Psych with Failed Step 1

[dreambigmed]

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I failed Step 1 with a score of 172...I know that this is not me, and I'm capable of doing much better than I did on this exam. I just became very anxious and my confidence level was low. But after facing the exam, I know what I need to do to improve my score. I want to do Psychiatry...do I have any shot at this? How is the competition for this field?

Is that too low of a score on the first attempt to even consider Psych as a future option?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Bluemirage]

I failed Step 1 with a score of 172...I know that this is not me, and I'm capable of doing much better than I did on this exam. I just became very anxious and my confidence level was low. But after facing the exam, I know what I need to do to improve my score. I want to do Psychiatry...do I have any shot at this? How is the competition for this field?

Is that too low of a score on the first attempt to even consider Psych as a future option?

Thanks for your help.

Hey there. I think you will still have a chance as long as you 1) Get a decent score on your second try (>200) and 2)apply widely and are not picky on where you want to go. A quick search on this forum will reveal that a number of people have failed Step 1 (some even multiple times) or Step 2 (again some multiple times) and still matched after making the necessary improvements. A quick glance on the latest 2009 charting outcomes shows that US students in the score range of 181-190 had an 86% chance of a successful match (49/57) which is a pretty good rate given the marginal pass range. Best of luck!

Disclaimer: This is just an opinion from an MS III that has not yet gone through the application process. My views are based on old threads and the latest 2009 charting outcomes file.

 

[notdeadyet]

I think you will still have a chance as long as you 1) Get a decent score on your second try (>200) and 2)apply widely and are not picky on where you want to go.

#2 is probably the most important factor in whether you match into psychiatry.

In 2009, 681 U.S. seniors applied to psychiatry. Of these people, everyone who ranked at least 11 places or less matched (with a single exception who ranked 16+ places, so it definitely wasn't happening for him/her).

Also in 2009, of U.S. seniors who matched into Psych, almost a quarter had a Step 1 of 200 or less. 89% of U.S. seniors who applied with a Step 1 of 200 or less matched.

This board gets a lot of posts about how competitive Psychiatry is getting. It's getting more competitive, as most specialties are. But Psych is still one of the least competitive specialties out there. If you're not set on one of the top 20 programs, even with a poor Step 1 your odds are very, very good of finding a home somewhere if you apply widely.