The AUA match, unlike the NRMP match (see "Charting Outcomes in the Match"), does not reveal their data other than what's on auanet--number of applicants, average number of interview, etc.
I have a Step 1 score of 202, goto med school in a mid-tier school in the midwest. I have one non-urological publication.Is there any hope for me? Or should I look into alternative career options? if there is hope, what can I do to maximize my chances at matching, I don't get to do an elective in 3rd year. Please help!
I would do a few (2-4) aways and kick ass on them. Choose the programs carefully (maybe 1 reach and 2-3 mid-tiers or smaller, lesser known programs). Hopefully that will carry you into one of those programs. Also take step 2 early and aim for a 240 but get at least a 230. When you are at these aways, there is no such thing as an early night, no such thing as a weekend, get involved with a research project and see it through (even if this requires working on it after you leave)--see other threads on how to do well on aways. Remember to be affable, available and able while at the same time, try to relax and be genuine and not wound so tight that you can't interact in a normal way with people as fellow human beings (I know it's a tall order). If you have a likeable personality and can do all this without seeming like too much of a suck up this may be all you need. On the one hand, the match is a pissing contest between programs about who can attract the best/their top choice applicants; on the other hand, you are a cheap source of labor for the hospital and people want someone they can count on to be there, not to complain and to do the work without killing their patients. Be prepared mentally not to match, but go into the interview process with confidence. Have a back up plan in case you don't match. Consider doing a gen surg prelim year at a high profile place with the hopes of taking up a vacancy. You have a very good idea of your chances by mid-late October of the year you are trying to match because you will have your list of interview offers, if you get interviews at your home program and all of your aways you have a shot...if you don't even get that, it will be a strong hint but you should still go (just in case). For every program that turns you down on the first-pass dates, write a letter to the admin stating your continued interest and ask if you can be placed on the waiting list in case any interview spots open up. Every interview is a chance to be ranked and every time you are ranked is a chance to match. Very good programs sometimes match candidates very far down their list. The only thing that matters is to match, if urology is truly your first choice career. Also, do not turn down ANY interviews. When you go on the interviews, come early to do a "2nd look" before the interview, if the program seems amenable and you can fit it. If they are not amenable, thank them for answering your question and do not be pushy. To do these second looks built into the interview trip, you can contact the administrator who will put you in touch with a chief resident to set this up. The chief will not be aware of your board score (possibly) so act confident like any other applicant. Answer pimping questions graciously, seem eager to learn, don't be irritable that you are getting pimped on a second look. The residents will usually try to put you in the OR with prominent faculty. Be free with compliments about their program, be knowledgeable about their research projects and areas of expertise, be knowledgeable about the operations they are doing, do not chat with other "secondlookers" or be distracting in the OR, time your comments/questions appropriately. Usually, your presence indicates interest and the chair (or whoever you are operating with) will make some effort to get to knwo you. Try to make small talk about any links there are between your home program and their program (research relationships, similar features, etc). Try to find out about their hobbies and ask with genuine interest about their wife/kids if this comes up. If you can't fit it in during the interview process, do second looks at every program to show interest. I would not recommend second looks for every candidate, but your score if the main thing standing in your way and anything you can do to shine will help. That being said, there is a way to make the flattery too obvious and like you are trying "too hard" so be careful what card you play. It's not just a game, afterall, its about being someone that others want to work with and being somone who likes their job as a future urology resident.Finally, have a serious chat wiht your home chair and PD about your chances--they will point you in the right direction. If urology joins the regular match by the time you are applying, this will change things in terms of timing and you may be stuck scrambling instead of applying separately to prelim years. I would be curious to hear what your chair and PD say.If all this effort seems too much and not worth it, highly consider other options.
I would do a few (2-4) aways and kick ass on them. Choose the programs carefully (maybe 1 reach and 2-3 mid-tiers or smaller, lesser known programs). Hopefully that will carry you into one of those programs. Also take step 2 early and aim for a 240 but get at least a 230. When you are at these aways, there is no such thing as an early night, no such thing as a weekend, get involved with a research project and see it through (even if this requires working on it after you leave)--see other threads on how to do well on aways. Remember to be affable, available and able while at the same time, try to relax and be genuine and not wound so tight that you can't interact in a normal way with people as fellow human beings (I know it's a tall order). If you have a likeable personality and can do all this without seeming like too much of a suck up this may be all you need. On the one hand, the match is a pissing contest between programs about who can attract the best/their top choice applicants; on the other hand, you are a cheap source of labor for the hospital and people want someone they can count on to be there, not to complain and to do the work without killing their patients. Be prepared mentally not to match, but go into the interview process with confidence. Have a back up plan in case you don't match. Consider doing a gen surg prelim year at a high profile place with the hopes of taking up a vacancy. You have a very good idea of your chances by mid-late October of the year you are trying to match because you will have your list of interview offers, if you get interviews at your home program and all of your aways you have a shot...if you don't even get that, it will be a strong hint but you should still go (just in case). For every program that turns you down on the first-pass dates, write a letter to the admin stating your continued interest and ask if you can be placed on the waiting list in case any interview spots open up. Every interview is a chance to be ranked and every time you are ranked is a chance to match. Very good programs sometimes match candidates very far down their list. The only thing that matters is to match, if urology is truly your first choice career. Also, do not turn down ANY interviews. When you go on the interviews, come early to do a "2nd look" before the interview, if the program seems amenable and you can fit it. If they are not amenable, thank them for answering your question and do not be pushy. To do these second looks built into the interview trip, you can contact the administrator who will put you in touch with a chief resident to set this up. The chief will not be aware of your board score (possibly) so act confident like any other applicant. Answer pimping questions graciously, seem eager to learn, don't be irritable that you are getting pimped on a second look. The residents will usually try to put you in the OR with prominent faculty. Be free with compliments about their program, be knowledgeable about their research projects and areas of expertise, be knowledgeable about the operations they are doing, do not chat with other "secondlookers" or be distracting in the OR, time your comments/questions appropriately. Usually, your presence indicates interest and the chair (or whoever you are operating with) will make some effort to get to knwo you. Try to make small talk about any links there are between your home program and their program (research relationships, similar features, etc). Try to find out about their hobbies and ask with genuine interest about their wife/kids if this comes up. If you can't fit it in during the interview process, do second looks at every program to show interest. I would not recommend second looks for every candidate, but your score if the main thing standing in your way and anything you can do to shine will help. That being said, there is a way to make the flattery too obvious and like you are trying "too hard" so be careful what card you play. It's not just a game, afterall, its about being someone that others want to work with and being somone who likes their job as a future urology resident.Finally, have a serious chat wiht your home chair and PD about your chances--they will point you in the right direction. If urology joins the regular match by the time you are applying, this will change things in terms of timing and you may be stuck scrambling instead of applying separately to prelim years. I would be curious to hear what your chair and PD say.If all this effort seems too much and not worth it, highly consider other options.
Absolutely solid advice. Props on taking the time to put down such thorough advice. Really great.
I would do a few (2-4) aways and kick ass on them. Choose the programs carefully (maybe 1 reach and 2-3 mid-tiers or smaller, lesser known programs). Hopefully that will carry you into one of those programs. Also take step 2 early and aim for a 240 but get at least a 230. When you are at these aways, there is no such thing as an early night, no such thing as a weekend, get involved with a research project and see it through (even if this requires working on it after you leave)--see other threads on how to do well on aways. Remember to be affable, available and able while at the same time, try to relax and be genuine and not wound so tight that you can't interact in a normal way with people as fellow human beings (I know it's a tall order). If you have a likeable personality and can do all this without seeming like too much of a suck up this may be all you need. On the one hand, the match is a pissing contest between programs about who can attract the best/their top choice applicants; on the other hand, you are a cheap source of labor for the hospital and people want someone they can count on to be there, not to complain and to do the work without killing their patients. Be prepared mentally not to match, but go into the interview process with confidence. Have a back up plan in case you don't match. Consider doing a gen surg prelim year at a high profile place with the hopes of taking up a vacancy. You have a very good idea of your chances by mid-late October of the year you are trying to match because you will have your list of interview offers, if you get interviews at your home program and all of your aways you have a shot...if you don't even get that, it will be a strong hint but you should still go (just in case). For every program that turns you down on the first-pass dates, write a letter to the admin stating your continued interest and ask if you can be placed on the waiting list in case any interview spots open up. Every interview is a chance to be ranked and every time you are ranked is a chance to match. Very good programs sometimes match candidates very far down their list. The only thing that matters is to match, if urology is truly your first choice career. Also, do not turn down ANY interviews. When you go on the interviews, come early to do a "2nd look" before the interview, if the program seems amenable and you can fit it. If they are not amenable, thank them for answering your question and do not be pushy. To do these second looks built into the interview trip, you can contact the administrator who will put you in touch with a chief resident to set this up. The chief will not be aware of your board score (possibly) so act confident like any other applicant. Answer pimping questions graciously, seem eager to learn, don't be irritable that you are getting pimped on a second look. The residents will usually try to put you in the OR with prominent faculty. Be free with compliments about their program, be knowledgeable about their research projects and areas of expertise, be knowledgeable about the operations they are doing, do not chat with other "secondlookers" or be distracting in the OR, time your comments/questions appropriately. Usually, your presence indicates interest and the chair (or whoever you are operating with) will make some effort to get to knwo you. Try to make small talk about any links there are between your home program and their program (research relationships, similar features, etc). Try to find out about their hobbies and ask with genuine interest about their wife/kids if this comes up. If you can't fit it in during the interview process, do second looks at every program to show interest. I would not recommend second looks for every candidate, but your score if the main thing standing in your way and anything you can do to shine will help. That being said, there is a way to make the flattery too obvious and like you are trying "too hard" so be careful what card you play. It's not just a game, afterall, its about being someone that others want to work with and being somone who likes their job as a future urology resident.Finally, have a serious chat wiht your home chair and PD about your chances--they will point you in the right direction. If urology joins the regular match by the time you are applying, this will change things in terms of timing and you may be stuck scrambling instead of applying separately to prelim years. I would be curious to hear what your chair and PD say.If all this effort seems too much and not worth it, highly consider other options.
Thanks so much for taking the time for the quality advice. Very much appreciated!
The AUA match, unlike the NRMP match (see "Charting Outcomes in the Match"), does not reveal their data other than what's on auanet--number of applicants, average number of interview, etc.
I have seen 234 is the average
I would not believe any numbers that are not directly coming from AUA.
Mine was 252, so I don't know what to tell you, bro. Sorry !
My step 1 score was 202. Is there any hope for urology or is it out of the question?
My step 1 score was 202. Is there any hope for urology or is it out of the question?
I have a Step 1 score of 202, goto med school in a mid-tier school in the midwest. I have one non-urological publication.Is there any hope for me? Or should I look into alternative career options? if there is hope, what can I do to maximize my chances at matching, I don't get to do an elective in 3rd year. Please help!
I would do a few (2-4) aways and kick ass on them. Choose the programs carefully (maybe 1 reach and 2-3 mid-tiers or smaller, lesser known programs). Hopefully that will carry you into one of those programs. Also take step 2 early and aim for a 240 but get at least a 230. When you are at these aways, there is no such thing as an early night, no such thing as a weekend, get involved with a research project and see it through (even if this requires working on it after you leave)--see other threads on how to do well on aways. Remember to be affable, available and able while at the same time, try to relax and be genuine and not wound so tight that you can't interact in a normal way with people as fellow human beings (I know it's a tall order). If you have a likeable personality and can do all this without seeming like too much of a suck up this may be all you need. On the one hand, the match is a pissing contest between programs about who can attract the best/their top choice applicants; on the other hand, you are a cheap source of labor for the hospital and people want someone they can count on to be there, not to complain and to do the work without killing their patients. Be prepared mentally not to match, but go into the interview process with confidence. Have a back up plan in case you don't match. Consider doing a gen surg prelim year at a high profile place with the hopes of taking up a vacancy. You have a very good idea of your chances by mid-late October of the year you are trying to match because you will have your list of interview offers, if you get interviews at your home program and all of your aways you have a shot...if you don't even get that, it will be a strong hint but you should still go (just in case). For every program that turns you down on the first-pass dates, write a letter to the admin stating your continued interest and ask if you can be placed on the waiting list in case any interview spots open up. Every interview is a chance to be ranked and every time you are ranked is a chance to match. Very good programs sometimes match candidates very far down their list. The only thing that matters is to match, if urology is truly your first choice career. Also, do not turn down ANY interviews. When you go on the interviews, come early to do a "2nd look" before the interview, if the program seems amenable and you can fit it. If they are not amenable, thank them for answering your question and do not be pushy. To do these second looks built into the interview trip, you can contact the administrator who will put you in touch with a chief resident to set this up. The chief will not be aware of your board score (possibly) so act confident like any other applicant. Answer pimping questions graciously, seem eager to learn, don't be irritable that you are getting pimped on a second look. The residents will usually try to put you in the OR with prominent faculty. Be free with compliments about their program, be knowledgeable about their research projects and areas of expertise, be knowledgeable about the operations they are doing, do not chat with other "secondlookers" or be distracting in the OR, time your comments/questions appropriately. Usually, your presence indicates interest and the chair (or whoever you are operating with) will make some effort to get to knwo you. Try to make small talk about any links there are between your home program and their program (research relationships, similar features, etc). Try to find out about their hobbies and ask with genuine interest about their wife/kids if this comes up. If you can't fit it in during the interview process, do second looks at every program to show interest. I would not recommend second looks for every candidate, but your score if the main thing standing in your way and anything you can do to shine will help. That being said, there is a way to make the flattery too obvious and like you are trying "too hard" so be careful what card you play. It's not just a game, afterall, its about being someone that others want to work with and being somone who likes their job as a future urology resident.Finally, have a serious chat wiht your home chair and PD about your chances--they will point you in the right direction. If urology joins the regular match by the time you are applying, this will change things in terms of timing and you may be stuck scrambling instead of applying separately to prelim years. I would be curious to hear what your chair and PD say.If all this effort seems too much and not worth it, highly consider other options.