Should I even bother to apply

[oreo2004]

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I just started the third year of medical school and have been interested in Derm since day 1 and have been very involved with my home derm department.
My CV includes:
-Published paper in Neurology, first author
-Paper in press in dermatology, first author
-creator of a tumor registry that includes tissue samples and information from patients with BCC, SCC, and melanoma and is currently being used to draw links between their incidence and various other factors. I expect to have another publication once more data retrieval occurs.
Now here's the problem, Step I of 206!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know, i was aiming for substantially higher but about 2 weeks before the test, I had a death in the family that affected me more than I had anticipated. This score is not even close to my class grades, but my school is pass/fail so it's not like programs will see my grades.
Is there any hope? Will programs overlook this if I have a stellar step 2? Will my family issues help me get at least an interview so I can explain myself?

 

[InvitroDerm]

If you google charting outcomes for the match from the nrmp, people do match with that score. Do you think you have a shot at your home program?

 

[oreo2004]

I've been working closely with the residency director at my home program and she LOVES me and often says "when you're a resident here..." but I don't know if that's enough. This was all prior to board score release. We only have 2 spots at this derm program so would they even consider me when there are plenty of other applicants with no red flags and a sob story to go along with it?

 

[deltamed]

Does it hurt your chances a lot? Yes
Does it mean many programs won't even look at your app no matter what you do? Yes
Should it stop you from appyling? Definitely not.

You can't do anything about your step 1 anymore so I would:
1. Take step 2 early and rock it
2. Do 2+ away rotations at programs that have a reputation for taking rotators
3. Discuss your low board score with the PD at your home program
4. Don't make a lot of excuses for your board scores because this will refect poorly. Even with the family situation, you don't want to make it look like your are trying to explain it away... you can mention it discretely to a FEW key people or as a minor topic but people WILL THINK it reflects your fund of knowledge unless you can prove otherwise.
5. Remember that people with your score can match but strongly consider a backup specialty application if you arent willing to spend an extra year re-applying with an even lower chance of success the second time around.
6. Apply to every single program.

Good luck.