Is 228 a terrible score??

[FractureFixer]

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Someone told me it was 70%. Just trying to figure out what it means and if it is a decent score (AMong the NON-sdners scores of 250+), they never explained it good enough.

Anyone?

also which specialties are off-limits?? (I am average student and will probably get average 3rd year grades) (also if I have to go to utah it wouldnt matter)

Thanks
-FF

 

[vicinihil]

face it your score is only good enough for the military. good luck.

All kidding aside, I think if you consult the page in FIRSTAID where it tells you specialties and their avg usmle scores, you will have a good idea of where you stand amongst applicants. I'm sure it doesn't mean that you won't have a chance at a specialty with higher scores, but you do need to do more in terms of extracurriculars to show that you're also friggin awesome.

 

[McGillGrad]

That is a good score for two reasons:

1: It's above average
2: Places 99% of specialities within your reach..as long as LOR/clinical grades/Step2 are above average and/or exceptional

It's not a 250, but step I is a means-to-an-end, so treat it as that. Just like your MCAT score which means NOTHING now and your SAT which means even less after university.

At this level, it is the limited number of places for certain specialties that place them off limits, not your score, per se. In other words, if there are 100 spots in Derm and you have 200 applicants applying with you and they all have 250/99, then you're in trouble.... but it is the inherent scarcity of spots, not your score that is the biggest hurdle. make sense?

 

[Hearos]

How many threads are you going to start about your score? This is your 3rd thread. Go cry to your mama.

 

[kdburton]

63.7th percentile

http://bayes.bgsu.edu/nsf_web/jscript/normal_cdf/normal_icdf.htm

..assuming its a normal distribution

 

[pseudoknot]

I am strongly reminded of BoneNibbler.

 

[Disinence2]

Don't stress, its over. You passed

It really depends on what specialty your interested in. If you look at the averages your only about -10 points for the average resident entering the more competitive fields. Plastics average score was 241.

Just get some great evals, and learn as much as you can.

 

[Captopril]

228 is a great score. Don't be fooled by the SDN average, since 3/4 of scores on this site are BS anyway

 

[JPort]

to be completely honest, even if it was 10 points lower, it wouldn't matter, it depends more on how much you pursue a certain residency. there are countless articles saying that your grades in your specialty rotation and in general matter more than your step 1 and they also use step 2 as an adjunct to see how your thinking has improved. step 1 has been made into some mythical beast as if its really THE deciding factor and NOTHING else you do matters. it's not, and as time passes you'll see why. it's like hypertension.,there are a couple clear causes people enjoy pointing to but as time has passed they realized its a multifactorial problem.

 

[FractureFixer]

Thanks Guys for both the advice and support!!

I guess it just depresses me when everyone and their mother got in the 250-260 range. (even the scores i hear in real life are that high too)🙁

 

[Knicks]

to be completely honest, even if it was 10 points lower, it wouldn't matter, it depends more on how much you pursue a certain residency. there are countless articles saying that your grades in your specialty rotation and in general matter more than your step 1 and they also use step 2 as an adjunct to see how your thinking has improved. step 1 has been made into some mythical beast as if its really THE deciding factor and NOTHING else you do matters. it's not, and as time passes you'll see why. it's like hypertension.,there are a couple clear causes people enjoy pointing to but as time has passed they realized its a multifactorial problem.

Post of the month. 👍

 

[ObamaCare]

I am strongly reminded of BoneNibbler.

and the 3rd year schedule on his signature doesn't even match his listed institution. troll.

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

also which specialties are off-limits?? (I am average student and will probably get average 3rd year grades) (also if I have to go to utah it wouldnt matter)

Thanks
-FF

Utah has a very strong surgery and ortho program. Don't knock what you don't know.

 

[Whats_up_doc]

I only scored like 5 points more than you and I feel that is the most awesome score in the world. To each its own. Please do not let a score define who you are or what you will be. If you have the drive, no one can stop you. Stop comparing yourself to others and do the best you can in 3rd year.

 

[FractureFixer]

bump

 

[rahulb]

 

[Captopril]

I LOLed.

 

[alphaholic06]

Dude, seriously?

 

[FreakofMeds]

Yes it is a terrible score. If you scored a 229 like I did, you'd be in a much better position.

 

[FractureFixer]

Yes it is a terrible score. If you scored a 229 like I did, you'd be in a much better position.

wow grow up little girl

 

[alphaholic06]

wow grow up little girl

Pot meet kettle

 

[Pinkertinkle]

U guys r getting trolled pretty hard

 

[FractureFixer]

just trying to get a straight answer.........

 

[12loser12]

I personally don't think averages are that meaningful to look at. Every specialty has people that score far above necessary (260 when a 218 is required) and they boost the averages. I'd just look here:

http://www.nrmp.org/data/chartingoutcomes2007.pdf

(This is from '07 and I heard the newer one is out I just haven't cared to look for it)

Anyway, something like Ortho would be an average of 6 points above your score so you may feel you're fighting an uphill climb. But, look at the score breakdown. Of the people applying with a score between 221-230, 122/148 matched. And your 228 puts you at the upper end of this group. In other words, do a good job with your other stuff and nothing is off limits.

 

[FractureFixer]

Wow. Finally a real mature post that is helpful. you are the greatest 12closer12. I never looked at it that way. I guess the average means that some people will have gotten in with below scores form that average. I could be that person. Much thanks!!!

-FF

 

[alphaholic06]

Wow. Finally a real mature post that is helpful. you are the greatest 12closer12. I never looked at it that way. I guess the average means that some people will have gotten in with below scores form that average. I could be that person. Much thanks!!!

-FF

You're not going to get an ortho residency. It's time you faced the music!

 

[Kr4meR]

The Average is 221..... so anything over that puts you better than HALF the applicants... look at it that way.

 

[pseudoknot]

The Average is 221..... so anything over that puts you better than HALF the applicants... look at it that way.

That would be true for a median, not an average. Anyway, the average for ortho is more like mid to high 230s, so a 228 would not be an asset but wouldn't eliminate someone. And most importantly, the OP is a troll.

 

[McGillGrad]

... And most importantly, the OP is a troll.

 

[FractureFixer]

The Average is 221..... so anything over that puts you better than HALF the applicants... look at it that way.

Thanks. You are smart and this makes sense. I am better that half the people, like you said yippe!

 

[McGillGrad]

Thanks. You are smart and this makes sense. I am better that half the people, like you said yippe!

Or you're worse than half of the people. Either way, you put the "AWE" in awesome.

 

[FractureFixer]

Either way, you put the "AWE" in awesome.

Thank you for your admiration. I know I am one of you mentors/idols and will try and set you a good example to follow son.👍

 

[McGillGrad]

Thank you for your admiration. I know I am one of you mentors/idols and will try and set you a good example to follow son.👍

Thank you father. 👍