MS3 looking for advice: lower than anticipated step 1 score

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Thank you in advance for taking the time to look at this. I am a current third year that just got step 1 results back. I was disappointed to find that my score ended up being ~220. I was really hoping for DR and am wondering how to continue from here.

Stats:
Medical School- mid-low tier program.
Step 1: ~220
1/2 year grades: P/F
Several strong EC
some research with a few posters and hopefully some publications, but not in radiology

Mostly would like to know if DR is still a realistic goal or if I need to be looking somewhere else. I am ok with matching anywhere that would take me as long as I got adequate training.

If I where to continue, what would you do over the next year to improve before applications?

(I did do a quick search and found a few similar threads but wanted to get a recent answer as step 1 averages are rising)

 

[giguerex35]

following

 

[Inversion_recovery]

Thank you in advance for taking the time to look at this. I am a current third year that just got step 1 results back. I was disappointed to find that my score ended up being ~220. I was really hoping for DR and am wondering how to continue from here.

Stats:
Medical School- mid-low tier program.
Step 1: ~220
1/2 year grades: P/F
Several strong EC
some research with a few posters and hopefully some publications, but not in radiology

Mostly would like to know if DR is still a realistic goal or if I need to be looking somewhere else. I am ok with matching anywhere that would take me as long as I got adequate training.

If I where to continue, what would you do over the next year to improve before applications?

(I did do a quick search and found a few similar threads but wanted to get a recent answer as step 1 averages are rising)

You can still get into community programs and low-mid tier academic programs. You should probably focus on doing well on step 2 CK and obtaining very strong LOR. Also consider doing some audition radiology rotations at places you are interested in obtaining residency.

 

[giguerex35]

You can still get into community programs and low-mid tier academic programs. You should probably focus on doing well on step 2 CK and obtaining very strong LOR. Also consider doing some audition radiology rotations at places you are interested in obtaining residency.

is there a website or location or whatever that you can see what are regarded as high tier vs low tier (ranking), or perhaps a list of the community vs academic programs too without going to every residency's website

 

[tigga2013]

If USMD then you still have a good shot at low to mid tier DR programs (both community and academic), given that you improve on Step 2 CK (>235). Do the best you can on the remaining clerkships and keep class rank up preferably in the 1st or 2nd quartile. Aim to publish something even a short case report in Radiology - reason being that you need tell the programs that you are truly committed to radiology despite a suboptimal step 1. Also gives you something to talk about during interviews that the programs can relate to. Good luck!

 

[CyrusHabs7695]

is there a website or location or whatever that you can see what are regarded as high tier vs low tier (ranking), or perhaps a list of the community vs academic programs too without going to every residency's website

ive also been wondering this for a while, how can you even tell which programs are high-mid-low tier for academics, is there a gold standard website people use?

 

[Inversion_recovery]

ive also been wondering this for a while, how can you even tell which programs are high-mid-low tier for academics, is there a gold standard website people use?

These terms are subjective. Your best bet is Doximity, which sorts by reputation, research output, program size, etc. You can also use FREIDA to look up and compare programs as well. ERAS residency explorer is also a good resource if you have access to it.

 

[JWP07]

I had a lower Step 1 Score and my Step 2 wasn't much higher, I matched into a DR program. It's very possible. I personally didn't care to match at a top tier program nor would I have had the chance anyway. I'm at a community hospital and the program is great for my personal goals. If you want radiology it is possible. Just be sure to apply to a parallel program in case you don't match DR.

 

[JWP07]

These terms are subjective. Your best bet is Doximity, which sorts by reputation, research output, program size, etc. You can also use FREIDA to look up and compare programs as well. ERAS residency explorer is also a good resource if you have access to it.

I agree with this. I used the same resources and it gives you an idea of the different tiers.