How competitive am I for Neuro/PM&R?

[waytogo1]

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Hi, I go to a mid-tier US med school and just started my third year. I'm currently interested in Neuro or PM&R but unfortunately did not do as well as I would like on step 1. I got low 220s, which is way below score that I was shooting for.

I know that getting honors in third year and doing exceptionally well on step 2 would be critical in my case. However, having done few rotations, I am realizing how difficult it is to actually get honors as MS3. I feel like the grade you get doesn't really reflect your shelf score and clinical evaluation is very subjective and it's something that I cannot control.
I'm definitely going to try my best to do well on step 2, but if I end up getting only maybe one or two honors (or no honors at all if I get unlucky), what would be my chance at mid-tier residency in NE for PM&R / Neuro ?
I was hoping to go back to Northeast (NY/Boston area) but I'm now afraid that my chance to go back is slipping away...
Is getting Honors/not getting Honors going to break my chance of getting residency in that area?
How competitive is Neuro/PM&R nowadays?

thanks

 

[DocWinter]

Neuro is not very competitive, something around the status of IM and PMR is gaining competitiveness, it is now getting recognized as a lifestyle specialty. I think it could be considered moderately competitive.

Getting into NYC or Boston areas are generally significantly more competitive than other areas however. You might do yourself a disservice to apply exclusively to those larger, desirable metropolitan areas. I would cast a wide net and apply broadly, giving yourself the flexibility to cancel interviews should you have the luxury of excess

 

[waytogo1]

I'm definitely not applying to only in the NE, but my preference would be in that area.
I didn't know PM&R was becoming competitive.
Do you know how competitive it is nowadays? (what kind of scores/grades do you need ?) My impression was that PM&R is less competitive than IM/Neuro?
For specialty like PM&R, how important is research?