Feeling down after receiving poor step 1 score

[medico_90]

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medico_90
Hi,

I received my step 1 score of 197 few days back, I am totally shattered. I am confused if I should quit USMLE and pursue some other line. I am a Canadian IMG.

Can u please advise if pursuing is a good option, if so to get a residency what needs to be done, a friend of mine told MPH is a good option and read step 2 along with it, it's a 2 year course which is a lot of time.What other options do I have ?

Do u think from your experience with several ppl should I continue or quit.

If you think pursuing usmle is a lot of risk after such a score, please tell me bluntly, don't want to waste my years of life towards unchartered destination.

I have a USCE rotation scheduled next month and CS exam in 4 days for which i am unable to focus after receiving this score.

Please advise me guys, hoping to hear from you. I am totally down since receiving score 4 days back.

Thankyou

 

[ZKenpachi]

What's done is done, and if you have a low chance now, you will have zero chance if you end up failing your CS in addition to your score. You need to figure out a way to get your head back in the game so you can pass it.
Check the other thread for more info on your chances, but it won't matter if you don't pass your CS.
Good luck!

 

[Instatewaiter]

Well, what do you want to do for a speciality?

 

[tennischamp822]

.

 

[medico_90]

Well, what do you want to do for a speciality?

Thanks a lot everyone for your replys. I wanted to do IM, but now I am open to do any branch, just want a residency...any place and branch is fine

Do u think I will have a chance ?

 

[medico_90]

T

What's done is done, and if you have a low chance now, you will have zero chance if you end up failing your CS in addition to your score. You need to figure out a way to get your head back in the game so you can pass it.
Check the other thread for more info on your chances, but it won't matter if you don't pass your CS.
Good luck!

Thanks for your reply. Ya I know failing CS will be even a more red flag than my step 1 score, hv been pushing myself to read normally, will give exam only if I am going to feel confident.

Do u think I stand a chance to secure residency if I get a good step 2 score or it doesn't matter with this sorta step 1 score. I am very worried abt my future !

 

[Reperfused]

It doesn't matter what your chances are. What matters is how bad you want it!

 

[W19]

Thanks a lot everyone for your replys. I wanted to do IM, but now I am open to do any branch, just want a residency...any place and branch is fine

Do u think I will have a chance ?

IM and pathology are still within reach if you do well on step 2 and apply 'judiciously'.

 

[ZKenpachi]

T


Thanks for your reply. Ya I know failing CS will be even a more red flag than my step 1 score, hv been pushing myself to read normally, will give exam only if I am going to feel confident.

Do u think I stand a chance to secure residency if I get a good step 2 score or it doesn't matter with this sorta step 1 score. I am very worried abt my future !

Like I said on the other thread, look at the charting outcomes and you will see there is still a chance. Hell, there's a non-US IMG who matched into ortho with step 1 < 200, and someone who matched into the same field with a CK score < 200! It actually might be the same guy, I can't know for sure.

So scores are an important factor, but they're not everything. You will need to put effort into getting good connections so they give you IVs, improve your CK score, and work on other aspects of your CV.

If you decide to go on, do so knowing that it's going to be hard. You gotta be all in and do your best to stand a chance.

Anyway, I also think you should stop thinking about this for a couple of days until after your CS, it's not going to do you any good now. If you're going to waste a bit of time anyway, waste it on decompressing, not on something that will make you more anxious on your exam.

 

[medico_90]

IM and pathology are still within reach if you do well on step 2 and apply 'judiciously'.

Thanks for your words, means a lot !

What aspects of CV, like clerkships or observership do u think I need to work on so that I stand a chance !

 

[medico_90]

Like I said on the other thread, look at the charting outcomes and you will see there is still a chance. Hell, there's a non-US IMG who matched into ortho with step 1 < 200, and someone who matched into the same field with a CK score < 200! It actually might be the same guy, I can't know for sure.

So scores are an important factor, but they're not everything. You will need to put effort into getting good connections so they give you IVs, improve your CK score, and work on other aspects of your CV.

If you decide to go on, do so knowing that it's going to be hard. You gotta be all in and do your best to stand a chance.

Anyway, I also think you should stop thinking about this for a couple of days until after your CS, it's not going to do you any good now. If you're going to waste a bit of time anyway, waste it on decompressing, not on something that will make you more anxious on your exam.

Thankyou for the motivation, I m really indebted to you for these kinda words during these hard times !

What do u think I should do to improve my CV so that it appears competitive.

 

[medico_90]

I think in your situation, the most important thing will be to do as much USCE as you can, and do your best to make everyone you work with absolutely love you, so they will be more likely to offer you an interview when the day comes.
Then you should at least beat the mean for CK, I've heard that doing significantly better on your CK helps with bad step 1 scores.
Also, some research, publications, etc will make you look better on your interview day, but I don't think it will be as important as scores and connections in order to secure interviews.

Please note that I haven't been in this situation, so I'm not speaking from experience. Perhaps other people will be able to offer you better insight.

Appreciate the words and support, thanks a lot man !