Class rank vs slightly higher USMLE

[Lokhtar]

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So I've realized that I won't be top ten percent or AOA. During the basic science years the amount of effort it would take to match the kids who are top 10, or even top 10-15% is not something that is feasible for me (takes me longer than them to learn things plus I don't have their drive to learn all the details over and over for memorization).

However, if I bust my ass, I can probably pull off a step right below that (e.g 'the second fifths' - between 60th-80th percentile) on my deans letter. Or, I can spend more time on USMLE prep and probably end up right in the middle (e.g 40th-60th percentile on deans letter). My school ranks it by fifths I believe, so that's what it would be - I'm fairly sure of being able to stay around the average without going crazy and devoting appropriate time for USMLE. Now I'm not talking about a 190 vs. a 240, which is obvious but maybe a "few" points (say, conservatively, 5-6 points) difference?

I know I'm not going to get an integrated plastics (not interested in surgery right now, though who knows when I hit the clinicals - but if I do enjoy surgery GS would be fine) but still, right now I would like to keep my options open for either not so competitive specialties at more competitive places or average specilties with a decent amount of choices (or maybe even semi competitive ones, if I'm flexible with location and training place - and by semi competitive I mean like GS with 227 average USMLE, or somethings that around ~230-235ish and not PS with 250, or derm or any 240+ average specialties).

So as I'm getting more and more swamped in the details I realize I'm often missing the big picture that's relevant (per BRS books). So I'm asking for your advice on this 🙂.

 

[FIREitUP]

So I've realized that I won't be top ten percent or AOA. During the basic science years the amount of effort it would take to match the kids who are top 10, or even top 10-15% is not something that is feasible for me (takes me longer than them to learn things plus I don't have their drive to learn all the details over and over for memorization).

However, if I bust my ass, I can probably pull off a step right below that (e.g 'the second fifths' - between 60th-80th percentile) on my deans letter. Or, I can spend more time on USMLE prep and probably end up right in the middle (e.g 40th-60th percentile on deans letter). My school ranks it by fifths I believe, so that's what it would be - I'm fairly sure of being able to stay around the average without going crazy and devoting appropriate time for USMLE. Now I'm not talking about a 190 vs. a 240, which is obvious but maybe a "few" points (say, conservatively, 5-6 points) difference?

I know I'm not going to get an integrated plastics (not interested in surgery right now, though who knows when I hit the clinicals - but if I do enjoy surgery GS would be fine) but still, right now I would like to keep my options open for either not so competitive specialties at more competitive places or average specilties with a decent amount of choices (or maybe even semi competitive ones, if I'm flexible with location and training place - and by semi competitive I mean like GS with 227 average USMLE, or somethings that around ~230-235ish and not PS with 250, or derm or any 240+ average specialties).

So as I'm getting more and more swamped in the details I realize I'm often missing the big picture that's relevant (per BRS books). So I'm asking for your advice on this 🙂.

I would focus on Step 1 more, also considering that, at least for my school, 3rd year grades factor in much more than preclinical grades.

 

[2012mdc]

So I've realized that I won't be top ten percent or AOA. During the basic science years the amount of effort it would take to match the kids who are top 10, or even top 10-15% is not something that is feasible for me (takes me longer than them to learn things plus I don't have their drive to learn all the details over and over for memorization).

However, if I bust my ass, I can probably pull off a step right below that (e.g 'the second fifths' - between 60th-80th percentile) on my deans letter. Or, I can spend more time on USMLE prep and probably end up right in the middle (e.g 40th-60th percentile on deans letter). My school ranks it by fifths I believe, so that's what it would be - I'm fairly sure of being able to stay around the average without going crazy and devoting appropriate time for USMLE. Now I'm not talking about a 190 vs. a 240, which is obvious but maybe a "few" points (say, conservatively, 5-6 points) difference?

I know I'm not going to get an integrated plastics (not interested in surgery right now, though who knows when I hit the clinicals - but if I do enjoy surgery GS would be fine) but still, right now I would like to keep my options open for either not so competitive specialties at more competitive places or average specilties with a decent amount of choices (or maybe even semi competitive ones, if I'm flexible with location and training place - and by semi competitive I mean like GS with 227 average USMLE, or somethings that around ~230-235ish and not PS with 250, or derm or any 240+ average specialties).

So as I'm getting more and more swamped in the details I realize I'm often missing the big picture that's relevant (per BRS books). So I'm asking for your advice on this 🙂.

5-6 points is not significant and there is essentially no difference between scores separated by that little.

Studying significantly more should in theory increase your score by at least 10-15 points which is significant. I think you should focus more on the USMLE. There is a big difference between a 240 and a 225. Not so much between a 230 and 235.

 

[gravitywave]

5-6 points is a change you could see for switching up your bathroom routine on the morning of the exam. if you're going to commit to the Step, then commit. dump any remaining AOA pretensions and start focusing on USMLE while maintaining a nice comfy 80ish average in your classes. and no, it is not too soon to start doing this for a summer test date.

also, i think you are selling yourself short. any average med student ought to be able to get a 250 on Step 1 if they are organized about it and work hard.