How to overcome low STEP scores to match into PCCM

[porkyqkr]

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Hey there, I'm a USMD from a mid-tier medical school, current PGY-1 at a large community center in the Midwest. Step 1/2 196/216, no failures or other red flags in my application. I write this post because I only had one interview for residency and so I'm pretty traumatized at the thought of going through ERAS again to pursue a PCCM fellowship.

In my head, I have a game plan to maximize my odds of matching but I wanted to know if there were any other things to consider:
- Ace STEP 3.
- Be an excellent resident to collect strong and personal letters of recommendation.
- Pump out quality case reports, QI projects and maybe an IRB and attempt to publish to the big PCCM conferences (CHEST, ATS, etc)
- Do away rotations at nearby academic centers and be a superstar and dazzle the PDs/staff.
- Participate in extracurriculars like POCUS, medical education, residency wellness committee, etc.
- Consider doing a chief year (??)

Realistically, is there anything else I can do? I'd love to go to a program like UIC, Rush or Loyola but in my experience, I will probably be screened out by these bigger academic centers by my low STEP scores alone.

Thank you!

 

[BicepsTriceps]

Connections.

Someone needs to pick up the phone and call people at these programs and tell them to take a look at your application.

 

[mudderMD]

Be OK with applying broadly for fellowship.