confused MSIV-need help formulating plan

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sameer

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I'm a fourth year med student from a small school in Ohio and I am debating whether to enter the ophtho match. I have a subpar step 1 score of 200 and I rank in the middle of the class. I had taken my Step 1 late because I was having trouble raising the score and ended up delaying the start of my third year so I don't have any room for away electives this fall. Prior to starting med school I worked as an ophthalmic tech for 6 months and during the summer after my first year of med school I went down to Bascom Palmer to work on a research project but wasn't able to publish although my PI thinks I did a good job. Researchwise all I have is one poster from lab experience at my med school and I just have one volunteer experience where I went to Thailand to volunteer through the Unite for Site.
I understand my ophtho chances are nonexistent right now but am willing to spend a couple years and build up my resume if its possible at this point. Is getting a high Step 2 score going to help me at this point since step 1 is used for screening? Should I do a research year and study for step 2 at the same time or should I just go ahead and take step 2, graduate on time and enter the ophtho match anyways even though chances are slim, and then try to get a transitional yr spot and shine during the electives?
 
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