Repeated Second Year

[missgoody2shoes]

Suffered from major depression and had to repeat year 2. In the event that I have an average step 1 score (220s), but improve in everything else Step 2 >235, great 3rd and 4th year, great LORs,and research. What are my chances of getting into a competitive university internal medicine program so that I can go on to subspecialize in a competitive field? I just need a plan of action.

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[Law2Doc]

Suffered from major depression and had to repeat year 2. In the event that I have an average step 1 score (220s), but improve in everything else Step 2 >235, great 3rd and 4th year, great LORs,and research. What are my chances of getting into a competitive university internal medicine program so that I can go on to subspecialize in a competitive field? I just need a plan of action.

I think if you qualify things with the word "competitive", your chances are nil. No you aren't likely to do IM at MGH and get snapped up by a top fellowship. The question is really, can you get "an" IM residency and ultimately land " a" fellowship in something (without the qualifiers). The answer to that is, probably.

 

[DrMediterranean]

Work hard, be realistic, do your research on IM programs, get into the best IM spot you can get into, work hard, match into a fellowship. It's possible and even likely that you will achieve it if you really want it, but I would agree with the poster above that your chances at "competitive" places are slim to none. Its hard for a PD to choose someone who had to repeat a year of school when there are so many applicants that didn't have to. Having said that, you don't need to match into a top IM program to land a fellowship.

 

[CatFactorial]

250+ step 2, lots of Hs, great LORs, and whatnot could make you competitive.

If you were ill I think that could be understood. Good luck!

 

[HondoCrouch]

Even in medicine, people are generally willing and even eager to overlook a setback that you were able to overcome.

It's when your problems become a pattern of behavior/performance that it becomes a serious issue.

That means you need to be a superstar going forward to prove yourself.

 

[Optimator]

Not to rain on your parade, and not to give you an intelligent prediction on your chances of future medical training prospects, but I must inform you of something...

You state that you repeated 2nd year as a result of major depression. I know you think pointing out such a reason may alleviate the confusion, offer comfort to the deciders of your future that you're not a *****, or maybe instill compassion in the reviewer of your app, but I'm here to tell you that it will only hurt you. Medicine is a funny profession. It's one that claims to have a passion for helping others, but they eat their own at any sign of weakness. Especially mental illness. Which is ironic given that 87% of physicians have personality disorders. Unfortunately, your particular mental pathology isn't accepted very well in this gig. In your next incarnation, ask God to make you a self-hating narcissist. Then you'll get your MGH cardiology fellowship.

 

[Forge]

Not to rain on your parade, and not to give you an intelligent prediction on your chances of future medical training prospects, but I must inform you of something...

You state that you repeated 2nd year as a result of major depression. I know you think pointing out such a reason may alleviate the confusion, offer comfort to the deciders of your future that you're not a *****, or maybe instill compassion in the reviewer of your app, but I'm here to tell you that it will only hurt you. Medicine is a funny profession. It's one that claims to have a passion for helping others, but they eat their own at any sign of weakness. Especially mental illness. Which is ironic given that 87% of physicians have personality disorders. Unfortunately, your particular mental pathology isn't accepted very well in this gig. In your next incarnation, ask God to make you a self-hating narcissist. Then you'll get your MGH cardiology fellowship.

As sad as it is this is the truth.

 

[ucsfstudents]

Talk to people at your school who are involved in the residency selection process and who your trust. They should be able to give you a better idea. And if you do plan to provide this information in your application, you might as well talk to the program directory at your school and ask for guidance.