for something...other than that, all i've got left is the cs score (and technically the mspe since that's not released until nov. 1 anyway)...
well, good night everyone!
|
| prod
Forum Junior
Topics: 9
Posts: 53
|
Hi guys....i got a question for you all..i graduated in 2000, now in final stages of phd defense in genetic epidemiology..have about 8 papers from my phd ..step1 of 92/226 and am planning to appear for step2ck sometime in dec/jan..cs in jan probably...
can i apply to path programs based on my present credentials? can i apply without a step2ck score? and..is it too late already for path application?
Thanks in advance ...would really appreciate inputs
|
| ustmd2006
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 156
|
are you a foreign grad prod? cause if you are, it would be too late for the 2008 match to take cs in jan...i think the deadline is to have the results in by dec...ck takes a few weeks after the test so you could get that in...another problem would be that from what i last heard, feb is the earliest that cs dates are available (definitely too late because i think you have to be ecfmg certified---which requires a pass on cs--- prior to rank list deadline...someone correct me if i'm wrong).
if you're an amg, then go for it...92 is a great score and you have a phd and papers to back up you're application...
good luck!
|
| prod
Forum Junior
Topics: 9
Posts: 53
|
i am fmg..so as u said..might be too late for applications
anyways thanks very much for your response and the info..ustmd..
wish you all the best in your endeavours
|
| ustmd2006
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 156
|
sorry to be the bearer of bad news prod...but like i said, someone correct me if i'm wrong...can check out ecfmg with regards to deadlines etc to make sure i said the right stuff...
as for cs, although feb is the earliest date available, some people check it everyday for openings...although you may only have the day before to get to the site and take the test...what i suggest is, study for it now (2 weeks and first aid is adequate...in my opinion)...then when an opening is available, you'll be ready to take it.
thanks for the well wishes...i do hope that we all match!
good luck to you as well prod...
|
| ustmd2006
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 156
|
how's everyone doing? i hope that we keep each other updated...this forum should serve as a support group. this is a trying time for all of us, and it helps to know that we're not going through this very stressful process alone. each day that passes without word from the programs does take it's toll on your confidence...you start to doubt yourself and your abilities...but know that this anxiety and fear is exactly the same way everybody else is feeling. you are not alone. we'll get through this!
*sorry for the drama guys, just needed to release some tension*
|
| bbh
Forum Junior
Topics: 9
Posts: 59
|
Hi ustmad2006. You are surely not alone. No news from any program. I went over path support thread for last year. It seems like the invitations/interviews did not really start until late october and early Nov. So I guess it will be a long wait. We have to be patient. Hang in there!
|
| ustmd2006
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 156
|
have a great day everyone!
|
| ustmd2006
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 156
|
I got my first invite from Boston University today! Woohoo!!!
Hopefully this is just the start...not only for me, but for all of us...Hang in there guys!
Good luck everyone!
|
| bbh
Forum Junior
Topics: 9
Posts: 59
|
Great! Congrat! ustmd2006! That is a good start! Pathology is getting very hot this year. Last year there are 466 filled position, only 75 for IMGs.
|
|
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
