Importance of Step 1

[rhl1986]

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Hello, I was wondering how path programs weigh step 1 scores. Most programs I have talked with are perfectly fine with the Comlex, the problem is I did a little below average, almost a 500. I'm not very good at standardized tests but I was in the top 3% of my class in my pathology class.

 

[dermpathdoc]

with most pathology residencies have empty slots, I doubt you will have a problem. you might not get your top choice if it is a competitive program. You will get something

 

[pathololology]

I think its more the whole package. If you don't do great on Step 1 but then really do good on Step 2 or did really well in med school, then I wouldn't sweat it too much. I don't think any one thing is too much of a red flag on a pathology app. If you barely passed (like 189) that might be a concern from a residency perspective b/c they don't want to have to worry about you passing boards. If you get a 189, though I would try and take Step 2 early and before you apply. I bet you can increase it like 20 points if you work hard. I just got USMLE world and did questions for about 6 months and increased my step 2 by 20 points and had that on my app before applying for residency. I think it helped. . . .

But like dermpathdoc stated path programs typically do have open spots after match, so you will likely get a spot somewhere no matter what.

Hello, I was wondering how path programs weigh step 1 scores. Most programs I have talked with are perfectly fine with the Comlex, the problem is I did a little below average, almost a 500. I'm not very good at standardized tests but I was in the top 3% of my class in my pathology class.

 

[Johnny Sunshine]

In my experience, programs are more interested in making sure you know what pathology is all about. They get a lot of applicants who are just using it as a fall-back, or are going into it because they realized they hate clinical practice.

If you have done any pathology electives, and thus have direct experience about what daily pathology practice is really about, you'll be far ahead many applicants.

I agree that a low Step 1 may be a problem though, if it's barely above passing. Whether you will have problems with the boards is a big point of concern for many path programs.

 

[TMZ2007]

OTOH, some programs do have arbitrary score cutoffs, so it might behoove you to contact places you are interested in and find out if a low score on a standardized test is directing your app to file 13. Even crummy programs get 100s of apps. You're not going to get much love with a sub-200 step 1 (or equivalent), regardless of the rest of your qualifications.

Also, I do recall there being a Comlex -> USMLE conversion equation floating about somewhere and some vague grumblings by our PD that it *might* be outdated and *maybe* we should be using it anymore. And then we used it again last year :-/