Chances of matching with low step 1?

[CrypticRomantic]

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Hi guys,

I was wondering what my chances of matching anesthesia with a USMLE step 1 score of 204, assuming I increase my step 2 score significantly?
I am a DO student. How many programs do I need to apply to and will I be stuck in the middle of no where? 🙁 I wanted to go to the west or east coast. Also interested in IM and possibly psychiatry.

 

[Ludwig2000]

Hi guys,

I was wondering what my chances of matching anesthesia with a USMLE step 1 score of 204, assuming I increase my step 2 score significantly?
I am a DO student. How many programs do I need to apply to and will I be stuck in the middle of no where? 🙁 I wanted to go to the west or east coast. Also interested in IM and possibly psychiatry.

You use this?Tableau Public
Looks like an 80ish% chance of matching somewhere. Can’t speak to how coastal that somewhere might be. Good luck bruv

 

[CrypticRomantic]

You use this?Tableau Public
Looks like an 80ish% chance of matching somewhere. Can’t speak to how coastal that somewhere might be. Good luck bruv

Thanks for this! I need all the hope I can get at this point..

 

[DO2015CA]

It’s 4 years. Go anywhere and then move to the coasts

 

[zero0]

You use this?Tableau Public
Looks like an 80ish% chance of matching somewhere. Can’t speak to how coastal that somewhere might be. Good luck bruv

This is 2018 data. Anesthesiology has spiked in competitiveness since then, as predicted with the merger. I'm gonna be blunt, I wouldn't apply to anesthesia with that step 1. Boards, especially step 1, are a huge screening tool in anesthesia. Their specialty boards are some of the toughest in medicine. They want people who will pass so the ACGME doesn't come knocking on their door. If you do better to step 2 and audition you may have a chance at a few places. Personally, I'd look at IM -> pulm/cc if I were you.

 

[CrypticRomantic]

This is 2018 data. Anesthesiology has spiked in competitiveness since then, as predicted with the merger. I'm gonna be blunt, I wouldn't apply to anesthesia with that step 1. Boards, especially step 1, are a huge screening tool in anesthesia. Their specialty boards are some of the toughest in medicine. They want people who will pass so the ACGME doesn't come knocking on their door. If you do better to step 2 and audition you may have a chance at a few places. Personally, I'd look at IM -> pulm/cc if I were you.

All right, thank you for the constructive criticism.

 

[zero0]

All right, thank you for the constructive criticism.

Just to be clear, I'm not saying you won't match. I'm telling you what I would do but I'm a very risk averse individual. I'll also be applying to anesthesia this year and I can safely tell you the rosy match statistics of 2018 are a thing of the past.

 

[CrypticRomantic]

Just to be clear, I'm not saying you won't match. I'm telling you what I would do but I'm a very risk averse individual. I'll also be applying to anesthesia this year and I can safely tell you the rosy match statistics of 2018 are a thing of the past.

Yeah I am also risk adverse as well. Do you think there is any chance I can match into a mid-tier IM program or should I primarily focus on low-tier community programs? Thanks!

 

[libertyyne]

Just to be clear, I'm not saying you won't match. I'm telling you what I would do but I'm a very risk averse individual. I'll also be applying to anesthesia this year and I can safely tell you the rosy match statistics of 2018 are a thing of the past.

I am curious , how are you reaching that conclusion

 

[Postictal Raiden]

Lol everyone and their mother wants psych nowadays

On a more serious note, OP, your chances are fair at community IM programs, very slim for anesthesia but perhaps nonexisting for psych

 

[cgk]

This is 2018 data. Anesthesiology has spiked in competitiveness since then, as predicted with the merger. I'm gonna be blunt, I wouldn't apply to anesthesia with that step 1. Boards, especially step 1, are a huge screening tool in anesthesia. Their specialty boards are some of the toughest in medicine. They want people who will pass so the ACGME doesn't come knocking on their door. If you do better to step 2 and audition you may have a chance at a few places. Personally, I'd look at IM -> pulm/cc if I were you.

I was planning on applying to about 25 Anesthesia programs . DO Student: Comlex1 451, Comlex2 510, USMLE step1 210, Not taking USMLE 2ck.
Do you think I stand a chance of matching into Anesthesia? Do I need to apply to IM programs as a back up?

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

I was planning on applying to about 25 Anesthesia programs . DO Student: Comlex1 451, Comlex2 510, USMLE step1 210, Not taking USMLE 2ck.
Do you think I stand a chance of matching into Anesthesia? Do I need to apply to IM programs as a back up?

You need to apply to a lot more programs, and yes I would have a back up just in case. But honestly everyone should have a backup these days, at least a mental plan for the off chance they don't match.

I curious , how are you reaching that conclusion

Hearsay. I have yet to see any actual data that supports that position. Our school's annual anesthesia match quality hasn't changed, with similar amounts of people going into it.

 

[DO2015CA]

Lol everyone and their mother wants psych nowadays

On a more serious note, OP, your chances are fair at community IM programs, very slim for anesthesia but perhaps nonexisting for psych

Those lifestyle specialties. I wanted to like psych so much but I saw 6th sense as a kid and it’s been a legitimate fear ever since

 

[DO2015CA]

I was planning on applying to about 25 Anesthesia programs . DO Student: Comlex1 451, Comlex2 510, USMLE step1 210, Not taking USMLE 2ck.
Do you think I stand a chance of matching into Anesthesia? Do I need to apply to IM programs as a back up?

You need perhaps 2x as many programs

 

[Postictal Raiden]

Those lifestyle specialties. I wanted to like psych so much but I saw 6th sense as a kid and it’s been a legitimate fear ever since

Same here, I really wanted to like it. Didn’t happen. I envy those who could stomach the field. Aside from Derm, no other field of medicine provide great lifestyle + high pay per hour + robust job market + insulation from insurance companies and corporate medicine.

 

[zero0]

You need to apply to a lot more programs, and yes I would have a back up just in case. But honestly everyone should have a backup these days, at least a mental plan for the off chance they don't match.


Hearsay. I have yet to see any actual data that supports that position. Our school's annual anesthesia match quality hasn't changed, with similar amounts of people going into it.

Yes, to a degree it's going by what applicants and PDs are saying, and they are unanimous that this past year's match was especially competitive. But there are some numbers backing that claim up, like apps shooting up by 30% this past cycle and nearly every program filling. I think there were 8 or 12 total spots open when the match was done. I've heard both numbers thrown around so someone less lazy correct me on that.

Yeah I am also risk adverse as well. Do you think there is any chance I can match into a mid-tier IM program or should I primarily focus on low-tier community programs? Thanks!

Definitely apply, worst that could happen is you don't get a mid-tier. You'll get community.

I was planning on applying to about 25 Anesthesia programs . DO Student: Comlex1 451, Comlex2 510, USMLE step1 210, Not taking USMLE 2ck.
Do you think I stand a chance of matching into Anesthesia? Do I need to apply to IM programs as a back up?

Honestly, I wouldn't try for anesthesia if I were you. You'll get auto-screened at most programs for a sub 550 comlex and sub 220 usmle.

 

[DO2015CA]

Yes, to a degree it's going by what applicants and PDs are saying, and they are unanimous that this past year's match was especially competitive. But there are some numbers backing that claim up, like apps shooting up by 30% this past cycle and nearly every program filling. I think there were 8 or 12 total spots open when the match was done. I've heard both numbers thrown around so someone less lazy correct me on that.

Definitely apply, worst that could happen is you don't get a mid-tier. You'll get community.

Honestly, I wouldn't try for anesthesia if I were you. You'll get auto-screened at most programs for a sub 550 comlex and sub 220 usmle.

Miss every shot you don’t take. Id apply but count them as lost applications. So like I wanted to apply to 40ish programs. Apply to how every many anesthesia programs you wanted to then 40 IM programs on top

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Yes, to a degree it's going by what applicants and PDs are saying, and they are unanimous that this past year's match was especially competitive. But there are some numbers backing that claim up, like apps shooting up by 30% this past cycle and nearly every program filling. I think there were 8 or 12 total spots open when the match was done. I've heard both numbers thrown around so someone less lazy correct me on that.

True. Personally I kinda just wonder if we are seeing the effects of simply more applicants in the overall residency pool, rather than an actual increase in competitiveness for any given specialty. But who knows. Charting outcomes will tell us a lot this next cycle. I'm certainly glad it's coming out the spring before I apply, I certainly don't envy all you guys applying this year using 2 year old info.

Miss every shot you don’t take. Id apply but count them as lost applications. So like I wanted to apply to 40ish programs. Apply to how every many anesthesia programs you wanted to then 40 IM programs on top

Yeah if I really wanted to do something like anesthesia I wouldn't let a score hold me back from applying, it's not like it's ENT. I would just have a very well thought out back up plan and dual apply.

 

[DarkHorizon]

Honestly, I wouldn't try for anesthesia if I were you. You'll get auto-screened at most programs for a sub 550 comlex and sub 220 usmle.

Why wouldn’t you apply? I have seen people match anesthesia with board scores in 190s.... just apply to 80 programs and see what happens. As far as risk averse, have a back up and be ready to not match anesthesia... but why wouldn’t you apply?

 

[cgk]

Why wouldn’t you apply? I have seen people match anesthesia with board scores in 190s.... just apply to 80 programs and see what happens. As far as risk averse, have a back up and be ready to not match anesthesia... but why wouldn’t you apply?

How long ago did you see people match with low board scores?

 

[DarkHorizon]

How long ago did you see people match with low board scores?

As late as 2018, according to charting outcomes... 18 matched, 7 unmatched, between 191 and 200. Match rate of 72 percent.

 

[DarkHorizon]

Can’t think about that

 

[DO2015CA]

As late as 2018, according to charting outcomes... 18 matched, 7 unmatched, between 191 and 200. Match rate of 72 percent.

Very curious. Are these DOs or USMD. Also, sure anesthesia is having more applicants but it’s still not a competitive specialty anymore. Its unlikely to ever reach that sort of competitiveness again.

Speaking to the increased number of apps, is it overall apps or increased applicants. Because people have been steadily increasing the number of apps they send out each year

 

[zero0]

Why wouldn’t you apply? I have seen people match anesthesia with board scores in 190s.... just apply to 80 programs and see what happens. As far as risk averse, have a back up and be ready to not match anesthesia... but why wouldn’t you apply?

This last match was competitive, a world of difference from the 2018 match for sure where people with low 200 scores were sneaking in. I personally wouldn't be comfortable applying to anesthesia with the numbers mentioned and would just opt for another specialty. For me, it would be FM.

 

[ToKingdomCome]

I was planning on applying to about 25 Anesthesia programs . DO Student: Comlex1 451, Comlex2 510, USMLE step1 210, Not taking USMLE 2ck.
Do you think I stand a chance of matching into Anesthesia? Do I need to apply to IM programs as a back up?

You absolutely need to take USMLE step 2 CK if you want any chance of matching for anesthesia. You will literally be filtered out from 95% of programs and your step 1 doesn't help. Take it if you want anesthesia! Source, I'm a DO in anesthesia.

 

[cgk]

You absolutely need to take USMLE step 2 CK if you want any chance of matching for anesthesia. You will literally be filtered out from 95% of programs and your step 1 doesn't help. Take it if you want anesthesia! Source, I'm a DO in anesthesia.

Thank you for the guidance which is very much lacking at my school. And thanks for "sourcing" yourself, as for me, it adds the world of credibility to what you say.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Very curious. Are these DOs or USMD. Also, sure anesthesia is having more applicants but it’s still not a competitive specialty anymore. Its unlikely to ever reach that sort of competitiveness again.

Speaking to the increased number of apps, is it overall apps or increased applicants. Because people have been steadily increasing the number of apps they send out each year

Those are the MD numbers I think, but for DOs in the 200-210 bin 19/21 matched....

This last match was competitive, a world of difference from the 2018 match for sure where people with low 200 scores were sneaking in. I personally wouldn't be comfortable applying to anesthesia with the numbers mentioned and would just opt for another specialty. For me, it would be FM.

You keep saying this but there is zero data to back this up, and that even included anecdotes from people that were in that match. Everyone thinks their match year was more competitive than the last, when the reality is the numbers don't ever really change that much from year to year.

 

[zero0]

Those are the MD numbers I think, but for DOs in the 200-210 bin 19/21 matched....


You keep saying this but there is zero data to back this up, and that even included anecdotes from people that were in that match. Everyone thinks their match year was more competitive than the last, when the reality is the numbers don't ever really change that much from year to year.

...Except the numbers did change drastically last year. I thought we established that. All specialties saw a rise in applications, but anesthesia had probably the highest according to NRMP.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

...Except the numbers did change drastically last year. I thought we established that. All specialties saw a rise in applications, but anesthesia had probably the highest according to NRMP.

Which doesn't tell us all that much. We need match data with numbers of matched/unmatched with Step 1 averages. I'm sorry but anesthesia is not going to go from 19/21 people matching in the 200-210 Step 1 bin to being so brutal that "I wouldn't try for anesthesia with those board scores" in one year. Our applicants from last year do not share the same sentiments about last year's anesthesia match that you have in this thread.

 

[DarkHorizon]

This last match was competitive, a world of difference from the 2018 match for sure where people with low 200 scores were sneaking in. I personally wouldn't be comfortable applying to anesthesia with the numbers mentioned and would just opt for another specialty. For me, it would be FM.

If OP applies, he has some chance to become an anesthesiologist , perhaps not 72 percent as it was in 2018, but some chance, whatever that number is ( debatable but I think it’s greater than 50 percent). Not applying is a sure fire way to make sure you never become an anesthesiologist.

 

[CrypticRomantic]

Thanks guys, I’ll focus on doing well on my clinicals and step 2 and apply both anesthesia and IM!

 

[cgk]

Which doesn't tell us all that much. We need match data with numbers of matched/unmatched with Step 1 averages. I'm sorry but anesthesia is not going to go from 19/21 people matching in the 200-210 Step 1 bin to being so brutal that "I wouldn't try for anesthesia with those board scores" in one year. Our applicants from last year do not share the same sentiments about last year's anesthesia match that you have in this thread.

Do you know if they felt taking step 2ck was a necessary component in matching, even for DO applicants?

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Do you know if they felt taking step 2ck was a necessary component in matching, even for DO applicants?

You’ve asked this in about 7 different threads. Take Step 2 dude