Bad Preclinical Grades

[lilPhysician]

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Im really interested in radonc and willing to take a year off for research

I already have one abstract (not paper) in bladder cancer with AUA

Step 1: 244
Step2: not taken yet

Preclinical Grades: Mostly HP and P, three H (no marginal or failing red flags)

Clinical: Honors in FM, Psych, Neuro; HP in Ob/Gyn, IM; Taking Surgery

I have some decent letters lined up

should I even bother taking a year off to get a pub and some posters?
Do I stand a shot if I apply very broadly (everywhere)?

Any help is much appreciated

 

[dr seuss]

I'm not in a position to give advice about matching (only an MS2) but I'll put in my two cents since no one else has responded yet.

Your preclinical grades shouldn't prevent you from matching. It's hard to tell how well you did because the grading at my school is different. I wouldn't have known that's what you were worried about if it wasn't the title of the thread. IMO your Step 1 and 3rd year grades make up for the preclinical grades. If someone was worried you aren't willing to work hard or aren't smart enough, your Step 1 and clinical grades should convince them otherwise.

There a few things to consider when deciding whether or not to take a year off. Is research important to you, and is it something you want to continue the rest of your career? The way you asked makes it seem like you don't really want to take a year off for research. If this is just something you are doing to help with the match then you probably shouldn't. Do you know what you will be doing if you take a year off? If you do take a year off, make sure it is productive.

How important is it to you where you match? You should be able match somewhere without a research year. If you don't want to go into academics, it probably won't matter that much where you do your residency.

It seems like I'm trying to convince you not to do a research year, so I'll throw this out there to consider: There was a guy from my school (not top 25) who matched into a good radonc residency last year. He took a year off to do a Doris Duke fellowship and thought it helped him a lot. His first choice was UCSF and interviewed there, but ended up matching somewhere else. He said a lot of the other people at his interviews were MD/PhDs from top schools and he didn't think he would have gotten invited to them if he didn't do that research year.

You might want to talk to the program director at your school and see what he thinks. He should have better advice since he'll know more about your situation and the research you've already done. Good luck.

 

[ramsesthenice]

LilP,

You stand a chance if you apply broadly. That chance would be much better if you were able to publish something in rad onc before your application went out. If you have a solid department at your home program, that is a lot easier than it sounds. Without that, I would talk to your department chair or PD or someone you trust about your chances and consider taking a year off. More likely than not, you would match based on what you gave, but what you need to consider is how few non-US seniors, which is where reapplicants fall, succeed in matching later. It can be done, as can be attested by people on this forum, its just real hard. Harder and more expensive than taking a year off in the first place.

 

[thesauce]

Your preclinical grades are fine. You just need research. I recommend that you write up that bladder cancer work and submit it for publication (assuming it's related to radiation). Don't take a year off if your heart isn't in it.

 

[lilPhysician]

My only concern is those stories of the AOA, top 30 school, 250 Step 1 student who doesn't match...I can understand not matching if someone had a poor personality, but in all honesty, I doubt a guy at the top of their class could be hard to get along with or at least feign a good personality during their interviews. Maybe didnt apply broadly enough? still, those stories make me strongly reconsider my strength as an applicant. Thanks again😀

 

[thesauce]

There's a certain amount of luck involved that you can't plan for (aside from applying broadly). Those superstars that don't match usually pick up an off-cycle spot.