Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
Hi everyone!
I graduated as an IMG last november and am hoping to apply to the 2014 pediatric match. I was working towards building my application, getting ecfmg certified and was aiming for good programs when I suffered a very unfortunate blow. I secured only 228 on my step 1 and now I am confused as to whether I even stand a chance at matching or not given I didnt even cross the 230 mark. The rest of my application looks as follows:
1. I will be taking step 2 CK in july and so would have its results when I apply in September. I am hoping I will atleast hit 240s this time. I have passed CS 1st attempt.
2. My pediatric clerkship scores were good
3.Have a few pubs but not in pediatrics. My first peds cardiology paper will be published before the match though and it is in a very reputable US medical journal.
4. I have 3 outstanding LORs from US faculty members, two of them being from pediatric cardiologists and one of them is a peds gastro-enterologist. 8 weeks of US sub internship experience in peds cardio and gastro and 3 weeks of observership in peds pulm during my elective time in the US last summer.
5.I will need visa. Most likely a J1.
I will be applying to around 70 programs, I am really hoping to get into the indiana pediatric program where I did my visiting rotation and from where I have the best letters. I am in a position to get a phone call made to the PD to help me secure an IV at indiana.
Do you think my average step 1 score will hurt my application tremendously?
I fear I will not get past the initial screening at most programs. I know I dont look as good on paper as I do in reality. I have no problems presenting myself well during interviews so it is securing enough interviews which is the real problem. I am very passionate about pediatrics so I will not be applying to IM or FM programs just to play it safe. I was advised not to take another year off for pediatric research to make my application look better as I should not get even further away from being a recent grad than I already am. Does any one haven any other opinions?
Any input would be appreciated. I fear my step 2 ck prep is being compromised by the fact that I keep thinking about my unexpectedly low step 1 score.🙁
I graduated as an IMG last november and am hoping to apply to the 2014 pediatric match. I was working towards building my application, getting ecfmg certified and was aiming for good programs when I suffered a very unfortunate blow. I secured only 228 on my step 1 and now I am confused as to whether I even stand a chance at matching or not given I didnt even cross the 230 mark. The rest of my application looks as follows:
1. I will be taking step 2 CK in july and so would have its results when I apply in September. I am hoping I will atleast hit 240s this time. I have passed CS 1st attempt.
2. My pediatric clerkship scores were good
3.Have a few pubs but not in pediatrics. My first peds cardiology paper will be published before the match though and it is in a very reputable US medical journal.
4. I have 3 outstanding LORs from US faculty members, two of them being from pediatric cardiologists and one of them is a peds gastro-enterologist. 8 weeks of US sub internship experience in peds cardio and gastro and 3 weeks of observership in peds pulm during my elective time in the US last summer.
5.I will need visa. Most likely a J1.
I will be applying to around 70 programs, I am really hoping to get into the indiana pediatric program where I did my visiting rotation and from where I have the best letters. I am in a position to get a phone call made to the PD to help me secure an IV at indiana.
Do you think my average step 1 score will hurt my application tremendously?
I fear I will not get past the initial screening at most programs. I know I dont look as good on paper as I do in reality. I have no problems presenting myself well during interviews so it is securing enough interviews which is the real problem. I am very passionate about pediatrics so I will not be applying to IM or FM programs just to play it safe. I was advised not to take another year off for pediatric research to make my application look better as I should not get even further away from being a recent grad than I already am. Does any one haven any other opinions?
Any input would be appreciated. I fear my step 2 ck prep is being compromised by the fact that I keep thinking about my unexpectedly low step 1 score.🙁
