How to address poor Step 1 score?

[wasabiism]

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My Step 1 score was 205 (Step 2 CK 250; CS pass) and I got just a 'Pass' in the first four (out of 7 total) M3 electives, albeit at a "top 5" school. Things get much better from there and I have been fortunate to get interviews at a significant number of Tier 2 schools (by which I mean UCLA Harbor, NYU, UCSD, etc.).
Two questions:

1. If asked, how do I address the low Step 1 score? There were significant family issues surrounding my Step 1 exam which resulted in suboptimal performance, but that is not the only reason I scored so low (as is evidenced by my early M3 grades).
- Intuitively, I'd like to just not mention any of the family issues and take 100% responsibility. It seems like if anyone starts off with externalizing blame it looks bad, unless you had appendicitis or something during the test and operated on yourself (without complications).

2. If NOT directly asked, should I bring it up myself? e.g. if they ask "what are your weaknesses?"


Thanks for all your help,

 

[gutonc]

My Step 1 score was 205 (Step 2 CK 250; CS pass) and I got just a No'Pass' in the first four (out of 7 total) M3 electives, albeit at a "top 5" school. Things get much better from there and I have been fortunate to get interviews at a significant number of Tier 2 schools (by which I mean UCLA Harbor, NYU, UCSD, etc.).
Two questions:

1. If asked, how do I address the low Step 1 score? There were significant family issues surrounding my Step 1 exam which resulted in suboptimal performance, but that is not the only reason I scored so low (as is evidenced by my early M3 grades).
- Intuitively, I'd like to just not mention any of the family issues and take 100% responsibility. It seems like if anyone starts off with externalizing blame it looks bad, unless you had appendicitis or something during the test and operated on yourself (without complications).

Do not externalize the blame. You need to own it. But that's not to say you can't bring the issues up.

"During my studying time for Step 1, this that and the other thing happened with my family and I didn't appropriately address it at the time. I have improved my performance by doing X, Y and Z and feel that my performance on Step 2 and the second half of my clinical training better represents my true abilities."

Clearly you fixed the issue for Step 2 so the questions probably won't be that probing. But come up with a good answer for how you improved your score.

2. If NOT directly asked, should I bring it up myself? e.g. if they ask "what are your weaknesses?"

Nope.... Don't Ask Don't Tell

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

Nope.... Don't Ask Don't Tell

Agreed.

When I interview candidates (as a resident), I usually start off the interview telling them that to me, if they are sitting in that chair (i.e. have gotten an interview), then I'm not too worried about their numbers. Clearly someone higher up than me already decided those were ok. My concern at that point is finding the best fit for the applicant and for our program. So I probably wouldn't bring it up, and would find it a little odd if the applicant brought it up freely.