C.O. 2023 what to do with step? Unranked med school interested in competitive specialty

[FishermanDon99]

Sorry to make another post about this but am hoping to hear from people on residency admissions boards or who have heard directly from them. What is the wisdom for someone who may be allowed to choose between P/F and getting a score? I know scores wont be retroactively blinded according to the AAMC but does that mean residency programs won't/can't blind them themselves? I was planning on taking a gap year in the case I got a stellar score and could qualify for Plastics/derm especially considering my school doesn't have a plastics department. How would my score be viewed compared with all of the CO 2024 without scores? If I take Step 1 P/F what can I do to stand out otherwise - aside from research which most people will be doing anyway?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Goro]

Do well on Step 2
Network
Do auditions
Do research in the chosen field
Get good LORs

 

[FishermanDon99]

Thanks, Goro! What about the rest?

Do well on Step 2
Network
Do auditions
Do research in the chosen field
Get good LORs

 

[Goro]

Thanks, Goro! What about the rest?

Be high in class rank

 

[FishermanDon99]

Be high in class rank

What is the opinion of admissions people? Will they be allowed to blind your scores if I am to take a year off? Do you recommend taking it for score or for P/F.

 

[RJ McReady]

Research, research, research !
That will set you apart