Class rank vs. Step 1 Score

[AK_MD2BE]

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For those of you in the know, how important is your class rank in comparison to Step 1 score? It seems like it may be akin to GPA and MCAT score because it may be difficult to gauge how a student in the 50th percentile at a first tier medical school would compare to a student in the 90th percentile at a lower tier medical school. Also, I realize that grades in the first two years are not as important as your grades in the third and fourth years, but they should count for something, right? Any information on this would be greatly appreciated.

 

[SoCuteMD]

IIRC, the "word on the street" is that Step 1 score is more important. With that said,the best prep for Step 1 is studying hard in your first two years, which will probably lead to a good class rank. It's a vicious cycle like that.

 

[tupac_don]

For those of you in the know, how important is your class rank in comparison to Step 1 score? It seems like it may be akin to GPA and MCAT score because it may be difficult to gauge how a student in the 50th percentile at a first tier medical school would compare to a student in the 90th percentile at a lower tier medical school. Also, I realize that grades in the first two years are not as important as your grades in the third and fourth years, but they should count for something, right? Any information on this would be greatly appreciated.

Well it's common knowledge, that many programs, especially competitive programs use Step I as a cutoff. So say for ophtalmology, if you don't meet their cuttoff of say 240 on step I, you don't have a snowballs chance in hell. Grades only come into effect once you met the cutoff. So grades do become imp, when they are looking at someone with 242 score and top 10% in his/her medical school, vs. someone 245 but at the middle of the pack. So step I is imp to get your foot in the door, but your grades is what is gonna carry you. Particularly of importance in terms of grades is your 3rd and 4th year performance, b/c that's all clinical and gives them best impression, of how hard of a worker you are and how well you get along with others.

 

[Law2Doc]

IIRC, the "word on the street" is that Step 1 score is more important.

It's more than word on the street. Step 1 matters a lot more than basic science year grades and rank. If a top ranked student tanks his Step 1 exam, he's SOL, and if a low ranked student scores well on Step 1, lots of doors open. But having done well in your basic science years tends to help you do well on Step 1, so there is some benefit to working hard.

 

[njbmd]

For those of you in the know, how important is your class rank in comparison to Step 1 score? It seems like it may be akin to GPA and MCAT score because it may be difficult to gauge how a student in the 50th percentile at a first tier medical school would compare to a student in the 90th percentile at a lower tier medical school. Also, I realize that grades in the first two years are not as important as your grades in the third and fourth years, but they should count for something, right? Any information on this would be greatly appreciated.

Tier of medical school does not count for much. Grades in first and second year count if they determine your rank (some schools do this). USMLE Step I does count; clerkship grades count but not as much as overall rank. Dean's Letter also count in terms of residency selection.

njbmd🙂

 

[Pinkertinkle]

Let's toss research in, how important is that hmm?

 

[Law2Doc]

Let's toss research in, how important is that hmm?

I was advised that for the most competitive specialties it is quite important, but I don't know where on the spectrum to put it either.

 

[njbmd]

Let's toss research in, how important is that hmm?

If you don't have the grades/USMLE Step I scores, research isn't going to help you. If you have the grade/USMLE Step I, research can put some "icing" on your cake.

njbmd🙂

 

[Pinkertinkle]

If you don't have the grades/USMLE Step I scores, research isn't going to help you. If you have the grade/USMLE Step I, research can put some "icing" on your cake.

njbmd🙂

how about.... 230 with 2 first author in relevant field of research vs. 255 with no research

 

[velo]

how about.... 230 with 2 first author in relevant field of research vs. 255 with no research

well as we said earlier I think the step score is most important for making the "cut-off." So assuming 230 does it that would be fine. As for the research it really depends on the specialty and more importantly the individual program and how highly they value research.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

well as we said earlier I think the step score is most important for making the "cut-off." So assuming 230 does it that would be fine. As for the research it really depends on the specialty and more importantly the individual program and how highly they value research.

Haha, let's arbitrarily pick dermatology at harvard as the program we're interested in then.

 

[FenderHM]

I think you have to be the dean's son or have discovered stratified squamous to get derm at harvard. oh yeah and AOA and 250+ step1. and from ivy.

 

[SuperTrooper]

I think you have to be the dean's son or have discovered stratified squamous to get derm at harvard. oh yeah and AOA and 250+ step1. and from ivy.

🙄

My dog did his derm residency at Beth Israel Deaconess.