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PS - you better honor Surgery and/or Medicine.I think you already know the answer to this question. If not, you have to be more realistic. Unfortunately a 224 is not only over 20 points below the fields you are interested in, but it's below the national avg in general. It's not a competitive score. But have people matched into those specialties with similar scores? Sure, very rarely. Fortunately for you, it likely would be students with similar CV (top school, pubs) - however you need to start drawing the like somewhere. Those top 10 schools you strive for are more likely to take students with the FULL package ( your research + 250+). So, realize the situation you're in.. you can theoretically still match if you bust your ass off.. but don't come here asking if you can still match at Harvard. Not saying it's impossible, but.....highly highly highly unlikely. Just be happy if you get chance to match into your specialty.
Rude. I can't imagine living anywhere else #citygirllmao, nyc is crap, would never want to live there. probably a troll.
Well, these posts are not the pick-me-up I was looking for but I appreciate the candidness. I am already starting to care less about having to do residency at a top 10 place. If I decide to do one of the super competitive specialties I mentioned, I will have to be happy with matching at a decent program. If I decide to go the IM route, I hope I still have a shot at one of these places, but if I end up at a good program that isn't top-top, it wouldn't be end of the world.
I'm mostly bitter at my whole step experience and to be honest at my school for not emphasizing material on step 1 in the curriculum (I didn't fail a single exam yet felt utterly unprepared for step). Hard to believe one score could have that much impact on my future. Up until this point, I've never had to deal with a poor score/grade/etc, so it is difficult to swallow.
Well, these posts are not the pick-me-up I was looking for but I appreciate the candidness. I am already starting to care less about having to do residency at a top 10 place. If I decide to do one of the super competitive specialties I mentioned, I will have to be happy with matching at a decent program. If I decide to go the IM route, I hope I still have a shot at one of these places, but if I end up at a good program that isn't top-top, it wouldn't be end of the world.
I'm mostly bitter at my whole step experience and to be honest at my school for not emphasizing material on step 1 in the curriculum (I didn't fail a single exam yet felt utterly unprepared for step). Hard to believe one score could have that much impact on my future. Up until this point, I've never had to deal with a poor score/grade/etc, so it is difficult to swallow.
Well, these posts are not the pick-me-up I was looking for but I appreciate the candidness. I am already starting to care less about having to do residency at a top 10 place. If I decide to do one of the super competitive specialties I mentioned, I will have to be happy with matching at a decent program. If I decide to go the IM route, I hope I still have a shot at one of these places, but if I end up at a good program that isn't top-top, it wouldn't be end of the world.
I'm mostly bitter at my whole step experience and to be honest at my school for not emphasizing material on step 1 in the curriculum (I didn't fail a single exam yet felt utterly unprepared for step). Hard to believe one score could have that much impact on my future. Up until this point, I've never had to deal with a poor score/grade/etc, so it is difficult to swallow.
You mentioned a bunch of different specialties above. Let's focus on one or two. If you want IR, then you could still get into DR with Step 1 in the 220-230 range, then apply for an IR fellowship. As a US MD, you should have no problem getting into a DR program somewhere as long as you apply broadly. You can still go from, say, a community DR program, then into IR. That depends on how well you do in your DR residency. But it's a possibility for you.Anyone else have experiences of students matching at good programs in competitive specialities with Step in the 220-230 range? Thanks!
I think now there are some direct IR residencies where you don't have to go through DR. Not 100% sure though.Let's focus on one or two. If you want IR, then you could still get into DR with Step 1 in the 220-230 range, then apply for an IR fellowship
That's true, but I think direct IR is very competitive.I think now there are some direct IR residencies where you don't have to go through DR. Not 100% sure though.
Unlikely that OP will match into direct IR with <240...I think now there are some direct IR residencies where you don't have to go through DR. Not 100% sure though.
1) First, I'm not sure why you're asking this question before you have even taken Step 2, before you have done your rotations, and before you have gotten LORs. Give us some hard data to work with. For example, I got a 224 on Step 1, I got a 260 on Step 2, I honored all my rotations, I have great LORs one from the PD and one from the chair, etc. I say this because if you don't improve on Step 2, if you don't honor your rotations, if you don't get good LORs, then all this is moot. You'll already have screened yourself out.
2) However, after you get all this done, and assuming you improve on Step 2, honor your rotations, and get great LORs, then there's still really only one answer: Just apply! Just apply to the top 10-20 programs after you get your Step 2 scores back, after you have done all your rotations, and after you get your LORs. That's the only way to be sure. And if you apply to the top 10-20 programs, then I strongly suggest you should also apply to a whole bunch of "safety" programs!
Well, these posts are not the pick-me-up I was looking for but I appreciate the candidness. I am already starting to care less about having to do residency at a top 10 place. If I decide to do one of the super competitive specialties I mentioned, I will have to be happy with matching at a decent program. If I decide to go the IM route, I hope I still have a shot at one of these places, but if I end up at a good program that isn't top-top, it wouldn't be end of the world.
I'm mostly bitter at my whole step experience and to be honest at my school for not emphasizing material on step 1 in the curriculum (I didn't fail a single exam yet felt utterly unprepared for step). Hard to believe one score could have that much impact on my future. Up until this point, I've never had to deal with a poor score/grade/etc, so it is difficult to swallow.
You mentioned a bunch of different specialties above. Let's focus on one or two. If you want IR, then you could still get into DR with Step 1 in the 220-230 range, then apply for an IR fellowship. As a US MD, you should have no problem getting into a DR program somewhere as long as you apply broadly. You can still go from, say, a community DR program, then into IR. That depends on how well you do in your DR residency. But it's a possibility for you.
Another specialty you mentioned was cardiology. You can get into a decent IM program with 220-230 on Step 1. Probably a mid-tier academic program. As long as you work hard, are likeable, try to do some research, and so on, then you should be able to match into a cardiology fellowship somewhere.
What you will have to give up is your dream of going to the MGHs and Hopkins of the world for your specialty. But there's absolutely nothing wrong with a mid-tier program. You're still going to come out a physician and most likely in the specialty or subspecialty of your choice. You're still going to be able to work almost anywhere in the US and most likely make plenty of money. You could probably even work in academia if that's what you want. A lot of people would love to be in your position.
1) You make it really hard to help you. Sorry to say but your attitude is offputting.Was actually having this discussion with a friend of mine the other day. So from my understanding, and I'm not interested in IM so its fairly superficial, cards/GI/heme onc are very competitive in the IM world. As a result, research/dedication to the idea/connections/institutional ties are huge. My question is, how many IM programs give you the exposure/faculty/brand recognition to successfully get into a fellowship like this? I know there are a ton of IM residency spots, but at the same time when you have a class of 15 it makes the actual number of programs shrink considerably. What percent, or total number of academic programs (I assume they would be the ideal here) would offer the resources to mold a successful IM resident into a successful fellowship applicant?
Basically my question boils down to, if all you need to do as an IM resident is go to an academic program to get into a competitive fellowship, obviously everyone would do it. I just wonder how competitive one would be going into a lower ranked academic program vs. a higher ranked program. Obviously you can do it from either, but how stark is the difference?
1) You make it really hard to help you. Sorry to say but your attitude is offputting.
2) Also I didn't just say "all you need to do as an IM resident is go to an academic program to get into a competitive fellowship."
3) I didn't say anything about GI or heme/onc. Originally I was only referring to cards since that's what you mentioned.
4) However, if you're "not interested in IM so its fairly superficial," then I'm not sure why I should spend my time trying to help you to obtain something you aren't even interested in?
5) But I'll try this one last time. Take a look at the NRMP data (2017) for "US Grads" for cards, GI and heme/onc:
Cards
US Grad 482/537 (89.8%) matched
GI
US Grad 319/377 (84.6%) matched
Heme/onc
US Grad 287/332 (86.4%) matched
So, while there aren't any guarantees, it's also not completely unlikely for you to match into a competitive subspecialty like cardiology if you are coming from a mid-tier academic program, if you work hard, if you are likeable (this might be a serious challenge for you unless you're very different in real life and honestly it could make or break your application if you are not a likeable person or rub people the wrong way), if you do some research, if you get strong LORs especially from your IM PD and subspecialty PD, and so on.
3. I understand, but from my understanding Cards/GI/Heme onc are the three most competitive IM fellowships. Is this a misunderstanding?Another specialty you mentioned was cardiology. You can get into a decent IM program with 220-230 on Step 1. Probably a mid-tier academic program. As long as you work hard, are likeable, try to do some research, and so on, then you should be able to match into a cardiology fellowship somewhere.
I explicitly quoted some of the things you said.1. What attitude is that?
Yes and I cited NRMP match data for you.3. I understand, but from my understanding Cards/GI/Heme onc are the three most competitive IM fellowships. Is this a misunderstanding?
If others are interested, they can ask. But I was replying to you.4. Because I'm sure there are people looking at this thread who are interested.
I was stating facts about you, not ad hominem. Just because I state personal facts (even if unflattering) about someone's personality does not ipso facto make what I state a personal attack. If I point out someone lacks basic knowledge about a topic, that does not ipso facto make what I said a personal attack, for I could be doing so in order to see them improve their knowledge, for example.5. Again with the ad hominem. I don't really understand what I've done to offend you so much, but please explicate.
That depends on what the person did and did not do. You have to look at their individual case to see what happened in their particular case. It's difficult to make generalizations.The basis of my post was to analyze what were the reasons the people who were unable to match ended up in that situation.
If you want to know if you'll get into a particular specialty at a particular program given your Ivy League or similar credentials, then all you have to do is apply, and you'll have your answer.In your experience, has institutional weaknesses been a trend among unmatched applicants, or have other factors been seen to be predominantly more important?
I explicitly quoted some of the things you said.
Yes and I cited NRMP match data for you.
If others are interested, they can ask. But I was replying to you.
I was stating facts about you, not ad hominem. Just because I state personal facts (even if unflattering) about someone's personality does not ipso facto make what I state a personal attack. If I point out someone lacks basic knowledge about a topic, that does not ipso facto make what I said a personal attack, for I could be doing so in order to see them improve their knowledge, for example.
That depends on what the person did and did not do. You have to look at their individual case to see what happened in their particular case. It's difficult to make generalizations.
If you want to know if you'll get into a particular specialty at a particular program given your Ivy League or similar credentials, then all you have to do is apply, and you'll have your answer.
I wasn't "offended." I find your attitude offputting, but what's offputting is not equivalent to what's offensive.I saw you quoted my post, but what about that post explicitly offended you?
You can't truly gauge whether your situation is typical or atypical just by asking a bunch of people on SDN. At best, that's only representative of what people who are on SDN say.And to your last point, of course, but at the same point in that situation n=1. One of the big advantages to sites like these in my opinion is the ability to see how other people have fared before/after you to determine if your situation was typical or atypical, and to be able to plan in either circumstance.
I'm confused about your interactions with osteoth. Your comments almost make it seem like you think he's the OP or something lol.I wasn't "offended." I find your attitude offputting, but what's offputting is not equivalent to what's offensive.
As for reasons, one of the reasons is because you mischaracterized what I've actually said.
Another reason is because you say you're "not interested in IM so its fairly superficial." That's like if someone asked me what I thought about a particular car, for example, so I told them what I thought about the car, but then they just shrugged and said, "I don't really care all that much anyway."
You can't truly gauge whether your situation is typical or atypical just by asking a bunch of people on SDN. At best, that's only representative of what people who are on SDN say.
Also, even if turns out your situation is atypical, if you apply and get accepted despite being atypical, then you still got accepted. So what does it even matter if your situation is atypical as long as you get accepted? In this respect, your n=1 is all you need.
Bottom line: Just apply, and see what happens.
Oops, I did think he was the OP! My bad. Apologies @Osteoth.I'm confused about your interactions with osteoth. Your comments almost make it seem like you think he's the OP or something lol.
Oops, I did think he was the OP! My bad. Apologies @Osteoth.
Lol, I don't think this negates the information in my responses to you though. It's still valuable info.Lol there it is.
Unlikely that OP will match into direct IR with <240...
Don't get NYC. Smells. $20s fly out of your pocket left and right. People are rude and pretentious as all hell. Summers brutal, winters brutal. Ridiculous cost of living.
Anyone else have experiences of students matching at good programs in competitive specialities with Step in the 220-230 range? Thanks!