advice with low board score and Neurology

[ashtraveler]

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I'm a DO student. I scored 191 on USMLE. I got average on COMLEX. I have some hospital experience prior to medical school. I have a case report published.

What are my chances to get into a residency program with a stroke fellowship program if I rotate there and assume I make a good impression? (How much do boards scores matter is what I'm asking?) How important is it to rotate there? I'm interested in Cleveland Clinic; UMDNJ; UT Houston, UAB, and MSU (DO). Should I take the USMLE II? Will it help if I do well?

thanks,

 

[bustbones26]

Fist off, many ppl may disagree with me, but from what I have been told, neuro is still an uncompetitive program and many places still fill spots with FMG's. Right now, neuro doesn't pay big bucks like rad and gas, etc. and it is not a cushy life like derm, so nobody wants to be a neurologist. So don't sweat it!!!! You will match somewhere!!!

Are you gonna match at the Mayo Clinic or Cleveland Clinic? Maybe not. But you will match somewhere, do your best and try your hardest. Also, from what you say, you did not fail COMLEX, right??? If not, then you're OK, so maybe you didn't get 99th percentile, still gun for neuro. If your grades are OK and you go and do a rotation and show your skills, that you are hardworking, eager to learn, etc. that means much much more than the applicant that never rotated there and scored high. I know for a fact that it does!!! And other will tell you the same.

So, pick where you want to go, rotate there, show yourself, bust a$$, kick a$$, take names while you're at it, and you will be OK.

But If you don't match at these top rated progs with fellowships, don't sweat it. Some of those top rated programs, if you can actually believe this, do not take their own residents for fellowship. No, they take guys at smaller programs that you logged more procedures, had the chance to do more because they were at smaller programs. So if you do not get your top rated programs, than shoot for a smaller program where you get to do a lot, that will help you.

 

[bipolarbob]

If you come on my service I dont really give-o'-crap about your board scores. If you're interested in the specialty, the patients etc... then your a strong candidate. The other guy is right, Neurology just isnt very competative right now and the residency is pretty darn painful. If you show that you are really interested, You WILL get a GOOD program. True, it may not be some stuffy, highbrow, GREAT, "We're developing a cyborg", program, but you will get the training that you're looking for. Stop worrying about it and stick to your guns. good luck

I'm a DO student. I scored 191 on USMLE. I got average on COMLEX. I have some hospital experience prior to medical school. I have a case report published.

What are my chances to get into a residency program with a stroke fellowship program if I rotate there and assume I make a good impression? (How much do boards scores matter is what I'm asking?) How important is it to rotate there? I'm interested in Cleveland Clinic; UMDNJ; UT Houston, UAB, and MSU (DO). Should I take the USMLE II? Will it help if I do well?

thanks,[/QUOTE]

 

[ashtraveler]

If you come on my service I dont really give-o'-crap about your board scores. If you're interested in the specialty, the patients etc... then your a strong candidate. The other guy is right, Neurology just isnt very competative right now and the residency is pretty darn painful. If you show that you are really interested, You WILL get a GOOD program. True, it may not be some stuffy, highbrow, GREAT, "We're developing a cyborg", program, but you will get the training that you're looking for. Stop worrying about it and stick to your guns. good luck

I'm a DO student. I scored 191 on USMLE. I got average on COMLEX. I have some hospital experience prior to medical school. I have a case report published.

What are my chances to get into a residency program with a stroke fellowship program if I rotate there and assume I make a good impression? (How much do boards scores matter is what I'm asking?) How important is it to rotate there? I'm interested in Cleveland Clinic; UMDNJ; UT Houston, UAB, and MSU (DO). Should I take the USMLE II? Will it help if I do well?

thanks,

[/QUOTE]

 

[Rolandicfissure]

I would encourage you to do a fourth-year externship at one or two of your most desired programs. If you do it early in the year and hit it off with one of the faculty, you can even get a letter of rec. This is also an opportunity to meet the program director and chairman, and certainly gives you something to talk about at the interview (a case that you saw there, etc.).

You mentioned UT-Houston's (stroke) program. I am originally from TX, and interviewed at a few TX programs, inculding this one. Not high on my list, but definitely check it out if you are interested in stroke -- one of their neurointerventional fellows did residency training in neurology. Shoot me questions off-list and I will give you any info that I can.

Any impressions of Northwestern?