Chances for Peds?

[peds2021]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Medical school: top 50
Grad school: #1 or #2 based on year
First two years of medical school: all P's
Third year: 4 high passes, 2 passes

Step I: 200 🙁 (my biggest concern; idk what happened on that test day)
Step 2: 245

I am currently in grad school and will return to medical school next year. I am strongly thinking about Peds and would ideally like to end-up on the east coast at an academic institution.

In terms of my other stuff: project work at CDC, established an inclusive organization at the state level, organized conferences, one basic science publication, worked for human rights organizations on a legislation, fellowship in ethics, two global health publications, invited keynote speaker at a national conference, several university wide awards, created LGBT curriculum at my medical school, etc.

What should I working on this year? Am I competitive enough for like Mass Gen or Dartmouth?

 

[SurfingDoctor]

Step I scores aren't the only thing to an application and the better Step II score definitely helps. But it is the same advice for all of these: apply where you like, you never know what response you'll get or what interesting programs you'll find. There's really no disincentive to apply broadly.

 

[peds2021]

Step I scores aren't the only thing to an application and the better Step II score definitely helps. But it is the same advice for all of these: apply where you like, you never know what response you'll get or what interesting programs you'll find. There's really no disincentive to apply broadly.

Thank you! I certainly hope so as well.

Any others with any input? Thank you!

 

[lalamoosa]

I don't know much especially since I have applied for the match this year. But from what I have read, and seen with my colleagues, programs do use cut-offs for step 1 scores (for eg. min 220 on both steps). BUT programs look at the 'well-roundedness' of a candidate too. You can also email them and they might pull up your application if you feel you were filtered out. Programs vary so its worth a shot to apply broadly.
Being a non-US IMG, I appplied to quite a few programs. I think it was wise because yes it may be a thousand bucks more, but in hindsight, you don't want to waste a whole year by going unmatched (not to count the expenses of the IV trail).

 

[SurfingDoctor]

I don't know much especially since I have applied for the match this year. But from what I have read, and seen with my colleagues, programs do use cut-offs for step 1 scores (for eg. min 220 on both steps). BUT programs look at the 'well-roundedness' of a candidate too. You can also email them and they might pull up your application if you feel you were filtered out. Programs vary so its worth a shot to apply broadly.
Being a non-US IMG, I appplied to quite a few programs. I think it was wise because yes it may be a thousand bucks more, but in hindsight, you don't want to waste a whole year by going unmatched (not to count the expenses of the IV trail).

Some programs will have a minimum Step I score, but others won't. This will impact being offered an interview, not matching. Once you get your foot in the door, the Step I scores don't mean as much as the total package.

 

[peds2021]

Some programs will have a minimum Step I score, but others won't. This will impact being offered an interview, not matching. Once you get your foot in the door, the Step I scores don't mean as much as the total package.

Thank you so much, SurfingDoctor! I am just afraid that my research interests will get a bit stiffled if I don't go to a program that's heavy on policy/advocacy types. Any suggestions on that front? Currently, my top choice is the UCSF Plus program along with MGH. I don't know if I even have a shot at these places, anymore.

 

[sliceofbread136]

I'm not basing this on much but id say no chance at ucsf, maybe some chance at mgh since it's actually not too competitive

 

[SurfingDoctor]

Thank you so much, SurfingDoctor! I am just afraid that my research interests will get a bit stiffled if I don't go to a program that's heavy on policy/advocacy types. Any suggestions on that front? Currently, my top choice is the UCSF Plus program along with MGH. I don't know if I even have a shot at these places, anymore.

I don't think so. With what you stated here, 3 publications, being a keynote speaker at a national conference, etc. is pretty impressive. I know academic attendings who don't have such experiences. At your juncture, I think it is less important that you have a focus on policy vs basic science vs clinical science vs whatever and more that you have an interest to learn more than what a classroom can teach you and have gone out of your way to make that happen. I can't specifically state what one program will consider important or another, but again, it never hurts to try.

 

[peds2021]

I'm not basing this on much but id say no chance at ucsf, maybe some chance at mgh since it's actually not too competitive

That's what I was thinking. We shall see. Crossing my fingers...

 

[peds2021]

I don't think so. With what you stated here, 3 publications, being a keynote speaker at a national conference, etc. is pretty impressive. I know academic attendings who don't have such experiences. At your juncture, I think it is less important that you have a focus on policy vs basic science vs clinical science vs whatever and more that you have an interest to learn more than what a classroom can teach you and have gone out of your way to make that happen. I can't specifically state what one program will consider important or another, but again, it never hurts to try.

I think that's going to be my approach to it as well. I am going to apply to see where I end-up. Like you said, I think the hard part will be setting my foot-in and once I do, I am hoping that all the extra stuff will bring my passion out.

 

[sliceofbread136]

That's what I was thinking. We shall see. Crossing my fingers...

Definitely apply though! Just be sure to apply broadly

 

[SurfingDoctor]

I think the hard part will be setting my foot-in and once I do, I am hoping that all the extra stuff will bring my passion out.

This has certainly been my experience and how I rank applicants (since I don't do the application screening).

 

[peds2021]

This has certainly been my experience and how I rank applicants (since I don't do the application screening).

Thank you!

 

[peds2021]

Definitely apply though! Just be sure to apply broadly

Thank you!!

 

[mvenus929]

Thank you so much, SurfingDoctor! I am just afraid that my research interests will get a bit stiffled if I don't go to a program that's heavy on policy/advocacy types. Any suggestions on that front? Currently, my top choice is the UCSF Plus program along with MGH. I don't know if I even have a shot at these places, anymore.

FWIW, one of my friends had a step 1 score of like 210 and matched at UCSF.

 

[peds2021]

FWIW, one of my friends had a step 1 score of like 210 and matched at UCSF.

That's really hopeful. Anything I can do to improve my chances?

 

[mvenus929]

That's really hopeful. Anything I can do to improve my chances?

Make your application as strong in other ways as you can. Find a passion. But ultimately, you want a program that's going to help with your ultimate goals and is a good fit for you... keep in mind that it might not be UCSF, even if it is an amazing program.

 

[peds2021]

Sorry to annoy everyone, but do you guys have recommendations on how to keep-up with Medicine during my grad school. I finished three years of med school, but I am afraid I will be rusty when I get back to 4th year. Any recommendations?