Low numbers!

[au1818]

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I'm a 3rd year medical student at an average ranked allopathic medical school with a 191 step one score, bottom quarter class rank, and ~2.7 gpa; I predict a better step two score and solid evaluations. What are your thoughts on my ability to match with these numbers and above average interview skills? I'd like to do internal med, emergency med, general surgery, or anesthesia. I have a burning desire to end up in Houston if possible so any related info about UT Houston or private programs in Houston (assuming Baylor is out) would be great.

 

[dynx]

I'm a 3rd year medical student at an average ranked allopathic medical school with a 191 step one score, bottom quarter class rank, and ~2.7 gpa; I predict a better step two score and solid evaluations. What are your thoughts on my ability to match with these numbers and above average interview skills? I'd like to do internal med, emergency med, general surgery, or anesthesia. I have a burning desire to end up in Houston if possible so any related info about UT Houston or private programs in Houston (assuming Baylor is out) would be great.

You have the opportunity to turn this into one of the most memorable applications ever. Apply to UT Houston for all of those programs. Write your personal statement about how you have a "burning desire" to stay in houston rather than a love for any specific specialty..."when I was a little baby, my first words were, Houston" When they ask you where else you have interviewed reply:
Room 1123
Room 3457
Room ...
let us know how it works out.

 

[eljefe]

I agree with dynx in saying that you need to figure out what you want to do. Scores aren't everything but regardless of scores you are going to have a tough time matching into one area. Med students always want to know what their odds are so here goes--based only on your class rank and step 1 score, if you idiotically insist on staying in Houston no matter what you better look for a community program in Internal Medicine. As you know your Step 1 and class rank aren't too hot but if you aren't picky about location and you apply to a lot of programs you could probably slide into any one of the specialities you mentioned if you really wanted to--it might even be in Texas (El Paso).

Here is probably your best plan: Figure out what you want to do--find the best program that will take you--if it is not in Houston move there when you are done.

 

[au1818]

I realize that choosing a specific specialty and going for it is important and didn't mean to imply that I would go for several specialties to get a specific city; I'm trying to decide by around March when 4th year externships/scheduling picks up so that I won't loose any advantage to going full force at a certain field (the ones i listed were at the top of the list currently). I'd do derm, ortho, or plastics if i could, but obviously i don't have the numbers for those; So I was asking if you thought i had a shot at those specialties in Houston, or anywhere else specific....thanks for the help


I'd hate to go full force to match general surgery and then have to scramble in fargo, ND for internal med when i could have gotten internal med somewhere better...

 

[napoleondynamite]

Pick what you want to do and GO FOR IT! No matter what advise you get from a bunch of strangers on this forum..it can't change one fact which I believe to be true: ANYONE, with ANY score from ANY SCHOOL can get into ANY SPECIALTY if they try hard enough. This does not mean it will be easy. It also does not mean you will get to pick your location of residency training. You may not even get in your first time..but if you are willing to try again, perhaps do a year of research, make some more contacts..you'll eventually get in to anything..even plastics with a 191. People give up way too easily. This is your WHOLE LIFE you are talking about. Are you really seriously considering settling for a second or third choice job because some hoser like me tells you that you may not have a shot of getting in?

 

[dpmd]

I agree with napoleondynamite. Just be sure you are mentally tough enough to withstand the rejection and not matching if you do choose something more competitive. You have to try for what you love. On the other hand, if you are sure you would be happy in two different specialties (and I mean really happy, no regrets or thoughts of what could have been) and one of them is easier to get into I would not fault you for not wanting to go through the heartbreaking, gut-wrenching process that is applying "above your scores". Be sure, though.

 

[TUCOMSam]

You have the opportunity to turn this into one of the most memorable applications ever. Apply to UT Houston for all of those programs. Write your personal statement about how you have a "burning desire" to stay in houston rather than a love for any specific specialty..."when I was a little baby, my first words were, Houston" When they ask you where else you have interviewed reply:
Room 1123
Room 3457
Room ...
let us know how it works out.

ah, cut the guy (or girl) some slack... this 3rd year student is like MOST 3rd year students... only a few rotations under the belt... probably NO anesthesia, emergency, plastics, ortho, etc. under the belt at all, so still basing those preferences on misguided charm. Truth is, you will find out eventually what field you really are meant to pursue. I finally chose my specialty after my first rotation of 4th year. My step 1 score sucked, so I took step 2 early, passed and improved greatly... once the programs saw these scores after I released them, then the interviews came rolling in.

BOTTOM line... you can't change the past and what you already have in your profile this far in medical school...so QUIT FOCUSING ON IT. Focus on what your strengths AND aptitudes are and to what specialty that applies. Then focus on what you can do to strengthen yourself as a candidate. You may be a great interviewee, but without the whole package you won't get that interview at all, so plan now. Not too late.

P.S. I resent the Fargo, ND comment...even though it is unpopulated, cold, and ok, boring. 🙂 Good luck.

 

[au1818]

I got into medicine with experience in the OR and thoughts of general surgery, but with an open mind. I have now done Internal, Emergency, Family, and OB/GYN rotations as a third year. I’ll do surgery after Christmas break; I realize I need to be on top of things to gain any advantage I can and hope to decide on a specialty and possible senior externs by March when senior scheduling begins. I appreciate the advice and am meeting with a faculty advisor after thanksgiving. Basically I guess I need to decide if I’m a surgeon or medicine doctor and then work on a list of reasonable programs...Any further advice, specific program info, etc. is appreciated.

TUCOM,..I am certainly focusing on the future of my medical education/career as opposed to the past, although I’m damn proud of those ugly basic science numbers I earned! I’ll be taking Step Two early, making better grades, etc; Sorry for the Fargo comment, I’ve never even been...

 

[gunit07]

I'm a 3rd year medical student at an average ranked allopathic medical school with a 191 step one score, bottom quarter class rank, and ~2.7 gpa; I predict a better step two score and solid evaluations. What are your thoughts on my ability to match with these numbers and above average interview skills? I'd like to do internal med, emergency med, general surgery, or anesthesia. I have a burning desire to end up in Houston if possible so any related info about UT Houston or private programs in Houston (assuming Baylor is out) would be great.

try your best on step2, try to eliminate any factors that you think may have contributed to your low step1 score (where you studied, who you studied with, any drama that was going on near the time of the test, etc)

do try to decide what you want to do... try to get some experience in EM and anesthesia at some point of time during your third year (sadly, this may mean giving up some well-deserved vacations shadowing)

definitely plan away rotations at baylor, ut houston, and methodist. try to get to know the chairmen and PDs of each program.

obviously nothing can replace/erase your step1 score; but you never know what will come your way, so don't give up!

good luck🙂