Another thread from someone down in the dumps after a horrible Step 1 score. Any chance I could get into a university program with a 197? I thought I did better...but nope...
I am not AOA, have a graduate degree, did some research w/ two decent papers...

Any chance for programs like U. of South Florida, U. of Arizona, U. of Miami, etc?
Honesty would be appreciated...

Another thread from someone down in the dumps after a horrible Step 1 score. Any chance I could get into a university program with a 197? I thought I did better...but nope...
I am not AOA, have a graduate degree, did some research w/ two decent papers...

Any chance for programs like U. of South Florida, U. of Arizona, U. of Miami, etc?
Honesty would be appreciated...

You can likely get into a decent IM program with that score considering that the rest of your app looks good. You won't get into Harvard or top tier programs, but you'll certainly get in somewhere. Make connections, get great letters, do better on step 2.

I have not failed any classes...lol

I'm also in a similiar predicament. I did alot worse on my step 1 than my practice test. I got a 214 and pretty average med school stat. I have one publication and probably 1 more coming out this year. Other than that, I dont have much else. I'm interested in returning to California for IM residency. I"m originally a Californian and currently attending an east coast medical school. I'm not too picky about the prog in california, I just want to match into one of them. Do i have legitimate chance with my score? or should i start on plan B

I'm also in a similiar predicament. I did alot worse on my step 1 than my practice test. I got a 214 and pretty average med school stat. I have one publication and probably 1 more coming out this year. Other than that, I dont have much else. I'm interested in returning to California for IM residency. I"m originally a Californian and currently attending an east coast medical school. I'm not too picky about the prog in california, I just want to match into one of them. Do i have legitimate chance with my score? or should i start on plan B

I think you both are freaking out too much. IM is not very competitive except at the big name places. A 214 is not average per se, but will get you into a decent program, especially combined with good 3rd/4th year grades, good letters and a decent step 2 score. Unless you are planning on going to Harvard or Yale, I wouldn't sweat it. I've seen people with much lower scores match into much more competitive specialties.

Another thread from someone down in the dumps after a horrible Step 1 score. Any chance I could get into a university program with a 197? I thought I did better...but nope...
I am not AOA, have a graduate degree, did some research w/ two decent papers...

Any chance for programs like U. of South Florida, U. of Arizona, U. of Miami, etc?
Honesty would be appreciated...

take step 2 early, do better

I'm also in a similiar predicament. I did alot worse on my step 1 than my practice test. I got a 214 and pretty average med school stat. I have one publication and probably 1 more coming out this year. Other than that, I dont have much else. I'm interested in returning to California for IM residency. I"m originally a Californian and currently attending an east coast medical school. I'm not too picky about the prog in california, I just want to match into one of them. Do i have legitimate chance with my score? or should i start on plan B

As long as you are not too picky then you should find a california spot

perhaps you are focusing too much on the self-aggrandizement that goes on in these forums.

IM is NOT competitive, unless you are one of the SDN gunners looking to get into top programs. Do not feel disheartened by your Step 1 score, or non-AOA status

Things that will help you at baseline are:
- good academic record (no academic dishonesty, etc.)
- which med school you are at (but it's not as valued)
- your graduate degree
- your research experience will be extremely valuable for you in more competitive interviews

things that you should work on:
- doing well on Step 2
- do the best you can on your pre-clinical grades
- **letters of recommendation are IMPORTANT in IM apps as are the written evals that go into your record. Work hard in your clinical clerkships, show interest, and choose your letter-writers wisely. ** (the single most important piece of advice I can give you)
- when it comes time, organize your rank list wisely.

if it makes you feel any better, my best friend (who went to a different med school than me), goofed off, failed Step 1, took it again, got less than a 200, and in the end matched at a large university program in IM.

good luck...