Help needed!!

[ForensicPsych]

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Hi,

My step 1 score is a 214, and I really want to go into psych. I have always wanted to go to schools like NYU, columbia, mount sinai, etc but I don't know if this score will be enough. I will also be happy going to psych residencies in the brooklyn area such as SUNY.

My dilemma right now is, which schools should I do my 4th year away electives? And when it comes time to rank, how should I go about ranking these schools? I don't want to unnecessarily rank places like NYU, columbia, etc if they are far out of my reach. So should I rank places that are more within my reach like SUNY as number 1?

Other things about me: 3rd year US medical school student, average in class, never failed any classes, passed step 1 for the first time.

Please help me for guidance!!!

 

[chameleonknight]

You have 13 posts, and approximately 12 of them are about Step 1 scores. Just relax a little bit, do strong work during you fourth year, and relax. Being too overeager could hurt you a little bit.

As far as the match, rank where you WANT to go first, not where you think you have a good shot at matching. Read about the algorithim. It will check your list first, not the programs.

 

[ForensicPsych]

i understand that i have posted this similar thing before, but people tend to digress in some other topic, which is why i wanted to post again.

also, i'm not sure how this ranking thing works, and i would like some help/advice from someone who has been through it.

 

[whopper]

I think its understandable to be worried about this given that the last major application process was getting into medical school which is very difficult, and IMHO driven by several who seem to just enjoy seeing people suffer the process where only one applicant gets in out of hundreds.

 

[DebDynamite]

Don't worry. With a 214 on step 1, you will be fine. One of my friends from med school is currently a resident in one of the programs you mentioned (as hoping to attain). I know their score was not much higher than a 214. The cut-off is often 200, or 210. You will be FINE. Do as well on step 2 and show that you have a genuine interest in psych.

Do an away where you want to go- if you are a hard worker and are sure that you are not a tool. People may tell you otherwise, but I found it helpful. Also, my above mentioned friend did an away and that is also what helped her- she is certain of it. Seriously, I did an away at the program I thought I wanted to go to- it only helped. I ended up wanting to go somewhere else (my current program- yay!). If you work well with others and are willing to show it- it can seal the deal at rank list time.

 

[jettavr6]

You have 13 posts, and approximately 12 of them are about Step 1 scores. Just relax a little bit, do strong work during you fourth year, and relax. Being too overeager could hurt you a little bit.

As far as the match, rank where you WANT to go first, not where you think you have a good shot at matching. Read about the algorithim. It will check your list first, not the programs.

Good point, and good catch chameleon....

ForensicPsych, it's hard to practice what you preach but it's better to practice it now because you'll be preaching for calmness when you get into the field...

Just apply to the programs...

 

[ForensicPsych]

hey whopper and debdynamite:

thanks for both of your input. i think i'll just go ahead and apply to those programs regardless. i have been looking into trying to do away rotations there and have been contacting them already. so i'll definitely take both your advice.

and yes...i agree with whopper...i think it's perfectly understandable to be a bit worried. there's nothing wrong with that. i am trying to stay on top of things.

 

[DebDynamite]

Hey Forensic,
Here's another tip regarding aways:

When you choose the rotation where you will go- pick the elective that is one of the more "hardcore" to do. Just my opinion, but here's why...

One of my MS IV classmates and I both did away rotations at an institution we were strongly considering. I opted to rotate in the PES and also take a call (not required) while I was there. My classmate opted to do an elective on outpatient C&A- which they were interested in. The PES exposed me to lots of the residents and attendings and also gave me a chance to prove myself in ways that the elective my friend choose did not. They worked with fellows and faculty who were not as directly involved with the gen psych program. When rank list- time came around, the program called me three times and had placed my name on the "resident news email" which circulated on a regular basis. The last call they made to me was one where they essentially told me I was on their rank-to-match list. My classmate did not receive as much "love" from this program, and even though they ranked it #1- they did not match there. I ended up deciding to go to a community- affiliated program, and ranked my current program #1. I will never know (100%) for sure that I could have attended the program where I did the away, but from the differential in feedback that I received vs my classmate, I strongly suspect it.

The program where I did my away is one of the two -three in the SE USA which has "name recognition" and tons and tons of NIH money. Just to further help you alleviate your fears, my classmate who did not get in there, did get into their #2 - which is probably the biggest "name" in the SE. So, the morale is - you can relax, go work hard and be a team player, and you should be ok. Of course, the match is random, but you really do have a good shot at one of those schools- if you are an AMG with an MD and a great personality- you will be a shoe in.

 

[ForensicPsych]

Hey DebDynamite:

Thanks a lot for those tips!! And by the way....what does PES mean? Does that mean inpatient work? I was planning on trying to do an elective in inpatient so that I can get more experience and try to work with all levels of the hierarchy...if so, that makes a lot of sense!

Thanks a lot! 🙂

 

[VMSmith]

PES=Psychiatric Emergency Services

 

[ForensicPsych]

Thanks VMsmith!