2017 Peds Hopeful. HELP!

[sparklystu]

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Hey there,

I am a current M3 looking for some advice and possibly some reassurance that all hope is not lost for me. I have a low Step 1 score (208), and only a Pass (school has Honors/High Pass/Pass) in all of my 3rd year clerkships. I also recently found out that I failed the NBME surgery shelf and will have to retake it.

I am in such a state of stress about this. I know. I 'm not going to get into JHU or CHOP or MGH or anything like that. I am working to improve my Step 2 CK score, I really am, but am simply not good at taking these exams. I am doing what is in my capacity to get help and try to study better and more efficiently. I am studying and going to retake my surgery shelf in the coming weeks.

My goal is to match into pediatrics residency in the following year. I would like to stay in the NE (UMass Peds would be the dream, but I'm not picky really) or East Coast, but hey, if its not possible I'm not going to complain. I will go anywhere. I am just so sad and disappointed in myself that I let this happen and that my exam scores are pulling me down. I perform well clinically and have positive comments in that regard. I just need to know if anyone else has ever been in a position like this, and how I should strategize/what programs would be good to apply to in the next few months.

Thank you!

 

[kiddingme]

Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

 

[p1ggy]

Hey sparklystu.
I was in a similar situation so I can comment a bit on my experience. I'm an AMG in a Top 20 school. No failures first or second year. My Step 1 score was 213. After getting my score, I was convinced I would match at a low-tier program in the middle of nowhere. However, I tried to pull myself up and focus on improving my resume through clinical grades. I tried very very hard during clerkships but could not pull Honors on any clerkships except Psych. I got a Pass in Ob/Gyn and then High Passes in almost all other clerkships (IM, Surgery, Neuro, Peds, Family Med, etc). I also only got a High Pass in my sub-I/AI as well, which made me even more depressed since a majority of people end up getting Honors in their sub-I. Like you, I'm not the best test-taker. My shelf scores ranged in the 60s-70s range, but they did get better and better with each clerkship. I didn't fail any shelf exams, so I can't speak as to whether that will negatively impact your application. However, I did fail an in-house anesthesia exam (required course for us) which I retook and passed on second attempt. It was not mentioned in my course evaluation or Dean's Letter and did not affect my application at all.

I took my Step 2 CK in July. I was determined to get a better score on Step 2 CK to boost my app. I took a vacation month to focus solely on that exam. I got my ass in gear and developed a study plan, which I stuck to over the course of the month. I used Doctors in Training, which helped me a lot I think, plus I did the Qbank questions thoroughly (something I didn't do for Step 1). I studied about 10 hours a day over 20-25 days and made sure I reviewed all the material 2-3x through. I ended up with a 251, which I was over the moon happy about. And trust me, I'm a horrible test taker as well! CK is easier to study for since it's a review of shelf exam material and clinical knowledge you've been learning over the course of third year. Plus developing a solid study plan based on what works for you and really sticking to it is key for acing these types of exams. I took CS in October and passed on first attempt. I got 4 LORs, all of which I think were pretty positive and stated my positive personality and clinical skills -- two were from Peds, one from FM, and one from my research mentor in Neuro. My Dean's Letter was full of positive comments on my clinical skills. I applied to 33 Peds programs, got approximately 24 interview invitations, went on 12 interviews, and ranked all 12 places. I got invites from a mix of programs -- academic, community, freestanding hospitals, non-freestanding hospitals, high tier, mid tier, low tier, etc. I unfortunately deleted my list of all the invitations I got, but to give you an idea I got invitations from UPMC, Rainbow Babies, duPont/Jefferson, Hofstra LIJ, UMD, UVA, EVMS/CHKD, Hershey, Univ of Rochester, VCU, WVU, Akron, St. Christopher's, UConn, Jacobi/Einstein in NYC amongst others. I forgot the rest, but you can can see I got interviews at a nice range of programs. I only applied to NE/Mid-Atlantic programs, and didn't apply to any in Massachusetts so I can't say if my app was good enough for UMass or Tufts. I ended up matching at my #2, which is a really good program in the NE. Certainly not in the Top 10, but within the Top 30-40 children's hospitals in the nation.

Sorry for the super long post, but you can see that even though I'm an average applicant and didn't get a killer Step 1 score or straight Honors third year, I matched at a good program that I'm really happy with and got a good range of interviews. I realize your situation is a bit different than mine, but I don't believe that a low Step 1 or average clinical grades will keep you from matching at a decent program in Peds. It's not a very competitive field and I think there's enough programs that you should be able to match close to your preferred geographical location. I think the applicants who have the most trouble getting interviews as average students are IMGs and DOs. If you're an average AMG, then you have a good chance of matching in the region you want. If you haven't already done so, sit down with an advisor and go over your application. Do your subI sometime in the summer so you can get solid letters. Take your CK in the summer so you can put the score on your ERAS application as early as possible. I don't think an excellent CK score can completely overshadow a low Step 1 score, but it definitely gives your application a boost and can get your foot in the door at some top programs as long as they don't filter applications by Step 1 scores. I had a couple programs even mention my CK score jump during the interview. If you can, take a study month and really knock CK out of the park. Hope that helped and sorry if it was long! If you have any questions, feel free to ask

 

[pedstar09]

First of all, congrats on selecting an amazing field. You will be happy and satisfied professionally in this amazing field!

I have a very similar story to you as well as the person above me. I matched at my #2 choice in the NorthEast. Could not be more excited!

I am an AMG, go to a not-so-famous medical school in MidWest. ~10 points lower than national average on step 1. Average step 2 CK. Step 2 CS passed on 2nd attempt. I received 13 interviews out of 33 places I applied to.
One thing I would recommend is- try to do some away electives at places that you want to go to. I did 3 away electives. I loved 2 of them (they also loved me back with interviews...). Work your butt off. come early. Stay till late. Pick up extra shifts. Make connections with residents, chiefs and possibly the PDs. You will be fine.

As always, PM me for additional questions! 🙂

 

[sparklystu]

THANK YOU, both of you, you have given me hope despite being pretty depressed and anxious. Pedstar, I have applied to VSAS away electives and am following your advice on that end. Regarding Step 2 CK, what did you do to study? I am taking my test at the end of June with 4 weeks dedicated study. I am also taking my surgery NBME retake in a few weeks so will have ~2 weeks dedicated time to study only for surgery now. I want to try and improve my chances as much as possible, but am just finding that when I take practice NBME tests, I am not able to make the connections I can make during PreTest or UWorld Questions. Do you have any advice regarding that?