Just got class rank - residency chances

[Schmetterling]

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Just got my class rank, not even in the top half of my class. I'm an almost straight B student with good clinical remarks, and a 224 on Step 1. I can't even think of how the dean could put a positive spin on this. I can't even imagine how it is for the bottom of the class, though i thought I read that 95% of American students get a residency position.

I plan on doing my residency in Texas, but I am keeping an open mind for NYC or another big city.

How are my residency chances looking for internal medicine, pathology, anesthesiology or dare I even dream of radiology (I heard it's possible even without 240+ or AOA)?

 

[WellWornLad]

http://www.nrmp.org/data/chartingoutcomes2009v3.pdf

 

[trichomaV]

depends on who you know. any residency is possible.

 

[MegaProjectile]

Based on what I've heard from upperclassmen I wouldn't worry much about class rank. Some schools won't include it in your dean's letter if you request so. See what your school's policy is.

The main problem is your Step 1 and lack of clinical honors (I assume "B" = high pass). It won't keep you away from IM, Anes, or path but you have to apply broadly.

 

[njbmd]

Just got my class rank, not even in the top half of my class. I'm an almost straight B student with good clinical remarks, and a 224 on Step 1. I can't even think of how the dean could put a positive spin on this. I can't even imagine how it is for the bottom of the class, though i thought I read that 95% of American students get a residency position.

I plan on doing my residency in Texas, but I am keeping an open mind for NYC or another big city.

How are my residency chances looking for internal medicine, pathology, anesthesiology or dare I even dream of radiology (I heard it's possible even without 240+ or AOA)?

Take Step II early and ace it period. Get good letters of recommendation especially from the chair of rads at your medical school and apply broadly. You might even want to try to do some kind of research project (as an elective) in rads at the beginning of fourth year too. In short, you are running out of chances to distinguish yourself but make sure that you apply to enough programs to have 10-15 solid places to rank.

 

[ChimpanzeeMinky]

Take Step II early and ace it period. Get good letters of recommendation especially from the chair of rads at your medical school and apply broadly. You might even want to try to do some kind of research project (as an elective) in rads at the beginning of fourth year too. In short, you are running out of chances to distinguish yourself but make sure that you apply to enough programs to have 10-15 solid places to rank.

See, OP, the great thing about NJBMD's posts is that you can pretty much follow the advice of the exact opposite of what she says.

 

[MilkmanAl]

See, OP, the great thing about NJBMD's posts is that you can pretty much follow the advice of the exact opposite of what she says.

I'd usually agree, but this time, I don't see how she gave bad advice. I don't think the OP is in dire straits for any of the specialties he mentioned (except possibly radiology), but njbmd's thoughts on how to improve his app seem solid enough. I think I'd prefer an extra rads rotation or two (aways or otherwise) instead of the research and early Step 2, but neither way is bad. If rads is what you want, OP, I'd definitely get Step 2 in by mid-October, at the latest. I suppose it's possible you could do all of the above.

 

[hot sauce]

Remember that half of the students are in the bottom half of their class 😉. Now of course for highly competitive fields you want to be higher but you can certainly find a residency position if you apply appropriately. As far as taking Step II, if you are ready and feel you can get a good score I think taking it early is good advice. Obviously don't rush into it and get a low score which will hurt you.

Also you listed quite a few diverse fields you should probably figure out what you want to do (while assessing if you have a reasonable shot at matching to it) and work on creating a good application for that field.

 

[MossPoh]

See, OP, the great thing about NJBMD's posts is that you can pretty much follow the advice of the exact opposite of what she says.

I actually think that was pretty sound advice. I think what NJBMD meant by early, was not necessarily the earliest possible date one can take it, but early enough to get the results to residency programs in order to add an extra "pro" onto the list (if they do exceedingly well).

 

[senseiturtle]

Remember that half of the students are in the bottom half of their class 😉.

Bingo.


Just don't apply out of your league.


If you're applying to Neurosurgery, and you're #90 / 100, with a 190 step I... you just as well not apply.

If you're #90/100 and you want to do Psych with a 240 step score, you're solid.


Doing well on the remaining endeavors is a given.

 

[fahimaz7]

Just got my class rank, not even in the top half of my class. I'm an almost straight B student with good clinical remarks, and a 224 on Step 1. I can't even think of how the dean could put a positive spin on this. I can't even imagine how it is for the bottom of the class, though i thought I read that 95% of American students get a residency position.

I plan on doing my residency in Texas, but I am keeping an open mind for NYC or another big city.

How are my residency chances looking for internal medicine, pathology, anesthesiology or dare I even dream of radiology (I heard it's possible even without 240+ or AOA)?

So that's like a 2.8 or so GPA? Just curious...

 

[themule]

So that's like a 2.8 or so GPA? Just curious...

Most places a "B" average is a 3.0.

 

[fahimaz7]

Just got my class rank, not even in the top half of my class. I'm an almost straight B student with good clinical remarks, and a 224 on Step 1. I can't even think of how the dean could put a positive spin on this. I can't even imagine how it is for the bottom of the class, though i thought I read that 95% of American students get a residency position.

I plan on doing my residency in Texas, but I am keeping an open mind for NYC or another big city.

How are my residency chances looking for internal medicine, pathology, anesthesiology or dare I even dream of radiology (I heard it's possible even without 240+ or AOA)?

Most places a "B" average is a 3.0.

No kidding. He said almost a straight B student. So, does he have a 3.2 or a 2.8? That's why I'm wondering. I hear the national average is a 3.0.