Chances with Step 1 230

[member04]

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Hi Everyone, I am going to apply into Radiation Oncology this fall. I realize that a wide range of step scores match, and I have taken a look at the statistics on nrmp. I am very anxious, but I love radonc and really dont want to do anything else. My Step 1 score is a 230/99. I have done some research including a few local posters, a few papers have been submitted however I was not one of the first few authors on those. I have mostly High Pass on my third year clerkships, no honors yet. I don't have a great medical school name to back me up. I am planning to apply to almost all programs but aim for lower/mid tier programs. I am just looking for advice in general as I begin fourth year. I am planning to take step 2 early and try to do better, any advice about that? If any one in similar shoes applied recently, whether you matched or not, I'd love to hear from you.

 

[member04]

Also, I am willing to go anywhere in the country. If anyone has any programs they would recommend I look into?

 

[thesauce]

One of the little guys like me!

Yes, you can certainly match with that score - it's really not that bad. It won't be at a top 10, but you should have a good chance at some solid mid-tier and lower programs. Your geographic flexibility is a huge plus in this regard.

Be sure and get more radiation oncology specific research that you can claim first authorship on. You may even be able to fit in an ASTRO abstract by the mid-March deadline. Also, I would recommend 2 aways. One at a reach and one at a low tier. Work hard to impress them on these rotations. You'll also need some strong LORs so be thinking about how you might line those up.

As for specific programs: Syracuse, Rochester, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisville, Kansas and maybe some of the newer programs like Mississippi would give you a fair shake. I'll save you some money: leave out MDACC, MSKCC, Harvard, UCSF, Stanford, and Michigan.

 

[member04]

Thanks a lot!

 

[member04]

One of the little guys like me!

Yes, you can certainly match with that score - it's really not that bad. It won't be at a top 10, but you should have a good chance at some solid mid-tier and lower programs. Your geographic flexibility is a huge plus in this regard.

Be sure and get more radiation oncology specific research that you can claim first authorship on. You may even be able to fit in an ASTRO abstract by the mid-March deadline. Also, I would recommend 2 aways. One at a reach and one at a low tier. Work hard to impress them on these rotations. You'll also need some strong LORs so be thinking about how you might line those up.

As for specific programs: Syracuse, Rochester, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisville, Kansas and maybe some of the newer programs like Mississippi would give you a fair shake. I'll save you some money: leave out MDACC, MSKCC, Harvard, UCSF, Stanford, and Michigan.

Thanks a lot!

 

[napoleondynamite]

I think radonc always has room for good people. Of the competetive specialties, this may be the only one that really looks at the "complete package," allowing students who struggled with the steps to show their genius in other ways. Your step 1 score makes it more of a challenge, but there are many other ways you can demonstrate your dedication to this field: research, away rotations, etc.

My step 1 score was lower than yours and I got in. It was not easy - my 4th year of med school was harder than my intern year, probably the hardest part of this entire process. I worked my tail off on research projects and multiple away rotations as "auditions." In the end, it paid off. I'm now in my last few months of residency, have a sweeeeet job lined up at a very desirable academic center with a residency program and my low step 1 now just seems like a minor speed bump on the road of my very rewarding career. I think if you are going into this field for all the right reasons that it will shine through and resonate with a program who will prefer having a hard-working, compassionate person in their program over a high-score, pedigreed but not so personable type in their residency program. Don't be intimidated by the numbers - examine your other strengths and be confident in knowing you have a lot to offer.

But Sauce is right, there are probably 10-15 programs that you should save the money on and not even apply to. Best of luck.