Anyone else deflated by a good, but not GREAT, Step 1 score?

[Pattycake25]

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First: I recognize that this post is going to come across as insufferable to a LOT of people. I am sensitive to people who are struggling to get a modest score on the Step, and maybe received bad news today, so I made it as clear as possible in thread title what this is about, so hopefully most of them roll their eyes and ignore it, and not get pissed off by actually reading this.

But I'm struggling with acceptance of my score, which turned out to be 237. Like I said, undeniably good (especially since I'm not particularly aiming for anything more ambitious than Med-Peds at this point), but far from an exceptional score. A lot of it is because I think I totally convinced myself I had at least broken 240 if not 250 - on the CBSE in mid-May, I got a 230, and I put in almost a month of solid studying between then and my test on June 9th. I'll freely admit I didn't go sunup-to-sundown like a lot of M2s, but I'd still say I worked pretty damn hard. I struggled with Pharm and to a lesser extent Micro, and I hated Path with a passion (although that was really poorly taught at my school), but other than that I was a solid preclinical student.

Even though my current aspirations are unambitious, I do worry this score will close some doors, in the event M3 steers me down a different path, so that's a big part of my distress. I recognize my disappointment is also due to an extremely high opinion of my own intellect, but admitting that to myself doesn't make it easier to swallow.

I'm looking for commiseration and CONSTRUCTIVE advice here (i.e. please don't tell me to go to hell, and grow up instead). Who else is in my boat?

 

[DocVapor]

Was I deflated when I saw my 227? Maybe at first, but the more I've thought about it the more I'm happy with it. Frankly it's about what I expected walking out of the exam, but of course last night I was dreaming of pulling it up and seeing 250+. Looking back at my prep though, it's probably right in line. And frankly, I don't know if it has closed many doors for me that I would have been interested in anyway. So now I am just glowing in the knowledge that I don't have to go through that **** again, and can focus on my patients.

I also have a few weeks until my COMLEX score gets released, and I feel much better about that one, so I may be redeemed. 🙂

 

[BA11]

237 is a very good score and makes you competitive for many different residencies. Relax and feel good about what you accomplished

 

[medstudent7860]

I'm feeling the same way. I got a 247. I wanted to do derm but now I'm not sure if it's realistic with my score since derm is super competitive

 

[periaqueductal]

I'm feeling the same way. I got a 247. I wanted to do derm but now I'm not sure if it's realistic with my score since derm is super competitive

http://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/chartingoutcomes2011.pdf

 

[urbanclassic]

Same, I got 250. I know it's a good score, but I felt I could/should have done better. Looking at people's scores here who have similar NBME scores as mine makes me feel like a little down. I need to stop getting down on myself, 250 is a really good score. 🙂

 

[Psai]

Jesus christ get over yourselves
The average is 228, you guys all did great

 

[mastmastdonan]

Yeah I'm pretty disappointed. I got 268 but really wanted 270. Also just found out that my late grandfather secretly left me $53 million and a few mansions. But still, those 2 points are just killing me.

 

[urbanclassic]

Jesus christ get over yourselves
The average is 228, you guys all did great

It's not about the average, it's about how I personally feel like I could have done. If I felt I could get a 210 and got 210 then that would be perfect. I think we understand we did well, it's just personal goals, we have them for a reason. I'm not sad with my score, I just wish I could have gotten to my goal because I KNOW I knew enough to get there... That's the most frustrating part IMO.

 

[Polymyxin]

Let it simmer for a few days.

 

[Psai]

Hey I know what you mean, you want to do what you think is your potential. I was sweating bullets today before I was able to look at my score too. It's good to have a goal but it's a little iffy to be down on yourself when your score doesn't close any doors for desirable areas or competitive fields. It's how this site makes everyone all crazy

 

[Modeselektor]

This is not your application to residency:

Name:
Step 1 score:


Look at charting outcomes in the match. The pdf where they poll PROGRAM DIRECTORS asking what they think is important. Step scores are part of the application.

Were your MCATs the only thing people looked at when you got into medschool? F.uck no!

 

[Ionian]

I'm feeling the same way. I got a 247. I wanted to do derm but now I'm not sure if it's realistic with my score since derm is super competitive

Not sure if serious...

 

[thehundredthone]

I'm looking for commiseration

On SDN of all places? Despite the "SDN average", you will get no sympathy for your score.

For the USMLE:
1. Your subjective impression of how hard you worked does not matter to the NBME. There are approximate objective indicators, use them to gauge your performance trajectory.
2. Various intangible factors can affect your test taking and final score, always aim to be in the best frame of mind possible to write the exam.

For real life:
1. Your subjective impression of how good your score is does not matter to programs. For more information see all the good advice in this thread. Especially the NRMP document.
2. Various intangible factors can affect whether a program ranks you, don't be the fabled 270er that didn't get ranked because they came across as nonhuman.