hopeful OSRR Newbie Posts: 1 (12/8/01 6:58:40 pm) Reply Chances for an 'average' student Here's my situation.... 233 on step one, but average preclinical and clinical grades (right in the middle of my class). I also have a few summers of neuroscience basic science and clinical research dep't with a high powered neurosurgery attending at my med school, and will have 3 pubs pending+a 4-5 abstracts by the time I apply. My question is...what are my chances of matching at an east-coast mid-atlantic program (NY, NJ, DC, MD, VA, PA...) I have heard that many (if not all of these programs use AOA for a cutoff, and I'm virtually assured of not making AOA). Any info on my chances would be much appreciated. I'm esp. interested in DC area programs, I'd love any specific info on those! IamNikolas OSRR Fellow Posts: 86 (12/8/01 8:17:55 pm) Reply re: Since none of us have matched yet (!), anything we tell you is speculation...all we've done so far is get the interviews. I'm sure a lot of people are in the same boat as you wondering whether or not they will match. You sounds like you'll probably get a bunch of interviews though. DC programs: I can tell you that Georgetown only interviews those who rotate there...so you have to set up a rotation with them if interested...It's a very intense month, and their expectations are very high...lots of reading and you'll be expected to know a lot of orthopedics, even as a 4th yr med student....and oh yes...one more thing...out of 3 residents, 1 or 2 is always from the home school....something you may want to consider. I haven't heard great things about GW (see previous thread), but don't take my word for it...look into it yourself because what i wrote was all hearsay. hopeful OSRR Newbie Posts: 2 (12/8/01 8:52:13 pm) Reply Re: re: Hey IamNikolas- Do you have any idea of the numbers for matched applicants at either g'town or gw? i was thinking that since the dc area in general is a pretty sought-after region, that they get the cream of the crop? IamNikolas OSRR Fellow Posts: 87 (12/8/01 9:45:20 pm) Reply re: No I don't know of numbers...however, one thing i have heard about georgetown is that the chairman (Wiesel) "loves AOA"...Is this a requirement to get in there? I have no idea. I would think you'd have to make a pretty damn good impression on them either way during your elective to land a spot there. It's funny, because I have heard from a couple of people that Georgetown is not even that great a program -- it's just freaking hard as @&!#! to get into. that's about the extent of my knowledge about those programs. IamNikolas OSRR Fellow Posts: 88 (12/8/01 9:48:59 pm) Reply One more thing By the way...it is simply not true that "most" programs use AOA as a cutoff...there are definitely some that do...but hope is not lost if you're not AOA. bonedoc2be OSRR Junior Posts: 46 (12/9/01 11:59:43 am) Reply Here is an example I have done no research, am not AOA, am in the top 20 percent of my class, got in the mid 230's on step 1 and 2. I got to look at my letters at one the interviews I have already been to and they looked pretty good, saying stuff like "it is our hope he stays here for residency" and such. I have 15 interviews out of 35 applied, and a couple at big name places i did not expect (Mayo, WashU, etc). Now I am aining for the midwest, but I still feel 15 (16 offered) interviews is not too bad at all considering some on this board say "ohh man, you have to have AOA and lots of research!!!" My strengths are good letters from home and aways, and a good presonal statement (according to my program director). Hell, I may not match for all I know, but I think I have a pretty good chance at at least matching period and maybe even at one of my top choices. So I dont think you should sell yourself short just b/c you are not some superstud on paper. Good Luck IamNikolas OSRR Fellow Posts: 89 (12/9/01 12:59:07 pm) Reply re: I totally agree with bonedoc2be... one question for you: they let you look at your letters at the interview??? Did they offer or did you sneak a peak? I'm wondering because no one has given me that opportunity and I'm very curious what's been written about me! bonedoc2be OSRR Junior Posts: 48 (12/10/01 4:35:12 pm) Reply seeing letters na, everyone was looking through thier whole file, and i think they expect people to and dont care. I was funny watching people try to look at them without looking like they were. I agree that I was dying to see what a couple of people wrote.