don't know where I stand post-boards...

[COQueen]

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I'm a reasonably average student. Average MCAT. Average class rank during OMS-I/II. I started med school with the thought of going into FM or Peds, was never really a competitive student. But failing NBME 16 in the beginning of dedicated put the fear of God in me and I pretty much worked day and night, 10 hours a day, for 5 weeks during dedicated. It turns out that I'm not as average as I think I am. I ended up with a 246 on Step 1 and a 720 on Level 1. I'm thinking that these scores may open up doors that I never thought would be open and I am having a tough time sorting things out. I'm beginning to look at surgery and surgical sub-specialties as potential residency options, as surgery has been a field I have previously worked in and am interested in, just never thought I'd be competitive enough to consider it. My school has been really unhelpful in this process, just directing me to the NRMP data. I guess my question is, to OMS4s who are currently applying, which doors/fields are attainable to someone with my stats? I understand neurosurgery or ENT is out of the question, but how about a general surgery university program? or an osteopathic ortho program? or urology? Or am I overrating/overvaluing my own scores, as I am still an average Dory in a sea filled with sharks?

 

[DNC127]

I would say all specialties outside of surgical subspecialties and derm are in play. You would have been great for DO ortho or ENT prior to the merger, and you may still have a good shot, but its not as certain as it was before the merger. Also, if you want one of those things I would start some research and building your app. The people from my school applying ortho or ENT have similar (+/-) scores and all have 3+ pubs in top ENT or ortho journals, with the two of us who are really serious about ortho having 15+ pubs. Right now there aren't very many DO ortho or ENT programs with initial accreditation (could change). Just to put things in perspective for how the game may or may not be changing. Great scores though, and if you can commit to something early and build your app you should have a good chance at those things mentioned above if the merger turns out okay for DOs.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

General surgery is a very solid yes, university program GS is a maybe depending on if you do aways, get some research, and nab some solid LORs. Surgical subs are possible except you will need to start building a research CV quickly and start planning your audition strategy.

Congrats on the killer scores. I hope to be you in 8 months.

 

[BorntobeDO?]

I'm a reasonably average student. Average MCAT. Average class rank during OMS-I/II. I started med school with the thought of going into FM or Peds, was never really a competitive student. But failing NBME 16 in the beginning of dedicated put the fear of God in me and I pretty much worked day and night, 10 hours a day, for 5 weeks during dedicated. It turns out that I'm not as average as I think I am. I ended up with a 246 on Step 1 and a 720 on Level 1. I'm thinking that these scores may open up doors that I never thought would be open and I am having a tough time sorting things out. I'm beginning to look at surgery and surgical sub-specialties as potential residency options, as surgery has been a field I have previously worked in and am interested in, just never thought I'd be competitive enough to consider it. My school has been really unhelpful in this process, just directing me to the NRMP data. I guess my question is, to OMS4s who are currently applying, which doors/fields are attainable to someone with my stats? I understand neurosurgery or ENT is out of the question, but how about a general surgery university program? or an osteopathic ortho program? or urology? Or am I overrating/overvaluing my own scores, as I am still an average Dory in a sea filled with sharks?

Lol, I can relate, nothing like failing a prep exam and being forced to go forward to motivate.

 

[Instatewaiter]

I'm a reasonably average student. Average MCAT. Average class rank during OMS-I/II. I started med school with the thought of going into FM or Peds, was never really a competitive student. But failing NBME 16 in the beginning of dedicated put the fear of God in me and I pretty much worked day and night, 10 hours a day, for 5 weeks during dedicated. It turns out that I'm not as average as I think I am. I ended up with a 246 on Step 1 and a 720 on Level 1. I'm thinking that these scores may open up doors that I never thought would be open and I am having a tough time sorting things out. I'm beginning to look at surgery and surgical sub-specialties as potential residency options, as surgery has been a field I have previously worked in and am interested in, just never thought I'd be competitive enough to consider it. My school has been really unhelpful in this process, just directing me to the NRMP data. I guess my question is, to OMS4s who are currently applying, which doors/fields are attainable to someone with my stats? I understand neurosurgery or ENT is out of the question, but how about a general surgery university program? or an osteopathic ortho program? or urology? Or am I overrating/overvaluing my own scores, as I am still an average Dory in a sea filled with sharks?

Good work. I think the real question is what do you want?

Don't go into something just because you have the scores. There are plenty of people in IM and Peds who scored in the 260s. Figure out what you want.

If you want something competitive in the end your scores compared to preclinical coursework needs to improve . Even a strong peds program will require an honors in peds to match .

 

[NecrotizingFasciitis]

I'm a reasonably average student. Average MCAT. Average class rank during OMS-I/II. I started med school with the thought of going into FM or Peds, was never really a competitive student. But failing NBME 16 in the beginning of dedicated put the fear of God in me and I pretty much worked day and night, 10 hours a day, for 5 weeks during dedicated. It turns out that I'm not as average as I think I am. I ended up with a 246 on Step 1 and a 720 on Level 1. I'm thinking that these scores may open up doors that I never thought would be open and I am having a tough time sorting things out. I'm beginning to look at surgery and surgical sub-specialties as potential residency options, as surgery has been a field I have previously worked in and am interested in, just never thought I'd be competitive enough to consider it. My school has been really unhelpful in this process, just directing me to the NRMP data. I guess my question is, to OMS4s who are currently applying, which doors/fields are attainable to someone with my stats? I understand neurosurgery or ENT is out of the question, but how about a general surgery university program? or an osteopathic ortho program? or urology? Or am I overrating/overvaluing my own scores, as I am still an average Dory in a sea filled with sharks?

I just wanted to say your story inspired me for some reason. Tip of the hat to you for those solid scores my friend.

 

[Peach Newport]

Honestly I’m more impressed with that 720 comlex. This year’s comlex was brutal. I’ve heard repeatedly that NBOME re-scaled it due to last year’s embarrassing “gentleman’s 600” debacle. I know people with 250s-260s who couldn’t break 700 this year.

Here’s the breakdown

Your score won’t keep you out of anything

There are still plenty of osteopathic AOA and ortho programs. If you want them, do an away rotation and get good letters. Get some research, too.

If you want a shot at the big dog ACGME specialties, you need big dog research, preferably under a big dog name in the field. I wish you the best of luck doing that, because it’s not like academic plastic surgeons are in the habit of taking on med students who aren’t from their school.

If you want inerventional radiology, the process is a little different. You need to do all of the above, but also sell your soul to the devil.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

I know people with 250s-260s who couldn’t break 700 this year

Forget 700, I know people with 250+ who didn’t break 550. They definitely scaled it back this year, I’m curious to see the new percentiles.

 

[Vbowls]

Those are great scores that are good enough for any specialty. Decide what you would most like and go for it.