FM vs path chances in top west coast programs for MD/PhD with low step 1

[ganglia777]

I am an MD/PhD with a low step 1 score. I don't care if I do FM or path, as long as I can get into a top program in a desirable location (UCSF, Stanford, UCLA, etc). I have very good research experience with 20+ publications, possibly 25 by the time I apply.

Will FM or path (CP) be easier to match into?

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[MedSciHopeful77]

From my (somewhat limited) experience, there is little to no value to having earned your PhD if you plan to practice in family medicine. Pathology, on the other hand, is a field where your research training will be extremely helpful considering that many pathologists are exclusively academic physicians, and even practicing hospital pathologists are lab-centered with no patient interaction whatsoever.

 

[gbwillner]

FM and Path couldn't be more different. I suggest you stop now, think about what you want to do with your life, and revisit. Just being at a "top program" will not make you happy. Even if you have a research focus, those will be very different in these two fields.

That said, to answer your question, if you have a strong research background and want an academic career (and are a promising candidate), event the very top academic programs will overlook a poor Step 1 score (provided it is not below their threshold for consideration, and this is usually quite low).

Good luck.