another...BOARD SCORES AND PATH PROGRAMS

[TypicalTuesday]

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So I know that this is kind of an old topic, but I still haven't been able to find specifics and talking to people at my school hasn't cleared anything up either. I was wondering how competitive top tier path programs are when it comes to Step I scores (I know, I know...it all depends on research, clinical grades, etc. but all that being even, will a 229 get me an interview at Wash U, Stanford, BID, Hopkins, UPenn, etc.).

If anyone has any specific examples, I'd really appreciate it. I'm just trying to get a realistic idea of what to expect next year when applying.

 

[superkeith]

i can say with relative certainty that no path program has a step 1 cutoff for interviews above 231. of course, all things are never equal and expect research-intensive residency programs to favor research-laden applicants. relax. apply to every big name program there out there. you will get tons of interviews, and if you dont, it is not because of your step 1 score.

taken from the nrmp site in regards to usmle step 1 scores of us seniors that matched into AP/CP in 2007:
25th percentile: 209
median: 222
75th percentile: 239

 

[pathstudent]

So I know that this is kind of an old topic, but I still haven't been able to find specifics and talking to people at my school hasn't cleared anything up either. I was wondering how competitive top tier path programs are when it comes to Step I scores (I know, I know...it all depends on research, clinical grades, etc. but all that being even, will a 231 get me an interview at Wash U, Stanford, BID, Hopkins, UPenn, etc.).

If anyone has any specific examples, I'd really appreciate it. I'm just trying to get a realistic idea of what to expect next year when applying.

THere is that example of the woman that MGH accepted with a score of no-pass.

 

[docbiohazard]

THere is that example of the woman that MGH accepted with a score of no-pass.

I still don't understand why all schools don't require Step 2 CK to graduate. Harvard doesn't? Surprises me.

BH

 

[yaah]

Probably because it's a new test, and most schools had some sort of similar evaluation that you had to pass in order to graduate. We had a bunch of OSCEs and similar evals that we had to pass, and they were more comprehensive than what I have heard about CK (didn't have to take that because I graduated before it was instituted).

There are no real hard and fast rules for Step I scores. Some programs use them as initial evaluating tools, but no board score is going to guarantee you an interview at any program. They look at more than that.

I would say that anything above the mean, (225 or whatever it is?) would be high enough to not hurt you, and whether you get an interview is probably because of the rest of your application. A higher score could make more of a difference, but even then it isn't everything.

 

[malchik]

Probably because it's a new test, and most schools had some sort of similar evaluation that you had to pass in order to graduate. We had a bunch of OSCEs and similar evals that we had to pass, and they were more comprehensive than what I have heard about CK (didn't have to take that because I graduated before it was instituted).

There are no real hard and fast rules for Step I scores. Some programs use them as initial evaluating tools, but no board score is going to guarantee you an interview at any program. They look at more than that.

I would say that anything above the mean, (225 or whatever it is?) would be high enough to not hurt you, and whether you get an interview is probably because of the rest of your application. A higher score could make more of a difference, but even then it isn't everything.

I think you are referring to CS, not CK.

 

[mlw03]

i'm going through this all right now, and my step I score is in the neighbor of the OP's. look at the interview thread to see where i've gotten interview offers. i'm learning that, similar to med school application, each residency is looking at the whole candidate, and trying to determine if you're a good fit for what they're trying to accomplish. the programs you mentioned are all research-oriented programs. if you really want to be there because you too want to do research, that's great, and if you prove that through your actions i would think a 231 isn't going to shut you out anywhere. i applied to some of those programs as well, and despite good scores i haven't been offered interviews, and i'm sure it's because i'm not a researcher. and ya know what, that's a good thing i think, for both me and for the program. if MGH wants residents who'll publish heavily and then mostly go into academia, that's probably not for me. but a place who's more focused on producing pathologists who'll mainly focus on practicing and far less on research, that's me and anyone who reads my application can figure that out.

i'm really starting to believe this whole process is about finding the best fit for both parties. scores prove you are able to learn. we all still start knowing very little of what a pathologist needs to do their job well. a 231 on step I, a similar score on step II, and grades consisting of mostly As and Bs definately proves you are able to learn, so from there it's about finding the best fit for you, and the best fit for them.

 

[superkeith]

i'm really starting to believe this whole process is about finding the best fit for both parties. scores prove you are able to learn. we all still start knowing very little of what a pathologist needs to do their job well. a 231 on step I, a similar score on step II, and grades consisting of mostly As and Bs definately proves you are able to learn, so from there it's about finding the best fit for you, and the best fit for them.

truer words have not been spoken. there is a tendancy to complicate things and to make the match more about gamesmanship than, well, finding the right match. i have heard that there exists some collusion between programs, and have heard enough stories to not doubt it, but i always figured that that was out of my control anyways.

interview. then rank accordingly. it is really about finding the right personal and professional fit. different people will see different things in different programs. more than likely, you will be well-trained clinically regardless of where you choose.

 

[King Arthur]

We can say board scores aren't that important, but we can't really know that. it is a great equalizer. different programs, and different people within those programs, probably value step scores to variable degrees, so it's really tough to say what it means.

 

[yaah]

I think you are referring to CS, not CK.

I never remember which abbreviation refers to which for some reason. But that being said, I don't know why they don't require Step II to graduate. Probably because it's something beyond the school's control so they leave it up to the student.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

So I know that this is kind of an old topic, but I still haven't been able to find specifics and talking to people at my school hasn't cleared anything up either. I was wondering how competitive top tier path programs are when it comes to Step I scores (I know, I know...it all depends on research, clinical grades, etc. but all that being even, will a 231 get me an interview at Wash U, Stanford, BID, Hopkins, UPenn, etc.).

If anyone has any specific examples, I'd really appreciate it. I'm just trying to get a realistic idea of what to expect next year when applying.

A 231 will get you interviews, yes...even at the top programs. Or let me put it this way, no program is gonna say, "oh this schmuck ONLY got a 231, i'll use this application to wipe after I go doody." Hopefully you have other strengths in your application as well?