Should I Continue Pursuing Anesthesiology? Advice?

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Surferdoc007

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Hi all, I am a US DO that recently got my step 1 score back today and scored a 208. I'm extremely bummed out and depressed. I have a strong interest in anesthesiology, but at this point I'm not sure if it's worth it to continue pursuing anesthesiology? I wanted to go back to the west coast for residency (before step), but at this point I'm willing to apply and go to every anesthesiology program in the country. Advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 
Check out the charting outcome.
It’s in radiology sub. If I know how to link I’d do it for you.

Good luck.
edit
found it
matching outcome
2018 Charting Outcomes released

Also trying to say, yes you still have a chance and if this what you want to do..... apply broadly. Probably won’t get back to west coast, but if this is what you want.....
 
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FM programs can be fantastically fickle if they think you're playing them as a backup. You have a REAL risk of not matching in anesthesiology. Do the math.
 
208 is barely passing - it would be an uphill battle for an allopathic grad, but for a DO it’s going to be very difficult for you to match into any allopathic residency, much less anesthesiology specifically.

This might be the only situation where COMLEX could help - did you do well on Level 1 (that’s better than 550 or 600)? If so maybe some programs would be willing to overlook the Step 1 if you can do much better on Step 2. But I’m referring to primary care programs here, not anesthesia. You could investigate DO programs, I have no idea about their competitiveness but they aren’t looked favorably nationally. Fortunately for you by the time you graduate residency it is likely the DO residency merger would have completed so all of those programs would either close or become allopathic. So you may be able to “back door”into an ACGME program in that respect.

You need a backup plan, talk to your school. Without better scores, you need to focus more on primary care and specifically FM.
 
nimbus said:
I don’t understand all the pessimism. Sure apply to FM as a backup. But 19/21 DO’s with Step 1 between 200-210 matched.
Click to expand...

I think we are just trained to temper our expectations, by extension, family and patients’. If you cannot fly too high, certainly won’t fall too hard either.

There probably is a lot of self selection out of applying Gas from DOs. Those who are left, showing in the outcome chart, may have other ways of getting in. Which is to say, if there is a will, there is a way.

Good luck, OP.
 
nimbus said:
I don’t understand all the pessimism. Sure apply to FM as a backup. But 19/21 DO’s with Step 1 between 200-210 matched.
Click to expand...

One of the problems with Match data as presented is it doesn’t catch everyone that submitted an application - only those that certified a rank list.

I imagine there were additional low-scoring DO applicants who were advised by their schools properly that either A) matched in osteopathic residency prior to main match and thus withdrew their app; B) Matched in a different specialty like FM; or C) received little to no interviews and withdrew from the Match.

So we don’t know the true stats here, but the average unmatched DO applicant was in the 210s and I believe that’s a useful data point. We don’t know the circumstances for those that did Match with such low scores - maybe they had compelling other stats, or really impressed on rotation, or found a super desperate community program in BFE.

In residency we interviewed all internal and rotator applicants as a courtesy - but step 1 scores in the 200-210s (with similar low scores on COMLEX and Step 2... overall school performance tends to follow this trend as well) place one at high risk of failing board exams, and they didn’t get much traction with us.
 
AdmiralChz said:
One of the problems with Match data as presented is it doesn’t catch everyone that submitted an application - only those that certified a rank list.

I imagine there were additional low-scoring DO applicants who were advised by their schools properly that either A) matched in osteopathic residency prior to main match and thus withdrew their app; B) Matched in a different specialty like FM; or C) received little to no interviews and withdrew from the Match.

So we don’t know the true stats here, but the average unmatched DO applicant was in the 210s and I believe that’s a useful data point. We don’t know the circumstances for those that did Match with such low scores - maybe they had compelling other stats, or really impressed on rotation, or found a super desperate community program in BFE.

In residency we interviewed all internal and rotator applicants as a courtesy - but step 1 scores in the 200-210s (with similar low scores on COMLEX and Step 2... overall school performance tends to follow this trend as well) place one at high risk of failing board exams, and they didn’t get much traction with us.
Click to expand...

We agree here completely. I hope the OP matches in Anesthesiology but a realistic number even for the lower tier programs is around 215-218. That doesn't mean the OP won't match into GAS but it is an uphill battle for sure. I hope a few DOs are kind of enough to post programs where a 208=Match because those programs are few in number.
 
neutro said:
pre lim IM or surgery, pass step 3 and then go for anesthesia...
Click to expand...

Before down this route.... because I think it’s a very bumpy road.
1. Do well in all your clinical rotations.
2. Take step 2 and kill it.
3. Do a few anesthesia away/audition rotations and kill those


That’s where I see your next hard stop is.

I will try to think out loud how most programs will think. OP, You probably did not do well on your MCAT, so that’s why you end up at a DO school. And now you have got yourself in a jam, by bombed your step 1. Even if I want to give you a chance, I need something, just little something to tell me that you will no drag the program down when it comes to board passing rate.

So your next possible moment is your step 2. If you absolutely killed it, yes your chance just improved from impossible to improbable. If you had come to my program and had a winning personality. Your chance just moved to probable..... gotta play the game smart.

Then comes to that moment either you still didn’t do well on Step 2 or you didn’t study hard enough or you took someone’s advice to wait to take step 2. Then.... you come back and take another beating here. And find the courage to move on.

It’s definitely not the end of your road, it certainly is more narrow than a few days ago.

Good luck!
 
IMGASMD said:
Before down this route.... because I think it’s a very bumpy road.
1. Do well in all your clinical rotations.
2. Take step 2 and kill it.
3. Do a few anesthesia away/audition rotations and kill those


That’s where I see your next hard stop is.

I will try to think out loud how most programs will think. OP, You probably did not do well on your MCAT, so that’s why you end up at a DO school. And now you have got yourself in a jam, by bombed your step 1. Even if I want to give you a chance, I need something, just little something to tell me that you will no drag the program down when it comes to board passing rate.

So your next possible moment is your step 2. If you absolutely killed it, yes your chance just improved from impossible to improbable. If you had come to my program and had a winning personality. Your chance just moved to probable..... gotta play the game smart.

Then comes to that moment either you still didn’t do well on Step 2 or you didn’t study hard enough or you took someone’s advice to wait to take step 2. Then.... you come back and take another beating here. And find the courage to move on.

It’s definitely not the end of your road, it certainly is more narrow than a few days ago.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

I understand that but I think if you show yourself as a very hard working resident with a good reputation and good clinically, pleasant, honest, and team man/woman, that will be far more important than knowing which G protein binds with c-AMP...those factoids learnt on USMLE Step 1 really do not matter a great deal IMO. Yes, its an important exam, but more important is the the application of basic knowledge.

If you are really interested in anesthesia, try to get pre-lim surgery or pre-lim IM at a big teaching hospital where they have anesthesia residency and transfer. Line up your ducks, like passing USMLE Step 2 before graduation, as well as Step 3 prior to finishing intern year. Make your intentions known to the PD. You get 4 week of vacation as an intern - take two weeks, and set up anesthesia rotation at the department. Familiarize yourself with the faculty, do pre ops, contribute and be around.
 
neutro said:
pre lim IM or surgery, pass step 3 and then go for anesthesia...
Click to expand...

The problem with that plan is that getting a good prelim year is by no means certain anymore. Prelim IM is getting very competitive, since everyone looking to match into neurology, dermatology, radiology and advanced anesthesiology programs is competing for those prelim years. Prelim surgery is less competitive, but programs that aren't attached to a teaching hospital could be dead ends that won't lead to a future residency.
 
neutro said:
I understand that but I think if you show yourself as a very hard working resident with a good reputation and good clinically, pleasant, honest, and team man/woman, that will be far more important than knowing which G protein binds with c-AMP...those factoids learnt on USMLE Step 1 really do not matter a great deal IMO. Yes, its an important exam, but more important is the the application of basic knowledge.

If you are really interested in anesthesia, try to get pre-lim surgery or pre-lim IM at a big teaching hospital where they have anesthesia residency and transfer. Line up your ducks, like passing USMLE Step 2 before graduation, as well as Step 3 prior to finishing intern year. Make your intentions known to the PD. You get 4 week of vacation as an intern - take two weeks, and set up anesthesia rotation at the department. Familiarize yourself with the faculty, do pre ops, contribute and be around.
Click to expand...

Being a great resident is helpful, and I'd agree that the individual factoids memorized on step 1 probably don't matter a great deal. What does matter is that as an M1/2 you put in the time to sit your ass down and learn those factoids cold instead of playing xbox and getting hammered. In the first half medical school, you dont have a real job other than studying- and standardized tests are the only way of fairly showing just how committed you were to that job.

One can get through an anesthesia program even if one is an average worker with an average attitude, but you become a huge liability to the PD if they think there is a possibility you won't do well on the myriad exams during residency or become board certified on schedule. The data likely shows the PD doesnt have to worry about a step 1 235 failing the ITE or the basic, but a step 1 210 makes the PD wonder whether an applicant (whose only job was to study and take exams) can pass future exams under the stress of a full residency workload.
 
Surferdoc007 said:
Hi all, I am a US DO that recently got my step 1 score back today and scored a 208. I'm extremely bummed out and depressed. I have a strong interest in anesthesiology, but at this point I'm not sure if it's worth it to continue pursuing anesthesiology? I wanted to go back to the west coast for residency (before step), but at this point I'm willing to apply and go to every anesthesiology program in the country. Advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Click to expand...

You never know unless you apply.

Dont get hung up on a stupid test score. Youll see that as you become a clinician, scores matter way less than your personality and skills.

I had to look up the average USMLE score because when I was applying it was 217 and now its 229.. wierd...

But hey you beat the passing score by 14 points. When it comes to your board exams, all you have to do is pass.

Apply broadly (rural programs, small programs) , hope for the best, take step 2 and try to rock it, hope is not lost.. and dont beat yourself up about it... its a test score amongst the best of test takers in the world
 
I'm a DO with a low Step 1 score of 210... Luckily I matched into a low tier program (Tufts Med Center). I always scored in the mid-90th percentile in the in service exams and written board exam. Also passed the Orals.... don't know the percentiles... I score always around 85% right in the MOCA 2.0 which is a lot higher than some my partners who did their residencies at UCLA, UCSD and Loma Linda. You're not doomed to fail the boards just because of a low step 1 score. Good Luck Brother/Sister
 
drfeelgood said:
I'm a DO with a low Step 1 score of 210... Luckily I matched into a low tier program (Tufts Med Center). I always scored in the mid-90th percentile in the in service exams and written board exam. Also passed the Orals.... don't know the percentiles... I score always around 85% right in the MOCA 2.0 which is a lot higher than some my partners who did their residencies at UCLA, UCSD and Loma Linda. You're not doomed to fail the boards just because of a low step 1 score. Good Luck Brother/Sister
Click to expand...


Impressive improvement. How come you did so much better on the service and board exams than Step I?
 
Chip N Sawbones said:
Impressive improvement. How come you did so much better on the service and board exams than Step I?
Click to expand...
I was so stocked that I got into Anesthesia that I wanted to prove to myself and my PD,who took a chance on me, that I wasn’t a mistake/liability. I read Barash and Morgan and Milkhail in and out during the first 6 months of residency. I did a lot of practice questions from books like Hall? I don’t know how relevant these books are now with all your fancy online programs and apps. I was a resident from 2003-2006. Tufts was a very resident friendly program that allowed us plenty of time to study for the in service exams. I also had a lot of girl problems as a OMS-2. I was basically single throughout residency, which allowed me more time to study. Pretty simple formula..... more reading = higher in service scores
 
I am US DO and in a worse situation than you couple years ago. I have a step 1 USMLE score below 200 and COMLEX level 1 below 450. Although both step 2 USMLE and COMLEX were improved, they were not spectacular. Now I have completed an allopathic anesthesia residency as a chief and pain fellowship. My recommendation for you is to pursue anesthesiology if that's truly what you want to do. However, you MUST have a back-up plan in case if you don't match (Internal medicine as a back up for example). Like others have said, improve your step 2 score. Do well in clinical. Get strong LOR's. Consider applying broadly both osteo and allo. Do audition rotation (4 week - not 2 weeks , not 8 weeks) at remote locations that accepts lots of DO's or newly accredited anesthesia programs (i.e. Kaweah Delta Health Care) to maximize your chances of matching.
 
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bigyihoroi said:
I am US DO and in a worse situation than you couple years ago. I have a step 1 USMLE score below 200 and COMLEX level 1 below 450. Although both step 2 USMLE and COMLEX were improved, they were not spectacular. Now I have completed an allopathic anesthesia residency as a chief and pain fellowship. My recommendation for you is to pursue anesthesiology if that's truly what you want to do. However, you MUST have a back-up plan in case if you don't match (Internal medicine as a back up for example). Like others have said, improve your step 2 score. Do well in clinical. Get strong LOR's. Consider applying broadly both osteo and allo. Do audition rotation (4 week - not 2 weeks , not 8 weeks) at remote locations that accepts lots of DO's or newly accredited anesthesia programs (i.e. Kaweah Delta Health Care) to maximize your chances of matching.
Click to expand...

Solid advice. Keep the dream alive but with a backup plan.
 
Hoya11 said:
You never know unless you apply.

Dont get hung up on a stupid test score. Youll see that as you become a clinician, scores matter way less than your personality and skills.

I had to look up the average USMLE score because when I was applying it was 217 and now its 229.. wierd...

But hey you beat the passing score by 14 points. When it comes to your board exams, all you have to do is pass.

Apply broadly (rural programs, small programs) , hope for the best, take step 2 and try to rock it, hope is not lost.. and dont beat yourself up about it... its a test score amongst the best of test takers in the world
Click to expand...

Yes, that's the difference in the USMLE scores. In the past it was lower than it will be for the next cycle. More schools equals more applicants for Residency spots. What was acceptable in the past, 208, may not be enough for next year's match. It's a crap shoot with scores in the 200-210 range. It can be done but there is a big risk the med student may not match.
 
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