so with a score <235, but >230 DO I even have a shot!>

[mrhdream]

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Hey all, so dissapointed in my step 1. I'd really love some recommendations onto what I should do. This field is amazing to me, but I really don't want to kid myself into thinking I can get in if my chances are slim. I'm just an average student with a love for ophtho.
I would love input on what I can do now...
Should I plan on taking 1 year off for research? Should I just pick a different field?
I would love for any feedback on this, as I'm really confused right now on what I should pursue.
thanks guys, appreciate any thoughts,

 

[Andrew_Doan]

Your score is fine. People have gotten in with less. The average score is slightly less than 230.

 

[mira]

Should I plan on taking 1 year off for research? Should I just pick a different field?

That's Crazy talk.

It would be a shame were you to allow your good USMLE score deter you from seeking what you desire. While the score is not stellar, it is definitely adequate. Combine your good score with a well-constructed plan of what you want to accomplish in life and a kind, dependable personality and you will likely find success in your chosen endeavor.

--I didn't mean for that to sound like a fortune cookie,

 

[Pike]

Your score is fine. People have gotten in with less. The average score is slightly less than 230.

I'm in a similar situation as the OP, and though I'm happy with my score (I felt it could've gone worse), I'm aware of it's non-stellar status. My question is perhaps a subtle variant: To what extent do those who match with scores hovering around the average matched score or below tend to be extraordinary candidates in other capacities? For example, in general are these applicants matching in spite of their score per unusually substantial research backgrounds or special connections? Or is it more accurate to say that if your score is around the average matched score and you are well-rounded with some research and decent class rank/letters/etc., what is likely to matter most between you and the next person is the interview? Or will the fact that the next person scored 5-10 points higher amount to significant disadvantage?

Maybe a distilled version of my question is this: Is the average matched score around 230 because there are a subset of people matching in the 210-230 range with abundant first author publications or whose uncles are program directors? Maybe here's even a better way to ask: If 229 was the mean for 2005, what was the median and mode?

I realize these kinds of questions are exceedingly subjective, but any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[rubensan]

dear pike,

are you sure you don't want to go into preventive medicine with your knowledge of stats? J/K. I remember having the same questions you did before i started reading this forum. I can't answer what the median or the mode were or are, but what i can tell you is this. if you get the interview, they have already deemed you academically worthy (grades, board scores, etc) and they really want to see what type of person you are. that being said, once the interview comes being well rounded and being able to talk about your research and other interests (academic and extracurricular) intelligently count for a lot. to answer your last question, having an uncle or father as a program director will only help you. i think JR gives the best advice, "apply broadly" and statistically speaking you will match with those board scores provided you are not a lunatic during your interviews.
Good luck!

 

[Pike]

dear pike,

are you sure you don't want to go into preventive medicine with your knowledge of stats? J/K. I remember having the same questions you did before i started reading this forum. I can't answer what the median or the mode were or are, but what i can tell you is this. if you get the interview, they have already deemed you academically worthy (grades, board scores, etc) and they really want to see what type of person you are. that being said, once the interview comes being well rounded and being able to talk about your research and other interests (academic and extracurricular) intelligently count for a lot. to answer your last question, having an uncle or father as a program director will only help you. i think JR gives the best advice, "apply broadly" and statistically speaking you will match with those board scores provided you are not a lunatic during your interviews.
Good luck!

Thanks for the encouragement rubensan. Guess I'll keep prev med as a plan B if this whole ophtho thing doesn't work out. 😎

 

[rubensan]

Thanks for the encouragement rubensan. Guess I'll keep prev med as a plan B if this whole ophtho thing doesn't work out. 😎

Statisitically speaking, it will work out. 😉