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Hi. US mid tier allopathic student. Step 1 208-212 range. Mostly HP third year. Consistently high 70s/low 80s on my shelf exams. Hoping to aim for a 230+ on Step 2. A few research projects and ECs. I plan on applying to every single program out there due to my low score. The match data gave me a 90ish% of matching which I guess are good odds. I was planning on doing aways at a few target places which obviously isn't happening. Two questions:
1) Do I have a high shot of not matching and should I dual apply? I just feel exhausted at the thought of it but I don't want to SOAP.
2) Any advice on how to make my app more competitive?
Thanks.
Every single program? Why? You think MGH is going to grant you an interview? You can skip the top 1/4 and apply to 3/4 of The programs with the same result.
How do I go about choosing the programs not to waste my time applying to though. Do I not apply to the top 50 programs? There doesn't seem to be clear rankings except doximity and I was wondering how accurate that was.
Yes, your chance of matching into ANY PROGRAM is probably greater than 90%. Matching into a University program, probably much much less. I say you should apply to everywhere and see which program bites, but if you want to save some money, and this is me being brutally honest, I would apply to all of the community programs and not bother with any university program where you think "oh yeah, I've heard of that name. It sounds solid/great."
Your score is at least 20 points below average, and your "goal" step 2 score is STILL below average for step 2... Unless you score in 250's, you can forget about any solid mid-tier prorgrams.
One thing that will work in your favor is the current covid-19 situation. I anticipate almost every applicant will apply to more programs than in the past, and will also go on more interviews since it will be virtual interviews. Programs are aware of this, so programs will have to interview more applicants to ensure they don't go unmatched. As programs also broaden their net, it might get just big enough to include you. Good luck.
what’s a good step 1 score for UNC? Is it mid-tier?
What about lower tier university programs like Tufts or Temple? And those in that range. Or university programs that accept quite a few IMGs. Also do you recommend using doximity to find community programs? For example, on Doximity, programs like Oklahoma and Wayne State are at the bottom of the doximity list. There's not that many community programs. I feel if I took your advice, I would have a harder time matching purely because of the lack of programs I would apply to.
I think UNC is a step above mid tier for sure. It's not Duke, but it's not as far behind as people think.