Low step 1, advice needed

[Vitwat]

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I normally don't do this but I got my step 1 score the other day and I'm a bit disappointed. I'm currently a M3 so I know this is a little premature but any advice would go a long way.

I loved my OB/GYN rotation and could really see myself going into it but I'm afraid I killed any of my chances with my step 1 score. I got a 199 which was quite a disappointment.

I go to a top 25 US school, tested above average throughout M1 and M2. Not really sure what happened in Step 1, don't want to blame in on "burn-out" but I was definitely experiencing some of that during the study period and had some family stuff going on. I don't want to make any excuses for myself since my score is my score and there really isn't anything I can do about it now but work with it.

I know I need to really blow the Step 2 out of the park, but even if I do have I killed my chances of matching at a decent university or community program? I'm liking M3 much better being in a clinical setting so I'm hoping to honor as many rotations as possible, I'm also a male applicant if that even makes a difference. Thanks in advance.

 

[anonperson]

I normally don't do this but I got my step 1 score the other day and I'm a bit disappointed. I'm currently a M3 so I know this is a little premature but any advice would go a long way.

I loved my OB/GYN rotation and could really see myself going into it but I'm afraid I killed any of my chances with my step 1 score. I got a 199 which was quite a disappointment.

I go to a top 25 US school, tested above average throughout M1 and M2. Not really sure what happened in Step 1, don't want to blame in on "burn-out" but I was definitely experiencing some of that during the study period and had some family stuff going on. I don't want to make any excuses for myself since my score is my score and there really isn't anything I can do about it now but work with it.

I know I need to really blow the Step 2 out of the park, but even if I do have I killed my chances of matching at a decent university or community program? I'm liking M3 much better being in a clinical setting so I'm hoping to honor as many rotations as possible, I'm also a male applicant if that even makes a difference. Thanks in advance.

You will get auto screened from some of the higher tier programs but if you do well on your clerkships (honors) and do well on Step 2 (230+) you should be able to match at an academic program if you apply broadly. Take Step 2 in time for your application. Also, start getting to know your OB GYN faculty. If you're at a top 25 medical school, I'm assuming your OB department is relatively strong. Meet with the program director during your rotation and chairperson and make sure they get to know you well. You can use that to match at your home institution if you want or get them to make some phone calls on your behalf.

I had a similar step 1 score (sub 200) and ended up with a 240+ on Step 2. I had some additional red flags and ended up getting interviews at some decent places: UTSW, Emory etc.

 

[Vitwat]

I really appreciate you taking the time to respond, thanks for the advice. I will definitely get in touch with the OB/GYN faculty at my institution and talk to them.

I was also contemplating taking a year after M3 to do research in OB/GYN to strengthen my application, possibly at an institution I would like to end up. Any thoughts on whether that is worth it?

 

[anonperson]

I really appreciate you taking the time to respond, thanks for the advice. I will definitely get in touch with the OB/GYN faculty at my institution and talk to them.

I was also contemplating taking a year after M3 to do research in OB/GYN to strengthen my application, possibly at an institution I would like to end up. Any thoughts on whether that is worth it?

Not worth it.

 

[residencycoord]

If you are thinking about applying to an academic institution, then having research would definitely be a plus. I work in a university setting and we rarely interview applicants without some kind of research on their cv. The more recent the better.

 

[Biology101]

Well along with that, will research from undergrad, be considered? Or should we omit that?

 

[Campanella]

Is any research in medical school looked upon favorably, or do programs prefer Ob/Gyn research?

 

[anonperson]

Is any research in medical school looked upon favorably, or do programs prefer Ob/Gyn research?

Somethings better than nothing. If you can do OB GYN related research that would be best, if not, it's not the end of the world.

 

[ajs321]

I really appreciate you taking the time to respond, thanks for the advice. I will definitely get in touch with the OB/GYN faculty at my institution and talk to them.

I was also contemplating taking a year after M3 to do research in OB/GYN to strengthen my application, possibly at an institution I would like to end up. Any thoughts on whether that is worth it?

Definitely not worth it. Especially when part of eras makes you write a whole damn section on why you took a year off.

Don't do it. Power through. Be smart. You'll figure a way.

 

[residencycoord]

If you want to take a year off to do research at a program you are interested in, then do it. I don't understand why there are naysayers on these threads. I have been writing on this blog for a few years now, and the misinformation that is out there is very scary. Do I know everything, no, but I have been doing this for a very long time so I am a bit more knowledgeable than another medical student or resident. If you take the year out and do this, this will make you a lot more competitive especially if you have the grades to go along with it. Your lower Step 1 score will not matter. You should always get advice from faculty and Chair.

 

[anonperson]

If you want to take a year off to do research at a program you are interested in, then do it. I don't understand why there are naysayers on these threads. I have been writing on this blog for a few years now, and the misinformation that is out there is very scary. Do I know everything, no, but I have been doing this for a very long time so I am a bit more knowledgeable than another medical student or resident. If you take the year out and do this, this will make you a lot more competitive especially if you have the grades to go along with it. Your lower Step 1 score will not matter. You should always get advice from faculty and Chair.

What misinformation?

Taking a year off is not that beneficial for an aspiring OB resident, especially if you are trying to compensate for a low step 1 score. This isn't rad onc.

I'm a resident and am involved in the application process and interview process at my institution. Granted it is a community program but I have friends at academic programs who were involved in the application process as well.

To the OP. Your step 1 score matters. It may get you auto screened from some programs. When I applied, I had 2 first auther publications that I managed to get done in medical school along with a low step 1 score. I did well on step 2. My step 2 score was basically the main reason I got an interview at the majority of places that were considered top tier according to the people I interviewed with.

 

[residencycoord]

anonperson - Over the years, there have been posters on this site who have given very poor advice. If he/she wants to take a year off to do this, then he/she should do it. As far as Step scores, they have been so high the past few years that in some cases it doesn't matter. I have seen many transcripts that are average but the applicant has received high step scores. The transcript trumps the step score. Like I said I have been doing this for many years and have screened thousands of applications.

 

[anonperson]

anonperson - Over the years, there have been posters on this site who have given very poor advice. If he/she wants to take a year off to do this, then he/she should do it. As far as Step scores, they have been so high the past few years that in some cases it doesn't matter. I have seen many transcripts that are average but the applicant has received high step scores. The transcript trumps the step score. Like I said I have been doing this for many years and have screened thousands of applications.

Taking a year off because they really enjoy research and want to is one thing. Taking a year off to do research because an applicant thinks it will greatly boost their chances is wishful thinking.

Will it help a bit? Sure. But unless you pull some major stuff out of it, it will just be a pleasent point of conversation IF you get an interview.

I will add that third year scores are important as well (which relates to getting AOA) which I will admit I didn't emphasize and do agree with you on.

Step 1/Third year grades>LOR>>>Research>>>>>>Extracurriculars

To the OP: Try to get honors in as many rotations as possible. Score at least above average on Step 2. And get good LOR. As long as there are no other red flags, you will probably match at a solid academic place with reasonable fellowship chances.

 

[sia_simba]

I didn't know you can do research and have it published in 1 year.

If research is your theme and there is a spot open in the program you are at, AND if you are >90% certain you want to end up there for residency, then do it. It will help you build strong rapport with clinicians.

If you want to do research, put it on your CV, take a year off, and have mediocre step2 grades with a 199, I would disagree.

Doing well on step2 will matter. You will unfortunately be autoscreen off at some of the top programs, however your entire CV should also be taken into account. Please read some of my previous post.

If you take a year off to do obgyn research, I would say "wow you really want to do obgyn and dedicated". It will be kuddos to you.

However, if you take a year off and do research in multiple sclerosis and applying for obgyn program, It will make me wonder if obgyn is your choice or neurology.

 

[tonitedeschi]

IMG -non us citizen from india

step 1 score 203
other steps awaited

3 years MD in obgyn from india
6 month diploma in clinical research (in india)
fellowship in palliative medicine
post graduate diploma in businees management (equivalent to distance MBA )
5 publications (all in obgyn) out of which 2 in american journal & 1 british & rest indian
12 papers and poster presentation ( all in obgyn ,all in india) , best pAper presentation prize winner

NEVER BEEN TO US (NO USCE , US LOR , ETC)....
2 LOR FROM MY PEDIATRIC FACULTY OF MY MED GRADUATE SCHOOL
4 LOR FROM OBGYN FACULTY FROM MY POST GRAD SCHOOL

can i match obgyn WITH THIS SCORE AND A BACKGROUND LIKE MINE
PLEASE DO REPLY ..WHAT TO DO ..HOW TO IMPROVE...

 

[JacobMedical]

Any feedback with the post above from residents/attendings?

 

[ozm123]

You will get auto screened from some of the higher tier programs but if you do well on your clerkships (honors) and do well on Step 2 (230+) you should be able to match at an academic program if you apply broadly. Take Step 2 in time for your application. Also, start getting to know your OB GYN faculty. If you're at a top 25 medical school, I'm assuming your OB department is relatively strong. Meet with the program director during your rotation and chairperson and make sure they get to know you well. You can use that to match at your home institution if you want or get them to make some phone calls on your behalf.

I had a similar step 1 score (sub 200) and ended up with a 240+ on Step 2. I had some additional red flags and ended up getting interviews at some decent places: UTSW, Emory etc.

 

[ozm123]

Hi, can I ask you how you did with your match and in which field?

 

[anonperson]

Sub 200, OB GYN