I scored a 208 on step 1 but still want to go into anesthesiology. I was wondering what places are less competitive that I should be looking at? Where can I find a list of these schools? Specifically I'd prefer to leave NYC, I'd love to be on west coast, but would consider most other places (and hope gf would follow). Thanks!
Low step 1 - what programs do I have a shot at
- Thread starter umhi
- Start date
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2013
- Messages
- 10
- Reaction score
- 0
So...I am not trying to discourage you, but I am going to provide a bit insight of what I know of: 2 of the 3 programs in my area do not take or interview step 1 <240, since about 3 years ago. I do not know about program #3 but i suspect the same. This is from speaking to the program directors/residents, and also from interviewing applicants for the admission selection committee. I however did not check on what programs in other regions are doing. I think you should apply wide and many and hope for the best, but be prepared to have a back up plan in case things dont work out. Being picky about where to go to is probably not a luxury for you, and if you are not from the west coast or have connections, i think that will be quite challenging to go there. Maybe you have impressive research, lots of activities, or a personality that shines during the interview, these are certainly excellent attributes that will compensate very well.
Last edited:
what area of the country are you in?
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2009
- Messages
- 640
- Reaction score
- 299
Sounds like Boston... Brig and mgh?
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2007
- Messages
- 214
- Reaction score
- 55
there are 5 programs in boston 😛
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2013
- Messages
- 514
- Reaction score
- 539
1. Do an away rotation at a place you have a very good shot at (ie not somewhere with a big name, look at the list of programs that didn't match a full class last year there are good programs on there)
2. Forget about the west coast, every Cali person wants to return there after med school and if you're not from there and have a low step 1 it will be extremely hard. Not trying to dash your hopes, still apply maybe you'll get lucky, but make sure that its not your only away
3 &4. Do an away!
5. People have matched with less, just be realistic
2. Forget about the west coast, every Cali person wants to return there after med school and if you're not from there and have a low step 1 it will be extremely hard. Not trying to dash your hopes, still apply maybe you'll get lucky, but make sure that its not your only away
3 &4. Do an away!
5. People have matched with less, just be realistic
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2010
- Messages
- 881
- Reaction score
- 1,268
The average step 1 score for anesthesia per the current charting the outcomes is mid 220's. Most programs arent going to require 240+. As other posters have said though, with a below average score you will probably need to look at less desirable locations.
*Less desirable locations are easy to find. Generally, they can be found by asking yourself two questions:
1. Does this program have a big name?
2. Do people like to go there for pleasure travel?
*Less desirable locations are easy to find. Generally, they can be found by asking yourself two questions:
1. Does this program have a big name?
2. Do people like to go there for pleasure travel?
Last edited:
over 30% of all anesthesia positions went to DO's or IMG's this year and the average step 1 score for gas is a little over 220. If OP is a US grad he should have no problem finding a spot somewhere; though obviously not at big name and desirable location places
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2007
- Messages
- 42
- Reaction score
- 2
So I am in a similar situation as the OP with a similar score. Will a stellar step 2 help me?
I am from TX. I would like to get back to TX or go to FL. Do I have a shot? preferably Houston. I am currently at a top 40 school.
I am from TX. I would like to get back to TX or go to FL. Do I have a shot? preferably Houston. I am currently at a top 40 school.
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2010
- Messages
- 49
- Reaction score
- 13
I would not worry, most of the mid to lower tier programs will still consider you for interviews. There is no list of these programs. Just apply to places you want to go including programs you may think are out of reach. Just make sure you apply to a good number of programs. Being a US grad who passed on the first shot makes a big difference. Study for your shelf exams and you will improve greatly on step 2. Good luck.
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2004
- Messages
- 657
- Reaction score
- 269
Dont worry about your step 1 score...will you get cut from certain programs without PD even looking at your applications...yes. PDs have to filter through hundreds of applications in some way and one of the easier ways to do it is by setting step cut offs. But that by no means you cant match at any program in the country...obviously it depends on the rest of your application and interview. I know of people that have matched at the "big name" east coast and west coast programs with exactly a 208 step 1. With that said if you are really interested in a particular program who has a higher cut off you are going to have to do more than just send in your application...contact the PD personally, do an away rotation, if you know someone at your home program that has solid contacts have them put a good word in for you...networking can be huge.
If you have a low step 1, do better on step 2, have great clinical grades, and interview you will be ranked higher than the individual that killed Step1 and 2 and did average during their clinical years and had an average interview.
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2008
- Messages
- 1,402
- Reaction score
- 38
Eliminate the west coast and Ivy league programs and then apply to the rest. Or at least that's my plan🙄
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2009
- Messages
- 47
- Reaction score
- 1
Am in a similar situation as the OP. Any other advise people have? I am even considering Internal Medicine now after my score...would a similar score as the OP be even decent for IM?
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2005
- Messages
- 225
- Reaction score
- 3
Friend matched in Cali (recently) with a 203 Step 1 and 240+ Step 2. It was her #1 choice. She also received interviews at places where she didn't even have the minimum >210 score certain programs claimed to require.
My advise: Go out to Frieda and see who has listed minimum Step 1 scores. I know University of San Francisco, Loma Linda, and Cedars-Sinai have no absolute cut off. In New York, not so sure.
Good luck.
Most likely more to this story than just step scores. These incomplete anecdotes need to be treated just as they are INCOMPLETE. Did she have amazing research? Is she a minority? Family connections etc.?
Arch Guillotti
Senior Member
Staff member
Administrator
Volunteer Staff
Lifetime Donor
20+ Year Member
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2001
- Messages
- 9,917
- Reaction score
- 7,353
I matched at a very good program I rotated at who had a Step I "cutoff" of 220. My scores were 200/241. I also received some interview invites from some very unexpected places (Penn/Hopkins/Vandy).
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2013
- Messages
- 184
- Reaction score
- 28
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2005
- Messages
- 225
- Reaction score
- 3
Nope. Only thing that's a little different is that she's a non-traditional... late 30's, no research, no contacts, from normal white middle class family, married with a couple of kids. She's (in many ways) very similar to me and that made me feel better because I don't have a stellar step 1 either. She was told by her advisor (also my advisor) that a good step 2 was important and could help compensate for her lower step 1.
Just as an FYI, my other 2013 graduate friend (208, 238) got 10 interviews and matched at her 2nd choice. She, however, was focused on Southwest & didn't apply West coast. Also white, middle class, non-trad, former non-medical career but single.
I guess the point I'm making is that there was really nothing special about these gals except for being older.
But maybe being more mature helps? 🙂
