Question about Step 1 score and residency

[anesthesiaguy]

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[Surfer]

Yes you can still get into a "competitive" program. There will be better scores out there, but Step I is just a small part of your application. I found most anesthesia programs to be very reasonable about what they were looking for in candidates. Your LOR and away rotations are far more important than your Step I score, and your score is fine.

 

[VolatileAgent]

Yes you can still get into a "competitive" program. There will be better scores out there, but Step I is just a small part of your application. I found most anesthesia programs to be very reasonable about what they were looking for in candidates. Your LOR and away rotations are far more important that your Step I score, and your score is fine.

ditto.

 

[anesthesiaguy]

Thanks alot for your reply guys. I really appreciate it.

 

[Bertelman]

It will certainly get you past the screening point for the competitive spots. Find something else to set you apart, like killer LORs, 3rd yr evals, etc.

More than anything, though, just be cool on the interview circuit.

 

[Flurane]

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[badgas]

Hi,

Just got my score back a few days ago, I'm not really sure what it all means to me and my chance of getting into a well-established anesthesia residency.

I got 227/95 on USMLE step 1, possibly top 5 in my class.

Could someone give me some ideas of what my chances are. Thanks

Well I'd have to say that you're way ahead of the guy with a 223. You might have answered 2 more questions right about the krebs cycle, which program directors really like. Seriously though, so the people with a 228, 229, 230, 231, etc don't all ask the same question... 215+ you are set to get in somewhere. 220 is a cutoff at a lot of programs. Add 10 pts if you're a DO/FMG. Hopkins bragged about the average USMLE for people they interviewed being a 233.

 

[Bertelman]

...Hopkins bragged about the average USMLE for people they interviewed being a 233.

Yet they didn't fill this year's match.

 

[Flurane]

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[Uegis]

Man, i'm getting nervous thinking about this. I just got back my Step I score, and just want to match into a northern California program, but just realized there's only three. Need to work harder now.

 

[excalibur]

Well I appreciate the response but I was genuinely looking for a more concrete answer aka which would be good program that I might have a shot at given my stat. Any info is appreciated.

227 is good enough to get you an interview at nearly every program in the nation. Whether or not you get an interview from the places you apply to is up to to the rest of your application and the residency's personal preferences. So again, 227 is good enough for pretty much anywhere. Now please don't ask us what we think about the rest of your application.

 

[VentdependenT]

Hi everyone, I just got my Step 1 score a few days ago and I got a 223/93. I was disappointed in myself since I didn't meet my personal goal. But now that it's all over it's time to move on and think about other things that I have a control over. That being said, I was wondering if my score is competetive enough to get into competitive anesthesiology programs? I appreciate your guys' time. Thanks alot.

Your score is good enough to get you an interview anywhere.

Does that mean you will get an interview everywhere you apply. I dunno.

Never-the-less you can now get your foot in the door. The rest is up to, well, the rest of your application and your interview.

 

[Coastie]

Vent: I'd say a 230+ is needed for an interview "anywhere".

Rest of the application is huge. Most PD's I spoke with on the interview trail last year told me that Interview>LOR's>Personal Statement/ExtraCurrics. Also that Step II > Step I, generally.

 

[Trisomy13]

Well I appreciate the response but I was genuinely looking for a more concrete answer aka which would be good program that I might have a shot at given my stat. Any info is appreciated.

University of Phoenix

 

[MErc44]

They honestly said that step 2 is more important than step 1?? People need to hear that message. I always thought that step 2 meant much less than step 1.

 

[Coastie]

Yes, they honestly said that. Of course, you can't blow off either one, and both are important, but don't think a low Step 1 score blows your chances at a top program. The entire package is what counts!

Nice signature! 👍

 

[Bertelman]

They honestly said that step 2 is more important than step 1?? People need to hear that message. I always thought that step 2 meant much less than step 1.

From an assessment perspective, Step 2 correlates better with ward skills, which is what residency directors should seek. However, so many students haven't yet received Step 2 prior to submitting ROL that it isn't as valid a comparator. Thus, Step 1 get the nod.

 

[joebillybob]

I got a 210/85 on Step 1 and am in the lowest quartile of my class. I am taking Step 2. What score should I aim for to guarantee myself a decent number of Anesthesia interviews?

 

[amyl]

guarantee? search...this process is random, i don't think anyone can answer this question. best advice: apply widely. pm me if you want more advice.

 

[Plead the Fifth]

My Step 1 was 215/80-something. I got my Step 2 back and dropped it a few points (bummer) but I didn't release it on ERAS and probably won't. If I'm asked about in my interviews then so be it. I should have very good LOR's and a decent MSPE. At this point, I just want to match, regardless of the competitiveness of the program - with some exceptions, of course. Looking at the stats of the last NRMP match, it looks like with a score better than a 211 on Step 1 & 2 you have a pretty good shot at matching somewhere if you rank around 10 programs. I applied to 29 anesthesia spots (around 10 of which are probably considered upper tier programs - UAB, UF, Vandy, UT-Galveston, Emory, Wake Forest, etc) and 4 transitional years... any thoughts?