Got my Step 1 results today…193

[nycpedsmedstudent]

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I'm not sure if this is the correct thread for this - I've never posted, just a long time lurker.

I'm a 3rd year MD student. I got my results from my June 9th exam today and I got a 193. Pretty unexpected and much lower than I was scoring on my practice tests, but what's done is done. I'm really nervous about matching now, so is there anything in particular I should do to improve my chances at matching in peds? I go to an allopathic school (top 50 - not sure if that means anything), I have honored about half my classes in my first two years, on the board for our diversity in medicine organization (I'm Hispanic), on the AMA board, research abroad after M1 and lots of clinic volunteering. I know that I still have my whole 3rd year, but this score has really worried me. Like I said, I'd like to match into a peds program locally (NYC or Long Island - husband/family live here), but the competitiveness of the program isn't really important to me. I would really appreciate any input! Thanks.

 

[NeedToStudy]

Relax, do good on your rotations and get a high step 2 CK score. You should be fine.

 

[Phloston]

I've read somewhere that paeds is a specialty where Step 1 is actually very low (I think 9th) on the importance list (excepting obviously top programs). Cuz in the end, paeds is probably the most important interpersonal field in medicine (even more than psych). Just be a good person. Do good things. Have lots of babies. And your personality will get you to where you need to be.

Look at the 4th paragraph (the bold text):

http://www.studentdoctor.net/2011/05/the-successful-match-getting-into-pediatrics/

That should help!

 

[Ismet]

Do well in 3rd/4th year (good shelf scores and good rec letters/evals) and get a better score on Step 2 CK and you should be good for peds. I'm also interested in peds and also scored lower than I was averaging, but I'm really enjoying clerkships so far and I have a good feeling that my performance this year will be much improved from hovering around average during pre-clinical. You passed. Maybe it wasn't the score you had hoped for, but be thankful it's not a 191. Your chances at a good program are not over! Just put Step 1 behind you and focus on doing your best in 3rd year.

 

[BestDoctorEver]

@Ismet ... What is the passing score for step1? I was under the impression it was 200...

 

[DermViser]

@Ismet ... What is the passing score for step1? I was under the impression it was 200...

No, it's 192.

 

[BestDoctorEver]

No, it's 192.

Wow... OP just barely passed it... Is it better to barely pass it or is it better to fail it (first attempt) and then pass it with an average score (220-230)?

 

[DermViser]

Wow... OP just barely passed it... Is it better to barely pass it or is it better to fail it (first attempt) and then pass it with an average score (220-230)?

In general, it's better to pass it on first attempt. Different specialties have different weights on how much they value Step 1. Peds tends to not put such a huge marker on Step 1, on average, unless you're going for like the very top of Peds programs - i.e. Boston Children's, CHOP, etc.

 

[rodmichael82]

Do well in 3rd/4th year (good shelf scores and good rec letters/evals) and get a better score on Step 2 CK and you should be good for peds. I'm also interested in peds and also scored lower than I was averaging, but I'm really enjoying clerkships so far and I have a good feeling that my performance this year will be much improved from hovering around average during pre-clinical. You passed. Maybe it wasn't the score you had hoped for, but be thankful it's not a 191. Your chances at a good program are not over! Just put Step 1 behind you and focus on doing your best in 3rd year.

Very well written sir/madam.

 

[nycpedsmedstudent]

Thank you all for the help and input!

 

[ISU]

Thank you all for the help and input!

How are you going to prepare for Step 2? I also got a 193 on my Step 1.

 

[ISU]

Do well in 3rd/4th year (good shelf scores and good rec letters/evals) and get a better score on Step 2 CK and you should be good for peds. I'm also interested in peds and also scored lower than I was averaging, but I'm really enjoying clerkships so far and I have a good feeling that my performance this year will be much improved from hovering around average during pre-clinical. You passed. Maybe it wasn't the score you had hoped for, but be thankful it's not a 191. Your chances at a good program are not over! Just put Step 1 behind you and focus on doing your best in 3rd year.

Thank you for being so positive! I needed to hear this too!!