What can I do with...?

Depends on just what you mean, but the general answer is "no" they are not out of reach. Integrated PRS, ortho, uro, and neuro are all very competitive, but I'm not sure whether you are considering them surgical subspecialties. Even for those, you're scored above the average, and if you look at the "charting outcomes" pdf you'll see that even for these some 25% or so of the matching applicants had step 1 scores around 225-230. It probably depends very much on the rest of your resume... are your grades good, do you have any research experience, etc.? There might be programs out there with a "first pass" filter that cuts off applicants below 230, but there are many others that do not. As always, the prevailing wisdom is to strengthen your resume as much as possible and apply broadly, regardless of your step 1 score.

If you mean fellowships after a general surgery residency, then I'd think you are right in the thick of things. 228 is very much in the competitive range, especially so with a solid application/resume to back it up. Once in, your performance in residency will have about as much to do with landing the fellowship of your choice as anything else (well, except for perhaps where you do your residency if you are looking at a select few of the more rare and competitive fellowships).

But I'm certainly no expert on the match process. You beat the national average by a fair margin, and that means something. You're in the top third or so of all students who took step 1, so don't sell yourself short. Decide what it is you want to do, make sure you get to know the right people, make connections, do aways with solid performance at places that interest you, make sure your application is solid everywhere else, and interview well. Sounds easy, no? I'm sure you'll do fine. 😉

HMSBeagle said:

What can I do with a 228/95 on step 1?? Are the surgical subspecialties out of reach?

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Does HMS in your name stand for Harvard Medical School?

The answer to your question will depend largely on your answer.

i think HMS Beagle is a old boat's name ...1700s ?

... of Darwin's fame.

HMS = Her Majesty's Ship

A 228 is a very good score and should not close any doors to you. You might have to work a little harder if you're aiming for the very competitive specialties, like osli mentioned. You can find statistics for these things if you poke around here a little, but I would think you are pretty close to average for surgical subspecialties. You might not have your pick of the top programs, but if you work on really shining on your rotations you should be in good shape.

The one thing I would investigate further, if I were you, is whether you should take Step 2 before or after residency applications. Since your score is a good solid one, I could see it both ways -- if you get a really awesome score on Step 2, it could definitely help, but it might be kind of a risk. It's worth talking to an advisor or dean at your school, I think.

Thanks for the advice. As a school requirement we have to take step 2 in july just before starting 4th year but I don't know if they can make an exception.
As for HMS it stands for Her Majesty's Ship as someone mentioned.
HMS Beagle is the name of the ship Darwin traveled on during his famous voyage.

mudphudwannabe said:

A 228 is a very good score and should not close any doors to you. You might have to work a little harder if you're aiming for the very competitive specialties, like osli mentioned. You can find statistics for these things if you poke around here a little, but I would think you are pretty close to average for surgical subspecialties. You might not have your pick of the top programs, but if you work on really shining on your rotations you should be in good shape.

The one thing I would investigate further, if I were you, is whether you should take Step 2 before or after residency applications. Since your score is a good solid one, I could see it both ways -- if you get a really awesome score on Step 2, it could definitely help, but it might be kind of a risk. It's worth talking to an advisor or dean at your school, I think.

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The OP's Step 1 is just a few points shy of this years avg for ophtho (232). Despite HMS not standing for Haaavard, I think his/her chances can be improved by at least a 10 point improvement on Step 2, research, applying strategically and broadly and getting LORs from well-known ophthalmologists.

ENT would be a bit more difficult than ophtho to land with a avg Step 1 score of 237 this year. Not to mention a heavier focus on research, overall, by ENT PDs.

OP, you're still in the game. Just a little push on Step 2, 3rd year and research and you should be ready to roll early 4th year. G'luck!

By no means easy, but very very doable.

All the standard stuff still applies. Plan to improve on Step 2, get to know someone in your school in the surgical subspecialty you're interested in so they can give you their help, plan aways (very important for surgical subspecialties), get LORs, maybe research?

Thanks for the advice.

While I may not know about the residency selection process for when it comes to surgery, I have spoken to a few prominent figures who look at applications for their gen surgery program and they both have told me that if there is no research experience, then they toss out their file, unless their scores are really strong. Even then, if compared to others with strong scores, then they don't have a chance against these applicants.

DOCTORSAIB said:

The OP's Step 1 is just a few points shy of this years avg for ophtho (232). Despite HMS not standing for Haaavard, I think his/her chances can be improved by at least a 10 point improvement on Step 2, research, applying strategically and broadly and getting LORs from well-known ophthalmologists.

!

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Where did you find the info on optho? At the same time I opened this thread, I opened a google search looking for optho average USMLE - eery!

HMSBeagle said:

What can I do with a 228/95 on step 1?? Are the surgical subspecialties out of reach?

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Not out of reach but it won't be easy and you'll have fewer options location wise.