gwynbleiddd
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Looking to get some advice or perspective on my app for PM&R this year as a DO student.
I’ve been focusing all my experiences and efforts on applying to PM&R since I started med school, and I really don’t see myself being satisfied in other specialties.
Scored okay on Comlex Lvl 2, in the 570s, however had a bad day on Step 2 in the 230s. Really hurt considering all my practice tests were high 240s-mid250s, but what’s done is done. Only other red flag I guess is that I had to remediate 1 course during preclinical 1st year, which is stated on my MSPE, but didn’t have to take time off/repeat year. Upward trend with no academic problems since then. Passed step 1+ 2, level 1 + 2 all first try.
3rd year mostly honors and high passes on most of my core rotations, all positive comments from preceptors on MSPE, especially for IM. School gave me the highest tier on MSPE which says only “a few” students get this. GHHS as well.
4th year I have 3 aways and one rotation at my “home” program in PM&R. Mostly inpatient, but already had some outpatient experiences. 2 of those programs are well known and pretty highly ranked.
Lacking a bit in the research department, have one poster and one abstract submitted for publication to a journal, PM&R related.
Have an outpatient PM&R letter, inpatient letter, and a SLOE. Have one letter from another preceptor not in PM&R. I think the PM&R letters will be fairly strong.
Geographic preference Northeast (Atlantic) which I indicated. Will mostly be signaling programs in this vicinity. No real preference in community vs academic.
Do I have a decent shot at the northeast? I know the region is a bit competitive. Also wondering if having a passing, although low, STEP score is better than not reporting STEP at all and just going with COMLEX? Wondering if I’m going to be screened out of many places with my STEP.
I’ve been focusing all my experiences and efforts on applying to PM&R since I started med school, and I really don’t see myself being satisfied in other specialties.
Scored okay on Comlex Lvl 2, in the 570s, however had a bad day on Step 2 in the 230s. Really hurt considering all my practice tests were high 240s-mid250s, but what’s done is done. Only other red flag I guess is that I had to remediate 1 course during preclinical 1st year, which is stated on my MSPE, but didn’t have to take time off/repeat year. Upward trend with no academic problems since then. Passed step 1+ 2, level 1 + 2 all first try.
3rd year mostly honors and high passes on most of my core rotations, all positive comments from preceptors on MSPE, especially for IM. School gave me the highest tier on MSPE which says only “a few” students get this. GHHS as well.
4th year I have 3 aways and one rotation at my “home” program in PM&R. Mostly inpatient, but already had some outpatient experiences. 2 of those programs are well known and pretty highly ranked.
Lacking a bit in the research department, have one poster and one abstract submitted for publication to a journal, PM&R related.
Have an outpatient PM&R letter, inpatient letter, and a SLOE. Have one letter from another preceptor not in PM&R. I think the PM&R letters will be fairly strong.
Geographic preference Northeast (Atlantic) which I indicated. Will mostly be signaling programs in this vicinity. No real preference in community vs academic.
Do I have a decent shot at the northeast? I know the region is a bit competitive. Also wondering if having a passing, although low, STEP score is better than not reporting STEP at all and just going with COMLEX? Wondering if I’m going to be screened out of many places with my STEP.
