Need help... Poor board score...

[ElmarBrok]

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Hey guys,
This is my first posting to SDN. I am an MS-3 in a US MD Program. I had been getting 230s on practice NBME tests the week prior to the Step 1 exam. Unfortunately, I did really poorly in my USMLE Step 1 (191/78) because I felt like vomiting after the 2nd block for the remainder of the exam [I felt really ill]. As a result of the score, I feel really down on myself right now. 🙁 I even thought about quitting med school! I figured I'd join and post for advice. These are the questions I have right now:

1. If I'm interested in a competitive specialty like Rads or Anesthesiology, should I give up now and just try to get into an IM or Family residency? Is there any hope of ever becoming (for example) a radiologist or anesthesiologist?
2. What should I start doing now to strengthen my application between now and residency application time?
3. What would have been better: My score as is, or failing and getting 230s on the second time through?

Thanks,

Elmar

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Hey guys,
This is my first posting to SDN. I am an MS-3 in a US MD Program. I had been getting 230s on practice NBME tests the week prior to the Step 1 exam. Unfortunately, I did really poorly in my USMLE Step 1 (191/78) because I felt like vomiting after the 2nd block for the remainder of the exam [I felt really ill]. As a result of the score, I feel really down on myself right now. 🙁 I even thought about quitting med school! I figured I'd join and post for advice. These are the questions I have right now:

1. If I'm interested in a competitive specialty like Rads or Anesthesiology, should I give up now and just try to get into an IM or Family residency? Is there any hope of ever becoming (for example) a radiologist or anesthesiologist?
2. What should I start doing now to strengthen my application between now and residency application time?
3. What would have been better: My score as is, or failing and getting 230s on the second time through?

Thanks,

Elmar

1. Yes, it's still possible.
2. Good grades, rock Step 2 and your clinical years
3. A somewhat pointless question, since it really doesn't matter now. Neither is good.

 

[colbgw02]

At least you'll have a perfect topic to address in your personal statement. I had to make up stupid, pointless stuff that I knew everyone hated reading.

 

[mlw03]

Hey guys,
This is my first posting to SDN. I am an MS-3 in a US MD Program. I had been getting 230s on practice NBME tests the week prior to the Step 1 exam. Unfortunately, I did really poorly in my USMLE Step 1 (191/78) because I felt like vomiting after the 2nd block for the remainder of the exam [I felt really ill]. As a result of the score, I feel really down on myself right now. 🙁 I even thought about quitting med school! I figured I'd join and post for advice. These are the questions I have right now:

1. If I'm interested in a competitive specialty like Rads or Anesthesiology, should I give up now and just try to get into an IM or Family residency? Is there any hope of ever becoming (for example) a radiologist or anesthesiologist?
2. What should I start doing now to strengthen my application between now and residency application time?
3. What would have been better: My score as is, or failing and getting 230s on the second time through?

Thanks,

Elmar

1. yes, but you may have to go to somewhere less than desireable geographically. and you may have to go to community-based programs rather than academic ones. or you could even do a prelim only pgy-1 year, kick butt there, and then try to get into the more competitive specialty. don't be overly optomistic though - you have a chance, but it is an uphill battle at this point.
2. kick as much a@* as possible the rest of the way in terms of step 2 CK, MS3 grades, and if at all possible, get something published early during your MS4 year
3. who knows? doesn't really matter. if the rest of your app is strong you may be asked "what happened during step 1" and then you can tell your story and say how it motivated you to work that much harder.

don't despair. one bad day does not ruin a career.