Failed Step 1...

[Stillgoing]

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The biggest fear that most medical students have actually came true for me. I got a 182/74.

I had wanted to do anesthesia, but with this on my CV is it even a possibility at this point? I've had some research which culminated into a pain management poster presentation.

I wasn't expecting to set any records with my Step 1 score, but seeing that I didn't even pass......well that really knocks down your spirits.

Has anyone here matched into Anesthesiology after failing Step 1 or know of anyone who has??

Any advice you guys could give me would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[Surfer]

dude there is a lot of school left. study hard, get a better score, hopefully around average, then tell people when they ask "what happened" that you had the stomach flu and just had to get the hell out of their fast before you had a code brown in prometric.

seriously though, you'll be fine if that's the only blemish. move on and do better.

 

[veetz]

Well, if you come back on your 2nd attempt and rock Step 1 (like a 220 or higher), then some PD's may overlook your first attempt as long as you can reasonably explain why you failed (ie not feeling well, etc). In fact, it might be better to fail on the first attempt, rather than barely passing as long as the 2nd attempt is significantly better. However, if you barely pass on your 2nd time, then you'll likely have problems.

I'm sure you're discouraged, but use it as motivation. Figure out why you failed and where you can improve in your studying.

I wish you all the best.

 

[cfdavid]

If your school has an anesthesiology residency, try to find someone on the faculty to serve as a mentor.

Ask to shadow him/her for a day or two. Make sure you do a 3rd year elective and get in good with the residents (who will likely evaluate you).

Make connections and show great respect to the ladies (usually) that work in the department. Go through them for shadowing opportunities and get to know them. They are very important.

Don't get down. Retrench, and improve your Step I score. Then move on.

It's hard (at least for me it was) to honor the written shelf exams, but they notice clinical honors (just working hard and doing a good job on the floors as well as being likeable) on 3rd year rotations.

Again, develop some contacts in your department (assuming you have one, but if not get one from a nearby program). A mentor/advocate is invaluable.

Good luck.

cf

 

[Taurus]

I knew someone who failed their step 1 and got into gas. Difficult, but still possible.

 

[titanjones]

you need to get 220+ get into a decent program.

 

[happyabe]

I don't know of anyone who's matched into gas after having failed step one, but that doesn't mean it cannot happen. I would study more for the next time; use a different strategy. Did you use USMLE world or Kaplan?

Work hard on your clinical rotations and get decent or good grades. Work with an anesthesiologist or two, do an away rotation at your top program(s) and be positive. If you can prove to them that you're confident enough with your work, then they will overlook the first step I score. There are lots of programs out there and most have reasonable PDs. Good luck!

 

[mercaptovizadeh]

The biggest fear that most medical students have actually came true for me. I got a 182/74.

I had wanted to do anesthesia, but with this on my CV is it even a possibility at this point? I've had some research which culminated into a pain management poster presentation.

I wasn't expecting to set any records with my Step 1 score, but seeing that I didn't even pass......well that really knocks down your spirits.

Has anyone here matched into Anesthesiology after failing Step 1 or know of anyone who has??

Any advice you guys could give me would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

Some options that come to mind:

1.) Study like mad and nail a 230+ on Step 1.

2.) Excel in 3rd year clerkships and the sub-I.

3.) Excel in the anesthesia elective.

4.) Get a great Step 2 score.

4.) Take a year off to do research in anesthesia. Electrophysiology can give you quick basic science data fast - you could get a few lower end papers in a year.

5.) If you absolutely cannot nail an anesthesia residency, and absolutely must do anesthesia, you can try IM and critical care and then try anesthesia, although that sounds like an incredibly painful way. This woman did it, but I think she could have done anything she wanted:

http://www.strategicresults.com/fg5/wiener.html

Also, funding rules have changed so an anesthesia residency would not be able to pay you from medicare after an IM residency.

 

[Stillgoing]

Thanks for the advice guys.

Does anyone know of any programs that have accepted students with a step failure?

Also what programs have step 1 cutoffs and the requirement to pass on the 1st try (so I don't waste time applying to those)

 

[elee20]

Thanks for the advice guys.

Also what programs have step 1 cutoffs and the requirement to pass on the 1st try (so I don't waste time applying to those)

You can go to the acgme website, print out the list of programs, and visit each programs website. Most all of them have their minimum criteria listed to be considered.

 

[Gern Blansten]

No one knows how competitive the field will be in 2 years. Competitiveness is cyclical and I believe it has peaked. The ones who go into the field when it is down are the ones with the most job opportunities when they graduate. Just like the stock market. Buy low, sell high.