Should DO students with low step 1 do rotations at ACGME programs, or focus on AOA residencies?

[Kumaon]

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I am a third year DO student interested in IM and fellowship, possibly P/CC.

I got a 219 on step 1 and 553 on comlex 1, top 30% in class. Not terrible step 1, but I am clearly a better candidate for AOA residencies. I had been getting 220-230 on NBMEs so I went for it and unfortunately ended up on the lower end of the variance.

To put this in the context of third year:
with only a 219, should I go for away rotations at ACGME university programs, or is that a waste of potentially valuable face time at AOA programs? If 219 is just too low for a DO candidate, I feel like I should focus on away rotations at AOA IM residencies.

These matters are only confused further by the lack of clarity regarding the future of AOA vs. ACGME GME.

Thanks for any advice in advance. Please don't rip me for not searching, because I did and previous discussions tend to be about surgery and/or are too old to reflect the current state of uncertainty in GME.

 

[Psai]

just do an away at acgme, it can't hurt

 

[Kumaon]

the problem is that I would have to forgo the AOA match for the ACGME match. With a 219, is it worth the risk? I'm basically asking if my score makes matching ACGME unlikely.

 

[meliora27]

the problem is that I would have to forgo the AOA match for the ACGME match. With a 219, is it worth the risk? I'm basically asking if my score makes matching ACGME unlikely.

If all you want is any old ACGME program, then yes, you'll likely match at one. There are many ACGME community programs that you'd probably be a lock at.

 

[Jlaw]

Dude relax, for IM those scores are fine. If you do well on Step 2 and don't have any red flags you have a shot at matching almost anywhere.

 

[NYUyankeezfan]

the problem is that I would have to forgo the AOA match for the ACGME match. With a 219, is it worth the risk? I'm basically asking if my score makes matching ACGME unlikely.

I'm sure you'll be fine. Also, I'm a active in SOMA, and I can tell you that you're better off with a USMLE score anyway, since the merger has actually started. So many students didn't even take the USMLE, which I think puts them in a more difficult/unpredictable situation.