Advice for Step 1 prep!

[CIrcleofWillis504]

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ey Guys! Just looking for some study advice. I am an US MD student from the northeast. I took a 1 year LOA after my 2nd year ended in May 2017 due to family issues that required my time until the beginning of February 2018. I am scheduled to take step in 11 weeks in the beginning of May 2018 before 3rd year rotations start in the beginning of June. I was an average student during my pre-clinical years but just was met with unfortunate circumstances. I was wondering if doing UFAP + Sketchy + Boards and Beyond would be enough to put me in a position to get a 240 as my foundation is very weak after some time off? I have a red flag on my application from my first year and a remediation in 2 blocks during 2nd year(related to the LOA after 2nd year) so I really need to do the best that I can on Step 1 to salvage my medical career. I know it is a long shot but do you think there is any chance of me possibly matching into anesthesia or EM if I somehow do well on Step 1, Step 2 , Rotations, and get good LOR's? Thank you for taking the time to read this and I really appreciate any advice!!



TLDR Is UFAP + Sketchy + Boards and Beyond enough for an average student to get above a 230 and possible match into Anesthesia or EM with a few red flags in preclinicals?

 

[treebeardette]

TLDR Is UFAP + Sketchy + Boards and Beyond enough for an average student to get above a 230 and possible match into Anesthesia or EM with a few red flags in preclinicals?

Yes to the 230. (I never used B&B, but the others are enough). But Step 1 is not just about what tools you use, it's how you use them. I used UFAP almost exclusively, but during my first pass through FA, I googled a lot to fill in gaps. If you want to know if a 230+ is possible for you, take a practice test this weekend. Find out where you are and that will tell you how far you have to go. The most you have to lose is $50 for an NBME comprehensive exam and 4 hours of your life.

Whether you can match into Anes/EM depends on what you mean by a red flag, and I'm not really qualified to comment on that.

 

[CIrcleofWillis504]

Yes to the 230. (I never used B&B, but the others are enough). But Step 1 is not just about what tools you use, it's how you use them. I used UFAP almost exclusively, but during my first pass through FA, I googled a lot to fill in gaps. If you want to know if a 230+ is possible for you, take a practice test this weekend. Find out where you are and that will tell you how far you have to go. The most you have to lose is $50 for an NBME comprehensive exam and 4 hours of your life.

Whether you can match into Anes/EM depends on what you mean by a red flag, and I'm not really qualified to comment on that.

I redid my M1 year dude to mental health problems that required me to take a medical LOA and I had a couple blocks during M2 year that i had to remediate due to a family crisis. So those are my red flags. I have about 11 weeks to study and with a weak foundation I was wondering if it is possible to get a step 1 score competitive for anesthesia and EM? Thank you for your input!!

 

[libertyyne]

I redid my M1 year dude to mental health problems that required me to take a medical LOA and I had a couple blocks during M2 year that i had to remediate due to a family crisis. So those are my red flags. I have about 11 weeks to study and with a weak foundation I was wondering if it is possible to get a step 1 score competitive for anesthesia and EM? Thank you for your input!!

I think for those programs you should work hard on your step score , and then work harder on building relationships with the programs to get good SLOE for EM or letters from anasthesia. I dont think you are being unreasonable in trying to match into those programs , Just do well on your step.

What is done is done. Focus on doing well on the step .

 

[W19]

Pick one a got for it... I think 230+ step1, 240+ step2 with good LORs or SLOEs would give you a good shot at either one...