Low Step 1. Need to do research

[CMSRad]

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Hi,

I am a third year medical student at the Chicago Medical School. I have a low step 1 score 197. I really want to go into Radiology. I was not sure as to what I wanted to do until I did an elective and loved it. I am willing to take time off from school to do a research project. Obviosly this time around I am going to take as long as it takes to get a good step 2 score. What should I do to get into this residency?

 

[Dimoak]

Destroy Step 2, and do it as soon as possible; you'll want those scores in hand during interviews. Do as many away rotations as reasonable, focus on wowing, and make sure to demonstrate your motivation for the specialty. Hopefully geography won't be an issue for you, so try to apply to as many programs as possible, focusing on programs away from the coasts. Getting involved with research may help as well, but make sure it's something worthwhile where you'll learn something and get a good LoR. Too many people try to get involved with research that they may not be too interested in, but think it could help them match, and programs see right through it, so don't be that guy or girl. If you want it badly enough, you'll find a way to get in. Good luck!

 

[jake2]

Hi,

I am a third year medical student at the Chicago Medical School. I have a low step 1 score 197. I really want to go into Radiology. I was not sure as to what I wanted to do until I did an elective and loved it. I am willing to take time off from school to do a research project. Obviosly this time around I am going to take as long as it takes to get a good step 2 score. What should I do to get into this residency?

In 2007, 58% of people with a step I between 190-200 were able to match rads. Same advice as above generally. Apply broadly and don't try to save money on the application process. Apply to community programs and do as many away rotations as feasible. Rocking step II and doing well on your clinical rotations wouldn't hurt either. 😉

Taking a year off to do research would help, especially in that it would give you dedicated time to study for step II and would show your interest in radiology. The community programs you're looking at probably don't care too much about research per se though, so it might not help AS much as you'd think. No need to do basic science research in any case, and would stick to clinical research if you find that more interesting.

 

[Taurus]

In 2007, 58% of people with a step I between 190-200 were able to match rads.

With more people applying, that percentage is rapidly decreasing.

Crush step 2. Apply broadly (apply to every rad program if you have to, I know one guy who did and he did get into rads by the skin of his teeth) and apply on the first day of ERAS. You have a huge uphill climb, but doable.

 

[CMSRad]

you guys are awesome. I am going to do just that...


thanks again!

 

[Saladin MD]

In 2007, 58% of people with a step I between 190-200 were able to match rads.

Oh wow. 😱 I can't believe that AMGs have it that easy. Lucky bums!

 

[Amxcvbcv]

I would go a step further and focus on doing your aways at programs that aren't a reach for you.

 

[jake2]

Google Charting Match Outcomes. Download the pdf. Enjoy.

 

[penguin24]

In 2007, 58% of people with a step I between 190-200 were able to match rads. Same advice as above generally. Apply broadly and don't try to save money on the application process. Apply to community programs and do as many away rotations as feasible. Rocking step II and doing well on your clinical rotations wouldn't hurt either. 😉

The statistics are worse this year, no doubt. However, it doesn't hurt to try it anyways. If u get in, that would be wonderful & everything is set. If you don't, I don't think it would be hard to find a research position for one year. Either way, with a sub-average boardscore, I would apply to as many schools as possible & go on as many interviews as possible.

 

[da3dl3us]

Hello,

Where did you get the stats that 58% of the people got 195-200 on their Step 1 and matched in Rads in 2007? Just curious. I am at Michigan Medical School and I got 228 and I plan to get 240s or above on Step 2 and I hope I am competitive enough.

I had a similar step 1 of 225, but I did better on my step 2 and got a 236. With those scores, I matched in a solid university Rads Program, so don't worry! I'm sure you'll match in a great program!

Just make sure you get some research going and apply broadly too!

 

[fibonacci011]

Oh wow. 😱 I can't believe that AMGs have it that easy. Lucky bums!

it's our country so it's not called lucky. you're just a visitor. no test score grants you a job in a country you're not a citizen of

 

[Isoprop]

yeah you tell him!

now let's wait until 2013 for a reply.

 

[bronx43]

it's our country so it's not called lucky. you're just a visitor. no test score grants you a job in a country you're not a citizen of

That's simply because the number of people in the world capable of getting such a test score is greater than the number of these positions available, and the actual test is far from being indicative of ability to perform the tasks at hand. This is, after all, a medical information examination - not quantum mechanics or nuclear physics. If on the other hand, this was the US in the 1940s trying to hoard elite intellectual talent to devise the atomic bomb, then getting a certain test score would ensure you a job regardless of natural citizenship, as the supply of such human assets is miniscule in comparison.

Besides, pretty sure he meant that we're lucky to be AMGs, not that AMGs are lucky to have an easier time matching.

 

[MossPoh]

Not to ention an IMG can still be a citizen of the US.....Carribean grads are "IMGs", yet most of them are from the US.

 

[PMPMD]

In 2007, 58% of people with a step I between 190-200 were able to match rads. .

58% of those who were interviewed matched. This doesnt tell you what % of those who applied got an interview.

 

[toayoztan]

So i'm pretty much in the same boat with the OP (original poster)...straight A's thru first 2 years, underestimated step1 heavily with a similar score (i own and own up to that) - I didn't think it would be easy, but I put a bit of emphasis on the fact that I studied well my first 2 years and didn't do much practice problems. So step1 pretty much fell apart for me..🙁

With explanations ("excuses" some would rather say) aside, I'm involved in the Rads IG, know couple of interns in Rads program now, plan to do Rad rotation and few subi/away rotations where I can, and of course get to know the rads people. Honestly, unsure about any research...i hear different views on that.

Assuming I pull an awesome step2 and take it as early as possible after 3rd year (I won't be making the same mistake! - i hope) and do well 3rd year, what do you guys think?

Done with my IM rotation and gotten pretty good eval and A so far.

Just need to know, impossible road or just a very hard uphill road?

Honestly, I feel a bit "devastated" that things were going so well and I just fell apart on step1, so looking to see what others might think. Like I've read in other posts, I should probably say this myself (since no one knows me here) that "i'm not an idiot" - rank top quartile, unsure of AOA yet (probably won't get it now if they look at step1 also).

Thanks guys. I guess you can say I made this post b/c I really want some reassurance (w/o having smoke blown up my ass! heh).

 

[MrBurns10]

So i'm pretty much in the same boat with the OP (original poster)...straight A's thru first 2 years, underestimated step1 heavily with a similar score (i own and own up to that) - I didn't think it would be easy, but I put a bit of emphasis on the fact that I studied well my first 2 years and didn't do much practice problems. So step1 pretty much fell apart for me..🙁

With explanations ("excuses" some would rather say) aside, I'm involved in the Rads IG, know couple of interns in Rads program now, plan to do Rad rotation and few subi/away rotations where I can, and of course get to know the rads people. Honestly, unsure about any research...i hear different views on that.

Assuming I pull an awesome step2 and take it as early as possible after 3rd year (I won't be making the same mistake! - i hope) and do well 3rd year, what do you guys think?

Done with my IM rotation and gotten pretty good eval and A so far.

Just need to know, impossible road or just a very hard uphill road?

Honestly, I feel a bit "devastated" that things were going so well and I just fell apart on step1, so looking to see what others might think. Like I've read in other posts, I should probably say this myself (since no one knows me here) that "i'm not an idiot" - rank top quartile, unsure of AOA yet (probably won't get it now if they look at step1 also).

Thanks guys. I guess you can say I made this post b/c I really want some reassurance (w/o having smoke blown up my ass! heh).

Absolutely nothing is impossible. If you do well on rotations/step 2, show a commitment to the field, network well (this is KEY), apply very broadly, and interview well, I see no reason why you wouldn't match somewhere.

I can't emphasize enough the importance of networking...it's huge.

 

[jfgavina]

it's our country so it's not called lucky. you're just a visitor. no test score grants you a job in a country you're not a citizen of

because in our country we're stupid we allow foreigners to take our places if they score 1% higher than us. only one exam and only score for residency acess. eastern europeans and spaniards take our places all the time -.-

 

[JRO89]

Hi,

I am a third year medical student at the Chicago Medical School. I have a low step 1 score 197. I really want to go into Radiology. I was not sure as to what I wanted to do until I did an elective and loved it. I am willing to take time off from school to do a research project. Obviosly this time around I am going to take as long as it takes to get a good step 2 score. What should I do to get into this residency?

Hey did you ever match into a Rads residency??