failed 2nd year, 236/99 on step 1 - back in the running?

[globallmedicine]

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Hi, thanks for your time for just reading this. here's the situation:

M1 and 1st semester M2: passed at about 20th percentile
M2 (second semester): failed
Repeat M2 (whole year): honored
Step 1: 236/99

With a strong M3, am I back in the running for the most competitive specialties?
Anyone who has found him or herself in similar shoes have any advice?

 

[sga814]

my personal opinion:

unless you had an extraordinary reason for performance the first time around (e,g, death in the family), you will probably be in the same boat as people who score 180's-190's the first time around... at best. Once again- my opinion.

 

[QuantumMechanic]

my personal opinion:

unless you had an extraordinary reason for performance the first time around (e,g, death in the family), you will probably be in the same boat as people who score 180's-190's the first time around... at best. Once again- my opinion.

but aren't M1 and M2 grades usually at the bottom of list of importance on criteria that PDs use the evaluate residency applicants?

if the guy got a 236 he clearly learned the material, and with excellent M3 performance (oft-cited as the most important factor by PDs) he should have a much better shot than someone who failed step 1 the first go around.

Residency matches are often dependent on connections rather than objective examination of grades as well, its not like this is med school admissions.

 

[SkylineMD]

i suppose it would depend on a few factors. Which class you failed, what were the circumstances surrounding it, etc

Even then, i think it would be tough to go for those competitive specialties only because you are going up against a group of people who haven't had any failures on their record. I don't think it would put u in the 180-190's group but more the 210-220 crowd.

But don't take the word for people on this forum for it. As we're always told, if you really want to do something, try for it. Networking would be one great way of helping out your cause.

 

[Law2Doc]

but aren't M1 and M2 grades usually at the bottom of list of importance on criteria that PDs use the evaluate residency applicants?

Kind of, but things like F's tend to trump the usual order of things. The most competitive programs have a hard time overlooking them.