Just got Step I back. What should I make of it?

[WhiteCoatSyndrome]

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I'm a DO student and I just got my step I score back and scored a 228. I was hoping to score a little better. My COMLEX was 649. Right now I'd say going forward my 1a and 1b are radiology and psychiatry. I'm not worried about making it into psych, but I'm curious about my chances with an allopathic diagnostic rads program. I understand that the average is around 240, so would I be better off trying to go the AOA route if I'm wanting rads or do I have a shot at an ACGME program somehwere? I'm first quintile in my class and hope to have good LORs and have had good clinical grades thus far. My ECs are lacking however and I have no research.

 

[Bobcat18]

You'll be competitive for psych but for radiology you'll want to take Step 2 and score higher to compensate for the lower than average Step 1. DO's match pretty well in ACGME radiology so I'm not saying you're SOL but a high Step 2 will definitely help offset your Step 1.

 

[DrBowtie]

I'm a DO student and I just got my step I score back and scored a 228. I was hoping to score a little better. My COMLEX was 649. Right now I'd say going forward my 1a and 1b are radiology and psychiatry. I'm not worried about making it into psych, but I'm curious about my chances with an allopathic diagnostic rads program. I understand that the average is around 240, so would I be better off trying to go the AOA route if I'm wanting rads or do I have a shot at an ACGME program somehwere? I'm first quintile in my class and hope to have good LORs and have had good clinical grades thus far. My ECs are lacking however and I have no research.

You'll match Rads with those scores and record. The caliber of program will be less (mid tier academic/community in less desirable location or low tier in better location).