board scores needed to avoid screening?

[Icewoman]

---

Members don't see this ad.

-

 

[idoc]

I am a rising 4th year med student going into ophtho, and I have been trying to gather the same info. Here's what I have come up with...
Avg step 1 score of those who matched in Ophtho = 228
Avg step 1 score of those who didn't match in Ophtho = 208

Now, I've also heard that Iowa (a top 10 program) had over 50 applicants with step 1 score >250. So, my take on the whole deal is that if you want to get noticed by a top program you either have to score above 250 on step one, or be AOA and in the 240's, or be a nobel laureate in Retina transplant with scores in the 230's. I really don't know if that is the case or not, but it seems hard to imagine a program director considering too many applicants with scores below 240, if s/he has got an overabundance of 250+ applicants.

But, remember that you can get good (or even better) clinical training from many of the sub "top 10" programs, and with ophtho being as competitive as it is, it is an honor to even match in the field. Just my take. Hope it helps.

 

[ckyuen]

I think it's difficult to say exactly what scores will get you past screening and into an interview. I think that getting a good score on step 1 230 and up will serve you well at many places. What does matter a lot is who you work with. Ophtho is a small field the leaders in the field all know each other, a letter of recommendation for example from the editor of a major optho journal will take you a long way. I noticed on the interview trail I was asked many times about my mentor's stem cell transplant project, and the multiple television news reports that had aired about him the summer previously. My old roommate interviewed at mass eye and ear and he did not have board scores in the 240 or 250's, but he worked closely /c our department chair, a world renowned neuro-ophthalmologist. I think that doing research in the field, getting a letter from an ophthalmologist who is well known nationally, getting good grades and good board scores will go a long way. An away rotation at the program you would like to match into would also help, presenting at one of their grand rounds is a way to get noticed. Also, have a personality that would make someone say hey this is someone I would like to work with. Hope this helps

 

[Andrew_Doan]

I agree with the above posts. It's difficult to determine what board scores are needed for an interview. If you're an extremely strong candidate, then Step I scores of 220 or even slightly lower may not be an hinderance. If you're an average candidate, then you'll need Step I scores above 230.

Board scores aren't the only factors in selection. Programs consider LORs, research, medical school performance, the Dean's letter, AOA, and extra-curricular activities. For instance, one candidate on the interview trail last year is an editor for First Aid for the USMLE.

Ckyuen also makes a good point about getting outstanding letters from world renowned ophthalmologists. I know people who have done very well with an endorsement letter from leaders in the field.

 

[Oceandust]

With the rapid increase in the rate of rise of mean Step I scores (eg 7-8 years ago a 240 put you in the 95th %ile), today it is ~85th %ile), I wonder if higher computer screen scores are being used. Check out...

http://www.studentdoctor.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=73209

A 230 is not what it once was...

 

[Andrew_Doan]

Originally posted by Oceandust
With the rapid increase in the rate of rise of mean Step I scores (eg 7-8 years ago a 240 put you in the 95th %ile), today it is ~85th %ile), I wonder if higher computer screen scores are being used. Check out...

http://www.studentdoctor.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=73209

A 230 is not what it once was...

This is true. Most people looking at applications today did not see board scores as high as the ones seen now. When I took the boards in 1995, the average was 205 for step I. The average is now over 115.