Regarding your last point - it really is up to everyone to BE BRAVE. Find the courage to stand against the rot, greed, and corruption that has made its way throughout all our institutions. The only way these people succeed is when good people do nothing.
As a med school applicant... AAMC and schools talk about wanting to increase diversity, but the educational materials you need to prep for the MCAT (including those available from AAMC) all cost a good deal of money, and every school just automatically requests a secondary app for every applicant, which is even more money. Average scores go up every year and you need to spend money on prep material to stay competitive, like some kind of MCAT prep arms race. Applying to med schools will cost me about 4-5k in total. It is very difficult to do this if you don't already have financial means. How can you say that you value diversity when you nickel and dime applicants at every step of the way?
I love your storytelling and I appreciate all the research and digging you've done and shared. These stories make me SO MAD though. I applied this year and my ERAS fees could've paid for a European vacation. Now I find that it's paid for someone else's European vacation and pet projects >.
You know what, that's curious. I'm an IMG from Brazil and I was trying to find information about how many Brazilians applied to the match each cycle and how that's been evolving over the years. But I could only find data from 2015, nothing after that. I so happens, they stopped publicizing this information and I couldn't figure out why. But you might have solved this one for me. They don't tell us anymore the number of matched and unmatched applicants from each country as they used to. That sucks because, with all the money we pay them, the least they could do is be transparent with that sort of data.
Thank you for the videos. They are very informative. I just came across this press release by the AAMC from January 10, 2024 (any time I put the link in this comment, the comment gets deleted but just look up the title "AAMC Establishes New Fee Structure for 2025 ERAS Residency Application Season") that totally revamps the fee structure for the 2025 residency application season. First 30 apps are $11 each and any additional is $30 each. I think it flips the incentive structure at least a little bit towards applying to less residencies instead of more. Hopefully a change for the better.
Oh, I have thoughts about this. Stay tuned. I’m gonna post a video next week called “The ERAS Death Spiral” that will cover this and a few other recent events - and (I hope) put them in the appropriate context.
As an IMG, I would urge all PDs and PCs to keep their websites updated and be transparent about what kind of applicant they're willing to interview. When looking at which programs to apply, I read every single one of their websites and looked for that part that said "how to apply", where they would usually list their requirements, and if they had things like "must not have graduated >2 years, Step 1 score >235, Step2> 245, do not sponsor visas, etc, I simply would not apply for that program. Because why would I waste my money? But not all programs had that, be we all know that PDs use filters, meaning, me and countless other IMGs probably spent a lot of money for nothing, I'm sure some of the places we applied to didn't even open our applications. And keep in mind, we're paying with currencies that are way devalued compared to the dollar. It's a shame, really.
I am an IMG from India. I applied 5 times. The last time with better profile to 130 places. I got 3 interviews and then I did not match. Now I left the journey because there is so much money involved in the process. I need the money to support other things in my life too. For programs I felt I am just another applicant but then we are spending money they don't realise that. We have hopes and dreams of becoming a better doctor or learning more skills. Then with each year we need fresh lors and that has become a business too.
Are your videos required viewing at EVMS? All of them have been more useful to my future than any lecture content I’ve gotten at my school. Also, there’s a high pitched whine noise with your microphone if you haven’t been told already. Keep up the great videos!
I agree. (Although, at the end of the day, much of what seems initially like non-financial COI ultimately is associated with financial gain… e.g., if your hypothesis is accepted, you get promoted ->$)
I have an alternative proposal. Remove step failure reporting & previous score reporting & eliminate all barriers to retaking or extended studying. Students who want to work more on their scores will delay applying. Students who do not care will progress anyway. Force programs to report their filters --> those students who are not competitive will delay applying to work on their scores.
@@sheriffofsodium Okay Sir! I'll make sure to skip the 1st minute 😁 "god grant me the serenity to accept the things i cannot change" Sorry for the rude comment 😁
As an international medical student I appreciate the detail and effort you put into this
Thank you for watching.
Another beast of a video from the GOAT himself - thank you for raising awareness around these issues!
Thank you for watching.
@@sheriffofsodium Thank you for the videos!
Regarding your last point - it really is up to everyone to BE BRAVE. Find the courage to stand against the rot, greed, and corruption that has made its way throughout all our institutions. The only way these people succeed is when good people do nothing.
Thank you Sheriff! your work is admirable and much appreciated!
Thank you for watching.
Ironic that I’d make more money working for ERAS than I do as a physician.
And we wonder why so many otherwise goodhearted deans keep their mouths shut about the AAMC. They hope it’ll be them in the future.
As a med school applicant... AAMC and schools talk about wanting to increase diversity, but the educational materials you need to prep for the MCAT (including those available from AAMC) all cost a good deal of money, and every school just automatically requests a secondary app for every applicant, which is even more money. Average scores go up every year and you need to spend money on prep material to stay competitive, like some kind of MCAT prep arms race. Applying to med schools will cost me about 4-5k in total. It is very difficult to do this if you don't already have financial means. How can you say that you value diversity when you nickel and dime applicants at every step of the way?
I love your storytelling and I appreciate all the research and digging you've done and shared. These stories make me SO MAD though. I applied this year and my ERAS fees could've paid for a European vacation. Now I find that it's paid for someone else's European vacation and pet projects >.
Fun fact that I meant to highlight in the video but forgot: the AAMC’s CEO also receives free first class airfare for flights >2 hours.
I am livid @@sheriffofsodium
You know what, that's curious. I'm an IMG from Brazil and I was trying to find information about how many Brazilians applied to the match each cycle and how that's been evolving over the years. But I could only find data from 2015, nothing after that. I so happens, they stopped publicizing this information and I couldn't figure out why. But you might have solved this one for me. They don't tell us anymore the number of matched and unmatched applicants from each country as they used to. That sucks because, with all the money we pay them, the least they could do is be transparent with that sort of data.
Sir, please keep putting foot to behinds!
Thank you for watching - and spreading the word.
Thank you for the videos. They are very informative. I just came across this press release by the AAMC from January 10, 2024 (any time I put the link in this comment, the comment gets deleted but just look up the title "AAMC Establishes New Fee Structure for 2025 ERAS Residency Application Season") that totally revamps the fee structure for the 2025 residency application season. First 30 apps are $11 each and any additional is $30 each. I think it flips the incentive structure at least a little bit towards applying to less residencies instead of more. Hopefully a change for the better.
Oh, I have thoughts about this. Stay tuned. I’m gonna post a video next week called “The ERAS Death Spiral” that will cover this and a few other recent events - and (I hope) put them in the appropriate context.
As an IMG, I would urge all PDs and PCs to keep their websites updated and be transparent about what kind of applicant they're willing to interview. When looking at which programs to apply, I read every single one of their websites and looked for that part that said "how to apply", where they would usually list their requirements, and if they had things like "must not have graduated >2 years, Step 1 score >235, Step2> 245, do not sponsor visas, etc, I simply would not apply for that program. Because why would I waste my money? But not all programs had that, be we all know that PDs use filters, meaning, me and countless other IMGs probably spent a lot of money for nothing, I'm sure some of the places we applied to didn't even open our applications. And keep in mind, we're paying with currencies that are way devalued compared to the dollar. It's a shame, really.
I am an IMG from India. I applied 5 times. The last time with better profile to 130 places. I got 3 interviews and then I did not match. Now I left the journey because there is so much money involved in the process. I need the money to support other things in my life too. For programs I felt I am just another applicant but then we are spending money they don't realise that. We have hopes and dreams of becoming a better doctor or learning more skills. Then with each year we need fresh lors and that has become a business too.
glad to know I spent thousands rather than hundreds on ERAS this cycle so my 8% interest loan dollars could fund the AAMCs nameless pet projects
I’m certain they appreciated your generosity.
Love your videos! Looking to go into medical education myself in the very near future
Thank you for taking the time to watch.
These videos are so thorough and thoughtful. Please accede to a governance role to effect some long overdue change.
The “F it, we ball” made me laugh so hard 😂😂😂 thanks for the informative video, you are a legend
Thank you! I had to go back and find that - it’s around 50:09 for anyone else who wants to hear me mocking the Apply Smart graphics.
Are your videos required viewing at EVMS? All of them have been more useful to my future than any lecture content I’ve gotten at my school.
Also, there’s a high pitched whine noise with your microphone if you haven’t been told already. Keep up the great videos!
I would also argue that CoI (although classically conditioned on financial gain) should also be conditioned on other benefits of non-financial value.
I agree. (Although, at the end of the day, much of what seems initially like non-financial COI ultimately is associated with financial gain… e.g., if your hypothesis is accepted, you get promoted ->$)
Need you on spotify for my daily drives 😅
I wish I could donate the money I spent on application instead. At the end of the day, as physician I want to help people.
I have an alternative proposal. Remove step failure reporting & previous score reporting & eliminate all barriers to retaking or extended studying. Students who want to work more on their scores will delay applying. Students who do not care will progress anyway. Force programs to report their filters --> those students who are not competitive will delay applying to work on their scores.
Yes, I’ve been saying this for years. It just doesn’t make any sense why they can’t do this.
The more anger you create, the more truth you are exposing. People don't like to learn that they are being immoral or crazy or both.
Thank you for the kind words - and for watching.
Your white knight voice floored me 😂 great info here
Thank you. I remember how irritated I was by that comment. I think my disdain comes through.
As an IMG, you're welcome? =P
Yeah...crank up the shity music to the fullest!
That’s how you know you’ve arrived at a Sheriff of Sodium video, sir.
@@sheriffofsodium Okay Sir! I'll make sure to skip the 1st minute 😁
"god grant me the serenity to accept the things i cannot change"
Sorry for the rude comment 😁
It’ll grow on you, @@strongDr . Thank you for watching my stuff.
@@sheriffofsodium No Doc 😂 Never 😆