ross student w/ a 204/84... surgery still possible?

[fobdout]

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i posted this in the step 1 forum and got a little bit of help but more arguing so i figured i'll post it here.

hey all. i've been lurking these threads for a while for study tips and motivation but now i need your advice on my situation. i just checked my scores and i was hoping for a higher score but got basically what the nbme predicted (i actually took exam 6 the day AFTER the exam so i can know what to expect and got a 200). my biggest mistake was not doing questions while studying and waiting til the very end to do so.

anyway, can my step 2 score (230+) help salvage any type of residency positions? i was hoping for surgery i think that's out of the question w/ this score. what positions will i still be relatively competitive for?

i know we already have a strike against us for going to a caribbean school so is my score strike two?

thanks in advance!

 

[Instatewaiter]

The current average board scores for surgery are around a 222 and probably will go up a bit based on the new average. So you are in the hole from the get-go.

Currently, only 35% of independent applicants (non-US seniors) with board scores between 201-210 matched into general surgery. 65% did not match (all data from charting outcomes in the match 2007 http://www.nrmp.org/data/chartingoutcomes2007.pdf page 130)

If you are set on surgery all you can hope to do is do well on Step 2, do well on your rotations, get good LORs, get involved in some research and hope you are part of the 35%.

Good luck

 

[fobdout]

thanks for the honest response. i appreciate it!

can you tell me if i'm still eligible for emergency med or ob/gyn? i was interested in those too. where are you getting these numbers btw?

thanks!

 

[a817]

On page 130 it states 40 independent applicants got it, and 75 didnt. they have a section for each specialty

 

[McGillGrad]

If you are a male, you will have an advantage in OB/GYN but EM will be very difficult.

Many programs filter applicants out via a computer system before they consider potential people for interviews. That is where you score hurts you.

If you can manage to do a rotation or an elective somewhere and impress them, then that would be one way to get your foot in the door.