Please help.
I am a MS3 trying to decide what to do with my life and EM has always been #1, but I am concerned about my ability to get into a residency that I want without having to totally settle. My concern is mostly based on my Step 1 (200) and slightly above average pre-clinical grades. I do have a lot to offer otherwise in terms of research, class leadership, EMED interest group pres, and tons of other activities (which is probably why my grades suck). Also, my third year has been going really well with great evals and A and B clinical grades. However, with this kind of picture, is EMED out of reach? Or should I look into pursuing my other option (peds). And I guess I should be more specific in the sense I really, really want to stay in Chicago. It has always been home. But moving is not out of the question, it just makes me nervous.
Also, a second question: would it be a good idea for me to take Step 2 early and hope that I can pull off a much more impressive grade that can be thrown into consideration with my residency app? And how early...like, would October be too late?
Thanks everyone. Just need some guidance, which unfortunantly is quite lacking at my school.
I am a MS3 trying to decide what to do with my life and EM has always been #1, but I am concerned about my ability to get into a residency that I want without having to totally settle. My concern is mostly based on my Step 1 (200) and slightly above average pre-clinical grades. I do have a lot to offer otherwise in terms of research, class leadership, EMED interest group pres, and tons of other activities (which is probably why my grades suck). Also, my third year has been going really well with great evals and A and B clinical grades. However, with this kind of picture, is EMED out of reach? Or should I look into pursuing my other option (peds). And I guess I should be more specific in the sense I really, really want to stay in Chicago. It has always been home. But moving is not out of the question, it just makes me nervous.
Also, a second question: would it be a good idea for me to take Step 2 early and hope that I can pull off a much more impressive grade that can be thrown into consideration with my residency app? And how early...like, would October be too late?
Thanks everyone. Just need some guidance, which unfortunantly is quite lacking at my school.