Help! I am a fourth-year med student who applied into this year's match for both neurology and radiology (have an interest in INR). I had mediocre grades (repeated two courses in second year due to a death in the family), a national average Step 1 score, honors in related electives, strong letters of recommendation and a 1.5 pp long list of publications (include several oral presentations) from a research year-off last year. I decided to take Step 2CK early in September to try to offset my Step 1.
What proceeded to happen resulted in my nightmarish fourth-year because I decided to take the exam while trying to finish some of my research projects from last year. Instead of blowing the exam out of the water, I ended up failing 2CK and had to retake the exam during my first month of interviewing (horrible experience). I passed on my second attempt, but ended up with a lower score than Step 1.
Despite the low Step 1 (because at this point I had my Step 2CK score manually held), I got several interviews in both fields. During the interviews, I made no mention of my failed exam because I had hoped to get a much higher score to try to compensate for the series of bad events.
Now, my question is as I write to programs about my level of interest, I wonder: should I bring up the failed attempt and score to directly address the issue and present it in the best light possible, or should I rather just leave it alone and just include in the email, " If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hestitate to contact me?"
I know a failed step 2CK is a major red flag (I suspect that it'll
bump me from the ROLs of some of my interviewed programs; I've accepted it). But, I don't know if I should address it directly or let sleeping dogs lie. I worry that by keeping quiet that when programs see the failed 2CK score, they'll jump to their conclusions about my academic ability.
Any help provided would be greatly appreciated, especially from any former members of rank committees or PDs.
What proceeded to happen resulted in my nightmarish fourth-year because I decided to take the exam while trying to finish some of my research projects from last year. Instead of blowing the exam out of the water, I ended up failing 2CK and had to retake the exam during my first month of interviewing (horrible experience). I passed on my second attempt, but ended up with a lower score than Step 1.
Despite the low Step 1 (because at this point I had my Step 2CK score manually held), I got several interviews in both fields. During the interviews, I made no mention of my failed exam because I had hoped to get a much higher score to try to compensate for the series of bad events.
Now, my question is as I write to programs about my level of interest, I wonder: should I bring up the failed attempt and score to directly address the issue and present it in the best light possible, or should I rather just leave it alone and just include in the email, " If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hestitate to contact me?"
I know a failed step 2CK is a major red flag (I suspect that it'll
bump me from the ROLs of some of my interviewed programs; I've accepted it). But, I don't know if I should address it directly or let sleeping dogs lie. I worry that by keeping quiet that when programs see the failed 2CK score, they'll jump to their conclusions about my academic ability.
Any help provided would be greatly appreciated, especially from any former members of rank committees or PDs.
