Low step 1 but improved step 2

[sickler45461]

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Long time lurker here looking for some advice.

I really messed up on step 1 (passed but <200) and significantly improved on step 2 (>250) after modifying my study strategy. I'm interested in IM, but I'm worried my step 1 score will filter me out of a majority of academic programs. I have a decent amount of research under my belt and know I should apply broadly, but is there any other advice I should follow before application time rolls around?
Any suggestion of what programs are within my range to apply to?
Another problem is I won't finish any sub-I's until after applications open up so my (hopefully) better rec letters will be sent in late at the end of September. Thanks!

 

[the argus]

There's a few details missing from your story that will make a big difference in the answers to your questions.

1. What type of school do you go to (USMD, DO, caribbean, etc)?
2. Do you have geographic limitations for residency?

I was in a similar situation as you as a Caribbean grad, though not as dramatic (step 1 215-220, step 2 ~250), and still got ~10 interviews from university/academic programs. The main thing for you is going to be making sure the rest of your application is stellar. Programs don't really care about your Step 1 per se, they just want to make sure you can pass the boards, and your step 2 score proves that you will be able to do that. You just have to make sure they will even look at your application, which is not a guarantee with a step 1 <200. Here's my advice,

1. Change your schedule and get your sub-Is earlier. Talk to you school, this should be possible as it's still February. Your application should be complete the day ERAS opens.
2. If you go to a USMD school, phone calls to PDs from the IM chair/PD at your home institution will go a long way. "Calling on behalf of sickler45461. He tanked step 1, but is a smart dude and crushed step 2. Please at least give his application a look."
3. If geography's not an issue, look for the university IM programs on the Caribbean schools (Ross, SGU) match lists. Schools like UMass, UConn, Penn State, SUNY Downstate, SUNY Upstate, UCF, etc. These programs are usually a mix of USMDs, DOs, IMGs.
4. If you are a USMD, don't give up on higher tier programs either. Talk to the IM leadership at your institution to see where they might have connections, etc. Probably won't end up at Hopkins, but those programs certainly aren't out of the question as long as they don't filter out your application without even looking at it.

Good luck!

 

[sickler45461]

There's a few details missing from your story that will make a big difference in the answers to your questions.

1. What type of school do you go to (USMD, DO, caribbean, etc)?
2. Do you have geographic limitations for residency?

I was in a similar situation as you as a Caribbean grad, though not as dramatic (step 1 215-220, step 2 ~250), and still got ~10 interviews from university/academic programs. The main thing for you is going to be making sure the rest of your application is stellar. Programs don't really care about your Step 1 per se, they just want to make sure you can pass the boards, and your step 2 score proves that you will be able to do that. You just have to make sure they will even look at your application, which is not a guarantee with a step 1 <200. Here's my advice,

1. Change your schedule and get your sub-Is earlier. Talk to you school, this should be possible as it's still February. Your application should be complete the day ERAS opens.
2. If you go to a USMD school, phone calls to PDs from the IM chair/PD at your home institution will go a long way. "Calling on behalf of sickler45461. He tanked step 1, but is a smart dude and crushed step 2. Please at least give his application a look."
3. If geography's not an issue, look for the university IM programs on the Caribbean schools (Ross, SGU) match lists. Schools like UMass, UConn, Penn State, SUNY Downstate, SUNY Upstate, UCF, etc. These programs are usually a mix of USMDs, DOs, IMGs.
4. If you are a USMD, don't give up on higher tier programs either. Talk to the IM leadership at your institution to see where they might have connections, etc. Probably won't end up at Hopkins, but those programs certainly aren't out of the question as long as they don't filter out your application without even looking at it.

Good luck!

Thanks for all your advice. I am an USMD and not super geographically limited. Unfortunately, the way scheduling is set up at my school, I cannot schedule earlier sub-Is but I'll go ahead and speak to my school about other options. Is taking a year off between med school and residency a bad idea? Thanks again!

 

[bashwell]

Thanks for all your advice. I am an USMD and not super geographically limited. Unfortunately, the way scheduling is set up at my school, I cannot schedule earlier sub-Is but I'll go ahead and speak to my school about other options. Is taking a year off between med school and residency a bad idea? Thanks again!

In general, unless you have a good reason or do something amazing, yes bad idea unfortunately. 🙁

You might want to check out NRMP to better evaluate your chances. Not sure if they have all the information you're looking for, but it still should help.

 

[J ROD]

It may get you not looked at some programs but most take a look at the total application. And if you can explanation for the Step 1 then even better. I don't think overall you will have a hard time matching. Now if you are set on a top program, then gonna be a red flag. Overall, apply broad enough 20-30 programs and you should be okay to match.

 

[the argus]

Thanks for all your advice. I am an USMD and not super geographically limited. Unfortunately, the way scheduling is set up at my school, I cannot schedule earlier sub-Is but I'll go ahead and speak to my school about other options. Is taking a year off between med school and residency a bad idea? Thanks again!

I don't think taking a year off is a good idea. It sounds like the limiting factor in your case will be step 1, and that won't change with a year off.

Just try to move up the sub-I's so your letters are ready when ERAS opens, apply broadly, get your home people to make some calls, and you'll be fine.

I disagree somewhat with the poster above as I think you should be applying to more than 20-30 programs. You should be applying to a big mix of good community programs, lower tier university programs, and higher tier university programs. The worst thing that couple possibly happen is you waste some money and get too many interview offers and have to turn some down. Much better than finding out in December that you didn't apply broadly enough...