preclinical grades

[amelie]

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i had tough time when i started med school last year; repeated the year because of grades. things are going fine now, but i am wondering if neuro is out of the question now...

thanks a lot for any thoughts.

 

[jacksonianmarch]

i had tough time when i started med school last year; repeated the year because of grades. things are going fine now, but i am wondering if neuro is out of the question now...

thanks a lot for any thoughts.

you are fine. i hope you go into neuro.

 

[swedcrip]

i had tough time when i started med school last year; repeated the year because of grades. things are going fine now, but i am wondering if neuro is out of the question now...

thanks a lot for any thoughts.

When it comes down to just finding a spot, if you're a MD student at a US school, and you pass all your coursework from here on out, a spot somewhere is a certainty. Unless the whole world turns inside out in just 3 years. Private message me or others and we can list for you programs that are near 100% FMG's. Some of these programs are competitive, but some - not at all. If you can get into any other residency (all student repeating a year get one), you'll get into neuro (probably should show some interest though - be able to explain it in an interview and not come off screaming "I have a serious personality disorder"). Maybe some top programs would be tough, they are anyway. But definitely, still pursue neuro if you're interested. It's a field that needs more interested students to follow through (interviewing prospective med students I find it odd that 3/4 the other day mentioned neuro, yet 2 of 100 from my school apply).

 

[california777]

Hello Everyone-
First of all, thanks to everyone for sharing your thoughts and experiences. I'm currently a third year student and just decided a few months ago that I really want to pursue Neurology as a career. However, I am quite nervous about whether or not I will be able to get a decent residency. I am attending a D.O. school and although I am in the top 10% of my class, I scored only a 203 on my USMLE step 1. I have done very well in all of my rotations thus far and just completed a Neurology rotation where I received two excellent letters of recommendations. Here are my questions for anyone who would be kind enough to answer them:

1. What is the average board score for Neurology residency programs? Do I even have a shot with my scores?

2. What can I do to improve my chances? Would it be a good idea for me to try to take Step 2 as soon as possible and hopefully, improve upon my Step 1 score?

3. Does anyone know what are the good programs in California? Additionally, what programs (anywhere in the U.S.) do you think I have the best shot at?

Thanks so much for everyone's help! Good luck on match day!

 

[neuroma]

1. What is the average board score for Neurology residency programs? Do I even have a shot with my scores?

~217. Definitely.

2. What can I do to improve my chances? Would it be a good idea for me to try to take Step 2 as soon as possible and hopefully, improve upon my Step 1 score?

Work with your neuro dept, get involved, demonstrate your interest. You should start browsing dept websites, most require that you have passed the step exam, others want scores atleast between 200-210. The step 2 doesn't mean much for M.D. students but not sure about D.O. students.

3. Does anyone know what are the good programs in California? Additionally, what programs (anywhere in the U.S.) do you think I have the best shot at?

Apply to all programs in Ca if that is where you want to be. It is a small cost considering it's importance. I doubt you will have any problems matching, but for some reason neuro seems to be getting more popular. 😀

 

[Fantasy Sports]

1. What is the average board score for Neurology residency programs? Do I even have a shot with my scores?

~217. Definitely.

The average board score for neurology is 217? What would you say the average is for one of the more research-oriented programs (and Im guessing Cali will be even higher?)

Also, in terms of interest in neurology, I think it is only natural considering how much more we know about the brain and the treatment options that are going to be available once most of us finish residency. I think the three fields with greatest growth in the next 25 years will be: neurology (so much research in neuroscience. Its just waiting for a boom.), infectious disease (reemergence of antibiotic resistance, new viruses), and heme/onc (almost ANY basic science research has some application to heme/onc, and drugs are progressing rapidly in this field). And the first two are likely to be undersupplied by top physicians for a good time to come.

 

[osteo2005]

hey there!

i'm a 4th year DO (with a 48hr match day countdown) from UNECOM. i applied to most all of the neuro programs here in new england (12), as well as 2 in new york. i had invitations to interview at all save for two. my grades and class rank were solid. what i think strengthens your application the most are LORs and a distinguished neuro clerkship or fellowship experience. it sounds as though you have a lot going for you! don't be discouraged. having finished an exhaustive neuro interview season myself, i can confidently say that DO and MD students are on equal footing for neuro residency spots. i met a lot of really great candidates from all walks of life through my trips and travels too. though i don't know much of cali, if you ever have questions about the east coast...

best wishes to you, and good luck.

neuro is an amazing field.

 

[syrinx]

The average board score for neurology is 217?

The average Step 1 score for neurology was actually 220 in the 2004 match.
We'll see about this years match in a few days.