Hello everyone,
I am really interested in ENT and I was wondering if any of the MS4/PGY1 can shed some light on what will help me to attain residency at an academic hospital with good reputation for the program.
Qs:
What are some of the highly ranked ENT programs in the country?
what are some of the important things that I must have or achieve to attain my goal?
class ranking?
Step 1/2 score?
recommendations?
Extracurricular activities?
the reputation of my current med school, etc
I am an Oto PGY-1 at Iowa, now doing my general surgery internship. In my opinion, there are a number of programs in the country that are solid clinical programs yet are not considered in the "highly ranked" category. The "highly ranked" programs like the ones found in US News usually are ranked highly because of their extrensive research departments. A few of them: Hopkins, U Iowa, U Michigan, Wash U, U Wash, Mayo.
Things to do to go to a top program:
1. Do well academically, such as be in the top quarter or at least top half of your class. The specialty is pretty competitive, and average students would really have to have outstanding research to be considered for a spot of one of these programs.
2. Do research. This is very important. The applicantion for Oto residency leaves small spaces for honors, extracurricular activities, work experiences, and then leaves about 3/4 of a page for research experience. Basic science research is considered more impressive than clinical. I doubt that residents without research, no matter what their grades and board scores, would even interview at the top programs without at least some research experience.
3. Don't let the Step 1 make you look bad. I don't know how much different programs emphasize its importance, but a average or low score can't help.
4. Recs: Get a rec from an Oto MD in the department of you school. If you think that your dept. is weak, then do a rotation at another school and get a rec there. I don't think that this is as important as research or your grades.
5. School rep: I don't know. It might help, but I think that the other factors weigh more.
6. Extracurriculars: unimportant regarding getting in, but you should be involved with something just to stay sane (in my opinion).
Hope this helps.