Give up on Rad Onc?

[chutzpah]

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Just got my step 1 score back and got a 224 🙁. I know it's way below the average for the specialty and I definitely have an uphill battle ahead of me. Is rad/onc still an unreasonable goal?

I have a decent amount of research experience/pubs and I'm also doing a phd in cancer. If I'm at the point where I'm getting prescreened I might as well set my sights on a different specialty, especially since by the time I'm up to match the average step 1 will probably be in the low 230s.

 

[RockyMtOysters]

I wouldn't give up. You can still probably get in.

 

[chutzpah]

I guess I'll still tenatively consider it, hopefully I'll do well on Step 2 to make up for it. Otherwise I'll have back up options in place.

 

[BraggPeak]

Since you have a PhD i think a 224 is fine. I've seen PhDs barely get a 200 who interview and ultimately match. Do you go to a highly ranked medical school?

 

[Neuronix]

Work hard, do well on clerkships, do well on step 2, apply everywhere, and have a backup specialty in mind. Also, a PhD in radiation oncology will open more doors than a PhD not related to radiation.

 

[ramsesthenice]

I've seen PhDs barely get a 200 who interview and ultimately match.

I think you will be fine but do understand a PhD is not a get out of jail free pass. If you look at NMRP match data they match at the exact same rate as non-PhDs. Like everyone else some don't match but most do.

The good news is, a 224 is not a go to jail card either. You have good research and sound genuinely interested so you should be ok. Go for it if its what you want to do 😀

 

[Gfunk6]

. Is rad/onc still an unreasonable goal?

 

[evilbooyaa]

OP, I have the same score as you, and am taking a dedicated research year for basic science pubs + LORs to beef up my application. Take step 2 early (scores out before Sept. 15th of your applying year) and go for it. I'm going to be applying to every program + pre-lim years.

 

[ro6]

If you love it, don't give up!!!