I failed Step 1 but have done really well ever since. Can I pursue general surgery?

[hepatorenal]

Third year has gone exceptionally well and I'm set to perform well on Step 2. Assuming my Step 2 score is above average am I okay to continue pursuing surgery. My plan for nextt year is to get more research, get involved with my school's program, and possibly do a couple of away rotations. Am I wasting my time? thanks!

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[LucidSplash]

Would need to know what your Step 1 score was once you ultimately passed, what your preclinical grades were, and what your clinical grades are. Depending on those factors, it's not impossible but you may need to be willing to take a prelim spot. I would apply very broadly and also rank prelim spots in addition to categorical and make it clear to programs that you are willing to do whatever it takes, including the prelim year.

 

[Anicetus]

Third year has gone exceptionally well and I'm set to perform well on Step 2. Assuming my Step 2 score is above average am I okay to continue pursuing surgery. My plan for nextt year is to get more research, get involved with my school's program, and possibly do a couple of away rotations. Am I wasting my time? thanks!

Honestly probably not. Not being negative, but just realistic. We've had people get screened from gen surg cuz of a low step 1 score and "good everything else" but still had to soap.

Best case scenario if you'd rather be dead than not do surgery is to do a prelim year and show a program that you're God's gift to the surgery profession and go from there.

However I'm sure someone is going to say that they know someone who failed last year but matched into some program surrounded by cows and cornfields.

 

[ridethecliche]

Talk to your department about it. If they'll support you for an internal spot or support your candidacy outside your institution.

 

[guytakingboards]

Few things are impossible.

Anecdotally I know a guy who had terrible grades in college, went to an Irish medical school, took a prelim general surgery spot at a strong academic medical center, kicked ass clinically, was allowed to do a PGY-2 prelim year at the same place and then afterwards was able to transfer into an open PGY-2 spot at a strong community program.

His stroke of luck was getting the prelim spot at a place with a highly respected general surgery program director.

Persistence can pay off in the surgery arena. Not many people go onto complete PGY-2 prelim surgery spots but people drop out of surgery PGY2/PGY3 spots all the time.

My point is two fold: 1) kick ass from here forward 2) find people who are willing to make calls for you. People who matter.

 

[Gorne]

Failedatlife probably has some words of wisdom for OP.

 

[mimelim]

Come on guys, at least start with the numbers...

https://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Charting-Outcomes-US-Allopathic-Seniors-2016.pdf

Page 81.

0 out of 1 applicants with a 181-190 landed a GS spot
7 out of 20 applicants with a 191-200 landed a GS spot
30 out of 62 applicants with a 201-210 landed a GS spot

So, as a starting point, assuming that your eventual passing score was 190+ it is possible to match a categorical GS spot. Obviously, the higher the better. On the other hand, there was a pre-lim GS resident at my institution that was at a top 10 medical school, had a 230+ step 1 score and didn't land a categorical spot. (and now 5 years later, never did get a categorical spot and helps run a pain clinic)

I agree with @ridethecliche I would start working on your home institution. Strong letters from them will go a long way. As will a smart list to apply to.

 

[AcademicNeurosurgery]

On the other hand, there was a pre-lim GS resident at my institution that was at a top 10 medical school, had a 230+ step 1 score and didn't land a categorical spot. (and now 5 years later, never did get a categorical spot and helps run a pain clinic)

What would be the reason for someone like this to not match? Not applying broadly? Personality? Didn't try again after failing to match the first time? Pretty shocking reality.

 

[mimelim]

What would be the reason for someone like this to not match? Not applying broadly? Personality? Didn't try again after failing to match the first time? Pretty shocking reality.

In the case I mentioned, the guy was an asshat and not particularly surprising.

 

[OnePunchBiopsy]

Great advice above!

All I'll add is also be sure to apply to prelim spots as well as categorical spots.

Best of luck OP! Destroy Step 2

 

[Tenk]

You need to network like a politician if you want to do surgery. Ultimately you will need someone (preferably a PD) to have your back and say, "yeah, hepatorenal had a rough start but they have really turned a corner and would be a good fit here." Without that it will be really hard. Go out there and make friends!

 

[bannie22]

Nothing is impossible but a failed Step 1 makes it extra difficult