Advice Needed: Delay Step 1??

[MysticNight]

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I'll cut to point.

US MD Student. Scheduled for Step 1 in a little over a week.

My study period after end of second year was affected significantly due to some family health and financial problems.

Most recent NBME score was 190 (taken a few days ago). Spoke to a school advisor and he said I would be eligible for a LOA for 1.5 months and delay Step 1. It would delay third year but I would still graduate with my class.

Seriously considering this option. Don't want to jeopardize my Step score.

Thoughts? Advice?

 

[deleted763299]

One week of studying is probably not enough time to turn a 190 into a score you would like. Delay. Bust your butt and maximize your score.

Please review the match data for your desired specialty here: http://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Charting-Outcomes-2014-Final.pdf

 

[Crayola227]

shoot, if I remember right, a 190 was a close enough predictor of disaster to usually justify putting it off

I personally wouldn't take a step on a 190 NBME, no way

 

[mymembernames]

Delay

 

[MysticNight]

One week of studying is probably not enough time to turn a 190 into a score you would like. Delay. Bust your butt and maximize your score.

Please review the match data for your desired specialty here: http://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Charting-Outcomes-2014-Final.pdf

Thanks. That's what I was thinking as well.

 

[MysticNight]

How bad would a gap look during residency app. time?

 

[Sea Otter]

Delay for sure. They won't care as long as you do well on Step.


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[mymembernames]

.

 

[WilliamofOckham]

Delay Step 1, and somewhere in that period, do nothing more than schedule a research meeting in... something. Then follow up that research throughout M3, and say that you scheduled your 3rd year in such a way that allowed you to get an efficient start on your research.

If I were a PD, it wouldn't matter to me, assuming you got your Step up to a reasonable range and performed appropriately in M3.

 

[MysticNight]

Delay Step 1, and somewhere in that period, do nothing more than schedule a research meeting in... something. Then follow up that research throughout M3, and say that you scheduled your 3rd year in such a way that allowed you to get an efficient start on your research.

If I were a PD, it wouldn't matter to me, assuming you got your Step up to a reasonable range and performed appropriately in M3.

Thanks for this idea. I will try to see if this can work. The only issue would be time. I am not sure how research right now would be feasible in terms of time due Step 1 studying and personal/family commitments (as my situation hasn't resolved yet).

Would it not be acceptable to explain the unexpected personal circumstances that came up when it's time for residency apps?

 

[PaxRoma]

Your best bet is to delay step 1. A 2 months LOA is negligible in the eyes of PDs compared to a disastrous step 1. Just tell them you need that extra time to do well on Step 1. No one can fault you for that.

 

[WilliamofOckham]

Thanks for this idea. I will try to see if this can work. The only issue would be time. I am not sure how research right now would be feasible in terms of time due Step 1 studying and personal/family commitments (as my situation hasn't resolved yet).

Would it not be acceptable to explain the unexpected personal circumstances that came up when it's time for residency apps?

The research idea is not necessary by any means. It's what I would do if it were purely Step 1 prep that concerned me. But like the others are saying, it's not problematic to just explain the family issues if asked (which you almost certainly won't be).

 

[MysticNight]

The research idea is not necessary by any means. It's what I would do if it were purely Step 1 prep that concerned me. But like the others are saying, it's not problematic to just explain the family issues if asked (which you almost certainly won't be).

Thank you!

Looks like I'll go with delaying it.