I am aware no step1 cutoffs exist for most peds programs. But what about the more competitive residency programs, like CHOP, UCSF, JHU, MGH? Do peds PD only care that you pass step1 (no matter what the exact score is), and then focusing on your deans letter, recs, and personal statement? Or is peds like internal med, where a higher step1 and rep of med school are more significant than letters and evals, and the higher the step1 the better.

I had a mediocre step 1 (<210) and got interviews everywhere I applied (inc. BCRP and CHOP). But, I took step 2 before apps, and did very well (245) and had an otherwise very strong application. I don't know if they'd consider someone with <200, but peds in general tends to be more interested in the total package than in numbers.

Thank you for sharing notstudying. Did you end up matching at your top 3 choices?

Can anyone else contribute? Thank you.

I had a mediocre step 1 (<210) and got interviews everywhere I applied (inc. BCRP and CHOP). But, I took step 2 before apps, and did very well (245) and had an otherwise very strong application. I don't know if they'd consider someone with <200, but peds in general tends to be more interested in the total package than in numbers.

UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke say that you need at least a 210 to be "competitive". But they don't say that you MUST have at least a 210 to get in.

Yes, I matched at my top choice. I think once you get an interview, board scores become less important, while your interviews and overall "fit" into the program become much more important. I think many of the more selective programs look for people who have something interesting in their background-research, international experience, volunteer work, or life experiences, that set them apart. Some (like the program I ended up at) also look for people who will work together well as a team. I didn't have one question in my interviews about my board scores-it was a non-issue.

Just wondering what role LORs played. I am in a difficult situation as I spent year 3 in the UK and haven't been able to get any US peds rotations set up yet. I am a bit worried if I don't have any US LORs in peds I wouldn't be considered. I'll be doing a rural FP rotation in Aug, but doubt any letters coming from there would be of use.

Just wondering what role LORs played. I am in a difficult situation as I spent year 3 in the UK and haven't been able to get any US peds rotations set up yet. I am a bit worried if I don't have any US LORs in peds I wouldn't be considered. I'll be doing a rural FP rotation in Aug, but doubt any letters coming from there would be of use.


How important is class rank weighed in attaining top 10 Peds positions?

How important is class rank weighed in attaining top 10 Peds positions?


I haven't a clue... My school doens't rank, so I have NO idea where I am, but that's not stopping me from applying to most of the top 10 places.

and had an otherwise very strong application..

Boy that's the understatement of the century. (I know notstudying and can attest that there are few with CVs like hers/his). I should also add that he/she was one of my Step I study partners so I'm partially to blame for that Step I score.

Ed

I haven't a clue... My school doens't rank, so I have NO idea where I am, but that's not stopping me from applying to most of the top 10 places.

I wouldn't be so sure your school doesn't rank. Even P/F schools rank students behind their back. There have been several posts on SDN about this. Sometimes, a school will break students into fourths etc. They do it in suble ways. I might be wrong but it never hurts to check and make sure.

But good luck my friend with the interviewing process. Keep us up to date with your results. :thumbup:

I wouldn't be so sure your school doesn't rank. Even P/F schools rank students behind their back. There have been several posts on SDN about this. Sometimes, a school will break students into fourths etc. They do it in suble ways. I might be wrong but it never hurts to check and make sure.

My school (Duke) definitely does this. Our official transcripts only report honors, pass, or fail, but we have internal "high pass" and "low pass" designations to help the deans write their letter when you're applying. I imagine this helps them somewhat break the class up into different groups and write letters accordingly.

Interestingly, they're actually changing this policy starting this year, such that a "high pass" will appear on an official transcript, but I think the effect will be the same in that it will enable a rough "ranking" to be established behind the scenes.

I wouldn't be so sure your school doesn't rank. Even P/F schools rank students behind their back. There have been several posts on SDN about this. Sometimes, a school will break students into fourths etc. They do it in suble ways. I might be wrong but it never hurts to check and make sure.



Really, they don't rank. Not even down to quarters. I've asked. It makes me glad, too, since there is so much less competition between students.