Board scores are not the most important criteria for PM&R. Our board score averages are among the lowest of all specialties. But we are more competitive than it seems because a lot of people want to go into PM&R and there aren’t enough spots. Our match rate is quite low considering how low our board scores are. It used to be 89-93% of US seniors who applied to PM&R would match. That was back in 2015 and prior according to WUSTL’s residency roadmap guide. Not sure if we’re easier to get into now or harder.
I don’t know why that doesn’t translate into higher board scores bough-must be all the dumb students like me want to go into the field...
It will be very hard to get into a top program with average scores. But most programs are not top programs.
For the rest, having an average board score, demonstrated interest in and understanding of the specialty (PM&R rotation, PM&R LOR, knowing what PM&R means...) and a decent personality gives you a very good chance of matching-if you apply broadly.
Use the charting outcomes stats as a guide. I ranked a few more programs that what it recommended. I had a classmate who matched his last choice PM&R program. But that’s better than not matching!
