PMR Residency: Chances and Future Advice

[Hash Slinging Slasher]

Hey all, I'm planning on applying to PMR but I just got my Step 2 CK score back at 225 and now I'm doubting if I'm still competitive for the field given that the average applicant has a 10-15 pt lead on me. I decided late on PMR, so I don't have any away rotations scheduled. Lastly, I will also be couple's matching with partner who's doing family medicine.

My stats:

• Med School: Allopathic, middle-tier, state school in Southeast US with no PMR residency
• Step 1: 224
• Step 2: 225
• Clinical Grades: Honors (Internal Medicine), High-Pass (Family, Peds, Neuro, Surgery), Pass (OB/GYN)
• Preclinical Grades: First year was P/F with all P's. Second year had a D, several C's, and finally a B. I remediated the module with a D (immunology) up to a B
• Research: One poster presentation on opioid addiction
• Current GPA: 2.84 (bottom quintile in class)
• LORs: One IM and two PMR

At this point:

• What shape am I in going forward?
• What should I be most concerned given my stat listing? And how bad is my barely improved Step 2 CK?
• What would be the best application strategy (number of programs applied to, geography, etc) given my stats and couple's matching status?

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[RangerBob]

I don’t know what average stats are for PM&R are anymore, but your scores sound fine to me. The remediation may hurt you a bit, but good step scores/clerkships scores/LORs help minimize that.

I would apply very broadly, especially since you’re couples matching. There are only so many PM&R programs out there, and if your goal is to be near your spouse that is likely to be quite tough-fortunately there are generally a number of FM programs near any given PM&R program, so if you spouse/SO applies broadly that will help.

 

[Hash Slinging Slasher]

I don’t know what average stats are for PM&R are anymore, but your scores sound fine to me. The remediation may hurt you a bit, but good step scores/clerkships scores/LORs help minimize that.

I would apply very broadly, especially since you’re couples matching. There are only so many PM&R programs out there, and if your goal is to be near your spouse that is likely to be quite tough-fortunately there are generally a number of FM programs near any given PM&R program, so if you spouse/SO applies broadly that will help.

Thank you! I'm really concerned about my Step 2 CK exam being a 225. How big of a red-flag would that be considering my Step 1 was a 224?

 

[Chelsea FC]

Thank you! I'm really concerned about my Step 2 CK exam being a 225. How big of a red-flag would that be considering my Step 1 was a 224?

I dont think thats a red flag in PM&R , the only thing is the remediation which you have bounced back from by passing everything else

 

[j4pac]

225 is the national mean for matched applicants to PM&R.

 

[RangerBob]

Thank you! I'm really concerned about my Step 2 CK exam being a 225. How big of a red-flag would that be considering my Step 1 was a 224?

As the others stated, your Ck score is not a red flag.

 

[Hash Slinging Slasher]

You guys are all seriously awesome. I'll be applying broadly and especially in the South East then. Thanks!

 

[dangEras]

Hey all, I'm planning on applying to PMR but I just got my Step 2 CK score back at 225 and now I'm doubting if I'm still competitive for the field given that the average applicant has a 10-15 pt lead on me. I decided late on PMR, so I don't have any away rotations scheduled. Lastly, I will also be couple's matching with partner who's doing family medicine.

My stats:

• Med School: Allopathic, middle-tier, state school in Southeast US with no PMR residency
• Step 1: 224
• Step 2: 225
• Clinical Grades: Honors (Internal Medicine), High-Pass (Family, Peds, Neuro, Surgery), Pass (OB/GYN)
• Preclinical Grades: First year was P/F with all P's. Second year had a D, several C's, and finally a B. I remediated the module with a D (immunology) up to a B
• Research: One poster presentation on opioid addiction
• Current GPA: 2.84 (bottom quintile in class)
• LORs: One IM and two PMR

At this point:

• What shape am I in going forward?
• What should I be most concerned given my stat listing? And how bad is my barely improved Step 2 CK?
• What would be the best application strategy (number of programs applied to, geography, etc) given my stats and couple's matching status?

I know people with far lower scores who matched to UCLA and UMiami just this past year.