Low Step 1...Any Chances?

[erdoc123]

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Hi All,

I scored 202 on my USMLE Step 1 and 497 on Comlex 1.

I really want to do emergency medicine. Is all hope lost for me?
I took Step 2 and I'm not sure how I did yet.
Will I match somewhere?

 

[BKN]

Hi All,

I scored 202 on my USMLE Step 1 and 497 on Comlex 1.

I really want to do emergency medicine. Is all hope lost for me?
I took Step 2 and I'm not sure how I did yet.
Will I match somewhere?

No. Probably.

 

[uncwalley]

Several of my classmates when I applied scored around there or worse and got several interviews and matched. If you aren't confident in your application, that just means you need to apply to more places. Talk to the program director at your school if there is one. They usually can give you great advice.

 

[deleted52758]

No. Probably.

despite what BKN says, (with all due respect), i dont think all hope is lost. study hard your third year, do well in your audition rotation, and study like hell for your step 2, and take step 2 early. i had a friend who was in your similar position, did well in his fourth year rotation, actually studied hard for step 2, did about 40 points better, and got into the residency of his choice. it's not actually that difficult to score better on step 2, considering half of us dont even study for it.

point is, there's still a lot of time. dont give up.

 

[deleted77919]

…

 

[Khaos]

no, not all hope is lost. I also scored low on my step 1. Studied very hard for step 2 and went up 39 points and had no problem matching. There is hope.

 

[deleted52758]

Not to put words in other people's mouths but I believe you misread. BKN answered the OP's two questions in order.

OP: Is all hope lost for me?
BKN: No.
OP: Will I match somewhere?
BKN: Probably.

thanks. now it makes sense. i was thinking that maybe BKN just had a rough shift and had a little extra sauce to his comment... haha sorry!

 

[highballa33]

delete

 

[EM2BE]

Why are you so worried? A 497 COMLEX is 3 points below average. Being average doesn't ruin anything. (unless you were planning to match allopathic, then I have nothing for you)

 

[jbar]

I recommend checking this out

https://services.aamc.org/Publicati...ion=Product.displayForm&prd_id=197&prv_id=238

it breaks down the match, you can see how ranges of scores do for each field. So for EM, people who scored between 200 and 210, 176 people applied, 161 matched (US applicants). pg 35

 

[domer621]

So for EM, people who scored between 200 and 210, 176 people applied, 161 matched (US applicants). pg 35

Looks like if you get <180, you're a guaranteed match!

 

[erdoc123]

About how many programs should I apply to with those scores?
I'm also applying to AOA programs.

 

[Old_Mil]

Hi All,

I scored 202 on my USMLE Step 1 and 497 on Comlex 1.

I really want to do emergency medicine. Is all hope lost for me?
I took Step 2 and I'm not sure how I did yet.
Will I match somewhere?

This is from the EM sticky thread...I'm assuming that it's calculated so as to get you the 10 interviews you'll need to match...by way of comparison, they say that you need to apply to 10 IM programs to match, and 5 FM programs to match.

"Next step, also to be done in August, is to decide how many programs you need to apply to. Here are some rough guidelines.

Student A: Step I 250, EM grade Honors, Student Body President
15-30 programs

Student B: Step I 215, EM grade High Pass, EMIG President
30-40 programs

Student C: Step I 182, EM grade Pass, Golf Handicap 7.
40-50 programs."

 

[BKN]

thanks. now it makes sense. i was thinking that maybe BKN just had a rough shift and had a little extra sauce to his comment... haha sorry!

No if I'm in a bad mood, I don't answer questions.

 

[GeneralVeers]

No if I'm in a bad mood, I don't answer questions.

So how do we know if you're in a bad mood?


In all honesty a score of 202 puts you at serious risk. I scored 208 on step I, 218 on step II and didn't match after applying to 40 programs.

 

[domer621]

Hi All,

I scored 202 on my USMLE Step 1 and 497 on Comlex 1.

I really want to do emergency medicine. Is all hope lost for me?
I took Step 2 and I'm not sure how I did yet.
Will I match somewhere?

I would apply to at least 50 programs. Not only is your Step 1 well below the average for EM applicants in general, but you're also a DO, which makes it even tougher for you to match. I know a DO applicant who has great USMLE scores, and even he is applying to 40 programs.

 

[theCamel]

hi,

i matched at my top choice with steps 1+2 at like 205, 205 - compensate and you should be fine. there's more to it than step scores like others have said. i was pretty nervous, applied to like 25 places, and got > 1/2 interviews. holler if you need specific advice.

goodluck