Sorry... another chances

[polkadot1]

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I hope someone can help me here. I'm a 4th year DO student applying to peds. I took USMLE step 2 and got my score today, a not very impressive 213/90. My COMLEX 1 is right around average, I don't have grades for COMLEX 2 yet. My school grades on H/P/F, so the first 2 years, I have all pass, although my rank should be pretty decent since I generally missed honors by only a couple points (honors in my school is only given to the top 10%). Third year, I have a few honors, including an honors in peds, the rest are passes. So far this year, I have all passes, but honors is not given in the 4th year, so even though on my evals, I should have honors, it is not listed on my transcript.

I have 1 small research project that didn't get published, and I was a teacher in special ed for a year before med school. I have good letters, including a letter from a very respected program chair. So all that said, as a DO student with a below average step 2, do I have a shot at allopathic programs? And can anyone recommend any programs I should put onto my list? I am hoping to stay somewhere in the north East or mid-Atlantic area. Thanks in advance.

 

[babel]

I think you sound like a solid candidate, with a very respectable Step 2 score. Having a few honors in 3rd year is not something to take for granted - I was recently told that top programs generally look for people to have at least 2H and 4HP (not applicable to you of course) in the third year, and you've got the honors which is great! It is of course a challenge to be a DO applying to allopathic programs, but I think you more than "have a shot". If you do your research and apply broadly enough, I can't see any reason why you wouldn't match. Don't wait too long though - Sept 1 is here! =)

In terms of picking programs I am always a fan of looking at the program's websites and seeing where their current residents went to medical school. For example in the Mid-Atlantic, Univ of MD and Sinai Hospital not infrequently take DO's (and looks like one of Univ of MD's current chiefs is a DO).

 

[polkadot1]

Thanks for the quick response, babel. I already have quite a few programs on my list, and I did what you suggested, looking at the website to see where the residents come from. If they had DO's, then I would apply. I was just wondering if anyone had any other suggestions. I have about 20 allo programs on my list right now, and I applied to about 7 osteo prorgams, but I would prefer to go allo.