Timing residency application with incomplete exams

[cloud30]

I'm an IMG from a well known European school applying to radiology.
I am in a MD/Phd program here and graduated from the MD part this year. I was trying to squeeze my schedule and apply for the match this autumn. I got 250 on Step 1 and CK but unfortunately failed this summer at CS. This came as a big surprise as I felt very comfortable with the content and always performed well at home. Now, I am stuck in a tough position deciding weather or not to apply this year or wait for the next season.

If I apply this year I would have to apply with an incomplete ECFMG certification due to the CS score and hope to get a spot and pass it during interview season. I will have good LOR from good us schools though.

If I wait a year I will be able to finish my PhD by application time and spend large part of that year doing research at a major us radiology center. I will hopefully also be able to take Step 3.

First, would you advise me to try to submit my application this year or strengthen my application and apply for the next year?
Secondly how much would you think my failed CS score affects my application given that I apply to academic programs with a strong research background?
Thank you for any help.

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[MDtoUSMLE]

Radiology is extremely competitive but not impossible. PDs prefer fresh graduates with double 99 scores (on old scale) and no failures. But failing CS is not much important as other steps. Since you have a failure on your profile with incomplete scores, this might put a question mark at the PDs mind on your ability to finish the tests before the match date. I would postpone my application to the next year and consider other specialties as back up at the same time.

 

[cloud30]

Thanks for your input, I will do my best. I guess relevant research would be more important than the CS for a specialty such as radiology so I'll try to increase my chances with that.