Advice for an MS3 trying to make it in this Psych world

[BigJaySon]

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DO student, trying to make it out in this dog-eat-dog world.

Took Step 1 and got a 245.

Realistically, not prepared for Step 2. Wondering if I should even take it? My biggest concern is if I score lower, I'd be showing a downward trend.

Will be applying Psych with FM backup.

Any advice would be very much appreciated. If this is the incorrect place to post, please let me know and I will take it down.

-BigJ

 

[Merely]

You’re gonna match with a 245 lol..take it if you want it doesn’t really matter after a strong performance like that..apply broadly and you’ll be fine

 

[Shufflin]

I mean people say psych and derm will be on par in the future, but we're not there yet. You'll be fine. Deep breaths.

 

[BigJaySon]

You’re gonna match with a 245 lol..take it if you want it doesn’t really matter after a strong performance like that..apply broadly and you’ll be fine

I appreciate the reply. Psych has been the dream, and I'm trying to do as much as I can to make sure I stay in CA with my family. Thanks for the vote of confidence. (also thanks for the strong performance remark!)

I mean people say psych and derm will be on par in the future, but we're not there yet. You'll be fine. Deep breaths.

I've seen a few of your posts Shufflin. You've been a good guy on these forums. There's one post you wrote that really hung with me. It was about not matching at your first residency choice, but still excelling to the point that it didn't matter. It was a great post.

 

[Shufflin]

Thanks BigJay 👍

I'm always here if you need help. Feel free to stay in touch.

 

[BigJaySon]

Would any of the PDs or faculty have any insight on this?
@psychattending @MacDonaldTriad @OldPsychDoc @whopper @Goro @QofQuimica @splik

 

[NontradCA]

What do you need specific insight of? You scored a 245 on step 1. To take step 2? Most DOs wouldn’t unless they performed poorly on step 1.

 

[BigJaySon]

What do you need specific insight of? You scored a 245 on step 1. To take step 2? Most DOs wouldn’t unless they performed poorly on step 1.

I appreciate the help!
Yeah...I guess insight/opinion on whether it would be better for my application to: Have an average Step 2 score, or not have a Step 2 at all?

 

[Old&InTheWay]

What feedback did you get on your psych rotation?

 

[NotYou20]

I'm a third year do student applying to psych with a very similar step 1. Just chiming in to say I'm irrationally worried about not matching too. We'll be ok though

 

[BigJaySon]

What feedback did you get on your psych rotation?

I've gotten pretty good feedback. I've done both an inpatient rotation at community program and an outpatient with the county. I've asked for letters from both. I've enjoyed them both lol

 

[BigJaySon]

I'm a third year do student applying to psych with a very similar step 1. Just chiming in to say I'm irrationally worried about not matching too. We'll be ok though

I don't think its completely rational, especially since we read the stories of others with similar scores not matching.
I guess, I can't really see myself doing anything else and being happy for the rest of my life...

 

[NotYou20]

I don't think its completely rational, especially since we read the stories of others with similar scores not matching.
I guess, I can't really see myself doing anything else and being happy for the rest of my life...

There's like a 5% chance of not matching. Applying wisely should take that down further. But yeah I totally get you that I dont think I'd be happy with anything else in medicine. But that makes me afraid way out of proportion to the chances of actually not matching psych.

 

[Monocles]

Anything above 230 and it's not your score that matters. Past a certain point your personality, fit, interest/commitment to psych will matter more than having a couple of extra points on the steps.

 

[MacDonaldTriad]

Frieda does ask PDs if their program requires USMLE or do they accept COMLEX alone. You can probably get a sense of how many and which programs you will not be eligible for if you don't take step II (USMLE). It may not make a lot of difference, but if you study up and take it, you will be better off than if you don't even if it is a little lower than your step I. Obviously failing it or scraping by would be worse, but that isn't likely.

I know people have characterized California as particularly competitive and not very DO friendly, but California has also added a lot of programs lately. UCSF, UCLA, Stanford, UCSD, maybe not, but there are 23 if you look.

 

[Stagg737]

@OP, take a deep breath. With your Step score and solid feedback you've put yourself in a very good position come match time. Cali is a competitive place, but if you're from there/attend school there it should help a lot and you should mention that somewhere in your application. Just make sure to apply to a decent number of places outside of CA as well (ideally places which are DO friendly).

I know people have characterized California as particularly competitive and not very DO friendly, but California has also added a lot of programs lately. UCSF, UCLA, Stanford, UCSD, maybe not, but there are 23 if you look.

Holy crap, that's around 10% of all psych programs. I knew Cali had a bunch, but didn't realize it was that many.

 

[MacDonaldTriad]

They have 12% of the congressional votes. Given their 40 million people, 10% is on the low side.

 

[BigJaySon]

Anything above 230 and it's not your score that matters. Past a certain point your personality, fit, interest/commitment to psych will matter more than having a couple of extra points on the steps.

Jeeze my friend, I hope you're right.

 

[BigJaySon]

Frieda does ask PDs if their program requires USMLE or do they accept COMLEX alone. You can probably get a sense of how many and which programs you will not be eligible for if you don't take step II (USMLE). It may not make a lot of difference, but if you study up and take it, you will be better off than if you don't even if it is a little lower than your step I. Obviously failing it or scraping by would be worse, but that isn't likely.

I know people have characterized California as particularly competitive and not very DO friendly, but California has also added a lot of programs lately. UCSF, UCLA, Stanford, UCSD, maybe not, but there are 23 if you look.

Thanks for the info @MacDonaldTriad! I plan on doing the research. You mention a score of not passing or scraping by. I guess what I'm really wondering, would an average/slightly below average Step 2 be helpful or harmful in your opinion?

 

[BigJaySon]

@OP, take a deep breath. With your Step score and solid feedback you've put yourself in a very good position come match time. Cali is a competitive place, but if you're from there/attend school there it should help a lot and you should mention that somewhere in your application. Just make sure to apply to a decent number of places outside of CA as well (ideally places which are DO friendly).



Holy crap, that's around 10% of all psych programs. I knew Cali had a bunch, but didn't realize it was that many.

@Stagg737, you da real mvp :')
I appreciate the advice and feedback!

 

[splik]

I think you maybe overthinking this. You did well on step 1. That is a competitive score. No one is going to be comparing your step 1 and step 2 scores. However, most people do better on step 2 because it is an easier exam, nothing to do with a trend. You should study for it (presumably there is significant overlap between COMLEX 2 and you will have to do that and that score will be looked at too) and do the best you can. Now, in general, you don't even need to do the USMLEs, but as your goal is to match in california, I would recommend you do step 2 so you can check off that box that you're doing everything you can to be a competitive application.

That said, you really should be doing early away rotations at california programs with residencies, and getting LoRs from said away rotations. We want to know that you can cut it, and alot of DO rotations are in places without residencies and thus those letters and grades are pretty much worthless. This is even more important than your grades at this point (though in truth they work in concert).

 

[BigJaySon]

I think you maybe overthinking this. You did well on step 1. That is a competitive score. No one is going to be comparing your step 1 and step 2 scores. However, most people do better on step 2 because it is an easier exam, nothing to do with a trend. You should study for it (presumably there is significant overlap between COMLEX 2 and you will have to do that and that score will be looked at too) and do the best you can. Now, in general, you don't even need to do the USMLEs, but as your goal is to match in california, I would recommend you do step 2 so you can check off that box that you're doing everything you can to be a competitive application.

That said, you really should be doing early away rotations at california programs with residencies, and getting LoRs from said away rotations. We want to know that you can cut it, and alot of DO rotations are in places without residencies and thus those letters and grades are pretty much worthless. This is even more important than your grades at this point (though in truth they work in concert).

Solid advice Dr. @splik! I see where you're coming from. I have 2 aways so far at residency programs that I can see myself at, and I'm trying to secure a 3rd.

Can I ask you, if I received a LoR during my 3rd year from faculty at a residency program that I rotated, would this be looked at in the same light as a LoR from an away rotation during my 4th year? The rotation was an elective that I tried to treat as an audition. Thanks for the advice

-BigJ